Thursday, October 24, 2024

Benefits of Being Passionate About Your Work

 Everybody dreams of becoming something one day. When we were kids, we all had career

interests based on things we liked or for some random reason. But whatever the reason was,

we knew that we wanted to land a job in a particular field. As adults, we have become matured

enough to acknowledge the places our strengths lie, and what our weaknesses may be.

Unfortunately for some, the interest we had as kids and our current skillset may not exactly be

compatible, so we are left with the jobs our skills can match. Although this may seem

underwhelming, developing interest in whatever job your skills can get you is essential as it

would improve your overall performance and is a healthy thing for you.


BENEFITS OF BEING PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR WORK:

1. Increased Productivity: One of the major benefits about being passion about whatever job

your skillsets can land you is because you'd have a greater rate of productivity. You become

fueled with the motivation and the drive to complete tasks, put in greater effort, and gain better

results in your work.

2. Enhanced Creativity: When you're passionate about your job, you begin to think outside the

box and coming up with innovative solutions to problems.

3. Greater Job Satisfaction: Enjoying your work leads to a greater level of personal fulfilment

and overall happiness in your career.

4. Improved Engagement: Passionate employees are more likely to be involved in their work

and contribute beyond their basic duties.

5. Resilience in Challenges: When you are passionate about your work, you are more likely to

persevere through difficult situations.

6. Positive Work Environment: As a passionate worker, you'd be able to create a more positive

and collaborative working environment.

7. Career Advancement: Demonstrating passion for your work can lead to recognition and

opportunities for career growth.

8. Personal Fulfilment: Even though the job you currently have may not be as a result of your

interest but as a result of your skillset, developing passion for it and thriving in it can lead to a

greater sense of meaning and purpose in your life.


Resources:

https://www.biospace.com/how-important-is-it-to-be-passionate-about-your-job

https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/passionate-about-work

By: Carlson Nwawuru

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Confidence is Key!

 

Anyone can build confidence inside of them by having self-awareness and acceptance, skill development, a positive mindset, and practice of exposure are things that help build confidence. One person must know their strengths and weaknesses. Many people are lost in the thought of competition just running in a race like rats trying to better themselves to prove themselves to others. People must begin to accept who they are as a person instead of comparing yourself to others.no person is perfect or born talented. Everyone must learn to develop such skills that help improve their way of work. 


Confidence grows when a person is good at what they do but that doesn't come without hard work. You must invest time in learning and improving your abilities. Another thing that also matters most in having confidence is having a good mentality towards yourself to not be insecure. Practicing having confidence is a great exercise to just lie to yourself for a minute and overcome any obstacle easily.


Having confidence is important because it influences various aspects of your life. Confidence helps you trust your abilities, making it easier to take action, make decisions, and stay persistent even when facing challenges. It can enhance performance by reducing self-doubt and encouraging you to push your limits. Confident people are more resilient when things don’t go as planned. They are less likely to be discouraged by failure and more likely to learn from their mistakes and keep trying. Confidence enables you to communicate effectively, express your thoughts, and set healthy boundaries, improving both personal and professional relationships. 


When you’re confident, you’re more likely to take initiative in pursuing goals or seeking opportunities. This could be starting a new project, applying for a promotion, or trying something outside of your comfort zone. A confident mindset can help lower anxiety in social situations or high-pressure environments. You’re less likely to second-guess yourself and more able to cope with uncertainty. Confidence can lead to higher self-esteem, as it’s rooted in a belief in your own worth and abilities. This positive self-image promotes emotional well-being. Confident people tend to be more persuasive and trusted by others, as their self-assuredness creates a sense of authority. This can lead to more leadership opportunities and influence.

TIPS TO BOOST CONFIDENCE:

  1. Set personal goals and celebrate when you achieve them, no matter how small.
  2. Talk to yourself with kindness, just like you would to a good friend.
  3. Learn something new. It can be as simple as a new recipe or as challenging as a new language.
  4. Exercise regularly to help improve your mood and energy levels.
  5. Dress in clothes that make you feel good about yourself. When you look good, you often feel good, too. Fun Fact: You don’t need expensive clothes to do that!
  6. Spend time with people who make you feel positive and support your growth.
  7. Volunteer your time, as helping others can make you feel good about yourself.
  8. Practice saying no when you need to—it's important to set boundaries for yourself.

