Category: Career Discussions

5 Interesting Careers In Science You Should Consider

Three focuses of my blog are Career Discussions, Education and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). It’s a good time to get into one of the STEM fields. There are particularly numerous career opportunities in the Biomedical Sciences. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Interesting Careers In Science You Should Consider.

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Photo by Ousa Chea on Unsplash

The first thing to come to mind when thinking about a career in science is most probably the image of a lab technician in a white coat, mixing chemicals. You wouldn’t be wrong that a fair few careers in science involve this, and they are very much worth considering as a career. You shouldn’t forget that you do have sciences such as medical sciences, theoretical sciences, physical science, life sciences in roles such as zoologists and even some food hygienists need to have a background in biology. The level of education can vary from college level right through to 10 years and up at university levels and often the schooling is continuous is a career in science. Have a look below at three lab coat careers you should consider when thinking about science.

Pharmacist
With a wide variety of job role options, a pharmacist is definitely an attractive career option in science. A pharmacist is responsible for managing all the aspects of a commercial or hospital pharmacy. On top of this, they are also responsible for sourcing and dispensing medications, a pharmacist makes sure that each individual patient receives the correct medication and dosage. Often if in a hospital pharmacist will even attend patient rounds to help consult and advise physicians. You can expect to study for around 8 years to reach this level and it’s advised that you look into a college degree in biology, chemistry or pre-pharmacy.

DNA Analyst
Often seen and known because of crime dramas a career as a DNA Analyst could be a very rewarding and interesting path to take. It plays a critical role in crime investigation and you will work closely alongside criminal investigations. They are sometimes referred to as forensic biologists, someone in this line of work would look at things such as blood, saliva, body fluids and hair found at crime scenes and deliver the DNA results to the criminologist for their investigations. It’s considered a highly important role, especially as a lot of investigations, now rely on DNA as a reliable source of conviction. Sometimes they are even asked to testify and appear in court and it can become a night and day job as unfortunately, crime doesn’t sleep. A college degree in biology is a necessity for this job. You should also look into taking extra courses in forensics, such as toxicology and drug analysis.

Biomedical Engineer
If you’ve dreamt about changing the world or finding the next big cure in medicine, then this is the career for you. Using sophisticated technology and equipment such as test tubes, DNA extractors and a 96 well plate in research facilities, laboratories and hospitals to conduct research biomedical engineering is a type of science that is continually developing and adapting to find the next solution. Some people choose to use their knowledge to educate in teaching positions and pass on their skills. You will need a high level of education for this type of role and you can expect to study continuously to adapt along with science. Looking at an array of courses is ideal for this role such as chemistry and physics. You may also find it beneficial to complete an internship in a biomedical engineering laboratory to gain the essential practical experience to you will need for your own lab.

Do you have any other careers in science that should be on this list? Please share them in the comments section below.

Fun Features For The Office This Summer

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of success. Change is good throughout the year if you’re running a business or organization. Changing up the environment for the summertime may in fact increase the enthusiasm and productivity of your employees. The following contributed post is entitled, Fun Features For The Office This Summer.

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The office is the heart of the workplace, and the way we decorate and fill our office can have a profound effect on the happiness of our employees on a day to day basis. A boring old office with a blue carpet is what no one wants in their workspace, which is why today we are taking a look at some fun features you can add to the office to make it feel more exciting and fun this year.

A garden bar

Let’s start with a super fun idea: a garden bar. If you have an office which is singular and has its own car park and outdoor space, it would be a shame not to make the most of the fresh air in the summertime. One amazing idea for a Friday lunch treat would be to use a utility cart and fill it with ingredients for cocktails, and have this ready outside whenever your employees want to make a quick tipple on a Friday. You can also buy a utility cart cover with your company logo on which will keep the cart dry and will also act as some fun free advertising if you ever take it out!

A herb garden

One of the things you could do with your employees this summer is give everyone a pot and compost each, and they can all plant a herb seed of their choice and watch as it grows. Not only will this make the outside of the office smell amazing, but it will also allow you to use the fresh herbs for fresh soups and salads in the kitchen!

