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Articles by Jessica Walthall
No degree? High-income career changes to make right now
Starting a new career without a college degree isn’t only possible, it’s becoming increasingly common. The job market is changing rapidly, and employers across various industries are prioritizing practical skills, certifications and real-world experience over traditional four-year degrees. Many of the highest-paying jobs available don’t require a bachelor’s degree.
Solve talent shortages with smarter hiring strategies
Leadership is being reshaped by a challenge that spans every industry: the growing skills gap. Organizations in finance, engineering, IT and logistics are struggling to find candidates with the necessary capabilities to keep pace with change. At the same time, leaders are expected to do more than simply fill roles; they must develop workforce strategies that directly support long-term business performance.
Jobs, Fall 2026 - Illinois Times, the capital city's source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture
When professionals think about career development, the instinct is to look inward: new certifications, stretch assignments, promotions or leadership programs. Growth is something we expect to find within the walls of our organizations. But some of the most valuable professional development opportunities are somewhere else entirely: outside your company, outside your industry and often outside…
Secrets to Long-Term Success as an Agency Healthcare Professional
One of the most rewarding aspects of agency work is the chance to experience a variety of healthcare environments. You may find yourself working in a hospital for one week, a long-term care facility the next, and an outpatient clinic shortly after. While each setting has its own procedures, technologies, and workplace cultures, successful agency healthcare professionals view these transitions as opportunities rather than obstacles.
Why Veterans Make Great Franchise Owners
Veterans excel in leadership, problem-solving, and achieving goals under pressure, making them excellent candidates for business ownership. Owning an Express Employment Professionals franchise allows veterans to leverage their skills by helping local businesses find talent and create job opportunities within their communities. With proven systems, training, and ongoing support, Express offers a valuable framework for veterans to build rewarding futures.
Master the Tech That Runs the World: SAP, Workday, and More
As you explore job openings, you may find references to powerful platforms like SAP, Workday, Oracle, and Salesforce. These tools are essential across various fields such as finance, project management, operations, analytics, and software development. There’s a widespread misunderstanding that careers within enterprise software are exclusively reserved for those with programming expertise.
Why Healthcare Cost Visibility Is Your Competitive Advantage
Hospitals and health systems have long sought effective cost management but often struggle to understand the true cost of care delivery. The American Hospital Association’s 2026 Costs of Caring report emphasizes ongoing pressures from workforce and supply costs, as well as the complexities of patient care. As healthcare leaders prioritize margin management and financial performance, a new focus on cost visibility is emerging.
The Enterprise Platform Dilemma: Turning Overhead into a Strategic Edge
Organizations across nearly every industry are heavily investing in enterprise software platforms such as SAP, Workday, Oracle, and Salesforce. These systems promise improved efficiency, better visibility into business performance, and the ability to scale operations in increasingly complex environments. Despite significant investments, many organizations still struggle to achieve the expected return on investment.
Strategies to Future‑Proof Your Career in the AI Era
Career development is crucial for lasting success, especially as AI rapidly reshapes roles and skills. Professionals are rethinking their growth to adapt to this change. The ETS Human Progress Report uncovered that 77% of employees believe job security relies on continuous development rather than tenure. This shift explains the rising interest in career development as individuals seek to future-proof their careers in a fast-paced world driven by AI.
Why the Best Healthcare Jobs Offer Flexible Scheduling
Flexible scheduling has emerged as a transformative beacon in the healthcare industry. As professionals increasingly prioritize work-life balance and mental health support, often valuing this above pay, employers are embracing innovative scheduling models. Empowering hospitals and clinics to attract and retain exceptional talent during this time is essential.
Need a Job Fast? Discover These Holiday Job Search Hacks
The holiday season offers opportunities for income, experience, and networking with employers. Many organizations begin workforce planning well in advance to prepare for increased demand. Employers across various industries, including retail, logistics, and customer service, are already building their teams. By connecting with them early, you can stay ahead of the hiring rush and explore more job opportunities.
Ultimate Roadmap for Moving from Sales to Technology
The journey into IT or engineering often takes unexpected turns, with many professionals discovering that their sales skills can open new career opportunities. As technology reshapes industries, employers now seek candidates who excel in connecting ideas, collaborating across teams, and adapting to changes that many sales professionals already possess. The definition of a qualified candidate in engineering and IT is changing. AI and digital tools are now core to many roles, shifting work dynamics.
Leading the Future of the Healthcare Workforce in the Age of AI
AI is revolutionizing healthcare, significantly altering how hospitals and clinics function. Healthcare leaders face the challenge of inspiring their teams to adapt to this rapid transformation. The Wall Street Journal reports that AI will enhance roles, streamline workflows, and redefine expectations in care. Organizations that succeed will empower their workforce to embrace these changes, aligning human potential with technological advances.
