VARSITY READER: issue #18
five great reads, going out tops, and how to pitch a sabbatical to your boss
Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone’s week is off to a great start. It is sweltering here in NYC. 😅
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had a number of radically honest encounters that completely caught me off guard.
Two weeks ago when I was grabbing matcha, I asked the barista if she liked the café’s matcha and she said, “No, not really…XYZ place down the street is way better.”
Last week when I was out to dinner and I asked the waiter if he’d choose between the pork and duck. He replied with, “The pork is so dry…definitely don’t get it.” 😂
I cracked up immediately, as this kind of authenticity is rare. But their candor inspired me to turn down a major brand partnership last week.
I talked about it a bit more on Instagram Stories, but a company I love reached out about a partnership (which would entail a Reel). I sent over my proposed script, and the edits they sent over felt Chat GPT-ish. They wanted me to emphasize aspects of the brand that were unimportant / wouldn’t resonate with my audience. After more back-and-forth, I sent the following e-mail:
Always a hard choice to make (especially considering the sunk cost of my time). BUT I’d always rather feel confident about walking away from a paycheck than feel the slightest bit icky about accepting $.
P.S. If you’re new around here, welcome! I’m Julia, a brand strategist and content creator based in NYC. I partner with clients to tell standout stories—whether they’re an executive changing careers or a CPG brand looking to reach a new audience across platforms. You can find me on Instagram and TikTok @smarterinasec, learn more about me / my services on my website, and of course, right here on Substack.
Let’s dive in!
My favorite articles of the week (not shared anywhere else!)
As a varsity reader, I run through articles like athletes run marathons. There’s no way I’d be able to share every article I read (and adore!) on social media each day. Here’s five more, just for you:
Why So Many People (Myself Included) Are Experiencing Family Estrangement (Vogue): All families are complicated!
You wouldn’t believe how difficult it is to buy sperm (The Guardian): A woman’s journey to have a child on her own…and the tactical challenges she faced along the way.
Welcome to the Millennial Midlife Crisis (NYMag): A look at how elder millennials behave in their 40s (they’re not buying Corvettes).
Tour a Scandi-Style Beach House in Bridgehampton (Architectural Digest): These house tours are true brain candy.
The secret to modern friendship, according to real friends (Vox): Always love when friends give a peek into how they became friends and what’s kept their bond strong.
Career tip of the week
In this week’s career AMA on Instagram, many people submitted questions about sabbaticals:
“Quit leadership job due to burnout and taking a sabbatical. Best way to explain in a future interview?”
“Thoughts on how to position career breaks / sabbaticals?”
…and many other flavors of the same ask.
As sabbaticals are a hot (and intimidating) topic, I figured I’d devote more real estate to them and dive in here.
How to pitch a sabbatical to your current employer:
You must come equipped with a plan. If you approach your boss with the loose question, “I’m thinking about taking a sabbatical…think that’s possible?” the reaction likely won’t be positive.
But if you come armed with an end-to-end pitch that spells out why you deserve a sabbatical, when it will happen, and how the company will cover your absence, that’s a different story.
Key points to cover in your sabbatical pitch:
What’s been your value add to your company over the last few years (ideally 3+)? In other words, why should you be granted a sabbatical? Is your performance worth the HR and logistical headache for your company? Amp up your pitch with quantitative statistics and compliments from senior execs, clients, and team members about your work.
When will your sabbatical happen (ideally, during a slower time for your company)? Choose wisely.
What’s the plan for coverage? Look up your company’s policy on sabbaticals—sometimes, employees are granted an unpaid sabbatical after X years of tenure. Other times, they’re paid. No matter the status quo, put together a loose plan for who will cover your responsibilities while you’re away.
How to position a sabbatical in interviews:
Own the break. Burnout is real, and sabbaticals are becoming more commonplace then ever.
A script for interviews: “After X years with Y company (or in Z industry), I decided to take a sabbatical to think about my next step. The last [insert timeframe] has been incredibly restorative, and I’m fully ready to dive into my next challenge.” If your time away has led to a deep career learning (e.g., you want to hone in more on operations in your next role), make sure to include that tidbit!
How to stay connected to your network while you’re on a sabbatical:
If it feels authentic to you, consider creating thought leadership content on LinkedIn. Commit to weekly posts about what you’re learning and how your time away is shaping your professional POV. (Of course, this would make more sense for a year-long vs. month-long sabbatical).
You know the old adage…“out of sight, out of mind.” So when you’re popping up on your former co-workers’ feeds with sharp insights, you’ll be surprised about the opportunities that can come your way.
I highly, highly recommend following Courtney Johnson on Instagram and TikTok for all things LinkedIn content creation. 2024 LinkedIn is like 2013 Instagram. There’s not that much great content out there—so the best stuff rises to the stop and it’s comparatively easy to gain a following.
I also do lots of LinkedIn ghostwriting for executives (reach out to me if you’re interested). Mere months after starting their LinkedIn content creation journey, my clients are invited on podcasts, hand-picked to speak at conferences, and profiled in national news articles. Really!!! It’s proof that you must put yourself out there and get over the cringe factor.
A few damn good buys
Even though I barely eked by in high school science, I take a *very* scientific approach to shopping. I recently analyzed my closet and realized that all of my tops fall into the following three categories:
Jacket & tank top combos (I always reach for this perfect $8 ribbed tank top)
Ridiculous graphic tees
Button-down shirts
Exhibit #1: jacket & tank top combos. I bought this collarless jean jacket last month, and have been wearing it nonstop. $63 and an excellent addition to any wardrobe.
Exhibit #2: ridiculous graphic tees. I was Elizabeth Holmes for Halloween a few years ago, and ever since, haven’t been able to shake the doppelgänger comparison. One of my best friends gave me this T-shirt—and I will cherish it forever.
Exhibit #3: button-down shirts. What’s better than a sweater thrown over a button-down? Crisp, preppy. and perfect for many occasions. I’ve had this one for years and love it.
But what’s sorely missing? The elusive day-to-night shirt that was teased in 2000s magazines. Something that can work for casual professional settings, nights out, and more formal events.
Remember when peplum overtook our wardrobe? The OG day-to-night shirt. In 2012, you could find peplum tops all over bars *and* boardrooms. We’re going for something a bit more elevated.
I’m a picky shopper. So I only have one top that falls into this category—and it’s a true workhorse. By Indian designer Ranna Gill, the laser-cut lace is stunning. I paid way more than $99, but it’s currently on major sale. I’ve paired with faux leather pants (as pictured), jeans, cover-up pants, silk pants and more. I always get compliments!
Gorgeous, but this top runs large. I’m wearing an XS, and am usually a S/M. $99 and only a few sizes left!
As the Ranna Gill top is almost sold out, this lace shirt is a beautiful alternative. Looks way more $$$ than $130!
Vests are also very on-trend this season and are a great top option. Though I’m not a belt person and only had functional elastic belts in my closet, that all changed when I saw this Zara belt in-store. (Sadly, I can’t find it online!)
I’m planning on pairing the belt with this vest. $44 (the right price for a trendy piece). I love how the high slit will allow the belt to peek through.
In case you missed it
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Gonna need you to spill the (literal) tea and tell me where the barista said the good matcha is. A hint at the bad matcha is appreciated if you feel ok sharing, too!