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. [] Speaker(s): Bala Prasanna Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/469860

Our meeting sponsor is ManTech. The address is the ManTech office, next door to Lanikai Juice (between Starbucks and Highway Inn). 5:00 - No-host Pau Hana with speaker, Mike Andrews, at Moku Kitchen, SALT at Kaka'ako. If you would like to join us at Moku Kitchen, send an email to [email protected] 6:30 - Meeting across the plaza at Mantech. The doors will be open by 6:15 Co-sponsored by: ManTech Speaker(s): Mike Agenda: Evolving your personal and professional life to make an impact! As experienced IEEE professionals, there are many ways that we can make significant contributions to the community that we serve. We are on the edge of launching a new initiative, IEEE AgeTech, that will create both a series of industry standards and new products and services designed for an aging population. You can be a part of the “next big thing” for our global community. We will explore the events and opportunities that are on the horizon. On a local level, join us as we discuss ways that you can make an impact through mentoring, STEM outreach, community building and being the critical resource that can address needs in your area. Learn specific programs, techniques and actions that will help you develop unique leadership skills. We will also explore the confidence builders that will allow you to grow personally and professionally and to inspire others. The presentation will explore ways that you can share those skills and become the inspiration, benchmark and ultimate resource to inspire, encourage and guide others to become leaders. Find out what’s happening now and how you can get involved! Make it a great evening. Mike Room: Suite 103, Bldg: ManTech office, next door to Lanikai Juice, 680 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, 96813