Career Role Model Program

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4 Tips for successful Mentorship

Grow to be the Best You through Mentorship

Mentorship programs are gaining popularity at companies to create better engagement, career planning, company loyalty and retention of stronger, top notch work teams. Some companies take great pride in a formal program where employees are either recommended for inclusion or fill out an application. These mentorship programs continue to develop by staying current, flexible, and attracting high participation.

When you interview you may want to ask if they have mentorship program and hear how it’s handled. The company may have a team that carefully matches the best suited relationships of mentor and mentee. If you can select your own mentor, you may want to consider one from outside your department to gain a different viewpoint or approach to doing things.

What makes mentorship successful?

Self-Awareness for both mentee and mentor

Mentorship is a 2-way learning experience. That’s right both of you have unique experiences no matter how many years you’ve been working.

Both need to give and receive to make the relationship valuable

Trust needs to be built for honesty and comfortability in sharing with each other

The Mentor needs to share the good, bad, and ugly of their career experiences

The Mentee should be comfortable asking any question, listening to new points of view and hearing what is said during praise or criticism.

Listen with gratitude remembering you are being gifted their time and wisdom because your mentor wants to help you grow in your career path and support you.

Rapport

Get to know each other as people sharing things to find what you have in common and enjoy.

This will add to your understanding of each other and may strengthen the relationship beyond business. Wouldn’t you like to stay in touch long past the mentorship?

Effective Communication

Stay committed to the meetings scheduled and plan to make them productive

You may want to send a topic and question before the meeting

Most mentors will research or call other colleagues if they don’t know the answer to your question or even get you in touch with an expert in that area.

Discuss your long term goals, the knowledge gaps you feel you have about the company, profession, or growth opportunities. Likewise what are mentor’s goals and learning opportunities?

Bonus: To get the most value from being mentored, I suggest you end each meeting with the best golden nugget you learned and will immediately incorporate in your work. Mentors appreciate hearing thank you and sharing in news of your successes.

“One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.” ~ John C. Maxwell, Leadership Gold

  Career Role Model Program, Inc. Customized workshops & workbook to answer, “What do I want for my career?” Self-discovery ~ Career Awareness ~ Employment or Entrepreneurship We’d be honored to serve you and guide your career transition.

 Visit http://www.CareerRoleModel.com to register for our blog.

  Claudia Howard Career Role Model Program, Inc. Founder & CEO [email protected] 262-758-0859 central time www.CareerRoleModel.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiahoward

©2016 Career Role Model Program, Inc. Copyright: This article is copyrighted and appeared first on Career Role Model Program, Inc. The internet is about sharing. Feel free to share this entire post with whomever you believe will appreciate it! Please give full attribution to Claudia Howard and our website: www.CareerRoleModel.com.

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/3643-2/

Are you stuck on who am I?

Finding the answer to Who Am I is a question to ask throughout your life

Who Am I?

Is not knowing the answer to who am I holding you back? How many times have you said or heard about women that get caught up in their role as daughter, wife, mother, or employee and just kept going day after day. Then one day a major life change happens that stops you; you freeze because you don’t know who you are and what you want to do from this point on. Are you or a friend feeling stuck trying to answer who am I?

Do you feel you need to move on and find more contentment?

Funny, we don’t give it much thought until a major change shakes us in a wakeup call. I’ve been there and when it happened, I felt like I was hit by a stun gun. Lately, this question has come up among women I have met so here’s some suggestions.

The challenge is recognizing not stuffing your feelings and questions so you can take steps to help yourself.  Be sure to have a paper and pen handy to write down every thought no matter what it is. My recommendation is listen to your heart for the answers rather than your head. What answers come to mind right away? You want to open up to get to know yourself, away from all the roles you’ve played.

As I’ve spent more time reflecting and listening to educational programs and reading, I’ve learned all the answers to who am I are already within, just waiting to be heard. The choice you have to make is whether you listen and take action on your new awareness. Try this getting to know myself exercise.

What do I really enjoy doing?

Write down all the things you enjoy doing. These may be things you use to do and haven’t done in years. If you always wanted to do it and believe you’d love it, get it on the list. Getting to know yourself involves exploring new things and figuring out whether it’s for you or not.  Tip: If you still remember enjoying it, maybe you should get back to it. For me, it’s playing piano and I’m carving out time to bring out some of my favorites and refresh my talent.

What would I like to learn?

Do you want to take seminars, learn new computer software, social media, a new style of cooking, study up on nutrition, fitness, wellness, a new language, or take a course on-line or a local college? If you already are doing all this, congratulations you’re a life-long learner! If not, why not start now?

Take a few minutes to think about things you’ve thought of learning but just never did it. Remember, it’s never too late to learn and answer who am I.

I found the time you spend writing down all you know and have done, gives you increased knowledge of who you are and brings clarity to what you’d like to become. For a deeper awakening question you might ask, “What do I want to leave as my legacy for how people will remember me?”

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” –Anonymous

  Career Role Model Program, Inc. Customized workshops & workbook to answer, “What do I want for my career?” Self-discovery ~ Career Awareness ~ Employment or Entrepreneurship I’d be honored to serve you and guide your career transition.

