Benefits of a Business Education

There are many reasons to acquire a Business education.

Here are 25 good reasons to study business.

1. START A NEW BUSINESS- Increasing numbers of people want to "be their own boss."

2. IMPROVE AN EXISTING BUSINESS- Most start-ups fail, attention to business principles and strategies can improve your probability of success.

3. CHANGE CAREERS- Stuck in a career that's not for you, more education and improved skills may be the key.

4. GET A PROMOTION- Managers want to promote people who are prepared and have business knowledge.

5. IMPROVE YOUR JOB PERFORMANCE- New knowledge, better techniques, state-of-the art methods and greater insights all contribute to improved performance.

6. GET A NEW JOB- Oftentimes the candidate with a business background is the candidate who is selected.

7 MANAGE PROJECTS EFFECTIVELY- Have them "come in on time and within budget."

8. INCREASE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE- Knowledge is power!

9. MAKE BETTER INVESTMENT AND PURCHASING DECISIONS- The decisions you make will make the difference between financial success and failure.

10. UNDERSTAND SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGIES- Whether you use this understanding for personal or professional benefit, you will become a more astute purchaser, as well as more effective in generating sales for your products or services.

11. BECOME A SUPERVISOR OR MANAGER- Getting things done through other people's efforts can be rewarding and effective.

12. BECOME A BETTER CONSUMER- The American economy is consumer-driven, you need to understand the impact, potential pitfalls and opportunities here.

13 BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN MEETINGS- Many people dread meetings, others enjoy less impact than they should.

14. "BRAND" AND "MARKET" YOURSELF- Promoting oneself gains recognition and pays dividends..

15. IMPROVE YOUR (BUSINESS) COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS- What's the biggest problem in almost every organization? Communication!.

16. UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF BUSINESS- It's easy to run afoul of the law in our increasingly litigious society.

17. BE A MORE EFFECTIVE MANAGER- Doing the "right things right" is an art worth being proficient at.

18. BECOME MORE "STRATEGIC"-. The elements and development of a strategic plan are straightforward, yet imperative. You must be concerned with the future as you will spend all of your time there.

19. IMPROVE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS- Solving problems, analyzing data and making good decisions are skills that can be learned and developed.

20. BECOME A MORE SUCCESSFUL INVESTOR- You work for your money. Why not "have your money work for you?"

21. DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS- Leaders are developed, not born. Professional leadership can be even more effective than "natural leadership."

22. INCREASE SALES AND PROFITABILITY- Growth and profitability are the primary objectives of business.

23. IMPROVE ORGANIZATIONAL OR PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND PRODUCTIVITY- Getting more "bang for the buck" is what they used to call this.

24. SUCCESSFULLY ADAPT TO A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT- Adaptation and contingency planning are essential features of survival and evolution.

25. MAKE MORE MONEY- This one does not deserve an explanation.

So think about it. Your reason may not even appear on the list. Make your own list , then make your decision. A business education will help you in your life and career, whatever path you take.

Using Six Sigma, You Can Find Your Dream Career Path

If it is time for you to choose a career path for the rest of your life, you really need to be selective and pick something that you think you would like to do for a long time. If being outside among wildlife and in fresh air is something you like, you could be a landscaper or a maintenance person who works on pools. If working in an office environment is more up your alley, you could work as an executive or manage an office.

Narrow down the options of your possible future career by making lists of things that you enjoy doing that could possibly lead to a career. Then you will want to find a college or training facility to help you on your way. You must be a diligent and dedicated student if you are to reach your potential. Concentrating on courses during high school and undergraduate college is also a great way to figure out what you would like to be doing in ten or twenty years.

For instance, if you enjoy baking cakes, working with food will probably satisfy you while you go through bakery school. It is important to be interested in the career you choose so that the business you have entered will profit from your presence. If you always want to go to work because you know you have the potential to really get things done, to achieve things you will not achieve sitting at home on the couch.

