Sometimes we need to let go and create space for new positive directions in our lives. Equally as important as New Year’s intentions or resolutions is processing the past year. In that spirit, I am sharing two personal messages that I hope can inspire and support you.
I unexpectedly wrote the Creating Space poem (that follows) in 2002 at a Benedictine monastery following the death of my mother and loss of a job the year before. This year I was invited to give a New Year’s Day message at Unity Center of Pittsburgh where I was a member for a few years. The invitation was prompted by my newsletter/blog this year: Letting Go. If you would like a little more inspiration to begin the new year, CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO. If you would like to skip to my message, go to minute 33 of the video. The message includes a brief reflective writing exercise and invitation to release and let go of something from 2022; as I have invited job loss outplacement workshop clients in the past, tear up that sheet of paper, maybe stomp on it, before throwing it in the garbage. Or as I invite in the video, safely burn it. HERE IS A LINK TO A CHANT my friends and I have used for end-of-year letting go rituals for decades; you can simply listen to it and add your own word of what you wish to let go of.
I affirm for you good health, peace, and prosperity for 2023.
Creating Space
May we release our unneeded “stuff” to the universe,
that which fills our closets,
clutters our minds,
distracts our souls,
invades our dreams,
That which is from the past,
another time,
other circumstances,
distant people,
far away places.
May we release our unwanted stuff to the universe,
https://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/letting-go-now-inspiring-better-life-blog-spot-creative-commons.jpg500500Karen Litzingerhttps://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Litinger-career-logo-2.pngKaren Litzinger2023-01-02 15:52:052023-01-02 16:07:47Letting Go and Creating Space
Please do check out Jeff’s great offerings! I was so busy with my Virtual Job Club Tour in the fall that I missed the release of my podcast. So even if you’ve heard me or know what my book is all about, please CLICK HERE to the video and maybe another of Jeff’s links in this article. If your prefer, here is the transcript link instead. We all know how important clicks are in search engine optimization, SEO, and I’d like to support Jeff for the kindness he showed me. Plus, surely you know someone in or thinking about the job search who can benefit from wise counsel, so please consider clicking and sharing! I want to give a special shout out to Jeff’s services on Leadership Coaching and Executive Coaching. Actually, I’ve had a hard time finding people who do Executive Coaching not sponsored by the employer, so I’m excited to refer Jeff to you and some of my future clients!
Kindness Reminders
What was so fun about Jeff’s podcast (besides him) is that he randomly picked and read excerpts from my book and then asked me to comment. One of the topics he opened to was Kindness. With the winter holidays’ emphasis on giving, I encourage us to give one of the most important gifts, kindness. It doesn’t cost anything and just take a few seconds. Kindness might just be a smile or silent blessing to someone you pass on the street or a thank you to a customer service employee. Or maybe a gift of services to a relative, or a monetary contribution to a person or organization in need. May this reminder of kindness warm your heart and holiday spirit.
Kindness Excerpt from My Book
“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”
Fred Rogers
Kindness softens our edges. Although we may feel most in need of kindness during the job search, we are well-served to extend it.
Sometimes we can feel we are being treated unkindly in the job search. We may be not hearing back in a timely way after an interview or from a networking lead. People have busy schedules and competing needs. Give them the benefit of the doubt, and you’ll likely feel better. The alternative may be bitterness, which will not help in the job search.
Beyond the search, spread kindness wherever you can. Because of the stressful job search journey, you may know more than others the benefit of a smile, an encouraging word, or extra effort. Sharing kindness from your heart can help your soul and may even attract kindness towards you.
I extend kindness to others as I would like to receive it.
When I received the article link to the Harvard Business Review article on bullying, it reminded me that I wanted to address this topic since I saw a fabulous presentation by Janet Glover-Kerkvliet at the Middle Atlantic Career Counseling Association through her role at the Workplace Bullying Institute. My notes are long since lost, but what I most remember and advise clients routinely is that the situation will most likely not change. The best recourse is to cut losses and start networking and looking for a new job.
The Harvard Business Review article noted that 48.6 million Americans or about 30% of the workforce are being bullied at work. Bullying has a significant impact not only psychologically, but physically, socially, economically and even organizationally, such as lost productivity, increased healthcare costs and turnover and replacement costs.
-Confronting the bully – It’s natural to think you should do this, but usually it doesn’t work and the bully has the power of surprise.
-Tell the bully’s boss – This person will not stop it because they likely know about the bully and condone or ignore the behavior, or they may be afraid of the bully.
-Tell Human Resources – HR is a management support function and not in a role to advocate. Even if a well-meaning HR person wanted to help, they usually do not have the clout to affect behavior, especially with higher-level managers. The Workplace Bullying Institute advises to tell HR last.
How to Take Action –
-Don’t delay action from paralysis, shame, hoping the bully will stop, or waiting until an investigation by HR or a law firm is over which can take months. Cut losses and start the healing process.
-Recognize and name the bullying early. Listen to your gut and perspectives of friends and family.
-Spend time quality time with people who can validate who you were before the bullying to help you counter shame.
-Find a mental health professional with expertise in trauma.
-Document specific situations, dates, places and who was present. Ask colleagues “Did you hear that?” Asking “Has it ever happened to you?” can help break the silence.
-Connect with an attorney to explore legal options. This can be difficult in that bullying is not illegal, but sometimes is connected to discrimination issues.
-If you want to go public, do so with the highest ranking neutral upper-level manager. Assemble cost data to show a business reason to address bullying. Rehearse and focus on facts, not emotions.
-Be prepared to be fired for speaking out. Keep contacts and projects organized and accessible at home as permitted since terminations for employees are often immediate.
-Begin networking and looking for another job to be happier and healthier.
The Workplace Bullying Institute has a plethora or resources for organizations wishing to prevent and intervene with bullying behavior and training for professionals of all backgrounds including in the mental health, HR, legal, and education fields.
The Workplace Bullying Institute has a special comprehensive section called Help for Bullied People, with sections including:
Recognition
Workplace Bullying Defined
What Bullying Is Not
Why It Happens
Bullying Types and Tactics
Targets, the Best Among Us
About Your Perplexing Coworkers
Selecting a Therapist
Checking Legal Options
Living After Bullying
I hope these insights help many people whether you are being bullied, know a victim, or can help someone personally or professionally who is being bullied.
Since the message that most resonated is that the bully will not change, please know I am here to help with action steps of networking and looking for a new job.
https://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Bullying-Yan-Krukov-Pexels-Free-banner-version.jpeg193350Karen Litzingerhttps://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Litinger-career-logo-2.pngKaren Litzinger2022-12-15 10:40:432022-12-15 11:20:33Bullied in the Workplace? Here’s Help!
(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Article/Litzinger Interview, September 25, 2022, by Hannah Qu)
It’s one of those times when you feel like your work is going nowhere, your boss is harsh and unapproachable, and your colleagues are aloof. You are thinking about quitting your job as many people have in the past year.
But wait. Are you and your job really a bad fit, or are you just having a bad day?
A McKinsey report in fall 2021 showed that 40% of people at the workplace were at least somewhat likely to quit their jobs in the next three to six months, with 18% of those respondents likely to almost certain to make the move. The findings were consistent across five countries surveyed — Australia, Canada, Singapore, the U.K. and the U.S.
The top 10 reasons for leaving were:
lack of career development and advancement;
inadequate total compensation;
uncaring and uninspiring leaders;
lack of meaningful work;
unsustainable expectations;
unreliable and unsupportive people at work;
lack of flexibility;
lack of support for health and well-being;
non-inclusive environment;
geographic ties and travel demands;
unsafe workplace environments; and
inadequate resource availability.
And with the pandemic giving many people a new lens with which to view their lives, many have been reconsidering what they want.
“The Great Resignation or the group shuffling has been all about people reevaluating their lives,” said Karen Litzinger, a Pittsburgh-based certified career counselor and author of “Help Wanted: An A to Z Guide to Cope with the Ups and Downs of the Job Search.”
