The The secret to forging a successful career is not really that complicated, in fact it's quite simple, so basic that people usually miss it, unable to see the significance.
Helping people set a career path that can lead to success is a very satisfying part of my job. In guiding people who seem a bit confused about where they're headed and in helping them set clear-cut goals to achieve their career objectives, I am changing lives.
The most valuable piece of career advice I can give is this: "You must know where you're headed before you can forge a path."
What's readily apparent is that this advice applies to all kinds of endeavors, not just to one's job or career path. The wisdom expressed in this statement is very simple; yet fundamentally true in almost everything we set out to do in life. My favorite question to ask in an interview, whether the person is 21 or 61 is, what do you want to do now that you're all grown up?
The problem many people run into during their job search is that they usually discount that step or completely disregard it. What they do is look ahead before examining their starting point, which should be determined by where they want to go.
To forge a successful career there must be a clearly defined path to follow leading to a specific end point. Once you reach your first destination you can always plot a new course. In figuring all of this out you can also look ahead and decide on one major end point or destination, with a whole lot of little destinations along the way, which would be considered stepping stones.
The main point I'm making is that if you have no clear idea of where you're going, there is no way you're ever going to get there, wherever "there" is. You wouldn't even have any idea of HOW to get there or know if you're "there" when you arrive.
Wherever you are along your career path, it's a good idea to take an inventory of your achievements and to look ahead to see what mountains you'd still like to climb. Determine where you'd like to end up, where your ultimate destination is. Once that's done you would want to decide on a path to follow that will take you there. This is the only way you can realistically reach your destination.
There are so many directions you can go and a lot of different paths to take, but if you haven't yet decided where you're going, then what's the point of starting out?
A 7 - Step Blueprint for Managing Your References Via Social Media
(By Matt Deutsch)
When it comes to references and social media, the first thing that people usually think of are LinkedIn recommendations and endorsements. And really, can you blame them?
After all, LinkedIn is the social media site networking site for professionals. However, an effective strategy for managing your references via social media goes way beyond that. LinkedIn recommendations and endorsements are just one part of the overall picture.
However, it's a mistake to make those the starting point of your strategy. When it comes to references in social media, you should start with the references . . . not the social media.
Our blueprint for managing your references via social media consists of seven steps. Those steps are as follows:
#1 - Identify your references.
Seems logical, right? You should not use social media to identify your references. You should be using it to nurture your references. Compile a list of all the people from which a glowing reference would help you to grow your career.
#2 - Connect with your references on many social media platforms.
Don't just connect with them on LinkedIn. Depending upon your relationship, strive to connect with them on as many platforms as possible. (Some people are more stringent about their friends on Facebook.) This is so you can compile a wealth of information.
#3 - Follow their activity on all accounts.
This should be relatively easy if you already check your accounts on a daily basis. Make it a point to visit the home/profile page of your references on a regular basis and observe their recent activity. When and how you ask for references will often depend upon what is happening in the life of the people you ask. Don't "fly blind."
#4 - Track their accomplishments!
This is the important part of following their activity. What if they change jobs? Get a promotion? Change jobs and get a promotion? You absolutely want to know this information, because this is the information that's most pertinent when the time arrives to use them as a reference.
#5 - Interact with them regularly.
This piggy-backs on #4. They got a promotion? Congratulate them! They changed jobs? Ask them about the change . . . and then congratulate them! Your references want to know that you care as much about their careers as you want them to care about yours, and social media offers an excellent opportunity to let them know that.
#6 - Provide LinkedIn recommendations for them first.
References, even references you've used in the past, are far more likely to talk about you in glowing terms if you've already done so for them. Once you've done this, look for other opportunities to provide positive feedback regarding their job and/or career on the various social media platforms.
#7 - Ask for references, recommendations, and endorsements.
You'll notice that this is the last item on our list. That's because you must provide value first before you can ask for - and expect to receive - value in return. Not only that, but the information you have gathered to this point will also help you to accurately assess the probability of a person providing a reference and also gauge how impactful their reference will be in regards to your job search.
Yes, this approach is time-intensive. View it as an investment in your future. You're spending time, energy, and effort now in the hopes of eventually receiving a return on that investment.
When the time comes, your references could very well mean the difference between receiving an offer of employment and not receiving one.
Submit Your Internship Program Information!
(By Matt Deutsch)
The Animal Science Monitor has offered to promote internships many times during the 11-year existence of our publication. And we want to do it again!
Our goal is to highlight internship programs associated with Animal Science and/or Animal Nutrition each month in the ASM. But of course, we need your help. That's why we're encouraging companies to submit information regarding their internship opportunities.
The process is simple, and the best part is that candidates can apply directly to the employer for the internships in which they're interested. When submitting your internship information, be sure to include the following information:
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A brief overview of your organization
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A description of your internship opportunities
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A summary of required qualifications
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The time frame and duration of the internship
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Specific data regarding how to apply for the internship, including physical addresses, phone and fax numbers, and email addresses
Once you submit your information, it will appear in a future issue of the ASM! You can email your internship program information to damien@consearch.com. 