  Claudia Howard Career Role Model Program, Inc. Founder & CEO [email protected] 262-758-0859 www.CareerRoleModel.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiahoward

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/is-apprenticeship-a-smart-career-path-for-you/

Is apprenticeship a smart career path for you?

Are you looking to change to a completely different career without losing paychecks? An apprenticeship gives you income while you learn with the added bonus of potential job at the company upon completion. Jobs are sponsored by employers providing you on-the job training, study, and wages. Your wages increase as you advance through the apprenticeship becoming more skilled. According to the Department of Labor, the average wages are $50,000 per year during apprenticeships. Here’s how you can dive in to a new opportunity.

“At the successful completion of the on-the-job and instructional learning, apprentices receive an industry-issued, nationally recognized portable certificate of completion.”

Consider the Apprentices and Participation Trends

Individuals nationwide entering the apprenticeship increased by 44% since 2010

In FY 2015, over 52,500 participants graduated from the apprenticeship system.

Advantages

You perform the actual work and study to earn a qualification. During the apprenticeship you gain the skills and knowledge for the position.

Training on the job also develops a greater confidence in your decision to that career and the work environment.

Going with a registered apprenticeship means it meets national standards and is approved

Having the industry credential gives you a greater opportunity for hire.

Disadvantages

Certain fields engineering, medical and some science require a minimum of a bachelor degree.

Apprenticeship programs on average last about 4 years. Depending upon the work, it can be one year or as many as six years.

You will need patience for your income to grow. Starting may be $15/hour until you reach Journeymen Wages.

Now on to exploring the opportunities!

Resource Sites for Apprenticeships:

ApprenticeshipUSA Community of Practice. It’s an online resource to share information and learn from peers regarding the innovative strategies and partnerships being used to train U.S. workers.

Available occupations can be found athttps://www.doleta.gov/OA/occupations.cfm with information on hours required for the completion

Next Move goes a step beyond the list showing available opportunities, green careers and future outlook. Careers with Registered Apprenticeships at My Next Move

Disclaimer: States vary in their regulations for apprenticeship programs. Be sure to check the state you will work in.

Sources: http://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers-advice/apprenticeships/advantages-of-apprenticeships https://www.doleta.gov/oa/data_statistics.cfm

Career Role Model Program, Inc. Customized workshops and workbook to answer, “What do I want for my career?” Self-discovery ~ Career Awareness ~ Employment or Entrepreneurship

 I’d be honored to serve you and guide your career transition.

 Claudia Howard Career Role Model Program, Inc. Founder & CEO [email protected] 262-758-0859 central time www.CareerRoleModel.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiahoward

©2016 Career Role Model Program, Inc. Copyright: This article is copyrighted by Career Role Model Program, Inc. The internet is about sharing. Feel free to share this entire post with whomever you believe will appreciate it! Please give full attribution to Claudia Howard and our website: www.CareerRoleModel.com.

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/what-can-i-do-no-college-degree/

What can I do, I have no college degree?

Can I get a job if I have no college degree?

Are you a job seeker worried about having no college degree? Stop sabotaging your search by thinking you won’t get a job and look at these results. Economic Modeling Specialists Intl., did a study and found 136 occupations requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. Occupations found are paying at least $20/hour.

Though I believe in formal education, I know that everyone’s learning and financial situations are different.

The most important thing is finding a career you enjoy.

The following career fields require  no college degree and little or no on-the-job-training.                                               

Transportation, storage and distribution managers

Supervisors of non-retail sales workers

Business Operations Specialists

Interactive Customer Gaming or Casino Gaming positions

Equipment workers for the media and communication fields

Legal support positions

First Line supervisors for installers, mechanics, construction, or repairers

Property or community association Managers

Being dedicated, inquisitive, eager to learn new things, communication skills, and knowing how you can make a difference at the company can be the trump card for a hiring manager’s decision.

I remember hiring a Purchasing Clerk with no college degree. She presented logical thinking, eagerness to learn, desire to have a career path, and communication skills; all the critical skills to have. I knew we could train her on various processes and reports. She wanted the job and was ready to dive in and learn. She proved to be excellent contributor and continued to grow with the company.

Walk in showing you are confident of your abilities to help the company and ready to step up to your potential.

Don’t you know people with no college degree just as skilled and educated by taking classes, webinars, on-line programs and instructional YouTube videos? Today’s on-line classes are easily accessible, often free to you, and available when you are. These trainings can also help you broaden your knowledge and often lead you to discover what really interests you.

For more information see the full article at CareerBuilder

Career Role Model Program, Inc.

Customized workshops and workbook to answer, “What do I want for my career?”

Self-discovery ~ Career Awareness ~ Employment or Entrepreneurship

We’d be honored to serve you and guide your career transition.

Claudia Howard Career Role Model Program, Inc. Founder & CEO [email protected] 262-758-0859 central time www.CareerRoleModel.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiahoward

©2016 Career Role Model Program, Inc. Copyright: This article is copyrighted by Career Role Model Program, Inc. The internet is about sharing. Feel free to share this entire post with whomever you believe will appreciate it! Please give full attribution to Claudia Howard and our website: www.CareerRoleModel.com.

Thank you for sharing!  