“I’m seeing a lot of people who said they thought about a career change, or they were unhappy for five to 10 years, and then the pandemic is really causing them to want to take some action.”
Lately, that action for many has been to tell the boss goodbye. Data released by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed 4.3 million Americans quitting their jobs in May.
But is that the right move for everyone?
Ms. Litzinger said she encourages people to consider how big of a change to make when they are unhappy with their current job: Is it the career field, the specific employer, the industry, or something in themselves that is making them unhappy? She also suggests looking into whether their interests, their skills, their personality and their values fit their job.
“I try to help them evaluate why they are unhappy. Whether it’s this specific employer, and maybe it is the supervisor — they are being rigid and won’t allow remote working, or the hours aren’t good — that might mean a job change,” Ms. Litzinger said.
“Sometimes it’s an industry change: They really don’t care about the industry, and they could apply their skills in something that they cared more about.”
For those who decide to change their career, she said the first thing is to be as sure as possible about the change before they make it.
“Ways to reduce the risk would be related to looking at themselves … and then also to look to see what’s out there,” Ms. Litzinger said. “It might be reading about careers from a real career information site or LinkedIn with your job vacancies, narrowing it down to two or three top careers and talk to two or three people in these careers.”
She emphasized that networking is important. It not only increases the chance of getting the job, but also those people in an applicant’s network could also potentially know more about the employer and help workers avoid once again landing on a job that they don’t like.
As for people who decide to stay with their current job, she advised implementing more self-care and coping strategies and considering looking for internal transfer or a promotion.
“What can I do differently if I’m choosing to be here? And what can I do differently in terms of my response to the situation?”
https://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Resignation-free-to-share-yes-flickr.jpg6751008Karen Litzingerhttps://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Litinger-career-logo-2.pngKaren Litzinger2022-11-01 21:50:552022-11-01 22:44:01Is the job a bad fit, or is it a bad day?
The recent death of Barbara Ehrenreich, author of the New York Times best seller Nickel and Dimed, reminded me of wanting to write about a neighbor who worked at the local Giant Eagle grocery store as a cashier. I meant to share this years ago. It’s a simple, yet complex story. It’s a story of class and the American Dream.
I was buying some last-minute supplies for our neighborhood’s annual block party celebrating National Night Out. In my welcoming manner, I invited and likely encouraged this neighbor that I didn’t know so well who was bagging my groceries to come to the event. She replied that she couldn’t make it since she was working her second job that evening.
Something about her comment jarred me. I felt sad that she needed to work two jobs. I’m figuring it was to make ends meet, but it could have been for another reason. I felt a bit embarrassed that I’m into this little neighborhood event and she had more pressing ways to spend her time. I felt a class difference that made me feel uncomfortable. Right, and she was bagging my groceries! Being able to earn a living working one job afforded me the privilege to organize and attend a community event.
I had a flashback to Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America. In 1998 she went “undercover” to experience the life of working minimum wage jobs, fully immersed living off of that income, I believe for a year. With millions living in poverty, she was inspired to see if the promise of welfare reform was real, that any job can enable a better life. It was clear that in order to have a roof over her head and food on the table, the $6.00 minimum wage required having two jobs. It is a compelling, classic work that I think is still relevant today. How interesting that she died three days before Labor Day.
Even though wages are going up, partly thanks to the pandemic, they are not keeping pace with inflation. Working two jobs often doesn’t afford the privilege of community activities, school involvement, and children’s extracurricular activities. Wouldn’t we all be better off if this were more possible?
People are sometimes needing to be in two jobs to make ends meet through no fault of their own. Reasons might be parents couldn’t afford post-high school education, divorce, unexpected health costs, and so much more. Personally I think people who work two jobs are most likely hard workers.
