In a depressing market like that, people need to step up their game to get ahead of their competition. You gotta prepare. You gotta know your ish. You gotta do whatever you can to prove to that hiring manager that you’re a better candidate than the 300 other recent grads sitting vying for the same job (from their parents’ living rooms).

But how do you do that?

Monster.com has you covered.

Being that Monster is one of the biggest job searching websites in the world, they’ve helped millions of people find the jobs of their dreams. Now, to say thanks, those people are sharing their tips for success with the people who need it most. And they want you to do the same.

Are you a recent grad with an awesome new gig?
A current student who found a sweet summer job on Monster.com?
Or maybe the perfect internship for next semester?

Share your tip on Monster.com’s success site and you will be entered to win a brand spanking new MACBOOK AIR! Yes, it’s true. Here’s how it works:

1. Go to http://success.monster.com
2. Submit either a career tip or success story of how you found a job on Monster (bonus: you get one extra entry if you submit your tip or story with a photo or video!)
3. Tag your entry with “College Candy” at the end.

At the end of the week, we’ll randomly choose a winner and reward you for sharing your job hunting knowledge with a sleek, sexy MacBook Air! And for those of you without job tips, well, with the hundreds of helpful tips already on there to help you find employment post graduation, you’re all winners too.

Good luck!

We live in a social media obsessed world. There’s Facebook, Myspace, (although I wonder if anyone actually still uses it), Twitter, and many blogging platforms such as Tumblr, WordPress, and Blogger. Although we upload our pictures to Flickr and Facebook all the time or write about our weekend experiences in personal blogs, there could be a possible downside to all of this internet exposure: According to the Wall Street Journal, 85% of hiring managers Google a candidate before or after an interview. This fact, which is becoming more and more well-known, brings up the question: To blog or not to blog?

While I’m not saying that anyone who publicly posts pictures of themselves puking into a fraternity bathroom shouldn’t be a cause for concern, I am posing the question of boundaries and what and when a company should base their decision on hiring someone because of what comes up when they use Google. For example, take all the CollegeCandy contributors. Should our future bosses decline an interview with us, even though our resumes may be well qualified, simply because we once wrote an article that mentions sex or highlights the importance of birth control?

Personally, I think keeping a blog of any kind is a worthwhile venture. As a writer, I like to post things I’m interested in, things that drive me crazy, and of course, continuously write about things that matter to me (this includes everything from literary theory criticisms to the correct usage of the Real Housewives of New Jersey’s infamous phrase “prostitution whore”). However, I often worry that if I post liberal-sided articles or a picture of me enjoying a glass of wine that someone may use those things against me and blow them out of proportion one day. Despite more and more social media outlets being introduced to society on a regular basis, it seems like the idea of censorship or hiding oneself (at least the internet brand of oneself) is becoming a constant battle.

But get this – the Wall Street Journal also reports that “Recruiters and employers…routinely do online background searches on their candidates to learn more about them, as well as to filter out candidates with little or negative information about them.” So basically, it seems like our generation is damned if we do, damned if we don’t.

Imagine if you have nothing come up when your future employer Googles you. Instead of them rewarding you for that (something more and more colleges and media-outlets tell us to strive for), they pass on you because you aren’t relevant or important enough. But then, if you have an author’s page or Twitter account, something could be taken out of context or perceived as negative. What about people that disagree with this article? Could my future employer one day decline to hire me because some random commenter disagreed with me – putting me in a negative position?

It sounds crazy, I know, but it’s something that constantly comes up in the world of online writing and social media. While I understand why businesses want to search their job candidates, I think some kind of line in the sand needs to be drawn before too many well-deserving candidates are overlooked simply because they blog about Christian Louboutin’s, OPI nail polish, and Rachel Zoe instead of Wall Street, international trade, and compounding interest.

The issue of ‘to blog or not’ seems to constantly rely on personal judgment. However, personal judgment works both ways. For example, if someone is irresponsible enough to post a picture of themselves humping (see – because I used the word humping in this post, I may possibly never get a real job) a stop sign, they acted in poor judgment. Although they may personally have found it funny and did not make the picture private, their actions overwhelmingly were not in the best of judgment.

