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      A Step-by-Step Guide to Networking in 2022

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      No matter what industry you’re in or how far along in your career you are, networking is a skill that will always be important. Especially when you’re looking for a job.

      Over the years, networking techniques have shifted to accommodate our new digital world and all the changes that come with it. That being said, it can be hard to know which networking trends to follow and which ones to leave behind. That’s where we come in.

      As a job marketplace that focuses on getting early-career candidates hired, we know what it takes to land the job of your dreams. And we also know everything that comes before it, including effective networking. 

      But now the question begs – what does it take to be good at networking?

      Come Prepared

      Before the elevator pitch, before you shake hands, before you even say hello, you need to be prepared to have a conversation that’s going to leave an impact. While you don’t always get to choose the time, place, or person you get to network with, you can still be prepared to have an insightful exchange.

      For example, it is always important to stay on top of trending news and topics in your industry. Knowing what’s going on will help you fill the conversation and bring up relevant points for discussion. In the case that you do know the person you’re going to be chatting with, make sure you’re up to date on who they are, what they do, and who they do it for.

      Listen

      While you might be eager to make your pitch or ask your question, one of the most important tips for networking is to listen. Depending on what your end goals are, you may be motivated to network to score a job, learn more about a field, or expand your contacts. But there is no reason why you can’t do all three if you follow this one rule.

      No one wants to talk to a person who won’t let them get a word in. Plus, the more you talk, the less time they have to give you tips, information, and insight that might improve the trajectory of your professional career.

      Ask Questions

      In addition to listening, you need to be able to ask questions as they pertain to what you are discussing. If you have a really good question that you’ve been sitting on, feel free to ask. But asking questions that guide the natural flow of the conversation will not only garner you more information, it will make things more enjoyable for both people as well. 

      Some examples of questions you could ask include things like their opinion on how things are going in the industry or on certain news topics, where they would like to see the company in five or more years, and anything else that makes you seem passionate about the work you’re going to be doing. Again, use this as a time to learn information as much as you use it as a time to make an impression.

      Use the Internet!

      As creepy as it may sound, it’s pretty easy to find people on the internet these days. A simple search of someone’s name and the company they work for will most likely generate their work bio or LinkedIn profile where there will be a way to contact them. One thing to keep in mind is to make sure your account on whatever platform you’re messaging them on is looking good. So no party photos or compromising scenarios.

      These days, almost all networking is performed online. So if you haven’t already, make sure your networking techniques and digital persona are in tip-top shape and start building that network!

      Stay in Touch

      This last networking tip is one that early-career professionals always forget. Just because you’ve made a connection and had one or two interactions, your job isn’t even half over. 

      Keeping things authentic and genuine, reach out to your new connection at different times. Keep up with what they’re doing, engage with them online, maybe arrange to have a coffee at a later date, but whatever you’re doing, make sure you keep yourself close enough to be remembered but far enough to not be bothersome. 

      In time, these are all networking techniques that you can master and use to your advantage both during and after the job hunt. For more career tips and information on getting hired in 2022, check out our blog. More

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      Top 5 Tools for Digital Marketing

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      When it comes to digital marketing, few things are as important as the tools digital marketers rely on to get their jobs done. These include everything from social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to analytics tools like Google Analytics. Allowing marketers to create, test and measure the performance of their campaigns, digital marketing tools ensure that marketers can launch and test campaigns quickly and effectively.

      Here are the five common digital marketing tools.

      1. Social media platforms

      A common part of any integrated marketing strategy, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are a great way for marketers to engage with their audiences and generate buzz around their brand. In addition to the standard features these platforms offer, there are also some features that are designed specifically for marketing. These include Facebook Ads Manager, which allows marketers to run ads and track ad performance. As an added bonus, social media management tools like Buffer and Hootsuite also integrate well with these platforms, making it easy to schedule social posts and measure engagement.

      2. Design tools

      Another key part of digital marketing is design and this is especially common when it comes to creating ads and content like social media posts and blog posts. Because digital marketing is such a design heavy field, doing it effectively wouldn’t be possible without design tools like Canva and Photoshop, programs that allow those without extensive graphic design skills to add dynamic images to their content.

      3. Analytics tools

      Another set of helpful tools for digital marketers are analytics tools. These include everything from Google Analytics (designed to track stats for web traffic to a particular site) to social media analytics tools like Facebook Insights and Twitter Analytics which provide metrics related to engagement and help marketers optimize their campaigns. For measuring stats on the backend of a site (particularly related to conversions, sales and user demographics), there are also tools like Periscope that track user data, site searches and conversion metrics.

      4. Content marketing tools

      For marketers who are more focused on content marketing, tools like CoSchedule and Hubspot are a big help when it comes to content creation and curation. They can help marketers identify content opportunities and craft engaging blog and social media posts that will resonate with their audience. And since Buffer also offers the ability to see what fans are talking about on social media, that content is almost guaranteed to be impactful and to generate attention for a specific event or news story.

