Posts

Showing posts from January, 2025

Learn Why Veterinarian Is Named the Top Job for 2025

Image
Global job portal Indeed has named veterinarian the best job for 2025, citing data from the latest employment trends based on job postings on its website. The profession’s designation among the most in-demand employment suggests a significant shift in what constitutes society’s basic unit. Indeed’s annual rankings identify roles shaping the future of work through their combination of high salaries, flexibility and room for growth. Jocelyne Gafner, the author of this year’s best jobs report , said the new list is data-driven with a focus on three main employment parameters: a minimum salary of $75,000, around 5% or more remote or hybrid work options and at least 20% growth in the number of job postings for over three years. In terms of median annual salary, veterinarians rank decently with an estimated $139,999. The highest salary on the list is radiologist, with an average base rate of $385,116. When it comes to the percentage of job share between 2021 and 2024, animal doctors score...

What to Do If Therapy Isn’t Working as Well as You’d Hoped

Image
George, a 22-year-old who chose to use a pseudonym, says that he was first forced to see a therapist as a child and has seen numerous different professionals but has quit therapy multiple times. “The advice I was being given was stuff I had already heard countless times from my parents and others,” he says. “I fell into this cycle where I’d get these tasks to do that were miles out of my comfort zone and I’d fail to even try them, so I felt this intense guilt.” By the end of his work with most of his therapists, he adds, “I kind of just faked feeling better.” Similarly, I often felt frustrated with my early experiences in therapy , especially when I found myself rehashing the same issues without seeing any changes. It took me a long time to realize that not every type of therapy will benefit everyone, but a few changes can make all the difference. When therapy doesn’t work While therapy is often described as a kind of immediate cure-all, even one of the most common types of therapy,...

FDA Bans the Use of Red 3 Dye in Food, Beverages and Medication

Image
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a nationwide ban on Red 3 , a synthetic dye that has been linked to cancer in animal studies. This decision marks a milestone for consumer advocacy groups and lawmakers who have long called for stricter regulations on food additives. What is Red 3? Red 3, also known as FD&C Red No. 3 or erythrosine, is a petroleum-derived synthetic dye approved for use in food products since 1907. It is widely recognized for its vivid cherry-red hue and is found most commonly in items like candies and frostings. The dye has been a staple in the food and beverage industry for over a century, thanks to its ability to enhance the visual appeal of various products. Despite its long-standing use in the industry, Red 3 has faced scrutiny since the 1980s, when researchers linked it to cancer in laboratory animals. In response to their findings, the dye has been banned or heavily restricted in several countries, including the European Union, Aus...

TikTok Users Head to RedNote App: What Is It and Should You Trust It?

Image
With just days remaining, TikTok is on the brink of a U.S. ban . If the Supreme Court rejects any final efforts to keep it alive, on Jan. 19, the app will be blocked. Lawmakers are already guiding tech firms on how to remove it from app stores, preparing for its possible disappearance. TikTok’s security risks: Propaganda, misinformation and tracking U.S. security officials have raised alarms about TikTok since 2023 , citing its links to the Chinese government and potential data protection risks. They warn the platform could spy on American users, collect sensitive data and pose significant national security concerns. During hearings in March, lawmakers highlighted how TikTok might leverage user data to spread propaganda, disseminate misinformation and, in extreme cases, monitor microphones or track activity on external apps.  Since then, the reality has become clear: TikTok must be sold or it will disappear from American smartphones. While users are already exploring ways to byp...

Is EQ the New IQ?

Anyone who has been on the job-hunting side of an interview table (or Zoom call) knows the distinct feeling of wondering what the heck the hiring manager wants. What are they thinking? What skills do they really want in the best candidate for this role? In decades past, responses from those hiring managers might have been about the training an ideal candidate has or the specific degree they hold. Or they simply might have been about how intelligent the candidate seemed. But now, soft skills are overtaking smarts in an uprising of emotional intelligence (EQ). According to the Niagara Institute, 75% of employers use EQ as a gauge of an employee’s readiness for promotion and eligibility for a raise. A 2019 survey that LHH conducted found that 57% of hiring managers say their highest-performing team members also have high EQ . “IQ is what you do (or what you can do). EQ is how you do it,” says Maggie Sass, Ph.D., executive vice president of content, research and professional services ...

What ‘Wicked’s’ ‘Dancing Through Life’ Can Teach Us About Being an Ally in the Workplace

Image
At its heart, the movie Wicked is a story about marginalization and allyship. This really isn’t much of a surprise, considering the book was written by a gay man (Gregory Maguire) , the musical was written by Winnie Holzman and composed by Stephen Schwartz , both of whom are Jewish, and most recently, the movie was directed by an Asian-American man (Jon M. Chu) . Every iteration has added deeper nuance to the story’s message, helping to create a narrative that resonates with a huge variety of marginalized identities.  One scene, in particular, has been creating a buzz online—the dance in the Ozdust Ballroom. Egged on by her friends, Glinda gives Elphaba an ugly pointed hat to wear to the party and claims it’s a gift from the “goodness of [her] heart.” Taking Glinda at her word, Elphaba responds with a gift of her own—access to the sorceress lessons that Glinda has been desperate to join. Just as Glinda learns of this, Elphaba arrives at the Ozdust wearing the hat Glinda gave her ...

