By Cathy Francois
Contributor, Career Services

It is important to consider both the short- and long-term effects before making any career move. Carefully consider the untapped opportunities with your currently employer before jumping on board to what might be a sinking ship.

By Rowe Leathers
Contributor, Career Services

If you are one of the many who would welcome a second income, it may be a good time to assess your knowledge and talents. Instead of taking a part-time retail job that may not be related to your current field, consider freelancing to further develop your key skills.

By Kristen Carter
Contributor, Career Services

Should you accept gifts from prospective or current clients? While you may never face the decision whether to accept hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of gifts, there exists a gray area when it comes to determining which gifts are acceptable and which are not.

By Ann Eastham
Contributor, Career Services

If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent hours on Pinterest searching for recipes that you never make, crafts you never start, and workouts that you never, ever intended to complete in the first place. While Pinterest allows us to ignite creativity in our personal lives, it can also help us in our professional lives! Below are just a few ideas on using Pinterest to benefit your career:

By Rowe Leathers, GCDF
Contributor, Career Services

With another year behind us, many are taking stock of their place in all aspects of life: family, personally, and professionally. A promotion in 2014 is strong validation that your career is on an upward trajectory. But what if you didn’t get a promotion? Does it mean that your career has reached a lull? Not necessarily. There are many factors affecting the momentum of your career that are out of your hands, but there are some you can direct.

By Christine Muncy, M.Ed., GCDF
Contributor, Career Services

Seasoned career searchers will tell you that the most successful job searches will have a plan, involve being organized, and knowing your material. However, that is often easier said than done, particularly with the overwhelming number of open positions available. While there are a plethora of sites, blogs and job boards to choose from, often the most effective ones are provided and administered by a university’s Career Services office.

Many people, myself included, have a moment in our professional lives when we decide to go from hourly to salary. When I received an offer for my first salaried job after working hourly positions since high school, I felt like I had finally “made it”. I was no longer measured by the numbers of hours worked but by the quality of the work I was doing. However, I failed to realize the cons of working a salaried position and began to miss the pros of working hourly.

Jaymie Pompeo
Contributor, Career Services

Starting a career can seem like an overwhelming process. Having a variety of influences coupled with not knowing the resources that exist can bring confusion.

Cathy Francois, MBA, GCDF
Contributor, Career Services

A seasonal position can be more than just an opportunity to make some extra cash. It could also serve as an opportunity to network within an organization, or feel a position or industry out. When searching for seasonal opportunities, consider your long term career plan and the skills you would like to acquire or enhance. These skills may include customer service, sales, marketing, communication, inventory management, loss prevention, and event planning. Top seasonal industries include retail, warehouse & production, sales & marketing, customer service, media & entertainment, hotel & hospitality, law enforcement and security.