The Friday Q&A series was put on hiatus for the past two weeks, but now we’re back in action! Don’t forget to send me your questions!

Q from Josh: Lauren…Now that its been about 8 months since you were given the opportunity to leave Colorado, is there anything you would have done differently the last 8 months if given the chance?

A: Absolutely not. Is that enough of an answer? I’ll expand. I’ve thought a little about this - whether I would have wanted more time with my family and friends before I left, whether I found the right apartment, whether I chose to live in the right neighborhood, whether I chose the right job. I can say, with complete certainty, that I would not have changed one single thing about my move to San Francisco. I needed to move quickly - rip the bandaid off, otherwise, I may have chickened out. I love my apartment and while my neighborhood can be sketchy at times, it’s my home. My doorman protects me. And the right job? Psht. We all know that this is the dreamiest of dream jobs and I couldn’t be happier. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Q from Pat: If you had an opportunity to design your perfect job (not necessarily the job you currently have) what would it be and where would you like to be located (New York, Washington, SF, etc.,).  Also, where do you expect to be career-wise in five years?

A: Disclaimer: My employer did not pay me to say any of this. I love my job. I have made it explicitly clear just how much I love my job. I am dedicated to it 100 percent, I love almost every second of working there. Of course, I would like opportunities to grow. I envision myself as the Head of Community Management, managing several Community Managers (much like myself right now), providing insight in strategy and implementation for brands on social networks, train Community Managers on messaging and tactics, and being a thought-provoking leader in the space. I’m in love with San Francisco. It was the best decision I’ve ever made moving out here. I’m not sure if I’ll stay in the city for the rest of my life, but I love the Bay Area. I really am living a dream! In five years, I hope to accomplish the goals stated above and be the Head of Community Management. We’ll see how it goes!

I don’t think I ever truly understood this saying/excuse/line before. Until now.

It’s true. And it’s awesome.

I know I’ve said it before, but my job is amazing – and no, I’m not just writing this because some of my coworkers read my blog. I’m writing this because, every day, no matter how stressed out or overwhelmed the “real world” may be, I feel like the luckiest damn girl in the world.

I’ve always had a great work ethic. Even when I worked in various restaurants and bars throughout high school and college, I was always the one going above and beyond. I’ve always believed that you only get places if you work for them. Nothing is going to fall into your lap.

But, I have never had as much motivation to work hard as I do now. I am constantly given more and more responsibility at work. Many people might run scared from that – at the slightest sight of adversity. But me? I like a challenge. And while, at times, this week I wanted to throw my laptop off the 14^th floor of my office building, I truly and whole-heartedly love being so busy. Of course, it helps a little bit that I couldn’t have found a dreamier dream job. This job and I, just fit.

I’m dipping my toes in so many puddles and learning more and more each day. I am in a constant state of learning. I love it.

Who knew, at 22, that I would be exactly where I want to be?

I’m sure this will be one of many blog postings about graduation, but it is heavily on my mind.

Graduation is 34 days away. And I am full of emotions – I am terrified, sad, excited, nervous, but ready. I have spent four years on the breathtaking campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder. My college experience has been full of ups and downs, but all-in-all, wonderful.

Now, it’s time to set me free.

Up to this point, my life has been entirely planned out for me. Preschool, kindergarten, grade school, middle school, high school, college … then what? I guess that’s for me to figure out.

People say that I couldn’t be graduating at a worse time. That the economy is so bad right now I will never find a job. That people with 30 years experience are looking for the same jobs I’m looking for straight out of college.

But, I choose to remain positive.

While everyone is moping around thinking, “I’m never going to find a job in this crappy economy,” I will be proactive. That’s the key. Nothing is ever going to fall into your lap. No opportunity worth taking is going to magically appear right in front of you. You have to fight. You have to be aggressive and prove that you are worth hiring despite the current economic conditions.

And I am.

I am confidently approaching the job search, knowing I am well-qualified, outgoing, aggressive, personable, self-motivated and determined to succeed after graduation. I am taking advantage of any and every opportunity that comes my way and that I seek out. I am positioning myself to be a good hire despite the economy, despite the negativity, despite the hiring freezes.

And I will be when I am hired.

It’s always bittersweet returning home from a trip.  Especially a great one.

My trip last week to San Francisco was incredible. It was different than a usual spring break vacation. I went to California with my roommate – we stayed with my cousin who lives in a fantastic apartment four blocks from Union Square. We didn’t ride the ferry to Sausalito, see Alcatraz or take a bus tour. No, my roommate and I met with various business people around the city. We had appointments every day – as if we lived there. This is what we hope to do after we graduate. 

The city is amazing.

All of the crazy things people tell you about San Francisco are real. I love the reality of the big city. I love walking everywhere, everything being within walking distance. I love how you can be in over seven different countries within ten blocks of San Francisco – from India to Little Italy to Russian Hill to Chinatown all the way to Pakistan and Korea. The food is fantastic. The little mom-and-pop restaurants are to die for. I even loved the homeless man who skipped across the street in a pink leotard, tutu and army boots. I love the feeling of the city – being surrounded by strangers, the hustle and bustle of life.

I love it all.

Am I scared? Hell yes. Not only does the job market SUCK right now, almost all of my entire family is in Colorado. I am extremely close with my family and it is terrifying to not be a 45 minute drive away.

But I have to do this. I have to spread my wings.

And hope I can fly.

I love airports. They are prime real estate for people-watching. I see people tuned in to their laptops, with the signature apple iPhone earbuds hanging from one ear and their blackberry glued to the other. It’s fascinating how technology has taken over our lives – and it is blatantly obvious at the airport.

And, of course, airports remind me of travel. Up to this point in my life, I have been on many different vacations. I have travelled to Arizona to visit relatives, to California to visit friends, to Mexico to lounge on a resort for a week or so – but this trip is different.

Now, I am venturing to San Francisco in search for a job. I have no idea what I’m doing.

Ok, that’s not entirely true. I am meeting with 3 connections my father made for me (for which I am eternally grateful). However, I do not know exactly what to do… You see, at this point, the only jobs I’ve held have been in the restaurant industry. Yes, I’ve had a handful of interesting internships that required a more professional interview process; however, those were unpaid thus it was more likely for me to be hired.

Here, I’m on my own. Looking for a job. A place to live. While trying not to get lost.

Good thing I love it here.