Career Hound

She Has So Much Fun Doing This Job!

How many people call their job FUN?! 

She does!  

Click the photo below to hear more about Jennifer's #CoolCareer or check it out on our YouTube Channel here...

 

Happy viewing!  xx CH

 

 

Career Path: Working for a Non-Profit. Matthew's #CoolCareer

Would you love be able to raise money to support your favorite cause or non-profit and GET PAID FOR IT?!  

Matthew Dickey is a professional fundraiser.  As "Director of Development" for the historical non-profit, "Gore Place Society" (GorePlace.org) he networks and connects with both new, potential donors as well as keeping connections with long-time donors.

What's "Development"?  It's the term or title for a professional fund-raiser - or raising money for non-profits.

Parties, events and fundraisers are another perk that makes his - a really #CoolCareer !

 

Check out his video below or here on our YouTube channel.  

 Director of Development for Gore Place Society, Matthew Dickey

GorePlace.org & @ _MADickey_

 

Matthew's Top Advice:

1. Get out there and experience different things so that you can learn what you like and what kind of career you'd like to have. 
2. Just do SOMETHING.  Try something new!
3. The best way to find out what you like to do is to experiment with new roles.
4. Volunteering at different kinds of organizations is a great way to experiment with a new type of work or job to see if you like it. 
5. It comes down to "Who do you know?"  Building your Network is KEY.
6. The way to do that?  You can meet people! by doing different things!  
7. Get out of your comfort zone 
8. Doing things that are different to what you normally do - makes you grow as an individual. 
9. New experiences help you see perspectives from other people's eyes. 
10. Matthew knows that he will always have a job because of his fund-raising skills.  Every company needs to raise money! 

 

Matthew's Career Path

Start: Matthew went to High School in Collinsville, Illinois.  (Home to the world's largest ketchup bottle!)  He was obsessed with Architecture and was always drawing little buildings.  

 

Curve Ball: After High School, Matthew wanted to study at an Architectural College (to learn to design buildings).  However, he hates 'Standardized Tests' and didn't do well on the college entrance exams so he didn't get into any of the colleges that he applied to. 

Instead he stayed near his home and went to Art School and got a Bachelor's of Fine Art Degree in Painting.

 

How He Paid for School: He worked at a grocery store as a cashier and bagger for 5 1/2 years to pay for his college.

 

Tough Times: Matthew graduated from college in 2008 - during the U.S. "Great Recession".   There were few jobs for anyone - especially someone with an art degree.

 

 

Instead, he decided to volunteer for a year to gain new experiences.  Matthew says, the best way to see what kind of job you'd like to do is to volunteer with different organizations!

 

Learn more: How to get the most out of your volunteer experience

Volunteer opportunities in Boston: OneBrick.org / BostonCares.org / 14 Places to Volunteer in Boston

 

 

Curve Ball: Matthew was excited for his first volunteer position but it lost it's funding so he did not get into the program that he was originally accepted to.

 

Winner: Matthew didn't let that daunt him.  Instead, he applied to all the regions that the program was in and got into Boise, Idaho.   A far cry from New York City but it turned out great because ultimately he met his wife there!

 

Pivotal Moment: While there he taught art to refugee children and English to refugee adults.

This experience changed his life!  

Learn more: 10 Things You Can Do From Boston To Help Refugees

 

 

He was inspired by the refugee's determination.  He knew he wanted to help people.

It also showed him that he wanted to experience living outside of the U.S. - to explore another culture. 

 

Travel: Matthew then went to live in Peru for 6 months to teach art to children in the Andean Mountains near Machu Picchu. 

 

Matthew didn't know how to speak their language but he just winged it!  He learned more Spanish in 3 weeks while living in Peru than in all the years he studied in school.  Experiences are Key! 