Many business careers will involve getting a great deal of education first. If you are prepared to go through some years of college and get all the necessary degrees to pursue your chosen career, it will be easier to maintain throughout those years. It is always good to plan ahead. Some people are not quite sure what kind of business plan they want to develop, or even how to create the plan, and they would benefit from utilizing a Six Sigma professional for this purpose. As long as there is an idea, a Six Sigma professional can help the business owner create a project from it.

The project will work toward making the idea a successful business. The methods used by Six Sigma professionals can be continued throughout the life of the business as it expands and when there is need for improvement. These two things should always be considered, perhaps not as a direct priority, but as something to keep on the back burner, even from the start of the business.

It is important to pick a career carefully so that you enjoy getting in the car and going to work each day. We all have enough stress in our day-to-day personal lives that there is no reason to have a job that you just don't like doing. You should do something that will put a smile on your face.

Private Equity Career Paths

Private equity is a difficult field to enter and with a high number of applicants for jobs at a private equity (PE) firm, employers are forced to be selective. This has led to a common misconception that there is one single path to working for a PE firm and absolutely no other way to enter the field. This is simply not true, there are a variety of ways to enter private equity, as many of the top PE managers illustrate.

But it is true that many PE firms hire from top tier business schools and universities. Another popular path to a career in PE is through investment banking. Many investment bankers work with PE firms in valuation and helping in M&A transactions so the transition it fairly natural, although the two industries are also very different.

David Rubenstein of the Carlyle Group, one of the top 10 buyout firms in the world, worked in Washington as part of the Clinton Administration and as an attorney. Then he founded one of biggest and most successful buyout firms ever. This is a unique career path which shows that a person's most important qualification is education, intelligence and a strong work ethic like Mr. Rubenstein's. Other career paths for entering PE include accounting, law, compliance, corporate and business management, and any number of other fields. If you have performed well in other roles and have a strong background of knowledge in PE and finance you will still be able to compete for jobs in PE even though you will not have the typical background. Some firms may even look on this as a benefit because you have a different perspective.

If you are interested in entering PE you should consider bolstering a lacking resume with a private equity training program. This puts you in a better position and makes up for your lack of PE experience and knowledge by giving you a strong understanding of how the industry works.

Building a Foundation With a GED and Choosing a Career Path

By obtaining a high school equivalency, many opportunities have become available that once were completely out of reach. Opportunities are readily available for continued education at both community and technical colleges in a variety of fields, as well as a larger number of employment opportunities. Do not spend any more time thinking what kind of career you might have had, and instead begin building a foundation with a GED.

Completing the program for high school equivalency is a step in the right direction and requires commitment and dedication. This commitment and dedication is relayed whenever you apply for a position or enroll for additional classes. Most employers will appreciate a person who completes a project, and especially a person who returns to finish one.

While many four-year colleges do not accept this certificate for enrollment, there is no difficulty with enrolling in most community colleges. Most technical schools also acknowledge the equivalency certificate as well. Enrolling in Weekend College is often the best way to attend classes and still go to work.

Editor's Note: If you're having difficulty obtaining a rewarding career because you only have a GED, you may want to consider employment in the Green industry. Right now, acquiring a BPI certification could put you on the right career path and plus you'll be helping the environment too. It's a feel good type of job and there's plenty of building contractors looking for certified building analyst professionals to help them grow their business. In some states, your potential employer may even qualified for a grant to send you to school for free.

During preparation for the test, various skills may have become apparent in a particular subject. It may be wise to continue a course of study on these particular skills, or on something that you have a strong passion for. It is much more likely to excel at subjects that tend to make us content and happy. If the test itself was an inspiration, you may want to consider obtaining a degree and becoming an instructor that can administer the test to others who are in the same position.

While furthering your education it may be necessary to try several different jobs before you eventually find just the right one. Learn everything that you can about the job and obtain any necessary continuing education available. Just remember that you can never have too much education and everything in life turns into a valuable lesson.

