 March
1,
2004
Greetings from the Alternative
FUTURES Letter , a career management newsletter published
by the Alternative FUTURES Press in Berkeley, California.
In this issue of The Letter you'll
find great information and a timely article
entitled "How to Climb Back
Aboard the Economic Wagon" by Clay Parsons. The
article is full of questions to ask yourself
if you are jumping back into the workforce
or looking to make a career change.
You are encouraged to print and post copies of
this newsletter and pass on copies of The Letter to
your colleagues, friends and relatives.
News
from The Front Line
On Our Own !
From CBS MarketWatch.com
Self-employment
provides a key source of jobs for Americans 55 and older.
The number of self-employed Americans 55 and up rose 12.6
percent, to about 2.3 million in 2003 from 2.1 million
in 2002, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall,
the ranks of the self-employed grew by about 3 percent,
to 9.6 million non-farm self-employed workers in November
2003 from 9.3 million in November 2002.
Older Americans are about twice as likely as other age
groups to start their own businesses, said Steve Hipple,
an economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Whether
or not they're driving the economy, older Americans often
make for ideal entrepreneurs.
Why? "They now have the experience where they can
leverage all the education they've learned in their career
and go after an opportunity that fits their expertise," said
Andrew Zacharakis, professor of entrepreneurship
at Babson College. Top Five Forecasts: Workforce and Workplace: 2004
The Herman Group, Greensboro, North Carolina
1. Employment Market Turbulence. Pent-up
energy among employees who have felt trapped
in their current positions will stimulate unprecedented
churning in the labor marketplace.
2. Shift to Sellers' Market in Labor. As the economy
picks up, employers will face the most severe shortage
of skilled labor in history.
3. Fluid International Job Movement. Economic issues
and skilled labor shortages in the United States will
move even more jobs to other countries.
4. Retirement Will Evaporate.
Retirement, as we have known it
for two generations, will continue
its metamorphosis. Fewer people
will retire completely.
5. Training and Education Will Accelerate. Workers
will discover that their skills are obsolete or insufficient
to gain the jobs they want. Employers will place greater
emphasis on education and training.
Inspiration
Two roads
diverged in a wood. And I - I took the one less
traveled by, and that has made all the difference.
~
Robert Frost
This above all: to thine own self be true.
~
William Shakespeare
Feature
Article
How to Climb Back Aboard the Economic Wagon By
Asking the Right Questions
By
Clay Parsons
According to recent statements by the pundits and the press, we are slowly climbing
out of the economic doldrums. Despite continuing job losses and the shipping
of many support positions overseas, inventories in some industries are way up
and sales jobs are the hottest items on the Internet job boards. The indicators
are all pointing in the right direction. Prosperity has not arrived yet but
hopefully it will in the near future. It's time for those of us who have been
unemployed to climb back aboard the economic wagon. There's just one catch.
If you haven't played the job search game in a while, how do you gear up and
reconnect? How do you avoid making damaging mistakes and take full advantage
of the opportunity this new chapter in your life presents?
Click
here to read the article
New
Career Milestones
Examples of what Parsons' clients at Alternative FUTURES' are doing
After years working in the
high tech industry Sheila D. recently began a graduate program in organizational
development at Alliant University. She plans to complete her Ph.D. and
work as a management consultant.
Paige D. has chosen to follow her dream and become a Sports Psychologist.
She has entered the Graduate School of Psychology at John F. Kennedy
University. After she receives her Doctorate she plans to work with
professional athletes. Paige is also an accomplished athlete in her
own right. Her specialty is the Triathlon.
Until
next time,
Clay
Parsons, MA, MLA Alternative
FUTURES Press
2034 Blake Street
Suite 6
Berkeley, CA 94704
Tel:
(510) 287-5664
Fax: (510) 548-9921
www.alternativefutures.com
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