Permission Granted to Change the World

The revolutionary career research platform, uwannadu, is taking another step in helping you plan your future. As someone once said, "It's coming anyway, so you might as well plan for it."

We already offer thousands of job opportunities, but uwannadu is much more than a simple jobs board. In addition to our fun five-minute Interest Quiz, which suggests careers based on your personal interests, we profile thousands of awesome careers so you can make the best decision of your life. We now also offer insight into what it is actually like to work for leading companies who hire the careers you are exploring.

Now you can explore and compare the inner workings of the corporate cultures of great companies where your skills are needed. Discover the ones that suit you, and apply to their open positions with a click. You've done your homework and targeted your approach. Recruiters appreciate that.

So this week, uwannadu is proud to highlight the ground breaking non-profit firm, Ashoka, and put the spotlight on 4 careers where you can be a "change-maker". They build networks of pattern-changing social innovators and select high-impact entrepreneurs to creatively solve some of the worlds biggest social challenges. Ashoka believes that there is nothing more powerful than a new idea in the hands of a social entrepreneur.

Does this sound exciting to you? Do you see where the world could benefit from your ideas, but never knew what to do about it? Well that was yesterday, NOW you know what to do.

Learn more about Ashoka by viewing their profile on uwannadu. Watch videos of key employees offering insight into their daily work life at Ashoka. It's all free. It's just one more way uwannadu helps you make the right career choice. We believe to thrive and really make a positive difference, you should do what you wanna do. You just need to discover what career matches your passions. 

Explore thousands of other careers and discover exactly what YOU wanna do 

at uwannadu.com

"Camera 3: Star wipe and Fade to Black"

It's the TV News equivalent to being head of NASA Mission Control during a space launch. 

There you sit, or sometimes stand, in a darkened room, in front of a huge wall of glowing video monitors. A vast control panel of blinking buttons and shiny levers awaits your commands. There's a palpable static in the air. A sense of barely controlled chaos. Like teetering on two legs of a chair. On the edge of a skyscraper. Neck hair bristles. No time to blink. Hardly time to think. Split second timing is crucial. No room for second guesses. This is not amateur hour. Millions of people (and sometimes dollars) hang on your every move.

You, my friend, are a TECHNICAL DIRECTOR. And your TV Network News station can not function without your seasoned editorial decisions, your impeccable cat-like reflexes and your weathered nerves of steel. This job separates the men (or women) from the boys (or girls). 

But Scott seems to like it. In fact, Scott LOVES it. He's the TECHNICAL DIRECTOR for the 5 O'clock News and 11 O'clock News. It's every bit the seat-of-your-pants type of career described above, but Scott and his family are making it work. And being a TECHNICAL DIRECTOR in a large urban market can come with a large salary, which helps. But at the end of the day, regardless of the perks, you gotta love that day-to-day grind or you'll go crazy. No sense in living only for the weekends. What about those other 5 days in between that make up the bulk of your life? Successful people don't hate their jobs. They do it because they love it and they THRIVE. Scott thrives because he's following his childhood dream and it's every bit as exciting, challenging and rewarding as he had hoped.

Hear more from Scott as he answers the 15 most requested questions about his cool career in Network News. Pop over to uwannadu.com and take a quick Interest Quiz to see what real careers match YOUR interests. Then explore the Career Profiles to learn all the details you need to know to make one of the most important decisions of your life. Namely... what do you wanna do with your life?

Maybe TECHNICAL DIRECTOR is or you. Maybe not.

Perhaps another one of the thousands of careers in the uwannadu database.

Check it out. It's all COMPLETELY FREE! Cool.

Discover exactly what YOU wanna do at uwannadu.com

   

Real Estate, Real Career

Nearly everyone who has purchased property has dealt with a Real Estate Agent at some point. Their job is to not only help you find the residence you are looking for, but also facilitate the purchase transaction and even find a buyer for your old residence. Without someone to assist you through this process most people are kinda stuck where they are.

So although the number of real estate transactions fluctuates (like most industries), the need these agents is not going away anytime soon. Indeed this industry is growing at a 12% over the past year. And as a Real Estate Agent you get paid for performance. Agents get an agreed upon percentage, so the larger the transaction, the bigger the pay. It can be 'feast or famine' at times, but a good agent with a large social network can do quite well financially. Especially in a high end urban market.

But don't take our word for it. We spoke with Danai "The Condo Queen" about life as a Realtor. She's an ex-beauty queen currently conquering the real estate market in a large metropolitan market. Danai offers valuable insight into the world of buying and selling real estate property. View her "teaser" video HERE, and pop over to uwannadu to view her full interview (broken into 15 short answers) and get salary information, what skills and knowledge is required, and even recommended education. And even current job opportunities. Before you choose your career direction, explore all your options. It just makes sense to do what YOU wanna do.