Cosmetology Careers - Career Path Requirements

You've chosen a school, are doing well in your studies and need to start planning for your future. Which career path is right for you? What are the benefits to the different careers cosmetology offers? Do you have to cut hair in order to succeed in this industry? All of these questions may start weighing on your mind as you begin your education in cosmetology. Most are best answered before you dive too far in your studies so you will know exactly which area you want to specialize in.

There are a few things required regardless of which career path you choose. As a cosmetologist you will be working with the public to offer a specific service. Having a courteous and professional demeanor is required to ensure you are able to build repeat clientele. Being friendly, personable and a good listener will take you far in this career choice. Most clients will come back to you for your winning personality even if you make a mistake and take off more than the inch they requested in a hair salon. In addition to building a good rapport with your clientele, it is important for cosmetologists to maintain a clean work environment and be conscience of their own appearance.

If you are thinking of having your own business, you may want to consider taking a class in business management. Having your own business offers the flexibility of building your own hours and setting your own fees, but you'll need to remember that being the owner of a business will require you to fulfill more duties that just styling hair or giving a manicure. There are business licenses, insurance, having a good stock of products and being able to do your own advertising to consider.

Places available for a cosmetology graduate to find employment are plentiful world-wide. Spas, salons, health and fitness centers and even doctors' offices offer employment to many cosmetologists. For hair stylists, salons are the obvious choice to start your career path. Some salons offer an hourly wage to their employees, where as other salons offer booth rentals for a percentage of your earnings or a set price per month.

Nail technicians often have their own salons or are incorporated within a salon where hair stylists also work. Because of the ability to easily transport their equipment nail technicians and manicurists are able to offer to bring their services to their clients. This can greatly increase the fee they are able to charge as well as make it easier for them to set their own hours. Cosmetologists are able to have extremely flexible schedules to meet their needs as a mother, wife, or other full-time employee.

A career in cosmetology can be rewarding on several different levels. Most cosmetologists enjoy that they are able to pamper their clients and often see them walk away with a smile on their face. Cosmetologists are able to beautify our world one person at a time and make a difference in the way a person sees themselves.

The IRS provides excellent support for new and existing tax professionals. This article has been modified to include the new IRS qualifications to become a tax preparer.

The IRS Tax Forums offer three full days of seminars with the latest word from the IRS leadership and experts in the fields of tax law, compliance and ethics. Attendees can earn up to 18 continuing professional education (CPE) credits, learn about the latest IRS e-Services products and schedule a visit to the Practitioner Case Resolution Room. The forums also feature a two-day expo with representatives from the IRS, business, finance and tax software companies offering their products, services and expertise.

Off the record, this is where Tax Professionals from throughout the US meet up and socialize Las Vegas style. In 2007, the Las Vegas Forum was the largest with more than 5,300 total attendees, followed by Orlando with 3,135 attendees and Atlanta with 2,615 total attendance.

Individuals wanting to learn more about the Tax Industry in America may want to consider signing up for the 2008 Forum. Atlanta, Chicago, Orlando, Las Vegas, New York and San Diego are the locations for the 2008 Tax Forums.

More support for new and existing tax professionals can be found at the irs.gov web site, you will see the link for Tax Professionals at the top of the page. Click on this to learn more about the support the IRS provides to Tax Professionals. You can sign up for newsletters, data, new laws, alerts and much more.

Education and Experience

Enrolling in a reputable tax school would be your second step in securing a career in Taxes. Your first step would be to find out the requirements to do state and federal taxes in you state. Once all the requirements are satisfied, you are ready to start work as a tax professional.

You will need to acquire a PTIN number from the IRS (Preparer Tax Identification Number) Even if you have one, you still must pay $65.25 and registered at the IRS web site. (irs.gov -- click on Tax Professionals)

Once you receive your PTIN, new or renewed, the IRS will start to test tax preparers in mid 2011. There is a lot of questions in the industry about the testing. The EA (Enrolled Agent) exam is a bear, and many are expecting the same for the Tax Preparer Competency Test. (Not to worry, there are already schools advertising that they can guarantee that you pass the exam)

Sure you will be a little nervous, most of us were when we first started out. To gain more confidence, new tax professionals can start off working for one of the large franchise tax services. After doing this for one or two years, you will feel confident enough to start out on your own.

