Could Luke Skywalker harness his abilities without Yoda’s wisdom? Would the Banks family learn the importance of family without Mary Poppins? There are no shortage of mentor-mentee relationships in cinema. In these examples, the mentors provide insight to bring out the best in the mentees. Similarly, we can leverage the advantages of mentorships to get ahead and avoidRead… Read more »
Let’s face it. Most of us are no strangers to the challenge of having too much to do and too little time. But what about when you’re not all that busy? On those rare but inevitable occasions in which you’re able to take a breather at work, here are five ways to use that preciousRead… Read more »
I recently had the distinct pleasure of interviewing one of my favorite public servants, the Director of the Division of Community Service and Nonprofit Support at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Sherry Middleton. With over 32 years of experience in public service through both government and nonprofit work, Sherry is a respected, influential, andRead… Read more »
Pro bono consulting –the delivery of professional services undertaken voluntarily– is a great way to enhance your professional skills while doing public service for your community. According to the Taproot Foundation, one of the larger organizations in this space: “Most organizations tackling social problems don’t have access to the marketing, design, technology, management or strategicRead… Read more »
Today’s federal employee may seek a work life balance, solid wages and a great path forward in their chosen field. It is truly a gift to work with a group of highly trained professionals with a focus on a common goal. It also helps to identify your personal career goals so that the path forwardRead… Read more »
The University of South Florida published a 2011 study in 2011 highlighting work productivity. On average, Americans get 14 days of vacation but use about 10. Those unused days over 5 years is equivalent to a work month. Work productivity impacts us all. As civil servants, we are a customer-focused team. To be transparent, IRead… Read more »
Panicking because you haven’t found a fall internship/job yet? Don’t worry. No matter what the season, you’re not alone. Plenty of young people have been in your boat before, myself included, and while it’s always better to start early, there’s still hope for those who waited to apply at the last minute. Whether you’re applyingRead… Read more »
We’ve all been there: the interminable meeting. The second hand on the clock quickly eclipses the minute hand; the minute hand painstakingly defies logic and stands still. Conversation circles around the nebulous “point” of the meeting. Eyes turn to phones with less and less discretion as time ticks by. Action items are recorded but neverRead… Read more »
Do you have the new job jitters? That anticipation period between getting the offer and starting a new job can be nerve wracking. While it’s important to use this time for things like relaxing and taking a well-needed break (particularly if you’re transitioning from one job to another, or have been pounding the pavement forRead… Read more »
As an awesome professional lady, you’ve probably heard that you need to negotiate your salary (yes, even in government). You’ve probably heard this about a thousand times. But has anyone stopped to explain how to negotiate a salary? Maybe not. In fact, at a recent team meeting, all five women in my group admitted thatRead… Read more »