Maybe REALTOR is for you. Hear much more from Danai about her career choice.

Explore thousands of other careers and discover what YOU wanna do at uwannadu.com

Designed For The Web

There's no denying the growing importance of the internet.

Nearly all 'consumers' (people who purchase things) now shop online. And shopping from mobile devices such as iPads and smartphones has increased a whopping 81% from 2012 to 2013. 

A typical "ghost mall"

So although the shopping malls in America may be a nostalgic thing of the past, (who doesn't live near at least one "ghost mall") shopping is alive and well. It's just our tastes in how we shop have changed along with the advances in technology.

So who is driving this acceptance of web shopping? Well, the designers of these sites play a large role in this "new shopping experience". Web Designers and Developers style, build and maintain these platforms to allow for easy use, maximum compatibility, and a pleasant consistent overall experience. (The online equivalent to soft lighting and Musak playing the background while you shop.) And have you noticed how they track your browsing and purchasing habits so the sites can recommend relevant suggestions? That growing trend of 'up-selling' and 'cross-selling' products is more prevalent than ever.

But making a successful web site requires a lot of work. It requires someone to structure the layout, design the look, code the functionality, manage the search engine optimization, and design the database and back-end controls. And that's just the beginning. So careers in web site development are varied and always evolving. It's an exciting thriving industry with lots of room for professional and personal growth. Web Design typically embraces leading-edge technology to stay one step ahead of the competition. It's a career that could easily be classified as "fun". But don't take our word for it... Meet Cory.

http://uwannadu.com/web-designer/

Does that sound exciting to you? Do you like to solve problems using technology? Even those with art backgrounds with little knowledge of programming can find a fit in designing web applications and graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Cory sat down with uwannadu to answer the 15 most-asked questions and shared what his life is like behind the mouse. Maybe Web Designer is for you?

Hear much more from Cory about his career choice.

Explore thousands of other careers and discover what YOU wanna do at uwannadu.com

Who Do You Call When Rebooting Doesn't Work?

"Why is my computer screen all blue? All I did was open this unknown .zip file that some stranger emailed me!" 

Well, believe it or not. That's most likely an actual quote from someone somewhere. But thankfully their are those with the skills to come to make it all better. And guess what... EVERY OFFICE needs one.     

They are called Information Technology Managers. (or "IT Managers" for short)

It's one of the fastest growing industries boasting an impressive growth of 18% in the last 12 months. (Just fixing healthcare.gov required dozens!) So if job security is important, and it should be, IT Manager is a solid career bet. But what makes it desirable also makes it competitive. So although a bachelor's degree in computer or information science is generally required (including coursework in software programming, development and/or mathmatics), some firms look for that candidate with a Masters Degree. Always look for something that will make you stand above the rest.

Nate is an IT Manager. Ever since he was young, Nate has always liked to take things apart to see how they worked. This led to an interest in electronics and computers. His interests led to the development of a useful skillset that now affords him a decent lifestyle, all the while enjoying his time during the work-week at the office. To him, that's what success is all about.

He gets to be the guy who comes in when things look darkest for his co-workers, when they are stressed that they can't do their jobs properly because the technology is not behaving, and SAVES THE DAY. He says it's a good feeling. Those looks on his co-workers faces are so rewarding. 

Managing priorities and expectations is a big part of the job also. So although he deals deeply with the world of ever-evolving technology, his "people skills" are what he relies on to truly be an effective IT Manager.

VIEW NATE'S FULL VIDEO HERE

Are you a problem solver? Do you like to fiddle with technology to see how it functions? Are you advanced at math? did you get in trouble for taking apart the toaster-oven as a child? You might be perfect for a career in IT Management. And there are many related careers for those with this same skillset. Have you answered your calling?    

What do uwannadu?

Hear much more from Nate about his career choice.
Explore thousands of other careers and discover what YOU wanna do at uwannadu.com

ARCHITECTURE: The Poetry of Form & Structure

"Every great architect is, necessarily, a great poet"

- Frank Lloyd Wright

Here's an example of Wright’s poetry. 

'Falling Water' appears to grow from the environment

‘Falling Water’, near Pittsburgh, PA was built in 1935 and is Wright’s most recognized masterpiece.  It is a monument to ‘organic’ architecture and a monument to doing what you love. And doing it well. He was 67.

Wright inspired millions to follow their dreams and build their own monuments.

Some builders aim to move us emotionally and inspire us, blending form and function, not to work or live in but to feel and be moved by.

Maya Lin

Ohio-born Maya Lin, Architecture student, entered a national contest to commemorate the sacrifices Americans made in the Vietnam War.

Lin won the prize and international acclaim, while we received the celebrated Memorial. Few can visit the National Mall in Washington DC and not be moved by her heart-felt message built in somber stone and haunted by the reflected names of our fallen heroes.