Leveraging Social Media For Professional Growth: Do’s And Don’ts

In today’s digital world, social media has evolved beyond personal sharing; it’s become a powerful tool for career development. And with 74 percent of hiring managers admitting to screening candidates’ social media accounts , managing your online presence is more important than ever.  Whether you’re starting out or looking to advance, knowing how to use social media for professional growth can help you network, tap into learning opportunities and increase your visibility within your industry. Here’s a guide to leveraging social media for professional growth. The Benefits Of Using Social Media For Professional Development Social media platforms can improve your career prospects by allowing you to showcase your expertise, build meaningful networks and stay updated on ever-changing industry trends. A well-curated social media presence can increase visibility, helping you stand out to recruiters and professional connections by highlighting your skills and achievements. Beyond visi...

How to Effectively Communicate With A Dominant (D) Personality

Image
The DISC assessment is a popular and powerful behavioral profiling tool designed to improve workplace relationships and communication. Among the four personality types identified in the DISC model—Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S) and Conscientiousness (C)—the dominant personality stands out for its decisive, results-oriented nature. Understanding how to effectively communicate with a D personality type is crucial for fostering communication and achieving success in the workplace. Traits Of A Type D Personality What is a type D personality? This DISC type is often seen as a go-getter who thrives on results and structure. Type D personality traits include being action-oriented, competitive, direct, driven, decisive, innovative and confident. They tend to be goal-oriented, strong leaders and adept problem solvers. They usually want to deal with issues head-on and expect others to do the same. Type D personalities can sometimes clash with others if they feel things are not m...

What You Should Know About 2025 Tax Changes

Image
Could you get a raise next year—even if your employer doesn’t give you one? Maybe. If you’re on track to earn the same amount in 2025, you may see more in your paycheck thanks to adjustments to your taxes. In October 2024, the IRS released its tax law adjustments for the 2025 tax year, which come into play when preparing your taxes in 2026. These included several modifications to account for inflation; however, these changes were smaller than in previous years. The agency’s income threshold adjustment is just 2.8% in 2025— down from 5.4% in 2024 and even more the previous year . “The inflation adjustments for next year are sort of more… historical versus the last few years [when] the inflation has just been astronomical,” says John Nowack, a certified financial planner, certified public accountant and the founder of Alo Financial Planning . “These most recent inflation increases [are] probably more on trend with what we’ve normally seen,” he says. The IRS alters tax brackets, deduc...

Former Paramount Pictures President David Paul Kirkpatrick Shares How to Tell a Good Story

Image
Chatting with David Paul Kirkpatrick is similar to being captivated by a bingeable Netflix series. It doesn’t matter if you’re sipping cappuccino across from him in a café or perched in a tiny virtual Zoom square, the entertainment value is always bubbling under the surface, waiting for an opportunity to deliver a laugh or make a connection. As a script reader for MGM studios, then later as president of production at both Walt Disney Pictures and Touchstone Pictures, and ultimately as president of Paramount Pictures, Kirkpatrick developed an expertise for spotting and telling a great story —a skill that served him well in executive roles, too. He estimates reading more than 80,000 scripts during those years, plucking some of Hollywood’s most beloved and iconic films from the pile along the way. He shepherded several award-winning films into creation, including Ordinary People and Terms of Endearment , blockbusters Top Gun and The Hunt for Red October and franchises including Indian...

How to Build Your Personal Brand, According to Gary Vaynerchuk

Image
Who are you anyway—and what is your brand? What does it stand for? You might know, but does the rest of the world? Building your brand and communicating it to others doesn’t happen by accident—and it sure doesn’t happen overnight. Knowing this, personal branding expert Gary Vaynerchuk took to LinkedIn workshops recently to share his secrets with the world.  Gary Vaynerchuk is an entrepreneur, six-time New York Times bestselling author, CEO of VaynerMedia and VeeFriends, and chairman of Vaynerx. His family immigrated to the United States from Belarus in 1978. In his website bio, he shares that his first experience with business began with selling lemonade at age 7 and baseball cards in high school. He’s come quite a long way since his humble beginnings—and he isn’t afraid to share his secrets. Whether you’re building a business and hoping to expand your reach or rethinking your branding strategy after decades of success, Vaynerchuk’s words of wisdom are for everyone. Here’s...

Why an ‘Innovacation’ Might Be Just the Thing To Help Spark New Ideas

What if the breakthrough idea you’re chasing isn’t at your desk but somewhere far from it—maybe in a quiet village café or on a mountain trail you’ve never hiked before? Shifting environments, or what some entrepreneurs call an “innovacation,” might be the sharpest tool for unlocking creative thinking. Indeed, research shows that while 84% of CEOs rank innovation as critical, traditional office routines can zap the very creativity they’re trying to foster. It’s not indulgence; it’s a performance strategy. “When we nurture ourselves, we nurture our connection to the world around us, which is the source of innovation and creativity,” explains Lauren Farina , licensed psychotherapist and CEO of Invited Psychotherapy and Coaching, an Illinois-based practice for high-performers. Innovacations, she says, are “a peak-performance hack,” offering an intentional way to reset, get inspired and enhance productivity. These breaks don’t have to be grand—low-cost trips to new settings can inspire ...