Some time ago, in a typical morning session with a bunch of rebellious teens, one of my many “admirers” shouted at me, “You needs to stop riding our backs and get yo'self a real job!” After I politely put her in her place (and corrected her grammar), I assured her that substitute teaching was a real job; and I assure you too. :-)BACKGROUND...Substitute teachers are like understudies are to actors. It's estimated that by the time that most students graduate from high school, they will have spent the equivalent of one year under the instruction of a substitute teacher. Yet, substitutes remain an enigma. For example, did you know that in many states Subs are required to have a four-year degree and hold a certificate in substitute teaching before they enter the classroom? Or that Subs can earn full time pay for part-time hours? Or that these professionals are considered as part of the “real” teachers' union? Why So Many are Transitioning to this … [Read more...] about Substitute Teaching – The Perfect Job?
Undereducated and Unemployed: Getting America Back on Track
America has seen a large degree of economic down turn in the past few years. Now that we are supposed to be out of the recession, the educational opportunities that are available to people are going to affect how quickly we are able to pull ourselves away from this recession. People are going to find that they need to re-educate themselves in new careers or they may need to upgrade their educations. As new job opportunities arise, we are going to need people to fill those positions and that will require a new attitude towards education. [Tuition Reimbursement Benefits: How to Get Your Employer to Pay] As the economy changes, the needs of employers change as well. In order for the labor market to keep up with the demands of the economy, it needs to re-educate potential employees. Since many employees have been unemployed for a long period of time, government will need to create incentives for re-education.There are many types of incentives that governments, educational facilities, and … [Read more...] about Undereducated and Unemployed: Getting America Back on Track
How to Work with Indecisive People
When I started my advertising career, I worked for a woman who, although very creative when it came to ad campaigns, was one of the most indecisive people I’ve known. She was also beyond wacky. Example: She called me to her office and asked me to stand in the doorway while she held up a brown eyeglass case and a beige piece of paper. She said, “I’m trying to decide which color phone would look best on my desk, brown or ivory. What do you think?” We had to discuss this for 20 minutes.We all have indecisive people in our lives. One of my relatives refers to herself as an “information gatherer.” The reality is that she drives us nuts when it takes her six months to research and buy a microwave. But the wafflers are trickier in the workplace - with deadlines, someone HAS to make decisions.Shirley S. Wang’s Wall Street Journal article, “Why So Many People Can’t Make Decisions” explores the topic of ambivalence. The article divides … [Read more...] about How to Work with Indecisive People
Top 10 Words of Wisdom From Pam Beesly, Your Favorite Personal Assistant
Imported from the BBC, “The Office” has become a new American cultural phenomenon. And chief among its characters is Michael Smart’s personal assistant Pam Beesley. Pam is a mix of smart and sassy and just doesn’t know how to put it quite into words. She has the moxie to hold her own in a company that sometimes seems to be out to get its own employees. And like all high caliber, high performing personal assistants, Pam Beesley is wise beyond her years. Granted her wisdom comes from the minds of a group of television script writers, it is wisdom nonetheless. There is something to be learned from Beesley in every episode. Presented here, in no particular order, are 10 of her most important contributions to the lexicon of business wisdom. • Sleep only with certain bosses and even then, only for very good reasons. In the first season Beesley is wondering whether her boss will try making her work on Saturday when she and her fiance have plans. … [Read more...] about Top 10 Words of Wisdom From Pam Beesly, Your Favorite Personal Assistant
Should I Quit My Job
“Should I quit my job?” It’s a common question that bounces around in our heads from time to time (for some, more than others). Step one is to make sure you know how to quit your job. Whether personal or professional, break-ups of any kind create a myriad of emotions and mental “wear and tear.” Still, they are inevitable in the normal course of life; as many of us come to the painful realization that we’ve outgrown a relationship, or either paradoxically, have not been allowed to grow while involved in one. The uncertainty and fear of leaving something that we know for something that we don’t know, (no matter how bad), keeps most of us mired in relationships way beyond the many red flags and warning signs along the way. But there’s a price to pay. You begin to feel bitter, not better. Such was the case some years ago when I worked as an analyst at a prestigious financial institution that I started at while in college. By “traditional” standards, it was indeed a “good … [Read more...] about Should I Quit My Job