We encourage new comers NOT to steal clients from the franchise tax services. The tax payer will tell you all kinds of stories about why he/she should stay with you. Don't buy into it. It is a bad practice to take from the hand that helped you get started. Instead, tell the taxpayer that if he/she is still looking for a permanent tax professional next year; to look you up in the phone book or call 411. If the tax payer tracks you down, then there is nothing you can do but accept them as a new client.

There are pros and cons about attending tax schools on site with one of the large tax franchise services.

The good news is that the cost can be much lower then a regular tax school and they will be more willing to provide employment.

The drawback is, tax school that starts in October and drills you through late December can be hard on your personal life and does not allow you to learn at your own pace. If you have a full time job, a spouse and children -- it can be overwhelming and dropouts are common.

Taxes is Law. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Its easy once you get the hang of it -- however, the on site classes don't help you with this realization until after they have overwhelmed you with new information, tax laws, homework and quizzes.

The truth is, the tax software does all the work for you; what makes you a professional is when you understand what the tax software is doing and can change "things" (legally) to the tax payers advantage.

Now that the IRS is testing all tax payers who can legal do a tax return for pay, the competency will increase greatly, and this leaves room for the cost of tax returns to increase as well. (It appears that there may still be positions available in the tax industry without having to qualify under the IRS's new guidelines, if you work for a company or office who does qualify)

If you do not train to become a professional then you are at the same level as Joe Blow who purchases the major tax software at the office supply store and believes himself to be knowledgeable enough to complete his taxes, even when the taxes become more complex with his financial growth.

Career Paths

For persons who have more then a seasonal desire to work in taxes, you can opt to become a Tax Accountant and work with individuals and small businesses. Tax Accountants not only prepare taxes, they help you with tax planning based upon a client's monthly income, expenses and goals.

Example: Tax Accounts provide simple, yet effective (tax) accounting that 1) provides a solid, IRS audit proof tax return. 2) provides insight on how to increase income and lower taxes. This includes tasks such as quarterly estimated tax payments for Federal and State, employee tax forms, sales taxes, updating information that will provide a clean tax return and maybe even provide a computerized balance sheet. Tax Accountants earn between $35.00 to $85.00 per hour (seasonal work, California)

For persons not interested in Accounting, you can study for the Enrolled Agent exam and become one of IRS's finest. An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a federally-authorized tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation and who is empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service for audits, collections, and appeals.

The license to become an EA can be earned in one of two ways, by passing a comprehensive examination which covers all aspects of the tax code, or having worked at the IRS for five years in a position which regularly interpreted and applied the tax code and its regulations. All candidates are subjected to a rigorous background check conducted by the IRS. (There are no educational requirements other then a high school education)

In California, EAs earn anywhere from $90 to $200 per hour, and some times more depending on their business model. (self-employed)

The Tax Industry looses many good Tax Professionals because the work is seasonal. New Tax Professionals can pre-plan career moves to include a year round income. It may take several tax seasons before 'Taxes' can support you year round.

Business Education - Start your Career Planning Early

Starting out in a business career is easy. Start early, and keep your eyes and ears open. How about the lemonade stand when you were 11? Or cutting lawns when you were 14? Or the baby sitting jobs? All are basic training for a career in business.

How about that first "real" job when 16 or 17? What did you learn about business? How about customer service? Did you show an initiative? What did you do with your earnings? Was some saved and invested in your future? Did you read the business section in the newspaper? How about the Wall Street Journal when you went to the library?

Business career training comes in many sizes and packages. All help you prepare in becoming a business entrepreneur someday. It outlines different subjects and training involving corporate finance, marketing and business law. In the course of training, you begin to get a more detailed idea of what you want to do in considering a business career.