But think of it this way – what if your potential employer’s personal judgment doesn’t like your Tweet about his/her favorite restaurant, and decides that you come across as too opinionated because you simply wrote “Will not be eating at Restaurant A again.” Their personal judgment could cost you a good opportunity. The bottom line is that not everyone uses the best personal judgment from time to time (including those in hiring positions), and what one person finds offensive may not be a big deal to someone else. Should our generation have to walk on eggshells so we don’t piss anyone off with our opinions and views on the internet? Is this what it’s coming down to?

Blogger Emily Rose, a recent college graduate wrote a ballsy open post to a potential future employer on her Tumblr, after accidentally sending her blog link in her e-mail signature. Instead of cowering in fear over whether or not her employer would show no interest in her because of her personal interests explored on her blog (such as hung-over day after snap shots and mojito cupcakes), Emily wrote: “You’ll probably learn more about me from this blog than you did from my CV, which is fine. You’ve probably figured out some stuff already: like that I love animals and Africa and my family. But also, you know, sometimes I drink. And I spend a lot of time online….the result of those factors is now what’s on your monitor, and I don’t feel compelled to apologize for any of it.”

While some people may be completely appalled that she would be so open about herself like that, I think Emily is onto something. If we can’t be our true selves or represent things about ourselves in a personal manner, even in a public way such as the internet, then what does that say about society today? In conclusion of her post, Emily hits the nail on the head by writing, “I think I’m a good hire. I think I’m a good person, too. And I don’t think typing bad words or posting a picture of myself with friends at a bar blowing off some steam should affect my chances just because I’m a young person, and the lives of young people are more public and accessible than those of our parents.”

All in all, interviews, resumes, recommendations, and qualifications should remain as the most important factors in getting hired or rejected. But instead of using personal media against this generation, maybe it should be looked at a different way. With our generation riding the first wave of this Google exposure (or shall we call it overexposure?) phenomenon, it will be interesting to see what pans out. Ultimately though, I hope for the sake of our generation – we’re not looked at like this forever. Employers, writers, job applicants, and social media users of all kinds should embrace the more public and accessible use of information today, or at least set some boundaries for the years and technological advancements to come.

You’re so busy with classes (and a rockin’ social life), you can’t seem to get ahead in the finance field.  Sure, summer might be a great time to soak up some sun for those college students who are lucky enough NOT to be struggling with student loans, car payments, credit card bills, etc.  But for a large majority of us, summer is the time to keep working our asses off… and get paid.

If you’re stressing about debt, never fear– summer is just around the corner.  And if you act now, chances are, you can secure a summer job so you’ll be ready to pay for books, bar tabs, and fall semester housing come August.  The question is, where should you look?

1.  Your former part-time high school job.

If you’re going home for the summer, the good news is, you’ll be close to the company you’ve worked at since you were 16.  Sure, it might not be the most glam way to spend the summer months, but desperate times call for desperate measures.  Maybe you were counting down the days until you could quit pre-college, but you’ve had some time off, and a few more months might not kill you.

Did you quit because you had to leave for college? Guess what- they probably had a whole rush of high school seniors do the same.  It doesn’t hurt to contact your old boss and ask if any shifts are available for the summer.  They’re inclined to say “yes” because they won’t have to pay to train you, and you can start at your old salary- or higher- without having to go through minimum-wage training.

2.  Tourist traps.

Plenty of places that are in summer vacay hot spots only hire for the summer, so you’re more apt to get hired here than a place that’s looking for a long term commitment and are put off by your May-August availability.  Beachside resorts and restaurants, cruise lines, and theme parks are all about hiring for the summer, and many of them will pay for housing because most of their employees are summer temps.  Bonus? You’ll be working with other college students on a summer hiatus- think the underground party that Baby crashes in Dirty Dancing or Lea Remini’s breakthrough role as Stacy in Saved by the Bell.

