Writing | The Career Pioneer | Motivation to help you change careers or start a business you'll love

Making a Comeback | My Journey Thru Illness

I have been sooo missing in action for the past couple of years, only posting a few times throughout the year and most of those posts were contributed by guest bloggers. For this reason, I want to say thank you for being such loyal followers. Your support is much appreciated. Honestly, I am truly humbled.   I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me. Have I groveled enough? OK, good, because things are about to take a turn for the better. This kid has decided to make a comeback. … [Read more...]

How to Become a Freelance Writer Who Gets Paid

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Image: luigi diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

People often ask me how I got started as a writer, and how I found my work from home job. Thankfully, I currently write full-time for a trade publication, and I do get to work from my home office. But that hasn't always been the case. Most of the writers that I know -- in journalism, public relations and marketing, at least -- are still required to work in a traditional business setting, in an office. But with the power of high speed Internet connection in homes, and the fact that more … [Read more...]

Resume Writing Tip: Ensure Your Summary Statement Reflects Your Personal Brand

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Writing the Summary Statement on your resume can seem like a difficult task for job seekers. In the first place, many professional don't like to talk about themselves. And, admittedly, some don't like to write. So putting the two together, can be a frightening task, indeed. You look at the blank page and crumble under the pressure. Well, have no fear. As you'll soon learn some simple tricks for knocking your Summary statement out of the park and with ease. Keep in mind that the Summary … [Read more...]

Yours Truly, Desperate for a Career Change

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Every once in a while, I get an email from readers seeking advice. Recently, I got this message from a young mother of two (and wife), living in Atlanta. Her name is Nicole. As you'll soon read, this young professional is at a crossroads, and as I've shared in my own personal career challenges here, I can completely understand her dilemma. With her permission, today, I'm sharing her story with you all. Afterward, is my advice to her. But here's the thing, I want you to weigh in in the … [Read more...]

Guest Blogger: Becoming Carrie Bradshaw

Your Dream Career Awaits, Start Here

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A few months ago (literally) I sat on my couch pouting about how I wanted to more aggressively pursue my writing dreams and gain greater traction in the publishing world. But then I realized (with the help of some trusted friends, and lots of trust and prayer) that if I fail to take a step of faith and actually put myself out there to claim my destiny, then how in the world was I ever going to accomplish my life-long goals? After mustering some courage, I got rid of the self-doubt and … [Read more...]

Who’s Got Yo’ Back?

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Please excuse the grammatical no-no in the title. But this is a very important post (as the rest of them are.) Who has your back in your career? Who’s in your corner when you need some advice, insight, support in pursuing your dreams when times are low, or who gives you that extra push off the ledge into facing your fears? Who would you consider as a mentor or supportive friend? Today, I had a very encouraging conversation with a good friend, Monique McDowell, whom I first connected with … [Read more...]

It’s Official: The 30th Day of The Career Pioneer Blog! 

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It’s been exactly 30 days to-date that I launched The Career Pioneer blog. And I must say that it’s been an interesting, somewhat difficult, and self-revealing ride to say the least. When I started this blog, yes, I wanted to help other people discover their own passion and true career path, but at the same time I secretly used it as therapy for myself, as I decidedly made a more concerted effort to pursue my own career dreams. Thanks for joining me on this journey. It honestly felt like a … [Read more...]

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

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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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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...]

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 pulled in so … [Read more...]

Your Level of Discipline Could Equal Your Aptitude for Success

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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, it … [Read more...]

News

First Annual Power 30 Under 30 Awards, Washington, DC Photo Credit: http://power30under30.com Photographer, Kat Goduco

### Apex Society selects professional development blogger, journalist as awards finalist The 2010 Power 30 Under 30 Awards™ honors 30 young professionals in their chosen fields WASHINGTON, DC (October 7, 2010) — Emily Ann Brown, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and the founder and key contributor of TheCareerPioneer.com, announced today that she was selected as a finalist for the Apex Society's annual Power 30 Under 30™ Awards. The Power 30 Under 30™ Awards honors 30 outstanding … [Read more...]