Virginia Tech: A Heartbreaking Reminder to Pursue Your Dreams Everyday

I would like to encourage you to join me in committing a time of prayer in remembrance of the precious lives lost in this week's heartbreaking tragedy at Virginia Tech.

The senseless act of violence carried out by the deranged perpetrator not only stole the lives of the students, but the precious dreams, talents, and unrealized potential that must now

be buried with them.

We must always remember that tomorrow is never promised. Take a moment, consider the precious talents and dreams you have. Be vigilant in protecting your talent and dreams, and those of others around you--everyday! This world desparately needs you to completely fulfill your life's journey and purpose. ---This is my prayer.

Lessons from Jackie Robinson

Isn't it ironic that within one week we witnessed the destructive power of irresponsible and mean-spirited behavior from one man, and yet reminded of the heroic behavior of another who faced down the hostilities of racism and went on to change professional sports and some would say our nation.

60 years ago today Mr. Jackie Robinson was the first African American to integrate Major League Baseball. From the first day he stepped on the field Jackie Robinson consistently delivered "Hall of Fame" excellence in the face of what was perhaps the most racist and hostile crowds ever in American sports. Jackie Robinson's courage and excellence on the ball field may have inspired more than just integration of professional baseball, but also the birth of the modern civil rights movement that would soon follow.

Great lessons Jackie Robinson showed us:

1. Preparation is critical - Jackie Robinson was the first athlete in the history of UCLA to letter in 4 sports.
2. Get in the game - You can't change the game, and certainly not the world, intimidated on the sidelines.
3. The best way to silence your critics is with excellence. It's very hard to criticize talented people who deliver.
4. The power one person has to inspire change through courage, great performance, and professionalism.

Thank you for the great career and life lessons Jackie, they are just as powerful today as they were 60 years ago!

For more information on Jackie Robinson's Hall of Fame career see the following link: http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/robinson_jackie.htm

A Career Lesson From Don Imus

After working for many years in the world of human resources and career development, it still shocks me how some "so-called" professionals like Mr. Don Imus believe they can publicly attack and devalue the dignity, credibility, and accomplishments of young African American achievers.
Maybe Mr. Imus didn't approve of the "hair-styles" of the young ballers from Rutgers, because as we all know Mr. Imus has set the bar pretty high for all of us when it comes to hair styles.

Unfortunately after all has been said and done, Mr. Imus' comments have stolen a precious moment from a talented group of young women who should be celebrating their great run for a national title, but instead are forced to address the ignorance of the misguided Mr. Imus. But let's consider this as a career development lesson for us all. We will call it "The Imus Factor."

I am often told stories by talented African American professionals that have been blind-sided by the "Imus Factor" in the workplace. You probably already know this "factor," it's a sarcastic, mean-spirited, and undermining behavior, often masked in humor and can be directed at you by insecure and intimidated individuals in the workplace.

Some thoughts to consider when you encounter "The Imus Factor" -

• Consider that it has probably been a long time since your "Imus" has won any "big games" themselves, if they ever really won anything at all.
• Due to your different background, perspective and style, and yes... how you look, most "Imus-types" don't believe you should have ever been "in the game" in the first place.
• Your successful performance scares your "Imus" who probably struggles with diversity and the thought of competing with you on an equal playing field.
• Most employers do not support "Imus-types." Once his or her behavior is exposed, most employers will pull their support and eventually show them the door (can you say, "lost clients, sponsors and million dollar law suites").

Don't let your Imus take you out of your game or steal your moment, you are a talented and accomplished performer and have earned your place in the champion's circle. Shut them down by winning the next big game, and enjoy their entertaining "apology tour."

BEEP! BEEP! Successful Black Executives Are Calling You to Step Up!

At Howard University we just finished hosting our 2007 Black Executive Exchange Program (commonly referred to as BEEP). The Howard BEEP program is part of a national career and professional development initiative hosted by HBCU institutions and the National Urban League around the country. If you are looking for excellent career strategies, and direct face-time with with top African Americans in the corporate world, than you need to find a BEEP program at an HBCU campus near you!