There are a number of specialized fields in almost every business. Finance, marketing, operations, technology, and sales all lead to different career paths. This is the main decision you need to make before your business career training starts. Another decision you need to consider is the aspect of business that you want to get specialized in. Let's go over the benefits and tips of taking up a program in business career training.

1) Business Concepts are life concepts as well: The business concept is reflected around you to include the very basic ideas. It is being applied to almost any aspects of our life and work. General problem solving skills and working well with others is the most useful learning you can acquire from business career training.

2) Having better credentials mean more money and other options: If you have an advanced business career training degree, you are allowed more freedom in selecting your career path. Most of the top companies in the world prefer to interview and hire graduates of business-related courses and degrees. And offered salaries are definitely higher. With a degree in business career training, many job opportunities are open for you.

3) Find the ideal advanced education: Finding for the ideal business career training is a necessity. A good school that will fit your personality and possess the things that gets you interested aside from the business career training programs they offer. One reason for this is for you to balance career development with your lifestyle and exterior interests.

4) Interaction with different kinds of people: In a business career training program, you are most likely to experience interacting with different kinds of people related to your program's activities. With this interaction, you need to understand the interpersonal and individual motives and behaviors of every person performing in business activity. You need to have the ability to read the personality of a person as well as the dynamics of the group.

5) Expand your business rolodex: In taking up your business career training program, you need to learn the art of expanding your business network. Through your business network, you'll have a precise introduction and established system that is essential in setting up your business career.

The above listed benefits and ideas are just the beginning. Plan on a life long learning program. You'll find as your career develops additional options will appear, keep and open mind and you may be surprised and delighted to where it may lead.

MBA Graduates Find Excitement and Staying-Power in Alternate Career Paths

According to CIO, two of the top job requests on its employment Web site desire candidates with a master's degree in business administration (MBA) combined with credentials in either computer science or information technology. And the demand for hybrid professionals certainly doesn't end there. The traditional route to big business, finance, and banking usually ran through MBA programs. Today, MBAs are beginning to rethink their career paths.

The Intrinsic Interdisciplinary Nature of Business

MBA graduates have long been accustomed to leaving graduate school for traditional roles in finance--such as banking or financial planning. In light of today's ever-changing economic and financial landscape, many MBAs are not following tradition. Because business principles apply across industries, many MBAs are eschewing customary career tracks for new challenges in technology, consulting, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit organizations.

MBA programs typically expose graduates to all aspects of business, so graduates can master the "soft skills" that are critical for success across industries, such as client orientation, presentation skills, and communication talents. This diverse training in leadership and resource management is generally needed in all industries, not just finance--which has become paramount in light of the economic slowdown.

For example, information technology workers in particular are considering grad school in order to earn the management acumen that can translate into better career opportunities. In today's economy, specializing in one more than one particular niche may be the best educational path to take.

Some Real Life Examples

The Wall Street Journal cites a Robert W. Baird & Co. investment bank recruiting survey that reveals a 50 percent increase in interest at the M.B.A. level over 2007. Finance and risk management are a couple of the primary industries that benefits from MBAs looking to enter other fields, particularly at the mid- and small-scale organizational level. Other statistics of note include:

o Middle-market M&A investment bank Harris Williams & Co. has seen a 30 to 35 percent increase in applications from MBA students o Consulting firm Bain & Co. reports applications at the MBA level have increased 10 to 15 percent o Less than 50 percent of graduates at New York University's Stern School of Business and University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School enter the finance industry

While MBAs may willingly enter alternative career paths, many are now veering of the common path out of necessity. Smart candidates can get themselves through a bear market by earning as much wide-ranging experience as possible and then make that experience work for them in a new position.

Mixing Business and Passion

If you are considering enrolling in an MBA program, you may want to consider the following:

o Spend some time priming for your MBA in a job that has some similarities to career tracks of interest o Focus primarily on the MBA and internship o After your schooling, enter your industry of choice: learn about successful start-ups and build relationships with other professionals o After you're established, start a company, capitalizing on prior networks, resources and relationships

The bottom line is that as MBAs continue to branch off into uncharted territories, new doors of opportunity and advancement should continue to open. While you may not be able to rush into positions at venture capital firms or Wall Street, positions in consulting, corporate finance, and private equity firms should continue to be available.

