CARLSBAD, Calif. (April 29, 2010) – College graduates and social media enthusiasts are facing what economists are calling “the worst U.S. labor market since the Great Depression.” adidas Golf is stepping in to offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for web savvy, golf enthusiasts to submit their resumes to compete for a chance to become the company’s new social media catalyst.
adidas Golf is calling all qualified applicants to submit resumes to Yahoo! HotJobs, a leading online resource for job seekers and recruiters, at hotjobs.yahoo.com. The submissions will be narrowed down to two finalists who will participate in a head-to-head showdown as part of a globetrotting golf adventure taking them to nine countries on three continents over 50 days.
The finalists will be tasked with creating compelling content through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social media channels highlighting their adventures and building loyal followers during their trip. In addition to golf outings with adidas Golf’s PGA, European and Asian Tour Professionals, the finalists will also sightsee and experience the various cultures. The entire trip will be chronicled live at www.adidasgolf.com/witw.

“adidas Golf is an authentic performance golf brand, so we wanted to test these finalists with the most authentic challenge that would demonstrate their ability to create great content,” said Harry Arnett vice president of brand and marketing for adidas Golf and Ashworth Golf. “Our hope is that through this unique adventure, a talented applicant will emerge who can help oversee our social media activities, an opportunity we have identified as being critical to the long-term growth of our business.”

The finalists will be chosen on June 4 and will be flown to TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s headquarters in Carlsbad where they will be trained and fit for TaylorMade and adidas Golf equipment, apparel and footwear. The journey begins June 27 at the adidas Group headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany and culminates in Bandon, Oregon on August 10 where one candidate will be chosen as the winner.

Traveling with one adidas Golf employee and a small documenting camera crew, the candidates will be asked to highlight the trip for jealous golfers around the world. The candidates will also compete in a series of challenges ranging from problem solving, leadership, marketing and budget management that will test their fortitude off the golf course.

Locations include:

• June 27 – Germany
• July 5 – Norway
• July 10 – Scotland
• July 16 – Dubai, UAE
• July 21 Chiang Mai, Thailand
• July 26 – South Korea
• July 31 – Japan
• August 5 – Canada
• August 10 – Bandon Dunes, OR

Seven months ago, adidas Golf launched its first edition of “Wear in the World” and sent two employees on a 31-day adventure in the Southern Hemisphere to prove that adidas Golf apparel powered by COOLMAX® Extreme performance fabric, and its industry-leading footwear, would stand up against the world’s most extreme golf conditions allowing golfers to perform at their best regardless of what mother nature throws at them.

“The last adventure was a unique way for us to validate our industry leading products and the performance technologies found in our apparel and footwear,” added Arnett. “While we look forward to seeing how these technologies withstand the extreme conditions found throughout this adventure, our objective is to find ourselves a passionate golfer who is savvy in social media and can contribute to our team.”

The search for the best and the brightest begins today. Applicants have until May 13 to submit their resumes and cover letter explaining why they should be considered for the job. As one of the most innovative online recruitment sites, Yahoo! HotJobs has been selected as the online job engine for this candidate search. Yahoo! HotJobs attracts an average of 16 million users every month making it one of the most visited sites in the online recruiting industry. Yahoo! HotJobs’ easy-to-use job search tools, insightful career advice and candidate matching technology helps employers connect with the right candidate.

Wear in the World Adventure2

As you probably already know, Obama’s health care plan includes an extension of coverage for young adults still on their parents’ plans until the age of 26. However, many parents and recent grads were frustrated because the “official” date that this new law would take affect isn’t until September. So graduates were forced to find health insurance plans that would cover them for the “gap” — the few months between graduation and September.

But this past week, some of the biggest health insurance companies have offered gap coverage to let these students maintain their coverage until the law officially begins this fall. This isn’t all of the insurance plans… so make sure you check with your individual provider to see if you area still covered through September. The last thing any recent college graduate needs is the looming thought that “I better not get sick until September!”

If it turns out your insurance company isn’t offering gap coverage, speak up! No American college graduate should get dropped this summer, and the companies need to hear from us. You can make your voice heard by visiting the Young Invincibles website.

Good luck, and here’s to a healthy summer!

When we graduated college back in 2003 and 2004, no one told me that as soon as I turned 22 the following summer I’d be booted from my parents’ healthcare plan. No one told me I’d spend the next few years trying to follow my dreams of working in the film industry and arts, while saying a little prayer each day that nothing happened to me because we didn’t have insurance. Life after college is stressful enough, but the added fear of getting hurt and not being covered put unnecessary strain and urgency on the job search. And then, my fears were realized. In the spring of 2005 I had an infection that required a visit to the ER. It was a last resort and I made my condition worse by waiting until I absolutely had to go. And between the ER visit and Doctor’s appointments, we racked up another thousand dollars in debt on top of our 100,000+ of school loans. I suppose at that point, $1,000 is a drop in the bucket. But at the time, it felt like a slap in the face.

It’s because of our struggles that I was so absolutely relieved and ecstatic to see Healthcare Reform pass last month. Not only will millions more Americans finally have access to the care they deserve, but college students that are currently on their parent’s healthcare plan will be able to stay on as dependents until the age of 26! This is crucial reform, because as I’ve learned, and many of my fellow college grads have experienced, the first five years after college are tough enough without having to worry about healthcare. College grads should be focused on giving back to their communities and finding their path in the world. Looking for jobs, organizing finances, finding a place to call home, and adjusting to adult life are all-consuming tasks that take time and effort. It’s so important that graduates have these extra few years of health coverage so that they can focus more intently on becoming the person they need to be!

Learn more about the details of Healthcare Reform here.

I like Ellen’s attitude. She knows how to connect as well as practice what she preaches. You can’t tell others to be honest and real, if you’re not yourself. And Ellen’s commencement speech (or “common cement” as she calls it!) is as real as it gets. Her advice is simple, but true: you will always find satisfaction in life if you follow your heart and be the real you. That’s something I’m always reiterating on College Aftermath: there is no problem too big and no challenge you can’t face if you’re honest with yourself and work hard.

Kudos to Ellen for giving Tulane’s “Katrina Class” some memorable words of wisdom… as well as some ridiculous dance moves! (You have to watch the whole video to see her bust a move through the crowd!)

After launching the redesign of College Aftermath last month, I felt it an appropriate way to kick off the next chapter of this site, complete with our own new blog, by contributing to the pool of advice for recent design graduates. I certainly can relate to what they’re going through, and felt honored to be asked for an article.

Rather than narrowing in on any one topic, I felt a good all-around support article for easing the college-to-career transition would be most helpful. The final piece, titled “Road Map to Success: Advice for the Adventure After College” offers six main points for helping to keep a level head throughout the turbulence that often accompanies post-college life:

1. Maintain a good attitude, no matter what
2. Embrace the hidden opportunities of our current economic climate
3. Always remain open to adventure
4. Forget about what you think you’re supposed to be doing
5. Get involved with your community
6. And, my favorite bit of advice: Relaxxxx!

To read the complete article, visit the IIDA Blog. And please feel free to leave comments… I love to hear what readers think!

Cheers,
Raeanne