Help Wanted

It occurs to me that blogging on Ego Du Jour has sort of taken a backseat. I'm on Twitter a lot more now, so you can blame it on that (and follow me of course). I haven't felt like I have had time to do anything else except work, take classes, sleep.

Which is why I am taking a "summer" break from said classes. I am at the halfway point so its time. I need a break after simultaneous accounting classes frustrated me to no end and cemented my already unshakable conviction that I could NEVER be an accountant.

I have also started a "project" which is sort of interesting if you consider I just wrote about feeling like I have no time.
Consider this an open casting call.

My project is basically an online magazine for yo-pro's (and aspiring yo-pros) but with "attitude". For those of you not in the know, yo-pro is an abbreviation for "young professional". This basically means it will be for young people. Think post-college or post-grad school (for some). There are variations as to what actually defines a young professional but for my purposes anyone in their 20's to early 30's who is working (or trying to find work) is a young professional. Even college students might find this site helpful in learning from us "older" folk.

Being "diverse" will be key. You don't have to be Nigerian, American, or..ahem...South African (Ngiyanemukela!) to contribute and participate although I expect content to be US-centric unless a large international audience develops. Content will focus on 5 main areas:

• Politics/News (US and "relevant" International news), 
• Career Advancement/Education, (help with escaping your cubicle, getting a job, going to grad school, etc)
• Entertainment (not "celebrity gossip" this isn't TMZ-esque think reviews, op-eds, etc), 
• Lifestyle (which will cover everything from gadgetry to health to fashion to "stuff" as long as there are people to cover these areas).
• Advice/Tips (using the "FUBU method", For Us, By Us. After all aren't you tired of some 105 year old snotty journalist telling you why our generation is too "comfortable" instead of sharing ways to manage life's issues? 

I think the Career and Advice/Tips sections will be the most important because this site is about providing useful information. So, every contributor will have some hand in these two areas. I would like to have multiple people covering each main area so the workload doesn't become overwhelming. The goal for the site is to be "the place" where people (young ones, of course) go to get their news/opinion.

As far as who I am looking for, yo-pro status (or aspiring yo-pro status) would be helpful. This is more about what you have to contribute so tell me your story and what area you would like to work in and we can discuss. While talking about this with other people, I have thrown out a few phrases to describe the attributes I am looking for in contributors: a sense of humor that comes across in writing, sharp wit, an interest in happenings outside your everyday life, familiar with blogging, understanding of social media outside Facebook, unique writing style, the ability to make tongue in cheek observations, and you must have an opinion.

I should also add that this will be anonymous (sort of). Contributors will select their pen names (within a specified format) and write a relevant bio. I actually don't expect anyone to "expose" themselves but, contributors can "publish" their affiliation with the site in the "real" world if they want. I just don't want any of my anonymous blogger friends to think joining means "exposure". I respect everyone's privacy.

Although this is my "baby", it will be a team effort so the earlier you get in on it, the better.

I am taking this seriously (I bought a domain name and everything!) and to be completely honest this is the sort of thing I hope to eventually put on a grad school application as a "success". So, I assure you it is important to me to make this work and this will get off the ground. Ariana Huffington, watch out! (lol). With that said I expect a certain level of commitment so if you know you don't have time for this please don't start then quit halfway. You are better off being a once in a while contributor than become staff.

Speaking of staff, there is no pay. Clearly. But, much like many a Craigslist posting, I "hope to have some sort of compensation in the future."

If you are interested, or know someone who would be, send me an email: egodujour@gmail.com.

P.S: I shall be in Vegas for the rest of the week, be very jealous, but will be responding to all emails, tweets, etc.