It’s hard for me to write this article about class and not mention race, partially because I am just finishing the book Waking Up White and Finding the Story of Race, by Debby Irving. I want everyone to read this book, oops I mean white people! Email me, and I will buy you a copy! It’s had that much impact on me. This topic may be another article, but I wanted to mention it. No, my grocery store neighbor was not a person of color. Yes, I believe there are so many more unseen and historic barriers to the American Dream for people of color from our 400+ year history of racism.
https://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Nickel-and-Dimed-banner.jpg242328Karen Litzingerhttps://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Litinger-career-logo-2.pngKaren Litzinger2022-09-21 18:44:032022-09-21 21:20:36Making a Living – A Personal Story of Class
My speeding ticket message last month of slowing down continued when I smashed three toes into the base of my desk chair rushing to a Zoom appointment. My national morning meditation message two days later really resonated: She Let Go, a poem by Reverend Safire Rose. Whether letting go of pushing (as in my case), letting go of a lovely season like summer, or letting go of resentments at work or from job loss, it can be a challenge. Letting go is what can create space for the future, for better things to happen, for new attitudes and behaviors.
Naturally my book, Help Wanted: An A to Z Guide to Cope with the Ups and Downs of the Job Search, has a reading on Letting Go. I invite you to share it (below) with a job seeker you may know, and also to take in the last two paragraphs for your personal life. I was delighted to receive a note this week from a speaker colleague, Dave Jakielo, who wrote “I realized your advice just isn’t for folks searching for a job, it can be for numerous situations in life.”
May you find the inspiration you need for your challenges, and when needed….let go.
Letting Go Excerpt from Help Wanted
We can get stuck in negative emotions during the search. Letting go gives a path forward. Sometimes a job transition is not your choice. You may have been “let go.” Sometimes we’re currently employed but in a poor career fit or toxic environment. Sometimes we feel treated unfairly in the job search process. It is natural to feel a range of emotions, including anger, frustration, and bitterness.
Feeling and expressing emotions in a healthy way is helpful and possibly even necessary to moving forward. Punch a pillow, write in a journal, hammer nails, see a counselor. Do whatever works for you. Moving through and letting go of negative emotions can lead to more acceptance and make room for hope and opportunity. Forgiving someone is more about helping you than the perceived offender.
If we do not let go of past hurts, they can subtly seep out as negative energy in networking meetings and job interviews despite our thinking we are projecting our best self.
Affirmation:I let go of past hurts so I can move forward authentically.
“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.”
After getting a speeding ticket today, I was inspired to write about TIME. Ironically, I was rushing to get to a massage appointment. Dovetailing, I am including the Time excerpt from my book, Help Wanted: An A to Z Guide to Cope with the Ups and Downs for the Job Search. Over 80% of the Time reading applies to everyday life, not just the job search, so I hope you’ll read on.
I have a complicated relationship with time. Mostly I underestimate the time it takes to do something or try to get just one more thing done before leaving. I’ve even drafted in my head how this would be the answer to my “What are your weaknesses?” question, with well-crafted examples of self-talk about how I am self-aware and have made progress. I often joke that if there was a Time Disorder in the DSM mental health directory, I would have it.
So in these “lazy days of summer,” are you allowing yourself some time to slow down, relax, rejuvenate, reflect, enjoy the ride? A nice touchstone are lyrics from a favorite James Taylor song of mine, Secret O’ Life.
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time
Any fool can do it. There ain’t nothing to it.
Einstein said he could never understand it all.
Planets spinning through space, the smile upon your face, welcome to the human race.
And if it’s time for your or a loved one to explore greater career happiness, I’d be happy to help, More info here.
TIME
Excerpt from my book, Help Wanted: An A to Z Guide to Cope with the Ups and Downs of the Job Search
Available through on-line and brick and mortar bookstores everywhere. Signed copy via my website.
Time can drag when you are waiting to hear from an employer. Time can feel like it’s running out when you’ve been in the job search process for a while, facing impending financial pressures. Some days fly by productively, and some languish in misery.
We try to control time by all manner of goal-setting and time management techniques. While some strategy is important in the search for productivity, pause to reflect on the bigger picture. Allow yourself time for family, friends, and self-care. A layoff may even be a gift of time for things more important than work. You may have heard it said that on one’s deathbed, we don’t say we wish we spent more time with work.