A coffee bar

If you have a flexible and fun workplace and you are off the philosophy that trusting your employees is key, a coffee bar is a wonderful addition to the office. This can be the ideal escape for anyone who wants to work on a project alone or have a quick brainstorming session with others, and it will act as a more comfortable and informal place for them to work for a little while. It can be an amazing idea and one which will give your workers a change of scenery and pace during their working day.

Events

If you have a policy of fun in the office, a great way to promote local businesses and also bring your employees together is to have people visit the office every month with new products to try or services to provide. It could be cake pops, cocktails, yoga… there are a wealth of things you can offer and this will be a great chance for your employees to try something new and bond a little as a team.

An art wall

If there is a prominent wall in the office which everyone can see, you can send out an email for employees to bring in one piece of art to create a collage on the space. They might choose their own paintings, photographs, movie posters or something different entirely. It will brighten up the space and also allow your workers to get to know each other in a new way.

Careers For Creatives That Pay Well

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a key focus is Career Discussions. In many instances, creative skills lend themselves well to certain careers. Once properly plugged in, those individuals stand to make a lot of money. The following contributed post is entitled, Careers For Creatives That Pay Well.

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Image Source. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Tired of being a starving artist? Creative jobs have long had a reputation for being low paid. Fortunately, there are careers out there that creative people can earn big bucks from. Here are just a few examples of careers where it’s possible to make a lot of money.

Industrial design

Industrial design is one of the higher paid design jobs out there and involves using creative problem solving to help design new products. Industrial designers must consider elements such as form, function, sustainability, cost, ergonomics and aesthetics when designing products. A degree in product design or engineering could be useful when entering this field. A few technical skills are required, but creativity is an important asset.

Marketing

Marketing relies heavily on creativity in order to help companies attract more customers. There are so many niches within it from content writing to events marketing to SEO. Entry-level positions can be low-paid, however marketing director and management jobs can be very well-paid. You can reach these positions by either scaling the career ladder or starting your own marketing company. Whilst marketing qualifications can help, they’re not needed when breaking into this industry. You should however still do your homework to get an understanding of the industry – there are online marketing training tools that you can use as Legendary Marketer review points out. There are also plenty of books and blogs that you can use to educate yourself.

Animation

Animation is an industry that is projected to grow by 8%. It relies on a mix of artistic talent and computer graphics skills – qualifications in art or computer graphics may be needed to get into this industry, although you may simply be able to familiarise yourself with tools as found at Creative Bloq, allowing you to make a name for yourself. Animators can be very well paid.

Sound/video production

Producers are often needed in music, TV and film to help handle the editing and mixing process. It’s a job that can often be very well paid. A degree in communication or film/broadcasting could be useful if you hope to get into TV and film. Meanwhile a degree in music or music production could be useful for those that want to produce music professionally. It is possible to get into these careers without these qualifications, but you’ll still need to build the necessary skills.

Architecture

A career as an architect can also be very well paid and can rely heavily on creative talents. You’ll generally need a degree in architecture to get into this industry. Architects can often have high starting salaries, however this can be a very competitive industry and you’ll need to build a strong portfolio to prove your talent.

How To Simplify Your Hiring Process

Three of the key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Career Discussions. A key aspect of any business or organization is properly bringing on new talent and employees. The smoother this process is for both parties, the happier each will be. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Simplify Your Hiring Process.

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When it comes to hiring people to work for you, the process can be quite simple, but often business owners don’t really know where to start with the whole thing and can quickly find themselves a bit overwhelmed with everything since there are definitely some planning and steps involved – this can be especially true if they’ve never hired anyone before.

So, if you’re looking to start hiring either your first or next team members, then in this post we’re going to share with you some ways to really simplify your hiring process to make things easier and also help you find the best candidates for your business so that you can grow and scale accordingly.

Know what you’re looking for:

The very first step is to know what you’re actually looking for, so for example, you should get clear on the areas of your business that are a high priority to focus on growing right now. Whether that’s building a marketing team, hiring someone to manage the financial side of things, or whether it’s bringing on people to create a customer service support team for your clients. It really doesn’t matter which area you focus on first because it will always be about what works best for your business, but it’s definitely important that you’re able to identify what these areas are before you start hiring people.

