Friday, February 27, 2015

Sources of Motivation

What are the driving sources of motivation in your life?

For me I can name three:
1. Desire for Personal Success - All this time in School can't be for nothing!
2. Supporting Family - Family should stick together and support one another!
3. Fear of Failure - Failure is NOT an option!

Please share what motivates you and help encourage others...

Connect with Your Career in the New Year

The new year is always a time to start fresh with new energy and enthusiasm, and that spirit can be a big boost to your career. If you feel disconnected at work or with your career goals, here’s some advice for you going into 2015.

Are you disconnected FROM work?

Being “disconnected” as a worker can mean a few different things. For some people, it can mean being unemployed or facing other challenges that make it hard to find work. If you find yourself in that situation, contacting your local Goodwill and learning about options in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act can help you reconnect.

Are you disconnected AT work?

It’s possible to be disengaged from your job, too, by not feeling connected to or interested in the work that you’re doing. How can you get back on track at your workplace and with your colleagues? Here are three strategies:
  • Work on improving your people skills. Work towards building abilities such as teamwork, communication and respect. Improvement of these soft skills will allow you to work more effectively with others, open lines of communication and value the roles of your co-workers.
  • Work with tools and technology. This is especially important for remote employees: Make sure you are in tune and up to date with all methods of workplace engagement. This includes taking advantage of services like e-mail, VPN access, mobile devices, video chat platforms and cloud-based solutions.
  • Seek Professional Development. Establish a regular check-in or evaluation of your work with your direct supervisor. This feedback will enable you to remain on task, engaged with your leadership, and allow your opinions and ideas to be heard. Furthermore, seek and take advantage of professional development opportunities offered by your company. Such a commitment is a great way to display that you welcome being a part of a company who believes in a culture of engagement.
This article was originally shared on Goodwill.org: http://www.goodwill.org/blog/career-and-financial-advice/connect-with-your-career-in-the-new-year/ 

Five Career Pathways in the Hospitality Industry

What if I told you that a career in hospitality could lead to you traveling the world? If you consider yourself to be adaptable and hardworking, and genuinely enjoy helping others, then you could be a winning smile—and a certification or two—away from a career in hospitality.

At its root, the hospitality industry is and will always be about quality customer service with a smile. It’s a diverse field that includes hotel and resort staff, tour management, cruise ships, dining and more. Careers in the front office, food and beverage, housekeeping, maintenance and security, plus several others, include career pathways that, when built with certifications, can lead to good pay and exciting opportunities to travel as part of the job.

These career pathways are just some of the options in the hospitality field.
  • Housekeeping, especially for large hotels and resorts, is much more than just cleaning rooms. It also requires planning, scheduling and logistics, like managing cleaning supplies and laundry. Certifications on this career path include certified guestroom attendant, certified hospitality supervisor and certified hospitality housekeeping executive.
  • Food and beverage service is often a key part of the customer’s experience, so great service and meeting expectations are key. You may start as a certified restaurant server on your way to being a certified food and beverage executive.
  • Working the front desk can go way beyond just reservations to finding meal and entertainment options for guests. Starting as a certified front desk representative and working toward becoming a certified rooms division Executive can be an engaging, entertaining career path.
  • Starting in maintenance within hospitality can be as simple as painting rooms, but it may also mean entering the industry with other certifications in fields like HVACR, plumbing, carpentry and more. Still, you can start as a certified maintenance employee and acquire more responsibility until you earn a hospitality facilities executive certification.
  • Security operations are vitally important to the hospitality industry, as they keep guests, their possessions and the facilities themselves safe. Becoming a certified lodging security director can mean starting as a certified lodging security officer, then a certified lodging security supervisor.
This article was originally shared on Goodwill.org: http://www.goodwill.org/blog/career-and-financial-advice/five-career-pathways-in-the-hospitality-industry/ 

Getting Started in Three Education Careers

If you are interested in a career in education, you may ask yourself, ‘What kind of educator do I want to be?’, and, ‘Where do I begin?’ Answering these questions starts with understanding the education labor market as well as beginning to develop your career pathway.

Supported by data from the U.S. Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics, I’ve already done some of the research for you. Below are three suggested entry-level careers that could get you started on the right track for a career in education.

Teacher Assistants

Working as a teacher assistant is a great place to start your career in education. Individuals in this role work closely with the primary teacher in elementary or high school classrooms to carry out lesson plans, and help with lesson plan preparation and reinforcement. They assist students one on one, and monitor student behavior, among other responsibilities.
  • Educational requirement: High school diploma; an associate degree in some cases.
  • Earnings potential: $10-16/hour depending on location, experience and qualifications.
  • Other titles: Teacher aide, instructional aide, paraprofessional.
  • Occupation growth: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this profession is projected to grow 9 percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. See a full occupational overview here.
Preschool Teachers

Another great place to begin a career in education is at the preschool level, especially if you have a passion for working with young children. Preschool teachers usually work with children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. They develop lesson plans to provide children with the foundations for academic success using a variety of creative, fun and imaginative exercises.
  • Educational requirement: At least a high school diploma; some states may require you to obtain a Child Development Associate certification or a Certified Childcare Professional certification.
  • Earnings potential: $13.26 hourly, $27,570 annually (median).
  • Other titles: Pre-K teacher, Head Start teacher, early childhood teacher.
  • Occupation growth: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. See a full occupational overview here.
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers

Many of our early childhood memories begin in kindergarten – teaching this age group could be a great place to begin your career in education. Kindergarten teachers take on the challenging task of providing the first year of formal education for children ages 5 and 6. While providing a nurturing environment, teachers begin to instruct on basic math and reading skills, and prepare lesson plans to engage the entire class through individual assignments and small group exercises.
  • Educational requirement: At least a bachelor’s degree, with a major in early childhood education, elementary education or early childhood development. A state licensure will also be required; information regarding each state’s education agency can be found through the Department of Education.
  • Earnings potential: $53,590 annually (median).
  • Other titles: Elementary teacher, kinder teacher.
  • Occupation growth: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this profession is projected to grow 9 percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. See a full occupational overview here.
Visit GoodProspects and learn more about careers in education by joining the discussion with our unique community of job seekers, career advancers and expert mentors.

This article was originally shared on Goodwill.org: http://www.goodwill.org/blog/career-and-financial-advice/getting-started-in-three-education-careers/

How to Include Education in Your Career Plan

Putting together a career plan means more than just thinking about what jobs you want to have; it requires you to think about your interests, values, skills and preferences; explore the life, work and learning options available to you; and ensure that your work fits with your personal circumstances.

What Is Continuous Education?

Education should be an ongoing part of any career planning. As you advance in your career, how will you update your skills and knowledge, and apply these new talents to your work environment? Continuing education programs are available at any point in your career and include experiences like college courses, skill trade training's, seminars, conferences and a wide variety of certificate programs.
Three Steps for Successful Career Planning

Step 1: Seek educational and training opportunities

Start by considering your interests and the educational opportunities available to propel you forward in your career field. Prioritize opportunities that offer a certificate or credential — not only will they vouch for your knowledge and skillset, but they’ll increase your career advancement prospects and earning potential.

Step 2: Explore new jobs and careers available to you

Once you've received your necessary education and earned your certificate or credential, begin to research what new career advancement opportunities are now at your disposal. For example: your SAT scores, GPA, and high school diploma represent your qualifications as an 18-year-old high school graduate. These credentials give you access to a new level of job opportunities for which you wouldn't otherwise be considered. The more education you receive, the greater the number of career options that will be available to you.

Step 3: Land the job, and continue to learn

Continue the progress you've made with your new education and qualifications by seeking new employment opportunities. Remember that the learning doesn't stop once you’re hired. Take full advantage of on-the-job training opportunities – especially those paid for by your employer – that present themselves and that could lead to a promotion, such as webinars, conferences, seminars and certificates.

Most importantly, never get complacent. Keep your eyes and ears open, and be prepared to repeat step 1 as needed. Never stop looking for new opportunities to propel you even further in your career.

Visit our partners at the American Association of Community Colleges to begin searching for local educational opportunities to advance your career.

This article was originally shared on Goodwill.org: http://www.goodwill.org/blog/career-and-financial-advice/how-to-include-education-in-your-career-plan/ 

How to Explain Gaps in Employment

It is not uncommon for individuals to have gaps in employment at some point during their life. Despite the reason, these gaps will stand out on your résumé, and you may be expected to explain them during an interview. Be prepared to overcome this hurdle by having your answers ready ahead of time. Chances are very high that the employer will ask questions about it, and not having a reason for your employment gap may lead the employer to draw their own conclusions. Here are three tips to keep in mind when preparing to address employment gaps:

  1. Tell the Truth—If an employer believes you are not trustworthy, you definitely will not get the job. If you were out of work, be honest about the reason, and never lie on your cover letter or résumé to cover up the gaps. Keep your explanation simple, show accountability for your own actions, and avoid blaming your previous employers. 
  2.  Focus on the Positive—While you’re out of work, it is important to seek positive opportunities to keep up your skills and make productive contributions. Be sure that you highlight any constructive activities during your gap period, such as volunteering, workshops, coursework, consulting and freelance work. Get excited about returning to work and make a very strong case for why your target job would be great for you and an excellent fit. 
  3.  Use Your Résumé to Your Advantage—Consider avoiding a strictly chronological résumé—which draws attention to employment gaps—and instead switch to a functional résumé format that emphasizes your skills and job functions. Start by listing all of your related experience, education and skills to the job you are seeking. In the next section, place those accomplishments into context in a chronological section of job descriptions. You don’t need to list the month/year if you were in a position for over a year or if your position spans multiple years. For example, you could simply say 2008-2014 (rather than April 2010-March 2013), which would give you some room to cover the gaps. 
Learn more about writing an effective résumé at GoodProspects.com. Our resources for job seekers and career advancers can help you get an edge in your search for a new employment opportunity. 

This Post was originally shared on Goodwill.org: http://www.goodwill.org/blog/career-and-financial-advice/how-to-include-education-in-your-career-plan/

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

A Proud People

In the spirit of Black History Month, I want to say to all my Brothers and Sisters that I am extremely proud of our history. From one generation to the next we continue to make strides against all odds. Our history is one of pain and struggle, but more importantly one of perseverance, unity, and love for one another. We must continue to support one another, be encouraging, and understanding. We must continue to be a Proud people and walk with a sense of dignity and confidence. As always family, hold your head high, Love you all.