Detroiters: How To Be A Thought Leader In Your Industry
Innovative ideas and the individuals who inspire them are often the keystone that help to keep the wheels of progress turning in a society. With new ideas, the road is paved for betterment and a more enlightened future awaits just beyond the horizon.
There are a number of ways that these concepts can come about, but one thing is for sure: none of them would be possible without the contribution of modern day thought leaders. With the immense success of self-promoting done these days through online avenues, it can be difficult to pinpoint.
It is extremely vital to make your presence known online as the internet is the most popular source of information. Maintaining a blog or contributing to an online publication is the quickest and most efficient way to get your talent out there. Employers, as well as clients, are always thrilled to see sample work as it is the surest sign of talent. Take your impressive education background a step further by showcasing just how much of a leader you can be in your industry. A strong online presence is the best way to do this.
To help break down this concept that can be a bit overwhelming at times, Debra Lawson, president of MRI/Management Recruiters of Detroit, shares her thoughts concerning what it takes for an individual to make their way to the top of the heap. In order to be the most successful and have the highest influence on market innovation, some factors can prove to be more important than others. Aside from the avenue of blogging or online publishing, there are a few key educational contributors to the process. Here's the question posed to Lawson:
When it comes to higher education, would you say that the Detroit job market has more prosperous opportunities for those individuals who complete an advanced degree, or is it more of a focus on "being at the right place at the right time?Lawson: When competing in the job market, additional education can always be in your favor. However, depending on the industry and type of position, an advanced degree doesn't guarantee more opportunities. There are only so many fast-track executive management positions available, and early in your career, you're also competing against those with experience. A master of science, if relative to your field, might serve you better for an advanced degree. It's good to work with a school counselor and do your own research, depending on your short and long-term career goals, to determine if a master's degree is needed initially or may be a better choice to consider after getting some real world experience, if at all."In response to being in the right place at the right time, I think that leaves it too much to chance. There are ways of networking via those you know, online with sites like LinkedIn and attending job fairs that truly increase your opportunities. Looking for the right job opportunity should also be considered a full-time job with time invested even though I believe that's what many don't want to know. Recruiters work with a relatively small percentage of those hired. While still a large number, most positions are found by personal networking. Another important consideration is how well someone did in college. Having any degree with a high GPA is key and serves as an immediate attention grabber for those companies who are hiring.
Michael Ferro is freelance writer and a graduate of Michigan State University where he majored in Creative Writing and received the Jim Cash Creative Writing Award. Born and bred in Detroit, he currently resides in Ypsilanti Township. Additional writing can be found at Examiner.com.
