Do you have any idea how much the world of work has changed over the last few generations? It really is a bit mind-boggling when you think about it. It really wasn’t until around the Second World War where the idea of a career started to take hold. Before then, yet well into the first…
The previous post, Is It Art? was about the creative process and its importance in our lives. Although I wasn’t originally planning to, I decided to carry the discussion a bit further, in part inspired by an article in my favorite business magazine, “Entrepreneur” (link at the end) that I received after that post, and an event I…
There’s a strong likelihood that among your circle of friends and personal and professional acquaintances you know a few creative people. Certainly, most of us do. One’s ability to create, to make something that didn’t exist before, is a gift. Some, if they are lucky, and/or good marketers, use this gift for monetary gain,…
A lot can be said about the exuberance, enthusiasm and passion of youth, particularly as it pertains to work and creativity. In the early stages of our work lives, we get excited by the prospects of what could be, of where we can go, of what we are…
It was with great admiration and respect that I recently witnessed a number of instances of employers recognizing the abilities of their employees with disabilities. In my lengthy experience, I have too frequently seen workers with disabilities placed in positions far away from public view. But on this excursion through the Northeastern US, I witnessed…
Recently I attended a number of events populated mostly with people substantially younger than myself. Among the many things I gleaned from these experiences is that there is hope for tomorrow. The energy, exuberance and enthusiasm of today’s young people is intoxicating and I always find being around them a great learning experience. They are…
One of the topics I think needs more coverage and more solutions, is the shortage of women and minorities in tech jobs. If you look at a graph of people who hold tech jobs, women and minorities are represented in the valleys and white males represent the highest peaks, hence we have a tech chasm.…
Did you hold on to your dreams? Do you recall when you were young and all the adults around you would ask what you wanted to be when you grew up? Did you chase those dreams into a real vocation? Did those dreams change over time? Did youthful exuberance borne of naiveté give way to…
Ah, the resume. The most used and abused document in one’s job search arsenal. I’ve seen great resumes, and I’ve seen really poor ones. You can have the best skills, and the most extensive work experience, regardless of your industry, but if the written content of your resume is not organized and presented properly it…
Making a living from an artistic endeavor these days is a tough road, and it takes – among other things – a good deal of fortitude to make it a sustainable endeavor. I’ve had the opportunity to attend a number of art fairs and shows in several different cities over the past few months. Speaking…
There are times in your life that necessitate that sacrifices are made. The small act may not seem like a big deal at the time, especially if the right sacrifices is made, and is done with our hearts so we can demonstrate our compassion, our understanding and patience. Things like giving up your seat on…
These days, when we hear the word “enabler” there is a negative connotation implied because too frequently it is used as a psychology term. Unfortunately, Enabler isn’t generally associated with all the positive traits exhibited by those who try to bring out the best in others. Too bad! Because among us are those rare, special…
You’ve probably heard the expression, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Well, when it comes to job search, and the self-promotion required to successfully obtain work, we’ve seen a tremendous evolution in the ways we apply for employment. Newspaper classifieds have given way to the online job boards, industry-specific sites and…
Now that you’ve made it through the Thanksgiving Weekend with or without a tryptophan induced hangover, and with or without bruises from the Black Friday melee, maybe you’re at work not quite feeling the gratitude the holiday name suggests. Understandable! Due to our sustained economic doldrums, many employers are cutting down on office celebrations, bonuses,…
In the previous blog entry I tried to illustrate the diversity of unseen and unsung talent required to put on a live production. Many of the people who work in these positions are freelancers and independent contractors, as opposed to regular employees, who know a thing or two about looking for work and self promotion. …
Like many people, I enjoy going to theater performances, concerts, festivals, and other live-entertainment events, and I’m lucky enough to attend a variety of shows throughout the year. There’s a tremendous amount of work that goes into the production and presentation of every performance, from some very talented behind-the-scenes, unsung and unseen heroes, who rarely…
Happy Labor Day to all! Here it is September again, the year is ¾’s over and students are returning to their classrooms. While colleges and universities struggle to maintain standards because of their rising costs, curricula continue to evolve. Instruction of business and entrepreneurial coursework is on the rise, and many programs are focusing on…
In the world of job search and career development, we tend to focus mostly on those who are actively looking for full or part time employment, or regular, preferably long term contract or freelance work. Jobs with regular hours, in offices, in the sciences, in technology, in public media, in public and social services, etc. …
Statistics from the US Department of Labor indicate that those entering the workforce now will likely change careers at least five times in the course of their working lives. Not just change jobs, but change careers. Some will discover that they are not cut out for the careers they planned, or they have burned out…
Searching for a job isn’t easy! Whether you are looking to work for someone else, or trying to generate work for yourself, frequently it can be downright boring! What happens to your motivation, focus and inspiration when you’ve been out of work for a while, feeling a little defeated and even a bit depressed? Your…