Solve Talent Shortages with Smarter Hiring Strategies
Leadership is being reshaped by a challenge that spans every industry: the growing skills gap. Organizations in finance, engineering, IT, and logistics are struggling to find candidates with the necessary capabilities to keep pace with change. At the same time, leaders are expected to do more than simply fill roles; they must develop workforce strategies that directly support long-term business performance.
No Degree? High-Income Career Changes to Make Right Now
Starting a new career without a college degree isn’t only possible, it’s becoming increasingly common. The job market is changing rapidly, and employers across various industries are prioritizing practical skills, certifications, and real-world experience over traditional four-year degrees. Many of the highest-paying jobs available don’t require a bachelor’s degree.
Overcoming Nurse Burnout by Seeking New Roles
Burnout presents a formidable challenge for the healthcare workforce, particularly among nurses. The demanding combination of long hours, chronic understaffing, and high patient needs has put the resilience of many to the test. Recent surveys show that over half of healthcare workers are considering new job opportunities, highlighting a critical need for sustainable solutions in the industry.
Why Systems Thinking Is Becoming a Must-Have Skill in the Tech Industry
Technology is evolving rapidly, creating a complex landscape for tech professionals. Understanding specific roles is just the start; the real value comes from grasping the connections that tie everything together. University of Advancing Technology emphasizes that a forward-thinking attitude is essential for success in the tech world. Systems thinking has transformed into a crucial skill for problem-solving, product design, and innovation.
Behind the Scrubs: The Human Cost of the Nursing Crisis—and the Leaders Who Can Change It
The nursing crisis has transformed from a looming threat to a defining challenge in modern healthcare. Nurses across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities are grappling with chronic understaffing, rising patient acuity, and emotional exhaustion. This healthcare concern presents a profession stretched to its limits, with many nurses questioning how long they can endure under these conditions. For healthcare leaders, this is not merely a workforce issue; it’s a human one.
Need to Reschedule a Job Interview? How to Do It Professionally
Rescheduling a job interview can be stressful, but it’s more common and more acceptable than many candidates realize. Life can bring unexpected challenges like illness, emergencies, work conflicts, or logistical issues that disrupt even the most carefully planned schedules. Candidates who communicate promptly and professionally maintain a strong standing in the hiring process. When handled correctly, rescheduling does not harm your chances.
How to Prevent Burnout and Optimize Supply Chain Incentives
. Burnout has become one of the most significant threats to supply chain performance. It erodes resilience, slows decision-making, and undermines the incentives meant to motivate teams. Leaders face a dual challenge: stabilizing supply chain operations while ensuring their teams remain energized, engaged, and mentally healthy.
AI Is Reshaping Hiring—Keeping the Human Touch Is Now the Real Priority
The hiring landscape across North America reflects renewed confidence and a desire for growth, according to a recent Job Insights report. Beneath this optimism lies a more complex reality where leaders are entering a period characterized not only by opportunity but also by the challenges of responsibly managing AI, including its promises, risks, and impact on people.
Networking for Introverts: How to Get Referrals Without Small Talk
Introverts often find networking intimidating, especially in crowded rooms or fast-paced conversations. Yet many professionals value genuine, meaningful interactions over quick small talk—an area where introverts naturally excel when they lead with intention and curiosity. Good news: you don’t need to be a master of casual chatter to build a strong referral network. You can make a lasting impact simply by leaning into the strengths that make your connections thoughtful and authentic.
The Impact of Automation on the Logistics Workforce
The logistics industry is transforming as automation evolves into a strategic ally in workforce development. Rather than eliminating roles, automation reshapes them, enhancing human skills and creating new career pathways to meet rising operational demands. This shift is vital as companies face ongoing labor shortages in warehouses, distribution centers, and transportation networks.
What the New Staffing Goal Means for Your Nursing Career
The Joint Commission’s decision to elevate nurse staffing to a National Performance Goal (NPG 12) marks one of the most significant shifts in healthcare workforce standards in recent years. Hospitals are now required to demonstrate that their staffing levels are safe, consistent, and aligned with patient acuity. This change has a direct impact on how nurses are hired, supported, and retained.
Certifications That Move Careers Forward in Accounting
The accounting profession remains resilient and rich with opportunity. With 45% of firms reporting a shortage of qualified talent, the demand for skilled professionals has never been higher. In the rapidly evolving financial landscape, accounting certifications have become a powerful differentiator. As technology reshapes the field, specialized expertise grows even more valuable, making respected credentials an essential asset.
Why GenAI Is More Likely to Support Workers Than Replace Them
Concerns about Generative AI (GenAI) replacing human jobs are growing, yet recent research presents an inspiring perspective. AI is changing workplaces and expanding human potential, enhancing qualities like judgment, imagination, and collaboration. Rather than automating tasks, AI is amplifying human work. Those who learn to leverage these tools will gain a significant advantage in the rapidly evolving market.
