Bala Prasanna

A few Tips to Manage Professional Development & Career Security

Workplace habits and expectations have changed significantly in the last several years.

Surviving and thriving depends on your ability to grasp the broader picture and hone some essential skills.

In these days of extreme competition, what is it that makes you get that job or assignment that you are very good at? The invariable answer: when someone like a professor, manager, or peer makes a recommendation or provides a reference, the likelihood of success is much higher than going it alone. Making sure that professors/managers/peers are familiar with your work and personality attributes is crucial to getting desirable results. Consider, for example, starting early on and offering your help or services to professors/manager/peers, and follow through with it—and when the time comes, make a request for a recommendation. The resulting recommendation is much more beneficial just because of your approach to networking. Thus, in order to get something from a network, you are contributing or investing in the network upfront, for a much better outcome. This presentation discusses the why and how of networking internals to increase your chances of success and the quantity and quality of returns.

Likewise, if we do not manage relations with managers and peers in the workplace, we will not have the resources to get our jobs done.  Communication—of all kinds—is an essential part of this management. Can we ask better questions? How do we work with difficult people? Do we always say nice things, but carry a stick? Have we tried talking-up? Are we deadline-passionate, and how do we manage that?

Do you believe that conflict holds creative potential, conflict is unavoidable and common, and conflict and negotiation are central parts of workplace life? If you do, you are already ahead in the game. For most of the remaining folks who get stressed out dreading conflict in the workplace, this presentation offers perspectives on conflict in the workplace and practical approach to handle conflicts or differences. We include discussions on topics such as handling criticism, and how important it is for us to deviate from our comfort zones once in a while to set different expectations for everyone—including ourselves.

We will discuss all this and more with examples and anecdotes.

You'll walk away more aware to train yourself to be relevant and successful in today's workplace.

Biography:

Mr. Bala Prasanna’s professional career of over 35 years includes working in institutions like SUNY-State University of New York, AT&T and IBM in various roles in senior technical and management positions. He volunteers his time at IEEE- Region 1 as a board member. He has also served as a board member at IEEE-USA during 2016-17.  Mr. Prasanna is proud to be a member of IEEE HKN Honor Society.

He cherishes his time talking to students and career professionals specifically on the importance of career management skills and technology frontiers. As IEEE national speaker, he has spoken at various US and international universities and colleges on career management skills to survive and thrive in today’s workplace. His passions are photography, reading biographies and meeting people of accomplishment.

Mr. Bala Prasanna is currently serving as IEEE Region 1 Director for 2024-25 term and is on the IEEE Board of Directors during 2024-25. Bala is also involved in IEEE MOVE and IEEE HKN (Honor Society) programs.

Address:New Jersey, United States

Helen Godfrey

Biography:

Helen Godfrey, MA, NCC, BCC, LPC has been a career coach since 2000 and was named one of Yahoo Finance’s Top 5 Female Life Coaches in the U.S. She is the owner of The Authentic Path Career and Life Coaching, www.theauthenticpath.com, where she partners with clients to create their resumes, job search strategies, fine-tune networking techniques, LinkedIn profiles, and determine their career path. She also coaches her clients on how to find their authentic voice and stories in their interviews so they can land their ideal jobs.

Address:Houston, Texas, United States

Elizabeth Lions

Did you know that only 24% of Americans harness the power of Chat GPT? Surprisingly, this tool is most popular among the 18-24 age group. However, many users disengage within just 7 minutes of interaction.

In 2024, leveraging Chat GPT for your job search holds incredible potential. Elizabeth's presentation offers innovative strategies to maximize this tool's effectiveness in your quest for employment. Join us to explore expert tips, unconventional methods, and tailored prompts that will revolutionize your approach to job hunting.

Biography:

Elizabeth Lions stands apart in the coaching realm. As a three-time bestselling author of transformative books like "I Quit – Working For You Isn’t Working For Me" and "Hear Us Roar," her focus isn't just on coaching—it's on revolutionizing career trajectories. With over two decades immersed in talent acquisition, she possesses an unparalleled understanding of the corporate landscape. This unique perspective allows her to predict hiring, firing, and promotion patterns, giving clients an insider's advantage.

What sets her apart? Custom-crafted coaching programs designed not for general success but tailored to deliver measurable, concrete outcomes. While many coaches offer guidance, Elizabeth provides strategic blueprints honed from her insider knowledge. Her coaching isn't just about securing promotions or navigating job markets; it's a career metamorphosis.

For more about her work, please visit www.lionsology.com

Address:United States

Robert Danielle

Your personal brand is a combination of your reputation and the value you bring to current and future employers. With many more interested in your ability to solve problems than reviewing your career history, finding ways to set you apart, capturing their attention, and creating memorable connections becomes an advantage whether you’re looking for a job or building your professional career. 

In this webinar we will discuss how you can:

·         Identify your key and valued attributes

·         Be an authentic and impactful communicator    

·         Tell and promote your story or narrative

·         Become gravitational and draw people to you  

·         Build rapport and confidence to set yourself apart

If you have ever been asked, “tell me about yourself” and struggled to be concise, are in the process of changing careers, or have years of experience with limited success getting that next job, this webinar will help show you ways to clearly express who you are, how to capture positive attention, and make yourself stand out.

Biography:

Dr. Robert (Bob) Danielle has considerable expertise in the areas of career transitioning, leadership development, adult learning theories, and change management. He has held strategic roles in the media, technology, government/military, higher education, and e-commerce sectors, and possesses the ability to bring together seemingly unrelated ideas to create new possibilities that result in successful outcomes.

Much of Dr. Danielle’s work has focused on professional/career development, leading large successful change initiatives, and improving individual/team performance. He holds a Doctorate in Higher Education and Organizational Change; an MS degree in Information Systems Management; and a BA in Leadership—all completed as an adult learner—with a family and demanding full-time positions.

Dr. Danielle has authored several books, including a GOLD Muse Creative award winner) and articles for the IEEE and currently works as Manager, Learning Solutions (Global) for Amazon Robotics. He is certified as a Performance and Career Coach and has also worked as a consultant for large and small organizations.

If you would like to connect, or learn more about him, please visit: www.linkedin.com/in/bobdanielle