Creating onboarding systems:

Like everything in your business, you should be looking to have as many systems and processes in place to make sure that things are organized and automated, so for example, you should create an onboarding system for people you’re hiring that will include various steps such as creating a video library where they can access all the important information and tutorials on how you do things, automatic contracts that get sent out upon hiring. You can use a hiring software to set up this system or you can create your own through something like Google Docs or Trello – whatever works best for you.

Have an interview process:

Having a clear and effective interview process is also essential in your business because this allows you to know what steps are going to be included so that you can manage things easier. So, for example, maybe your interview process will include something like a telephone or video conference and then a face to face interview or even some other steps to make sure you can have better chances of finding the right people for your business.

Do trial runs:

When it comes to hiring people in your business, one of the very best things you can do to make the process effective and efficient is to do trial runs and make sure you’re hiring people who are truly a good fit. Interviewing people is fine, but the best way to see if someone is a good fit is by actually working with them and a trial run allows you to do that without committing long term, and it’s also good for them since it allows them to see if you’re someone they’d like to work with long term. A trial run of a week or two should be more than sufficient to see if someone really fits well within your company.

The Ultimate Guide Of What To Do Now You’re Retired

Two key focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Health/Wellness. For those people who have planned to retire, an important consideration is what you’re going to do once you stop working. This could be the difference between a long and happy retirement or a short one. The following contributed post is entitled, The Ultimate Guide Of What To Do Now You’re Retired.

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Retirement is a chance for many to take control of their lives after years in the workforce. It’s a great time to take on all the things you wanted to do but never had the time or resources to accomplish. Here are some of the many fun and interesting things you can do to make the most out of your retirement.

1. Don’t Blow Your Budget
Make the good times last and don’t spend all your pension pot at once. While it may be tempting to splurge on fun and frivolous things, people are living longer than ever before. Create and stick to a firm budget or set your bank accounts to allocate a fixed income each month so you won’t be tempted to splash the cash. If you’re really having a hard time sticking to it and can see your hard-earned savings dwindling, seek out the advice of your bank for easy and convenient retirement savings plans.

Take A Trip
No more requesting time-off from the boss or working around school vacation time, you now have all the time in the world. Take trips to places you’ve never been before, weather thats a day-trip to a town a few hundreds miles away or a long-haul flight to some far-flung destination. The world really is your oyster now!

Travel By Motorhome.
Like the comforts of home while you’re on the road? A perfect solution is to buy a motorhome. Available new or used, it’s a way for you to have all your creature comforts while exploring the country.

Upgrade Your Home
Life can sometimes get ahead of us and retirement is a great time to tackle any home improvements you may have. Houses can accumulate huge amounts of clutter over the years- use this time to organise your space and donate things that you may no longer have use for. Alternatively take on a bigger project like an attic conversion or a conservatory to really add space and value to your home.

Relax

Yes, relax! You’ve earned it. Take joy in doing things that you really truly love. Start an entertainment blog like Judge Diane Ritchie , learn how to cook like a professional chef, or even start recording your daily musings and upload them onto Youtube. The possibilities really are endless.

Move To Pastures New
City life can be grinding especially as you reach old age. The constant hustle, bustle, noise and pollution can really leave you craving the peace and quiet of the country. Consider a move out to the country. Houses are a lot less expensive than the city and you will have time to take on rural pursuits such as chicken rearing or growing your own fruits and vegetables.

Start Your Own Business. Now is the perfect time to start a business with that amazing idea you’ve always had. Use your decades of career expertise to curate a business model that works for you or even get in to consulting to advise others with all of your expertise.

Get A Part-Time Gig. Not quite ready to give up the daily grind? Consider getting a part-time job. It’s a great way to create routine, keep an active social life and bring in a little extra income.

Volunteer. Use your time in retirement to give back to those less fortunate. . Churches and charity organisations are always looking for help and would more than likely love your inclusion.

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How To Plan For A Career Change Later In Life

A key focus of my blog is Career Discussions. There quite a few instances where people start one career and then decide that they want to do something else later in life. While it isn’t uncommon there are things to consider when changing your career. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Plan For A Career Change Later In Life.

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Unlike in the past when it was expected that people would go to college and study for a career that they would work at until they were able to retire, things are now changing and it’s becoming easier for people to change their careers – even after they’ve been working in them for a while, so if you’re currently feeling like you’d like a change of pace in your career, but don’t know where or how to start, then in this post we’re going to share with you how to plan for a career change later in life.

Decide what you want:

The very first step to making any big change in your life is by deciding what it is you actually want because in order for a goal to become reality, you really have to be aligned with it on an emotional level and not just pick something out of thin air that you think sounds goos, so really deciding what it is you want in terms of your new career is going to be the easiest way to start planning to make it happen.

Be realistic and flexible:

Of course, it’s all very well and good for us to tell you to just follow your dreams, and whilst that is something you should always be looking to do, it’s important to remember to be realistic, practical and flexible. Not the most sexy things to think of when going after what you’re passionate about, we know, but it’s going to make life a lot easier. So, for example, if you’re approaching retirement age, have been working as an engineer designing AdBlue tanks your whole life, but have always wanted to work as a DJ, then perhaps it’s not going to be the most viable career choice at this point in your life, so a better approach would be to maybe take this up as a hobby and take some classes so you can still have that as part of your life and have fun with it.

Look at your skills:

To follow on from the above point of being realistic, knowing where your strengths and weaknesses are in terms of what kind of career you’d like to have is also very important. That’s not to say that just because you don’t have skills in the area you’d like to work, it’s impossible to work there – you might just have to go and get some further qualifications and gain those skills, or instead look to focus in an area where you do have the skillset available already that you could apply or transfer from your exisiting career.

Start researching:

Once you’ve identified what you want to do and if it’s going to be a realistic option for you, then it’s time to start the research part of your plan – researching what you actually want to do and how you’re going to make it happen. Research will include things like looking at the job market, looking at what skills you’d require and what you’ll have to do in order to get them, and it can also include things like looking to see if you’re better to look for jobs in other countries or cities if the market in your home country isn’t the best right now.

Take action:

Of course, a plan is nothing more than a plan if you don’t take action to make it happen, so taking action is definitely crucial to making your goal a reality, and it’s important to know that although research is something that’s important to your plan overall, it’s not something you should be getting too caught up in because many people end up stuck in the research phase and never actually move beyond this, which is obviously not the point.

The idea is to research the essential parts and then take from that what you need in order to get to the next phase and bring the plan to life.

We hope that this post was useful in helping you determine what steps you might need to take if you’re planning a career change later in life, but also so that you can see it’s definitely possible and that you really only need to follow a few steps to stop yourself becoming overwhelmed with the process.

There’s nothing wrong with starting a new career from scratch later in life, and having a simple plan in place is really going to make the process a lot easier and faster for you so hopefully you can get started now and not worry about whether or not you’re ever going to be able to make it happen.

Let’s Talk: Ways To Communicate Better

A key focus of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a key focus is Career Discussions. In any office setting communication is key, especially with use of the technologies we have at our disposal. Good communication comes in several different forms. The following contributed post is entitled, Let’s Talk: Ways To Communicate Better.

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It becomes apparent very quickly when in an office setting that communication is key. If the smallest pieces of information aren’t passed on to the right person, productivity is going to be slowed down and vital data could be missed, causing all sorts of trouble. That’s why when you work in an office environment, that you should be doing your part to ensure that everyone is communicating effectively. Check out these tips on how to improve your communication in the office.

Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels

Actually listen

We’ve all been there before, where we’re being spoken to and our mind goes elsewhere thinking about our own tasks or even personal matters at home. However, this isn’t going to help productivity in the office. Learn how to listen properly and if it helps, take down notes or make reminders so that you don’t forget vital information.

Cloud voice

Sometimes communication lacks in other places than the office. Perhaps your team are in and out of the office all of the time, yet you’re struggling to communicate effectively? There are easy and effective solutions like Cloud Voice available that will allow you to move email, VoIP, video conferencing and even fax your colleagues with ease. Visit https://forsythes.technology/communications-collaboration/cloud-voice-unified-communications/ to find out more about how it can help your office communicate better.

Use notes to remind yourself and others

We’re all busy and it’s easy to become tied up in other tasks. However, this can lead to forgetfulness and of course, that’s not good for productivity. Use sticky pads to leave notes for yourself and your colleagues so that if you can’t help them out straight away, at least you’ve set yourself (or them) a reminder for later. This can be especially useful when you have to remember specific details.

Schedule meetings

If you’re in and out of the office, or you’re concentrating on your own tasks, then sometimes scheduling a meeting can be more effective because it allows everyone to voice their thoughts and help improve the way the team works together. Give everyone plenty of time to think of questions and topics to discuss and that way, you’ll bond as a team and communication levels will be at an all time high.

Work on your body language and tone of voice

Finally, your body language and the tone of voice you’re using can have a big impact on how people listen, understand, and also feel about you. If the whole team is struggling to communicate well, then it might be worth looking at ways in which you should address each other in the office to ensure that things remain professional and more importantly, everything gets done on time.

What It Takes To Be A Great Business Leader

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success, and two key focuses are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Many people want to start businesses know much about becoming great leaders of business. There are a couple of keys to it, and the following contributed post is entitled, What It Takes To Be A Great Business Leader.

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Leadership is a funny thing. Many people compare themselves to a lion, and there are many memes that talk about how to be fierce and forceful. But perhaps a real leader looks more, a wolf. One single leader, with a pack underneath them that includes workers, managers, and the weak and elderly.

But what does it take to be a great business leader? To have the acumen of people like Kheng Ly, to take things and turn them into success stories?

Photo by Eva Blue on Unsplash

Work With Your Strengths

Not everyone is good at everything, and personality matters. Being ‘strong’ looks different is pretty much any situation. But working with your personality, knowing what makes you tick can help you as you then put that to use and learn how to get the best out of other people. Being open and knowing where your personal weaknesses are is a great asset. You don’t have to label them as a weakness either, acknowledge their existence and work with them. Your personality will be a big part of your brand, and it should be celebrated rather than broken down and rebuilt.

Flexibility

Business changes so quickly it can make your head spin. Being able to roll and adapt is going to make a real difference in how you run your empire. Seeing when things are going to disrupt your company and making the necessary changes will mean that your staff and support won’t feel a significant impact, but instead, they will be able to adjust too. Following the example, you have set.

Care

While you do need to keep a keen eye on your bottom line, you also need to be aware of your staff, production line, and the people all the way down to the office cleaners. Showing that you care about their job and them as a person. Learning names, building an office ecosystem that rewards your staff and being available when you are needed will make a huge impact. Remember in Happyness, when the 5 dollars was returned? It can be something as simple as repaying kindnesses.

Focus

Focusing on your goals is going to be essential to getting things done. Avoiding distractions and not getting pulled into things that just don’t make an impact on your business is one of the best things that you can do for yourself and your business.

Authenticity

You can’t build a global brand if you are faking it. This feeds into the point about personality and your strengths too. Develop your own voice, one that staff and customers can all trust. Leaders, in most cases, can be trusted and speak honestly on any topic – no matter how difficult.

Great leadership comes in many forms, some people are said to be natural born leaders due to their confidence and curiosity, others get there in time while growing their own voice and learning. Leadership isn’t always about leading the charge, it is often about being at the back supporting others in their goals too.

Follow Your Dreams: How To Jump Into An Into A Tech Job (With No Experience)

Two of the key focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Technology. With every passing year, new technologies are emerging and along with them the need for individuals who have backgrounds in the Information Technology (IT) fields. If this field particularly intrigues you, it will be important for you to know how to get in. The following contributed post is entitled, Follow Your Dreams: How To Jump Into An Into A Tech Job (With No Experience).

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Photo by Pexels

Breaking into the tech industry can be a daunting task. Fiercely competitive and outrageously ambitious, it can seem like an insurmountable barrier to entry especially if you don’t have the relevant credentials. However, one of the great things about the industry is that although Here, we’ve outlined some key components for you to land your dream job digital IT.

