Enrollment on the Rise for Career Training Programs
By Kris Powers | June 30th 2021
Providers of career training programs across the country are seeing a jump in enrollment during the pandemic. According to a recent survey conducted among 1,500 Americans, as many as 43% of individuals under age 40 are thinking about returning to school and furthering their education. Those laid off or furloughed are especially likely to think about continuing their education. Their motivation? 57% of those surveyed expect that furthering their education would result in a significant salary increase and almost half (49%) want to start a new career.
Now is the Perfect Time to Upskill or Reskill
By Kris Powers | April 20th 2021
Events of the past year forced many of us to stick closer to home. Some may have used this time to improve themselves or their surroundings – learning a new skill or tackling household to-do lists.
However, not everyone took this past year to embark on home or self-improvement projects. For many, our focus was more on survival - planning for and simply getting through each day. The past year was more about asking, “how do we keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and healthy”? There was little energy or mind space left for outside interests or pursuits. Quite honestly, many of us are still trying to figure things out; with schools and offices slowly reopening, we are once again thrust into change. And that may very well take up all our energy. And that’s okay.
Are You Experiencing Pivot Fatigue?
By Kris Powers | March 25th 2021
For many, the onset of COVID resulted in a major disruption in both personal and professional lives. Some lost their jobs, others had to move their offices and their children’s schooling into their homes. The stress and toll on financial, personal and mental health will be felt for a long time.
Many companies found themselves scrambling to pivot business functions and procedures from an in-person world to a more virtual world. Employees are learning how to operate in new ways, and many corporations and individuals alike are experiencing pivot fatigue.
What is pivot fatigue? Many of us pride ourselves on problem-solving and being able to change direction and course in an agile manner, making any transition as smooth as possible. We put these skills to good use when learning how to successfully operate from home, meeting the needs of our clients and customers who may have been more accustomed to more standard, in person, methods and practices.
Do You Feel It?
By Kris Powers | March 9th 2021
Spring is in the air, and along with blooming flowers, I’m catching scents of “hope” and “healing”. The events of the past 12 months have been unprecedented (are you as tired of that word as I am?) and I think we are all anxious to return to something that resembles our lives before the pandemic.
If you’re anything like me, you may feel as if you are awakening from a long slumber; albeit not feeling exactly well-rested. Perhaps, like me, you are just plain worn out.
The good news is that, for me, there are certain times of the year that signal a time for rejuvenation and growth, and Spring is one of them. So, I’m grabbing onto the “hope” I feel in the air and plotting my next steps.
Career Training During COVID
By Kris Powers | February 24th 2021
The Brookings Institution recently wrote, “Economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is unlikely to be fast nor easy…Agreeing that the short-run shock of the pandemic has turned into a full-blown recession, economists and other analysts have turned their attention to a big question: will jobs actually come back?”
Since the onset of COVID-19, we have seen many businesses close, while others have worked to pivot from in-person to virtual or remote services whenever possible. Minimizing face-to-face interactions has been a leading force behind many a business innovation in the past year. As a large number of employees are now working remotely, businesses have strategized how to move their operations remotely too.
Who is Murphy (and why is his law so crappy)?
By Kris Powers | January 25th 2021
I was listening to Alanis Morrissette’s song “Ironic” this morning. Singing along, I found myself thinking; some of these situations really aren’t ironic but examples of Murphy’s law in action.
“Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
When you think everything's okay and everything's going right
And life has a funny way of helping you out when
You think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up
In your face” – Alanis Morissette
8 Tips to Make You Hire-ly Marketable
By Kris Powers | November 30th 2020
If you are seeking a promotion, looking for a job change or are considering a total career change, now is the perfect time to gain a professional advantage by enhancing your skills and qualifications to set yourself apart in today’s competitive business environment.
Online opportunities have made it easier than ever to brush up on skills you need. Where do you start?
How to Future-Proof Your Career in the Age of Automation and AI
By Guest Blogger | November 24th 2020
Undoubtedly, AI and automation can drive job creation and business growth. But they can also displace entire job categories. According to a report by McKinsey, about 60% of occupations could be automated.
When it comes to your career development, you shouldn’t leave anything to chance. A good way to future-proof your career is to stay one step ahead of the tech industry.
Instead of wondering whether a robot can do your job, it’s better to ask yourself how you can help a robot do its job.
Show Your Value in New Ways
Your role will eventually go away if your job is doing something reproducible or algorithmic. Take a closer look at the tasks you perform now and how you perform them. Be the one who will suggest automation improvements.
Rejoining the Workforce
By Kris Powers | November 4th 2020
I’m an optimist; already looking ahead to a time when COVID will be a thing of the past – a horrible time in our history that will be talked about by future generations.
When we come out on the other side of this, and we will, there are going to be many men and women looking for employment. Perhaps you were laid off as a result of COVID, maybe you took a sabbatical to home school your children, or to care for an elderly parent. Whatever the reason, if you are planning on reentering the workforce again, there are steps you can take to make yourself more attractive to companies and more employable overall.
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.