Looking at the past brings regret and looking at the future brings worry. The only time that is real is the present moment. Accept it. Make the most of it. Be fully present whether with friends or family or in your job search. Take a breath and trust your time will come.
Affirmation:I accept the present moment and will make the most of it
Bonus inspiration: The quote on featured picture of my dining room clock.
When I spoke at the Maryland Career Development Association annual conference last month, I enjoyed a keynote address from the president of the National Career Development Association, Sharon Givens. Among other fascinating trends and facts, she shared these about automation:
47% of US employment is at high risk of automation in the next decade or two (Oxford Martin School)
Roughly 50% of work activities are automatable using current technology (McKinsey Global Institute)
In 2022 AI will eliminate 75 million jobs (World Economic Forum)
Over the next few decades approximately 25% of US employment will have experienced high exposure to automation (Brookings Institute)
Then the coolest thing was her introducing a website where you could look up your job to see the chances of a robot taking your job!
To see the future of your job click below to go to:
https://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/robot-horizontal-universetoday-1.jpg186330Karen Litzingerhttps://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Litinger-career-logo-2.pngKaren Litzinger2022-05-25 22:00:582022-05-25 22:19:35Will a Robot Take Your Job?
I was thrilled to be the sole expert interviewed for an article by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for their March 20, 2022 Spring Education Guide. Reporter Vanessa Orr wrote the extensive piece, Career Counseling Can Help Students Make Grounded Choices. I hope you can share the article (below and linked) with parents of any high school students. I offer a short four-session High School Advising Package to help with choices for education paths at all levels, including apprenticeships as well as the gap year choice. Sophomore year is the ideal time.
March 20, 2022
Imagine spending thousands of dollars on a college education and then realizing that the career field you majored in wasn’t really what you wanted to do. It happens all the time, and not only is it a waste of money to pursue the wrong degree, but if you have to go back to school, it can cost you a lot more time in the long run.
Finding out a student’s interests, as well as what they’re good at, is one of the goals of career coaching.
“Students and parents are often so focused on choosing a college and picking a major that they’re not always looking at the big picture,” explains Karen Litzinger, MA, LPC, of Litzinger Career Consulting. “Are they making a grounded choice, and what careers connect to it?
“Rarely do high school students undergo a comprehensive personalized career assessment, which involves first looking at yourself in terms of four things—interests, skills, values and personality,” she continues. “The other half is exploring what’s out there in terms of majors and careers.”
Considering that the U.S. Department of Education reports that roughly one-third of students in bachelor’s degree programs and 28 percent of those in associate’s degree programs change majors within three years of enrolling, it’s important that students have a good handle on what they want out of an education. About 1 in 10 students change majors more than once.
“This is an indication that students are not making the best or most grounded decisions,” says Litzinger. “Ideally, they should network with people in a few fields of interest or job shadow or volunteer to test out a career before making that decision.
This is especially important when considering how much it costs to go to college.
“People graduate with tens of thousands of dollars in debt—it’s a national crisis and it definitely limits what one can do in terms of career choices,” says Litzinger. “This type of debt also impacts things like the ability to buy a house or to get married.”
Litzinger advises the students that she coaches to be open to a wide range of options.
“For decades, people viewed college as the only ticket to success, but now society is starting to realize that there are high-paying, highly skilled jobs that can be very rewarding in the trades,” she says. “I always bring that up as part of the landscape because a bachelor’s degree isn’t for everybody.”
While some parents may feel the need to pressure students to make a decision, this may not be the right approach.
“Parents are just trying to help their sons or daughters as much as possible, and they are naturally concerned about their child’s future security,” says Litzinger. “But what works best is when a parent tries to really facilitate the process by recognizing the individuality of that child rather than their own views or experiences.
“Even well-meaning parents may find that they can run into emotional conflicts during this time, which is why they will often call a college or career counselor,” she adds.
While counseling is available in most schools, the reality is that the student-to-counselor ratio is very high, making it almost impossible for students to receive individualized help.
