Hi Smart Gals!

I wanted to share the news that this week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Feb 25 – March 1), a week designed to highlight the fact that body size and shape are strongly influenced by biological factors.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, too often we struggle against our natural, genetically influenced size just to fit into that pair of “skinny jeans” in the back of our closets.

“Fighting your natural size and shape can lead to unhealthy dieting practices, poor body image and sometimes eating disorders.”

The Great Jeans Giveaway

Part of the National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is the Great Jeans Giveaway, which encourages people to appreciate the role their genes play in determining body shape and size and stop trying to turn their body into something it’s not.

“While you can adopt a healthy lifestyle and aim to be fit for your particular body type, you cannot change your genes. We want everyone to start feeling comfortable in their genes by wearing comfortable jeans. The Great Jeans Giveaway events empower individuals to donate old (or new) pairs of jeans that do not comfortably fit.”

(I love this idea, as I am still on the hunt for the perfect pair of jeans. If I got paid for every minute I spent in the dressing rooms of the GAP, JCrew, and Old Navy with a pile of denim to get through, I’d be a rich woman!)

TRUE jeans, an online jeans store that matches shoppers to jeans that fit each person’s unique body, has partnered with the National Eating Disorders Association as the sponsor of the Embrace Your Genes campaign. They are offering a 20% discount on their jeans through the month of March, and for every discount redeemed, they’ll donate an additional $20 to NEDA to join in efforts to prevent and cure eating disorders and promote a healthy body image. (Enter promo code: MYGENES at checkout).

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With skinny jeans back in style (though you’ll never catch me in a pair of them), and the increasing presence of jeans in stores size 0 (when are they going to start having negative numbers?), the message behind NEDA’s awareness week seems extremely relevant. To find out more about the Great Jeans Giveaway and learn about events happening near you, visit this site and search by your state.

I know, I know…I’ve been writing a lot about engineering lately, but I just stumbled upon a new website for high school girls that I just had to let you know about. It’s called Engineer Your Life, and it’s designed to give high school girls with an interest in engineering all the info they need to pursue their career dreams.

On this site, you’ll get to meet more than a dozen women engineers doing cool jobs like programming video games at Lucas, designing toys, and expand renewable energy resources. You’ll also find out exactly how to map out your career journey by knowing how to prep yourself for college, learn about different university engineering programs, and read about what it’s like to be an engineering student from young women in the trenches right now. Lastly, Engineer Your Life describes all the different types of jobs you can get with a degree in engineering.

If engineering is your thing, definitely check out this site!

Dear Debbie,

Hi! I have been reading your book In Their Shoes and I find it really informative. I’m very interested in working in the film industry and doing something to help get a movie made. I’ve never been able to put a name to what exactly I would want to do in the industry but a movie studio executive sounds awfully close. I was hoping you could maybe give me more information on this career and what would be the best way to go about getting started on a path to that or something similar.

Thanks for your help!
Kaely

Dear Kaely,

Thanks for your email! I hear ya sister…a career as a movie studio executive sounds pretty incredible. It’s a very big job, and movie studio execs often wear many hats to be good at their job. There’s the creative side, where they’re interacting with screenwriters and actors and musicians, and there’s the business side, where they’re making sure the film has enough of a budget to be produced and marketed well enough to be successful. There’s the politics side, where they’re making sure everyone involved in the film is happy and feels as though they’re being heard. And then there’s the fact of working in Hollywood in an industry that can be very fast-paced and cut-throat. To be successful as a movie studio executive, you need a lot of talent, a lot of drive, a love of the movies, a good business sense, an ability to handle high stress, good negotiation skills, and luck.

One of the things Alli Shearmur talks about in my book is how she was fixated on film and the industry as a teen. She immersed herself in the world of cinema, and watched a ton of movies and read about women in the industry. I would think this would be a good start for you, if you’re not already doing it. That being said, here are some specific things you can look into doing now. Good luck! XOXO Debbie

• Start reading the “trades” – those magazines dedicated to the world of Hollywood, like Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. You’ll have all the same info as any movie insider, and get to know about the various movie studios, major players, and general industry lingo. Subscriptions are pricey, so see if your library carries them.
• Set yourself up for getting an internship down the road. Interning at a studio or for a production company is key when it comes to getting a foot in the door, since often times, it’s about who you know and who is willing to give you a chance. To improve your chances of landing a good internship, take film classes (in high school or college), and set your sights on going to a college or university that has a film program. Even if you’re looking to be an executive and not a director, a background in film will go a long way in opening doors.
• Start making your own films now. Digital technology is getting cheaper by the minute, so buy or borrow a camera and shoot your own film. There are a number of contests for teens to show their stuff and win cool opportunities working on real films. See below for a sampling. Again…even if you’re more interested in being an exec than a director or filmmaker, knowing what goes into making a film will make you that much more valuable as a producer.
• Find a summer film program or camp that you can attend and learn more about the business and the making of a film. See below for a partial list of opportunities.

