25 to 25: Alicia Mierzwa

Posted by May Medallada in 25 to 25, Inspirational Profiles and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Welcome to the fourth installment of my personal profile feature in my 25 to 25 series celebrating the age of 25. Over the next year of 25, I will be featuring a few people who I personally know and admire for their accomplishments. Each person has chosen a somewhat different path in life, and I’d like to highlight people that I think “have it together” by 25 – whether it’s professionally, academically, or in their personal/family lives. These people are currently 25 or turning 25 this year.

Meet Alicia Mierzwa

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I met Alicia Mierzwa when we were both in our last year of our undergraduate public relations studies at Towson University in Baltimore, Md. While we had both been attending TU for the past few years in the same program, we did not cross paths until we both interned in Fall 2011 in the social media department of MGH, a modern marketing, advertising, and public relations firm. Immediately, we connected  and realized we were two ambitious, hard working girls, with similar life goals. We both wanted to move to new cities after graduation and pursue PR agency careers, eventually opening up shop with our own PR agencies. I also thought that Alicia was one of the best dressed people I knew, always following the latest fashions, and dressing nicely for class (even when most everyone else in Baltimore looked like bums in their sweatpants.) I always looked forward to seeing what new outfit Alicia would put together for work or school. It was no surprise when I found out she wanted to pursue fashion PR in NYC. It’s absolutely where she belongs and will succeed.

Alicia Mierzwa was born in Methler, Germany, a small town that is over 1,100 years old in Northwest Germany. She experienced a dream German childhood, the kind you would read in fairytales – playing in the forest, building tree houses, and selling flower braids from the fields to neighbors for money to buy candy. After high school, she moved to Düsseldorf, a larger city in Germany to work in retail and search for a university to study fashion journalism. Eventually, she realized that she needed to do something more meaningful with her life, and she was drawn to the American dream. Soon, she was on a plane heading to New York City. For her first two years living in the United States, she worked as an au pair for a family in Annapolis, Md., and began studying part-time at Anne Arundel Community College. After two years, she left her au pair position and transferred full-time to Towson University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication and moved to New York City only a month after graduation. She is currently a freelance publicist and social media consultant and lives with her finacé in Manhattan.

Alicia sat down to share a little more insight about how she got to where she is now, why she’s chosen this particular path, the challenges she’s faced, and where she hopes to be in the future.

As a child, how did you imagine your life would be at 25?
To be honest, I thought I was going to be famous. I always wanted to be an actress, and by the time I was 25, I pictured myself to be a successful Oscar-nominee (okay, let’s stay a little realistic here), dating Leonardo Dicaprio and living in a mansion in L.A., with a duplex (4 bedroom/2 bathroom) in New York as a second home. But yeah… That didn’t quite work out the way I planned it.

When did you first visit NYC? And at what point did you make the decision that you wanted to move there?
The first time I visited NYC was with my au pair class. That’s right, au pair class! We actually go to school for a week (before being dropped off with our host families) to learn important things like, “Don’t shake a baby,” or “Don’t leave a child alone in the car.” It’s funny how a country like the USA has laws like this. I remember thinking, “Duh… That’s so obvious,” but then you hear these horror stories of how children died in situations like that, and you begin to reevaluate your preconceived opinions.

To answer the second part of your question, I knew that I wanted to live in America when I was really young. I was always amazed by the U.S. culture and how it’s depicted in movies. It fascinated me and I always thought that I belonged there. My mom recently sent me pictures of my old diary that I wrote when I was about 10 years old. The pages are full of I <3 NY, songs about becoming famous, and moving to America.

What do most Germans think of America and the American lifestyle?
Germany is really split, I think. There are some people that are obsessed with American culture and want to mimic the U.S. lifestyle. But then you have the critics, who are really anti-America. The overall picture of America is Hollywood – the rich and famous with big cars and ridiculously huge houses. But then you also have the negative part of America that is commonly known, like the obesity, the lack of government support, and the gap between rich and poor.