“With so many other things to do, including discipline and scheduling, school counselor may focus more on students just getting into college rather than clarifying goals, or asking how and why a student chose something,” said Litzinger.
“The goal is to not have them narrow their choices to one; whether looking at colleges or trade schools, they should always have at least two education angles in mind,” said Litzinger.
She emphasized the importance of working with students to determine their interests, skills, values and personality, and having them take part in career-researching assignments.
“This is a bigger decision than most people realize,” she added, noting that 63 percent of students seeking a bachelor’s degree now graduate within six years instead of four. “It’s important to invest in what needs to be done to make a grounded decision.”
“What did you do during your summer vacation” has been replaced by “How are you managing during the pandemic?” It’s hard to believe summer is about over. It flew by for me being busier than ever with so many people re-evaluating their jobs and seeking greater happiness: pandemic perspective-taking.
The photo featured is the “coffee shop” wall I created in one of my rooms where I could write my book since the coffee shop where I did most of my writing was closed. What did you create? What did you learn? What do you want to do differently in your life due to the pandemic? I invite you to take time to reflect.
Job seekers will need to answer the new interview questions: “How did you spend your time during the pandemic?” and “What did you learn during the pandemic.” I’d like to share some strategies on that as well as a couple links to remote working and “the great resignation”, two topics I was interviewed about by KDKA radio during the summer.
Remote Working: The work landscape has changed forever. Interestingly workers have different needs. In the Microsoft 2021 Work Trend Index, 73% of employees want remote work options to stay, and 67% of employees want more in-person work or collaboration. Hybrid it is!
The Great Resignation: What has also been referred to as the Turnover Tsunami is underway. Early research was done by Prudential Financial which found that 26% of workers planned to start interviewing once the pandemic subsided, higher for Gen X’ers at 34%.Of the job changers, 72% said the pandemic caused them to rethink their skill sets. A later Microsoft survey found that 41% of workers globally were planning to quit their job. CLICK HERE for a nice summary of trends.
The New Interview Questions: Even though employers may be more forgiving of long-term unemployment during the pandemic, others will wonder if you just decided to enjoy the summer due to added government benefits. It’s not too late to take some action to have an answer to the question, “What did you do during the pandemic?” In addition to mentioning specific health concerns or caretaking responsibilities, it is legitimate to say: “I decided to take some time to re-evaluate my career choice including career counseling/career research/networking/volunteering, and it helped me to clarify my goal of ______________ which is why I’m so pleased to be interviewing with you today.” Better yet, “During the pandemic, I decided to use some time to build my skills, including taking on-line courses in ____ and ____. Doing so confirmed my career interest in _____ and I know these new skills will be an asset to your company.
There is still time to do something that you can use for this interview answer! Plus now is still a good time for career counseling to re-evaluate and gain greater happiness.
Chart data source: George Anders Workforce Insights Newsletter
The pandemic has caused many to reflect on what is important in life, including work choices. Perhaps you or someone you know is wondering about how to make a difference in the world. Green jobs are one path. We’re not talking just science geeks anymore, though Energy Analyst job postings increased a whopping 88% in 2020. Sales Specialists in green industries also had a huge increase, by 62% last year. In recognition of Earth Day month, I’m featuring recent LinkedIn data on green jobs and green skills. The data is simply a snapshot of what is going on, not outlook predictions. For this, naturally the US Department of Labor is the go-to source, but it features only traditional green jobs, such as Solar Voltaric Installers growing by 50.5% in the 2019-2029 period.
LinkedIn conducted an analysis of thousands of postings in 2020 related to green-economy skills. The jobs were classified as either traditional green jobs or non-traditional green jobs. The results showed that there were 2.6 non-traditional green job postings for every traditional green job.
A March 2021 article inGreenBiz featured LinkedIn’s chief Economist, Karin Kimbrough. She shared, “We identified about 800 ‘core’ green skills and more than 300 green-related skills across 12 categories.” The fastest growing green skills are in ecosystem management, environmental policy and sustainable procurement.