 

https://www.calm.com/blog/how-to-gain-confidence

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-boost-your-self-confidence-4163098

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-be-more-confident

By: Mahnoor Saif Butt 


Thursday, September 26, 2024

Working with a Disability: Know Your Rights & When to Disclose

 

Every job seeker with a disability must decide: "Should I disclose my disability or not?" This choice may feel different if your disability is visible or not visible. In the end, the decision to share this information is entirely yours.

 

New York City has one of the strongest civil rights laws in the nation, which outlaws discrimination, very broadly defined. The New York City Commission on Human Rights has the job of enforcing that law, as well as educating New Yorkers about our rights. Anyone who believes they have been a victim of discrimination in New York City can file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, which will investigate and, if cause is found, take legal action.

 Federal law protects people with disabilities from discrimination in employment. You do not have to inform an employer of your disability when you apply for a job, including if you apply online, or when you are hired — even if later you need a reasonable accommodation.

 

The Employment Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The New York State Human Rights Law protects individuals from discrimination based on their disabilities.  The Human Rights Law defines a disability as:

•           “a physical, mental or medical impairment prevents the exercise of a normal bodily function or is demonstrable by medically accepted diagnostic techniques, or

•           a record of such an impairment, or

•           a condition regarded by others as such an impairment.”


However, the term is limited to disabilities that, upon the provision of reasonable accommodations, do not prevent an individual from performing in a reasonable manner the activities involved in the job or occupation sought or held.
It is unlawful to discriminate against individuals with a disability in hiring for a job, job advancement, job training, job compensation, or other terms and conditions of employment.
It is unlawful for an employer to take a discriminatory action because of a history of disability or because of a perception of disability.
It is also unlawful for an employer to take a discriminatory action in retaliation for filing a complaint of discrimination.

The New York State Human Rights Law covers all employers.


Why Disclose in the Workplace?

When you start working, you need to tell your employer about your disability if you need special help. In school, your needs were automatically shared each year, but this changes in the workplace. The ADA and the Rehabilitation Act protect you from discrimination and ensure you can get help, but only if you disclose your disability. Your employer must know about your disability to provide work-related accommodations.

When to Disclose Your Disability                                                                                     There is no single best time or place to talk about your disability. Choose a private place to talk about it, and give enough time for the other person to ask questions. Focus on your strengths, not just the limitations of your disability. Think about the benefits and drawbacks of sharing this information at different stages of the job search and hiring process. Decide when to discuss your disability based on what feels right for you. Consider these stages:

  • In a letter of application or cover letter;
  • Before an interview;
  • At the interview;
  • Before any drug testing for illegal drugs;
  • After you have a job offer;
  • During your course of employment; or
  • Never


To Whom to Disclose Your Disability                                                                                 

Share your disability only with those who need to know. Give details about your disability and the help you need at work to the person who can arrange these accommodations. Consider telling your supervisor, especially if they oversee hiring, promoting, or firing. They need to know about your needs to support you properly and evaluate your work fairly.

 

What is the decision of an employee to disclose their disability to an employer?

Every job seeker with a disability is faced with the same decision: "Should I or shouldn't I disclose my disability?" This decision may be framed differently depending upon whether you have a visible disability or a non-visible disability. Ultimately, the decision of whether to disclose is entirely up to you.

Disclosure Protections and Responsibilities

As a person with a disability, you have disclosure protections as well as significant responsibilities to yourself and to your employers.

You are entitled to:

·       Have information about your disability treated confidentially and respectfully;

·       Seek information about hiring practices from any organization;

·       Choose to disclose your disability at any time during the employment process;

·       Receive reasonable accommodations for an interview;

·       Be considered for a position based on your skill and merit; and

·       Have respectful questioning about your disability for the purpose of determining whether you need accommodations and if so, what kind.

You have the responsibility to:

·       Disclose your need for any work-related reasonable accommodations;

·       Bring your skills and merits to the table; and

·       Be truthful, self-determined, and proactive.