      5. Email marketing tools

      The final set of tools in a digital marketer’s toolbox are email marketing marketing tools. These help marketers create email campaigns that amplify their content and encourage their users to become more engaged with their brand — taking additional steps like signing up for events and buying products. Common email marketing tools include email marketing platforms like MailChimp, Iterable, and Hunter which allow marketers to build email lists and automate their email campaigns. These platforms also provide analytics for every email campaign, making testing and optimization quick and easy.

      Working in digital marketing involves a unique blend of passion, strategy and media savvy. In order to maximize the impact of your various campaigns, it helps to have the best tools at your disposal.

      Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Career Opportunities for Marketing Majors and find answers to common interview questions such as What Other Companies Are You Interviewing With? More

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      Scoping Startups and Building Brands: At Insight Partners, You Can Do It All

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      Although a fair amount of overlap exists between venture capital, private equity, and investment banking, all three sectors differ in significant and unique ways – some of which include the roles and responsibilities bestowed upon employees. If you were to pursue a career in investment banking, you might find yourself working on trades, mergers, and acquisitions; advising in the sale of new stocks and bonds; or connecting buyers and sellers of companies. In venture capital and private equity, you could be doing anything from identifying promising new startups to evaluating a company’s marketing strategy for post-investment growth.

      Although private equity providers, venture capital investors, and investment bankers may all be incentivized to sell stakes at one point or another, private equity and venture capital firms concentrate more on building and growing the companies they invest in. This, coupled with the fact that private equity and venture capital analysts evaluate companies on different factors than investment bankers, leads to some exciting opportunities for people who want to work in the field.

      Recently, we sat in on a virtual event with global venture capital and private equity firm Insight Partners to learn more about some of the open roles that the firm is currently looking to fill. The two positions we ended up identifying as the most engaging and exciting opportunities are the Investment Analyst and the Onsite Diligence and Growth Strategy (DGS) Analyst.

      Scouting for the Next Big Thing: Investment Analyst

      If you’ve ever heard of a company called Shopify, then you already know of one company that an Insight analyst identified and helped scale for success. One of the most exciting parts of being an Investment Analyst is knowing that the companies you’re sourcing and evaluating could be the next big brand or household name that’s going to shake the markets. And, you could be the one who discovers them.

      At Insight, you don’t have to be a partner or executive to get your hands in the mix. The firm is known for its world-class analyst program, which gets junior-level analysts and associates directly involved in deals with the most senior investors on the team.

      Investment Analysts Abhi Srinivas and Nisha Rangarajan attended our virtual seminar with Insight Partners and spoke about their experience on the job with passion and pride. While listening to them speak, it was evident that they love what they do and the company they work for. 

      Post-Investment Prowess – Onsite Diligence & Growth Strategy Analyst

      So Insight decided to invest in a company that an Investment Analyst sourced – what’s next? In come the Onsite DGS Analysts. Insight Onsite is the VC industry’s largest software-focused operations team, which works alongside Insight’s portfolio companies to help executives identify key opportunities for growth. While Investment Analysts are responsible for identifying and making initial contact with the target company, it’s the responsibility of the Onsite DGS Analysts to help the company scale and succeed post-investment.

      The Onsite team is what really drew Ruth Park to Insight. In the post-investment phase, Ruth may be sinking her teeth into the marketing strategy of a company or making recommendations to company leaders on how to put their newly acquired funding to the best use.

      Ruth’s point is that it doesn’t really matter where you come from – Insight is looking for minds from every walk of life and every school of thought to fill its ranks. 

      If you’re interested in being an Investment Analyst or an Onsite DGS Analyst who works with some of the most fascinating growth-stage technology, software, and Internet companies in the world, Insight Partners is for you.

      Check out Insight Partners’ WayUp profile page to learn more about the firm and apply for open roles. More

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      How to Turn Your Summer Internship Into a Full-Time Job

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      So you landed a summer internship – congratulations! Now that you’ve made the obligatory Facebook/LinkedIn post and changed that status to employed, you may be thinking about what you can do to make a lasting impression at one of your first big jobs. 

      And no, it doesn’t have to do with what you’re going to wear on your first day of work. At least not entirely…

      As a job marketplace, we at WayUp have seen internships of all shapes and sizes. And after witnessing so many talented minds crush their summer internships and secure full-time jobs, we have identified five key factors that contributed to their success.

      1. Engage, But Don’t Overwhelm

      One very common mindset you might have going into your summer internship, especially if it’s one of your first professional experiences, is to engage and chat with as many people as possible. And while this is true, to a certain extent, you have to do so mindfully

      If you are preparing to introduce yourself to someone or speak up, make sure you’re not doing so on impulse. Think it through and ask yourself if it’s really worth saying. Upper management doesn’t want someone around who is constantly asking questions or always contributing their two cents. So make sure what you’re saying really carries weight.

