Is College Worth It?

The question many students ask is do I really need college to be successful? What are my options? Here are a few tips to finding out if college will be worth it for you.

1. Do your research. One of the most important things you can do is research your career options. Don't just research how much the job pays, but take a close look at the steps needed to reach that goal. Websites like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics can give you detailed information on various careers including how much education is required.

2. College is an investment and in some cases you can get a return on that investment. Ask yourself if you are willing to make an investment in your future? Do you think the investment will be worth it? For some career choices that require a college education, it may be.  In some cases, it is not. Define your short and long term goals. Does college make sense for your desired career goal? What are the facts?

3. Take advantage of opportunities to ask questions. Don't just wait for your college or high school counselor to give you information. Make an effort to ask professionals and college students in your life for advice.

4. Are you a good student? A good student can be developed with the right attitude. If you want to do well in college, you must be willing to develop the skills to do so. If you are not sure, start off by taking a course at your local community college, and/or consider speaking with an advisor to determine if a trade would be better for you.

5. Learn about finances. Do your best to find out as much as you can about financial aid, scholarships, grants, student loan forgiveness, etc. Develop a budget and savings plan as early as you can. Talking to someone who specializes in this will prove to be beneficial.

6. What do you think? At the end of the day, you are the only one who can make the decision to further your education and you are the only one who can decide if it is worth it or not. There is negative information out there and there is a positive information. You must take a balanced look at what will work best for your life and your goals. Dream big and don't let the fear of the unknown hold you back.

Overcoming Adversity During A Job Search

There comes a time, often more than once, when we must overcome adversity. While it is not something we look forward to, it can often make us stronger. Here are a few tips to overcome adversity during a job search.

1. Always have a good strategy: When you are looking for something, don't look blindly, and don't look desperately. Have clear goals and expectations. Go in thinking positive. Remember your worth and know your plan.

2. Be Grateful: There will be times when you really want something. You think that when you don't get it, you have missed out. Often times, there is something better for you. You have not missed out. Just know that when you put your best foot forward and you are qualified, it's not a loss, it's a win. You get to dream bigger.

3. Stay Persistent: Keep your eyes and ears open. When it get's tempting to settle, just know that you are one step closer to the right move. Don't give up too close to the finish line.

4. Remember your worth: Don't allow rejection to make you feel less worthy. You get to evaluate your weaknesses and improve but you don't get to forget who you are: strong and courageous.

5. Be confident: Always be yourself. Know that at the end of the day, who you are wins. You want to be in a position that is true to who you are, what you want to do, with people you want to do it with. Be relentless in what sets your soul on fire.

Networking Tips

Do you struggle with networking? Do you find it hard to come out of your shell? Here are a few tips for networking to help you out.

1. Start small. Are there people you know from school, friends, family, teachers, co workers that have similar interests? You may notice in daily conversation that there are people all around you, who you are already talking to on a daily basis. Start networking with intention, and don't overlook small opportunities to learn about what other's do and share what you do. Asking one question can go a long way.

2. Utilize LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a great tool for networking. You can use it to find professionals to connect with in order to reach your goal. There are many helpful people to connect with including current and former coworkers.

3. Join a professional organization. Be sure to join organizations supporting your career field. These networks are very helpful to obtain information and connect with professionals outside of your city.

4. Attend workshops for professionals. Here you may introduce yourself to professionals who expect to meet you. This can ease the discomfort. Come prepared with what you'd like to say and gain from the event. Exchange business cards.

5. Build relationships with your team. Be sure to take advantage of opportunities to work on a team project and attend group outings with your team. You can meet some really great people that way! Saying yes to the invitation can change your life for the better.

What You Want Vs. What Others Want

One of the most empowering choices you will make is the choice to do what you want to do. Many young professionals may struggle with making decisions to please family, friends, coworkers and other's invested in their life. You should always accept wise counsel but also listen to your own voice. Here are a few tips to learning how to do just that.

1. What makes you happy? It is important to ask yourself what do I want? At the end of the day, it is your life and you are responsible for your own happiness. If you live your life for others, you are more likely to feel dissatisfied with your choices.

2. Think about what is best for your future. In the long run, what are you hoping for. Set your heart's intention on making choices that will give you what you want now but ultimately lead to a brighter future.

3. Remember your why. Everyone has a story. Your story is unique. You are not living for anyone else. No one can live through you. You get to use your own experiences to create the life you want to live. Make it meaningful.

4. Be determined. You may not get to your goal over night and it may be hard but don't let the challenges or opinions of others cause you to doubt yourself. If anyone should believe in your ideas, vision and mission when things get rough, it should be you! Stay motivated by doing things that make you feel encouraged. You can do it!