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/6-tips-relaxing-time-just-for-you/

6 Tips for Relaxing time just for you

                      My favorite way to relax, walking on the beach

Have you thought about the last blog on getting me time? Well, here’s how. These are tested and in practice by me,  6 tips to get relaxing time for yourself. You hear all the research on prolonged stress yet we, that’s including me just keep going. I encourage you to bless yourself with even 10 minutes a day for relaxing. It’s worth the discipline until it becomes a habit. You will feel the great results.

Take 10 minutes in a room, door shut, eyes closed and blank out everything. If you can’t quiet your mind like I couldn’t, practice and keep trying…. It will happen. Those few minutes can be the quick refresh you need. I’m a firm believer in making a plan for work-life balance.

To help quiet your mind from everything, try the Deepak Chopra “So Hum” meditation. So Hum is an Indian mantra that can be translated to I am.

Have your on-line article, book or CD everywhere you go. There is always a few minutes of waiting for something or someone, use it for me time.

In our tech world of accessible apps, there’s no excuse not to read or listen to something for even a few moments while you wait.

A friend turns Ted Talks on in the background

I play a subliminal message music CD or soothing music because it keeps me calmer and more focused.

Bonus Tip: Put the phone on mute for 50 minutes. Yes you can!

Play a quick game of solitaire, Soduko, or anything to change your mindset. It’s a fun break.

Get out of the house – walk the backyard, walk the dog around the block, or go somewhere whatever fits at the time.

Work on planning me time. Branch out to bigger things and more time for yourself. Have lunch or dinner out on a set schedule monthly (extra points for weekly), call a friend or send a message daily, turn off TV and read, have date night or family night plan, or whatever makes you stop and enjoy

Get up and go sit on a chair in another room. This may sound crazy but it works for me! Why, you left the scene and stopped.

I know you can do this! Realize people care about you, depend on you/ be good to yourself; staying healthy and living. Get your de-stress time.

Bonus tip: Laugh! Here’s the greatest 2 hour video for frequent laughing. Try it!

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/suffering-from-no-me-time/

Are you suffering from no ME time?

Do you take “me time” for what you want to do? I really enjoy talking with people I meet, as my friends would say no kidding! Everyone has a fascinating life story whether they realize it or not. Why? Because it’s uniquely you. No two stories you hear will ever be the same even if they’re twins. One thing in most women’s stories that’s common, is not having me time. Think about your story, does it share what you do with me time to relax?

It’s easy to always be busy with work, church or synagogue, driving the kids to outside activities, taking care of ailing parents or just running the necessary errands. But think of everything on your list, was their ME time on it? I laughed when a co-worker years ago, would show his huge to do list and say, at least I’ll get two things done today only to show he listed go to bathroom twice!

Remember the “time out” when you were little? Pretty effective right? You deserve that time out, for me time!

Have you ever had a friend call you and say I think you need a break, let’s go out. Now you know you really need one; it shows. Funny how others know before you look within and realize you need to cut lose and have some fun in life. That’s a true friend.

Last week I called a good friend and learned she had dropped out of a few groups and postponed some projects. My first reaction, OMG she must be gravely ill. This isn’t like her at all! Well she was far from sick, she was proactive and smart. Listening to her inner voice and body, she knew what she needed. There comes a time when doing less means doing better.

Is it time to re-arrange your schedule and cut yourself some slack?

Right now, I’m taking my advice and in Branson to see some shows and taking some quiet time for doing what I love. Hmm. Is that why I’m talking about ME time? Stay tune for simple easy ways to have me time.

  Career Role Model Program, Inc.

Customized workshops and workbook to answer, “What do I want for my career?”

 Self-discovery ~ Career Awareness ~ Employment or Entrepreneurship

I’d be honored to serve you and guide your career transition.

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/3540-2/

Are you willing to be a beginner to get ahead?

Remember learning to walk before you could run?

What would it be like to step out of our comfort zone and be a beginner? Alice realized she hadn’t stretched before because she didn’t want to be a beginner instead of knowing my job well. She realized starting to learn German could help her be promoted to work with their major client. I’m going to attend a beginner group in my area that gets together helping each other learn German. Once I learn some words and see if I will enjoy it, I’ll sign up for a course.

Janet decided she wanted to try something daring and was going to go parasailing at a nearby place. She realized she continually learns things for work but never has enough me time. It’s something on my bucket list and I’m ready to give it a try. Grip on to fear and who knows, I may want to do it again.

TIP: Know the boundaries of your comfort zone so you can take growth steps. What have you never tried before? Doing that one thing could get you past your fear of change or taking a risk triggering a improvement at work or in your life.

How does it feel good when you do something totally different or wear a color you wouldn’t normally buy? Imagine those compliments!

When you’re learning something new, pat yourself on the back. If you don’t learn new things, where would your career be in the next year considering the way lives and technologies progress?

You can do almost anything, if you’re willing to be a beginner. Pro golfers hit thousands of balls at a driving range, practice with each club, took lessons and still does; they need to practice daily to win.

Allow yourself to accept setbacks or failure. Does the golfer make every shot even as a pro? Not in the tournaments I’ve watched!

Here’s a challenge to get you going… follow my lead. I’ve committed to learning one new subject area a month. I wanted to I’m doing new things, becoming a beginner. Create a calendar with 12 large boxes and write in what you want to concentrate on. It started with a few videos to learn about the “Tapping method” for February to add to my meditation. March, I’m onto learning expanding my Social Media  – So watch for more tweets “@ClaudiaHoward99.”