      Think – does what you have to say contribute to the task at hand? Are you presenting a new angle or perspective? At the end of the day, people will judge you more on the quality of your thoughts rather than the quantity.

      2. Dress to Impress

      This next suggestion is really obvious when it comes to summer internships yet gets overlooked in so many ways. Depending on the company you’re interning for, what you are expected to wear will vary. So when you’re starting out don’t be afraid to ask your hiring manager what they expect you to wear and take note of what fellow colleagues are wearing to guide your wardrobe choices.

      Another important rule to remember is not to let your wardrobe slack just because you’re remote or virtually employed. It is easy (and really nice) to go throughout the day wearing PJs but putting that extra effort into your attire, even in less than formal video conferences, will make a lasting impression on the people you work with during your summer internship.

      Alongside a proper wardrobe, you should also strive to maintain proper hygiene. And it’s just the simple things! Brush your teeth, take a shower, and wear deodorant. No one wants to work with someone who smells bad. Plus, it might make it hard to get invited to the company happy hour.

      3. Observe Like a Hawk

      During your summer internship, you will be learning an incredible amount of information in an incredibly short amount of time. This being the case, you have to observe and digest every single piece of information and stimuli you see. 

      Is there a certain way your manager likes to receive deliverables? Make that your bible. Notice a certain employee receiving a lot of praise? Study what they’re doing and replicate it. Did you overhear the CEO’s assistant saying they only drink one type of super rare coffee from Peru? Go find some and secure your future job!

      The faster you are able to pick up on things in your summer internship and adapt to your new working environment the more you will show your employer that you deserve a permanent position. 

      4. Volunteer for Everything

      It doesn’t matter if it’s to pick up lunch, lead a new project, or squash a bug, if you volunteer for everything you not only become someone people can rely on but someone with experience as well, bug-related or otherwise.

      Every time you take up a new task you get the chance to show someone that you can do something right. Naturally, responsibilities will grow and tasks will get more important as long as you’re doing them well. Eventually, those tasks could become recurring and make your importance at the company increase.

      5. Send Authentic Follow-Ups

      Depending on the size of your internship class, your manager and the active employees at the company you worked with are bound to get tons of follow-ups from former interns who want a job. So you’re going to have to make sure what you say really resonates with who you’re saying it to. 

      Maybe you have a certain memory of them you wanted to recount. Or something they taught you that you wanted to thank them for. Or maybe you just wanted to ask them for more advice. Whatever you’re doing, make sure it doesn’t sound like a copy and paste message.

      It can be strategic to think of this while participating in your summer internship as it can lead to a more genuine and organic follow-up later on. So make sure you’re taking the time to form meaningful connections with the people around you.

      Rinse & Repeat

      Before you get that corner office, you need to get a full-time job, and before you get that full-time job, you’re going to need to make a lasting impression during your summer internship. So if you want to make sure you make it through try-outs, keep this list handy and read it before your first night of work.

      Haven’t found a summer internship to show off how great you are just yet? Browse all our current openings here! More

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      10 of The Highest Paying Jobs for Early Career Candidates

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      When you’re young, it’s hard not to think about money. Money you want to spend, money you want to invest, money you want to share with your family, and money that you want to earn. Depending on who you are and what field you’re pursuing, expectations about your starting salary are bound to vary. But that doesn’t change the fact that everyone still wants to know how much money they could possibly make in a particular career.

      This being the case, we decided to create a list of some of the highest paying jobs for early-career candidates using data sourced from Salary.com. Although there may be jobs that exist in between these rankings and salaries that vary from company to company, this will give you an idea of what you can expect to make in each of the corresponding positions.

      10. Accounting Analyst – $56,076

      At the top of our list, we have a position that everyone reading this should be familiar with – accountants. Accountants can range from public, to personal, to private, serving a myriad of clients with ranging budgets. As you can imagine, an accountant handling the taxes of a typical citizen opposed to an accountant handling the profile of a Fortune 500 company will vary. So keep that in mind when choosing your route!

      9. Risk Analyst – $59,921

      Next up on our list of highest paying jobs, we have risk analysts who are responsible for reviewing and examining financial firms’ investment portfolios. This includes overseeing international investments and assessing the risk involved with certain financial decisions. Although this is near the top of our list, don’t doubt the ability to make serious money in a career like this.

      8. Financial Analyst – $61,769

      Although a risk analyst may sometimes be classified as a financial analyst, the jobs vary in depth. A financial analyst works in banks, pension funds, insurance companies, and a wide range of other businesses that exist outside the financial realm. Their official titles may be specified as securities analyst, research analyst, equity analyst, investment analyst, or ratings analyst.