 

Learn More: 

Best Volunteer Abroad Programs, Organizations and Projects

18 Ways To Travel For Free (or Super Cheap)

10 Volunteer Opportunities for Free Travel 

How to Volunteer Abroad for Free

 

Next Step: After traveling, Matthew came back to the U.S. but he still "Didn't know what he wanted to do with his life".  He drove around and couch surfed while checking out different schools to see where he wanted to live. Ultimately this brought him to Boston 

 

Work & School: Matthew worked and also went to Boston University.  He graduated and received a degree in "Arts Administration and Museum Management" didn't know wha the wanted to do but knew he loved helping others. 

 

Job: Matthew worked at a coffee shop and also curated their art gallery while he went to school. 

 

After College - 1st Job: Matthew worked in "Development" (fund-raising) for United South End Settlements USES.org

2nd Job: Matthew's next job was "Development Manager" for 'Raw Art Works' in Lynn, MA. RawArtWorks.org

 

RawArtWorks.org - RAW'S mission is to IGNITE the DESIRE to CREATE and the CONFIDENCE TO SUCCEED in underserved youth. (and they have cool videos!)

 

3rd Job: Matthew is not the "Director of Development" (top dog!) for Gore Place Society. GorePlace.org 

 

Matthew likes that his job combines his interests with his hobbies and that's a good balance. 

 

Learn More:

A Guide to Getting Into Fundraising

How to Raise Money, Nurture Relationships & Build Support for Non-Profit Organizations

 

 

 Matthew says that he knows that these skills that he has - working in 'Development' will ensure that he always has a job - because people and companies and non-profits will ALWAYS need people who can raise money.

So if you have a cause that you're passionate about - consider volunteering with their non-profit's 'Development Team'.  This is a great way to experiment with a job, learn from the people who work there about their Career-Paths and see if it's something you'd like to pursue as your #CoolCareer !  

  

 xx  CH

 

 

Celebrity's First Jobs - Be Inspired!

At The Golden Globes this year, celebrities contributed to a cool (and pretty funny) video where they told viewers what their FIRST JOBS were.  From a 'red-licorice salesperson, to a snow shoveler, to a dog poop cleaner' - everybody has to start somewhere!

You can see it here or below...

Take a look.  Be Inspired!

 

xx CH

 

 

 

Her Career Path: From 'The Projects in Harlem' to Financial Success

By her own account, Patricia Rowan wasn't always this successful... 

Her life may have been very different if it weren't for a change in her school that took her from her neighborhood in Harlem into downtown New York City.  

Now Patricia has a Global Role with Procter & Gamble's Gillette Corporation and travels the world in Business Class!  She's lived in several major cities and has done work in some of the most exciting, exotic countries in the world. 

Hear how from her first school-bus ride into New York City at the age of 13, she discovered a whole new world of people and opportunity and from then on - knew her life could be different.  She shares the steps she took to achieve more career and financial success than she could have ever imagined...and hopes to inspire YOU next.

 

Click the video above or click here to view on our YouTube channel

Patricia Rowan - Associate Director of Human Resources for 'Gillette's Product Supply' business.

 

Pat's Top Advice:

1. Experiences are the key to change and success.  It's what changed her life.
2. For Pat, she knew that education was the key to changing her life.
3. It pays to speak up.
4. ASK FOR HELP.
5. A 'no' might mean a 'no' for today but it's not a 'no' forever. 
6. You can make a "way" when there is "no way".
7. You HAVE to keep trying!
8. Have contacts (Network!) and let people know what you are up to and what you are looking for. (Speak Up!)
9. Believe in yourself - even when you're scared.  (Pat still gets scared but she believes in herself and powers though!) 
10. Resources may be inside you or they may be around you.  Use your Resources and Network.

 

Pat's Career Path

Tough Start: Patricia (Pat) grew up on "on the 20th floor of a Project House" in Harlem, New York.  She is 1 of 5 kids.  She felt confined by what she calls, "the four walls of Harlem".  She didn't know anything about life beyond her neighborhood. 

 

Pivotal Moment: One year, her school district changed and she was bused out of Harlem into downtown New York City.  She says: That experience of leaving Harlem - is what changed her destiny.  For the first time, she saw that her life could be something different and thought "I want to be like that too".   She knew she wanted to shoot for more. 