Some examples cited of trends in skills growth among less traditional “green” areas include:
In environmental finance, sustainable investment is increasingly being reported by investment analysts and portfolio managers.
In pollution prevention, knowledge of sustainable fashion is increasingly popular among designers, stylists, and sales staff.
Keep in mind that an increase in self-reporting of green skills may indicate candidate interest as much as job requirements or growth. The most trusted source for job outlook is the U.S. Department of Labor; however, the focus of green job reporting is on traditional science-related jobs.
In the April 21, 2021 Department of Labor blogpost, Green Jobs with the Most Projected Openings, 2019-2029, here are the nine highlighted jobs, four with faster than average growth:
Environmental scientists and specialists
Chemists
Hazardous materials removal workers
Environmental science and protection technicians
Environmental Engineers
Geoscientists
Biochemists and biophysicists
Solar photovoltaic installers
Conservation Scientists
Click here to link to the article which contains salary and outlook information as well as links to career descriptions.
Click here for a link I like that includes a few sustainability careers without technical requirements, including:
Ecotourism Guide
Environmental Public Relations Specialist
Zoning Technician
There are green job opportunities at all education and income levels. Remember that besides outlook, grounded career decision-making also includes looking at interests, skills, values and personality traits. Career counseling can help a person explore and sort through the wide range of options to make a difference in the greening world!
Photo by permission of Pexels by Arthur Ogleznev – 1296265
https://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Green-Jobs-pexels-arthur-ogleznev-1296265-cropped-icontact-this-one-scaled.jpg18772560Karen Litzingerhttps://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Litinger-career-logo-2.pngKaren Litzinger2021-04-28 11:15:132021-04-28 11:16:38Green Jobs: Hot Jobs for a Cooler Climate
LinkedIn published a special Jobs on the Rise report in January 2021 analyzing job listings between April and October 2020 since the economy has changed so much due to the pandemic. LinkedIn tracked the growth in listings for over 15,000 job titles to identify the ones that increased the most in 2020 compared with 2019. The titles were then grouped into 15 major career areas.
Fulfillment/E-Commerce
Loans & Mortgages
Healthcare Support
Business Development/Sales
Workplace Diversity
Digital Marketing
Nursing
Education
Digital Content
Personal and Professional Coaching
Software
Mental Health
User Experience
Data Science
Artificial Intelligence
The data includes related job titles, outlook, earnings and likelihood of remote options.
“Today we acknowledge the shadows, but we lean into the light.” This quote by Carrie Newcomer from Saturday’s Daily Good newsletter spoke to me in the aftermath of the traumatic events of January 6. Regardless of political leanings, I think her article can be relevant to many. This article spoke to me about hope and on the balance of taking action at the societal and personal levels for healing.
A Speed of Soul Encouragement – Acknowledging Grief, Claiming Love, Remembering Radiance
Carrie Newcomer, Artist/Musician, originally posted in www.DailyGood.org, January 9, 2021
In the wake of January 6th many of us are wrestling with grief, dismay, anger, racial double standard and discouragement. So today I acknowledge what is hard as stone. Lets not candy coat anything. But let us also claim that there is a stronger force, a deeper truth and a wide and active community of good hearted, decent people. Let us remind one another of all the fine and honorable people in our own lives. Let us remind ourselves of how many people got up this morning and continue to make the world a kinder place, one day, one person, three feet around them.
Yesterday I wrote my legislators, and encourage others to claim agency and let their voices be hear. But I also encourage digging into what makes your life good. Howard Thurman wrote that “hope is the remembrance of radiance, the assurance that Light will be Light, even when walking in dark places.” I am gathering to myself that remembrance of radiance, the assurance that even in the aftermath of viewing the forces of shadow close up, goodness is still goodness, Light is still Light, and hope is still here and has not been hemmed in. I wrote my legislators, but I also texted a few dear friends to tell them I care, and to express that I am grateful for their presence in my life and in the world.