      7. Inside Sales – $65,729

      An inside sales rep is an extremely broad category just because of how many different sectors they operate in. The reason this may be weighed down is because of the sheer amount of sales companies that exist in our markets. Although there may be bigshot inside sales reps who are making up to 6 digits including commission there are also reps selling cheaper products somewhere else. This is a position for the grinders as you put in what you get back.

      6. Investment Banking Analyst – $75,934

      In one of the more popular positions on our list of highest paying jobs, investment banking is an incredibly lucrative career. Placed in a variety of different industries such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, or any of the other emerging markets, investment banking analysts serve a critical role in securing and/or saving money for a wide variety of clients.

      5. Business and Information Technology – $81,100

      Business and information technology have always been a major presence across industries. But more so in recent times due to the advancement of technology within the space. As a business and information technology representative or analyst, you are responsible for the integration and oftentimes management of a business’ particular technology which, depending on the complexity of said technology, will range in compensation.

      4. Cyber Security Architect – $105,078

      Given the rise of cyber terrorism and the severity of the damage inflicted on victims, cyber security specialists have become a very high-paying job. Businesses across various different industries have enlisted the services of cyber security architects to make sure their defense systems are ironclad. Given the fact that finance companies with large quantities of money to keep safe are oftentimes the ones seeking out architects, you can expect to make a large chunk of change in a profession like this.

      3. Supply Chain Manager – $116,738

      A supply chain manager is responsible for coordinating, organizing, and overseeing multiple activities that revolve around the facilitation of a product. This includes the identification, acquisition, production, and distribution of said product all while making sure nothing goes wrong and saving money wherever possible. Given how fast product markets are growing, there is no wonder why this position is on our list of highest paying jobs.

      2. Software Engineer – $118,780

      Sitting comfortably at second on our list are software engineers. The degree of difficulty involved with becoming a software engineer, and a good one at that, is part of the reason why it is such a high-paying job. Depending on what kind of software you are designing and for who, expect this profession to keep you fed, well clothed, and living great.

      1. Data Scientist – $135,537

      There’s no denying the facts – data runs the world. In this information age of our’s where data and statistics have become currency, more and more companies, app developers, and entrepreneurs of every variety or seeking out knowledgeable and capable data scientists to help them turn numbers into profit. Profits that data scientists are given a large portion of. It’s for this reason that it stands at the top of our list as one of the highest paying jobs for early-career candidates.

      Although salary is an incredibly important factor when it comes to deciding where you want to work, it shouldn’t be the only factor. There are several reasons that make a job the right one for you and it’s critical that you weigh all of them with the intention of doing what’s best for you. 

      To find out more information on how to go about choosing a career path or determining what job is perfect for you, make a profile with WayUp and get matched with tons of employers all looking to fill positions today. More

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      15 Female Leaders Share Their Favorite Career Advice and Keys to Success

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      This post is brought to you by our friends at TEKsystems. TEKsystems offers great opportunities for advancement, personal and professional growth, and unlimited earning potential. TEKsystems seeks professional individuals with competitive spirit, drive, team mentality, courage, commitment, perseverance, and a desire to build a long-term career in a fast-paced environment. They are always hiring interns and entry-level roles! See their openings here. 

      It’s a widely known truth that when you place women in positions of power, businesses thrive. While gender equality at work is certainly moving in the right direction, there’s still so much work to do when it comes to creating a gender-inclusive workplace from entry-level to C-suite. Take sales. For many, the thought of sales conjures up images of suits, briefcases, stressful conversations, and well… men. Lots and lots of men.

      For many women, it never even crosses their minds that sales could be a career worth exploring, or one they could find success in. This is wild, considering women often possess the qualities that make for an excellent salesperson—empathy, resilience, and the ability to be a good listener, just to name a few.

      So why isn’t a career in sales on the radar of many women? Like we mentioned above, it often seems like the world of sales is a boys club and there are lots of misconceptions over what a job in sales really looks like.

      Right now, only 19% of women in sales are in leadership positions and the industry itself has the second biggest gender equity gap. But the tide is changing here, and companies like TEKsystems are leading the way to welcome women to the table.

      Just a few of the programs TEKsystems provides for females are Mama Bear for mothers, a Caretakers Network, a Women Employee Resource Group, and Onyx, their Black Females Network.

      See below for some priceless career advice from some of the top talent at TEKsystems, who just happen to be women.

      Magdaleny Soberanis, Lead Technical Recruiter

      At TEKsystems for 6.5 years

      What is the best quote or piece of career advice you’ve been given?

      “Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.”- Dale Carnegie

      I love this quote because all the failures and lessons learned have helped me grow as the individual I am today. I keep pushing through despite all hurdles I had to jump at work for being a person of color and a woman. It made me stronger.

      Why do you like working at TEK / a sales organization?

