A New Generation of Leaders.

As the baby boomers begin to retire and leave the workforce, the millennial generation is steadily beginning to be promoted in to supervisory and management positions. Although many workers with more seniority seem to think otherwise, this is a good thing!

In 2015 Millennials surpassed Generation X as the largest generation in the U.S. labor force. According to Pew Research Center, more than one-in-three American workers today are Millennials (adults ages 18 to 34). This milestone occurred in the first quarter of 2015, as the 53.5 million-strong millennial workforce has risen rapidly.

Millennials bring forth a new set of skills, values and expectations to the ever-growing workforce.  They are generally thought to be well educated and technologically savvy. Never before has there been a generation of workers that has grown in to their positions with as much access to knowledge and information as the millennial generation.

Even with the knowledge and skills, many members of the millennial generation still have major obstacles to overcome. The biggest issues facing Millennials being considered for a workplace promotion revolve around their possible lack of readiness for the position. Although many Millennials are believed to have the knowledge and expertise needed to do a good job, many senior workers still believe this new and upcoming generation lacks the skill sets needed to supervise and manage.

To better prepare Millennials for this upcoming challenge, we here at Bama At Work have decided to provide a few tips for our rising generation.

1. Attend Conferences

 Conferences allow you to network with influential people in your industry. They also provide an opportunity to learn more about the field you work in. Attend presentations that allow you to engage in topics that you may not be personally familiar with and allow you to learn from some of the brightest minds in your industry. Try to think of attending a conference as a small part of advancing the ultimate goal of your organization.

2. Continue Your Education

 Continuing your education not only benefits you, but also benefits your employer. People who upgrade their work skills and knowledge not only keep up with the latest technologies and business techniques, additional training helps you climb the corporate ladder and to realize additional career goals.

3. Get Certified

Once you learn your industry and become familiar with the “ins and outs” of your field, it is time for you to prove it. Certifications demonstrate expertise in specialized areas and provide assurance to employers that an employee has the skill set needed to perform the required duties. Certificate programs such as the Management Certificate Program for Supervisors at The University of Alabama help prepare individuals to take on a management role while developing an efficient leadership style. These types of certificate programs not only give you the leg up on your competition, but they also show employers that you are ready to advance in your career.

As Millennials take over the workforce, it is important that they be properly equipped to lead and grow. Through continuous learning and training, the millennial generation is bound to be one of the most successful generations the workforce has seen.

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Article by Kevin Lake, Communications Specialist for The University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies. Kevin also  currently serves as the Vice President of Communications for the Public Relations Council of Alabama West Alabama division.

OLLI: One for All

OLLI@UA’s new campaign, ”OLLI is for All,” hit the airwaves recently throughout west and central Alabama.  OLLI@UA has been spreading the message of the simple joy of leisure learning for nearly a decade.  Priority number one in 2015 is making sure that everyone is invited to the party. Inclusion is not limited to race and gender; OLLI wants everyone with a zeal for learning to consider joining.

“This campaign targets people from all walks of life,” says Tory Shumpert, sales and marketing manager for the Bryant Conference Center, which is the headquarters for OLLI@UA.  “It shows that OLLI has something for everyone.  Staff, board members, and volunteers work to ensure that everyone who inquires about joining feels welcomed. We want them to feel certain that OLLI is a great life choice. It’s a chance to keep learning far beyond school or careers.  After a lifetime of taking time for others, OLLI participants can now focus on learning for learning’s sake.”

Dr. Craig Edelbrock, dean of the College of Continuing Studies, is a staunch supporter of OLLI@UA.  When asked why he funded such an aggressive, far reaching campaign, he said, ”Lifelong learning is a big part of our college mission. It’s in everything we do at UA as we strive to be leaders.” Dean Edelbrock has also stated his desire to promote learning across the entire lifespan.

The campaign will be hard to miss. It can be seen or heard in newspapers, online, on the radio, on television and in printed publications.  Look carefully and you will even find t-shirts and window decals.  No expense or method was spared in getting the message to the masses. OLLI@UA is available, affordable, and easily accessible to thousands of Alabamians.  There is no prerequisite for joining. There are no tests or homework to complete to remain active.  Membership is $25 and all are welcome.  Don’t miss this opportunity to join OLLI@UA; there’s nothing stopping you! Visit our website for more information about OLLI and how to register for classes.

Article by Tory Shumpert, Sales and Marketing Manager for the Bryant Conference center and OLLI@UA.

7 Questions to ask Your Career Coach in Online Training.

We often see the term “coach” and think about athletics or using a trainer at the gym to help us fit into our summer clothes.  Yet we rarely think about a career coach to help guide us through our pursuit of a better life at work. Let’s face it: as jobseekers, we only have so much knowledge of how to polish our resumes, put the perfect cover letter together to get the attention of a hiring manager, and find different ways to network. This is why having an experienced career coach who focuses on your success will help so much once you finish your education or certification program.

Many schools or universities offer “career coaching” as a part of their enrollment processes, but what is a career coach exactly, and what should you be looking for in a coach?  The bottom line is a career coach should help you assess your professional situation with a good amount of honesty, curiosity, empathy and compassion. With the normal amount of anxiety that comes with the job search, your career coach should help you feel comfortable and inspire you to keep going. The largest part of a career coach’s job is to bring you out of your shell and help you understand that just submitting your resume to online job search engines will not give you the kind of return you want. Career coaching is extremely personal so make sure you do your research before you commit.

Here are a few questions you should ask during your research:

1. Just like with a sports coach, you want to know a career coach’s win/loss record. If you are talking to a school or university, ask what their career services statistics are and get them to show you the following: their student graduation rate, success in passing certification exams, and their career statistics. If you want to learn more, look up Gainful Employment Regulations.
2. Find out their career path. You want to make sure that the person who is coaching you had both coaching experience and real world experience as well.
3. Geographic location is another option for you to consider. Technology like Skype gives you the opportunity to choose a coach from anywhere in the world. This is your own preference so make sure you are comfortable with your choice.
4. Interview your top two or three picks. Ask about the following: fees, rates (they may vary from $50 to $300 per hour), how often you will meet, and for how long. Most coach-client relationships last from six months to a year.
5. Whether it is a school or a career coach, you need to ask what is included in his or her “experience.” It should include some of the following: goal setting, time management, study skills, and your motivation to advance.
6. If you are working with your school or university, then there are also a few important questions you should ask and have answered. Will they help you build a solid resume? If there are certification requirements involved, ask them how they can help you. Are there hands-on job experience opportunities they can help you with such as externships or internships? Will they teach you how to market yourself and network? Also, find out if they will set up mock interview sessions with you to prepare you for that job interview.
7. More than anything chemistry and connection with your coach should be top on your list. You will have to be comfortable with sharing intimate details of your life with your coach, so it’s important that you like and see him or her as an equal.

Bama At Work and our partner World Education.net will assign our students a dedicated career coach from Day 1 who will assist them with a success plan from training to a fulfilling career. We offer our graduates career development assistance up to 1 year after course completion to make sure they are on track to find that dream job!

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google + , LinkedIn or visit our website for more info and news about Professional Development, Online Training and how to improve your professional profile.

Article by Kelly Fuhlman, Director of Social Media  for World Education , and is personally involved in helping others make a better life for themselves through education. World Education is one of the main partner of The University of Alabama for Online Certificate Programs.

 

Why Coaching is Important to the Business World.

 

Since the 90s coaching has been gaining in popularity. Originally, executives hired their own coach to become even more successful. However, in recent years, coaching has become more widely known in all levels of management. Coaches are hired to assist with training employees to become more effective leaders, enhance their management skills, communication skills, and to improve conflict resolution abilities.

The coaching relationship is a collaborative relationship based upon mutual trust and respect. It focuses on what clients want in their career future and it is a very results-oriented process. The client is seen as whole, competent, and resourceful, not someone who has to be fixed or healed. The purpose of coaching is to empower clients to find their own answers, to deepen their self-awareness and their learning. This is accomplished through the process of what is called appreciative inquiry, or the coach asking thoughtful, open-ended questions. Through the power of the coaching relationship, clients create a vision of what they want; they explore options or increase their possibilities to resolve a particular situation. They then implement a plan to achieve their goals. One of the best benefits of coaching is that it provides an accountability partner. The client is responsible for setting the agenda for the coaching sessions, doing the work and taking the actions necessary to achieve wanted goals.

During this whole process, the coach provides support for the client and “holds on to” the client’s agenda. In some instances, the coach believes in the clients more than the clients believe in themselves. Another great benefit of coaching is that the coach listens deeply to the client. In this way, the client is empowered by the coach to have more confidence, value themselves more, and gain a new perspective on a situation. What I tell my clients is the old adage, “Two heads are better than one.” The power of the collaborative relationship assists clients in reaching their ultimate future goals, one step at a time

The International Coach Federation (ICF) has provided some recent statistics on the benefits of coaching. The ICF found that coaching brings a number of benefits. “Professional coaching maximizes potential, and therefore unlocks latent sources of productivity.” Persons surveyed stated that 70% experienced improved work performance, 61% improved business management, 57% improved time management, and 51% improved team effectiveness.

Individuals using a coach enjoy an 80% improvement in self-confidence, 73% have improved relationships, 72% have improved communication skills, and 67% have improved life/work balance. According to the ICF, the vast majority of companies say they have at least made their investment back (86%). Furthermore, 99% of people surveyed who hired a coach are somewhat or very satisfied with their experience. A total of 96% of people would repeat the process.

Bama At Work is proud to offer the  Workplace Coaching Academy, a program designed to maximize the potential of leaders to deliver results in a constantly changing workplace. In this program participants will learn to influence at greater levels within their organization through the use of coaching. For more information about the Workplace Coaching Academy, professional development and career improvement please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google + , LinkedIn or visit our website .

Article by Linda Levin, Professional Certified  Coach and instructor for the Workplace Coaching Academy at The University of Alabama, Bama At Work.  Linda works with with leaders, partners and groups to accomplish their professional and personal goals. Her years of experience have taught her that the key to lasting and authentic change lies in the relationship between core personal values and inherent strengths .

Happy Halloween!

There’s nothing spookier than a workforce in need of training…

Fear not, Bama At Work is here to help you and your organization meet all of your professional development goals!

There’s no need to be afraid of the competition when you have strong leadership, sharp skills and fine-tuned processes.  Our wide variety of certificate programs can help you meet your educational objectives, improve proficiency, and advance in your career.  They can even be customized and provided on-site for companies with specific needs.

Are you terrified of not meeting your CEU requirements? Our conferences are vast in scope and well-known for their rich content, atmosphere and networking opportunities.  If you’re frightened of starting a new career, our online programs are available for you to start anytime, anywhere, at your own pace.

 Experience hair-raising, spine-chilling success in every position and profession by taking advantage of what Bama At Work has to offer. Go ahead and give us a ring at 205-348-6222 or explore our website, if you dare! Happy Halloween!