Working in a male-dominated profession comes with a unique set of pressures that can be overwhelming. Many men* do not experience the unconscious bias and institutional barriers that women do in the workplace. 

But success can be within reach, because there is power in making the unseen seen. The challenges we face are not mysteries. Learning about them empowers you to position yourself to thrive and lead in the workplace and position that fulfills you.

In this 2-part series, I'll share a combination of advice and ideas to help you make a plan - to help you design your future.

Please read my note below, and then click Read More or scroll for the full part 1 post.

Male-dominated fields include STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), construction and skilled trades**, finance and investment banking, manufacturing and heavy industry**, military and law enforcement**, aviation, sports management, architecture, mining and agriculture**, and transportation and logistics**.

The ** double-starred fields above include a large number of positions. I wanted to provide more examples of specific job titles that would be in those fields. Most of them involve physical work or machine operation, and sometimes hazardous conditions. Many are male-dominated due to the history of women in the workforce, while others remain male-dominated due to a belief that women cannot do the physical work.

These jobs include construction labor, manual and skilled trades like electricians and welding, manufacturing and assembly line work, warehouse and logistics including forklift operators and inventory managers, truck driving and delivery services, landscaping and groundskeeping, waste management, mining and quarrying, fishing and agriculture, security, maintenance, particularly in large commercial settings - all tend to be male-dominated positions. ​

Unless you have a magical product that can market itself indefinitely, you need to be proactive and find new strategies to grow your small business. The good news is, you don't need to reinvent the wheel. Here are some tried-and-true methods to effectively advertise your brand and attract more customers.

You may have started your company with a brilliant idea, confident it would sell like hotcakes. You've achieved some success, but to keep growing, it's crucial to focus on your customers' purchasing experiences. By understanding and improving their buying process, you can refine your point of sale (POS) system and make it exceptional.

You probably know someone—a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or older cousin—who has worked at the same job or company for decades. These days, though, sticking with one job for too long can feel like you’re not moving forward. The concept of "company loyalty" isn’t as strong as it used to be. Companies aren’t always loyal to their employees, so why should you feel obligated to be loyal to them?

It’s crucial to start strong in any job, but be aware that you could be laid off, replaced, or have your pay cut unexpectedly. It’s not right, and it’s not ideal, but it highlights the importance of not showing unwavering loyalty to an employer that may not return it.

Thankfully, more employees are recognizing this reality. Sometimes, to get where you want to be—or even just to earn a living wage—you need to switch jobs. Let’s break down how making these strategic moves can be more beneficial than sticking to the traditional method of climbing the corporate ladder in one place.

​While job hopping might seem like a bold move, it's important to remember that work occupies a big part of our lives and influences how we spend our free time. Prioritizing your own well-being doesn’t mean you’re harming others—it's just about making sure you're taking care of yourself.

Are you considering a new career or taking the next step in your professional life? If so, a career in medicine might be on your mind. It's a smart choice, but there are some key factors you should keep in mind.

In today's competitive job market, a traditional four-year degree is no longer the only route to a successful career. Vocational education provides a strong alternative, offering students practical skills and real-world experience that employers highly value. As industries evolve, the demand for specialized skills is increasing, making vocational training a smart choice for many.

Whether you're new to entrepreneurship or not, starting your own business is a big step. But it's up to you whether you operate within your comfort zone or dare to step out.

A few years ago, I wrote a post on some of the best career choices if you're a people person. With the emphasis in the workplace on teamwork and interaction, it seems like everyone is expected to be a people person.

But you're past the days of group projects in school, and you can choose a job that is the best fit for you - not only in content and schedule, but also in how much you interact with others.

In this post I'll offer up 4 example jobs for those of us who prefer working alone.

In today's world, where round-the-clock services are essential, the role of shift work employees has become increasingly critical.

​These dedicated individuals work tirelessly to ensure that your customers' needs are met at all hours, contributing significantly to the overall success of a business. However, managing and optimizing the customer experience with shift work employees comes with its own set of challenges.

In this blog post, we delve into the strategies and best practices that businesses can adopt to enhance customer satisfaction, streamline communication, and maximize the productivity of their invaluable shift work teams. From leveraging technology to fostering a supportive work environment, read on to explore the key elements that can transform the customer experience in the realm of shift work.

You may be feeling a variety of emotions when starting a new job - hopefully most of them positive. 

Excitement at the prospect of new challenges and opportunities.

Optimism from the idea of a fresh start and the chance to make a positive impact.

Pride and gratitude at securing your new job and feeling recognized for your skills and qualifications.

Some of the positive emotions you may be after, but not quite feeling yet, may be connection, satisfaction, and confidence. 

How can you start your new job strong? How can you make a good first impression, especially when you are new to the workforce in general? 

Many companies have similar onboarding processes, but when you've only held one or two jobs, the differences between them can feel like gulfs, not puddles. 

In this post, I'll provide you with 3 things to expect in the first few weeks of starting out in your job, and tips on how to ace it all.