      TEK has invested in me and I took the opportunity to grow as a businesswoman over time. Therefore, my hard work has led to paying off a great amount of my student loans as well as helping my family. In addition, to my job being of training and coaching new recruiters it gives life to help others and give back. TEK takes a great deal of time and providing resources for the growth of its employees. Such as implementing tools like Degree and now with the upcoming badges for recruiters. I personally don’t like staying stagnant for long so I need to be challenged and encouraged to continue growing. Lastly, I’ve made lifelong friends. Priceless.

      Stacy Rice, Director of Business Operations

      At TEKsystems for 17 years

      What is the best quote or piece of career advice you’ve been given?

      “A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader; a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.”  Eleanor Roosevelt

      Why do you like working at TEK / a sales organization?

      TEKsystems has provided the opportunity for me to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.  Whether I’m trying to break into a new account, learning about the hottest trend in technology, or pushing one of my partners to live up to their potential – there’s always a new mountain to climb!

      Kacey Brookes, Account Manager

      At TEKsystems 5 years

      Why do you like working at TEK and/ or a sales organization?

      I like working at TEK because I have continuous opportunity to not only hit financial milestones but also grow within my career and as an individual.

      Tracy Toothaker, Delivery Lead

      At TEKsystems 8 years

      What is the best quote or piece of advice you have been given (for work)?

      “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right” – Henry Ford

      Why do you like working at TEK and/ or a sales organization?

      Two things: 1. The ability to own my own success and 2. Working amongst people that are just as driven as me who push me, motivate me, and inspire me to do better

      Frannie Pasquale, Strategic Account Lead

      At TEKsystems 7 years

      What is the best quote or piece of advice you have been given (for work)?

      Over the course of my time with TEK, I’ve received a lot of great advice that has helped me in different scenarios. The advice that I’ve been able to use and see the most results from has been to take the time to create goals and break them down into achievable milestones. It’s helped hold me accountable during the highs and lows of the sales role, which has led to accomplishments (personally and professionally) that I’m very proud of.

      Kim Hayes, Delivery Manager in the Milwaukee Delivery Center

      At TEKsystems 6 years

      Why do you like working at TEK and/ or a sales organization?

      I don’t have anyone in my family that is in Sales or Recruiting so this was a new field for me with little career advice. Coming out of college I knew I wanted an opportunity that provided great training and an opportunity to grow. I was unsure how I would pay off student loans and be debt free which was my biggest goal.

      I love working for TEKsystems because of the competitive atmosphere where I am striving to hit my personal and professional goals while pushing my partners to do the same. I’ve enjoyed being in sales because it has helped me establish my purpose and reason I want to get out of bed to work hard every day.  

      Amanda Box at South Carolina Director of Business Operations

      At TEKsystems 16 years

      What is the best quote or piece of advice you have been given (for work)?

      “Stop doing $10 tasks and start making $100 decisions.”

      When I started in leadership I was filling too much of my time with things that I should have been delegating which was limiting the growth of both myself and those reporting to me. I was a little bit of a control freak. If someone didn’t handle something in a quick enough time frame or to my satisfaction, I would just handle it instead of having the conversation and allowing them to grow with the experience. To be a great leader you need to give people the chance to try things, fail, and grow. If I was constantly doing things for them, I was stunting both their growth and my own.

      Why do you like working at TEK and/ or a sales organization?

      I worked for 8 years in an industry that gave raises and promotions based on tenure. I could outwork those around me but I was not compensated for that. I also felt like I was stuck without any ability to advance. When I came to TEKsystems, the core values (relationships, commitment, servant mentality, and open communication) fit the way I was raised. Additionally, I am an extremely competitive woman. I have found that this trait is often discouraged in the workplace but it is encouraged in both sales and at TEKsystems. The last reason I love TEKsystems is that I can be highly compensated for helping others grow and achieve their goals.

      Carol Saville, Director of Business Operations, Baltimore

      At TEKsystems 15 years

      What is the best quote or piece of advice you have been given (for work)?

      Expect Perfect Effort, not Perfect Results.

      Why do you like working at TEK and/ or a sales organization?

      I say this all the time – I came for the opportunity, and stayed for the relationships. I’m a big believer in surrounding yourself with people who love to win, but also people who are willing to go into battle with you, overcoming setbacks and solving big problems together. Through my time at TEK, my best relationships have been forged through that adversity and it has helped me grow and become a better person and leader.

      Nina Kindrick, Director, National Recruiting Center

      At TEKsystems 16 years

      Why do you like working at TEK and/ or a sales organization?

      I love working for a purpose driven organization.  We are focused on helping our teams to identify their purpose and meet those goals.

      Kayla Cunningham, Recruiter Lead

      At TEKsystems 6 years

      What is the best quote or piece of advice you have been given (for work)?