 

1st Job: Pat got her first job while she was still in High-School.  She worked because she saw people around her doing better and doing more.  She wanted to have her own money.  She worked in a grocery store as a cashier and grocery bagger. 

 

Mantra: Pat is the type of person who when she sees something - she goes after it!

 

School: Pat's parents did not go to college but Pat realized that EDUCATION was THE KEY to HER changing her life.

 

College: When Pat graduated from high-school, she applied to college and got in.  In college she wasn't sure what she wanted to do.  She thought being a doctor would be a good idea because that's the only career she'd really heard of. 

Pat loves people so she took a class in Psychology and did really well in it.  She also found that she LIKED reading about Psychology and even chose to read and learn about the subject just for fun!  That's when she knew what she wanted to do with her life.

Learn more: 

What is the Study of Psychology 

How to become a Psychologist

Careers in Psychology

 

2nd Job: Pat worked at McDonalds between her freshmen and sophomore year in college.  She learned that if she wanted to succeed and do better - she needed to work.  Life was not going to be handed to her on a silver platter.  

 

While working at McDonald's, Pat realized she had to focus on school to have a better life. 

 

 

Bump: Once out of college, Pat decided that she wanted to continue her schooling and get her Master's degree.  When she told her Mom though - her Mom said there was no money.  Pat did get accepted to 'Graduate School' and was excited.  However, she was told the school had no financial aid for her.  

 

Undaunted: Her Mother took her up to the University and met with the Dean of Psychology.  His department had no money for Pat.  Finally, the dean had an idea and found some financial aid in a completely different department where Pat wasn't even taking courses.

The experience taught her to not take 'No' for an answer and to be nimble in her thinking.  If she heard 'No' to one try - then she would try another direction until it worked out for her. 

 

 

Big Break: Pat helped some engineering students at her campus with their project.  They then referred her to the company, 'Procter & Gamble' where Pat got her first interview. 

 

The lesson she learned there?  "I need to have contacts and let people know what I was up to and what I was looking for."

 

Learn more:

Explore all the #CoolCareers at Procter & Gamble

Career listings at Procter and Gamble

Boston Jobs and Careers at Gillette

 

Pat has been with Procter and Gamble for 29 years and LOVES her Cool Career.  She says she still can't believe 'this person from Harlem would be at this place in her life'.

  

 

 xx  CH

 

 

Why Exploring Places Outside of Your Neighborhood Is So Important to Your Success

The world is a big place...Yet new possibilities and opportunities are EVERYWHERE.  They may be around the corner or a few miles down the road - if you're just willing to explore... 

 

When we walked into Procter and Gamble to to interview, Patricia Rowan - Associate Director for Human Resources for Product Supply for Gillette - located in Boston, MA -  We could have never expected the treasure-trove of advice and information we'd get. 

(In fact, she had so much "Cool Career" advice that we are STILL creating videos!)  

Pat grew up in Harlem - a neighborhood in New York City - in a 'Project House' on the 20th floor.   She describes life as 'living inside the four walls of Harlem' and she knew little else of the world around her. 

Then one day, her school changed and she was bused out of Harlem into downtown, New York City.  It was only just a few miles away - but it showed her a whole new world of people, possibly and opportunity. 

In this video, Pat tells us why she believes that her getting exposed to new areas, neighborhoods and people is THE KEY to her success today and what ultimately led her to achieve her #CoolCareer where she travels the world for work.

For more inspiration from Patricia - check out her full video here. 

"From the Projects in Harlem to Career & Financial Success"

 

Happy watching... xx CH

 

 

 

From College Dropout to Multi-Millionaire - What We Learned From The King of Crossfit

Need some idea, job or career inspiration?

In case you missed it… 

CBS's '60 Minutes' had a great interview with every ultra-fit person's favorite workout creator, 'CrossFit's' Greg Glassman. 

 

Click the photo to see the video in full and read below where we've compiled A List of our favorite quotes from the interview...