Filmmaking Contests & Festivals

• Teen Film Youth Fusion Teen Film Series
• Youth Film Festival on Social Justice
• Oregon Diploma Video Challenge
• Newport Beach Youth Film Festival
• Reel Teens Film/Video Festival
• Future Filmmakers Festival

Filmmaking Programs for Teens

• NW Film Center’s Young Filmmaker’s Program (Portland, OR)
• School of Cinema and Performing Arts Filmmaker Camp (Los Angeles, New York City, Burlington, VT, and London)
• Reel Works (Brooklyn, NY)
• Blue Ridge Motion Pictures Film Institute (Asheville, NC)
• Austin Film Society (Austin, TX)
• US Performing Arts Camps (Southern California)
• Reel Grrls (Seattle, WA)

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Do you have a question about how to find out more about a career dream? and I might answer your question on Smart Girls Know!

Today is official Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day! As part of Engineers Week, the day is meant to publicize the need for more women in engineering, and the founding organization is reaching out to girls of all ages with positive messages about math and science education and engineering careers. Companies and organizations around the country are participating in the day by offering conferences, tours, workshops, and presentations to girls to introduce them to the field of engineering.

According to the National Engineers Week Foundation, “Women are severly underrepresented in the engineering profession. Research shows that girls and young women lose interest in subjects and the fields of study leading to engineering careers long before they enter college.”

Find out more about the day here!

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I interviewed young and talented engineer Tamara Hayman of Lockheed Martin for my book In Their Shoes. When I asked Tamara what advice she had for aspiring engineers, here’s what she had to say:

“Pay attention to detail, be nosy, and want to know how things work. Be a people person. We’re not all geeks or bookworms – we have to be able to interact with people. And lastly, remember that engineering is not just about math and science – it’s about making your ideas a reality.”

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The United Nations Association of the USA is looking for 20 high school juniors and seniors and college freshmen to participate in its HERO Youth Ambassador Program for the summer 2008. Each summer, the Youth Ambassador Program gives teens the chance to roll up their sleeves and work to get real-life, hands-on experience. They paint schools, fix classrooms and help the children with their schoolwork. Lives are changed. Not just the lives of the children in Africa, but the lives of the Youth Ambassadors. Their experiences have a profound impact, and their stories are poignant, funny, hopeful and heart-breaking all at the same time. Youth Ambassadors will travel to Southern Africa for a total of 4 weeks as representatives of American and Canadian youth interested in helping those affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Sound amazing? To apply, go to Being Girl or Hero Action in the US or Protecting Futures in Canada and complete the HERO Youth Ambassador application. Download the application, and mail it, along with letters of recommendation, essay question response, and other paperwork to CosmoGIRL! HERO Youth Ambassador Program, 300 West 57th Street, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10019. Hurry… the deadline for all materials to be postmarked is March 1!

This sounds like incredible opportunity…good luck!

XOXO Debbie

Hi Smart Girls,

I’m a member of a professional network of women working in media called Chicks Who Click, and we’re launching a new scholarship this year for young women ages 17 – 20 attending a community college in the 2008-2009 school year. If this describes you, check out all the details below, and good luck!

XOXO Debbie

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Chicks Who Click Scholarship
ChicksWhoClick is an international private network of women in media, creative arts, communications and girls’ & women’s advocacy. CWC was founded in 2002 and consists of an mail list, social networking web site and offline networking events. Members of CWC share inside lines on job and project leads, publicize their work, get career advice and contacts, collaborate and support each other’s work and goals.

About the scholarship
CWC believes in supporting young women in reaching their potential. We’ve created a privately funded scholarship to help one young woman pay for her community college education in pursuit of a career in media, journalism, creative arts, communications, or girls’ & women’s advocacy.

The winner will receive:

• A cash gift-card in the amount of $1,150 to be applied toward your college education
• A membership invitation to CWC to introduce you to a network of mentors and peers who can support you as you pursue your education, future job opportunities and creative paths.

How the winner is chosen:
A CWC panel will review applicant submissions. By July 1, finalists will be contacted for proof of community college enrollment and a brief phone interview. The panel will choose the winner based on a majority vote. Winner will be announced in August 2008. Applicants will be judged on the strength of their essays and the idea those essays contain. Finalists will also be evaluated on interviews.

Qualifications:
To qualify, the applicant must:

• Be a young woman between the ages of 17-20 living in the United States.
• Be attending a U.S. community college in fall 2008 or winter 2009.
• Be intent on pursing a degree or career in communications, journalism, new media, creative writing or women’s studies.
• Agree to send an update to CWC after the conclusion of the 2008-2009 academic year describing how your education is evolving, how the scholarship has supported you and what’s next for you.
• Be prepared to provide proof of enrollment for fall 2008 or winter 2009 semesters.