You can choose any business or personal topics or activities that provides the growth you’re looking for.

 Whatever it is, set some smaller goals for time slots to listen or read informational material, experience it, hear a talk about the subject or You Tube video. Each one of us has a different way that’s most effective to learn. If you haven’t found yours, try different methods to see which allows you to retain more information.

Retention increases if you apply what you heard or read within 3 days.

I always say if you can teach someone else how, you know it.

“Experts start as beginners and choose to never stop learning.” ~ Claudia Howard

  Career Role Model Program, Inc.

  Customized workshops and workbook to answer, “What do I want for my career?”

  Self-discovery ~ Career Awareness ~ Employment or Entrepreneurship

  I’d be honored to serve you and guide your career transition.

    Claudia Howard Career Role Model Program, Inc.

Founder & CEO [email protected] 262-758-0859 central time www.CareerRoleModel.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiahoward

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/living-purposefully-how-does-it-feel/

Living Purposefully - How Does it Feel?

Living Purposefully is your choice

Sharing the importance of clarity of purpose brings your decision to follow that path and be living purposefully. Some of you asked how you know you’ve found your purpose and what it feels like.

Once you discover your purpose, ask yourself  “ your why”  Knowing your true motivator is the “gold key” that takes you beyond obstacles and your perceived limits to staying the course of living your purpose.

For me, clarity of purpose came when I discovered I had more passion to help others live life fully and enjoy their chosen profession than I had for continuing the corporate supply chain career. Things in our world and economy had changed and many things in my personal life.  Seeing, hearing and talking with women that were unhappily dragging through days lack meaning struck my heart.  Losing several family members at that time strengthened my belief that each day we have is a priceless gift. I was attracting many people sharing their story of life and seeing they were not happy with their career, carrying this feeling through to their life. I set out to help change that.

Living purposefully to me came when I realized my purpose of an education degree, love for making the elderly happy, continuing education in business, psychology and motivation all led to helping people make more of themselves and their life. Thus started my writing of workshops and formulating career role models for others to follow and be mentored by. To achieve where you wanted to go in life, I knew you needed to discover more about yourself, your talents and values that guide your life so these could be aligned with your career.

Living Purposefully – what does it feel like?

The wonderful thing of living your purpose is the understanding and inner peace you feel. So many things make sense and fit into place as to why they happened and what was the needed lesson to learn. Your purposes defines who you are. “Stories of your service, experience, and dealings with people become the folklore that defines you.”[1]

You will confidently stand up for what you believe in.

You willing speak up, voice your opinion, and question something you do not agree with or fully understand.

People living purposefully can’t wait to share their vision

You are more focused and decisive knowing the direction you are going

You worry less about what others think and more about what’s important to you

You know your Core Values that guide your life and choices.

You take responsibility and actions for how you live and treat others.

Stepping forward with empowerment and persistence, you know you control your future path.

I want to give back and share how to find the path of living purposefully. Having clarity of purpose and living purposefully has brought me greater fulfillment and inner peace; allow me to share the steps to bring this to your life.

Each one of you deserve living purposefully and feel true happiness and inner peace. I care about you finding your clarity of purpose that’s why I founded Career Role Model Program, Inc. and wrote the workshops to guide you every step of the way to the life you want to live. I am honored to serve you.

  ©2015 Career Role Model Program, Inc.   WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Claudia Howard, founder of Career Role Model Program, Inc. guides women through career transitions with a uniquely customized series of workshops in self-discovery and career awareness to build self-confidence and experience empowerment to make decisions to step up to their career potential.

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/clarity-of-purpose-have-you-found-it/

Clarity of Purpose, have you found it?

Inner Peace and Direction Clarity of Purpose

Knowing who you are and having clarity of purpose, to me, is the greatest gift you can give yourself. It can change your attitude on your whole life and the direction you decide to take it. When I went through my soul searching transition and heard others stories of when they felt their clarity of purpose, a common theme was gaining a sense of peace and freedom to just be your authentic self.

Are you asking yourself any of these questions what’s next in my career, who am I, what do I really believe in, or why don’t I have this all figured out yet? All deep questions causing you stress for all the unknowns in your life.  Stress according to Health Status is “an intrusion on your peaceful existence.” Identifying who you are and clarity on what you want in your life will help you reduce stress and begin to unblock the way to achieving it.

Top 5 major Stressors in life[1] that often tip the scale to cause of feeling blocked from moving on in our mind and therefore, our life are:

Death of a loved one

Divorce

Moving

Major Illness

Job Loss

Other top stressors you might add are going to college and when you graduate starting their career.  Even happier events such as moving, changing jobs, getting a promotion or becoming involved in an organization or board can be stressful. The reason for this is it’s a big change and a move into the new and unknown.

“There is one quality that one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.” ~ Napoleon Hill

Clarity is defined by Dictionary.com as the positive outcome from your intelligence allowing true insight. I’d add that you are able to state with simplicity and exactness who you are and what you want to be remembered for. For me, Clarity of Purpose brought me the perspective from which to view things, and guide me to choose what I wanted to spend my time and energy doing. What is it?