Jeff is an architect who works primarily on residential designs.  He brings homeowner dreams to life.

Architects pursue different visions and dreams:

• Frank Lloyd Wright built to reflect and integrate with nature
• Maya Lin built to solemnly help us remember
• Jeff builds private sanctuaries in the homes of regular people

They chose Architecture as a means of expressing their dreams.

What do you uwannadu?

Hear much more from Jeff about his career as an architect.  Explore thousands of other careers and discover what YOU wanna do at uwannadu.com

Do YOU suffer from "dentophobia"? Huh?

Do YOU suffer from "dentophobia"? Huh?

Say AAAAAHHHHH!

Yes that's a real word. And an actual medically recognized condition. Dentophobia is the fear of dental care, and more specifically, visiting the dental hygienist. Many people suffer from this condition to varying degrees. Sometimes it’s caused by childhood traumas. Who doesn't cringe at the shrill whine of a dental drill?

Sir Laurence Olivier            |            Steve Martin            |            Jennifer Aniston

Certainly the media has had no shortage of exaggerated portrayals of dentists over the years. From the crazed Nazi dental torturer of MARATHON MAN, to Steve Martin's antics in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (or even NOVOCAINE), to Jennifer Aniston's naughty advances toward dental hygienist Charlie Day in HORRIBLE BOSSES.

Although the reality of life as a dentist may not be so extreme, it's certainly no less interesting. Jamie chose to follow her interests and became a professional dental hygienist. Hear her story and what it's really like behind the mask.

With a growth rate of 28% per year and a potential salary of $100k, dental hygienists are smiling pretty.  

So while the anxiety of visiting the dentist can be real, fortunately we have dental hygienists like Jamie to ease our fears.

You can explore thousands of careers and discover what you want to do at uwannadu.com

Make Money. Every. Single. Day.

“Money, Money, Money - Making it, managing it, and most importantly not losing it…That’s a portfolio manager”

It’s not just about your money, but it is all about making money. It's about making and managing it. Being a portfolio manager means you get to work in the world of high finance and you get to be part of the heartbeat of the economy. When you do it really well, you can do more than just stare at this little baby.

Ferrari Laferrari Geneva 2013

But hey if it were easy everyone would do it.  Doing it right and bringing in the big bucks is tough and the competition is stiff.  You have two competitors, smart people and dishonest people.  They are both hard to beat.

There are great men and women who figure it out and build lasting companies and legacies. Warren Buffet is known for a 60+ year career of ethical business success.  He still lives in the same house he bought 50 years ago.

Billionare Warren Buffett

Others don’t do it so well. Some even turn to the "dark side". But instead of having your Death Star blown up in your face, you get to wear some new 'bling' around your wrists.

Handcuffs

 

The best portfolio managers love what they do. They do it for their own best interests as well as those of their clients. Yes, they love to make money, but money is only a measurement of how hard they work and how much they succeed at managing it.

Glen is an example of how real portfolio managers are out there making it happen.  He loves his job and loves to be able to see how he is doing every single day.

Portfolio managers come in many flavors but they share three goals:

•    Make money for their clients

•    Make money for themselves

•    Don’t lose money, break the law, cheat people or wear handcuffs

So does making money and growing a portfolio sound like you?  Is it what uwannadu?

Hear much more from Glen about his career as a portfolio manager.  

Explore thousands of other careers and discover what YOU wanna do at uwannadu.com

"I are engineer!"

“I are engineer!”

 Career Myth vs. Reality

The myth that engineers can’t speak in complete sentences or get a date but love numbers is both funny and wrong. The facts are a lot more interesting and inspiring.”

Take one example Amar Bose, founder of the company that bears his name.

When Dr. Bose died this summer he was a billionaire who loved what he did. Dr. Bose was a college professor who loved music and science. He followed a dream, which became the company we all know today and helps me drown out all those loud people and noises on the plane. 

Among other interesting quotes he said:

“I would have been fired a hundred times at a company run by MBAs. But I never went into business to make money. I went into business so that I could do interesting things that hadn't been done before."

Another engineer took a slightly different path and orbit.  

Engineer Neil Armstrong decided not to build things but rather to join the military and went on to be the first man to walk on the moon.

Famous quote from Neil:

“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Finally, Mr. Bean who let’s just say managed to “engineer” some ridiculous acts and funny movie scenes. On more than one occasion he relied on awkward moments he observed around rooms full of well, awkward engineers. 

Famous quote from Mr. Bean:

“Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. If you see a crocodile, don't forget to scream.”  - Not exactly profound but you get the point.


This is Ian. He's one of thousands of mechanical engineers who is literally shaping our future. Hear what revealing insight he has to offer at uwannadu. And learn about thousands of other great careers.

What does this all mean?

That depends on what uwannadu.