      “Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”

      Allison Maltese, Director of Talent Acquisition

      At TEKsystems 24 Years

      What is the best quote or piece of advice you have been given (for work)?

      “Don’t let fear of failing stop you.  Go for it.  One of two things will happen. 1. You will get what you were going for OR 2. You will learn from the experience.”

      Why do you like working at TEK and/ or a sales organization?

      I like working for a sales organization because performance = income = flexibility = balance for me and my family

      I like working for TEK because throughout my 24 years total and 19 years as a mom of 3 sons, I have always received the support I needed to allow me to be the Professional Businesswoman and Working Mom that I strive to be.  I have been blessed to work for incredible leaders who helped me to keep in check what was really important AND worked with amazing teams who held me accountable to not just the professional commitments I made, but more importantly, the personal commitments I made to myself and family.  I can say with confidence that TEK has made me a better person.

      Michelle Webb, Executive Director – Employee Experience

      At TEKsystems 25 years

      What is the best quote or piece of advice you have been given (for work)?

      This is hard to answer in one quote or anything one person told me. But I believe we are already enough, just as we are and the work is an “inside job” that if we believe we are already enough it provides a path to our best self. Anything about ownership of this process and learning through the struggle (both ours and others) is deeply rooted in my leadership style. My purpose is connection through compassion 

      Why do you like working at TEK and/ or a sales organization?

      Over my 25 year career TEKsystems has provided an amazing amount of support, feedback, guidance and freedom to lean into my strengths while connecting to the organizational vision,  strategy and priorities. I have been trusted to solve for my own challenges and now as a leader for enterprise challenges. The amount of coaching and true care is what helped me manage even the most challenging years. Mostly the love I receive during the hardest times in my life has been the true differentiator for me. Life is hard and having a company that stands by you when you don’t have the strength is hard to come by. They just care more.

      Jill Arehart, Account Manager

      At TEKsystems 16 years

      What is the best quote or piece of advice you have been given (for work)?

      I have two that are hard to pick between and they are both related. My mom, who was an executive with the Department of Defense, says, “don’t make a decision until you have to.” The other one comes from Michelle Webb who said, “don’t take yourself out of job before it’s too soon.”  This came in the context of speaking to a group of women who were in the position to take on leadership roles, but may have talked themselves out of it due to future family obligations that weren’t even there yet.  Several times, I have gotten caught up in the “what ifs”, what if I have kids and I won’t be able to travel, what if my husband gets a promotion and we have to move and it’s a dangerous and it’s detrimental to your leadership journey.  Make a decision on the role with your current situation in mind only, you can always figure the future out when it comes.

      Satahi Roedersheimer, Division Lead

      At TEKsystems 6.5 Years

      What is the best quote or piece of advice you have been given (for work)?

      “Run towards the problem!”

      Why do you like working at TEK and/ or a sales organization?

      I like working for TEKsystems because I’m able to run my own business. I’m in charge of my own financial fate, and when I need support from leadership, I just have to speak up. The company has given me the space to grow organically, as well as forced me to mature when it would have been easier to run away. I continue to work for TEKsystems because it’s evident that they truly care about my development as an employee, friend, mom, wife, and professional.

      Megan Soto, Director of Business Operations

      At TEKsystems 12 years

      What is the best quote or piece of advice you have been given (for work)?

      Don’t say no to opportunities or ideas right away, listen to the opportunity or idea and THEN say no if it doesn’t work for you. If you lead with “I would love to hear more about that.” More opportunities will come to youI don’t want to be right, I want to get it right.Catch people doing things right vs. catch people doing things wrong  Be BOLD – do something that makes you uncomfortable every day.

      Why do you like working at TEK and/ or a sales organization?

      I love the work/life balance. The definition of that balance has evolved as my life evolved. Young, single, 22 year old Megan looks a lot different than 34, married, mom of 3 little boys Megan.  I am thankful that I work for a company and team that trusts I will get my job done, even with a very busy life outside of the office. I am thankful that TEK has allowed me to show up authentically throughout the years, and I am thankful for strong mentors who have helped provide perspective and re-frame things when I don’t fully understand the “why”. I am also very thankful that even in leadership, our compensation model rewards equity for effort. In 12 years I have been able to build a life, while building wealth and establishing a solid financial future for my family. You can be a badass working professional AND a badass wife and mother. I am SO proud to work for TEKsystems.

      Tina Martin Professional Recruiter (National Recruiter)

      At TEKsystems 14.5 years

      What is the best quote or piece of advice you have been given (for work)?

      Just make 1 last call for the day!  Sometimes it turns out to be the diamond you’ve been looking for and if nothing more you feel like you put in good effort for the day!

      Why do you like working at TEK and/ or a sales organization?

      Big company, lots of smart tools, intelligent people, team-spirited, fun and helpful work colleagues, lots of training, paths to make good money!

