I’m a huge fan of transparency here on the blog — sharing the good, the bad and everything in between. 

So today, I’m on-the-edge-of-my-seat excited to share a few pieces of news I’ve had to keep under wraps for the past couple of weeks.

I hate keeping a secret, so I’m giddy to finally spill! (Apologies for the vague tweets, as of late.)

Here are two big pieces of news + one happening I’m eagerly anticipating over here at JL&Co HQ. 

1. I’m returning to Temple University as an adjunct instructor in the fall

Remember last fall when I taught Advanced PR at my alma mater, Temple University? It was one of the most rewarding (and insanely challenging!) professional experiences I’ve ever had.

I’m beyond excited to share I’m returning to Temple this fall semester to teach PR Writing. 

Temple recently changed their PR curriculum, so the course I’m teaching combines two former classes — Fundamentals of PR and Advanced PR — into one big course on public relations writing. Luckily, since I taught Advanced PR before, I already have about half the course material prepared and ready to go. 

Tthis time around I’m teaching a night class. I’m looking forward to teaching at night (despite my disdain for night classes as a student). Even though I have a flexible schedule and technically can teach during the day, I had no idea how much being on campus two days a week, smack dab in the middle of my work day, would impact my business. So this time I’m saving myself a lot of struggle, and keeping my “teaching side hustle” to evenings only.

I’m a nerd, and I love school, so I’m pumped to dive into the textbook, craft new assignments, work on my presentations and line up some awesome guest speakers for class. I know night classes can be challenging, so I want to keep the students engaged in any way that I can.

Plus, this time around I have more than six months to prepare for the semester, as opposed to snagging a last-minute gig THREE days before the semester began, so I already feel much more set up for success than I did last time. 

Most of all, I can’t wait to be around students again. I loved watching my students grow and improve throughout the semester, and am so grateful to still be in touch with many of them who have since graduated with killer jobs in the field. 

Back to school, I go!

2. I’m speaking at The Blog Connect Conference 

If you’re in the Philly area and you’re not already part of the PHLBloggers group, what are you doing?! Join ASAP. 

Each year, PHLBloggers puts on an absolutely fantastic (and Insta-perfect) conference called The Blog Connect. I’ve attended every year since its inception in 2016, and for the second time, I’m participating as a speaker!

I’m part of a panel, “Blogging for Passion, Profit, and Impact” alongside fellow bloggers/biz owners Julie Hancher from the  Green Philly Blog, Melissa Alam from Femme and Fortune, Sarah DeGeorge from Socially Dedicated and moderated by Lori Rochino. 

Here’s what we’ll be discussing:

How do you go from hobby blog to business blog? What mindset traits and skill sets do you need to take on this next level challenge? Is there ever a right time to get started? Learn top takeaways from successful bloggers in the Philly area. What worked, what didn’t work and what are the major lessons learned that you can apply to your own blog and business.

I’m already counting down until April! Want to come to the conference? Register here for The Blog Connect.

3. I turn 30 next month

This time last year I was 29 and feeling fine at my 29th Birthday “Margarita March” celebration. But, yup…My 30th birthday is quickly approaching on March 11.

I know they say age is just a number, and life only gets better as you grow older, but I won’t lie and tell you I haven’t had some anxiety around beginning a new decade. 

I may or may not have had a little breakdown last weekend about it…Luckily, I was quickly reminded by my Twitter friends that truly, it doesn’t matter. And believe me, I know it’s a silly thing to worry about, but hey, I never said I was rational all the time.

In any case, I am working to amp myself up about my 30th. We’re still in the planning process of what exactly we’re doing to celebrate, but as long as I’m with family and friends, I’ll be a happy gal. 

I also have a post or two planned around my birthday and lessons learned, so stay tuned!

Tell me! Any big pieces of news in your life to share? What are you excited about right now? Let me know in the comments below.

*Photo via Pexels

Want more gutsy content delivered straight to your inbox twice a month? Be sure to sign up for my FREE #GetGutsy e-newsletter filled with inspiration, ideas and action items to get out of your comfort zone.