__________________________________________________________

• On what he's doing: "I'm not trying to grow a business.   I'm doing the right things for the right people for the right reasons". 

• On what he actually invented: "I invented that doing lateral raises and (bicep) curls while eating pretzels is dumb.  That's what I invented".  (eat this instead?) 

• He had polio as a child, used gymnastics to heal but now walks with a limp due to a bad dismount.

• He likes to say he runs 'CrossFit' more like a biker-gang than a business.

• His company is estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. 

• His company is privately owned… He owns 100% of it. 

• He is a college drop-out. 

• There is no board of directors. 

• He said he never even had a business plan. 

• His company is the fastest growing "large chain".

• You can open your own 'CrossFit' gym if you have the money ($3000 a year annually)  and take two classes.

• CrossFit gyms are not typical and are referred to as 'a box'.  

• He has 7 children and nearly 100 attorneys.

Check out his (weird!) corporate mascot here.

 

You can do it to … xx  The A-List 

 

Eli's Story: From Being Bullied to Coming Out to Career Success

Eli shares his story as a middle child of 11, raised by a single mom with little money.   As a young boy, he endured bullying and getting beat-up (even by girls) on his way to school.

He shares his path to career success including his time in the army, in a tank and loading ammunition, and finally finding the job that he describes as "everyday enjoyment"! (more below) 

Watch below or here on our YouTube Channel.

 

Eli's mission is help other young people who may be going through the same things he's been through.  Listen as he shares the secret he kept from his mother and family for years before coming out and eventually marrying his love.

His is a true success story forged by hard work, creativity, humor and an un-failing belief in Never Giving Up.

xx CH 

"I Control My Future". How He Went From Homeless Teen To Rising Star

Native Bostonian, Darren Irabor grew up in the roughest part of the city - or as he puts it... "the hood". 

Adopted at 3, homeless at 16, hopeless at 22.

Then, Darren summoned his strength to ask for help and when he did... He got more that he could have imagined. 

He changed his destiny.

(click below to watch on YouTube or scroll down and hit 'play') (Click here to see Darren's 'Career Path')

___________________________________________________________________

 

DARREN’S TOP TIPS: “I CONTROL MY FUTURE”

YOUR BIGGEST ASSETS ARE:

1. THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU

2. YOUR ABILITY TO ASK FOR HELP – “All you have to do is SPEAK UP”.

**************************

Find someone who can be a mentor in your life

And

Make sure YOU act as a MENTOR yourself. Help others!

Darren Says: “We forget to HELP OTHER PEOPLE”.

 

DON’T BE AFRAID TO TALK TO YOUR TEACHERS – They are willing to help!

Do what it takes!

Sometimes doing what it takes means staying after school, more homework, missing out on a few things – but in the end – When you do what it takes – You MOVE FORWARD.   YOU are accountable… YOU grow.

 

“YOU control your future!”

 

DARREN’S FAVORITE BOOK: “The Slight Edge” by Jeff Olson

He read 10 pages a day on the train to work.

"Plant. Cultivate. Harvest".

 

Plant = Ask for help. Ask questions.

Cultivate = LISTEN! Listen and put the good advice into effect.

Harvest = Develop the small, daily habits to guide you to success and ones to lift you up and get you back on your path if you make a mistake.

 * * * * * * * * * *

Don’t look to a job or another person for happiness….

Happiness is the START of everything.

Get YOURSELF HAPPY first – and the rest will follow.

Your MINDSET affects your PERFORMANCE!

**************************

STAY CONSISTENT

• We all make mistakes…

• Don’t let the failures get you down.

• Consistently keep working – life is going to change

 

Failure is Your Iceberg

Break that iceberg into very small pieces!!!

Move AROUND that failure – INCH by INCH – and you move around that iceberg!

**************************

Darren Says…

“It doesn’t matter where you start out – it just takes small daily disciplines to keep you on track.”

“Your story is what is going to propel you through life.”

“Write you goals – then write 3 things you can do daily to get closer to those goals.”

“Hold each other accountable – Help each other out!

Be the mentor that you need!”

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________