      It seems pretty clear, whether you’re about to graduate college or are considering a career change, the future is bright when it comes to women in sales. Want to hear more? Join us on Tuesday, October 12th, 2021 at 6pm EST for a virtual event.  Click here to RSVP 

      This post is brought to you by our friends at TEKsystems. TEKsystems offers great opportunities for advancement, personal and professional growth, and unlimited earning potential. TEKsystems seeks professional individuals with a competitive spirit, drive, team mentality, courage, commitment, perseverance, and a desire to build a long-term career in a fast-paced environment. They are always hiring entry-level roles! See their openings here. 

      FIND RELATED TOPICS

      Networking, Career Inspiration, Female Leaders, Leadership, Women In Business, Women In Leadership, Women Leaders More

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      in Career Hacks

      The Paradox Of Career Choice

      by

      The Big Question 

      When I first began mentoring college students, I thought it was simply a coincidence that the students I was meeting happened to be consumed by the same nagging question. As more and more students shared the same concerns with me, I noticed that individuals with very different personalities and backgrounds were all grappling with the same question. It could not be a coincidence. Rather, the mind of the young thinking, feeling, growing person naturally gravitates towards the fundamental question: What is my life’s direction?

      This question is expressed in various ways:

      What major in college should I choose?What profession should I enter?What will I do after college?What am I going to look like ten years from now?

      The sense of freedom and independence that accompanies our arrival at college is not the only feeling that comes along with us. In the back seat sits another feeling — the feeling of worry about figuring out what I am going to do with my life. 

      I want to share with you the most effective approach to answering this question. Having the answer will make the college experience (and life!) far more valuable and enjoyable.

      Looking for personal career advice? Click here to get in contact with me.

      The Overwhelming Choice

      When I visit New York City, I like to pick up my favorite collectible: those silly, small ceramic New York Yankees dolls with the bobbing head attached to the body with a spring (the ones that cab drivers like to place on their dashboards), known as “bobbleheads”. As the car moves, the head bounces around in reaction to the turns and bumps of the car. For many, this doll encompasses the college experience, where we bounce around randomly between classes, majors, and career possibilities, our heads constantly bobbing in reaction to the many thoughts, options, and opinions that sway us.

      I remember the moment I received the course catalog during orientation for my freshman year in college. I looked through the catalog feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of options. I was enrolled in a liberal arts program that was supposed to “empower” me in life, but instead I felt disheartened, not knowing what to choose.

      Barry Schwartz, the author of The Paradox of Choice, describes one of the ultimate dilemmas in life: an overwhelming amount of options. The primary indicator of freedom may be quantified in terms of a person’s ability to choose. That is, freedom is measured by the degree to which a person is free to choose. In today’s world, people in free countries have more options than ever before in human history. From the variety of products that one finds in the local grocery store to the vast opportunities for career choice, the world has never been a place of such abundant options.

      However, today’s world surpasses the rest of history in another area: our overall sense of well-being has never been lower. Depression today is ten times as prevalent as it was in 1960, and it strikes at a much younger age. Almost seventy years ago in America, the average age of initial onset of depression was 29.5. Today the average age of initial onset is 14.5. Issues of low self-esteem have never been as rampant. In America, the leading prescription drug type is the anti-depressant. Divorce rates are higher than they have ever been. Domestic violence, acts of aggression, and unwanted pregnancies are at all-time highs. The list goes on and on.

      What is the reason for this phenomenon? Why is it that while a majority of the population of the world experiences an unprecedented level of freedom, universal measures of well-being have never been so low?

      Having the freedom to choose is essential to a life of happiness, but having too many options from which to choose tends to lead to poor decision-making, anxiety, stress, and dissatisfaction.1 The time and energy expended in considering and pursuing multiple options detracts from our overall freedom and well-being.

      Although the notion may seem counter-intuitive, limitation of choice can be the very thing that produces the ultimate freedom and well-being in life.2

      College Students

      One significant factor contributing to this phenomenon applies to the vast majority of college students, and it is one that every college student must confront: lack of direction. The wealth of options out there makes it difficult to find my direction in here, inside of me. 

      Whenever I speak with college students, I find that most feel paralyzed, overwhelmed, and consumed by the myriad of options facing them. They tell me that if somehow they could eliminate a lot of the options, it would become much easier for them to choose.

      Solution

      How, though, do we limit our options and thereby increase our happiness and well-being?

      The answer is that inside each one of us is a compass that points us in the right direction. Let’s call it our inner compass. This inner compass can filter out the options that are not relevant to our lives and to give us clarity in every decision we need to make. How exactly does this inner compass accomplish this? Just like the magnetic force of the earth causes the needle of a compass to point to the north, my strengths direct me towards those options that are most fitting for me, helping me navigate all major life choices, especially my career choice.

      A life of true greatness and happiness is achieved only when I can figure out how to make the choices that are consistent with my essential self.