How to apply:
Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please submit the following materials to Tara Swords, CWC moderator, via email () NO LATER THAN MAY 1, 2008:

• An essay of 700-800 words telling us your intended field of study, why you are drawn to it, and how this scholarship and support from CWC can help you achieve your goals.
• The following personal information in the body of your email: Name, age, mailing address and telephone number; Name, city and state of the community college you plan to attend and when you will enroll; Your intended field of study

Hi Smart Girls,

I’m a member of a professional network of women working in media called Chicks Who Click, and we’re launching a new scholarship this year for young women ages 17 – 20 attending a community college in the 2008-2009 school year. If this describes you, check out all the details below, and good luck!

XOXO Debbie

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Chicks Who Click Scholarship
ChicksWhoClick is an international private network of women in media, creative arts, communications and girls’ & women’s advocacy. CWC was founded in 2002 and consists of an mail list, social networking web site and offline networking events. Members of CWC share inside lines on job and project leads, publicize their work, get career advice and contacts, collaborate and support each other’s work and goals.

About the scholarship
CWC believes in supporting young women in reaching their potential. We’ve created a privately funded scholarship to help one young woman pay for her community college education in pursuit of a career in media, journalism, creative arts, communications, or girls’ & women’s advocacy.

The winner will receive:

• A cash gift-card in the amount of $1,150 to be applied toward your college education
• A membership invitation to CWC to introduce you to a network of mentors and peers who can support you as you pursue your education, future job opportunities and creative paths.

How the winner is chosen:
A CWC panel will review applicant submissions. By July 1, finalists will be contacted for proof of community college enrollment and a brief phone interview. The panel will choose the winner based on a majority vote. Winner will be announced in August 2008. Applicants will be judged on the strength of their essays and the idea those essays contain. Finalists will also be evaluated on interviews.

Qualifications:
To qualify, the applicant must:

• Be a young woman between the ages of 17-20 living in the United States.
• Be attending a U.S. community college in fall 2008 or winter 2009.
• Be intent on pursing a degree or career in communications, journalism, new media, creative writing or women’s studies.
• Agree to send an update to CWC after the conclusion of the 2008-2009 academic year describing how your education is evolving, how the scholarship has supported you and what’s next for you.
• Be prepared to provide proof of enrollment for fall 2008 or winter 2009 semesters.

How to apply:
Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please submit the following materials to Tara Swords, CWC moderator, via email () NO LATER THAN MAY 1, 2008:

• An essay of 700-800 words telling us your intended field of study, why you are drawn to it, and how this scholarship and support from CWC can help you achieve your goals.
• The following personal information in the body of your email: Name, age, mailing address and telephone number; Name, city and state of the community college you plan to attend and when you will enroll; Your intended field of study

Hi Smart Girls!

It was caucus day today in my home state of Washington, and my family and I joined thousands of people in Seattle to show our support for our candidate of choice. Pretty much everyone at my caucus location was a big-time Obama supporter, my family and I included.

Here’s a pic of us while we were waiting in a line that went around the block just to sign in (luckily it was a rare rain-free winter day in Seattle). It was cool to be a part of this day, and be out with the rest of the community to make sure our voices were heard . It’s going to be an exciting couple of months to see how this race ends up…

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And while we’re on the topic of the 2008 election, I just read that CosmoGIRL is getting in on the action of political journalism. The mag has hired two teenage correspondents to write about the election for CosmoGIRL‘s website, CosmoGirl.com. Glenna Schubert, an 18-year-old college student from Washington, D.C. and 18-year-old Katie Gluek, a high school senior from Kansas, are traveling around and filing blog posts and video dispatches for CosmoGIRL. Check out their reports here!

Did you know that 1 in 3 homeless people in the US are under the age of 18? If you’ve got a pair of used jeans to spare, you can take part in Teens for Jeans, a program sponsored by Aeropostale to put your jeans in the hands of homeless teens who need them.

Sunday, February 10, is the last day to donate. Just drop off your gently-worn jeans at any Aeropostale location across the US and Canada and Do Something will make sure they get donated to a local homeless shelter. Plus, you’ll get a coupon for an additional 20% off a new pair of jeans!

Find out more about the campaign by watching this PSA starring Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen:

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If you’re interested in learning more about the plight of homeless teens in the US, a great place to start is by reading the book by Beatrice Sparks. This powerful book tells the story of a 15-year-old runaway through transcripts of his therapy sessions.

The excellent blog Pass the Torch just ran a great review of my book, In Their Shoes, and held a contest for a giveaway of a copy of the book. I know lots of new visitors have come over to check out what we’re doing here at Smart Girls Know, and I hope you liked what you saw!

Pass the Torch was created by Kelly Curtis, who blogs about youth empowerment and responsibility, family travel, parenting struggles, and child accomplishments. She has also created a board game for middle school and high school students about career exploration, called the Career Expedition Board Game. In the game, players read realistic examples of choices young people make during the career prep process, and experience the consequences of these choices. Discovery Cards in the game help players think about their personal career planning process, interests, aptitudes, values, and work preferences. You can find out more about this cool career board game here!