Jozef Alexi


Career development 3d
I'm a student looking for a part-time job as a waiter in a cafe. On my first day they told me to work for free so they could see if I was good enough for the job. I worked 10 hours.
The next day the same thing happened. I worked another shift and still didn't get paid.
Now it's the third day in a row. They want me to work another free shift and say that if everything goes well, they'll... officially hire me on Monday.
But I don't really trust them. Maybe this is their trick - they keep bringing in new people, make them work for free for a few days, and then replace them with someone else without paying. What do you think?

 more
3   

  • Jasmine Bootle

    12m

    I have worked in restaurants for 20 years and this is not normal. I worked at a restaurant that was very exclusive and they would have new applicants... work one shift before hiring. After the shift you would get paid and receive a portion of the tips. The tips were always shared their. So even if they want to see if you can cut it and have you come work 1 shift to see if you're a fit you still get paid. What they are doing is illegal and they are taking advantage of you because you're young. I would asked to be paid for the work you did and if they won't pay you, contact the better business bureau on them. Just know that this is not normal and no body should ask you for free labor.  more

  • vamelconsultancyltd

    5h

    part timing with students

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Andrea Pollak


Career development 18h
Why does everyone tell me about their family? I spend the whole shift listening and I’m tired of it. Every person who sits in my chair starts talking. Do women think a hairdresser is a therapist or a place to cry? I can’t work properly. Maybe I should put a sign that says “Be quiet” not to go crazy?

  • arthur kateeba

    4h

    Well, I for one think that you those people trust you and that is why there free to share with you.

    if you are not comfortable then, make up an... excuse to have them respect your time. In a nutshell, establish some boundaries so that if someone wants your attention about such matters, they inform you in advance. more

  • Eliot Destiny

    4h

    There is something God has put on your life that could change the whole generation around you. You haven't realized it. And it won't only change your... generation, but even your life  more

Load more...

Tom Seliga


Career development 4d
At our company we go away for a weekend once a month. The boss buys everyone barbecue and beer as a thank-you for our work. But we have to pay for our own hotel rooms. I know I'm bringing my wife, so we'd need a double room anyway, but if it's a company event, shouldn't the company pay for the hotel too? I'm thinking about stopping these trips because they end up costing quite a lot.

  • arthur kateeba

    4h

    You do not need to go unless its mandatory.
    The purpose of the event is to bond with fellow employees not with family. If you would like you wife to... tag along then you should chip in. more

  • Sheila Milburn

    3d

    They should pay IF its mandatory. If not required, stay home. If you still feel obligated go less frequently, like once a qtr. Or rent a Airbnb... with another couple. Ask your tax preparer, you may be able to claim on your taxes.  more

    1
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Career development

 6h

MBA Applications: Resume Clarity Beats Fancy English


Among all components of the MBA application, the resumé is often the most underestimated. Applicants devote enormous effort to essays while treating the resumé as a routine document.

In reality, it is frequently the first item that admissions officers read, which shapes their entire impression of the candidate.

Unlike essays, which unfold gradually, the resumé must communicate trajectory,... capability, and impact simultaneously. It functions as a screening document, and represents the first filter that candidates must pass through.

One of the most common mistakes applicants make is confusing sophistication with effectiveness. They attempt to impress through elaborate vocabulary, abstract phrasing, or dense corporate language. However, admissions officers are not evaluating literary style. A resumé that requires interpretation slows down the reader and weakens signal strength. In a context where hundreds of resumés are reviewed in compressed timeframes, ambiguity is costly. Clear and direct language should be part of your strategy.

How to achieve clarity

Clarity outperforms ornamentation. Admissions officers are not persuaded by decorative English. They are persuaded by simple verbs, precise metrics, and clear structure that communicates confidence and maturity. A resumé that is easy to understand signals a candidate who thinks clearly and communicates efficiently, both essential traits in a business school environment.

Quantification plays a critical role in achieving this clarity. Numbers anchor credibility and provide context: revenue growth, cost reductions, percentage improvements, team size, budget size, geographic scope, and client market cap. Even in roles where financial metrics are less direct, measurable outcomes exist: efficiency improvements, timelines shortened, or systems implemented. Without quantification, achievements appear anecdotal. With numbers, they become concrete.

Another structural weakness in many resumés is the overemphasis on responsibilities rather than accomplishments. Admissions committees are not interested in job descriptions; they are interested in performance within those roles. Simply stating that you were responsible for managing projects or overseeing operations does not distinguish you. Instead, your resumé should reflect outcomes achieved or challenges overcome. Measurable impact is the differentiator.

Clarity also extends beyond using plain English and includes formatting. Dense paragraphs or inconsistent bullet points create cognitive friction. Admissions officers should be able to scan your resumé and reconstruct your professional arc quickly. A logical sequence of roles, consistent formatting, and disciplined use of bullet points enhance comprehension.

Clarity is especially important for applicants coming from technical, specialized, or region-specific industries. Excessive use of acronyms or industry specific terminology assumes knowledge the applications committee may not possess. While it is unnecessary to oversimplify technical expertise, it is essential to translate it into universally understandable impact. A strong test of clarity is whether someone outside your industry can summarize your career trajectory after reading your resumé for two minutes.

Goals of an effective resumé

An effective MBA resumé accomplishes four objectives simultaneously by highlighting:

These elements allow admissions committees to quickly assess not just what you did, but how well you performed and how your responsibilities evolved over time. Titles alone are insufficient. Two candidates may share identical job titles, yet one may have managed x-billion dollar portfolios while the other executed narrow operational tasks. The difference must be visible without inference.

1. Progression

Progression is a signal that admissions committees evaluate closely. Business schools favor upward trajectories, whether through promotions, expanded scope, larger teams, or cross-functional exposure. Even if formal promotions are limited or absent, increasing responsibility should be evident. If your path includes lateral transitions, the rationale should appear intentional rather than accidental. Coherence matters.

2. Leadership

Leadership, too, must be presented with specificity. Leadership is not confined to formal management titles. It includes initiating projects, influencing senior stakeholders, mentoring colleagues, or driving cross-department collaboration. However, simply stating that you "led a team" or "managed stakeholders" lacks substance. Effective resumés illustrate leadership through tangible results achieved under your direction.

3. Impact and Scale

It is also important to recognize that an MBA resumé differs from a job-search resumé. The objective is not immediate employment but rather to demonstrate long-term potential. This shifts emphasis toward impact and scale rather than technical detail. The resumé should align with your stated career goals. If your essays describe an aspiration toward strategic leadership, your resumé should reflect analytical exposure, cross-functional engagement, and increasing decision-making responsibility. Misalignment between documents weakens credibility.

Final thoughts

Before finalizing your resumé, conduct a disciplined review. Remove jargon. Replace vague titles or activities with measurable outcomes. Ensure progression is visible, and confirm alignment with your career narrative.

When executed well, your resumé should not merely summarize your past, but rather provide the backbone of your application narrative.

In the next article, we will examine how to structure MBA essays with logic and thematic consistency, ensuring that every component of your application reinforces a coherent story.

Casey Ma is an MBA and MPH student at Yale University, specializing in Healthcare Management. With a background in strategy consulting, marketing, and project management, her passion lies at the intersection of healthcare transformation and strategic problem-solving. She is an advocate for collaborative innovation and enjoys engaging with professionals who share her enthusiasm for the healthcare and marketing sectors more

Career development

 11h

Beyond AI buzzwords: What employers are really looking for in 2026


At DevSparks Bengaluru 2026, leaders from Toast and Zoho Corp share why judgment, adaptability, and real-world problem-solving matter more than tool proficiency.

With AI tools becoming commonplace and technical skills increasingly accessible, employers are now looking beyond résumés packed with buzzwords. The qualities that stand out today are harder to automate: sound judgment, adaptability,... curiosity, and the ability to solve real business problems.