Knowing what you want for your life

Understanding why this purpose is important to you

Letting go of the past experiences related to professional and personal disappointments of failures. Resolve in your heart and mind the family issues that have troubled or changed you and live in the “now”

Knowing and living the beliefs you have and getting rid of beliefs that no longer serve you today for where you want to be

Understanding your strengths

Allows you to focus on what improvements you want to be more knowledgeable about or gain greater ability in. Such as, learning some accounting skills to help you at work or volunteering at an organization.

©2015 Career Role Model Program, Inc. WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Claudia Howard, founder of Career Role Model Program, Inc. guides women through career transitions with uniquely customized workshops in self-discovery and career awareness for women to build self-confidence and experience empowerment so they can step up to their career potential. www.CareerRoleModel.com

[1]  http://www.healthstatus.com/health_blog/depression-stress-anxiety/top-5-stressful-situations/

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/possibilities-3-exploratory-questions/

Possibilities - 3 Exploratory Questions

Career Possibilities

How many possibilities of different work did you come up with just letting your stream of consciousness flow without interrupting it with questions and comments?  Since working into your 70s is likely, doing the mind flow list of things you could do or what you’d like your current position to grow into is a start for career planning. You hear about money planning for retirement with IRA and 401K plans on TV and at most jobs, yet far less thought and planning is spent on how long you’ll work and what work you’ll enjoy doing until then. Thus the mind flow, to get your brain on some options to explore and new starts you could make.

Definition of Possibilities: A thing that may be done or chosen out of several alternatives.

Your work possibilities list may be long or short; it doesn’t matter and can be added to at any time. First just read through your list reminding yourself not to judge or discount anything. Next, read your future possibilities and begin exploring your thoughts and feelings about this type of work by asking yourself 3 questions.

1.   Why do I enjoy doing this?  If it’s something you once did, why do you want to go back to this work?

Note: ask why 3 – 5 times after you answer to drill down and look deeper into your enjoyment motivator. Where is the real reason for enjoyment of this coming from?

2.   What touches me personally about doing this type of work? What you value most.

3.   How do you envision your life from making these changes as far as your lifestyle, mood, feeling of pride and accomplishment?

TIP: Take as much time as you need to explore each possibility and be totally honest with yourself. It’s important to say it aloud and listen for feelings you may reflect as you try to picture yourself doing this work for (X) years to come. If an extension to what this work might lead to, write it down.

As you keep looking at the list, make note of any possibilities that seem to jump out at you or you seem to focus on longer. When I did this exercise, I saw those as ones pulling at the heart strings giving me stronger feeling about doing them. I suggest you put the main focus on what you can see yourself doing and giving you the fulfillment you want. You may want to spend some time thinking through each one and go back again later to gain further insight.

For a free career consultation, just give Claudia Howard a call at 262-758-0859. I look forward to hearing from you!

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/working-into-your-70s-are-you-in-the-right-career/

Working into your 70s- are you in the right career ?

Are you enjoying your career enough to work into your 70s?

Are you crazy, work into my 70s? Unfortunately, working into your 70s is an advancing statistic staring many in the face. By 2022, the Bureau of Labor statistics projects that 31.9% of those ages 65 to 74 will still be working. [1]  Considering the rate went up from just 20.4% in 2002, it deserves “will that be me?” consideration.

Do you have the “I love my job and don’t want to retire mentality?”

Imagine your day, how you feel getting up for work, your mood, stress or relaxation doing your current work, your commute, company culture and relationships with co-workers. How is the personal and professional growth, work-life balance and the dreams you have for your life as you contemplate working into your 70s?

Consider what you thought about doing when you were daydreaming or felt like quitting. Were your feelings happy, content, and energized to keep going or more sad, overwhelmed and perplexed about hanging in there? I’m not talking about your thoughts on some tough days, rather what permeates your mind and life the majority of time. Don’t you agree you have to feel the energy and desire to keep doing what you are doing versus just going to a job?

According to Laura Carstensen, director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, “Mid-career folks can begin by imagining a job they might actually want to do into their 70s, bearing in mind that what was entirely satisfying during their wealth-building 30s may feel empty in the senior years. “As people get older, they care more about how they’re spending their time, and their motivation changes.”[2]

I work with people on career transitions that think they may never get to retire and can’t imagine staying at their job much longer; let alone into their 70s. They look for more purpose in their life as I did or doing freelance to gain the flexibility their life needs. Others are looking to get back to work. It’s important to note that gaining purpose and flexibility should be explored at your current position before you assume making a leap is your only option.

TIP: Accepting the work into your 70s projection, here’s an exercise to expand your thinking for new possibilities for your current or future career. You want to contemplate how you would want your life to be.

Grab a sketch pad, or a notebook and just have what I call a “mind flow”.  Clear my head and get it on paper to realize it from constant thought. Unlike a “to do” list, your mind flow are thoughts, questions, feelings, anything that are on your mind. These may be causing you to lose sleep, feel overwhelmed, feel anxious to get it all figured out and act, or just what you think and worry about.

Put down your thoughts whether sensible or whimsical ramblings so you can reflect upon it later. You can do this with your eyes open or closed.  I had to realize it was fine to have my eyes closed and the writing or pictures weren’t too pretty to look at later. Also, don’t be surprised if considering yourself at a different age brings out a very different view of what you want be.

Stay tune for our next blog on the mind flow process.

