Profile: Elaine W. Hurt, Peace Corps Volunteer, U.N. Consultant 


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Career Pioneer: Elaine W. Hurt

As a young girl growing up in Nairobi, Kenya, Elaine Wacuka Hurt imagined herself one day becoming  either a judge or working in foreign diplomacy. As a 2004 graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, DC and former Peace Corps volunteer, she says she’s now well on her way to fulfilling her dreams of becoming a United Nations diplomat. Elaine is currently working as a consultant with the U.N.’s peace-building initiative. In the fall, she’ll be attending the School of International … [Read more...]

How to Create a Dreamboard. Plus, Take the First Career Pioneer Poll!

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[polldaddy poll=1847191] Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by to participate in the first CP poll. Today, we're talking about dream or vision boards, which have grown increasingly popular over the years. Dijon, a devoted Career Pioneer and reader, shared in a recent post that he keeps a dream board on his wall in his bedroom and that his two young boys are creating one too. (Thanks for sharing that with us Dijon!) 
How inspiring and fun is that?! I don't have a dream board yet. So, I did … [Read more...]

Going Green’s the Going Thing in Jobs


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Courtesy of Dreamstime

Everyone's talking about being eco-friendly -- from what you wear to what you put in your body. But increasingly, more people are having serious discussions on what the job market has in store for workers and businesses that implement environmentally conscious design, policy, and/or technology to boost conservation and sustainability. This evening I attended an informational session focused on the topic: “What is a Green Job?” led by Reclamation Energy, a Washington, DC-based organization … [Read more...]

Want to Reinvent Yourself? Personal Branding is Key

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Courtesy of Dreamstime

Today's post was inspired by football wide receiver Terrell Owens, aka T.O., and his new reality-based television show called The T.O. Show. Honestly, I was a bit . . . no, very reluctant to watch the show, which airs on VH1 Mondays. I'm not very familiar with his professional football career. But in the few times that I have seen him in the media, I felt he was generally portrayed as some bad guy slash conceited, hot head on and off the field. Because of that, I've never really had a … [Read more...]

Could Your Career Use a Dose of Wishful Thinking?

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Courtesy of Dreamstime

Remember what happened when as a kid, you spotted a shooting star or the brightest one appearing in the night sky? What did you immediately do? Did you make a wish? Can you recall how devoted you were to that wish, often thinking of it weeks and weeks after the star had long disappeared? You imagined your wish as a future possibility. It was always crystal clear in your mind. And no one or nothing could deter you from believing that your wish would one day come true. Maybe you’ve matured … [Read more...]

“What do you do well?” And Other Simple Questions To Discover Work You Love

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Courtesy of Dreamstime

Since graduating from high school, throughout college, and up until about a year ago, I went back and forth in my mind trying to determine what my true career path was. Along the way, I considered pursuing jobs in social work, education, public relations, theatre, film & television, sales and journalism -- without a doubt, an eclectic group of industries had crossed my mind. The one profession that continued to resurface was writing and journalism. It made sense. After all, I enjoyed the … [Read more...]

How to Get the Most Out of Self-Help Books, Blogs & Other Published Works

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Courtesy of Dreamstime

I read a lot of self-help books. By reading them, I always seem to find the practical advice, insight or inspiration I need to get me through a slump. (Check out my Suggested Reading list for recommendations.) It was my collection of self-help books that inspired me during difficult and challenging times at work, through job transitions and career changes. The self-help genre even served as the primary inspiration for my creating The Career Pioneer blog. I had gotten to a point where I … [Read more...]

“Failure Isn’t a Set-Back, It’s a Step Up.” Plus, Famous Quotes to Live By

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Courtesy of Dreamstime

Don’t you just love great quotes? They’re motivational, thought-provoking, and often wise words to store in your brain for those rainy, discouraging days. I created the title quote myself after scourging the Internet for famous quotes to share with you all today. Do quotes encourage you too? What quotes have inspired you to: Take Chances? Rise above the level of mediocrity? Tap into self-belief? Muster courage? Demolish all excuses? Dream again? As I started to think … [Read more...]

Going. Going. Going. STOP! Know When to Hang It Up and Recharge


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I felt so tired this entire week. Literally, fatigued. I have my hand in different projects, including writing daily for this blog. On top of that, my teenage cousin is visiting me from the state of Georgia, so I’ve been trying to find ways to keep him entertained in my normally boring little world. If that’s not enough, I’m also caring for a sick little girl -- my daughter is fighting a cold with a nasty, runny nose, and has been extremely fussy.

 Needless to say, I was feeling … [Read more...]

Interviewing for a New Job? Determine Your Salary Range Before Stepping in the Door

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Courtesy of Dreamstime

Your phone rings. You look at the small caller-id screen, but you’re unfamiliar with the incoming phone number. As the digits continue to flash, you suspect it’s someone you know and that they’re calling from another phone line. You pick up and, with your “receptionist” voice, you answer: “HellOoo, this is . . .” “Hi. This is so-and-so from whachamacallit Company,” says the voice on the other line. “We received and reviewed your resume and cover letter regarding the XYZ … [Read more...]

Your Level of Discipline Could Equal Your Aptitude for Success

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dreamstimefree_1338105

When I started this blog almost two weeks ago, I made a decision that I’d post at least one article a day for a certain period of time. It’s taken great discipline to come up with the story ideas, do the research to expand on those ideas, and then to actually sit down and write. As you know, my posts in general are in the range of 500 to 1,200 words. So, writing to this extent on a daily basis, while juggling other responsibilities, is never easy. But, thankfully for me, it's fun! Plus, … [Read more...]

What’s Your Attitude? Is it Contagious? Or Does it Repel?

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Walt Disney Pictures

Are you a movie buff? Or are you a sucker for a good action film or chick flick? My favorite types of movies are those based on real-life events. And although I realize Hollywood fictionalizes some aspect of the true story to enhance the film, I always get chills during the part of the movie when the protagonist experiences sudden revelation or insight. One of my favorite scenes that serves as an example of this, is in the movie Remember The Titans. In case you haven’t seen it, Titans … [Read more...]

Are Your Talents Wage-Worthy?

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Courtesy of Dreamstime

What’s your secret talent? Are you an excellent writer? Do you make a killer cheesecake? As a parent or concerned citizen, have you raised funds for your local school that exceeded everyone’s expectations? Can you stitch a new garment out of an old tapestry that could rival that of any leading designer? Are you well-oiled machine when it comes to planning birthday parties and annual gatherings for yourself, family and friends? Up until now, have you done all of this for free, even … [Read more...]

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