Keep in mind that the MBA program is typically demanding in and of itself, and is not the type of curriculum to enter into lightly. But if you have prior experience in an industry, adding an MBA can be a way to maximize your potential.

Exactly When Should You Begin Your Career Path?

Recently I was asked, "When should you begin to think about a career path? High School? College? Graduate School? After working a few years?" Maybe you think you should work between high school and college to explore the world of work. Maybe you should know what you want to study before going to college so that you have your career path established before you spend thousands of dollars on your education. Or maybe you should use your college years as the time to explore career options. Each person is unique and development does not have a straight path. Career development is no exception. What if I said your career development begins as soon as you learn to walk, talk and imitate those around you? Would you think I'm crazy or does that make sense to you?

Career development is part of human development. It begins at birth and continues as you master more and more skills throughout your life. Today is a different day. Years ago, a person would decide on a career and stay with it working for thirty to forty years in the same field for their entire working career. Today, it is not unusual for people to change careers two or even three times in their working years. Career development does not move forward in straight line. You need time to understand who you are, what you enjoy, what interests you, what you feel are your strengths and weaknesses and what kind of lifestyle you want to live. All of these things take time to explore, evaluate and plan. This takes years! When do you begin? You began at birth!

I used to joke that my daughter was forty since she was four years old. As a small child she showed characteristics that could be considered career skills. She liked to be in charge so you knew since she was four she would be a leader and a take charge kind of person. She also loved to help others. She was the eldest of my three children and loved to help her younger sister and brother with whatever they were doing. She was obviously a born leader, a teacher, a helper, a service oriented type of personality. I knew very early on, whatever career path she chose it would include working with people, offering some type of help to others, she would be in charge and I believed she would be in some type of teaching capacity.

As my daughter went through school she was an excellent and hard working student. It became clear by Middle School she was very good in Science and she had a work ethic that was remarkable. When she got to high school it was very evident that she was a great science student. During my daughter's sixteenth year, one of her best friends got a type of meningitis that caused her to be unable to speak or move. She was trapped in her own body. My daughter watched her friend relearn to use her body. She was deeply affected by this trauma for her friend and became interested in the professionals that helped bring her friend back to being a fully functioning person after months and months of rehabilitation. Today, my daughter is an occupational therapist. She was able to enter college knowing exactly what she wanted to study and chose a career path that she had been developing since she was a small child.

So, when should you begin to think about a career path? Whether you know it or not, you have been thinking about and developing a career path since you were a small child playing house, playing roles, playing sports, playing an instrument, drawing, singing, building models, listening to music, solving puzzles, playing word games, playing math games, trying to figure out how things work. All of these activities involve skills you have developed along the journey of your life. Pay attention to how you spend your time. What do you do with your spare time? What actions do you take each day that you enjoy? Do you enjoy working with people? Do you enjoy working with data and information? Do you enjoy fixing things, building things, making things work? What truly interests you? When you have a couple of hours to yourself, what do you do with that time? What brings you enjoyment? Satisfaction? Contentment? What challenges you in a way that stimulates you rather than frustrates you? What activities bring a smile to your face?

When you can answer these questions, then ask yourself, what careers offer me these enjoyable opportunities. You work a lot of years of your life. If you go to work to earn money, your days will be long and hard. You need to be able to go to work for satisfaction in what you do. You need to be able to feel content in your work place. You want to enjoy what you do. You want to feel good about what you do, enjoy what you do, and appreciate the income that it provides you. You also want to afford the lifestyle you know you deserve.

