Sept. 14, 2011

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Jeremy McCarthy parlayed an early-career lifeguarding gig into a career he loves in spa management. He’s Director, Global Spa Development and Operations with Starwood Hotels, which includes well known hotel brands Sheraton and Westin. Jeremy also blogs at psychologyofwellbeing.com Jeremy recently completed a Master degree in Applied Positive Psychology; his thesis was on “The Psychology of Spas and Wellbeing.” We’ll talk about Jeremy’s own career, and his recent work developing training for the 150,000 starwood employees. The training has included “job crafting” plus a comprehensive infusion of positive psychology and a strengths focus, so employees can bring the best of themselves to work everyday.

What happens at career fairs? What do employers expect? How do you prepare? Career Information Days (check out video!) is the largest annual career fair at the University of Toronto. Students have a chance to meet with representatives from over 100 top organizations. Daniel Marquez is in technology consulting with Deloitte, and shares employer tips and insights. Andrea Tirone is the Coordinator, Career Information Days for the U of T career centre, and brings the student perspective to Career Buzz.

Inspire your life, empower your career, enrich your week. Join us WEDNESDAYS 11am-noon at 89.5 FM or www.ciut.fm

Insights from Sept. 9 show:

UK careers expert Tristram Hooley explained his view of the value of telling, and sharing one’s career and life story: “The act of telling a story, is an act of understanding and of analyzing what’s happened. It’s not just setting down in pure way what happened. By telling your story you organize it immediately.”

CareerCycles tip: This week, share one ‘chapter’ of your career story with a co-worker, friend or family member. Notice what you leave in, and out, of the story. Notice what you now understand by sharing that story.

Sharon Ferriss, Director, Marketing, Web and New Media at CERIC, shared insights from CERIC’s online survey on public perceptions about career development and the workplace. In her own career, Sharon shared advice about taking calls from recruiters: “Always say ‘yes.’ You never know where saying ‘yes’ is going to lead. It never hurts to have the conversation. It gives you insight into the skills other organizations are looking for. It can only help you in furthering your career journey if not at that moment then later.

CareerCycles tip: Say ‘yes’ next time a recruiter calls!

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