Proven Strategies to Align Healthcare Operations and Finance
Hospitals are entering the new fiscal year with a sharper focus on financial resilience than they had in the past decade. Ongoing labor shortages, rising supply costs, and changing patient volumes have compelled executives to reconsider traditional operating models. While the pandemic highlighted long-standing vulnerabilities, the current environment is marked by a new urgency: financial sustainability is no longer just a strategic priority; it’s the primary one.
Stop These Hidden IT Compliance Risks from Slowing Your Growth
As organizations grow, IT teams prioritize innovation and efficiency, but they also face increased complexity and compliance risks. Many leaders believe their systems are secure due to existing policies and tools. However, unnoticed compliance gaps can lead to regulatory penalties, data breaches, and reputational damage.
Why Seasonal Logistics Jobs Are Surging — and How to Take Advantage
Seasonal logistics roles are becoming increasingly important as companies strive to keep goods moving during high-demand periods. These positions are rapidly expanding due to changing consumer expectations, advancements in supply chain technology, and ongoing labor shortages. Employers are urgently seeking skilled seasonal workers as talent gaps widen and operational pressures grow. Peak-season challenges are more daunting than ever.
Should You Become a Travel Nurse or Allied Health Professional?
Choosing a healthcare career can be challenging, especially when considering the differences between travel and allied health roles. Both options offer strong job security, competitive salaries, and long-term growth opportunities, but they differ in lifestyle, training requirements, and daily experiences. The healthcare landscape is changing, with high demand for both travel and allied health professionals due to an aging population and staffing shortages.
Value of IT Certifications vs. Experience
The tech job market is evolving rapidly, and job seekers often grapple with a key question: Which is more important, IT certifications or hands-on experience? The reality is that both elements play a significant role in shaping your career, but the ideal balance depends on your goals, background, and the specific roles you’re aiming for. As companies modernize their tech stacks and adopt new tools, the demand for validated skills is increasing.
What Healthcare Leaders Need to Know About Joint Commission NPG 12
Healthcare organizations are entering a new era of accountability with the Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goal 12 (NPG 12). This initiative addresses staffing shortages, burnout, and turnover that threaten care delivery. The new standards emphasize the need for structured staffing for inpatient and outpatient settings, with a focus on increased scrutiny, rigorous documentation, and the role of the healthcare leader.
Strengthening Your Network Now So It Supports Your Career Later
Strengthening your professional network is more exciting and rewarding than ever in the evolving job market. While hiring trends shift, new opportunities emerge. Fostering strong relationships enables you to stay connected to dynamic, future-focused sectors and the fastest-moving opportunities. A solid network not only keeps you competitive but also allows you to explore what’s possible. The job market is changing, presenting both new opportunities and challenges.
Proven Leadership Techniques for Remote and Hybrid Engineering Team Success
Remote and hybrid engineering teams are now standard, requiring adjustments in management strategies to maintain productivity, cohesion, and innovation. Effective leadership plays a crucial role in attracting and keeping top talent. Modern engineering teams want flexibility, transparency, and meaningful connections, but face challenges such as communication gaps and proximity bias.
Emerging Careers for 2026 Grads in a Changing Job Market
Graduating in 2026 means entering a job market shaped by rapid technological change and demographic shifts. While some industries are slowing down, fields like renewable energy, healthcare, and data science are projected to grow significantly through 2034, offering strong salaries and career stability. Emerging technologies such as AI and cybersecurity are also creating new job categories.
Soft Skills That Give You an Edge in an Automated World
As AI transforms the workplace, job seekers should recognize that technical skills are no longer enough. While machines handle repetitive tasks, employers increasingly value human abilities that technology cannot replicate. According to the World Economic Forum, AI cannot replicate human creativity, ethics, or interpersonal communication, making these skills crucial. Soft skills enable effective collaboration and help workers navigate rapid changes driven by automation.
Honoring Remarkable Healthcare Professionals Changing Lives
National Nurses Week, May 6–12, and International Nurses Day, May 6, celebrate the vital role of nurses in healthcare. The International Council of Nurses’ 2026 theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” promotes support for nurses. The American Nurses Association’s (ANA) 2026 theme, “The Power of Nurses™,” focuses on their leadership and resilience. National Nurses Week is not just a time for celebration; it also serves as an educational opportunity.
Ways to Thrive in a New Job with Inadequate Training
Starting a new job should be exciting, but that excitement can fade quickly if the expected training doesn’t happen. Many organizations struggle to provide a structured onboarding experience, leaving new hires feeling unprepared and uncertain in their roles. Poor onboarding can undermine confidence and affect long-term job satisfaction. Fortunately, even if your onboarding was inadequate, you can take steps to regain clarity, build momentum, and set yourself up for success.
