6.9 A Career You Can Thrive In with Today's Digital World

Do you enjoy interacting on social media and using technology? Are you a critical thinker with a creative soul ready to be successful in today's business world? If you answered yes, we know you would be an excellent fit for our Digital Marketing program. 

Throughout this program, you will learn how to build trusting relationships with clients on digital platforms, create content your audience will pay attention to, get noticed online, and so much more. We've got you covered whether you want to start up your own successful business or help another business with things such as rebranding, increasing online engagement, or creating awareness on a new product. The digital world is more prevalent than ever, and understanding how to utilize digital platforms is key to a thriving career.

Skills acquired through the program include: 

• Mobile Marketing Strategies
• Social Media Campaigns
• Audio/Video Recording and Editing
• Digital Design Concepts
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Google Analytics
• Responsive Web Design
• Basic Coding for Marketers
• Policies, Laws, and Ethics
• Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, Dreamweaver, and Muse

Don't just take our word for it; here's what a recent graduate of the program had to say: 

"The program instructors truly care about your success and provide valuable hands-on experience. Thanks to CVTC, I now have the tools and skills I need to succeed in this digital world. Everything I have learned has allowed me to build lasting connections with clients and drive up sales, even during a pandemic."-Lexie Beseler, Class of 2020

Sound like fun? We'd love to have you join our Digital Marketing crew. You can apply here, or meet with us in person and take a program tour! 

 

6.6 Take a Trip to This City for the Most Magical Christmas Experience

It's the most wonderful time of the year! 🌲 The time of year where you can cozy up by the fireplace with a delicious hot cocoa, enjoy ice-skating, and see beautiful lights. Everyone is much kinder and more apt to help others this time of year, which makes my heart so happy. For me, Christmas is a magical time, and there's no better place to amplify that magic than New York City. 

Why New York City?

Everywhere you go, you'll feel the Christmas spirit. All of the storefront windows are decorated, the amazing Christmas markets are open, special Christmas shows, and all of the lights you could ever want to see. Let's not forget some of the best Christmas movies set in NYC! My favorites are Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, and Home Alone 2. There are so many reasons to visit NYC; I think the real question here is, why not? 

Lea Michele says it best in Glee- "Being in New York is like falling in love. Over and over again, every minute."  

(Left- Photo Credit: "The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center" by Sister72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

5 Things You'll Want to Do While There

• Visit Rockefeller Plaza 
• You'll see the famous Rockefeller tree while showing off some ice-skating skills.
• Attend The Nutcracker
• This well-known show at the NYC Ballet is something you don't want to miss. 
• Check out Santaland at Macy's 
• Whether you have kids or want to feel like a kid again, this place is fun for all.
• Take a Carriage Ride
• Get romantic and take a stroll through Central Park on a horse-drawn carriage. 
• Eat at Tavern On the Green
• Eat at this iconic landmark that's now an elegant, romantic restaurant. 

Prepare further for your trip by checking out Jenny Bhatia's traveling blog, where she talks about her experience in NYC during Christmas. She says, "New York City is absolutely beautiful. The sites are truly breathtaking. Just walking through Times Square is exhilarating."

Where to Stay

AirBnB's are becoming increasingly popular. I recommend staying near a subway for ease of travel, and you can also search for places close to a specific landmark. For example, this townhouse is located in the historic brownstone on the upper west side. It is very spacious and only a short walk from Central Park! 

If a hotel is more of your style, I highly recommend The Palace, which has impressive architecture and is situated right in central NYC. However, if you have it in your budget, I'd recommend splurging on a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Ritz-Carlton. 

If this trip isn't already on your bucket list, you'll want to add it right away. I've been dreaming of this trip ever since I was a little girl because every movie makes it seem so magical. It will be a memorable trip that will fill your heart with endless joy. So go ahead, get your trip booked and get ready for that Christmas magic. 💓

Tell me all about your NYC trip in the comments!

(Above: Radio City Hall at Christmas "New York Christmas 2009" by Loco Steve is licensed under CC BY 2.0)

4.6 How to Make Amazing Cheese Sauce with Only FOUR Ingredients!

If you've read my other blogs, you know I'm a Sconnie (aka, from Wisconsin). Here in Wisconsin, there's one thing in the food industry that is sacred to us- CHEESE. It's a staple in most of our food dishes and rightfully so, because it makes every meal even more delicious. 

Whether or not you're from Wisconsin, you need this amazing four-ingredient cheese sauce in your life, immediately. This is one of my favorite recipes because it can be used in so many different ways. As a bonus, there's a good chance you already have all of these ingredients!

The ways I love to use it: 

• Over noodles for Mac n' Cheese
• Drizzled on broccoli and cauliflower
• On top of spaghetti and meat sauce

If any of those suggestions sound strange, remember- don't knock it 'til you tried it!