3.  Summer Camp

Obviously, they only hire for the summer, and college students have an advantage here.  Whatever your skills are, in this day and age, there’s a camp for just that.  Nutrition major? Try “fat camp” (or whatever the PC term is for that these days). Starving actor? Theater camp’s the way to go.  Sports freak? Basketball camp.  Total nerd? Try programs like math camp or youth science camp (I once participated in a program called KAST- Kids Are Scientists Too! Yes, the exclamation point was part of the title, and I learned how make ice cream in a plastic bag there – don’t ask questions).  Even if you don’t have a specialization yet, you may be able to apply as a general camp counselor, and you won’t have to worry about breaking a contract at the end of the season.

4.  Summer Stock.

For all of you liberal and fine arts majors, check it out!  Summer Stock is the best part of the year for many regional theater companies, but you don’t have to be an actor to appreciate it.  Theaters may be looking to fill their Summerstock positions with assistants in marketing, finance, production (read: carpentry), education, or management.  If you have  love for the arts, you’ll have a decent chance of getting an interview. And Summerstock participants are totally prone to partying.

5.  Paid internships.

This is a great time to do an internship, gain experience, and potentially make some cash.  It’s great for your resume, so it’s a good idea to look into companies close to where you’ll be staying this summer, as well as gigs that might be beneficial to list on your resume in the future.  You might not make as much money as you would waiting tables at Jimmy’s Crab Shack all summer, but it’s something.

6.  The internet.

Who knows what other companies are hiring?  Check out summerjobs.com, snagajob.com, coolworks.com, and, of course, craigslist.  Just see what comes up.  Your bank account, your credit report, and your parents will thank you when you can make timely payments next fall without asking for help.

Anyway, More had a list of the top five growing careers out there. Yes, even the golden age of layoffs, some jobs are still safe. And it made me think back a few years, before the recession hit. When I first declared a major in English, the employment gurus were saying it was a great major, thanks to its versatility. Now, not so much. So, as you continue to rack up all of those student loans, ask yourself: is your major going to pay off after college?

Since I felt guilty about ripping a page out of a middle-aged-lady mag in the gynecologist’s office, I came home to research the most lucrative jobs, and while More only listed five, Boston.com predicts thirty careers that will flourish by 2016.  Here is a sampling of some of the careers that will get your education the most bang for your buck.

#30: Physician Assistants

Screw the time and money it takes to become a doctor.  Physician assistants can test for their license after two years!  Boston.com predicts a 27% increase in this job market, up from 66,000 in 2006.  Three years ago, PA’s were raking in close to $75,000 a year!  Even in this rough economy, assistants are flourishing because they are often just as qualified as doctors to diagnose common problems such as the flu, and even with a five-figure salary, they are more cost-effective than a bevy of Physicians.

See also: Physical Therapists

#25 Computer Software and Systems Software Engineers

No surprise here, since everything is going digital.  The number employed in 2006 was a wapping 350,000, with a projected 28.2% increase by 2016.  That’s 448,000 computer-savvy employees…raking in a median of $87,500.  Damn!

See also: Database Administrators

#21 and #20 Marriage and Family Therapists/Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counselors

The divorce rate is skyrocketing, teenagers are getting pregnant, cyber-bullying is on the rise, and as the stress of a crumbling economy wears everyone thin, we’re all going to need some headshrinking to get through the day. Besides, when people have reached their wit’s end, it’s a lot easier to turn to drugs and alcohol as a form of escape.  And no matter how desparate people get, junkies and alcoholics will find a way to find their fix.  The pay is slightly lower, at about $40-45,000 a year, but this is another service that will always be needed.

#12 Financial Analysts

Ha. How ironic. (See also: Personal Financial Advisors)

#7 Theatrical and Performance Make-up Artists

Okay, I can see the substance abuse counselor positions rising. But seriously? Who’d have guessed theatrical and performance make-up artists were in high demand?  I guess hit musicals like Shrek: The Musical and Wicked are good for the job market.

#2 Personal and Home Care Aides

The number employed in 2006 was 787,000, and the expected increase in jobs in this field is 50%.  That’s an additional 390,000 something jobs popping up in just ten years.  I suppose that since everyone is struggling to get ahead in the office (or just to maintain an entry-level position), nobody has time to stay at home and care for a sick relative.  And as long as there are families, there are people who would do anything to see their loved ones properly cared for.

