This article was published in NCDA's May 2017 issue of Career Convergence. Career Day is a great way to introduce different occupations to middle school students, but it doesn’t have to start and end there. Allowing for a more comprehensive approach where students take an active role in the career exploration process is more effective. It keeps students more engaged and committed. Incorporating an approach with resources such as those outlined below will best help students explore various caree…

This revised article was published in the NCDA's November 2016 Issue of Career Convergence. Perseverance highlights the career traits needed for overcoming obstacles. Olympians are great examples of perseverance because they consistently demonstrate persistence, focus and the ability to overcome challenges. Take Michael Phelps for instance. When he was young, he was scared to put his face in the water. He started swimming because his older sisters swam, and he realized it was a good outlet for h…

Recently, I consulted with a financial advisory team on improving communication among its team members. The high performing group of four excelled in client relationships and growing their business but was less productive completing daily tasks in the office. One of the newer employees struggled with getting questions answered and deciphering urgent vs. non-urgent work. This frustrated the two advisors who felt supportive roles needed to problem solve on their own. They also wanted uninterrupted…