      College is, for many, the first real taste of freedom and individual expression. The experience would be much more powerful and effective in establishing the foundation for future success and well-being if the student would form a clear and confident vision of how to spend his college years.

      Natural Strengths

      All living things share the tendency to grow, to develop, and to realize their potential, humans included. Within each of us is a kind of internal compass that directs us along the paths that lead us toward becoming the best that we can be. That internal compass provides us with a sense of what is right for ourselves. To the extent that we follow its guidance, we are able to live authentically, in harmony with our unique and individual selves. Our strengths represent our alignment with that internal compass. Our personal combinations of interests, natural capabilities, and preferences signal them. It is when we put them to use in our lives that we feel most authentic, energized, and fulfilled, confident that we are being who we were meant to be. Each person’s greatest potential for growth is in the area of his or her greatest strength. 

      What happens when people operate from their strengths? They are more effective and more fulfilled. In the workplace, where we spend so much of our lives and where our strengths can be so clearly expressed, employees are six times more likely to be engaged in their role when their job requires them to use their strengths.3

      Gallup’s research indicates that people who are not operating from their strengths at work tend to:

      Dread going to workHave more negative than positive interactions with co-workersTreat customers poorlyTell friends they work for a miserable organizationAchieve less on a daily basisHave fewer positive and creative moments.4

      When we live our lives according to our strengths, we thrive. We are happy, energized, relaxed, and we celebrate our many successes. There are various reasons given for why so many people do not live according to their strengths. One of the main reasons, and the one I hear most often from students, is that they simply do not know their strengths. They lack the awareness, sensitivity, and self-knowledge required to identify their unique abilities and character traits.

      How To Discover Your Natural Strengths

      Some people are endowed with profound clarity about who they are, and their strengths are obvious to them. Most people, however, need a little (or a lot) of help in uncovering their true areas of strength. A good mentor, friend, or coach (and a parent can be any of those!) can help. There are also valuable resources available that can help us find our strengths:

      The VIA Institute on Character (www.viacharacter.org) offers the free VIA Survey, a scientifically validated strength assessment for adults. Detailed reports provide strategies on how to use your strengths at work, at school, and in relationships.The Clifton StrengthsFinder (www.strengthsfinder.com), the culmination of more than 50 years of Dr. Donald O. Clifton’s lifelong work, has led millions of people around the world to discover their strengths. The Reflected Best Self Exercise (www.reflectedbestselfexercise.com) enables people to identify their unique strengths and talents. Each participant requests positive feedback from significant people in his or her life and then synthesizes it into a cumulative portrait of his or her “best self.” 

      Conclusion

      The decisions we have to make upon entry to college can be daunting. The course catalog is hundreds of pages long, overwhelming us with confusion, uncertainty, anxiety. How am I to choose my major and my career path, with so many paths in front of me? If I pick one path, I’m automatically rejecting hundreds of others, and maybe one of those hundreds is the correct path for me! How can I feel confident that I am making the right choice?

      With a little detective work on the self, I can discover the innate strengths that empower me, and make wise decisions based on them. Personal discussions, online resources, and seeking the guidance of a college or career counselor are effective avenues not only for choosing a career but for discovering the strengths within me that will be the guiding light for all of life’s major decisions.

      Dr. Yosef Lynn is Dean of Students at The Dr. David Robinson Institute of Jewish Heritage. He is also an author, Career Discovery Coach, adjunct professor of Positive Psychology, and the founder and director of “Greatness Within Seminars”. He holds a Doctorate in Human and Organizational Psychology (PsyD) from Touro and earned a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied under the founder of the field of Positive Psychology, Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman.

      Interest in connecting with Dr. Yosef Lynn and receiving personal career advice? Click here to find out more.

      Or click here to send Dr. Yosef Lynn an email.

      Endnotes

      Schwartz, B. (2004). The paradox of choice: Why more is less. New York: Ecco.Schwartz, B. (2000). Self-determination: The tyranny of freedom. American Psychologist, 55(1), 79-88.Rath, T. (2007). StrengthsFinder 2.0. New York: Gallup Press, p. 12.Ibid., p. 12.  More

    • 138 Shares149 Views

      in Career Hacks

      Quiz: What’s Your Perfect Side Hustle? 6 Ways To Work Flexibly

      by

      No matter what you study or what your ambitions are, you don’t have to wait to start making a little extra money. That’s what having a side hustle is all about. Whether it’s tutoring, cleaning, dog-walking, or even elder care, there are a ton of ways to make money on the side (and pad your resume while you’re at it).
      And no one has more options for these kinds flexible work than Care.com. That’s why we partnered with them to make this quiz to help you determine what your best path to part-time pocket change really is.
      Check it out below.

      Ready to put your results to the test? Check out even more amazing part-time jobs and opportunities at Care.com on WayUp right now! More