So there you have it.  A taste of some of the most rapidly expanding job markets.  I find it ironic that less than five years ago, Liberal Arts Degrees were all the rage, and barely any jobs mentioned above require such diplomas.  I’m not saying to give up your dreams; quite frankly, even if I’d tried to get through a Bachelor of Science in…anything, I’d probably end up a homeless drop-out.  So at least I’ve got something going for me.  But it’s good to know what kinds of opportunities may be waiting in your future.

It’s not that I change jobs like I change my underwear. Last spring, I waited tables and worked for a travel website on my days “off.” I also had one week in January where I was paid for work study from the Fall ’07 semester. Over the summer, I worked Summerstock at a theater. Last semester, I had a paid internship, and I did marketing work for a parent company, so each of the branches I marketed for are considered a separate entity.

What the hell am I going to do? You might be asking yourself the same thing, even if you’ve only held a normal number of jobs (one, two… three?) in the past year. I mean, all the pointless Gen Eds they make us take, and none of them are “Filing Your Taxes 101.” Don’t worry. If the IRS expected everyone to file their taxes on their own, well… it would be like George W. getting reelected.

Here are a few resources I’ve come across as I’ve begun my slow descent into the Hell that is my personal tax season. Feel free to share any other links that you’ve come across. We all want to make it out of college without being arrested for tax fraud.

1. The IRS Themselves.

This handy-dandy little page includes links for everything from the generic “Help With Tax Questions,” to “How Do You Report Suspected Tax Fraud Activity?” to “IRS.gov Web Policies.” That last one might be a good link to check out. Before you attempt to conquer your taxes alone, or spend the money on a consultant, you may want to check out the “Help Finding a Specific Form or Publication” page, which allows you to locate the documents you need by topic.

Are you reading this column, and fear it’s already too late? The IRS has a Taxpayer Advocate Service. Hallelujah.

2. H & R Block

One of the leading names in tax assistance, the H & R Block website has easy access to tax professionals, as well as online options “for any budget.” If you’ve already been to a tax pro, you can search for him or her here, and if you’ve never been, you can filter all of the H & R reps through location or area of expertise. They have a free online service that claims to be “simple,” as well as programs for a mere $40 and up. Hey, if doing your taxes correctly means a big ass rebate, $40 is chump change.

If you’re still having trouble, try the customer service support or the Income Tax Course, which includes tips on how to get started on your taxes.

3. TurboTax

The “Tax Tips” on the main page not only include a link just to resources for college students, but a Tax Estimator to break the big news before you hire a professional. Like H & R Block, TurboTax has online software, ranging from free programs to a customized $29.95 deal.  Not too shabby.

4.  Tax Help Online 

This site may not have the brand recognition of H & R Block or Turbo Tax, but with tabs like “Tax Help Now!”, “Ask the Expert,” “IRS Problem Solver,” and “Situation Analysis,” it’s pretty appealing.  Compiled by Dan Pila, Tax Help Online also has a bloglike newsletter with featured articles like this month’s Standard Mileage Rates for 2009.  The con? You have to pay for a lot of special features, and there are certain topics that Pila can’t address here, though the site can help you find a tax pro close to you.

5.  Your Dad 

Hop on your Gmail, and email your pops, or some other reliable family member, if you’re still having trouble.  They’ve been doing taxes a lot longer than usual, and may be able to point you in the direction of a trusted tax advisor, the best program for you, or, if you’re lucky, volunteer to do your taxes for you.  My dad has done my taxes for me in the past, though this year I’m on my own.  But he still has some recommendations for where I can get my tax help without spending hours filing through Google search results.

If you disagree with everything I just said, you probably don’t need this column. But if you’re nodding along because you’re officially an adult and still don’t know how to manage your money, then you might want to pay attention every week, because I’m going to (try to) get you through this, and make you a successful saver and a wise spender.]

Congratulations! You’ve got a job! You can start making money… and the government can start taking money from you!