That was the central message from a panel discussion at DevSparks Bengaluru 2026, where industry leaders argued that hiring decisions are no longer driven by familiarity with the latest tools alone. Instead, recruiters are paying closer attention to how candidates think, learn, and apply their skills in practical situations.

During the session, 'The modern interview: What are companies actually looking for?', speakers explored the realities of hiring in an AI-driven workplace and the skills they believe will remain valuable in the current market and years ahead.

Moderated by Shivani Muthanna, Senior Director - Strategic Partnerships & Content, YourStory Media, the discussion featured Murali Vasudevan, Head of People & Org Success, Toast, and Ramprakash Ramamoorthy, Director - AI Research, Zoho Corp.

Judgment, adaptability, and ownership: The real signals in hiring

Both speakers pushed back against the idea that AI-era hiring was about stacking tools and buzzwords. Ramamoorthy argued that while AI had made it easier to code and ship features, it had also raised the threshold for what counted as real competence.

"For me, judgment is the real differentiator. You can build apps all day, but what matters is deciding what to build and what to write. AI hasn't changed that," he said. "Your fundamentals are non-negotiable too. When I scan CVs, the ones that stand out show real work in production, a QR code or URL I can click and see what you've actually shipped."

Vasudevan added that as software development becomes increasingly commoditized, companies now expect candidates to act as architects who could audit and validate AI outputs.

"It's not enough for me that you can just prompt a model. I expect you to challenge its answers, design safety nets, and constantly think in terms of business impact and customer outcomes. For me, AI skills sit on top of deep, durable capabilities but they don't replace them," he said.

The Toast leader stressed that each employee needed to have an 'adaptability quotient', the ability to move across domains and industries without feeling diluted, and to keep solving problems wherever the business needed them most.

How hiring managers separate signal from noise

Both speakers stated that an AI-polished resume was just the starting point. Vasudevan explained that his teams leaned heavily on situational awareness assessments that mimicked real business scenarios.

"We watch how candidates reason through ambiguous problems, how they balance trade-offs, and whether they genuinely factor in the customer's point of view. We test technical depth through extended assessments, but the real filter is how people think under realistic constraints," he said.

Ramamoorthy revealed his own litmus tests: in the final round, his decision rested on three questions.

"Those questions are: has the candidate actually done something meaningful before, are they truly ready to pivot into new work, and are they someone I'd be comfortable sitting down to lunch with," he said.

The Zoho director added that he urged developers to become 'T-shaped professionals' who knew a bit of everything, but went deep in one area, and continuously updated themselves as AI tools and practices shifted.

Staying relevant in the AI era

Both speakers framed the advent of AI not as a "job apocalypse" but as a reality check. Ramamoorthy urged engineers to stick to fundamentals yet stay curious, using side projects and small experiments as a way to learn quickly.

"Then developers can turn the best of those into real products people actually use. For me, coding has never been easier, but building reliable, privacy-aware, production-grade software is where careers are made," he said.

Vasudevan echoed that the differentiator wasn't how many AI tools one touched, but whether one could translate them into business value without burning out or chasing every trend.

The closing message to the DevSparks audience was crystal clear. AI will keep evolving, titles will keep changing, but those who combine strong basics, real shipped work, and a clear sense of impact won't just survive this wave but also help define it. more

Hussaini Abdulhaleem
Career development 1w

i am a computer science graduate for upto two years now i dont have a job, i have been applying and applying, but nothing has come out of it🤦🏾‍♂️

  • peter elweu

    20
    11h

    This post may not have all the info for us to advise but, have you considered doing some volunteerism?

  • Aluonzi Emmanuel

    1d

    Perfectly said! My friend I trust that if you simply take the necessary steps above, your actions will yield fruits with faith in God who blesses work... of our hands.
     more

Load more...

Career development

 11h

Beyond AI buzzwords: What employers are really looking for in 2026


With AI tools becoming commonplace and technical skills increasingly accessible, employers are now looking beyond résumés packed with buzzwords.

The qualities that stand out today are harder to automate: sound judgment, adaptability, curiosity, and the ability to solve real business problems.

That was the central message from a panel discussion at DevSparks Bengaluru 2026, where industry leaders... argued that hiring decisions are no longer driven by familiarity with the latest tools alone. Instead, recruiters are paying closer attention to how candidates think, learn, and apply their skills in practical situations.

During the session, 'The modern interview: What are companies actually looking for?', speakers explored the realities of hiring in an AI-driven workplace and the skills they believe will remain valuable in the current market and years ahead.

Moderated by Shivani Muthanna, Senior Director - Strategic Partnerships & Content, YourStory Media, the discussion featured Murali Vasudevan, Head of People & Org Success, Toast, and Ramprakash Ramamoorthy, Director - AI Research, Zoho Corp.

Judgment, adaptability, and ownership: The real signals in hiring

Both speakers pushed back against the idea that AI-era hiring was about stacking tools and buzzwords. Ramamoorthy argued that while AI had made it easier to code and ship features, it had also raised the threshold for what counted as real competence.

"For me, judgment is the real differentiator. You can build apps all day, but what matters is deciding what to build and what to write. AI hasn't changed that," he said. "Your fundamentals are non-negotiable too. When I scan CVs, the ones that stand out show real work in production, a QR code or URL I can click and see what you've actually shipped." more

Marcel Köver


Career development 1d
I had an interview for a junior developer position yesterday. I have experience as QA tester. They grilled me for almost an hour, giving me tasks and tests, but in the end they said they didn't need me because AI could do the job.
I'm still shocked. Were they trying to show me that AI knows more than I do or were they just being rude? Has anyone else experienced something like this?

1   

  • Randall Giancaterino

    22h

    Maybe they had to go through the formality of a hiring process, even though they had planned to use AI. Someday karma will come around, and the... positions of these "unprofessionals," too, may bow to AI. Yes, their comments were uncalled for. more

  • Emmanuel Locham

    1d

    So unfortunate that most jobs nowadays can be done by robots but let's focus on handy skills that can't be done by AI

Load more...

Career development

 19h

EnsembleIQ Wins Comparably Career Growth Award


Previous Honors: Best Leadership Teams, Best Place to Work in Chicago, and Canada's Best Employers for Recent Graduates.

Named by Comparably as a Best Career Growth Company

Chicago, June 12, 2026 - EnsembleIQ, North America's leading source of insightful information and actionable connections in retail, healthcare and hospitality, has been recognized by workplace evaluation firm Comparably in... its "Best Career Growth" category as a leader in career development and workplace growth. This is the second time that EnsembleIQ has been recognized in this category.

This honor is based on ratings voluntarily and anonymously submitted to Comparably by EnsembleIQ employees over the past year regarding satisfaction with professional development opportunities.

Jennifer Litterick, Chief Executive Officer, EnsembleIQ said, "We are very pleased to be recognized as a company that fosters employee career growth. Our employees are the foundation of our business success. By investing in our workforce, we have built a strong culture, driven innovation and achieved sustainable results."

EnsembleIQ is dedicated to cultivating a workplace where professional growth and lifelong learning are integral to the employee experience. Through comprehensive development programs and a strong commitment to advancement, EnsembleIQ empowers team members to build meaningful careers. Employees have access to clearly defined career pathways, providing visibility into future opportunities. EnsembleIQ supports continuous development by rewarding employees who achieve goals outlined in their personalized development plans, including completing training courses, leading projects, expanding cross-functional knowledge through job shadowing and sharing expertise with colleagues. In addition, the program recognizes and celebrates key career milestones while enabling employees to proactively identify and develop the skills, knowledge and experiences needed to achieve professional growth through a structured framework.

Ann Jadown, Chief People Officer, EnsembleIQ added, "I am incredibly proud of our comprehensive career development program. By offering clear career paths across every department, we have given our team a tangible roadmap for future growth. Our program isn't just about the next promotion; it's about empowering our employees to identify the skills they want to grow and the experiences they want to have. And to keep momentum high, we've built in incentives to celebrate those who hit their milestones and share their insights with their peers, fostering a true culture of collaborative learning."

Additionally, EnsembleIQ was previously was honored by Comparably in the Best Leadership Teams category, as a Best Place to Work in Chicago and Canada's Best Employers for Recent Graduates.

To learn more about EnsembleIQ, click here, and view open positions at EnsembleIQ here.

About Comparably

Comparably (a ZoomInfo company) is a leading platform for workplace culture insights and compensation data, empowering employees and job seekers to make more informed career decisions. With 20 million anonymous employee ratings across nearly 20 core culture metrics, covering 70,000 companies, Comparably provides one of the most comprehensive datasets on workplace culture, salaries, and leadership. Trusted by employers and job seekers alike, Comparably is the go-to resource for employer branding and workplace culture. For more information, visit www.comparably.com.

About EnsembleIQ

EnsembleIQ is the premier resource of actionable insights and connections powering business growth throughout the path to purchase. We help retail, technology, consumer goods, healthcare and hospitality professionals make informed decisions and gain a competitive advantage. EnsembleIQ delivers the most trusted business intelligence from leading industry experts, creative marketing solutions and impactful event experiences that connect best-in-class suppliers and service providers with our vibrant business-building communities. To learn more about EnsembleIQ, visit ensembleiq.com.

Media Contact

Nicola Tidbury

Senior Director, Marketing

EnsembleIQ

[email protected] more

Career development

 20h

8 ways to balance job searching and starting a side business


If you're job hunting while trying to build a side business, you're probably familiar with a unique kind of mental tug-of-war. One hour you're tailoring resumes and preparing for interviews. The next, you're brainstorming product ideas, reaching out to potential customers, or tweaking your website. Both pursuits demand energy, optimism, and persistence. Both can feel like full-time jobs.

What... makes this challenge especially difficult is that the goals can seem contradictory. A job search often rewards stability and specialization, while entrepreneurship rewards experimentation and calculated risk-taking. Yet many successful founders started exactly where you are: seeking reliable income while testing a business idea on the side. The key is not choosing one path too early. It's learning how to make both efforts support each other instead of compete for attention.

Here are eight practical ways to balance job searching and building a side business without burning yourself out.

1. Treat your job search like a business function

Many aspiring founders make the mistake of viewing job searching and entrepreneurship as separate worlds. In reality, your job search is a revenue-generating activity. A stable paycheck can provide the runway needed to grow your business without making desperate decisions.

Approach your search with systems instead of emotions. Set weekly application targets, maintain a networking pipeline, and track interview stages the same way you'd track sales leads. This reduces the mental burden of constantly wondering whether you're doing enough. When the process becomes operational, it frees up mental bandwidth for your business.

2. Define different success metrics for each goal

One reason people feel overwhelmed is that they use the same expectations for both pursuits. They expect rapid traction in a new business while simultaneously expecting immediate interview offers.

The reality is that both processes often move slowly. Separate your metrics. For job searching, focus on applications submitted, networking conversations, and interviews secured. For your business, focus on customer conversations, product improvements, or revenue milestones.

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, frequently emphasizes the power of focusing on systems rather than outcomes. That principle applies here. Progress becomes easier to recognize when you measure the activities you control instead of obsessing over results you don't.

3. Use your side business to strengthen your professional story

Many job seekers worry that employers will view a side business as a distraction. In many cases, the opposite is true.

Building something from scratch demonstrates initiative, resourcefulness, and problem-solving ability. If you're learning digital marketing, sales, customer support, or product development through your business, those experiences can strengthen your candidacy.

The key is positioning. Rather than presenting your venture as a competing priority, frame it as evidence that you're proactive and capable of driving results. Hiring managers increasingly value entrepreneurial thinking, especially in startups and growth-oriented companies.

4. Create time blocks instead of constant multitasking

One of the fastest paths to burnout is switching endlessly between interview preparation and business tasks throughout the day.

Research from the American Psychological Association has repeatedly highlighted the productivity costs of frequent task switching. Every transition creates cognitive friction that drains focus.

A simple framework can help:

Your exact schedule may differ, but the principle remains the same. Dedicated focus periods allow you to make meaningful progress without feeling pulled in multiple directions every hour.

5. Prioritize validation over expansion

When founders have limited time, they often spend it on low-impact activities. Designing logos, tweaking websites, and researching software tools can feel productive, but they rarely generate meaningful business traction.

During a job search, your side business should focus on validation first. Talk to potential customers. Test demand. Make sales if possible.

Sara Blakely famously spent years refining and validating her idea before Spanx became a household name. While every entrepreneurial journey differs, the broader lesson remains valuable: proving demand matters more than building a perfect operation.

Limited time can actually become an advantage because it forces you to focus on what truly moves the business forward.

6. Be realistic about your energy, not just your schedule

Many productivity discussions focus exclusively on time management. Entrepreneurs know energy management is often more important.

A three-hour block after a draining interview day may not be ideal for strategic planning or complex creative work. Instead, reserve lower-energy periods for administrative tasks and save your best hours for work that requires deep thinking.

One pattern I've observed among early-stage founders is that burnout often starts when they consistently ignore their natural energy cycles. Ambition is valuable, but sustainability matters more when you're pursuing two demanding goals at once.

7. Let financial realities guide your decisions

Entrepreneurship content sometimes glorifies taking massive risks. In practice, many successful founders made calculated moves based on their financial situation.

If your side business is generating modest revenue but not enough to replace a salary, securing employment may be the smarter short-term decision. That doesn't mean you're abandoning your entrepreneurial ambitions. It means you're protecting them.

According to data from the U.S. Small Business Administration, many businesses begin as part-time ventures before becoming full-time opportunities. Building gradually is far more common than overnight success stories suggest.

A paycheck can buy something every founder needs: time to make better decisions.

8. Remember that both paths create opportunities

It's easy to think of job searching and entrepreneurship as competing options. In reality, each path can create opportunities for the other.

A new role can expand your professional network, expose you to industry challenges, and provide skills that strengthen your business. Likewise, building a side venture can help you stand out in interviews and uncover opportunities you never anticipated.

Some founders discover a business idea through their day job. Others find investors, customers, or future co-founders through professional relationships. The line between employment and entrepreneurship is often much blurrier than people realize.

The goal isn't necessarily to pick the perfect path immediately. It's to keep moving forward on both until one creates a compelling reason to go all in.

Balancing a job search and a side business is rarely easy, but it can be one of the most strategic phases of your entrepreneurial journey. You're building optionality, learning new skills, and creating multiple paths toward financial security. Instead of viewing these efforts as competing priorities, think of them as complementary investments in your future. The founders who navigate this stage well aren't necessarily the ones who work the longest hours. They're the ones who build sustainable systems, stay patient, and give themselves enough runway to make smart decisions when opportunities arrive. more

Career development

 1d

My company fired one manager and is doing an 'organizational reshuffling.' Am I in trouble?


'They let go of a pretty high-up manager who they only hired a month ago'

"The executives told us not to panic." (Photo subject is a model.)

Dear Dollar Signs,

This week, my company called a last-minute all-hands meeting. There was an announcement. They let go of a pretty high-up manager who they only hired a month ago. They also said they are doing an "organizational reshuffling."

The... executives told us not to panic and that this was a good thing, but none of us are sure what the "reshuffling" means or is supposed to accomplish. I've worked here for less than two years, so I'm not sure what is normal.

Are layoffs coming? Should I start looking for a new job?

Anxiously Employed

If you're just starting out on your money or career journey and have questions about how to navigate your finances, we want to hear from you. Write to Dollar Signs, MarketWatch's new advice column, at dollarsigns@marketwatch.com.

Dear Employed,

Always be prepared for a layoff. No matter how stable your job feels, take some time every couple of months to spruce up your résumé, schedule coffee catch-ups with old bosses and peruse job listings, if only to get the lay of the land. Don't get discouraged by office gossip.

This ensures you're prepared for a potential layoff and familiar with the state of your industry. Start contributing to your emergency fund a little more aggressively. Have enough saved to cover your expenses for six months to a year. This would be a good time to focus on building that reserve.

Regarding your specific query: One firing typically doesn't signal mass layoffs. But if it's part of a larger pattern of opacity, instability and conflicting messaging, something larger might be coming down the pike.

Reorganizations are not uncommon, especially in large companies. Yes, a "reshuffling" can result in layoffs, but it can also mean a change in reporting structures, consolidation of teams, letting go of a bad hire or recalibrating to stay current with new technology and industry changes.

"If the firing is not performance-related or is paired with hiring freezes, budget cuts, leadership turnover, low transparency or more people quietly exiting, those are stronger warning signs that larger layoffs may be coming," says Matt Berndt, a career strategist at Indeed.

How many times has this happened at your company? If there are constant reorganizations, that's a "red flag," he adds. Pay attention to how attitudes are shifting, both from leadership and your peers. Often, a reorganization happens in waves.

Pay attention to company culture

And if there are bigger problems afoot? "Culturally, you may see declining morale, reduced transparency from leadership or key talent exiting," Berndt says. "If entire functions or business units are suddenly deprioritized, employees in those areas should pay close attention."

But don't jump to conclusions. From what you say in your letter, I'm not sure you're in danger of being let go. Does this "reshuffling" make sense to you? Do you understand the company's goals and what is expected of you? If the answer to those questions is yes, your job may be safe.

"A healthier reorg usually comes with clear communication about company direction, priorities and the rationale behind decisions, along with clarity on expectations, growth paths and how decisions are made," Berndt says.

If your company is investing in its talent, like developing mentorship programs or creating clear pathways to promotions, that is a sign that they are interested in retaining employees. It may be that the recently hired role turned out to not be integral to the company's mission.

Don't let your work slide

When you start suspecting that your position might be terminated, it's easy to mentally check out. While I understand the impulse, I'd advise you to stay focused. Not because working hard will save you from being let go, but because your colleagues can be a resource in your job hunt.

And they are more likely to help if they see you as reliable and talented. Are you hitting your goals? Do you have a good relationship with your manager? Are you a net contributor to your organization? If so, this should give you some peace of mind.

"Keep your work standard high during the day and do light, regular career maintenance outside of that," Berndt says. "That might mean nurturing your professional network, exploring roles selectively or building a financial cushion, without letting your current responsibilities slip."

One firing isn't indicative of larger layoffs. There may have been issues with that manager you are not aware of if they were let go so soon after being hired. But if you sense a pattern of instability and see some illogical decisions being made, it might be smart to apply for other roles.

Write to Dollar Signs at dollarsigns@marketwatch.com.

By submitting your story to Dow Jones & Co., the publisher of MarketWatch, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms.

-Aditi Shrikant

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

06-12-26 1118ET Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. more

Career development

 1d

Unpack your childhood trauma at Boulder Comedy Festival, or, just belly laugh


If you were to blind-read the résumés of the performers arriving for the Boulder Comedy Festival, it could be reasonable to assume the city was hosting a lifestyle retreat organized by a rather confused booking agent.

The roster features a recently retired psychotherapist of nearly 40 years, a one-time host of an obscure HGTV home makeover show and a former professional mixed-martial artist from... Albuquerque.

These people are not, in fact, coming to the Front Range to unpack your childhood trauma, teach you how to take a punch or renovate your living room. Instead, they're part of the lineup for the 2026 Boulder Comedy Festival. Running Tuesday through June 21, the event places more than 30 comedians across four local venues. Shows will be held at the Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder; Junkyard Social Club, 2525 Frontier Ave., Suite A, Boulder; The End Lafayette, 525 Courtney Way, Lafayette; and, for the first time, Niwot Hall, 195 2nd Ave., Niwot.

During the festival, the lineup includes local and touring comics such as Ren Q Dawe, Peter Liu, Tiel Pearce, Ruth Banks, Sam Doctor, Chip Nicholson, Rebeca Trejo, Jonathan Huynh, Sohile Ali, Gabby Gutierrez-Reed, Janae Burris, John Novosad and Aaron Foster, among others.

Historically, the demographic breakdown of an average comedy club lineup leans heavily in one direction. Festival co-founder and organizer Zoe Rogers actively built a different kind of roster for the event.

"One cool thing about this year is that we have more women than we have men," Rogers said. "As somebody who started out doing festivals where I was one of, like, three women, that is really nice."

Rogers said the breakdown was a pleasant surprise, though not entirely an accident. Looking at a submission pool that usually skewed heavily male, she offered women a discounted application rate, charging 80 cents on the dollar in an attempt to broaden the field.

It worked. Rogers said the festival received more applications from women and a more varied pool overall, including comics she had not seen before.

"It makes me feel like people feel safe coming to my festival," Rogers said. "They might feel unwelcome at other festivals, but they feel welcome in mine, and that means a tremendous amount to me."

The festival is also stretching a little farther into Boulder County this year. A connection from a sponsor led Rogers to Niwot Hall, which will host the festival's Tuesday night opener.

For Rogers, the new venue fits the basic idea behind the festival: People should not have to drive into Denver every time they want to see a good stand-up show, nor should comedy be treated as something that happens somewhere else and occasionally visits.

"You shouldn't have to trek really far to get good comedy and arts," Rogers said. "It should be right there."

One of the comics on the Niwot Hall bill is Priscilla Courtney, a local writer and psychologist who took up stand-up about a year ago, after retiring from nearly four decades as a therapist.

"My opening line is, 'I've been a therapist for close to 40 years, and since I'm retired, the most logical next step is to do stand-up comedy, right?'" Courtney said.

Courtney, 69, had spent enough time being the adult in the room to know that starting as a beginner at anything is unpleasant. Comedy added a few specific indignities: She had to learn how to hold a microphone without getting tangled in the cord, she had to learn the difference between a bit and a sketch, and she had to learn that open mics and comedy classes do not generally cater to people who prefer to be home before 7 p.m.

She also found herself surrounded by younger comics whose material often took a more anatomical focus.

"When I first was going to comedy classes, I realized that a lot of jokes that other comedians tended to make were about penises," she said. "I'm not that uptight, by any means, but that is not what my material is."

Instead of forcing herself toward someone else's version of funny, she built her act around what she actually knows: marriage, parenting, grandparenting and the ongoing mystery of getting Instagram to work.

"My material is life," Courtney said. "Everything from being a parent, being a grandparent, not knowing anything about technology."

Courtney said audiences seem to find that perspective refreshing. For her, the stage has also become a place to practice being seen, something she said feels especially meaningful for women.

"I really don't want to feel ashamed about being on stage and taking up space," she said. "Comedy has helped with that."

Sarina Ochoa arrived at the comedy scene via an entirely different route.

Based in Albuquerque, Ochoa spent years treating mixed-martial arts as what she calls a full-time hobby. She trained for hours each day, had several amateur fights, and, in 2023, had her first professional MMA bout. She lost, decided she needed a break from training and looked for something else to do with her time.

"I eventually worked up the courage to do an open mic and basically never looked back," Ochoa said. "Now comedy is my full-time hobby. And a much less painful one."

Boulder has already played a strange supporting role in Ochoa's extracurricular life -- She once fought a boxing match at the Boulder Theater in 2023.

Her comedy draws from her daily life, which she describes as naturally vulgar, and she often turns to her wife for inspiration.

"I write a lot about my wife," Ochoa said. "She's hilarious and I never get tired of speaking about her on stage."

Ochoa performs Wednesday at Junkyard Social Club, followed by shows on June 18 and June 19 at the Dairy Arts Center. She performed at the Dairy last year during the Colorado Queer Comedy Festival and said she enjoys the formality of a theater, even if her material may not always behave accordingly.

"It feels almost too nice for the things I'm going to say up there, and that is what I'm most excited for," Ochoa said.

Rogers, who also performs on June 21 at the Dairy Arts Center, said the festival's continued growth depends on the same thing most live arts events depend on: people actually leaving the house.

"When people say, 'How do you support people in the arts?' I'm like, buy tickets," Rogers said. "That's how you support people in the arts."

The full Boulder Comedy Festival schedule, lineup and ticket links are available at bouldercomedyfestival.com. All shows are 18 and older. more

Career development

 1d

EnsembleIQ Recognized for Empowering Career Growth and Creating Advancement Opportunities


CHICAGO, June 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnsembleIQ, North America's leading source of insightful information and actionable connections in retail, healthcare and hospitality, has been recognized by workplace evaluation firm Comparably in its "Best Career Growth" category as a leader in career development and workplace growth. This is the second time that EnsembleIQ has been recognized in this... category.

This honor is based on ratings voluntarily and anonymously submitted to Comparably by EnsembleIQ employees over the past year regarding satisfaction with professional development opportunities.

Jennifer Litterick, Chief Executive Officer, EnsembleIQ said, "We are very pleased to be recognized as a company that fosters employee career growth. Our employees are the foundation of our business success. By investing in our workforce, we have built a strong culture, driven innovation and achieved sustainable results."

EnsembleIQ is dedicated to cultivating a workplace where professional growth and lifelong learning are integral to the employee experience. Through comprehensive development programs and a strong commitment to advancement, EnsembleIQ empowers team members to build meaningful careers. Employees have access to clearly defined career pathways, providing visibility into future opportunities. EnsembleIQ supports continuous development by rewarding employees who achieve goals outlined in their personalized development plans, including completing training courses, leading projects, expanding cross-functional knowledge through job shadowing and sharing expertise with colleagues. In addition, the program recognizes and celebrates key career milestones while enabling employeesto proactively identify and develop the skills, knowledge and experiences needed to achieve professional growth through a structured framework.

Ann Jadown, Chief People Officer, EnsembleIQ added, "I am incredibly proud of our comprehensive career development program. By offering clear career paths across every department, we have given our team a tangible roadmap for future growth. Our program isn't just about the next promotion; it's about empowering our employees to identify the skills they want to grow and the experiences they want to have. And to keep momentum high, we've built in incentives to celebrate those who hit their milestones and share their insights with their peers, fostering a true culture of collaborative learning."

Additionally, EnsembleIQ was previously was honored by Comparably in the Best Leadership Teams category, as a Best Place to Work in Chicago and Canada's Best Employers for Recent Graduates.

To learn more about EnsembleIQ, click here, and view open positions at EnsembleIQ here.

About Comparably

Comparably (a ZoomInfo company) is a leading platform for workplace culture insights and compensation data, empowering employees and job seekers to make more informed career decisions. With 20 million anonymous employee ratings across nearly 20 core culture metrics, covering 70,000 companies, Comparably provides one of the most comprehensive datasets on workplace culture, salaries, and leadership. Trusted by employers and job seekers alike, Comparably is the go-to resource for employer branding and workplace culture. For more information, visit www.comparably.com.

About EnsembleIQ

EnsembleIQ is the premier resource of actionable insights and connections powering business growth throughout the path to purchase. We help retail, technology, consumer goods, healthcare and hospitality professionals make informed decisions and gain a competitive advantage. EnsembleIQ delivers the most trusted business intelligence from leading industry experts, creative marketing solutions and impactful event experiences that connect best-in-class suppliers and service providers with our vibrant business-building communities. To learn more about EnsembleIQ, visit ensembleiq.com.

Media Contact

Nicola Tidbury

Senior Director, Marketing

EnsembleIQ

[email protected] more

Career development

 1d

What The Changing Entry-Level Job Market Means For UK Tech Career-Changers


Kirsten has worked in career development, recruitment, and people-focused roles for several years. She knows what it's like to navigate career change and to search for a role that's more aligned with your goals; she's proud of the work she does to help our customers develop the tools, mindset, and confidence to land jobs they're proud of.

The First Step Into A New Field Has Changed

The latest... government entry-level hiring snapshot highlights that roles are moving with the wider labour market. Hiring has slowed down across the board. In summary, "entry-level" no longer means "basic".

Employers still hire people starting in a field, but they want clearer evidence that career starters are equipped with the right foundational skills.

The report found that 30 of 38 tracked entry-level occupations were declining in April 2026, while eight were growing. These roles - in areas like sales and business development - show that people-facing, commercially useful skills such as communication are extremely valuable. This is unsurprising as the line between "technical" jobs and "people" jobs has "collapsed entirely" over the past decade.

AI And The Entry-Level Job Decline

Although AI is a key part of the conversation, the report stays realistic about its impact. AI is changing entry-level hiring for roles with a lot of monotonous tasks - the data does not prove that AI is the primary cause of the overall decline. Employer selectivity, looser labour markets and skills mismatch are all pulling in the same direction.

The market is no longer just asking, "have you studied this?", it's questioning, "can you step into this work stream and add value quickly?".

Employers Want Specific Skills, Not Just Potential

One of the most significant findings is the skills mismatch.

In selected occupations - including data analytics - the government found zero overlap between the top 10 skills employers struggled to find and the top 10 skills candidates most commonly offered. Candidates often lead with broad analytical skills, general knowledge or transferable experience. Employers are asking for specific operational capability.

That could mean using the right tools, understanding delivery processes, working with data, protecting systems, managing projects, or applying AI responsibly inside a role.

The Skills England Annual Skills Report 2026 points in the same direction. More than a quarter of vacancies are hard to fill because of skills shortages. Priority occupations in key sectors like tech, construction and defence are projected to grow by around 1.8 million jobs by 2035, a 24% rise from 2025.

Significant reskilling is essential to tackling this, with around two-thirds of new entrants into priority occupations being expected to need Level 4+ qualifications.

Top 10 skills in shortage vs surplus

(Source, GOV.UK, 2026)

Career-Changers Need Proof, Not Permission

For career-changers in the UK, this gives a clearer idea of what skills you should develop for a more successful job search.

"Your past experience absolutely still counts. Communication, problem-solving, commercial judgement and resilience all matter. But they need to sit alongside job-ready skills that employers can recognise quickly: the correct balance of hard skills and soft skills is essential.

That is where vocational qualifications, practical projects and career-focused learning earn their place. They turn from a mere interest in tech or project management, into "I can analyse data, support a project, secure a system, or build with the tools employers use."

Build Skills Employers Can See

Our courses allow career-changers to build recognised qualifications in IT, cybersecurity, data analytics, coding and project management, backed by career support, to help you evidence your skills clearly to prospective employers. Speak to a Career Consultant to kick-start your new career. more

Eliot Feldman
Career development 6d
How do you proactively manage your career development to ensure you are consistently moving toward your goals?

  • Eliot Feldman

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    One of the things I discuss with my clients is to define what FORWARD actually means.

  • Samuel Obina

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    By being constructively conscious of the level you are in, regularly building on your knowledge base trough research and extensive reading

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Career development

 1d

EnsembleIQ Recognized for Empowering Career Growth and Creating Advancement Opportunities


Named by Comparably as a Best Career Growth Company

CHICAGO, June 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnsembleIQ, North America's leading source of insightful information and actionable connections in retail, healthcare and hospitality, has been recognized by workplace evaluation firm Comparably in its "Best Career Growth" category as a leader in career development and workplace growth. This is the... second time that EnsembleIQ has been recognized in this category.

This honor is based on ratings voluntarily and anonymously submitted to Comparably by EnsembleIQ employees over the past year regarding satisfaction with professional development opportunities.

Jennifer Litterick, Chief Executive Officer, EnsembleIQ said, "We are very pleased to be recognized as a company that fosters employee career growth. Our employees are the foundation of our business success. By investing in our workforce, we have built a strong culture, driven innovation and achieved sustainable results."

EnsembleIQ is dedicated to cultivating a workplace where professional growth and lifelong learning are integral to the employee experience. Through comprehensive development programs and a strong commitment to advancement, EnsembleIQ empowers team members to build meaningful careers. Employees have access to clearly defined career pathways, providing visibility into future opportunities. EnsembleIQ supports continuous development by rewarding employees who achieve goals outlined in their personalized development plans, including completing training courses, leading projects, expanding cross-functional knowledge through job shadowing and sharing expertise with colleagues. In addition, the program recognizes and celebrates key career milestones while enabling employees to proactively identify and develop the skills, knowledge and experiences needed to achieve professional growth through a structured framework.

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Ann Jadown, Chief People Officer, EnsembleIQ added, "I am incredibly proud of our comprehensive career development program. By offering clear career paths across every department, we have given our team a tangible roadmap for future growth. Our program isn't just about the next promotion; it's about empowering our employees to identify the skills they want to grow and the experiences they want to have. And to keep momentum high, we've built in incentives to celebrate those who hit their milestones and share their insights with their peers, fostering a true culture of collaborative learning."

Additionally, EnsembleIQ was previously was honored by Comparably in the Best Leadership Teams category, as a Best Place to Work in Chicago and Canada's Best Employers for Recent Graduates.

Advertisement

To learn more about EnsembleIQ, click here, and view open positions at EnsembleIQ here.

About Comparably

Comparably (a ZoomInfo company) is a leading platform for workplace culture insights and compensation data, empowering employees and job seekers to make more informed career decisions. With 20 million anonymous employee ratings across nearly 20 core culture metrics, covering 70,000 companies, Comparably provides one of the most comprehensive datasets on workplace culture, salaries, and leadership. Trusted by employers and job seekers alike, Comparably is the go-to resource for employer branding and workplace culture. For more information, visit www.comparably.com.

About EnsembleIQ

Advertisement

EnsembleIQ is the premier resource of actionable insights and connections powering business growth throughout the path to purchase. We help retail, technology, consumer goods, healthcare and hospitality professionals make informed decisions and gain a competitive advantage. EnsembleIQ delivers the most trusted business intelligence from leading industry experts, creative marketing solutions and impactful event experiences that connect best-in-class suppliers and service providers with our vibrant business-building communities. To learn more about EnsembleIQ, visit ensembleiq.com. more

Career development

 1d

Mass Client Communication Has Changed Completely. Too Bad Many Professionals Are Still Using the 2016 Playbook - Slaw


Ten or fifteen years ago, the professional who sent a newsletter, mailed a holiday card, and maintained an updated LinkedIn profile was considered ahead of the curve.

The bar was low. Showing up, in almost any form, was enough.

Today, that communication strategy blends into the background. This is not because newsletters stopped working, direct mail disappeared, or LinkedIn became oversaturated.... It was because client expectations changed, attentions changed, the way we build trust changed. The shift was gradual, then sudden, and now permanent.

Where We Were Five to Ten Years Ago

In the mid 2010s, most mass communication followed a fairly predictable formula. Law firms, accounting firms, consultants, and professional service organizations typically relied on:

* General monthly or quarterly newsletters sent to the full contact database

* Direct mail pieces included as holiday cards and firm updates

* LinkedIn profiles served primarily as online résumés

* Email blasts with identical messaging sent to every contact

* Websites that acted more as digital brochures than business development tools

At the time, this worked reasonably well. Inbox competition was lower. Search driven content strategies were still uncommon in many professional sectors. Most importantly, clients were not overwhelmed by content.

The Pandemic Accelerated Everything

COVID did not create the communication shift but it accelerated it dramatically. In person networking disappeared overnight. Conferences stopped. Client lunches stopped. Informal relationship building became difficult or impossible.

Professionals who had invested in digital visibility and consistent communication suddenly had a major advantage. Their clients already knew them. Their networks continued hearing from them. Their visibility remained intact.

Clients became far more selective about what they paid attention to, and that shift never reversed.

What Actually Works in 2026

Fast forward a few years and the communication environment today is not necessarily more complicated, but it is far less forgiving. Generic communication gets ignored. Relevance matters more than volume. Consistency matters more than polish.

Newsletters Have Become Narrower and More Useful

Clients no longer want six unrelated updates bundled into a single email written in institutional language. Most do not have time for it. What performs better today is:

* Short emails focused on one issue

* Clear relevance to a specific audience or industry

* A recognizable human voice

* Commentary and perspective, not just information

* Consistent cadence without overproduction

In many cases, the highest performing emails barely resemble traditional marketing pieces at all. They read more like informed notes from an expert. The distinction matters.

LinkedIn Is No Longer Optional

For professionals, LinkedIn has evolved from a résumé platform into a visibility and credibility platform.

Clients check profiles before meetings, often before they read your website biography. Referral sources observe activity over time. Prospective clients form opinions long before direct contact happens.

The firms and professionals performing well on LinkedIn are usually not the loudest but they present, consistently.

What is trending:

* Sharing practical observations and informed opinions

* Engaging in conversations

* Publishing consistently rather than sporadically

* Speaking to client problems, not internal accomplishments

What is missing the mark:

* Award announcements as the primary content strategy

* Corporate sounding posts with no perspective

* Publishing only when there is something to promote

* Trying to sound overly polished or overly strategic

Interestingly, much of this is the same advice I would have given ten years ago. The difference is that today it is no longer optional.

The most important part of social media is "social." The media platform is simply where the interaction happens. Once you have figured that out, you are ahead of the game.

Direct Mail Is More Intentional

Digital overload has made thoughtful physical communication more valuable again.

Mass printed newsletters and generic holiday cards still don't work. However, highly targeted, timely outreach does.

A handwritten note tied to a client milestone, industry announcement, referral, or meaningful interaction can stand out precisely because so little communication feels personal anymore.

The key difference is thoughtfulness. It is easy to say "congratulations" on LinkedIn - LinkedIn practically does it for you. It takes effort to write a note, stamp it, and mail it and that is why it matters more.

Search Visibility Quietly Drives Business Development

One of the biggest shifts over the past decade is how professionals are discovered. Clients increasingly search before they reach out. They search for answers to specific problems. They search for industry expertise. They search for professionals who appear active, knowledgeable, and visible.

This is one of the biggest conversations I am having with clients right now. Many organizations are sitting on years of expertise, insight, and institutional knowledge that never becomes visible externally. Meanwhile, competitors who communicate more consistently are shaping perception in the market.

The Bigger Shift Behind All of This

The real evolution is not technology, it is behaviour. Professional communication used to be largely one directional. Today, communication is far more relationship driven.

Clients want to know how professionals think, not just what services they offer.

The Professionals Winning Attention Today

The professionals standing out in 2026 are rarely doing one dramatic thing differently. Most are doing several small things consistently. They publish useful insights regularly. They engage with their network. They communicate with specificity. They have a recognizable voice and sound like themselves. They understand that visibility compounds over time.

Most importantly, they recognize that communication is no longer separate from business development or relationship management.

What Happens Next

The next shift is likely not about producing more content. Artificial intelligence makes it easier to generate articles, emails, posts, and video content. That does not necessarily mean communication will improve, there will just be more of it. As content generation becomes easier, judgment, perspective, and strategic thinking become more valuable.

In a marketplace increasingly filled with automated communication, the professionals who will stand out over the next five years will be the ones whose communication feels informed, thoughtful, recognizable, and human.

They are the ones saying something worth paying attention to. more

Career development

 1d

How to manage your first Salary: 6 Essential financial habits for young professionals


After years of studying, side hustles, internships or job hunting, there's finally money landing in your account with your name on it. You've probably spent years imagining that moment. Then it arrives and disappears almost immediately.

Suddenly you're expected to know how to budget, build credit, save for the future, invest, manage debt, help family if needed, and somehow still have enough left... over to enjoy your life. The reality is that while school and university prepare you for a career, they don't always prepare you for the financial decisions that come with earning your first salary.

It's no surprise that many young South Africans feel overwhelmed by money decisions in the early years of their careers. And while most focus on budgeting, saving and investing, many overlook one of the most important financial building blocks of all: protecting their income and future earning potential. Recent ASISA research found that South Africans under 30 have just 32% of the disability cover they need and just 12% of the critical illness cover required to adequately protect themselves financially.

The good news? Getting your financial life on track doesn't require a massive salary. It starts with a few smart habits from your very first payslip.

Here's a six-step playbook for making better money moves, right from the start.

1. Think Ahead

"It's difficult to imagine our future selves, so we tend to take care of our present selves instead," says Farzana Botha, Communications Manager at Sanlam Risk & Savings. Neuroscientists call this the Stranger Effect: brain imaging shows that when people think about themselves in 10 years' time, the same neural networks activate as when they're thinking about a complete stranger. This makes financial planning difficult... and it makes it a lot easier to spend money on instant rewards.

But Botha says that it's not about making a choice between buying things for Today You or investing in Ten Years' Time You. "The best advice you could get as a young person is to lose that either/or mentality," she says. "It's about doing both, buying the things you need today, while making a contribution - however small - to long-term goals like investment and insurance."

2. Start Small

Let's be real: young people don't avoid buying insurance because they don't want it; they're underinsured because they think they can't afford it. Botha has a practical solution. "Do 10 small things, rather than doing one big thing and neglecting the other nine," she says. "Break your salary down into small chunks, and work towards each of your financial goals. Make small contributions towards savings, investment, short-term insurance, life cover, and so on. Even if your contributions are small to start with, you'll still be putting yourself in a better position in the long run. And the good news is, as a young person, you can often get great deals on insurance cover."

3. Ignore The Influencers

Social media, advertising, and peer pressure all reinforce the idea that success looks like travel, luxury, beauty, and curated lifestyles. "This creates a subtle but powerful pressure to 'keep up'," warns Afua Darko, Business Head at Sanlam Credit Solutions. "And it drives your spending decisions, which are sometimes supported by easy access to credit. The result is a focus on matching external expectations, rather than building long-term financial security."

4. Manage Your Credit

Speaking about credit... While it can help with important "adult" purchases (like a car or a home), if credit is not managed well, it can turn into debt that must be repaid. "Credit itself is neither good nor bad," says Darko. "When used responsibly, it can be a powerful enabler."

Darko also encourages first-time earners to sign up for a free credit report through a reputable provider and review it regularly. "Your credit report gives you visibility into your credit score and helps you track how you're managing debt over time," she explains. "It's also one of the easiest ways to spot early warning signs before they have a bigger impact on your financial future."

The problem arises when credit is treated as an extension of income, rather than a short-term financial instrument. "Many young earners fall into the trap of using credit to sustain lifestyles they cannot yet afford," Darko explains. "Ultimately, the goal is to shift the mindset from using credit for consumption to using it with intention. Credit should support building a stable financial future, not compromise it. That starts with a critical foundation: protecting your income and your financial base first. Without that safety net, even well-intentioned credit decisions can quickly become financial risks."

5. Learn

The youth insurance gap is also an education gap. "Many young people simply haven't been taught how to think about risk, protection, or long-term financial planning," says Darko. "These are not concepts that are consistently taught in schools, and in many cases, they're also not modelled at home - not out of neglect, but because previous generations may not have had access to the same knowledge or tools."

Botha agrees. "A lot of young people are coming out of school without financial education, and coming out of varsity with debt," she says. "If you don't know what to do, that pressure can lead you into making bad financial decisions. But if you know what the consequences of your decisions will be, then you'll be able to operate with clarity and confidence - taking care of your present, building towards your future, and protecting yourself against the things you can't see coming."

6. Speak to an adviser

According to Sanlam's 2025 Financial Confidence Index, 45% of young South Africans already have financial planning through a bank or financial adviser. Make sure you're not part of the 55% who don't.

Access to information has never been greater, and the Internet is breaking down traditional barriers to financial education... But Fintok and Finfluencers will only take you so far. You need personalised advice that's relevant to you and your circumstances - and that's where a financial adviser comes in. No matter how young you are, how small your salary is, or how modest your savings are, a financial adviser can help you find the right solutions for your budget.

"The opportunity now is to make financial protection just as aspirational as lifestyle spending," Darko concludes. "It's not a grudge purchase; it's a smart, empowering choice." more

Career development

 1d

Influential Women showcases Vanessa M. Perez, MBA, CPRW: founder advancing educational equity and career access.


PUEBLO, CO, UNITED STATES, June 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Doctoral Scholar and Nonprofit Founder Champions Workforce Development, Adult Learning, and Economic Mobility for Underserved and Nontraditional Learners

Vanessa M. Perez, MBA, CPRW, is a corporate marketing analyst, workforce development researcher, nonprofit founder, and doctoral scholar whose work focuses on expanding access to... meaningful educational and career opportunities for individuals facing significant barriers to employment and economic mobility. Through her professional, academic, and community-driven initiatives, she is dedicated to advancing workforce equity, strengthening career readiness systems, and improving long-term outcomes for nontraditional learners.

Raised in Pueblo, Colorado, by a single mother who did not complete high school, Vanessa grew up in poverty and developed an early awareness that opportunity is not equally distributed. At just sixteen years old, she became a teenage mother -- an experience that profoundly shaped her determination to break generational cycles through education, perseverance, and service to others. These lived experiences continue to inform her work and fuel her commitment to creating pathways for individuals who face systemic and personal barriers.

Vanessa's academic journey reflects her dedication to growth and educational achievement. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Colorado State University Pueblo and later completed her Master of Business Administration at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She is currently completing her Doctor of Education in Applied Educational Sciences at the University of Miami, where her research focuses on workforce development, adult learning, and improving career outcomes for nontraditional learners. Her academic interests include educational equity, workforce access, and systemic barriers affecting adult learners, first-generation college students, military-affiliated students, and justice-impacted individuals.

Professionally, Vanessa's background spans workforce development, higher education, career services, and corporate marketing. In her current role as a Corporate Marketing Analyst, she supports strategic marketing initiatives through research, analytics, and data-informed decision-making that contribute to organizational growth and engagement. Her work focuses on transforming data into actionable insights that enhance communication strategies and support organizational objectives.

Before transitioning into corporate marketing, Vanessa worked in higher education career services, where she developed and implemented career readiness initiatives designed to support students and alumni as they transitioned from education into the workforce. In this role, she worked directly with hundreds of individuals navigating complex career pathways, helping them build confidence, identify opportunities, and develop professional skills essential for long-term success.

As a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW), Vanessa has also designed and facilitated workshops on résumé writing, interviewing, networking, LinkedIn optimization, and professional branding. Her efforts have focused on equipping adult learners and nontraditional students with the tools and strategies needed to successfully compete in today's evolving job market. Through this work, she has emphasized empowerment, confidence-building, and practical workforce preparation.

In addition to her professional and academic accomplishments, Vanessa is the Founder of VMP Career Pathways, a nonprofit organization dedicated to career readiness, mentorship, and workforce development support for at-risk youth and women rebuilding their lives after domestic violence. Through this initiative, she works to expand access to education, career development resources, and sustainable employment pathways for underserved populations. Her organization is grounded in the belief that opportunity, when made accessible, can transform lives and communities.

Vanessa's work is deeply rooted not only in academic research but also in lived experience. Having personally navigated adversity, she approaches her professional and community engagement with authenticity, empathy, and a strong belief in the transformative power of education, resilience, and opportunity. These guiding principles continue to shape her mission and inform her approach to workforce development and advocacy.

Faith plays a central role in Vanessa's life and professional outlook. She attributes much of her success to her Christian faith, which has provided strength and stability through some of the most challenging periods of her life. Growing up in poverty, becoming a mother at a young age, and navigating personal and professional obstacles required resilience that she believes was strengthened through her spiritual foundation.

Her faith has instilled in her values such as perseverance, humility, compassion, and service to others. These principles continue to guide her work today, particularly in her efforts to support individuals who may feel discouraged or limited by their circumstances. Vanessa's goal has always been to use her opportunities to help others recognize their potential and build better futures for themselves and their families.

Faith has also shaped her perspective on success, teaching her to remain grateful even during difficult seasons and to view challenges as opportunities for growth. She believes success is not measured solely by personal achievement, but by the positive impact one has on others. Ultimately, she attributes her accomplishments not only to hard work and education, but also to the guidance, strength, and perspective provided through her faith.

One of the most impactful pieces of career advice Vanessa has received is to focus less on titles and more on purpose. Early in her career, she was encouraged to pursue meaningful work and prioritize service to others, with the understanding that opportunities and recognition would follow naturally. This guidance has remained central throughout her professional journey.

Rather than focusing on external validation, Vanessa has consistently prioritized creating meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves. Her work centers on supporting individuals facing significant barriers, including first-generation college students, adult learners, veterans, and individuals rebuilding their lives, by helping them develop confidence, skills, and access to meaningful career pathways. She has learned that when work is grounded in purpose and service, success becomes a natural byproduct.

Vanessa encourages young women entering education, workforce development, or public service fields to remain committed to their purpose, even when the path becomes challenging. She emphasizes that meaningful careers require resilience, patience, and continuous personal growth.

She also advocates strongly for education and personal development as tools for empowerment. According to Vanessa, knowledge, preparation, and discipline not only create opportunity but also equip individuals to advocate for themselves and their communities.

Most importantly, she encourages women not to allow their background or circumstances to define their future. Having faced significant obstacles herself, she understands the importance of persistence and self-belief. She emphasizes that growth comes from continued effort, reflection, and alignment with core values.

Vanessa also highlights one of the most pressing challenges in workforce development and higher education today: the disconnect between academic preparation and employer expectations. Many graduates enter the workforce without sufficient practical experience or career readiness training, making the transition more difficult than it should be.

At the same time, nontraditional learners -- including adult students, first-generation college students, veterans, and working adults -- often face additional barriers related to time, financial responsibility, and competing life demands. These factors can significantly impact persistence and completion rates.

Despite these challenges, Vanessa sees tremendous opportunity for transformation. She believes that stronger partnerships between educational institutions and employers can bridge the gap between education and workforce needs. By creating more flexible, practical, and inclusive pathways, society can ensure that talent and potential -- not circumstance -- determine opportunity.

The values that guide Vanessa's personal and professional life include faith, integrity, perseverance, and service to others. Her Christian faith continues to shape her leadership style, encouraging humility, compassion, and gratitude in all areas of her life.

Integrity remains central to her approach, as she believes in honesty, accountability, and consistency in all actions and decisions. Whether working with students, colleagues, or family members, Vanessa strives to ensure that her values are reflected in everything she does.

Service to others is the foundation of her career. Much of her work has been dedicated to helping individuals overcome barriers and access opportunities they once believed were out of reach. She considers this work both a responsibility and a privilege, as it allows her to contribute to meaningful, long-term change in people's lives.

Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Vanessa has been married for eighteen years and is the proud mother of two children and grandmother to her young granddaughter. Her family remains a constant source of inspiration and motivation in her work, reinforcing her commitment to building a meaningful legacy of advocacy, empowerment, and service.

Through her research, leadership, nonprofit work, and corporate contributions, Vanessa M. Perez continues to champion equitable access to education and career mobility. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds have the opportunity to achieve stability, purpose, and economic independence.

Learn More about Vanessa M. Perez:

Through her Influential Women profile: https://influentialwomen.com/connect/Vanessa-Perez

Influential Women

Influential Women provides a platform where women from all backgrounds can connect, share their perspectives, and create content that empowers themselves and others. Through storytelling, thought leadership, and creative expression, Influential Women amplifies voices that inspire change.

Editorial Team

Influential Women

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article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. more

Career development

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Jobberman equips Ondo youths with labour skills


Jobberman, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has equipped young people in Ondo State with employability and career development skills aimed at preparing them for the changing demands of the labour market.

According to a statement, the initiative formed part of the Ondo edition of Jobberman's Career Clinic, held in Akure under the theme "Blueprint for Success: Building Skills for the... Future of Work".

The event brought together students, graduates, job seekers and career development experts to discuss career opportunities, workplace trends and strategies for professional growth.

Speaking at the event, the Country Head of Programmes at Jobberman Nigeria, Olamide Adeyeye, urged young people to approach their career development with purpose and clear planning.

According to him, the future success of Nigeria depends largely on the preparedness and contributions of its youth.

"The time has come for deliberate policy reforms that will strengthen Nigeria's reputation in the global workforce ecosystem. We must create an enabling environment that gives young Nigerians equitable access to opportunities, empowers them with the skills required for the future of work, and positions them to compete confidently and successfully on the international stage," Adeyeye said.

He also called on the federal and state governments to implement policies that would create more opportunities for young people and eliminate barriers that hinder their participation in the labour market.

Delivering the keynote address, a Senior Human Resources Professional at Johnvents Industries, Pamela Elekwachi, urged participants to be intentional in designing their career paths and personal development plans.

"Financial instability does not affect only the individual; its impact often extends to family, friends, communities and the wider society. This is why young people must intentionally position themselves for growth and sustainability," Elekwachi said.

She identified continuous learning, upskilling, networking, mentorship, relationship-building and volunteering as critical factors for career success.

Elekwachi added that employers increasingly seek candidates with practical skills, adaptability and relevant experience in addition to academic qualifications.

"Success becomes easier when you learn from those who have successfully navigated the path before you. Jobberman has demonstrated expertise in career development and can provide the guidance young professionals need to build and execute a strong personal blueprint for the future," Elekwachi said.

Participants at the event described the programme as impactful and beneficial, with ThankGod Friday declaring that the training had changed his perception of career development and employability.

"This programme has changed my perspective on career development and employability. I have learnt practical skills that will help me position myself better in the labour market. I appreciate Jobberman for creating this opportunity for young people like me," he said.

Another participant, Rebecca Akinadewo, said the session on writing a professional curriculum vitae was particularly useful: "The session on writing a professional CV was my favourite because it exposed me to mistakes I had been making and showed me how to present myself better to employers. I am leaving this programme more confident and prepared for future opportunities."

Highlights of the career clinic included fireside chats on personal branding, job search strategies, artificial intelligence and digital tools for career growth. Participants also took part in career counselling sessions, networking activities and interactive discussions with industry professionals.

The event attracted representatives of the Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Ondo State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, professional bodies and other stakeholders in youth empowerment and workforce development. more