Missing the Super Bowl May Have Cost You a Promotion...

The Super Bowl is a popular American entertainment event watched by millions. Those millions probably include your colleagues, clients and your boss. Catching the Super Bowl (or at the very least knowing who is playing and who wins) is important for your corporate career. Those seemingly trivial social interactions about the big game are the stepping stones to a promotion. Often, young Black Corporates miss opportunities to engage colleagues and clients on a personal level by missing out on popular cultural events.

Here are few other popular events to put on your calendar:

Grammys, February 15
Check the blogs or gossip sites for winners.

Academy Awards, February 28
These awards are not by us nor for us. I get it. However, your co-workers will likely be in awe of the gowns and tearjerking reminders of when American was "great." No, this is not the time to bring up the lack of racial diversity in the office. Mention so and so's dress and whoever won best picture.

March Vacation, Mid-March
Those wealthy private schools your co-workers send their kids to have something called "March Vacation." They will use their kids being out of school as an excuse to take a vacation. Your workload will double. Be prepared to step up and cover. Ask them how the trip was when they get back.

NCAA Championships, April 4
You'll hear a lot about the Final Four. Just catch the championship and know where the schools are located. Bonus points if you join the office pool.

Season 6 of Game of Thrones Premier, April 24
Winter will come. If you choose not to watch, at least have a conversational knowledge of the books and show.

Memorial Day, May 30
This is a special holiday as it honors the memory of those who died in service of our country. It is also the beginning of co-worker cookout season. There is a delicate line between enjoying the day off and being irreverent of the meaning of the holiday. Toe the line.

4th of July
Put your vacation requests in early. If anyone asks you how you spent the holiday, mention fireworks.

U.S. Presidential Election, November  8
No need to get into your political views, but you should be informed enough to know the results. Don't forget to vote.

Office Holiday Party, Mid-December
Cheers! Stop by the holiday party.

This list is far from exhaustive. What are the major events in your office?