My encouragement today is to claim agency and to claim love. Text, zoom, call or somehow connect with someone who you think of as a treasure in your life, someone that illuminates your life, who reminds you of the power of love and the remembrance of radiance. Reach out and affirm what keeps saving us – goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gratitude, generosity, hospitality, justice and love…always love. Lay your hand on your heart and know that you also illuminate the lives of others around you. You are also doing what you can each day, in your own way, to make the world around you a kinder place.
Today we acknowledge the shadows, but we lean into the light.
https://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/pexels-anas-hinde-4300715-crop-free-scaled.jpg16842560Karen Litzingerhttps://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Litinger-career-logo-2.pngKaren Litzinger2021-01-12 17:33:522021-01-12 17:38:28After January 6, 2020 Trauma: Grief and Love
In light of the January 6 events and the upcoming inauguration, I am sharing “A Prayer for America” that I believe can speak to most political and spiritual leanings. It is from the 1994 book, Illuminata, by Marianne Williamson.
Dear God, We join in prayer to celebrate this nation and surrender its destiny to You. We give thanks for the founding of this country. We give thanks for and bless the souls of those who came before us to found this nation, to nurture and save it. We ask that God’s spirit now fill our hearts with righteousness. May we play our parts in the healing and the furtherance of our country. May we be cleansed of all destructive thoughts. May judgment of others, bigotry, racism, and intolerance be washed clean from our hearts. May our minds be filled with the thoughts of God. His unconditional love and His acceptance of all people. May this nation be forgiven its transgressions against the African-American, the Native American, the nation of Vietnam, our men and women who should not have suffered or died or there, and any all others. Please bless their souls. May we learn from our mistakes, that the people who have died from them shall not have died in vain. May our lives be turned into instruments of resurrection, that the sins of our fathers might be reversed through us. May the beauty and the greatness of this land burst furth once more in the hearts of its people. May the dreams of our forefathers be realized in us, that we might live in honesty and integrity and excellence with our neighbors. May this country once again become a light unto the nations of hope and goodness and peace and freedom. May violence and darkness be cast out of our midst. May hatred no longer find fertile ground in which to grow here. May all of us feel God’s grace upon us. Reignite, dear God, the spirit of truth in our hearts. May our nations be given a new light, the sacred fire that once shone so bright from shore to shore. May we be repaired. May we be forgiven. May our children be blessed. May we be renewed. Dear God, please bless America. Amen.
1994 from Illuminata by Marianne Williamson
Free image credit: By Harley Pebley – Flickr: Prayer for USA, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32754317
https://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Flag-prayer-free-Creative-commons-By-Harley-Pebley-Flickr-Prayer-for-USA.jpg6541022Karen Litzingerhttps://karenscareercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Litinger-career-logo-2.pngKaren Litzinger2021-01-12 16:48:122021-01-12 16:49:15A Prayer for America
Gone are the office parties and social festive gatherings of yesteryear, at least for this season! Maybe you’ve already cringed at seeing the word networking in the title? Whether you are in a career transition or not, remember it is always good to stay in touch with friends, family and past colleagues. You may one day want to ask a question like “Do you know anyone in the ___________ field/industry?”
The pandemic is a perfect opportunity to get back in touch with people from the past. Many people were reaching out in the spring with a “Thinking of you. How are you?” message. So many of my clients regularly share how they have lost touch with people from long ago and feel awkward about reaching out. Now is a good time for a holiday greeting of caring and connection. If you are exploring a career shift or in the midst of the job search, keep it light and relationship-oriented. You can always follow-up in January.
It doesn’t matter that much whether it’s via Facebook, LinkedIn, email, phone call, text or a nice old-fashioned holiday card.
You might share something like:
“I know I’ve not been in touch for quite a while, but the pandemic got me thinking that I wanted to reach out and share a holiday hello. I hope you and your loved ones are managing well enough during these trying times. (Can share a bit about yourself.) I look forward to hearing how you’re doing and maybe catching up a bit. Best wishes for a safe, healthy and meaningful holiday season.”
Don’t miss this unique time to reach out and touch someone! Figuratively, of course!