Tips for Remote Workers

Working in a community based role or a remote role means you have more flexibility and independence than in an office based job.While many people desire these types of roles, they can be challenging if you are not focused. If you develop the appropriate attributes, you can be successful in this role. Here are my top tips for making it work for you.

1. Develop a routine and schedule. Some roles will keep you busy with the demands of clients. Other roles may be slow to gain tasks. Either way, you want to make sure you plan out your day so that you are busy. This can include doing research, participating in training's, building rapport with contacts, marketing your program or service, following up with client's, and completing paperwork. Set your hours and keep track of your time.

2. Get up and get moving. While some people like working from home and can be very productive at home, I do encourage individuals to work from home only as needed such as when you are not feeling well. Going to a library, coffee shop, the organization you work with, vising colleagues, etc. is always a great idea. Again, you want to maintain a professional outlook on your role, which means getting up and getting out the house in your professional attire just like you would for an office job.

3. Connect with professionals who have similar roles. Seek out tips and support. Suggest meeting up to do work together. When you are not in the office with your coworkers all of the time, you can sometimes get lonely and isolated. Make sure that you prioritize connecting with others face to face, through Skype, and even a simple phone call. Just being in a setting where there are other people can help boost your morale.

4. Know your deadlines and expectations. Flexibility can cause professionals to get comfortable. Don't get too comfortable. In most cases, there is always a productivity expectation to be met as outlined by your company or contract. Make sure you keep track of your work, stay organized, and keep working everyday so that your work speaks for itself.

5. Avoid overspending. Working out of your car, or in the community can sometimes cause you to spend more because you are surrounded by opportunities to eat out more frequently, you may drive more, as well as purchase more when out meeting with clients at coffee shops. Make sure you try to pack your lunch and shop accordingly for healthy foods you can eat that are easy to prepare for your lifestyle. If you are on a budget, make sure you stick to it.

Tips for the Underemployed

To be underemployed means to not have enough paid work or to not be doing work that makes full use of your skills and abilities. Many professionals and college graduates can relate to this. If you are underemployed, don't fret. I know it can hard having to work more than one job to make ends meet or to be in a role where you are not using your talents. Here are a few tips to help you get through it.

1. Have a positive perspective: Being underemployed can in some cases feel like driving a car that you don't quite love. It isn't in the best condition, doesn't have all the perks you prefer but it is still working enough to get you from one place to another. You may not have your ideal position yet, just like you may not have that dream car, but it is important to be grateful that you have one.

2. Develop S.M.A.R.T. goals. Do you know what you need to do? Do you have a deadline for getting it done? Light the fire and work on your life like never before. Developing specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time based goals can help you get to your goal much faster than a general statement of I don't like where I am right now. Spend more time taking action, then complaining. If it is a serious goal of yours ensure that each day you take out dedicated time to work on your goal.

3. Get connected. Consider taking advantage of free resources in your community such as resume workshops, career coaches, events for job seekers, and classes at your local library. Talk to people who have been in your shoes but have since advanced. Ensure that you develop a sense of community.

4. Don't be impulsive. It may be tempting to leave where you are now but make sure that you leave a position for something better, rather than leaping into the same situation. Evaluate the circumstance, seek good advice and measure your options.

5. Get the experience. Look at job postings for the career you want. Determine if you have the skills already or if there are things you need to develop in. In your current role, look for opportunities to develop these skills. You want to maximize your time and see opportunities even in situations you don't always like.

Self Care and Work

We have all heard the term work-life balance but is there truly a balance? While we are prioritizing multiple tasks simultaneously, it is only natural that we disproportionately spend our time. I want to give you tips on how to practice self care while building a career.

1. Have the right perspective: Life is about more than work and work alone does not bring us true happiness. It is very important to recognize that work is a way in which we provide for ourselves and our families. Once we have grown into ourselves and identified our joys in life, it can also bring enjoyment. It is not meant to be our all. Therefore, even when we enjoy our work, we must stop and reflect on what truly matters.

2. Prioritize non work related activities. Make an effort to spend time with people you love, participate in hobbies, traveling, and events that you enjoy.

3. Take personal and sick days. This can be especially hard to do when you feel the need to prove yourself. You can still be a reliable employee by taking care of yourself. In fact, you are even more likely to be reliable when you have the energy to do so. Things can be rescheduled, deadlines can be extended, tasks can be delegated. All you have to do is ask.

4. Keep looking for your passion. Sometimes, we don't have time to slow down and identify what we like to do. If you don't like your job, while you are working try volunteering, take a career assessment to learn about more careers, and explore starting your own business.

5. Use your benefits. If you have benefits, use them. Make sure you are well informed of the benefits your company offers and use them all. You deserve to take care of your health.