On your first day at a new job, you’re going to get slapped with a stack of paperwork: company handbook, sexual harrassment awareness statement, and, of course, the W2 form. How many of you have snuck into the bathroom to call your parents and ask them WTF to write in this form? Yeah, me too. Here is everything you need to know:

The W2 determines how much money in taxes will be taken out of your paycheck. Typically, dependents have the most taken out, independents are somewhere in the middle, and people who have dependents have the least. Usually, college students are either “dependents” or sole “independents.” If your parents claim you as their dependent, they are basically telling the gov’t that they support you; therefore, the gov’t sees your wages as extra cash, and will take more money from you. If you are independent with no one to provide you, the tax form says (in layman’s terms) that you are responsible for living expenses (rent, utilities, tuition, etc), but don’t have to spend your money on anything else.

If you are claiming yourself as a dependent, you fill out zero’s all across the board. You don’t even have to worry about any of the other confusing boxes or lines, and you don’t have to add anything up in the ‘totals’ column. The zero means that you are providing for zero people, including yourself. If you are an independent, you claim ’1′ because you are providing for one person: yourself.

At the end of the year, when you fill out your taxes, you will declare roughly how much you spend in a year, and the government compares it to the amount of money they took out of your paychecks. If they took out too much, guess what! You get a big, fat tax return. If you made considerably more than you had to spend, they might slap you with bill to give them even more of your money.

What does this mean in the long run? A little tip: if you provide for yourself, and you fill out zeros on your W2 (like a dependent), the government will take a large sum of your hard-earned money every week. But on the bright side, when you do your tax forms, you can change your standing to “1″ and say that you had to provide for someone, all while they were robbing you of your income. Usually, this will result in a nice big tax return in February.

That’s a decent chunk of change to put towards spring break.

Now, over the course of my employment history, I have helped 70-year-old women try on bras. I have scooped ice cream for ten hours straight. I have swiped cards at my dining hall after rugby practice lets out and the guys are pulling said cards from the sweaty waistbands of their shorts (um, ew). I fact checked articles on light bulbs and dumpsters all summer. I work hard for my money, darn it, and losing a substantial portion to taxes does not make me happy.

The upcoming election is a hot topic, and the discussion of what’s going to happen to our taxes is part of the reason. People are already paying large portions of their income to our government and it’s always scary to try and figure out just what the next person in office is going to do to your paycheck. Instead of paying for the new suit you need for work, that money just might be sucked into the oblivion of our national deficit.

So what to do? Well, for starters, look at the candidates’ tax proposals. Yeah, you might think that Democrats usually lower taxes for us in the peanuts range of the income scale and Republicans mean tax breaks for the wealthy, but in reality it’s far more complicated.

Take Obama, for example. If we only consider his individual tax changes (let me tell you, there are a lot of different taxes out there, for both corporations and individuals), we’re looking at tax cuts for what he terms “the middle class,” where he considers the wealthy anyone earning more than $250,000 annually. McCain is also proposing tax cuts, on a smaller scale. How is a person to choose?

The Los Angeles Times published a chart estimating how much the average federal tax (including taxes on income, dividends, capital gains, and payroll) bill will change for the everyday American under the two different proposals. Recent college graduates enter the job market at a variety of salaries, but for our purposes, let’s say it’s generally between $20,000 and $60,000.

If you’re on the lower end of that scale, McCain’s tax cuts are going to save you about $124, according the LA Times. In contrast, Obama’s will let you keep about $950. A week of groceries versus a month’s rent. The upper end of that scale means a difference of saving either $282 under McCain or $1,035 under Obama.

However, the more you earn, the more the gap narrows until the top 20% of earners, where Obama’s proposal will actualy increase the tax rate. You’re not there yet, but maybe your parents are, or you will be in a few years. McCain’s largest tax cut for the wealthiest 1% of earners saves them about $31,943, but Obama’s proposal adds a whopping $114,238. In my case, my parents pay my college tuition, for which I am profoundly grateful. That additional $114,238 covers almost three years for me.

