Promoting STEM. Forgetting Society?

Everywhere you turn, companies, schools, and individuals are pouring attention and resources into making sure that women and girls are entering the STEM professions, which are science, technology, engineering, and math. The White House has a “Women in STEM” initiative. Goldie Blox, the girl-centric engineering toy sets saw a meteoric rise after a commercial depicting little girls constructing a complex contraption went viral. There is even a “STEMinist” movement. We’ve come a long way since ... Read more

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How to Survive That First Mediocre Job

Most of us are always looking for direction in our lives, especially our work lives. This search starts in high school when parents, school counselors, friends, and others begin asking what you plan to major in when you go to college. Few high school students can answer this question with clarity. You finally select a college, but it may take a year or two to nail down a major. The sheer number of choices can be overwhelming. Even within a major, there are choices to be made about ... Read more

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Choosing a Career in Nonprofits

Omar Garrett, a marketing manager with LinkedIn, recently wrote a piece in the New York Times encouraging young people to consider work in nonprofit organizations. He notes that only one in 10 “career-oriented” graduates (those with majors in program like business and engineering) plan to pursue work in a nonprofit. Stating that although other career-paths offer a surer path to financial and professional success, nonprofits need new grads who in turn can gain vital skills and prove ... Read more

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Presence Has Consequences

In a recent article by Christine Bader posted on FastCompany, the author speaks about the need for businesses to broaden their scope and to look beyond their corporate walls to the people and communities they affect. She further notes that the MSW (master’s degree in social work) might be the new MBA. I would argue that it shouldn’t be one or the other, but a synergy of the best competencies of both professions. Social workers do bring a unique perspective to their work. Their ... Read more

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The Business of Nonprofits

There is a major misconception that nonprofit organizations and associations are not actual businesses. While they might not be the same as a corporation that manufactures products or sells services for a profit, nonprofits must follow many of the same rules. This includes filing taxes, following state and federal business policies, raising revenue, and managing expenses. The biggest difference is mission versus margin or profit. Nonprofits are established to carry out certain functions, ... Read more

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I’m Annoyed Writing This Blog…

I was recently searching for a picture to accompany the blog post “Mind Your Own Business” which is about focusing on your job tasks and not interfering with colleagues’ roles and responsibilities. I went to a popular stock photography website and based on the content of the blog, I simply entered the search term “annoying.” Guess what popped up. I very well could have searched for “annoying woman” or “nagging girlfriend/wife” or “neurotic mother” because the vast majority of photos were of ... Read more

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Curb Your Enthusiasm

The following is an excerpt from the forthcoming book, 100 Ways to Start Smart and Stay Ahead in Your Career. Many of us have heard about Pollyanna, the little girl who always saw a silver lining for every situation, who always found something to be glad about even in dire situations. Today, the word itself is used to refer to a person who is unusually upbeat and optimistic, perhaps overly so. There is even a concept in psychology literature called the “Pollyanna Principle” ... Read more

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The Positive Side of Power

Recently, I attended a conference on women and power. It brought together 600 business women and provided a wonderful opportunity for networking and learning. The keynote address was given by Katty Kay, the anchor for BBC World News America, and was based on her recent book, The Confidence Code. Katty spoke about the differences in confidence levels between men and women and she discussed how women can gain self-confidence by taking more risks and daring to be authentic. In her book, Katty ... Read more

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Mind Your Own Business

The following is an excerpt from the forthcoming book, 100 Ways to Start Smart and Stay Ahead in Your Career. There is a fine line between being energetic and helpful and being obnoxious. Your colleagues are all adults. They have managed to conduct their professional lives for many years without you. If something is far outside of your job description, leave it alone. For instance, you don’t need to remind your coworkers about meetings, email them weather warnings, or keep them up to date ... Read more

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Put it Behind You

The following is an excerpt from the forthcoming book, 100 Ways to Start Smart and Stay Ahead in Your Career. Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. -Ralph Waldo Emerson We all have them—bad days at work. We don’t do our best. We say things that are stupid, or our ... Read more

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