The Family Business
Keeping the “Biz” in the Family Business It’s glaringly apparent that my TV-show recording and watching indicates that I need to get a life. A new one I caught this week, “Lone Star”, was about a Texas family in the oil business. It was reminiscent of "Dallas," which for you youngsters was gorgeous rich people cheating, back-stabbing and drinking all while wearing fabulous clothes. At least “Lone Star” had several office scenes where people actually appeared to be making money to pay for those Armani suits.I grew up in a family printing business which my mother ran and she dressed up for work, but I don’t recall her wearing Donna Karan. Although my dad was a design draftsman for a local company, at one point he joined my mother’s business to help out. There were no big dramas, plotting or intrigue in the company as far as I know. The only excitement I remember was my dad bailing a drunken press operator out of jail on a Saturday … [Read more...] about The Family Business
Accepting a Counteroffer – When to Stay With Your Current Employer
You've received a job offer. It pays more than your current job. But for whatever reason, you have decided that you would prefer to stay put. You have, however, made a decision to use the offer as a bargaining chip. It's a dangerous game, and you should only engage in it if you truly can see yourself walking away and accepting the new position. Many articles on the Web make it sound like accepting a counteroffer to stay with your current employer is a kiss of death--but I'm not convinced.Yes, there was a reason you were looking to begin with (unless you were headhunted). And yes, once you reveal that you are even considering leaving your job, your "team-player" status will be in jeopardy. But truth be told, everyone considers leaving their employer at some point, and sometimes, another job offer is the ultimate bargaining chip.A wake-up call. Your experience is often what gets you hired, but the day after you start, the focus shifts to what you are going to do for the organization … [Read more...] about Accepting a Counteroffer – When to Stay With Your Current Employer
Classless Society? Aren't We All “Working Class?”
I had a very surreal experience recently related to my work life that has made me wonder about a so-called classless society. A good friend started a cleaning and concierge business, but with a full-time job, she has little time to grow her business. Since I freelance and have flexibility in my work schedule, I offered to do some marketing for her. Because this is a new venture, capital is tight and she can’t hire enough employees. So...she and I have been cleaning houses. I’ve never felt that any jobs were beneath me and I want to help out a pal, but my preference would be to not clean houses - I don’t even like to clean my own.The surreal experience happened shortly after I cleaned her best client’s home. Although I often dread attending women’s networking events, I know they are critical to developing business. So I quit writing at 5:00 p.m., foofed up to look like a grown up and went to the event. Coincidentally, the cleaning client is also a member of … [Read more...] about Classless Society? Aren't We All “Working Class?”
7 Ways to Deal With Undesirables at Work
Let's face it. Whether you gig at a fortune 500 company, or a local factory, chances are you're dealing with some, well... undesirables. True?Sometimes “undesirables” come in the form of the inappropriate boss, like Michael Scott in the hilarious sitcom, The Office. Other times it may be the cubicle dweller that “cuts the cheese” more than your neighborhood deli. And rarely is any office environment without your garden-variety “toxic personalities.”Think “Debbie Downer” of Saturday Night Live.No matter how you cut it, they can make every day at work play out like dog years! But there's a way to deal with these pesky devils without being relegated to a life of hell!Why it's important to manage the madness...Besides being down-right annoying, “undesirables” can cause undue stress. And stress can lead to low productivity, illness, work place violence, absenteeism, and staff turnover. In fact, it's estimated that … [Read more...] about 7 Ways to Deal With Undesirables at Work
Sickness at Work: When You Don't Call in Sick
If you don't feel well, call in sick. It's a simple mantra, one that makes a lot of sense. But in reality, it's not always an option. Sometimes a project requires your attendance. Other times you might want to avoid calling in sick because you know you'll be out (cough, cough) next week for that "vacation" day you forgot to request. Coughing and sneezing around the office is met with disdain. I've seen people go as far as telling a coworker to go home - and absolutely meaning it. As if you didn't already feel crappy enough at work (you would stay home if you felt you could!), now you have to try to mask your flu-like symptoms to avoid being lynched.It's a selfish act to show up to the office sick with a contagious illness, but it's reality. After all, it's you that will have to deal with a pissed off boss, missed deadline, and worse yet - termination. You might like your coworkers and hate the fact that you could be getting them … [Read more...] about Sickness at Work: When You Don't Call in Sick