What were your friends and family’s reaction to finding out you wanted to move to America?
My family always knew I was going to go somewhere other than Germany. They were really proud that I was making such a big step and just decided to move across the sea to live in a different country. Granted, we all thought it was just for one year, but surprisingly none of my family members or friends ever said anything negative about my decision to stay longer. They are all just really proud of me. The visiting helps, of course. And the social media! I miss my friends and family back home, but I don’t feel that we are disconnected through the distance. Quite the opposite – my mom always says that I talk more to her than my oldest brother who lives just three hours away from her.

What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve faced in coming to America?
Staying in America has been the biggest obstacle. You guys are really tough with the visas. I mean, I get it, but from a European point of view, I don’t understand why there are regulations that prevent me from staying here when I can actually benefit the country with my knowledge, language, and work ethic. In Europe, we all have the EU passports, so we can move wherever we want to (within Europe). That sense of freedom is the most amazing feeling, and I wish we could have that anywhere in the world. In my opinion, we should all be global citizens. I understand that it’s kind of impossible, but if you think about the concept that you “belong” where you were born into, you realize how unfair that really is!

What advice do you have for other non-Americans who have NYC dreams?
Just do it! Don’t give up because authorities are making it hard for you. There’s always a way. Things always work out. That’s kind of my life philosophy. I’ve faced the “impossible” countless times in the past five years and yet, things always worked out for me. You just have to believe in the positive.

Why do you have a passion for fashion?
I’m not really sure as to why I have a passion for fashion; it’s just always been a part of me. I love clothes, I love design, I love the industry (in this sentence I should also say that I’d love to change the industry!) Fashion fascinates me, it always has. When you look through the pages of a book from the ‘20s, ‘40s or ‘60s, you can see how fashion influenced society – and vice versa. That’s what inspires me the most. How we dress is a reflection of what we are currently experiencing in life, what a society as a whole is experiencing. Don’t you think that’s fascinating?

What would be your dream job?
Having my own PR firm that supports up-and-coming international designers. That’d be my dream job. I’m working on it!

What is a common misconception non-New Yorkers have about NYC?
That people are unfriendly. I really don’t know where that came from. I think New Yorkers are the friendliest people in the world. In what other city would a busy Wall Street CEO stop and help you with directions just because you look lost? That’s like the nicest thing ever.

Where do you hope to see yourself at 30?
Well, that’s sooner than you think, unfortunately. I’m turning 26 in September, so that gives me about four more years to make things happen. But honestly, I see myself working in a career that I love, with people that I enjoy working with. We only have this one life, and I really don’t want to waste time doing something that I’m not passionate about, or that I don’t 100% believe in. This is kind of the goal of my entire life, but I want to be in the right direction when I’m 30.

If you’re just as inspired by Alicia as I am, continue to follow her NYC adventures and fashion PR journey and connect with Alicia on Twitter: @AliciaMierzwa.

Congratulations to Alicia and her fiancé Marcus on their recent engagement!

Congratulations to Alicia and her fiancé Marcus on their recent engagement!

(Read more profiles from my 25 to 25 personal profile features here.)

 

Life Lessons at 25: Growing Up and Money Woes

Posted by May Medallada in 25 to 25 and tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

First of all, I just want to say, sorry my #25to25 idea kind of failed. Sorry, I didn’t feature more people. I had several amazing people I wanted to feature, and I still may feature throughout this year of 25. Apparently, life is pretty busy for successful, amazing young people. I can’t blame ‘em. They’re out tackling the world, reaching for their dreams, and making great things happen. Also, I’m sorry I didn’t write more fun stuff about turning 25. I will, I promise. I, too, being a successful 25-year-old myself have been pretty busy. (At least, I’d like to think I’m on the path to success, anyway.)

Anyway, this is the year of 25! I will continue the features soon. I will also continue to post some fun stuff, as well as some other life lessons I’ve learned along the way or continue to learn in this year of 25. A wise Greek life advisor at Towson University once said that I will get my PhD in life. I’d like to think that’s a great way to sum me up in a nutshell. I am constantly seeking to learn more, experience more, and analyze my experiences into answers to the question, “What is the meaning of life?” I will share my life lessons, thoughts, and conclusions on random life topics. I’m thinking you, too, as a fellow 25-year-old, soon-to-be-25-year-old, or someone who once was 25, will have experienced or will soon experience the same things.

Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled post…

A couple of weeks ago, I discovered I could slash my car insurance premium by nearly 50%, and I was pretty darn excited. I’ve told so many people about this in the past week. They think I’m crazy. I think it’s great. If you are at all a real adult, and by “real adult,” I mean independent, living on your own, and paying bills, you have to realize by now that money situations are really stressful. Life costs money. Being independent = Bills, bills, and more bills. Usually, your entire paycheck all goes to bills. You’re lucky if you have $5 leftover to buy a beer after work. (I have not had a beer after work or Happy Hour for several weeks now, actually. That is very sad.) And if you can’t pay your bills, you struggle, and life is just becomes even that more stressful. You’re not sure if your electricity will be cut off, if you will be able to eat lunch today, or if you’re just going to become homeless. (Okay, maybe it’s not that bad. But I am struggling.) It’s just what adult life is all about. Sadface.

Anyway, if you are experiencing money woes, here are some tips I have for you.

1. Do your own research on car insurance, cable, internet, phone, gas/electric, and basically all of your necessities in life. Everyone is going to tell you that they’re giving you the best deal, but that’s because they all want to make a sale and win you over as a customer. There are so many ways out there to save. You just have to take your time to research all the companies, all the discounts you might be able to get, and switch your services. I got several discounts with my car insurance – good driver, California good driver, an occupational discount, and a discount for being a member of a professional organization. I definitely would have never guessed being a public relations professional gives you a discount, but somehow it did.

2. Don’t hang out too much with older people or just people who are making more money than you, unless your friends understand you are poor. They can afford a certain lifestyle that’s out of your budget, and you will be tempted to splurge on dinners, drinks, vacations, etc. You might even feel embarrassed to say no, so you just keep spending money you don’t have, digging yourself further into the hole of debt. Learn how to say no, if you do decide to hang out with people who make more money than you.

4. Make your lunch. It’s so much easier to buy lunch everyday, but that $5 or $10 quickly adds up. You can buy a loaf of bread, some lunch meat (or an even cheaper route – peanut butter & jelly), some fruit or veggies, and you will be set. You might have to take some extra time the night before or in the morning to pack your lunch, but your wallet will be so much happier. It’s probably healthier too.

5. Shop at thrift stores. Of course, you are always going to have needs to buy a new outfit for work or for a work event. There has to be a La Jolla or Georgetown or [insert other rich neighborhood] close to you. I suggest you go to their thrift stores because you can often find nice, hardly worn (some even still with tags), designer pieces for a fraction of the cost. You might even find a steal for only $5 or $10. Who cares if some rich kid wore it once on their Hawaiian vacation? It’s good enough for me. You won’t look like  a “people of Walmart,” but you can still stay within a Walmart budget.

6. Get a free hobby. In San Diego, people love being outside – whether it’s surfing, hiking, cycling, running, or just being outside at the beach. The best thing about all that? It’s free! My favorite is hiking. You get exercise, can spend time with your friends and talk, and it doesn’t require anything else but yourself, your shoes, and a bottle of water. You also get to see some pretty sights here in San Diego – usually the ocean or mountains. There are even Meet Up groups for people who want to hike or run or whatever, so not only do you participate in a free activity and stay healthy, but you can make new friends who also enjoy free activities. If you’re on the East Coast, I don’t really know how to help you. It’s way too hot in the summer, and way too cold in the winter, for you to enjoy the outdoors most of the time. But I’m sure there’s some free activities out there… Find them, and do them.

7. Create a budget. If you haven’t done so already, create a budget. Figure out where you can save on utilities and other necessities. Then figure out how much it costs for all of your necessities every month – rent, food, gas, utilities, etc. Then, it’s pretty simple from there. Find out how much income you’re bringing in, subtract the cost of your monthly necessities from that, and that’s how much money you have leftover. Decide what percentage of that you want to save, and put that amount into a savings account. Then, you see that you only have $X for everything else. Stick to that amount. You see, if you never took the time to figure out how much leftover money you have after bills, you tend to spend, spend, spend, and wonder why you can’t pay your car payment when it’s due.