  

Resources

National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth. The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities

 

National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth. The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Families, Educators, Youth Service Professionals, and Adult Allies Who Care About Youth with Disabilities

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

https://AskJAN.org

 

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/publications/fact-sheets/youth-disclosure-and-the-workplace-why-when-what-and-how

 

https://dhr.ny.gov/disability-employment

 

https://icsny.org/nyc-bias-disability-discrimination/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjLGyBhCYARIsAPqTz19mhJdxXkMG9IQ7ZsiMDHn6VDSflGBmYgNpVOvoKBFGTr_xTpNs7W8aAmvkEALw_wcB

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/LegalRightsandProtections/Wilberforce/Wilberforce-ENG-100116.pdf

By: Taras I. (career peer)

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Balancing Life & Career: How are they Connected?

Balancing Lifestyle and Career Life in itself has a few components. You have life as a single person, life as a partner, life as a parent and life as a professional. They are all so different from each other and yet interconnected. Each of these roles can significantly influence each other because at the core of each role, there is “you.”




Life-work balance is a back-and-forth between yourself, family, and work. It is the time spent on yourself, family, and work. Prioritizing must be one of your skills. Having a balanced lifestyle and career are so important and a key part to it is self-care. Before having a good relationship with someone or anything else, you must have a great one with yourself. To do so, there are some steps that need to be taken into consideration. Taking adequate rest, incorporating physical activity, and leisure (free time with and only you) allowing yourself time for relaxation and rejuvenation can enhance your energy and make you more productive at work.

Life as a partner.

After taking care of yourself, your life as a partner followed. Making your partner feel and know that his well-being is important for you can also be beneficial to your children because they are witnessing it and will likely model it when they are adults.

Having time for your partner. Listen attentively to his dreams, concerns, and worries. Let your partner know that you will always be there to support him can do wonders in your relationship. Have a date night with your partner and make him realize that before being the father of your kids he was your friend. If life has made you distant, reconnect with your partner and your relationship will improve so much.

Life as a parent.

Like your relationship with your partner, your relationship with your children is also so valuable. Spend time with your children and nurture them. Get to know your children. Let them know that they have a voice, and their voices are heard. When your children are old enough, include them in the life-career balance conversation to minimize the impact of your absence when you cannot be in some of their activities because of work commitments.

Life as a professional.

Optimize and prioritize the time spent at work. Own your schedule, do your best work. Time management should be one of your preferred skills. Work is your second family. You spent most of your time there. Be honest with yourself and with your colleague. Treat your colleague with respect. Value their time and efforts. Remember, overworking can lead to burnout. Do not do that to yourself and your family. 

Understanding Work-Life Balance: What It Is (And Isn't) (betterup.com)

Balancing Work and Life: Tips for a Healthy Career and Personal Life (kgcareeracademy.com)

Balancing Life and Career. There are a lot of guides out there… | by Tom Drapeau | Codifying | Medium

By Rose-May John (career peer/staff)

Thursday, August 15, 2024

Professional Development after Graduation: Ways to Stay Competitive

 Even after graduation, it’s extremely important to continue building your professional development and staying competitive to make yourself stand out and more marketable to potential employers by adapting and developing skills. This helps you grow further into your career goals and attain a successful future.

1. Continue to grow your professional network

Continue to build your network and make professional connections in your field after graduation. Think of your professional network as your support system and build on that. Stay in touch with people you already know such as coworkers, former managers, career services, etc. since they can help alert you to possible opportunities. Attend events, join organizations and utilize online platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed and Handshake to expand your network and market yourself to experienced professionals.

2. Continue to build your soft skills

Soft skills play an extremely important role when it comes to getting jobs in this job market. Soft skills that employers are looking for include communication, leadership, problem solving, adaptability and teamwork. You can continue to develop these skills after graduation with internships, projects, programs, training courses and even extracurricular events.

3. Continue to seek internships and entry-level positions

Internships and entry-level positions offer valuable opportunities to gain hands-on experience about your industry and how your career of interests operates.

4. Set your goals

Having a plan and setting your goals is a great way to start your life towards reaching your career success after graduation. Use the SMART goals method to ensure that your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and have a time bound.

5. Be adaptable and accept change

The job market is constantly changing, and recent graduates must learn to adapt to stay marketable to employers. Be open to change and look at new opportunities and demonstrate a strong sense of willingness to learn and grow. Look at challenges to push yourself further than what you believe your capabilities are.

By: Shannon Alexander (Career Peer)

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/strategies-graduates-staying-competitive-constantly-job-balakrishna/ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/professional-growth