I’ve heard people argue that the wealthy still make a lot of money despite huge tax payments, but the reality is, they generally work for it. Given the pain I feel at losing that $7.50 of an hour worked at an ice cream shop, I can only imagine what it feels like to give up one hundred grand. What does that represent to them? A week away from their family? Never being home in time for dinner? When looking at these tax proposals, absolutely consider your income range but also consider how the rest of the population will be affected. Yes, Obama’s plan is awesome for people like me, but McCain’s offers some relief for everyone. It’s at least something to think about.

I graduate in May of 2009, and as I refuse to undergo any more schooling for the time being, I will (hopefully) have a job. With the typical entry level salary for a college graduate, Obama’s proposal is going to be more beneficial to me, and probably to many of you CC readers. However, McCain is also offering us a break, just not quite as much of one. When it comes down to it, both plans will (unfortunately) increase our national debt by several trillion dollars. Different means, same results.

As for me, I will just be grateful if there are any tax cuts at all. Giving up the money from that hour I personally fitted someone’s grandmother into a Miracle Bra almost made me cry.

[photosource:www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24353211/wid/%2011915773]

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Craigslist, there is an individual site for most major cities across the US (and around the world, for that matter), e.g. losangeles.craigslist.org, boston.craigslist.org, and so on. Craigslist is basically a bunch of classified ads, and there’s a huge section of both “jobs” and “gigs” just waiting for you to stumble upon. So whether you want to splurge on a shopping spree, get your grandmother a birthday present, or actually buy your books this semester, look on Craigslist. I recommend browsing the categories “ETC” and “Event,” though if you have a particular talent or skill, you may want to look under “Creative,” “Labor,” or “Writing.”

Here are some of my favorite past Craigslist gigs:

1. Mock Juror

Listed under: Event

Paid: $60 for less than 4 hours

Perks: A 15-minute break, free coffee, soft drinks, and snacks, and cash payment.

I had to fill out a couple of surveys to qualify, but this gig was open to all ages, races, genders, and occupations. I had to go to a hotel meeting room and listen to the facts of a real case that hadn’t gone to trial yet. Then, all the participants had to discuss what they thought of the case, such as whether the prosecutors should clarify any of their evidence, or if the defense had any decent, er, defense.

2. Market Research Participant

Listed under: ETC

Paid: $75-$125 for about 2 hours

Perks: Cash payment, free snacks and soft drinks, and opportunities to join a market research database for later studies

I’ve done market research studies for people with no health insurance, bargain shoppers, and soda drinkers. Usually, you sit in a room with some other people (again, from all walks of life), and share your thoughts regarding the subject. “Yes, I would get health insurance if it was cheaper.” “I don’t shop at that discount store because it’s trashy.” Then you get paid. The only study that was different was the soda study, in which I had to press a button when I saw a certain word appear on a screen, and then watch some advertisements for said soda product. But hey, that one paid well, and there’s no harm in pressing a button for a couple of hours.

3. Door Hanger Distributor

Listed under: Event

Paid: $200 for a day’s work

Perks: $25 gas stipend

I can’t really call this one of my “favorites,” but it was the most profitable. Basically, I had to walk around for several hours and hang door hanger advertisements for a local ice cream shop on peoples’ front doors. It sounds easy enough, and I got to burn calories while jamming out with my i-Pod, but at the end of the day, I thought my legs were going to fall off. A few hours into the gig, I was cursing myself for responding to the ad, but a week later, when I was up $225, I forgot about my aching knees and the weird sunburn I got after missing a patch of skin on my back.

4. Freelance Writer

Listed under: Writing

Paid: $10-$50 per piece

Perks: Can become a routine gig, and it’s a job that can be added to your resume

I’ve written for various C-list posters, from a telemarketing script to restaurant reviews. Some jobs pay via Paypal, which is cool, because instead of blowing the money right away, I let it accumulate, and then transfer a couple hundred bucks to my bank account and go on a shopping spree. The most profitable freelance gig I’ve done earned me $50 for a 100-word anecdote. Not too shabby. If you’re into writing, I suggest looking at multiple Craigslist sites, especially the larger hubs in America like New York or LA, because you can usually telecommute and work these gigs from home, at all hours of the night.

