This Is Not The Career I Ordered™ Blog
Savvy Professional Career Wisdom by Caroline Dowd-Higgins
This is Not the Career I Ordered is read by thousands of careerists around the globe. With savvy tools, inspiration, and resources, this timeless book empowers you to enjoy your career, and love your life!
How The Future Works
The pandemic turned the traditional nine-to-five workday on its head out of necessity. The 2-year (and counting) global case study in remote/hybrid work has irrevocably changed how many people want to work moving forward. With the Worker’s Market driving change, savvy organizations are rethinking the way we work long-term in the new digital-first workplace. My […]
ReCulture Your Workplace for Lasting Success and Satisfaction
The late leadership guru, Peter Drucker’s iconic quote, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast….” is visceral in an era when people are leaving companies in record numbers to seek work environments that honor their values and provide meaning and purpose. I had a great conversation with Melissa Daimler, Chief Learning Officer for Udemy on my Your […]
Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone
We are hard wired to seek comfort in patterns and habits which is why so many people struggle with change. The fear of change can even cause people to cling to an uncomfortable situation because it is one they know best. Most find comfort in a familiarity with location, people, thoughts, and actions but when […]
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on First
In the quest for sanity in life and career, I am amazed and impressed with working Moms (and Dads!) as well as those who take care of elderly parents in addition to their full-time careers. Whether you are an official caregiver or simply trying to nurture the relationships in your life, I challenge you to put […]
Positivity is Infectious But Not Always Easy
I’ve learned a lot from people in my life who have faced extreme adversity and still found the strength to be positive. While I strive to maintain a cup half full mentality, there are taxing times when I need some extra help to stay positive and upbeat. It’s so easy to go to the dark […]
Job Search Fatigue
I was recently featured in a CareerBuilder.com article written by Rachel Farrell discussing job search fatigue. The reality is that job searching is a full-time endeavor and can be frustrating and mentally exhausting, especially when it drags on for an extended period of time. As Rachel indicated in her piece, the economy is rebounding but […]
Work/Life Integration
In an ongoing quest to achieve more satisfaction in my work and life, I have some new words of wisdom to share. I’m a consummate planner and often focus so much on the future that I miss the little moments of each day that are also precious. Here are some tips to help you take […]
Present Ideas to Your Boss with Confidence
Pitching a new idea to your boss does not have to be daunting or intimidating. Some practical tips from eHow magazine will help you on your way and give you the confidence and courage to share your ideas with conviction. Gather information that supports your idea. Find statistics that show the potential success of your […]
Ramp Up Your Self Confidence
One of the biggest hurdles I see with job seekers and even many employed professionals is that they lack self confidence. While some people have abundant self confidence in their genes, others need to cultivate it and this all starts with positive self affirmation. It’s easy to criticize and beat yourself up for your weaknesses […]
Bring on The Videos!
In the spirit of using Social Media to my full advantage, I am very excited to introduce my first video entry on this blog. My goal to to include frequent video logs or vlogs to share savvy career & professional development advice that can help you by using this exciting medium. Here is my book promotional […]
Please Don’t Talk Like You Text
I’m fascinated by technology and how it has changed the way we communicate. With my day job on a college campus, I marvel at the students who walk out of class either talking on the phone or texting as they move towards their new destination. Texting while walking may soon become as dangerous as texting […]
Wise Tips for New Managers
I wish that being promoted into a managerial role required training or maybe even a license so we could avoid the excess of poor managers that are infiltrating the workforce. While it would be ideal to groom new managers for their new role, we know this is rarely the case. Roberta Matuson recently released a […]
Communicating Well on Your Team
A lot of job dissatisfaction stems from poor communicating amongst employees as well as with superiors. At the most basic level, an employee wants clarity of expectation from a boss so she knows what to deliver. Lack of employee engagement and frequent turnover can often be pinned on ineffective communication. The good news is that […]
Fake It Till You Make It!
Carol Jurgensen Sheets is a mental health therapist who also works as an executive and life coach. In a recent article she shared a wonderful concept that may shift the mindset of career changers and job seekers who are stuck in a rut trying to move forward towards a more satisfying career opportunity. I meet […]