At the 2007 Howard University BEEP Conference we were dazzled by a riveting series of presentations by the National Urban League, President and CEO, Mr. Marc Morial. The youthful "40-something" Marc Morial, a University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown Law graduate, and former Mayer of New Orleans, is clearly a "New Generation" African American leader who is real, engaging, and has "lived" the issues of the "post-Dr. King" African American generation. Mr. Morial is an excellent role model for any future African American leader. And guess what, Mr. Morial didn't come out of the hip-hop community, or professional sports world...imagine that...somebody like the rest of us mere mortals!

Barack who?...Look out for Mr. Morial to someday stake his claim to the White House. If you are looking for a real road map to professional excellence, see Marc Morial's amazing bio at http://www.nul.org/marchmorial.html.

For more information on the Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP) see the following link.
http://www.nul.org/blackexecutiveexchangeprogram.html.

The Job Market is Looking for You: Are You Ready to Deliver?

So you're ready to revolutionize the global marketplace, break off your billion dollar piece of some trillion dollar industry, perhaps become the next Bob Johnson, Richard Parsons, Russel Simmons or Cathy Hughes? The truth is that the marketplace is desperately seeking your talent, innovation, and leadership, but the trillion dollar question is..."are you ready to deliver?"

If you have invested your college career perfecting a career strategy of "spin, smoke/mirrors, and grin"...well maybe a good career for you would be the circus; I hear they are always looking for great illusionist and clowns. But if you are tired of the circus act and want to step up to be a real executive player, it’s time for you to get serious, lay aside the childish games, and step up to begin delivering your talents, ideas, and business strategies with excellence, competency, and quality.

Over the years I have witnessed countless students and young professionals transform from mediocre "want-to-bees" to top performing young executives, but it wasn't because they perfected some "illusionist act," but because they looked in the mirror, stopped blaming others, and stepped up to develop "real corporate game."

Some final thoughts on delivering...-

• Make it your goal to always serve others with your talent. Before you can be a great leader you must first learn to serve others.
• Value the time of others, something mediocre professionals rarely do.
• Remember there will always be "giants" in your land of opportunity, accept that reality, and deliver excellence anyhow.
• Step up when incompetence around you seems to reach critical mass, think of it as your opportunity to establish yourself as a real player.
• It is tempting to give excuses, especially when unplanned problems really did happen. Refocus and find a way to deliver. Tell them about the problems after you deliver.
• Excellence is a choice, chose it everyday.

New from TBC: "No Brothers Left Behind" by Kim R. Wells

In the Second Semester 2007 Super Issue of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine, now available on college campuses, "No Brothers Left Behind" by Kim R. Wells provides insight into the aspirations, frustrations, and connections among diverse young Black men in reaching their career goals.

The feature is based on a roundtable held at Howard University, facilitated by Director of Career Services Kim R. Wells. An extended Web feature will also be posted at THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online, with additional updates posted on the blog.

So, You Were Rejected by an Employer...Now What?

Nobody really "likes" rejection, but we can learn to embrace its value.

Rejection in the job search process can take place at a networking event when a prospective employer appears uninterested in you, at a career fair, or at any point in the formal interviewingprocess when the employer verbally or in writing expresses that you are not the best match for their organization. Regardless of the stage in which you are rejected, managing rejection and harnessing its power to motivate you to be a better professional is critical to your future success...

"You're Hired!": Evaluating Your Job Offer

You're hired! Magical words to the ears of every graduating student. With a job offer finally in hand, you may want to take a deep breath, celebrate the moment, and jig around the room, whatever you need to do to celebrate. You deserve a celebration!...

But when you finish it, don't sail away into euphoria just yet. You still have some unfinished business. It's time for you to roll up your sleeves and enter into one of the most critical phases of your job search campaign; it's time to carefully evaluate and if necessary negotiate your job offer...

Senior Year Job Search: 10 Steps to Launch Your Senior-Year Job Search Campaign

By Kim R. Wells in the TBC Career Archives:

Congratulations! You are finally a graduating senior who has successfully navigated the hallowed halls of your soon to be alma mater. You have worked hard to conquer the academic and personal demands of college life, and during your journey have become a budding scholar, professional, and leader ready to make your mark on today's exciting job market and world!
But it's not time to start the celebration just yet…

It's time to "close the deal!" ...