Season 2 of the podcast is back in full effect. We’re kicking off the season with Dr. Rae Pearson, CEO/President and Alisa Pearson, COO/General Counsel of Alpha Rae Personnel. Alpha Rae is a leading national staffing and training company. We are happy to have them in The Career Salon with the HR Twins!
Please join us as we welcome Sarah Greenwell into The Career Salon. Sarah is the owner of Her Move, a boutique recruitment firm with a primary focus on promoting women in the workplace. Sarah also coaches and develops women to reach their career goals. Sarah has been in corporate recruiting since 2006, most recently as the Director of Talent Acquisition for Bullhorn, the leading SaaS solution for the staffing industry. Sarah and her husband are the previous owners of green well Organic Tea & Coffee and green well BEING health coaching in New Haven, CT. As a career in-house Recruiter and female business owner, Sarah is passionate about contributing to the impact women make in the companies that shape our world. We’re excited to have Sarah in the salon to hear her amazing story and most importantly, why she is uncomfortable cooking bacon! You can reach Sarah by email at info@makinghermove.com or @makinghermove on Instagram.
In this episode we chat with Rochonda Woodard, a successful Healthcare Consultant, Philanthropist, and Entrepreneur about her career in healthcare, opinions on various work topics, and a little trap music! Join us as we shake off our corporate personas for a minute and just relax in The Career Salon. Rochonda can be reached at www.lifebrandfactory.com and @rrene on Twitter and Instagram.
Music courtesy of @mylesaheadmusic
I look forward to days like this where I can highlight and share such wonderful and inspiring people. Joining us in the salon today is Lakika “Shay” Scott, a Compliance Executive and a Designer. As a business professional and creative, she is determined to incorporate her skill set and professional experiences into future business endeavors. In 2014, Lakika created her own brand of socks and accessories called, Shoobangz. During which she’s also managed to maintain leadership positions in the corporate world. Lakika has showcased her designs in various fashion shows and participated as a vendor in small business showcases. Most notably, Lakika was able to participate as a volunteer in Nashville Fashion Week. This experience showed her two things; forecasting fashion is a must and the fashion business is extremely competitive and as tough as it comes! Lakika considers herself to be a student of fashion in the sense that she’s committed the past few years, gaining experience in almost every aspect of the fashion industry. As an artist/creative/designer, her personal style reflects her unique personality, but more importantly embodies individualism. Let’s learn a little more about this corporate and style leader.
Experience:
What is your current occupation and how long have you been in your career?
I am a Contractor Compliance Specialist for the State of Tennessee’s Healthcare and Finance Administration. I have been in this role for almost three years. I am a part of a very small team that oversees the Service Center Contract for TennCare. I serve more specifically as a Liaison between business units, because of my ability to build and endure business relationships. I also ensure the Contractor remains compliant per the contractual agreement on behalf of the State of Tennessee. All the while, I am a designer (Shoobangz) and a fashion student, as I am currently enrolled as a student at the Sewing Training Academy (Nashville, TN) to learn more apparel design techniques.
Education:
Where did your style originate and who or what are some of your influences?
My very unique, but chic style originates from my love of the arts. I was an artist long before I was interested in fashion. As an artist, I love the use of color which can be used to express moods and movement. So, years ago when my friend finally convinced me to wear heels, I was immediately drawn to brands like Dollhouse (shoes) and Betsy Johnson style apparel, because of their vibrant colors and funky style. I’ve since evolved and become inspired by the sophisticated style of artist/actress, Janelle Monae.
References:
Who are some of your favorite designers? What stores do you prefer to shop?
My favorite apparel designer is Christian Siriano, known for his intricately designed red carpet dresses. His attention to detail and flare is impeccable and inspiring. I am inspired by shoe designers, Manolo Blahnik and newcomer Christopher Coy. This may come as a surprise, but I am an avid thrift store shopper. Small vintage boutiques are my newest interest and my loyalty currently belongs to Trendy Pieces Boutique downtown Murfreesboro.
Career, Beauty and Style:
Do you think personal style is important as it relates to your work? If so, how?
Personal style is an extremely important aspect of our lives, and work is no exception. We spend a significant time at work and although the enforcement of dress code policies may restrict some aspects of style, it doesn’t take away the ability to have style. There are currently too many cutting edge options in professional attire for one not to take advantage and find their style niche in the workplace.
How would you personally define the word beauty?
My definition of beauty is freedom of expression. Outer beauty is extremely subjective, but a confident woman, wearing whatever she wants, with a soul that radiates through her pores is undeniably beautiful. Whether she is wearing a bathrobe or a snow suit, she will shine and her outer garments become accessories.
