Here’s a link to an article about what kind of salary one could expect to make as a blogger and/or a Web 2.0 consultant. @MarshallK conducted this research in his “ReadWriteWeb” blog last week. The information may be a bit anecdotal, as the survey group was limited, but this kind of information really isn’t showing up anywhere else at this point. If you love writing, this may be the career position for YOU!
How do people in your profession establish credibility? Years of experience? Higher education? Professionalism? Knowledge of your industry? All of the above?
What “tickets” do professionals in your field need to “get punched” in order to be counted in the upper echelon of your field? Accountants sit for the CPA or CMA exam. Lawyers have to pass the Bar Exam for the state(s) in which they practice law. Project Managers can get a PMP certification. Human Resource managers can go for the PHR, SPHR, or GPRH. For some professions these certifications are required. In other fields they are a way of gaining status. Sometimes these certifications require education and a certain number of years in practice. Others can be achieved straight out of college or grad school. Do you know the certification requirements and opportunities for your profession?
Many professions REQUIRE continuing education or advanced certification of their members. Professional certification is a great way to keep up on the changes happening in your field. It’s a way to learn more about what’s happening in your industry or profession, and a it’s also a GREAT way to distinguish yourself from others who do the same thing you do.
You should note that there is a difference between certification and certificates. Many universities have certificate programs for anyone who wants to enroll. They provide a certain level of knowledge about a profession, and they sometimes will help prepare students for taking the certification exams. Certification, on the other hand, is usually provided by the profession itself. Certification is often a more rigorous process and is more widely recognized among the members of the profession granting certification.
If you want to advance your career, look into obtaining a professional certification.
Every company these days has a website. They are as necessary as an ad in the Yellow Pages once was. You can learn a lot about a company from its website:
The website is where you would send someone to learn about your company. For many businesses it is also a place clients can go to make purchase, get assistance, and learn more about the products and/or services the company offers. Websites are used for marketing, public relations, customer service, sales and technical support.When is the last time you read your company’s website? If it has been a while, what are you missing? I am frequently surprised by the information that people inside the company DON’ know that can be found on the company website.
Keeping up on your company by reading the website (or the company blog) is a good way to improve your career.
A friend sent me the link below with the comment, “this is fantastic! Happy Holidays.” I want to add, “This is what can happen when a highly skilled, creative team adds a little innovation to a “classic.”
I encourage your to think about how you (and your team) could improve on some aspect of your work?
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=2Fe11OlMiz8& feature=related
Oh . . . and Happy Holidays to you!
Here are a few more GREAT resources for finding jobs or changing careers in Portland:
