Five Steps to a Better Career in 2012

Beyond breaking your cheese doodle habit and saving more money, you’ve probably got a career resolution or two. And, if not, you should!

Here are some ideas to get you started on your 2012 career advancement plan, courtesy of Julie Redfield, talent management expert at PA Consulting Group:

Connect the dots. Career building is all about the connections, isn’t it? “Reconnect with school friends, prior employers and others in your profession. You never know where that next opportunity will come from,” says Redfield.

Look up. Redfield suggests that you identify a mentor, at least two levels up from your current position, and ask if you can pick his or her brain for career advice. This strategy also works if you’re looking into entering a new industry. See if you can identify someone willing to show you the ropes, whether it’s at an industry event, or by requesting an informational interview with someone at a company you’d love to work for.

Meet new people at work. Make this your goal today: “Identify one person in the office that I don’t know, and make an effort to get to know them and learn what their career aspirations are,” says Redfield. Along those lines, try to pay one genuine compliment to someone new every day. Getting to know people and being likeable, can go a long way.

Be the boss’ go-to employee. Every Monday, pay a visit to your boss’ office and ask what’s on his or her worry list, says Redfield. Then offer to help. That’ll help you remain top of mind, and when it comes time for promotions, guess who will be at the top of the consideration list?

Get smarter. This is one of our best tips, but we’re sure Redfield and other career experts would agree. If there’s a skill you’re lacking or something you don’t know, make this the year that you update your knowledge. Take a class online, see if your company offers career training, go to seminars, or if it’s warranted, consider exploring a certificate or degree program.

What are your career resolutions? Please share them with us here, or on Twitter (use #careerresolution).

Happy 2012!

-Dawn Papandrea

In case you missed them, here’s a look back at the top posts that received the most visitors this year. As you can see, we’ve touched on everything from zombies to animation to iPhones to the challenging job market.

Which one is your favorite? And what would you like to read about in 2012? Share your thoughts in the comments or tweet me: @CollegeSurfing.

1. 15 Post-Apocalyptic College Hipster Survival Tips – You guys are really worried about this, aren’t you?
2. Top 8 Higher Education Trends of the Decade – Now that 2011 is almost over, what do you think the new trends will be?
3. Geek Heroes: 26 Geeks Before They Were Stars – It’s always fun to look back to see what folks like J.K. Rowling and Patrick Stewart did before they became famous.
4. Hoops & YoYo Creators Bob Holt and Mike Adair Interview – One of the most fun interviews I’ve done — check it out!
5. 5 Reasons I Should Sue My College – Breaking down some myths about college life.
6. Beat the Economic Crisis: 5 “Safe” Careers – Always a hot topic, a look at the industries with the most staying power.
7. Wacky Job Interview Questions – And some fun answers to get you thinking!
8. Hot Trend: iPhone App Development Course – Break into this still-smokin’ field.
9. 8 Offbeat, Odd & Wacky College Majors – These are real, we swear!
10. Top Schools for Video Game Design – There’s no denying the cool factor of this career path, which is why it’s in our top 10.

-Dawn Papandrea

Students give back as part of their Thanksgiving tradition.

Although the Thanksgiving holiday arrives at a time of the year when students are finishing up projects and major papers, or needing to study for finals, it’s amazing to see adult students take time of their hectic schedules to help those in need.

For example, graduate students at the Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business in Winter Park, Fla., hope to collect more than 600 toys in November and December during their second annual holiday toy drive. The toys collected will go to three organizations – Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital, Florida Hospital, and Give Kids the World.

Jesse Merrell, an MBA student and working professional, shares why it’s important that students focus on the needy during the holidays: “The holidays are usually full of celebration and family gatherings; yet, several students in the MBA class have personal connections to this cause, either having spent a holiday in the hospital or having a family member absent (in the hospital) for an extended period of time. The uncertainty and stress disrupts the entire family’s spirits.”

The students want to help alleviate the pain and provide hope by bringing joy to children, especially since adult students often have little ones, too. She adds: “We are grateful for the opportunity to give a little of ourselves to make a difference.”

That’s just one example of college students, from traditional freshman to adult students pursuing associates to doctorate degrees, giving back. Other schools, such as Arcadia University, a private school offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in metropolitan Philadelphia, are holding fundraising dinners to fight hunger and homelessness. Some schools are participating in Thanksgiving food drives, such as Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisc.

If you’re looking at attending a college next semester or year, take a look at the activities students participate in around the holidays, and you’ll get a good idea of how students support their own or help others in need in the community.

And if you are a current student, tell us what your school community is doing to give back this holiday season.

-Lori Johnston

All the cups of coffee you’re consuming as a college student may not stop, depending on your profession.

CareerBuilder and Dunkin’ Donuts have brewed up a list of the top 15 professions that need coffee to get through the day.

Lots of lattes, mochas, espressos, cappuccinos and plain ol’ cups of coffee are consumed by folks in these fields, who no doubt battle coffee breath daily, too.

Whether you’re starting off in a career from the ground (get it?) up, or going to college to get an advanced education in a field where you are employed, coffee breaks may be part of your regular routine.

Here’s a look at professionals who need a java jolt to get through the daily grind.

1. Scientist/Lab Technician

2. Marketing/Public Relations Professional

3. Education Administrator

4. Editor/Writer

5. Healthcare Administrator

6. Physician

7. Food Preparer

8. Professor

9. Social Worker

10. Financial Professional

11. Personal Caretaker

12. Human Resources Benefits Coordinator

13. Nurse

14. Government Professional

15. Skilled Tradesperson (plumber, carpenter, etc)

If you’re already working in these fields or taking classes in one of these job sectors, are you finding you’re heading to the coffee shop or plugging in your coffee machine more frequently?

-Lori Johnston

For many in our generation, 9/11/01 might be the single point of delineation, kind of how the Western world separates its history into the time before and after the birth of Jesus Christ. There was the world before the attacks, and the world we live in now.

Maybe it’s because I’m a New Yorker, who had close family members there that day (I’m thankful every day that all of them came home safely). Or the fact that for the past 10 years, at every gathering, party, conference, or get-together I’ve attended, the “9/11 conversation” inevitably seems to come up. Maybe it’s because this year, my 7-year-old son has been asking questions about the significance of that day. Or perhaps it’s the images I can never erase from my mind, like driving over the Verrazano bridge that evening once it was reopened, and just staring at the endless plumes of smoke. It was surreal.  I can only imagine how magnified those images are for people who were physically there in the city that day, and for those who lost someone.

If nothing else, that day definitely changed a lot of people’s perspectives, including my own. On this 10th anniversary, I’m trying to take comfort in the many stories of hope and rebirth, survival and strength. Like this amazing video from this morning’s Today Show that takes us inside today’s Ground Zero… It’s a true testament to the American spirit, and I’m not embarrassed to say, it brought me to tears:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

While the upcoming weekend will be full of remembrances, reunions, and reflections, I hope it also reignites that amazing passion and patriotism that swelled in the days immediately following 9/11.

For me personally, I hope it’ll remind me to be kinder, to not sweat the small stuff, and to stop putting off those dreams until next year. What will the 10th anniversary of 9/11 mean for you?

-Dawn Papandrea

With the “Twilight” and “The Hunger Games” series over, let’s face it, we all know enough about vampires and postapocalyptic worlds and can focus on some career reading this summer.

Slip one of these books into your beach bag this long holiday weekend, and get inspired about your career or furthering your education.

These authors make it easy to soak up both the rays and important information about earning a first-time degree or advanced degree to move up the ladder professionally. Just imagine what were to happen if Katniss was to combine her Hunger Games experience with a college education – she would be even more unstoppable!

How to Get Any Job: Life Launch and Re-Launch for Everyone Under 30 (Or How to Avoid Living in Your Parents’ Basement) by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press)

Asher, a career consultant who is author of several books, encourages people to think about their “top five issues in this world” as part of considering a career path and gives the low-down on education options, recognizing that career paths can change over time. Plus, there’s a special chapter on summer jobs.

Bossypants by Tina Fey (Reagan Arthur Books)

It’s your typical career book, but Fey’s hilarious memoir shows what it’s like to succeed in a male-dominated industry, working at SNL and having her own Emmy Award-winning show, “30 Rock,” and how she balances being a mom in show business. You get all that, and be prepared to hide under your oversized beach hat because you may be embarrassed at how much Fey’s essays are making you laugh.

The MBA Reality Check by Evan Forester & David Thomas (Prentice Hall Press)

If you’re considering earning your MBA, you probably need a summer vacation from all of that research. This book presents the MBA pursuit from the mindset of how you can be a compelling candidate to a college, written in a way where you feel like you’re chatting with a friend – albeit a very experienced, knowledgable friend who is an educational consultant. Forster’s insider’s look into getting into a business school is fueled with stories of applicants, making it an easy summer read.

Let us know if you’ve found other career- or education-related books or biographies that have inspired or informed you to take your next career step!

-Lori Johnston

“Survivor” is breaking this season’s contestants into two tribes – young versus old. During this week’s season premiere, it was the older team (called Espada and including contestants over 40) that got sent to tribal council in Nicaragua, sending 48-year-old Montana goat rancher Wendy away (through a graveyard, no less).

It struck me as the credits rolled that if you’re an adult student and going back to school, you may be feeling like there’s two tribes in your classes as well. While you may have been told that the younger students will respect you for your life experience and knowledge, you maybe can’t help but feel that the age gap divides you from your 20-something classmates.

But let’s think about how “Survivor” typically plays out. At one point, the tribes are going to merge. And at that point, usually the younger contestants realize they can learn from the older players because of their experience, maturity, and wisdom, and vice versa.

As host Jeff Probst told CBSNews.com: “You have young guys running around, young women running around, and they’re fit and they can do all these challenges. But can they think? And when you look at the older tribe, you see people who stop before they walk and say, ‘We should go this way.’”

In the meantime, here are some tips provided by the University College Community at Rutgers-New Brunswick for adult learners:

• Seek out organizations and honors societies with adult students participating

• Make time for special events geared toward nontraditional students

• Contribute to campus events, working alongside those younger than you, to make a difference on campus

• Participate in the classroom and in group discussions

The young versus old experiment that “Survivor” is doing also may give you some insight into how you can relate to younger classmates, too.

-Lori Johnston

You may have majored in English lit. You may not even have software programming and developing experience. But with ever-advancing technology and a single good idea, you can level the playing field and create your own smart phone applications. Check out all the places you can acquire the skills you need to cash in on the iPhone revolution.

iPhone Courses for College Students

Field Studies in iPhone Entrepreneurship at Mississippi State University
Beyond designing and creating iPhone apps, students in this course, many of whom are not computer majors, assess the market, create a business plan, conduct focus groups, and market their original apps.

iPhone (iOS) SDK Programming at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Students in this upper-level course learn and apply the design principles, tools (Xcode & Interface Builder), language (Objective-C), and object-oriented programming environment (Cocoa Touch) used in iPhone app development. Prerequisite: A course in object-oriented software development.

Mobile Application Development at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies
This course covers the design, interface building, resource management, and code elaboration aspects of mobile applications, with emphasis placed on Google’s Android platform. Students learn how to work with software and hardware tools to develop, test, and debug mobile apps.

Portable Art and Games: iPad Experimentation at Washington College
During this summer 2010 internship, students with no prior knowledge of the Apple programming environment built a modern video game, Flag Assault, which is now available on the iPad app store.

Introduction to Mobile Development at the University of Southern California
This course serves as an introduction to developing applications for the iPhone and iPod touch, culminating in a class project to design and build their own app.

iPhone Courses for Everyone

SAE Institute: iPhone 360°
iPhone 360° is the country’s first non-prerequisite course dedicated specifically to the development, distribution, and sale of Apple apps. The 12-week course focuses on the fundamentals of software programming for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Bonus: Each student gets an iPad.

University of California, Irvine Extension: Mobile Development for Apple iPhone, iPad and iTouch
This five-week programming class targets developers, testers, and business analysts and involves creating and implementing a game with a learning tool and animated user interface.

University of Houston Department of Continuing Education: iPhone Programming
This 24-hour, four-week outreach course is open to anyone interested in learning how to create iPhone apps from scratch. Successful completion of the hands-on training course confers 2.4 continuing education units (CEUs).

New Jersey Institute of Technology: iPhone & iPad Application Development
This noncredit course is open to the general public and is available in an eight-week, 100-percent online format as well as a six-week hybrid format. Course completers earn three CEUs and a certificate of completion from New Jersey Institute of Technology.

NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies: iPhone and iPad App Development
This continuing education course enables first-time programmers to learn how objects cooperate to create the interface in front of a rudimentary app, and it allows developers to build a more elaborate app behind the interface. The course may be applied toward the school’s iPhone and iPad App Development certificate program.

With the skills you’ll acquire through iPhone app development courses, you’ll be at the forefront of dynamic technology, poised to apply what you’ve learned to a career in social media, marketing, or any other field that values creativity and technical acumen.

-Robyn Tellefsen

Some people say college doesn’t prepare you for real life: You probably won’t get to live with all your best friends, nor will you be able to rely on mom and dad to send cash for incidentals. But there are plenty of lessons learned in college — inside the classroom and out – that can be extremely useful on the job.

Some of these examples came to light during last week’s #CollegeBound Twitter chat — thanks to everyone for inspiring this post! On that note, be sure to get in on the fun every Monday at 4 p.m. EST!

See if you can apply these college lessons to the workplace…

College Lesson: Participate in class to get to know your prof and boost your grades.

On the Job: As important as “class participation” was in college, it’s even more critical in the workplace. It can be easier to stay in your cube and keep your head buried in your computer, but the higher-ups won’t see your face. And without face time, you can get passed over for important projects and promotions.

College Lesson: Know your subject weaknesses and get a tutor.

On the Job: Just like some college courses posed more of a challenge than others, some aspects of your job will be tough to ace. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If your boss is unapproachable, consult with your co-workers. You can also take courses to add to your knowledge base and turn your weaknesses into strengths.

College Lesson: Think critically and challenge assumptions.

On the Job: Memorizing facts didn’t cut it in college; maintaining status quo won’t be rewarded at work, either. Employers value creativity and problem-solving because innovation fuels success. Who would have thought that all those late-night philosophical discussions and classroom debates would actually be an asset on the job?

College Lesson: Figure out which profs will grade on a curve and give extensions.

On the Job: Just like professors, every boss is different. Get to know your superiors and determine who will look the other way when you can’t get a babysitter and who will be unsympathetic. Then tailor your requests accordingly.

College Lesson: Learn to deal with the lack of privacy intrinsic to dorm life.

On the Job: After living in a dorm fishbowl, you’ll be much better equipped to handle life in a cubicle. It’s small, cramped, and it can be much too loud for your liking, and it may be a while before you get your own office (if ever). So make friends and learn to enjoy the constant companionship of your fellow cube dwellers.

College Lesson: Work hard and build a good reputation with professors.

On the Job: Profs are more apt to give stellar students the benefit of the doubt in a jam. In the same way, your strong work ethic and credibility on the job are an investment that can be drawn from if you ever need a deadline extension, time off, etc.

College Lesson: Embrace group projects and assume a leadership role.

On the Job: The very words “group project” can be enough to strike fear into the heart of any college student. But team players are sought by employers in every industry – so if you’ve already learned to play nice with others and even take the lead, you’ll be in a much better position to succeed on the job.

What school lessons do you bring with you to work?

-Robyn Tellefsen

My 4-year-old son headed to his first day of a state-funded pre-K this week with his new Buzz Lightyear backpack, bought in the Target school supplies aisle and packed with items from the teacher’s recommended list of supplies.

Shopping for supplies and preparing Ty for school brought a bit of nostalgia for many reasons.

We had a small list of school supplies to buy (fortunately, for the budget), but I loved the look on his face when he saw the “Toy Story 3” backpack and immediately made his choice from the rows of backpacks boasting cartoon characters and other pop culture icons.

It was my first time shopping for school supplies since I earned my college degree 15 years ago. Then (and even now) I enjoyed getting set with notebooks, planners (in the pre-BlackBerry age), pens and pencils and other items that could get me prepared as a student.

You might have already waded through the school supply aisles, like me, or are preparing to do it while also keeping an eye on your budget.

But as your kids get ready to head back to school, are you starting to think about doing the same? Maybe the nostalgia you’re feeling while back-to-school shopping isn’t just about the smell of new notebooks and picking out the cool backpack.

With the CollegeBound Network’s #CollegeBound chat on Twitter – every Monday at 4 p.m. EST – you’ll find other people who have taken the step or are thinking of pursuing a college degree as well.

Maybe it’s time to look again at the roadblocks that have kept you from pursuing a college degree or certificate program in the past. As the kids go back to school and you may have a little more free time during the day, there’s an opportunity for you to consider what type of subject area and education program could assist you in your career goals.

Funnel the nostalgia you’re feeling into researching programs and schools. This time next year, maybe you will be picking out a new backpack and supplies, too.

-Lori Johnston