The Desk Essentials

By: Kendra

So you just got your first job after graduation and your first day is tomorrow … First off, congratulations! Second, what are you going to bring with you? I am sure you will bring your keys, wallet, and a cup of coffee/tea (of course), but what else might you need? With all of the nerves and excitement that comes with getting a job after graduation, no one worries about what to bring with them to make their life at work easier.

I asked a few professional staff what sorts of random items they have in their desks that come in handy and here is what I found:

• Deodorant — No one likes to be smelly at work!
• Lint roller — You never know what sorts of dust and fuzzies will stick to you throughout the day.
• Stain remover — A stain on your top or pants would be embarrassing!
• Fidget items — For the long days when you just can’t quite sit still.
• Hand weights — Do some exercising during your breaks!
• Shoes — If it is rains or snows, you have nothing to worry about because you have dry, warm shoes waiting for you in your office.
• Nail clipper and nail file — Sometimes you just need to clip your nails or remove a pesky hangnail.
• Earring backs — You never know when the back of your earring will fall off!
• Bandages — Blisters, paper cuts, hangnails, etc.
• Toothbrush/toothpaste — You’re safe if you forget to brush in the morning and if you have some garlicky pasta for lunch.
• Small mirror — Perfect for touching up make-up, hair, or just making sure you have nothing in your teeth!
• Pain medication — Don’t let a headache ruin your day.
• Thank you cards — It is always nice to send thank you cards after meetings with important people in your workplace, having these available will make it super easy to do!
• Coffee mugs — You might like to offer coffee or tea to people you meet with.
• Sewing kit — You never know when a seam will come loose.
• Shoe polish — Clean the scuffs and dust off of your shoes to keep yourself looking put together!
• Screen cleaner — It is amazing how dirty a computer screen can get. Keep it clean and clear with some screen cleaner.
• Glasses cleaner — No one likes a smudgy pair of spectacles!

Getting a new job after graduation is exciting! Even if you don’t have a job where you are seated at a desk, having some of these items in your car, purse, or backpack can be really handy. This is not to say that you need every single one of these items, but it allows you to think of things that might be helpful to have with you as you go to work each day because you never know what might happen. I wish you the best of luck with your new job and hope that having some of these items was of help for you!

Of Possible Interest:
• What to Bring on the First Day of Work
• On the Job – all our blog posts on the topic
• Now That You’re On The Job – our Pinterest board filled with articles & resources

Read Kendra’s other posts

Photo Source: Unsplash | Stil Classics

The Space That Works For You

By: Taylor

One of my personal goals this semester is to be more productive. To accomplish my goal I have reviewed my schedule and made it more ‘user-friendly.’ I scheduled time in each day for free time as well as intense study time. I am taking advantage of my mornings while still making sure to get enough sleep. What is the next step? Recently, I realized my scheduled productive time is sometimes filled with distractions and noise. I needed to identify which type of spaces I work well in so that I could truly maximize my productivity. Here’s what I came up with:

1. The space needs to be visually simple. If there are posters and bright colors all around, it is distracting for me.
2. I like to have some white noise, but overall quiet should dominate.
3. Coziness is important for me especially if I will be spending long periods of time doing work.
4. The table or desk that I am using needs to be cleared off. The only materials I want to see are the ones I am using.
5. If I am not surrounded by friends I will be less likely to stray off topic.

I am an avid Pinterest browser and therefore see creative workspaces each day, but as a college student, I don’t have ample space in my apartment to have an office. However, I do have a desk and that is a great place to start! While addressing my list of workspace needs, I started to reorganize and customize my desk. I used drawer and basket space creatively so I could clear the top off completely except for my lamp. I added a cushion to my chair to make it more comfortable and made a small iPod speaker accessible nearby. It is amazing how small changes can change how I work so drastically! I hope to continually make changes to my workspace as I grow older so that it always caters to my needs and is a place that I look forward to spending time.

What is it for you that boosts your productivity? This list not only applies to personal office space but may also help you identify public places that compliment your work style. Make sure to think broadly! For some people, their most productive space may be outdoors (weather permitting) and for others, it may mean sitting/laying on the floor. Other factors that may affect you are the lighting, room temperature, and clutter. Here are a few other creative spaces to get your thoughts rolling.

Here are some Pinterest boards with an office theme to inspire you to shape up your workspace:

• Office Space – our Pinterest board filled with articles, resources, & ideas
• The Prepary – Chic Workspaces
• InternQueen – Lauren’s Home Office
• Design*Sponge – Offices + Studios
• Apartment Therapy – Workspaces

Read Taylor’s other posts

Photo Sources: Photo 1: Suzanne via Apartment Therapy; Photo 2: Neiman Marcus desk; Photo 3: Young House Love