©2015 Career Role Model Program, Inc.   WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Claudia Howard, founder of Career Role Model Program, Inc. guides career transitions with a uniquely customized series of workshops in self-discovery and career awareness to build self-confidence and experience empowerment to make decisions to step up to their career potential.    www.CareerRoleModel.com

  [1] http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/01/07/number-of-older-americans-in-the-workforce-is-on-the-rise/

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/introductions-why-is-it-all-about-the-job/

Introductions, why is it all about the job?

Allow me to introduce myself

Would you agree the typical 30 second introductions at meetings and networking are related to your work position? Take Sarah, not her real name, “I’m Sarah, the production manager from Acer Company.”  Think about it, how often does a person introduce themselves saying, “I’m Jane Jones an accountant at ABC firm, or I’m Jack Smith in sales for XYZ Packaging?”  Basically, it’s like reading their business card which doesn’t help you get to know and remember them at all.

A friend and I were talking about how much more meaningful it would be to move from giving the professional who you are introductions to a more personal of what we enjoy in life. Have we made introductions into a person’s identity being what they do? If this is true, we left out the best part; the inside piece. The human side is still out there to discover and after all, aren’t connections to make a personal rapport with someone.

Here’s another issue with introductions simply telling who we are professionally.

Imagine, you’re employed several years in your field, introducing yourself and identifying with that role you’re in and others see you that way as well.  Then wham! The blow of being downsized or having the company close and you’re no longer the warehouse manager at JZ, Inc.

I see many heads nodding saying exactly, so how do I introduce myself once I lost my job?  That’s a common question I receive as people describe how they feel more uncomfortable, lost and sometimes embarrassed introducing themselves when they’re unemployed. Wouldn’t you agree, you are not your job title? Jobs are only temporary “things” we do and there’s more to you than work. The authentic you is a unique individual with many talents, opinions, passions and dreams to share.  So let’s change the pattern of introductions to include things we enjoy. When you’re out looking for new opportunities, you can also encompass a  powerful introduction with a purpose of helping you get where we want to go!

Tip: Create an introduction that reveals more of yourself, what you enjoy and look forward to achieving.

“Hi, I’m Jack Harper and I have always enjoyed tinkering with seeing how things work. Not surprising, I became a mechanical engineer and in my spare time I rebuild cars to race. I’m looking for a new opportunity to build things for a medium sized company.”  ‘Do you see how much more the person can relate to you?  You shared your passion to tinker and build as well as your enjoyment of racing cars. Not to mention that you’re available for a new opportunity!  You never know who hears that so you have a 40% greater chance of being hired.

I’m curious, how do you introduce yourself to others?  What might you say if you were making a career transition? Your sharing may be the perfect thing to help the many that are looking for a new opportunity in their life.

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/womens-history-month-incredible-women/

Women's History Month - Incredible Women

Anything is Possible Women’s History Month

To celebrate Women’s History month in March, I want to honor women who created our path to step up with freedom to vote, serve our country, pioneer into space and realize women can accomplish any dream they have in our great country. It is with pride, I look back in history to study Women’s History of achievements from the 18th Century to today.  I apologize in advance for the omission of those deserving women and invite you to share comments about other women that stepped up to make our history.

Susan Brownell Anthony (1820-1906), reformer and suffragist is one of the most prominent leaders to gain women equality. Can you imagine fighting a constitutional amendment today let alone in the 1880-1890’s. Back then, the 15th amendment gave full citizenship to African American men and not white women. She had such courage and strong belief in women’s equality to vote that she was arrested for casting an illegal ballot in 1892 Presidential election.  The 1900’s women gained their equal rights with men.

Women in the Military

American Revolution (1775-1783): Women serve on the battlefield as nurses, water bearers, cooks, laundresses and saboteurs.

Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee paved the way for nurses in the military in 1898. Her work resulted in legislation that established the Army Nurse Corps in 1901 and the Naval Nurse Corps in 1908

Nov. 15, 1866, Cathay Williams was the first African American women enlisted in the Army using the name William Cathay as a cook. She successfully concealed her gender as the Army did not allow women in military. “After less than two years of service, Cathay was given a disability discharge but little is known of the exact medical reasons.”  [1]     Opha Mae Johnson is credited as the first African American woman Marine. Margaret Craighill became the first woman doctor to be commissioned; a Major in the Women’s Army Corps.

We can be especially proud of the continual growth of women in the military. It was not until the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 that women were granted permanent status in the Regular and Reserve forces of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps as well as in the newly created Air Force!

Sept. 2011 Women Military Memorial article showed Women are 19.5% of military reserves, 15.5% of national guards and women on active duty are 14.6% of total military personnel.  Look at how women have stepped up to their potential to serve our country since the17 and 18th centuries.  Be proud that women were determined, had incredible stamina and sacrifice to serve our country.[2]

Out in space to lead future generations: Joining NASA in 1977, Sally K. Ride became the first women astronaut in space in 1983. [3]

Ladies, don’t forget where we have come in the workplace from 19% in the 1900 to 54% in 2009 with 50% were in management professional and related occupations. We have much to be grateful for as we celebrate women’s history month.

Wow! look at all women accomplished. You and I have the opportunity and ability to make a difference in our world to continue their legacy. I’m sure these women encountered rough economic times, tough situations in their lives too. I encourage you to believe in yourself and all you can accomplish and go for it!