So think back over your life and focus on the activities that brought you satisfaction, contentment and joy. You could be sixteen, twenty-six or sixty-six. Your life experiences have been valuable learning experiences. Think back and explore your own history. If you enjoy working with people, find a career that is social. Maybe you want to help others. Explore the many medical occupations and see if any of them fit. Maybe you would love to teach young people and help them develop their minds and their skills through education. Maybe you would enjoy business fields where you help people build and run successful businesses.

Maybe you love working with your hands. Maybe you've always been fascinated by cars and would love to learn how to fix an engine. Maybe you've always been interested in electricity and would love to be an electrician. If you love working with your hands, then find a career that allows you to satisfy this need in you.

Maybe you've always loved being creative. You've loved to tell stories or draw pictures or build things. Perhaps you would love to write or design or construct buildings. If you are creative, utilize your creativity. Write, draw, design, dance, create and play music, build and create. Nurture your talents. Nurture your strengths. Be who you are in your heart and turn it into your career.

The best advice I can give any young person trying to figure out what they want to do for a career is, concentrate on what you really love to do, how you really love to spend your time and find a way to make your hobby your career. Discover what you love and make it your career. If you spend your time at work doing what you love, you will never feel like it is work. Work becomes an extension of you and what you enjoy in life. Now that's a career! Don't let life just happen and a career happen because it fell into your life. Make it happen. Plan now. When should you begin to think about a career path? Now. If you didn't start at birth, plan for it now.

Why Career Path Counseling?

In 1991 I took my first "calculated" career leap from practicing vocational rehabilitation counseling to career counseling. After my son was born, I took a ten year "hiatus" to create KidzArt, an acclaimed International Art Franchise. It is often said that many of us return to our first career path when we get "older". When I became obsessed with KidzArt's success, I had to take a step back and reassess my goals. In doing so, I realized that my true career is and always has been career path counseling.

With my Treasure Map in hand, I knew that career counseling would incorporate many of my preferences for doing work that I love using the skills I love to use - working with motivated people who are confused and want/need direction. As an educator, my job now is to provide valuable information about the importance of seeking career counseling before making any career-related decision. The truth is that this work is really essential to helping anyone, particularly in today's media-rich, recession-focused society. Taking steps toward ultimate career satisfaction will not only bring a joy-filled life, but puts you heads above any competition that you "think" is stopping you. Armed with a Roadmap and new found confidence in your career direction, you can beat the odds in ANY job-related climate.

Here are some reasons why you may want to consider one on one or group career path counseling:

*You seek medical help when you're ill; you go to a counselor when you need a mental health check-up; when your car's sick, you see a mechanic, and on and on. So why not use the same self-care toward the development of your personal career path. The result: doing a a lifetime of work that is fun, exciting, fulfills your mission, is purposeful, rewarding and financially satisfying. *Navigate career-related information via media, internet, social media, with ease. *Overcome the "Safekeeping Self" who keeps you stuck in jobs and careers that just don't work, no matter how hard you try. *Develop Roadmap to confidently take the next step on your true path. *Receive unbiased support to stay on the path and focused on determining your true career direction. *Explore career options and overcome blocks to success while staying true to yourself and accountable. *Strategize realistic options with a trained professional who asks the right questions at the right time and allows you to discover and digest the answers at your own pace. *Craft a college major that really works to your benefit to learn new ideas AND gain important lifelong skills, while developing your career path. *Have FUN, be confident and prepared for the journey. *Receive professional guidance, human connection, support, wisdom and action plan from a wise source. *Receive support to stay on track until you reach your first goal.

I recently met with a mother and son who own a fairly successful business. The mom told me that her parents spent thousands and thousands of dollars more on her education than was necessary because she didn't have any understanding of who she was and where she wanted to go before changing majors several times and attending very expensive private colleges. She told me that her parents would gladly have paid a professional to work with her to help her focus on a few areas, explore those areas one-on-one, and learn more about herself and what really makes her happy before launching into several majors that she could not leverage later on, had they known. The cost of professional career counseling is a fraction of what it cost her in frustration and debt incurred by her parents.

The following are just a few more reasons why career path counseling can be compared to preventative medicine and what a difference it can in the bigger picture.

