PhD’s at the Crossroads: Career Counseling and Coaching for a New Direction

MCDA Newsletter – April, 2019 Universities are producing PhDs in record numbers in all disciplines. It’s exciting to have all this brain power!  We have phenomenal technologies and research coming from university labs, while our PhDs are being groomed to continue their research and teaching. Yet, according to Nature, while the number of academic PhDsContinue reading “PhD’s at the Crossroads: Career Counseling and Coaching for a New Direction”

Career Conversations – Feeling Stuck?

Do you believe…  “My job is secure because [fill in the blank].”   “I’m stuck because I have no marketable skills.”  “My boss is looking out for me.” “I can ride a few more years before I retire.” Whether you have two or twenty years of work experience, YOU are the person who cares most aboutContinue reading “Career Conversations – Feeling Stuck?”

Career Conversations on Social Media

Most of us know what not to post on our social media accounts.  More than 69% of employers have rejected some applicants on the basis of what they found. Even when not in job search mode, we can manage our professional reputation (aka Brand) by what we share. Match your postings to your online goalsContinue reading “Career Conversations on Social Media”

Your Personal Career BoD

Should I move to take the next step in my career? Is now the time for me to launch my own business? Why should I invest in a Ph.D? A personal Board of Directors (BoD) can facilitate your career decisions. Many of us have our friends, relatives, former teachers, or mentors  that we go toContinue reading “Your Personal Career BoD”

Building Your Network from Scratch

If you think you don’t know anyone who can help with your job search, then you need to look at this from a different angle.  In most cases we don’t know that actual hiring person.  But you may know someone who does, or can connect you to them. rather than just asking “Are you (yourContinue reading “Building Your Network from Scratch”

Career Conversation with My Team?

You have a great team! Routine things work smoothly and challenges are handled. There are occasional blips to manage, but overall, its business as usual. Great! This is not the time to coast.  Its the very best time to build your team’s bench strength. How well do you know each person on your team? DoContinue reading “Career Conversation with My Team?”

Continuing the Career Conversation

You’ve just heard someone speak or attended a meeting where you met someone with common interests. Or perhaps you just attended a conference and have a stash on business cards. What’s your next step? First 12 hours Look at the business card or your note and recall everything that was interesting and important to rememberContinue reading “Continuing the Career Conversation”

Career Conversations – 7 Tips for Managers

By definition, in most organizations managers are expected to develop people as well as get ‘the work’ done. I can hear all the reasons why this is not a priority for you. The most common reason is lack of time; the urgency of the work takes precedent over long-term productivity. Do managers with high turn-overContinue reading “Career Conversations – 7 Tips for Managers”

Bridges to Career Conversations

Career conversation can happen anytime and be about so much more than how to get a promotion. But I often hear people say they can’t initiate them without hitting a wall. If your  manager doesn’t seem warm to the conversation… What’s your history with similar conversations? Is it always about more money or a promotion?Continue reading “Bridges to Career Conversations”

Coasting Through Your Career?

Do you have more days at work when you are bored than engaged?  Are you counting the days until the next big thing will be over?  What have you done to jump-start your career lately? Check your career map. Oh, you don’t have one?  What happened to that plan you drafted, the professional development planContinue reading “Coasting Through Your Career?”