We’re here to help you discover your transferable skills and support you and guide you every step of the way to the career success you want to have. Learn more about us at www.CareerRoleModel.com

To get CRMP blogs e-mailed to you, register for our blog.

  [1] http://www.army.mil/africanamericans/profiles/williams.html

2 Sources: womensmemorial.org/Education/timeline.html

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/real-communication-dying/

Is technology killing personal communication?

Do you agree we may be allowing technology to kill personal communication? How many of you make a connection of Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other networks without really connecting? You text or e-mail several notes back and forth asking if someone is free to meet, that date doesn’t work for me, how about this one, where should we meet, until you final agree on time and place. Want to be more productive or “find time,”  think about using the phone instead of multiple text or e-mails besides saving time, you build a stronger connection.

As I began, what now seems ages ago using these great networking tools, I made a conscious decision to make every effort to personally know my “connections”. Not an easy task I found yet much more enjoyable and a good way to help others. Sometimes all it takes is a simple coffee; though I must admit, I often drink Diet Coke instead. The point isn’t the beverage anyway but the conversation. Building a network is different than getting 1000 connections from seeing an interesting profile or a person who happens to be in a group and clicking a “friend request” or “I’d like to add you to my network.”

Sharing why you want to connect or what you have in common, asking how they know one of your connections creates an immediate connection and can give the person a reason to accept.

Aren’t you more flattered when you really want to meet and get to know you? I am.  When I reach out to bring someone new into my network, it’s important to me to ask them to share how I can serve them. Likewise, I’m curious to know something about them and why they want to connect with me. Aren’t you?

I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know many new people with interesting careers and various backgrounds. People who have started companies and organizations for causes they strongly believe in, career changers from employment to entrepreneurship and first generation graduates that are changing their family for generations to come. I especially love hearing their life/career story. Everyone has a unique story that lets you understand who they really are and what’s important in their life. Did you ever wonder how someone chose the career they are in or how they moved up to that position in the company? Just ask them! Most people will be honored and happy to share.

Take the human approach of reaching out and staying connected. Yes we’re busy and e-mail/text is so quick but which will you remember a message you received or the time you spent with someone? Have a coffee, go out to eat and just talk, you’ll be amazed how much more relaxed and balanced you feel; not to mention the fun you can have. Like the old McDonald’s commercial “You deserve a break today”

Wouldn’t you agree, every where we turn we can be on social media, a group connection or meetups but there’s nothing like the personal touch. Do we really need to hear a sound for the next e-mail coming in or the call that could go to e-mail?

What’s your take on technology and the personal touch to communication?

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/whos-the-role-model-in-big-bang-theory/

Who’s the Role Model in Big Bang Theory?

Mayim Bialik, Career Role Model for STEM careers

If you have ever watched “The Big Bang Theory” on TV, you’re bound to know, Mayim Bialik, who plays the Neuro-scientist. An Emmy winning actress yes, but did you know Mayim Bialik is a career role model for STEM Careers? She doesn’t just play a neuro-scientist on TV, she has a doctorate degree (PhD) in neuro-science! Her story attracted me because a career role model inspired her to get into science.  STEM careers, in Science Technology, Engineering, and Math are filled with growth, opportunity, and the hot topic these days.

In the March 15, 2013 Forbes issue, Mayim Bialik shared that she actually arrived late to science. Science wasn’t something she had a natural ability for or liking of. Besides, like so many women, she really thought science was for boys. A role model changed her path. “But when I was about 15 years old, and at that time I was on Blossom, I had a tutor who was the first female role model I ever had who showed me that someone could be as passionate about biology as I thought you could only be about art or poetry. She was young and hip and made the sciences come alive, and it was she that inspired me and really gave me the confidence and the skill-set to go on to a Bachelor’s degree and eventually a Ph.D. in neuroscience.”[1] Now, Mayim teamed with DeVry University and HerWorldInitiative to get high school girls interested in science careers.

Why is Mayim Bialik’s work to encourage girls in STEM Careers so important to the US? Simply put, we need to remain globally competitive, create jobs for our economic growth and our health safety in the world. As it stands, the US is only 17th in Science and 25th in Math in the world and the majority of jobs will require a college degree or higher.

Women, African Americans and Latinos comprise only 20% of today’s STEM workforce, yet are projected to make up 70% of the total workforce by 2017. Imagine what will happen to all the technology, medical science, and engineering advancements if half of the workforce doesn’t step up to these careers.

You may be thinking what about men in this picture and rightly so, “What’s up with the men lately?” Since women are the majority (57%) graduating from college and 60% earning master’s degrees.[2]  To keep are nation strong and innovative, encouraging them to get interested in and enjoy Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math is critical There’s little doubt that these are great for their future employment and income as well as, a win-win for United States.

In today’s high unemployment, you sit up and take notice when the latest update by the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that overall STEM employment, as defined in this article, to grow about 13% between 2012 and 2022 compared to just 11% growth projected for all occupations over the decade.”[3]

If that isn’t enough to get you seriously exploring these career options, STEM careers on average pay 25% more than non-stem professions.[4]

TIP: If you’re looking at going to college or making a career change with a future, check out “STEM 101: Intro to Tomorrow’s Jobs” at https://us2020.org/stem-mentoring. Another resource is “How A STEM Education Makes You A Better Leader” is video from the Women’s Summit Power Refined, http://www.forbes.com/video/3657079516001/

To learn more about shaping future generations, join the Wisconsin Business Owners meeting, tomorrow, Friday February 27, 2015  presentation “Role Models and Mentors Creating our Future Generations” presented by Claudia Howard, Founder & CEO of Career Role Model Program, Inc.