Get Some Experience

Tech is a notoriously difficult industry to break into without the relevant experience. The top technology companies often want to see that as well as being a great personality fit, that you’ve taken the time to immerse yourself in the culture and honed your skills to ensure that you’re a perfect fit for your desired role. Look to cut your teeth on small entry-level projects that don’t take much investment and can easily fit around your lifestyle. Upload some examples of your work to freelancing sites such as Fivver, or Upwork to fine-tune your skills and get a grasp of the ins and outs of your role without too much commitment. It also gives you a chance to put yourself forward for a variety of projects and therefore allowing your skills to be even more well-rounded, which is exactly what many tech companies are looking for.

Time To Study

Sometimes, though it’s worth noting that smaller experiences may just not be enough to land you that dream tech job. Jobs in tech have stringent entry requirements, and many recruiters may not even consider your resume if you do not have the relevant qualifications or degree required for the position. Browse job specs and job boards liked Linkedin to get a rough idea of the minimum bar of entry and use that to define your starting point. That being said, going back to college may just not be a feasible option for you. If that’s the case you may want to look into taking on an apprenticeship. IT apprenticeships can be a great way to get hands-on technical training and at the end of it, you’ll come away with a recognised qualification that is bound to open some more doors.

Stand Out On Your Resume

Once you feel confident enough to apply for your dream role, it’s time to make sure that your CV stands up to scrutiny. Make sure that you highlight anything that may be relevant to recruiters, no matter how small or insignificant you think it may be. Be candid in your cover letter and let your future employer know why you’re passionate about tech and how you can now prove it with all the smaller projects and courses you have invested in. Don’t get called back for a second interview? Don’t give up. Keep working on extra projects and work experiences, to really beef up your CV.

The Benefits Of Starting On The First Rung Of Any Business Ladder

Three of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Career Discussions. Arguably the most critical aspect of your experience in the business world or any career is your start. There are advantages to breaking in on the ground level versus ascending right away. The following contributed post is entitled, The Benefits Of Starting On The First Rung Of Any Business Ladder.

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When it comes to starting in any career, most of us are loathe to start at the bottom. It’s no wonder when you consider that such jobs tend to involve long hours for little pay. Not to mention that, if you have your eyes on the prize, low-rung jobs may not be anything like the positions you imagine yourself in. Instead, then, we ignore those starting jobs and reach for the skies.

The trouble is that, while vision is crucial, it’s not always the best way to get a job. Often, aiming for high positions when entering an industry will set you back. There’s no way, after all, that you’ll be able to stand out against someone who’s worked their way up. Even if you do manage to get a high role from the off, you may find everything a struggle. You won’t know what you’re doing, after all, and that will be plain to everyone around you.

While reaching high is essential, then, you could see the following benefits by sucking it up and starting at the bottom.

It’s the easiest way into any industry

Breaking into a new industry is never easy. Even qualifications aren’t a sure bet into a decent job anymore. Now, employers love to see experience. And, that’s not something you’ll have if you’re starting. As such, you may find that you don’t even get interviews when applying for those higher roles. By comparison, the first rungs of most ladders are entry positions. They don’t require experience or even qualifications in many cases. Yet, they could provide your resume with the boost you need to get to the top.

You’ll be able to learn from the bottom up

When you gain a high position, it’s always beneficial to know every area of the business you’re in. All the better for running things smoothly and keeping on top. The trouble is that there’s no way you can do this if you enter at the top. You’ll have no clue about those bottom rungs you bypassed, and that can be problematic. By comparison, starting at the bottom and working your way up is a sure way to success when you reach the top. Consider professionals like Anton Kalafati of B Side Construction, who managed to work his way to up to be a majority owner in a leading company. His beginnings as an on-call repairman are part of the reason why he’s able to keep things afloat. Follow in his footsteps by accepting that lower position and learning everything you can from the bottom up.

A sure way to earn respect

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It’s no surprise that, if you enter a field from the top, you’re going to struggle to gain respect. Employee engagement is near enough impossible when you’re attempting to manage a team who know more than you do. That’s a fact. If, however, you’ve worked in their positions before, you’re pretty much guaranteed more respect. You’ll undoubtedly be able to manage everyone better as a result.