*Provides clarification of possible directions by taking a confusing and somewhat ambiguous process and putting a structure to it. It is short term v. long term, and within two months or less, you will know what to do next. Your counselor is your guide in this process, providing feedback and helping to navigate the waters of all the possible choices out there, and always coaching you to see the patterns and to take them seriously, becoming your voice of reason - or career alter ego. *If you are a "Jack of all trades and master of none, career path counseling can get to the heart of what's preventing you from making a choice to pursue one avenue and to stick with it. Or, to move on. *If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and not much patience (no labels here, but you may recognize yourself), career path counseling can help you identify your ideal business. Or, it could lead to identifying your best work environment and structuring how best to spend your working hours. *Do you already know that you want to go into business for yourself, but don't know what in? Do you have loads of ideas, and one thing looks better than the next, but you aren't completely comfortable or confident in your decision even after you've done all the research on several businesses. Now is the time a career professional can really help you focus and identify what is right for YOU.

As you can see, there are so many reasons to work with a highly skilled professional who understands the world of work, human nature, coaching and mentoring to aid in making one of the most important decisions you'll ever make.

At this point, you may be asking why use the word "Path" in career path counseling? Isn't it extraneous? The Path denotes that over the course of a lifetime, one's career is never linear. Unless you are one of the few who still unrealistically think that you will work for the same employer until retirement and be promoted according to the company plan, there are generally twists and turns, starts, restarts along the "career path." Career is not necessarily defined as doing one thing. It is a series of experiences. Personally, my career took me from one type of vocational counseling to another, to the founder of an art franchise and now back to career (more definitively defined) path counseling. Yet, my transition from one to the other was fairly painless because I've always had my original Roadmap. The forks in the road lead to easy decisions. Knowing who you are in relation to your career path help you recognize the signs when it's time to move on.

Information You Need to Know to Start a Business Brokerage Career

A business brokerage career allows you to play the liaisons between buyers and sellers of businesses. This career has many possibilities and the earning potential can be huge for someone who is good at their job. Brokers have the opportunity to work for a company or for themselves. There is a lot of flexibility in a business brokerage career path.

Job Duties:

A business broker career can involve a variety of job duties. Brokers usually will provide services like helping customers decide a selling price, develop literature to sell the business, market the business sale, help find buyers and work on negotiations during a sale. The main duty of a broker is to conduct the sale of the business, allowing the business owner to remain focused on running the business until the sale is final.

Business owners will hire a broker to help them handle sales tasks that they do not know how to do or that they can't do. Selling a business is not always an easy task and many times requires special skills that a business owner does not have. A business owner may not have the special knowledge that a broker has, such as how to set sale prices, how to conduct a business transaction, how to attract buyers and how to conduct negotiations.

It is important in order to become a business broker that you have certain skills. A business broker needs to have a business mind and background, be organized, have good people skills and be a good problem solver.

Education and Training:

In some states a broker is required to have a real estate license in order to conduct business. Nevada also requires brokers to complete a special brokerage course. Other states offer special education, training and licensing for those wishing to work in business brokerage jobs.

Experience is really the key in this job. Some brokers may not have any formal education, while others may have advanced degrees in business. There is no set standard and requirements can vary depending on where you will work. It is important if you are considering a business brokerage career that you check your local requirements for brokers and that you check into the education requirements set by potential employers.

Job Prospects:

Brokers will find that during times of economic hardship the demand for services is high. If the economy is failing then businesses also suffer and smaller and medium sized business owners may be looking to sell their business instead of having to file bankruptcy or lose their business. The earning potential is directly related to the skills of a broker and their ability to make sales and get deals closed.

The earning potential for a business brokerage career can vary. If a broker works for themselves then earnings can be as high as $400,000 a year, according to The Business Reference Guide. Brokers working for a company may earn less. Earning potential really is dependent upon the market, the amount of businesses that are up for sale and the number of buyers that are ready to make a purchase. The earnings can be amazing if the market conditions are just right.