          [1] http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2013/03/15/mayim-bialiks-big-bang-theory-on-girls-stem-careers-and-role-models/

[2] http://www.girlscouts.org/research/pdf/generation_stem_full_report.pdf

[3] http://data.bls.gov/search/query/results?cx=013738036195919377644%3A6ih0hfrgl50&q=STEM

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/what-would-you-do-if-you-were-fearless/

What would you do if you were fearless?

What would you be doing if you were fearless?

Imagine yourself without fear and answer this question. What would you do if you were fearless?  Pick one area of your life that you would change the most if you were fearless. Would you change where you live, the marriage or relationship you’re in or make a fearless career transition?

As women share the things they are frustrated or unhappy about, they realize they are stuck in the “fear zone.” Not only do they feel stuck, some allowed fear to paralyze them from living the life they really want. Why? We live in America the land of the free and the brave yet our fear keeps us from doing something that may be vital to our happiness. You deserve a life lived to the fullest as you want it to be.

The important thing to remember is you create fear from the thoughts you are having. The little negative thoughts about everything going wrong, thinking of one excuse after another that is holding you back. You can decrease fear by realizing what you are passionate about taking deep breaths, in and out, and imagine yourself completing what you fear.  Allow yourself to feel all the positive emotions you have as you are fearless.

Imagine yourself fearless to step up to new positions in the workforce, able to change careers for advancement or income. If you were  between 40-65 with grown children gone realizing it is your time in life, what would you want to do? Ask yourself, what would you do if you were fearless? In your heart you probably know what is really important to you, something you’ve always wanted to do yet you’re fearful of letting go and making it happen? Let it go, be fearless.

A great example to me of being fearless is my grandma’s  story of she and her sister, leaving Germany for the USA. They had to say good bye to their family and come to live with their aunt and make a new life in America.  That’s what I call a big, bold life-changing step!  They had no idea what they would find for their future homes, work, and friendships.  They stepped into the unknown and actually ended up staying here and changed their life and that of the generations to come.

My fearless career change was creating Career Role Model Program, Inc. I followed my passion to share my experience and expertise to help women find the career that would bring fulfillment to their life and allow them to step up to their potential.

What would you do if you were fearless and acted with the confidence and determination? This means you stop worrying what others will think or say and pay attention to what’s best for you.   I invite you to share what your big, bold life-changing step will be on the CRMP linked in page, https://www.linkedin.com/company/2888715? 

http://voices.yahoo.com/what-would-if-were-not-afraid-10180793.html

New Post has been published on http://www.careerrolemodel.com/thank-veterans/

Thank you Veterans

Celebrate our Veterans

Thank you veterans for our safety and freedom!  I had the privilege of sharing Career Role Model Program, Inc. information at a Women Veterans Expo, The expo helped women veterans become aware of government programs and other places they can reach out to as they create a new life as civilian. The room filled with pride, energy and a love of country. Our freedom and safety provided by active military, veterans and reservist is a priceless treasure that can’t be bought; I am so grateful to each of you. I invite you to join me in reflecting and honoring what military service and sacrifice has done for you and your family.

It’s a big decision to go into the military and perhaps even bigger as some say to leave military life and become a civilian. Think about it the military is a way of life, not just a career or job. The time I’ve spent with the military reserves and veterans has taught me more about what thoughts and feelings come along with their career choice and the changes they make because of that choice. Imagine being on call 24 hours/day, every day, holidays too and being part of a team where your life depends on each other. Oh, and no time for petty office squabbles or debate on active duty. They brave whatever conditions exist for the location and do whatever they must to survive. Truly, it’s a way of life and they serve strong and proud; carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders

Speaking with the women,I heard stories of life changing decisions to join the military, missed moments because of being deployed, experiences they never would have enjoyed and some horrific happenings in war that are memories affecting their daily living forever. One thing is for sure; their courage, perseverance and dedication to our country was in every smiling face. They resonated dedication for our country.

Now imagine what they feel when one day after much deliberation and planning, they are honorably discharged and become a civilian again. As one of them said, you feel plunked back into the outside world and need to readjust to everything! One woman shared the training programs she chose to in the service; it provided expertise she otherwise may never have had the opportunity for. Despite having more training than some civilians during that same period of time, many leave asking, “what can I do next.”

We started talking about skills transferable from the military that are greatly needed in companies. We need to help women veterans discover all they have to offer and support them as they step up to the new challenges. There are numerous adjustments going from an intense schedule, battles, being on the move, and the emotional roller coaster of rebuilding your life, deciding what you want to do and then planning the steps to get you there.

As my thank you, if you are transitioning from the military trying to re- discover yourself and what career you want, I will give you a complimentary 45 min. career consultation.  Anyone that has a career question, just post it  on the LinkedIn Group – Career Role Models for me. I also invite you to visit CareerRoleModel.com to register for our blog, workshops and resources available for women to step up to their potential.