I’ve found that an avid Craigslist whore like myself can earn a pretty chunk of change by doing odd jobs. Sure, they aren’t the most glamorous tasks, but you can make your own schedule, and usually average over $10 an hour for your work. Plus, you don’t have to deal with a shitty boss, and once the job is done, you’re done with the company altogether. Be weary of what posts your respond to, however — I don’t recommend responding to “Will Pay a Hot Girl to Escort Me to a Company Party,” and if you find a market research post that requires you to fill out a survey, or follow a link to qualify, it’s probably a scam. The good news is, the more comfortable you get with Craigslist, the quicker you’ll be able to find a job that suits you, and you’ll be able to weed out the whack job posters from the legitimate opportunities.

[What's the best job you ever landed off of Craigslist?]

Being single for a while can make a girl think that hoping over a few states to visit an all-male brothel would be an awesome way to spend spring break.

Heidi Fleiss, the “Hollywood Madam” who’s had her share of legal woes and national media attention, is in the process of opening her new “Stud Farm” brothel in Nevada, a place purely for women and their fantasies.

“This establishment will hire men to service women” StudFarm’s website claims. “There will be no male to male sexual services offered.”

“We will hire 20 men and 10 on stand-by,” continues the information. “Lady customers will be charged $250.00 an hour that will be split 50-50 to the house. Men will be able to keep all tips. They will be charged a weekly rate for a housekeeper, room, board, and food. Weekly tests for STDS and HIV are mandatory. Employees will register for a work card with the sheriff’s department.”

Prostitution is legal in Nevada, and it seems like Fleiss is determined to do it right. So intent is she on finding the world’s best pieces of well bread man-meat, she’s even offering Employment Opportunities on her website.

Apply online to be a male prostitute, and spend your days lounging in the sun, acting as a boy-toy for rich women.

I mean, life could be worse.

While I think I’ll plead the 5th when it comes to my opinion of people having sex for money, I will say the idea of someone acknowledging the fact that chicks might enjoy made-to-order escorts just as much as men is an interesting step for the feminist revolution.

Also, when was a hot guy who will do whatever you ask a bad thing?

It was a given that I would be around New York City because that is the place to go for my future career. Not to mention the fact that I absolutely love the place and had the time of my life interning over the course of two different summers. Lucky for me, a good amount of people from my school also head down there to start “real” lives.

My experience was similar to a new trend that has really started with our generation. That new fad being putting priority on WHERE you will be living, instead of WHAT you will be doing. Recent grads tend to decide what city they want to live in, and then the job comes secondary.

The job tends to be something figured out once you have moved to the chosen location, as was my experience, which made for many stressful unemployed days filled with cupcakes and wondering just how I was going to get by. Eventually things worked out and I can officially say I am employed in my chosen field and have my own apartment.

But, this ballsiness (is that even a word?) is something that our parents are not used to. Long gone are the days of sending out resumes to every viable city or town in America and seeing where you get a bite. We refuse to live in a horrible town just to have a job, which I think is a great philosophy.

The New York Times had a recent article commenting on this trend of placing quality of life above purely being employed;

“Sixty-five percent of 1,000 respondents aged 24 to 35 who were asked by the Segmentation Company, a division of the marketing consultant Yankelovich, said they preferred to look for a job in the place that I would like to live, rather than look for the best job I can find, the place where it is located is secondary.”

I personally think this is a great thing because now cities are trying to become more attractive to young adults and college graduates. “Urban leaders are increasingly courting young workers, because as baby boomers retire, Gen Y will have to fill the gap. Across the country, cities are scrambling to become the place that recent grads want to be.”

My hope is that what will eventually happen, if this keeps up, is cities will continue to improve and graduates will literally have their pick of amazing places to live. Instead of us fighting to get a place anywhere we can, they will be courting us. A role reversal of sorts, and I think it’s fabulous.

So, current college students, you can start doing your research now into what places or cities seem attractive to you. By the time you graduate, it just may be the new hot spot.