Check out some of Team PP as we bid bon voyage to Managing Partner Randall Goldman and Director of Events Jennifer as they embark on a 2-week holiday to Paris, Florence and sundry other European cities. I certainly hope they behave themselves, as we don’t collectively have enough American dollars to bail them out of any European jails. Have you seen the Euro lately? Just sayin’.

In other news, it’s a big weekend at PP, kids: a graduation shindig at The American Theater tonight, ceremony rehearsal at The William Aiken House and graduation revelers at Fish.

Congrats to all the College of Charleston and Citadel graduates. As you head out into what certainly is the most challenging job market in several generations, let me offer a few gentle words of advice.

1. Remove any incriminating photos from your Facebook page. Employers use Facebook just like you do. And while your pyramid of beer cans may have broken campus records, it will probably not win you any employee of the month awards. Oh, and don’t poke people. Ever.

2. Your first job is just that: your first one. What that means is simply: however daunting/entry level/overwhelming/amazing/horrific/awe-inspiring, etc. your first job may be, remind yourself that you will have a good couple of jobs during the course of your working career and all of them hold lessons.

3. Do some kind of volunteer work. Donate blood;  bag up some clothes you no longer wear and take them to Goodwill. Help build a house. Be a Big Brother or a Big Sister. I’m guessing you didn’t graduate without a little help from someone along the way. So why not give a little something back?

4. The glass is half full. Yes, we’re in a recession. Yes, the competition for jobs is fierce. But the reality is, there’s never been a better time to get creative. Complaining is so easy, but after about 10 minutes of it, ask yourself this: what NOW? Take a look around this city. There are fabulously creative people doing wildly amazing things. Find the thing you’re most passionate about and run with it. Talk to people who are experts in the industry you love. Build community. Wow yourself first and the rest of us just may follow.