App Developers Now Becoming AI Strategists
The world of app development is evolving at an unprecedented pace, making AI no longer just an added feature but the very foundation of software. Consequently, companies are seeking not only traditional app developers but also AI strategists, professionals who know how to integrate AI into products, workflows, and business strategies. This shift may seem daunting, but it presents a significant opportunity for app developers.
What Employers Want from 2026 Grads—and How to Deliver It
As graduation approaches for the class of 2026, many students are curious about the job market they are entering. The employment landscape is changing rapidly due to technology, economic uncertainty, and evolving employer expectations. Overall, the outlook for graduates can be described as steady but cautious. Hiring projections for the class of 2026 indicate a modest increase of 1.6% compared to 2025, signaling a leveling-off period in job opportunities.
Future-Proofing Care: How to Build an AI-Ready Healthcare Workforce
AI is transforming healthcare with improved workflows, administrative processes, and patient engagement. Despite positive influence, healthcare leaders face challenges in preparing the workforce for automation and digital collaboration. The American Hospital Association emphasizes AI’s role in reducing administrative burdens and enhancing clinical decision-making, highlighting the need for strong leadership for safe and equitable technology adoption.
The Strategic Value of Network Architects to Drive Digital Transformation
Organizations are under pressure to modernize infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity, and support global hybrid workforces. A vital role in this evolution is that of a network architect, whose role has transitioned from a technical position to a strategic partner influencing business continuity and operational efficiency. Demand for network architects is rising as companies invest in secure, scalable network solutions.
Travel Nursing Is the Ultimate Career Move for Adventure Seekers
If you’re a nurse seeking a career that combines professional growth with real-world adventure, travel nursing offers one of the most exciting paths available. With ongoing staffing shortages nationwide and competitive pay packages, travel nursing has become an increasingly appealing option for job seekers looking for flexibility, mobility, and meaningful work. For nurses eager for new experiences and greater control over their schedules, this career path provides both opportunity and adventure.
Launching A New Era for Mechanical Engineers in AI
AI is transforming the workforce, including the field of mechanical engineering, causing job seekers to encounter both opportunities and uncertainties. While AI automates certain tasks, it won’t eliminate the need for mechanical engineers. In fact, the demand for engineers who are skilled in AI is increasing. Understanding the impact of AI on the industry and adapting accordingly can provide a competitive edge in the job market.
Healthcare Franchises for Community Growth
As the healthcare industry evolves, franchise opportunities are becoming a popular option for those looking to combine business ownership with community support. Franchises like Express Healthcare Staffing offer a structured entry into the industry, enabling owners to connect qualified professionals with hospitals and care facilities in need. With a growing demand for nurses and allied health workers, reliable staffing partners are increasingly essential.
New Leadership Competencies for Modern Nurses
Nursing leadership is experiencing a significant transformation. As healthcare systems confront workforce shortages, increasing patient acuity, rapid digital advancements, and evolving organizational expectations, nurse leaders must cultivate new competencies that transcend traditional management skills. Modern nursing leadership demands strategic thinking, technological proficiency, emotional intelligence, and the capability to guide teams through continuous change.
Prioritize Your Needs to Secure the Job You Really Want
Finding the right job isn’t just about accepting any offer; it’s about choosing a role that fits your lifestyle, values, and long‑term goals. With the labor market holding steady in both the U.S. and Canada, job seekers have more space to be intentional. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports moderate, ongoing employment growth, while Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows stable employment.
The New #1 Mechanical Engineering Leadership Skill
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is becoming a crucial leadership skill in mechanical engineering. As teams face rapid technological changes and complex project demands, leaders with strong EI consistently outperform those who rely solely on technical skills. EI is essential for effective leadership, team cohesion, and organizational performance.
AI Skills to Add to Your Resume Right Now
AI is no longer just a futuristic concept; it has become an essential skill set that can define your career. According to PwC’s 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer, professionals with AI expertise are experiencing an average wage premium of 56%, which is double the rate from just one year earlier. Amazon Web Services (AWS) reports that nearly 92% of organizations plan to implement AI-powered solutions by 2028. Proficiency in AI is becoming one of the most valuable assets you can showcase on your resume.
Clinician to Leader: Roadmap to Success
Healthcare is evolving, with clinicians stepping into leadership roles to improve patient outcomes and guide teams. Many aspiring leaders, however, feel uncertain about how to make this transition, especially without formal leadership experience. Harvard Medical School explains that today’s clinician-leaders need to be “purpose-driven, data-informed, and collaborative” to navigate the increasing complexity of healthcare systems.
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