The Meandering Career
By Kris Powers | September 16th 2020
I recently had the pleasure of talking to a few college-age students about career paths and options. There is an expectation that a career field will be chosen, the appropriate degree obtained and then a lifelong career will ensue. For fields such as medicine or law, this may be true. But for students exploring careers in business, the arts, and more, that career path may not be so straight. And not every career requires a college degree. Certifications can be the gateway to some fantastic opportunities as well!
Sadly, gone are the days of the “forever job”. I remember watching programs set in the 50’s where men went off to work every day to the same company for their entire working career. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) this is a thing of the past. I’ve tried to explain to my own children that nowadays, the average person will have 12 jobs between the ages of 18 and 52.
Practice Your Acceptance Speech
By Kris Powers | September 8th 2020
From the American Music Association to the Golden Globes, recipients of awards stand in front of the crowd and give thanks to all who helped get them there. Some speeches are short and concise, others drag on a bit too long and the music is cued to close them out. Whether short or long, those speeches have one thing in common. Those being recognized take the time to acknowledge that they did not get to that point alone.
If any part of your workday involves collaborating with others, my advice to you is “practice your acceptance speech”.
Are you having trouble focusing? Me too!
By Kris Powers | August 25th 2020
I used to excel at multi-tasking, and now I cannot even SINGLE task. What is happening to me?
While I don't usually turn to the internet for diagnosing what ails me (sorry, WebMD), a quick search on the internet reassured me I am not alone. Turns out, experts say that the extra anxiety caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has impaired our working memory and ability to focus.
“All over the world, people are trying to overcome one of the few universal problems this pandemic has brought on: that it feels near-impossible to stay focused on anything. Whether it’s work or study, or even pleasurable things like reading, gaming or chatting, everything suddenly feels like a battle against your attention span to concentrate on what was once simply routine” writes author Sarah Manavis.
Wellness Coaching
By Kris Powers | August 13th 2020
A health and wellness coach helps clients make positive and lasting changes in their health. They guide the client through the process of creating a vision for their health and well being. They help the client develop a healthy mindset and healthy habits and encourage them every step of the way until they accomplish their goals.
Some of the things that clients ask for help accomplishing are as follows:
- Stress management
- Prioritizing self-care
- Maintaining a positive and healthy mindset
- Balancing wellness and a busy schedule
- Personal growth
- Productivity
A successful wellness coach will:
Mental Health Technician Professional Program
By Kris Powers | July 23rd 2020
Mental health technicians care for people who have mental illness or developmental delays. Mental health technicians, also known as psychiatric technicians or aides, are also responsible for the following according to BLS.gov:
COVID-19 and Remote Worker Burnout
By Kris Powers | July 21st 2020
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of people have made the transition to remote work, many of them for the first time in their careers. In fact, Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom states that 42% of the U.S. labor force is now working from home full-time.
The compounding factors of the pandemic, having children home from school, worry about employment, health and community have all taken their toll. Concerns of downsizing and increased pressure to continue to be a top performer while working from home lead some employees to put in what feels like 125% while working remotely. Many are finding it difficult to “log off” from work and regain the work/life balance they may once have had.
Travel Agent Professional Program
By Kris Powers | July 17th 2020
Travel agent career professionals consistently help people plan family vacations, corporate trips, cruises, international travel, and specialty tours such as adventure vacations. Travel agents generally have access to important information regarding fares and discounts, and are knowledgeable about particular geographic locations. Overall, a travel agent career professional can help consumers plan the most appropriate travel arrangements for their needs.
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents typically do the following:
Medium/Heavy Diesel Automotive Technician
By Kris Powers | July 8th 2020
Diesel technicians are responsible for inspecting and repairing buses, trucks and other vehicles that use diesel fuel. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the most common duties of a diesel automotive technician.
Web Design Professional Program
By Kris Powers | June 30th 2020
Website designers and developers are responsible for the look of the website, but they are also responsible for the site’s technical aspects such as performance, capacity and how much traffic the site can handle. Web developers may also be responsible for creating the content for the site. According to BLS.gov, the following are daily tasks of a website designer:
Electronic Health Records Specialist Program
By Kris Powers | June 22nd 2020
Electronic health records specialists are responsible for organizing and managing health information. They ensure that the quality, accuracy, accessibility and security of health records are maintained. The National Healthcare Association lists the following as common tasks of an electronic health records specialist:
- Audit patient records for compliance
- Perform basic coding to submit reimbursement claims
- Process Release of Information (ROI) requests for medical records
- Review patient records to ensure completion and accuracy
- Collect patient demographic and insurance information
- Discuss patient information with physicians and insurance professionals
Some of the data they maintain includes: