Personal Brand Strategist
Career Reinvention and
Personal Brand Strategist
rbussin@AspireForSuccess.com
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Social media is a hot topic these days, and has been for
some time. This new trend is creating new companies and job opportunities.
Forrester Research states that social media marketing is expected to grow 34%
every year over the next four years and hit $3.1 billion in 2014.
Several firms have sprouted up in the Boston area that focus
on digital marketing strategies. If this is an area of interest, check out:
- Antler Agency in Boston
- Social Grow in Concord
- Espresso in Boston (Toronto-based firm)
- In House Media and Marketing (Launched a social media practice)
Of course, traditional ad players such as Arnold Worldwide
and Mullen also have deep social media expertise and should not be ignored.
- Hubspot
- Campfire
- Burst Media
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/197
A123 systems in Watertown, which makes lithium ion batteries is planning to open a third Massachusetts location to serve its growing electric grid battery operation. A123 systems expects to make 30% of its revenues longer term from electric grid products, with the remainder coming from batteries for the transportation industry. Currently, the firm is producing batteries for Chrysler, Navistar, BMW and Eaton Corporation.
The expansion in Massachusetts comes as a result of a $5 million loan awarded by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and will enable the firm to add over 250 jobs over the next 4 years.
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/193
Local VCs and even those nationwide have begun to invest more seriously in the growing “energy IT” field, a field which promotes energy efficiency by providing information to consumers about energy usage.
Last year, energy efficiency surpassed energy generation in VC funding, for the first time since 2005, according to Dow Jones Venture Source. The two reasons why this field is so hot is that there are lower capital costs than energy generation and there is a quicker return on investment.
Two companies in the Boston area to watch in this sector include Powerhouse Dynamics and Nexamp.
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/192
The biotech industry has remained fairly resilient during the economic downturn and is still positioned to do well. In the recent Boston Business Journal’s list of fasting growing companies, 10 biotechnology companies made the list. Additionally, the life sciences sector as a whole did very well on the list. Medical device and equipment manufacturers also made the list. Some interesting companies to note are:
- Idera Pharmaceuticals
- Celldex Therapeutics
- NxStage Medical
To learn more, read the following article:
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2010/05/10/story1.html
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/188
Todays post is the third of four posts this month by guest author Carol McClelland on green careers. Carol will also appear live on our blog on March 18th to answer your questions about green careers. Stay tuned!!
Discovering your green niche or green focus is the first step in understanding where your skills fit in the green economy. Now your goal is to understand as much as you can about your target green industry (or green industries if you’ve got a couple of potential green career ideas).
Although you are excited about your idea, keep in mind that you’ve identified your green niche based on what you currently know about the green economy. Unless you’ve already done extensive research on your target industry, it’s likely that your choice of niche has been based on a combination of your knowledge, assumptions, hopes, and fears.
To make a solid assessment of your green niche idea, you’ll need to spend some time understanding your target industry. Use online research and networking to piece together your assessment of your target green industry.
(1) How is the industry organized? Is the industry categorized by different product categories or by different parts of a process?
(2) What opportunities is the industry facing? Where is the industry heading?
(3) What challenges are showing up for the industry? What are possible red flags?
(4) How are companies in this industry structured? What departments does the typical company have?
As you develop your overall picture of the green industry, explore where someone with your skills and interests is likely to be needed. How can you use your unique combination of skills, interests, education, and experience to make a contribution in your target industry?
Keep an open mind as you do your research. Don’t push or rush your process. You need to invest the time to get inside the industry to determine how to position yourself in your job search. Your knowledge will pay off when you begin building your resume and doing your interviews. You will stand out from the other applicants with your depth of knowledge.
While you are in research mode, be sure to do some due diligence to:
· Verify that your picture of your target green career is accurate.
· Confirm that your target green career is a good fit for you and your life.
Beware: If you leap into your job search before deepening what you know about your target industry, you may sabotage your journey by targeting a career that’s not possible or not a good fit for you.
In my next post, I’ll give you tips to use as you reach out to your contacts to learn more about your target industry.
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/184
This week, the WSJ is doing a series of articles and coverage on the green economy. On Monday, the newspaper published its first survey of venture-backed clean technology companies. The Top Ten list includes three solar-power firms, two eco-friendly car makers and several other firms providing technology and services in this market.
To read more about these companies, visit:
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/183
Since Carol McClelland will be joining us on the blog on March 18th, I thought I would share my opinion of her recent book Green Careers for Dummies. When Carol sent me book, I was really eager to review it, not only to increase my own knowledge, but to also provide information and tools to my clients.
In the book, Carol does an excellent job setting the reader’s expectations about employment within this sector. She reminds readers that the sector is in its infancy, that it is growing quickly and that job titles, job descriptions and career resources are still in flux. I found this expectation setting to be very helpful.
For individuals just starting out their exploration in this green economy, Carol provides numerous exercises and assessment tools to help the job seeker narrow down their green focus and interest in the green economy. (Check out the related article on our blog http://bit.ly/bsKChq.
The book has a vast overview of the sub sectors within the green economy, including environmental science, natural resources, alternative energy, green building, green manufacturing, smart grid, transportation etc. For each sub industry, she includes industry trends, websites, and resources for further exploration. Even though there is a lot of information, it is well organized so it can serve as your “green encyclopedia” for future reference.
At the end of the book, Carol offers advice on how to move forward with your job search once your green goal has been narrowed down. This section includes information on training and education, networking and volunteer opportunities.
In summary, this book provides one-stop shopping on how to explore a green career and is a must have for anyone considering a career in this sector.
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/182
Todays post is the second of four posts this month by guest author Carol McClelland on green careers. Carol will also appear live on our blog on March 18th to answer your questions about green careers. Stay tuned!!
In my last post, I helped you expand how you think about the green economy. Now that you have a better sense of what industries and sectors are taking actions to become greener, cleaner, and more sustainable, it’s time to identify where you will focus your intentions and attentions.
Your green niche is the place in the green economy where you are perfectly suited to thrive based on your unique combination of skills, interests, talents, education, and experience.
To identify your green niche, it’s important to take a broad look at your skills and interests. Take some time to brainstorm your favorite skills and interests from your professional life as well as your personal life. Then see how your favorites weave together to give you a unique competitive advantage within an industry or sector within the green economy. If you are drawn to two or three career ideas, carry them all forward in the process I’ll describe in my next post.
As you explore your options, avoid the temptation to latch onto the current hot industry or just one of your signature skills or interests. Either strategy limits your options and keeps you from seeing how you can leverage your uniqueness during your job search.
It takes focus, commitment, and perseverance to take yourself through the process of identifying your green niche, but the payoff is worth the effort! When you know where you are heading, you’ll have a much easier time determining which resources to explore, what meetings to attend, who to talk to, and what training programs to pursue.
As special note to those who need to find a job right now: You may be tempted to skip this step because it feels like it will take too much time. In reality, however, the time you invest getting clear on your green career focus will pay off in making your job search activities more focused, productive, and effective. Rather than going after any and every job that sounds possible, having a clear green focus will allow you to pursue the positions that are the best fit for you and your goals.
In my next post I’ll share how important it is to understand your target green industry to determine where your skills are most important.
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/181
By Carol McClelland, Author of "Green Careers for Dummies" and Founder of www.greencareercentral.com.
Todays post is the first of four posts this month by guest author Carol McClelland on green careers. Carol will also appear live on our blog on March 18th to answer your questions about green careers. Stay tuned!!
Before you can decide on your green career, you must take a little time to get a sense of the green economy from a big picture point of view.
Just relying on what you hear in the mainstream media isn’t enough because the media tends to focus on a subset of emerging green industries. Furthermore, the media is trying to highlight immediate opportunities, while missing some of the larger opportunities out on the horizon.
Use these key points to get a sense of how the green economy is evolving.
- In researching my book, Green Careers For Dummies, I discovered over 50 industries and sectors that are rethinking and reworking their business practices to reduce their impact on the environment and enhance their impact on their community.
- The green economy is not static. It’s constantly evolving, being shaped by a complex combination of a number of factors including policy, funding, partnerships, rebates and tax credits, innovation, and science.
- Significant, game changing announcements are being made in many of these industries on a regular basis. Watch for announcements through industry/trade associations can keep you up to date.
- Although it’s important to be realistic about short-term opportunities in this emerging economy, keep an eye on projections for long term growth as well. This new economy will be unfolding over time. Don’t turn away from an interesting career direction because the short-term opportunities are limited. Use this time to prepare yourself to be ready to jump into your target career when that industry is ready to open up.
- Industries and sectors going green fall into several distinct categories.
- Traditionally focused on environmental issues-environmental sciences, natural resource management.
- Traditional industries going green-building, transportation, manufacturing.
- Emerging industries that are creating new jobs-smart grid, information technology, clean tech industries.
- Functions that focus on stimulating demand for greener actions, purchases, and decisions. Think policy, finance, environmental education, marketing and sales.
In my next post, I’ll talk about how identifying your green focus speeds up your search for a green career.
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/180
This month on my blog, I am going to be focusing on the green sector, including posting numerous articles that have been written by Carol McClelland, author of Green Careers for Dummies. As I was thinking about content for this month, I thought it would be a good idea to begin the month, with an overview of the investment flows into this sector.
My preferred resource for venture capital investments is the PriceWaterhouseCoopers Money Tree Survey, which I have monitored for years. The survey is a vast resource of investment dollars, by region and also by industry sector. Another good resource to monitor for the green sector is the Cleantech Group.
Regardless of the resource you visit, it is clear that cleantech or the green sector is receiving a good portion of venture capital investment. In Q3 of 2009, clean energy received 19% of the total investments, just behind the biotech sector. In Q4, the sector was in fourth place, behind biotech and medical devices (Pwc Money Tree Survey). The two largest regions receiving investments are Silicon Valley and New England.
The green sector or economy is huge, so where is the money going? The hot deals and subsectors are the following:
§ Energy Efficiency-any firms that have products or technologies that reduce energy consumption.
§ Smart Grid-firms seeking to improve outmoded electricity delivery systems and firms providing equipment to enable smart meters to communicate with utilities.
§ Green Transportation-makers of more efficient cars.
§ Renewable Energies- such as wind and solar.
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/179
According to the latest ExecuNet Recruiter Confidence Index (RCI) data, from the October survey of 172 executive recruiters, 56 percent are "confident" or "very confident" the executive employment market will improve during the next six months - which is essentially unchanged from last month. Those who are not confident that executive employment market conditions will improve during this period of time dropped from 8 percent in September to 6 percent in October, which marks the lowest "not confident" reading since May 2008.
The industries recruiters expect will generate the greatest growth in executive-level job opportunities through the end of 2009 include:
1. Healthcare
2. Clean/Green Technology
3. Energy/Utilities
4. Pharmaceuticals/Medical Devices/ Biotech
5. Environmental Products/Services
Source: ExecuNet Executive Insider newsletter
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/167
Boston Business Journal talks about the fastest growing companies
Many local companies are defying the economic challenges and are actually thriving. BBJ covered five companies that are thriving in this difficult economy. If you are looking for a job or know someone that is, pass along these names and check them out.
§ Idera Pharmaceuticals
§ AthenaHealth
§ Starent Networks
§ American Superconductor
§ Pegasystems
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/154
Engineering, Computer Degrees Are Opening Doors
Thinking of reinventing yourself or finding a new career? If you are mathematically inclined or science oriented, engineering is the way to go. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, four of the five top-paying jobs for this year’s college graduates are in the engineering field.
Another area that looks promising is in high tech degrees, where computer-related positions also placed twice in the top five. Here are the NACE study’s top five highest-paying jobs for college graduates, and their average starting salaries:
1. Petroleum Engineers – $83,121
2. Chemical Engineers – $64,902
3. Mining Engineers – $64,404
4. Computer Engineers – $61,738
5. Computer Science – $61,407
The need to fill these positions has been driven up by the global economy and the desire by global corporations to add more employees with engineering degrees. So, at least for this year, the message is clear: Engineering and computer-related degrees will help you go places.
For more information on this study, go to the Herman Group article on this subject at www.hermangroup.com/alert/alert_index.html.
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/152
New Technological Industries Are Growing in Massachusetts
In the 1980s, Massachusetts was on the forefront of the high-tech boom. New industries blossomed along Route 128 and other major highways and cities, and they helped boost the state’s economic base from one dependent on early 20th century manufacturing plants to one featuring pre-21st century computer-oriented businesses.
Now, as we look to emerge from the worst recession in most of our lifetimes, the Massachusetts economy again is looking to make an impact on the future. Mass High Tech has documented five new emerging sectors that are growing the state’s economy with new technologies.
The five sectors are:
· Medical robotics, where robots are being developed to assist with rehabilitation, surgery, and home health care.
· Light-emitting diodes, semiconductors that produce light that offer advantages such as lower power consumption and longer life.
· Electronic readers and displays, combining low-power consumption and lightweight size for applications such as electronic books, clocks, supermarket signs, and medical devices.
· Telehealth, including networking, videoconferencing, database software and other technologies that enable health-care professionals to remotely monitor and track patients via computer systems.
· Location-based applications, driven by the multitude of devices such as smart phones with GPS and wi-fi capabilities that consumers can’t wait to gobble up.
For more detailed information on these five thriving sectors, check out this masshightech.com article at http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2009/07/27/focus3-Five-emerging-sectors-offer-promise-with-new-technologies.html.
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/145
The Financial Sector Has Begun Hiring Again
I read an interesting article this week in the WSJ about the upswing in financial services hiring. Here are a few pints I took away from the article:
· Small and medium-sized financial firms are hiring again, although at a very modest rate.
· The sector has lost over 600,000 jobs since 2006
· Restructuring is an area that is in demand-more companies are in distress and need help restricting
· Another hot area is credit-credit specialists are in demand as banks work out problem loans
· Mortgage refinancing is another area that is in demand.
To read the entire article, please click on:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124511318124517281.html
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/141
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) recently signed into law by President Obama is going to spark growth and opportunities in the technology sector.-the winners that will gain from the large amounts of government money are Healthcare IT and Smart Grid Technology.,
The ARRA includes over $4.3 billion in spending specifically earmarked for smart-grid technology, which will enhance how electricity and alternative energy is distributed and managed. The spending slated for this sector will cover a wide range of technologies, including:
· IT and communications hardware
· Smart meters and other intelligent devices
· Applications software to operate the grid
· Software to manage the large amounts of data )meter and grid data)
· Advanced energy storage systems
· Services required to plan, integrate and deploy these technologies
Also in the ARRA is approximately $20 billion in funding for healthcare IT and incentives for doctors and hospitals that implement and use electronic medical records systems.
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/132
For the past few months, I have been blogging about the growth in the clean tech, green tech sector. I was intrigued by a Herman Trend Alert, which crossed my desk this morning about how these sectors are growing “so fast” that a new label has emerged “green collar jobs”.
Job opportunities are available for talented people, in government, in non profits and for independent work. Here are a few opportunities in the report:
· Campaign to Save the Environment-seeking Field Staff for summer employment
·
· Non profits, such as, National Wildlife Federation, and the Environmental Defense Fund are seeking writers and web producers.
· Others include, LEED builders, Land Use Planners and Eco-consultants
To read the entire article, go to:
http://www.hermangroup.com/alert/alert_index.html
To view job listings across the sector, go to:
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/127
Over the past few months, I have been blogging on the high demand and need for nurses. With two male career change clients moving into nursing, I have been following the field a lot lately.
A unique and growing niche in nursing is Diabetes Management Nurse Practitioners and Educators. With millions of Americans being diagnosed with diabetes, the demand for these nurses is growing as there is a need to educate individuals on proper nutrition and how to manage the disease (testing blood sugar levels, insulin injections, etc.).
Diabetes nurse practitoners have a Masters in Nursing with a specialization in the endocrine system. Another route into this field is a registered nurse designation who has an the advanced Certified Diabetes Educator credential.
Pay scales are high, ranging from $90,000 to $135,000.
To learn more, go to:
American Association of Diabetes Educators:
American Diabetes Association:
Joslin Diabetes Center:
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/123
Despite the difficult economy, the alternative energy industry is still seeing a boom in investment and sales growth. With the economic times as they are, many companies are seeking to increase their energy efficiency, especially since the Obama administration may impose stricter energy regulation requirements and also increase spending.
Many start-ups in the alternative energy field are getting increased financing form venture capitalists and other lenders, which of course translates into staff hiring and increased sales and marketing efforts. This sector is one of the brightest in venture capital-clean tech investments were up 40% from 2007.
Of the various sub sectors within clean tech, solar still represents the lion’s share of the venture capital investments-roughly 40%. Biofuels and transportation follow with 11% and 9.5% respectively.
Check out http://cleantech.com/ for more information on investments and events in this sector.
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/120
This morning, I posted a blog about the demand for nurses and the growing field of nursing. Since then, I have discovered a great tool on Indeed.com, the job search aggregator. You can search trends and growth by industry. Here is what I found out for nursing.
Use this great tool to think about a career you might want to transition into and see what the employment prospects are.
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/114
Have you thought about nursing?
| I currently have two career change clients (both male) actively pursuing careers in nursing. For anyone thinking about reinventing themselves and starting out in a new field, there has never been a better time to make a switch to a career in nursing. Employment prospects for registered nurses are excellent, and they'll only get better as the population ages and requires more health care, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Currently, there are 100,000 vacant nursing positions nationwide, and the shortage is expected to grow to nearly 500,000 job openings by 2020. The switch to a nursing career can be made pretty easily. If you already have a bachelor's or master's degree, you can enter an accelerated nursing program offered by many community colleges and universities. Bear in mind however, that you might have to take a few prep courses first. For more information about careers in nursing, visit www.discovernursing.com or www.campaignfornursing.com. |
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess.com/weblog/112
rbussin@AspireForSuccess.com