8. Get help for your alcohol problem. In college, it was okay to drink copious amounts of alcohol four, five, six, or let’s be real, every single night of the week. I mean, half the time, it was even okay to start drinking at 10 a.m., you were just “tailgating.” (But did you ever make it to the games?) There were many bars with $1 beers, $5 pitchers, $15 all-you-can-drink, whatever. It also was okay to drink liquor out of a plastic bottle. Now that you’re a few years out of college, it’s not really acceptable to be nursing a hangover on a Friday morning, especially when you have work. You just seem like an alcoholic to the rest of the world. If you cut back on the booze, your body and your bank account will thank you. You also might be a little less angry and depressed.

As a young poor person, I mean young professional, what are some other ways that you have learned to save money?

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25 to 25: 25 Signs You’re Having A Quarter-Life Crisis

Posted by May Medallada in 25 to 25 and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1. It’s no longer by accident that all of your friends are getting pregnant.

2. Every weekend there’s several new friends who are getting engaged, married, pregnant, or buying a home.

3. And you get really annoyed at everyone else getting engaged, married, pregnant, or becoming a homeowner.

4. Everyone else’s life seems so much better than yours, and everyone else seems to have life figured out already.

5. You’re still not sure what you want to be when you grow up.

6. You think you’re in the wrong career.

7. You wonder if you’ve made all the wrong life choices thus far.

8. In a five minute period, you decide you should quit your job to travel the world, start your own business, go back to school, follow your dreams to become a Hollywood star, join the military, become a hobo living peacefully under a bridge, move back in with your parents, train to become an Olympic athlete, get married in Vegas, write a book, become a race car driver, or maybe just join the circus.

9. You’re at that point in life where it’s not cool to stay home every weekend, but it’s also not cool to get blackout drunk and hook up with randoms, and you just can’t quite figure out what to do about it and where the middle ground is.

10. You think you should probably spend more time joining professional organizations and networking, but all you want to do is sleep.

11. You need to invest in a quality business suit, but you don’t quite have enough money for one.

12. You know it’s probably time for you to stop shopping at Forever 21 and upgrade your wardrobe, but the clothes are just too cute and cheap. (And you can’t really afford to upgrade your wardrobe anyway…)

13. You almost completely die the morning (or maybe even the entire day) after a crazy night out with friends, and you don’t know how your body handled it in college.

14. You’re not sure if it’s appropriate to still let your parents pay for the bill at dinner or if it’s time that you finally start paying them back for the last 25 years.

15. You consider joining Match.com or eHarmony because you’re pretty sure if you don’t, you’re never getting married.

16. You seriously look into adoption, in case you don’t find a reasonable person to reproduce with before 30.

17. It’s probably time to stop wearing sorority bid day shirts, but it makes you feel young and remember the days when you thought you had a bright future ahead of you.

18. You’ve told your parents it’s time they accept that the only grandchildren they’ll ever have are their granddogs or grandcats.

19. You have a bed time by choice, and you really would like to know what happened to the days of staying up until 4 or 5 a.m. and barely stumbling out of bed by 10 a.m.

20. You wonder what’s happened and why you’re not the same size you were in high school.

21. You wonder why your parents told you getting a college degree would create endless job opportunities, higher salaries, and a better life than your peers who opted not to go to college, and then you notice that you are still an intern/executive assistant/waitress/bartender, and the people who never went to college actually worked really hard and worked their way into top management positions or just own their own successful businesses.

22. You are making (or made) more money as a waitress/bartender than you are in the “real world job” that you’ve had for the past few years.

23. You seriously contemplate just quitting your job, leaving your relationship, and moving across the country/moving to a new country/road-tripping.

24. When people ask you what you want for your birthday, you just want money to pay your bills.

25. You’re not looking forward to your next birthday or any birthdays after that because it means you’re almost 30, and you know five years isn’t enough time to “figure it all out.” It’s just all downhill from here.

 

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