Hey there, friends! Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Leaving The Nest! Today, I am discussing something that seems pretty simple but is actually one of those little workplace details that nobody really teaches you: setting up your out-of-office email reply!

Whether you are heading out on vacation, traveling for work, or taking some well-deserved PTO, there are a few things that you should keep in mind before you step away. I talk all about what to include in your message, how to communicate when you'll be back, and how to let people know whether you'll be checking your email or completely unplugging. I also share some examples you can use to help you get started!

Beyond the email itself, I share some tips for planning ahead, coordinating coverage, checking your calendar, and avoiding common mistakes such as forgetting to turn your reply on or leaving it active after you return.

My goal here is to help you feel confident stepping away from work while making sure that things continue to run smoothly. You deserve that time off and I hope that you find these tips helpful. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions! I would love to hear from you!

Key Takeaways:

• Set up an out-of-office reply when you will be unavailable for a workday or longer.

• Clearly communicate your return date, email availability, and expected response time.

• Arrange backup coverage in advance, always ensuring to ask colleagues' permission before listing them as contacts.

• Keep your message professional and brief, avoiding too many personal details or sharing your cell phone number.

• Double-check your calendar, activate your reply, set an end date, and coordinate with teammates before and after your time off!

Thanks again for listening to Leaving The Nest! To find your next job, visit us at ROCS Grad Staffing. If you are a business in need of help staffing entry-level positions in your office, please reach out to Kathleen directly at Kathleen@rocsjobs.com. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please call Kathleen at 703-579-6677.

Resources:

ROCS Grad Staffing

Listen to Leaving The Nest Podcast

Connect with Kathleen:

Kathleen@rocsjobs.com

LinkedIn

Call: 703-579-6677

Thanks for tuning back in, everyone! It's been a little while since there has been a new episode of Leaving The Nest, but the podcast is back, and this episode is all about respect in the workplace.

Respect is a word that comes up again and again when I'm talking with hiring managers, but it goes far beyond simply saying "please" and "thank you." It shows up in the little things: arriving on time, communicating when plans change, staying present and engaged in meetings, taking care of company property and shared spaces, and treating the people around you with dignity and professionalism, even when personalities clash or disagreements arise.

But respect also has to work both ways. In this episode, we'll talk about what employees can do when they feel they aren't being treated with respect, including recognizing intent, addressing issues before they escalate, documenting serious concerns, and knowing when it's time to involve a manager, leader, or HR.

Most importantly, we'll talk about protecting your own professionalism and values along the way. You can't always control how someone else behaves, but you can control how you respond and how you choose to show up.

I hope you enjoy this episode, and as always, feel free to reach out with any thoughts, questions, or experiences you'd like to share!

Key Takeaways:

• Respect includes being punctual and communicating when circumstances prevent you from doing so.

• Staying present and engaged in meetings shows respect for coworkers and their time.

• Shared workplace spaces should be treated with care and consideration.

• Professionalism means treating coworkers with dignity, even when there are disagreements.

• Address disrespect early, document concerns, and seek out help without sacrificing your own professionalism!

Thanks again for listening to Leaving The Nest! To find your next job, visit us at ROCS Grad Staffing. If you are a business in need of help staffing entry-level positions in your office, please reach out to Kathleen directly at Kathleen@rocsjobs.com. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please call Kathleen at 703-579-6677.

Resources:

ROCS Grad Staffing

Listen to Leaving The Nest Podcast

Connect with Kathleen:

Kathleen@rocsjobs.com

LinkedIn

Call: 703-579-6677

In this episode of Leaving the Nest, I sit down with longtime journalist John Barr to talk about what it really takes to build a career in media and how persistence, relationships, and authenticity still matter in a rapidly changing industry. Hear how John spent more than twenty years reporting for ESPN and now serves as an Investigative Reporter at WJLA-TV!

In our conversation, John took us back to the beginning, growing up in a family with deep roots in newspaper journalism and discovering his own path into television reporting. He shares what it was like leaving home, finding his first job at a tiny station in Kentucky, and learning early lessons about rejection, persistence, and showing up when others won't. He also walks us through how his career unexpectedly shifted from local news to national reporting and how a leap into sports journalism ultimately led him to ESPN.

We also talk about John's book co-written with Dan Murphy, Start by Believing, and how he reported on the crimes of Larry Nassar. He highlights the responsibility that journalists carry when telling survivors' stories and reflects on writing the book about the case and the realities of publishing. Finally, we talk about advice for today's graduates, from standing out in a digital world to why strong writing skills, authenticity, and real human connections still make all the difference. If you're someone who has been thinking of going into a career involving media and news reporting, then this is an episode you do not want to miss!

Key Takeaways:

• Relationships still drive career opportunities, so showing up, meeting people, and building connections can matter more than even a perfect résumé!

• Career paths are rarely linear.

• Investigative journalism requires emotional resilience because reporting on difficult cases means balancing empathy with the responsibility to document the facts.

• Writing a book begins with a strong book proposal and collaboration!

• In a digital world with AI continuing to rise, authenticity and strong writing stand out perhaps more than ever!

Thanks again for listening to Leaving The Nest! To find your next job, visit us at ROCS Grad Staffing. If you are a business in need of help staffing entry-level positions in your office, please reach out to Kathleen directly at Kathleen@rocsjobs.com. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please call Kathleen at 703-579-6677.

Resources:

ROCS Grad Staffing

Listen to Leaving The Nest Podcast

Read John's Book Start by Believing

Connect with Kathleen:

Kathleen@rocsjobs.com

LinkedIn

Call: 703-579-6677

Connect with John:

LinkedIn