Turning potential customers - or leads - into paying customers involves a strategic approach that focuses on building trust, providing value, and addressing their needs.

​Remember, the key is to create a seamless and positive customer experience throughout the entire journey, from the first interaction to the post-purchase phase.

​Here are several effective ways to convert leads into customers...

Upskilling is a proactive approach to personal and professional development. It not only benefits you by expanding your capabilities but also contributes to the overall agility and resilience of your employees. 

Remote work boomed during the COVID-19 quarantine period, and while quarantine has ended in the US, remote work continues to thrive. While some companies have insisted on a return to the workplace, others have recognized how productive employees can be at home. 

A unique subset of remote workers is those of you that run a home business. You've been working out of your home long before it was mainstream... and while you have many of the same challenges as others working remotely, your additional tasks as a business owner make the stakes of your productivity a bit higher.
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Balancing parenting and a home business can be challenging, but being purposeful about how you manage both can help. This post offers 5 tips on how to do just that.

When you own a business, there is more that you can do than just logistics and expenses and income. You can help grow your business by making key strategy decisions to invest in yourself and your business. 

​The job market is incredibly competitive these days. With the increase in remote work and the need to fill positions, some companies have struggled to clearly define their needs. This results in longer interview processes, which exhaust job candidates and places a higher burden on employees juggling hiring interviews and their day-to-day work. Even if you have the right skills and you have a robust resume, you could still struggle to land the interest of the companies you want - or any companies at all.
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It seems like there are some people who are naturally born leaders. They inspire but also command, and have an impact on everyone they're with.

Even if you're not one of these natural born leaders, there are many strategies you can try to improve your people-leading skills. Just like your employees get feedback each year in their annual reviews, your own performance as a leader can use an assessment. Talk to friends and peers about particular aspects of your personality relevant to people leading, and ask your team to provide feedback in a way they are comfortable.

​Hosting a successful event is not only about showcasing your products or services but about leaving a long-lasting impression on your audience. 

In a previous article, I discussed 7 tips for making your business event a hit, including smart payment methods, quality branding, and the importance of preparation.

​Now let’s expand on those ideas and introduce some additional strategies to level up your event planning.

If you are a business owner who wishes to grow your customer base, it is important to try and attend events to increase your brand awareness. The more people you meet in person, the more customers you will attract and gain respect and trust from. 

If you are new to attending business events and promoting your business, follow these business strategies to improve your event success. 

​When you are at the helm of your company, you need to stay abreast of the latest innovations and industry ideas. If you fall behind, you run the risk of losing business or worse - losing relevance.  This post focuses on embracing technology trends to continue staying at the forefront of your industry. 

​ Jumping into the business realm? It can be both exciting and daunting. Every worthwhile journey has obstacles that make the success feel worth it. In this post I'll share 6 tips to help you navigate the entrepreneurial maze as a new business owner.

You can spend years acquiring the skills for your dream job to one day make it, but that doesn't mean your career search is over. If anything, it's just beginning now that you're in a position you've been searching for all along. 

However, you'll want to keep your resume up-to-date, and periodically peek into the job market for various reasons. Whether looking for yourself, to stay up on career trends, or to refer others in your network (and thus providing value), there are many reasons to keep a thumb on the pulse of your industry's job market.

You may have heard the adage, "It's better to look for a job when you already have one." While this may make you feel more secure in the job search, job searching is a job in itself and it can be difficult to juggle a full-time job, non-work responsibilities, and looking for a new job.

According to a recent study, approximately “70% of all working-age people are actively looking for a job change,” with many considering leaving their current industry or profession entirely. 

There are many reasons why you may belong to this statistic, whether you feel burned-out or unappreciated in your current role or have found that your passions/interests have changed since you first started in the professional world. You may simply be interested in what opportunities are out there. You can mark your LinkedIn as "open to work" for specific positions - but only visible to recruiters. Take their call and learn about the position, and get to know them, and even if the job isn't a fit for you right now, you may know someone in your network that you can refer.

​If one of your goals for this year is to increase sales, know that there are several ways you can achieve this without sacrificing your business integrity. Take a look below to find out more.

Do you own a virtual business?

Have you spent the past few years setting goals and constructing initiatives to improve your business growth and development?

​From solidifying your brand and boosting sales, the advantages of focused efforts to grow your virtual business can help boost your sales and visibility.

Having a hobby is important. They help structure your time, promote flow against passive leisure, foster new social connections, and help you cope with stress. The benefits of having a hobby on your happiness can spill over into other aspects of your life.

If you find yourself perusing photographer instagram accounts, gleaning the latest tips and browsing through tools of the trade, it may be time for you to expand your photography hobby.

We see videos and articles every week about the person who quit their corporate job (or was laid off) and decided to pursue their hobby as a full-time career. You may not be at that point, but who's to say you might not one day?

​This post will walk you through 10 tips to expand your photography hobby.