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Growth and Opportunity: Which Comes First?

Jan 18
2 min

Growth and Opportunity: Which Comes First?

What do people think of when they hear the word “opportunity”? Maybe they wonder how to create... or take advantage of... or seek... or even turn down an opportunity? Others hear the word “growth” and think of challenges... spurts... growing pains... or even developmental stages. Perhaps the bigger question is like the chicken and the egg: which comes first? Or even more significant: is one possible without the other? ~ Melanie Reinersman, M.A., insights@careerdevelopmentall

The Present: Focusing on What Is Needed Right Now

Dec 21, 2020
2 min

The Present: Focusing on What Is Needed Right Now

No one wants to spend the last few days of 2020 looking back at a year that was fraught with fear, change and challenges. Looking to 2021 may not be better because the future is too uncertain. Let's just focus on the present! Do you have what you need right now to be effective at serving your clients and taking care of yourself? ~ Melanie Reinersman, M.A., insights@careerdevelopmentalliance.com Photo by freestocks on Unsplash FOCUS ON: Today and Only Today Appreciating what w

Wisdom: Knowledge Increases Effective Decision Making

Aug 17, 2020
2 min

Wisdom: Knowledge Increases Effective Decision Making

Most people know the quote “With age comes wisdom” but few know the five words that actually follow: “...sometimes age comes alone.” Perhaps Oscar Wilde doesn't want to sound too smug or too optimistic. With this in mind, it is probably best to encourage all career development professionals to assist their clients in gaining wisdom, especially about themselves. Don't forget, Wilde also said, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ~ Melanie Reinersman, M.A., insights@c

Justification: Is Value Being Communicated?

Nov 19, 2019
2 min

Justification: Is Value Being Communicated?

How do people convince employers to hire them? Why do people seek career help? Do they see value in seeking help? If one basic tenet of job search is for the job seeker to make their value to the employer known, doesn’t it also make sense that career services providers justify their value? Taking responsibility for communicating the value of an individual’s work is crucial to achieving work goals. ~ Melanie Reinersman, editor@careerdevelopmentalliance.com Photo by Allef Vinic

Project Management and Careers: Working Skillfully, Timely and Ethically

Jan 22, 2019
2 min

Project Management and Careers: Working Skillfully, Timely and Ethically

Officially, project manager is a job title that comes with a certain set of skills, certifications, and employment. Off the record, everyone needs to be a project manager. Executive coaches are handling changing client loads, professional development activities, social media and more. Counselor Educators are directing student experiential activities, syllabi requirements, departmental responsibilities and more. Job seekers are juggling… well, you get the idea. The point is we

Improvement: Increasing the Service Provider’s Abilities

Sep 18, 2018
2 min

Improvement: Increasing the Service Provider’s Abilities

Counselors and Coaches: are you increasing your skills so as to be a good model for your clients? Are you mindful of your weaknesses so you can improve your services? Does your calendar look like you are stuck in past routines or focused on the future? Improvement is not a dirty word, if you accept the fact that no one is perfect. Don’t let your services become stagnant – schedule time for improving your mindset, abilities, services… and watch the ripple effect take place in