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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.

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Accountability

Another lesson we were taught in Kindergarten that seems to disappear once we reach adulthood is admitting to our mistakes. I could go on and on about the reasons why accountability has been replaced with denials and finger pointing, but the reasons really don’t matter. The truth is, we, as adults and business people, need to be accountable for our actions – both good and bad.

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Time to Focus on Your Career

The holidays are over, January is in full swing, which means it’s time to switch your focus from cookies, pies, and libations to your career goals. For most, the question is: How do I start? Where to start?

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When You are Singing the Holiday Blues

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Are You a Life-long Learner

There are many benefits to learning beyond the walls of college or graduate school. Those benefits range from cognitive, social, and spiritual, to career. Given the benefits, we should all strive to be life-long learners, but those who place significance on continued learning, are the same people who forge ahead on the corporate ladder.

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Social Media Check-Up

There is one month to the start of a new year. For some that will mean a new exercise regimen, for others it will mean scheduling time to volunteer, and for yet others it will mean it’s time to look for a new job or career opportunity. For the latter, start now by giving yourself a social media check-up.

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Happy Thanksgiving

All of us at Goodwin College, wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving – may you enjoy the holiday surrounded by friends and family, and may your plates and hearts be full.

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Social Capital

Why is social capital important? Well, within our organizations (small and large), we can’t operate in a vacuum; we need to rely on others to accomplish tasks, projects, etc. You may need to ask for an introduction, expertise, a favor, or you may need an advocate.

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Finding Your Voice

I have written a fair amount about the Pennsylvania Conference for Women – it was a great day. Michelle Obama said, as did others, something that has stuck with me, and I’m paraphrasing here, but if you aren’t going to use your spot at the table then move over. So, what happens if a spot at the table opens up, but you haven’t quite found your voice?

Well, I’m not going to sugar coat anything – it’s time to step up.

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The B Corp

According to Bcorporation.net, they “aspire to use the power of markets to solve social and environmental problems.” Rose Marcario, the CEO of Patagonia said, “The B Corp movement is one of the most important in our lifetime, built on the simple fact that business impacts and serves more than just shareholders – it has an equal responsibility to the community and to the planet.”

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Lead by example

Remember the old saying, “Do as I say, not as I do?” Well, those are not words to live by. If we want those who work for us and with us to be kind, empathetic, hard-working, etc., then we had better be kind, empathetic, and hard-working. Never did the day exist where one could truly expect those around them to perform in a certain way while they performed in another.

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powerful words = empowerment

Powerful Words=Empowerment

At the recent Pennsylvania Conference for Women, I heard powerful words of encouragement from the keynote speaker.

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Sexual Harassment

As a woman, I would like to think we were making progress, and in some cases we are, but according to a YouGov poll that survey 4,900 people, 25% of respondents reported witnessing sexual harassment at work, and 30% of respondents (80% of whom were women), reported experiencing sexual harassment. And it gets worse, “60 percent of women in tech report receiving unwanted sexual advances,” according to a February 2017 TechCrunch article, it is difficult to argue progress is being made.

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