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Professional Buzz

Professional Buzz

Professional Buzz is a blog warehousing relevant information, tips and tools for students and professionals looking for career development and advice. Topics range from leadership and management skills to interpersonal communication and innovation in the workplace. The blog is written and curated by Associate Dean of the Graduate College, Anne Converse Willkomm – drawing on her academic and professional experience to provide insight into the latest professional trends, challenges and skills needed to thrive in today’s everchanging workplace.

Categories

Professional Development & Career TipsLeadership & Management SkillsInterpersonal CommunicationInnovation in the Workplace
Movie cover from Horrible Bosses

Horrible bosses

Over the years, I have had a few good bosses, some bad ones, and even more mediocre ones. The good ones have been supportive of me and my career goals, they have encouraged me to think differently, they have pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and take on tasks and assignments I considered out of my wheel house. The mediocre bosses weren’t unsupportive, but the focus was more about simply getting the job done – punch the ticket and move on. For the most part, the bad ones were either not interested in my career goals or they didn’t support them because they thought they knew what was best for me.

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Image of fall trees along a lake with the image of the trees reflected on the water.

The art of reflection

Reflection is a powerful tool in our EQ (Emotional Intelligence) toolbox. It is a skill that requires you to step outside of yourself to honestly examine your actions, thoughts, and goals. In other words, thinking critically about yourself by asking the tough questions.

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writing for others

Tips for Writing for an Organization — or Another Person

We write for ourselves everyday, but sometimes the need arises to write under the guise of someone — or something — else, whether it's helping your boss write a letter to constituents or working on copy for the company website.

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Potential Effects of the Solar Eclipse

Did you purchase the special solar goggles or make a home-made viewer to watch the solar eclipse in action on Monday? If so, you are not alone. Many people did just that, and then they stepped away from their desks, phones, and computers to withness the rare event. But at what cost?

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Black background with the words Business Ethics in white

Business Ethics

Leaders should model and encourage ethical decision-making, and reward those who make ethical decisions. More importantly, those leaders who do not make ethical decisions and promote ethical decision-making, should not lead. They do their employees and their clients a disservice.

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Image of a clock with gears behind it.

How To Improve Your Time Management Skills

Time management is a "soft skill" — a skill highly valued by employers and necessary in virtually all aspects of our professional and personal lives. So, I spent some time thinking about my own time management skills, and here is what I consider a sensible list of recommendations to enhance your time management skills.

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Amazon logo

Lessons From Amazon

Amazon has been the go-to website for shopping – continuing to achieve their mission. It has provided everything from books to batteries, dolls to diapers, and as of mid-June of this year, they entered the fresh food market. There is little one can’t purchase on Amazon. But what are the costs to Amazon's incredible online expansion?

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Image of a skills-based resume in the name of John Doe

A New Resume Format

Thinking of changing to a skills-based resume? There is a push to adopt this format. Before you do, there are a few things to consider.

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Embracing Millennials

How often have you heard – the Millennial generation is lazy, they don’t respect power structures, or they need constant reinforcement, in other words they are the generation that expects a trophy just for showing up?

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Graphic of a piece of paper and a pen

Letters of recommendation

A good recommendation is not a bad thing, but there may be some who will be better able to write you a meaningful and strategic LOR that speaks directly to the desired skills.

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Image of a file folder with the label "Employee Benefits" on the front

Education Benefits

Does your company offer education benefits? Tuition reimbursement? According to a survey conducted by the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans, as cited in Fortune Magazine, 83% of companies offer some type of educational reimbursement benefit.

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Image of bricks and concrete

Choosing a graduate program

Graduate school is a gift, you should take advantage of every opportunity available, but your journey has to begin with a decision about the best degree for you. There is no right or wrong program – only a right and wrong program for you.

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