Here's what you'll need: 

• Flour (1/4 cup)
• Milk (2 cups)
• Cheese (to taste)
• Butter (4 tbsp)
• Saucepan
• Whisk

Seriously, that's it!  The kind of cheese to use is up to you. Take this opportunity to customize your cheese sauce to fit your taste palate. I am a sucker for real cheddar cheese and Velveeta. For this specific recipe, we'll use only Velveeta cheese. 

How to make the sauce: 

1. Put a small saucepan on the burner and turn the heat on low.
2. Place two tablespoons of butter in the pan and let it melt completely.
3. Pour two cups of milk into a microwave-safe container; microwave 2 minutes.
4. While your milk is warming, slowly whisk in your 1/4 cup of flour until smooth.
5. Slowly whisk in the warm milk until you have a creamy mixture (no chunks).
6. Finally, it's time to add in the cheese! Stir continuously and add it in slowly. 
• The amount of cheese you add in is up to you. Keep adding it in until the level of "cheesiness" is to your liking!

You will have zero regrets giving this cheese sauce a try, so grab the supplies and get cooking!

Let me know what food you put the cheese sauce on in the comments below! 

3.6 Friday the 13th

 You know those days when you're just in an extraordinarily good mood? Then something comes along and screws it up for you? It's the worst. 

There I was, sitting in my stopped car, waiting for oncoming traffic to clear so I could turn left onto my road. It was Friday, March 13. Yes, you read that right- Friday, the 13th. I got off work early, the weather was beautiful, and I could not wait to get home and start my weekend! If you're a fellow Sconnie, you know how much we love a 60-degree day and sunshine in March. Life was good. 

And then she hit me. I blacked out momentarily and I literally had no idea what had just happened...until I looked in my rearview mirror and saw a smashed-up car halfway underneath my SUV. 

Photo Credit: Colombo Law

A sweet elderly couple, John and Susan, that lived near me happened to be on their daily walk and saw everything. John came right over to check on me. "My goodness, are you okay? I don't think that girl was even looking at the road. She didn't slow down, she had to have been going at least 40 mph!" I assured him I had no severe injuries, only some neck and back pain, and the police were called. 

We waited for the cops, which took at least an hour. (Apparently Friday the 13th wasn't going well for a lot of Eau Claire, WI.) In the meantime, her husband showed up. I was by myself. Her husband came over to me asking if it's necessary to wait for the police. I told him, "You two are welcome to do whatever you'd like, but I will be waiting for the police." Sorry pal, your wife just totaled both of our vehicles, so yes, I'm waiting for the police. 

The cops came, ticketed her, and we swapped insurance information. I went through three years of different treatments and therapies for low back pain, torn neck ligaments, and soft tissue damage in my neck. 

Photo Credit: Colgan Osteopathy

Unfortunately, five years later, I still can't put pressure on the back of my head. So much for being a back sleeper, right? The part that really got me in all of this though, is that she never even said sorry. 

Have you been hit by an inattentive driver? Share your story below! 

3.4 Friday the 13th

You know those days when you're just in an extraordinarily good mood? Then something comes along and screws it up for you? It's the worst. 

There I was, sitting in my stopped car, waiting for oncoming traffic to clear so I could turn left onto my road. It was Friday, March 13th. Yes, you read that right- Friday, the 13th. I got off work early, the weather was beautiful, and I could not wait to get home and start my weekend! Life was good. And then she hit me. I blacked out momentarily and I literally had no idea what had just happened...until I looked in my rearview mirror and saw a smashed-up car halfway underneath my SUV. 

A sweet elderly couple, John and Susan, that lived near me happened to be on their daily walk and saw everything. John came right over to check on me. "My goodness, are you okay? I don't think that girl was even looking at the road. She didn't slow down, she had to have been going at least 40 mph!" I assured him I had no severe injuries, only some neck and back pain, and the police were called. 

We waited for the cops, which took at least an hour. (Apparently Friday the 13th wasn't going well for a lot of Eau Claire, WI.) In the meantime, her husband showed up. I was by myself. Her husband came over to me asking if it's necessary to wait for the police. I told him, "You two are welcome to do whatever you'd like, but I will be waiting for the police." Sorry pal, your wife just totaled both of our vehicles, so yes, I'm waiting for the police. 

The cops came, cited her, and we swapped insurance information. I went through three years of different treatments and therapies for low back pain, torn neck ligaments, and soft tissue damage in my neck. Unfortunately, five years later, I still can't put pressure on the back of my head. So much for being a back sleeper, right? The part that really got me in all of this though, is that she never even said sorry. 

Have you been hit by an inattentive driver? I would love to hear your story below!