If you had a dream career/occupation what would it be?
My dream career would be in Fashion Forecasting. I am fascinated with the unpredictability of fashion trends and I would love to be a part of the industry that determines and projects the next trend or style.
What’s the best advice you could give someone seeking a new career?
When seeking a new career, I would advise seeking positions with advancement and growth opportunities. We are all good at certain things, but we were all once beginners. We tend to seek positions that are comfortable and similar to our previous experiences. However, sometimes it is that unlikely role or position that grows and develops us. Years ago, I would’ve never imagined overseeing a project/contract. I had to be open to new things and understand the job market is continuously changing, so you must adapt and grow with it.
Quote that keeps you motivated:
My favorite quote:
“Bloom where you are planted”
Where to find Lakika:
Instagram/Shoobangz
Facebook/Shoobangz
We are absolutely thrilled to have a special guest in The Career Salon today! Dr. Kisha is here to share awesome insight on how the use of Microsoft Excel can improve your career. Dr. Kisha is obsessed with helping individuals grow their small business and professional careers. Her mission at She Knows Tech.io is to equip and empower individuals, especially women, with the skills to excel in business through software and technology training. She Knows Tech.io is a training company focusing on Excel data analysis, predictive analytics courses using IBM SPSS Modeler, mobile and website building courses, reviews and tutorials (Wix.com website builder). Dr. Kisha is an expert in business intelligence and analytics. She’s also an app developer (Homework Suite), 6 Sigma Black Belt (Caterpillar, Inc), and professor of information systems with 19 peer reviewed quality research publications.
Resume Not Getting Noticed Enough? You’re Probably Missing This
by Dr. Kisha
MS Excel might just be one of the most important software programs that is used in every industry today. This may be why so many employers are looking for employees who are highly skilled in using Excel. You can give your job prospects a boost by becoming an Excel Power User.
Whether you are looking for a brand-new job, or you want to work your way up the ladder- becoming proficient in MS Excel can boost your job prospects. From an employer’s viewpoint, especially in business, Excel is an essential computing tool and they want employees who are advanced in this tool.
>> Take this fun Excel Quiz to see where your Excel skills rank <<
You Can Do Just About Anything in Microsoft Excel
Excel has virtually no limits. Just consider some of the tasks it can do for you:
Resume Building
At the top of your resume, you want to highlight skillsets that will catch a recruiter’s eye. So instead of listing “Microsoft Office” You’d want to instead list specific functions such as “Microsoft Excel Pivot Tables” and “Microsoft Excel Solver”. Doing so will set you apart from other candidates and recruiters quickly recognize you know what you are talking about!
Excel is a diverse program, and more businesses are turning to use it as a primary tool for a variety of applications and functions. It’s vital for every professional to learn how to use Excel, and strong Excel skills can lead to greater job opportunities and promotions.
>> So start by Watching these 4 quick Excel tutorials and see how easy it is to learn Excel <<
To learn more, contact Dr. Kisha here.
Happy New Year!!! Glad to be back in the saddle again. I took a much needed break over the holidays and I’m back! While relaxing and catching up on movies, shows, and documentaries, I watched for the second time, OJ: Made in America. I remember vividly, the actual trial while in high school. One of the most prominent figures of that controversial trial was, Johnnie Cochran. This is not a post to share my specific opinion on the events of the crime, trial, or outcome. I want to specifically focus on the sound bite of Johnnie Cochran.
The most contentious part of the trial, was the famous closing statement of the defense namely, Johnnie. If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit…I remember it like it was yesterday. I want to take that statement out of the vile context of a criminal trial and use it for impact for what I’m about to say. It’s a new year AGAIN and most Americans are still unhappy with their work. How much time must you waste to pursue your passion and do the work that makes you happy and fulfilled?
I want to encourage all of you, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit,” Johnnie Cochran. Free yourself from the bondage of just collecting a paycheck. All of my posts to this point have been about how you can skillfully maneuver through your career and techniques on how to maximize your potential and achieve success. It doesn’t matter if you have goals or resolutions if you are not complimenting them with hard work and tenacity. If you don’t see yourself growing, becoming an adequate fit for the company culture, maintaining healthy relationships with clients (internal and external), etc. then it’s about time pursue other avenues. I’m all about making things work and being loyal but loyalty doesn’t stand a chance against a company’s bottom line, insatiably, or misguided leadership.
Typically, I’d have a few key takeaways for next steps. In this case, I just want you to be FREE. What are you going to do to create the path to your purpose and not just collect a paycheck?