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If you spend all of your time at work daydreaming about leaving for greener pastures, it might be time for a career change. A widely reported figure places the number of career changes for the average employee at seven. This figure might be something of an urban legend, since the Bureau of Labor Statistics has no way of tracking career changes, but the average Millennial is currently only staying at any given job for an average of 4.4 years.

If you’re itching for a change of scenery, it’s good to know you’re not alone. A recent poll by Harris Interactive found only 13 percent of responders considered their current position a perfect fit. More than half of those polled dreamed of leaving their current career and forging new paths.

Of course, if career changes were easy, everyone (or at least half of us) would be switching industries. Making a big change isn’t impossible, but there are certainly big pitfalls waiting along the way. Here are some common career-change mistakes to avoid to smooth your transition... READ MORE

It's a deeply-rooted coming of age celebration that has reached across borders and is quickly becoming big business in the states. San Diego 6's Laura Cavanaugh reports on the cultural significance and the booming industry of Quinceañeras.

With the cascading gown, tiara, church mass and an honor court in tuxedos, one would think this elaborate affair was a wedding, but Bianca Hernandez is celebrating her 15th birthday, or her quinceañera.

"Having a quince to me is really special," says Hernandez, "Since I was a little, I've always wanted to have one."

The tradition symbolizes the transition from childhood to adulthood, a cross between a Bat Mitzvah, a debutante ball and a Sweet 16.

"There's quinces and Sweet 16s, but with quinces, Latin people would rather spend their last dime in their bank account to make her a princess for that special moment," says DJ George Torres, who is booked every weekend spinning tunes at quinceañeras in Chula Vista. READ MORE

The woman-owned business market in Florida continues to grow, as the Sunshine State ranks No. 3 for having the most Latina-owned businesses.

According to the 2014 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, 2014 is expected to see the number of Latina-owned businesses in Florida grow to 144,600 — an increase of 8,700 from 2013’s report that recorded 135,900 Latina-owned businesses.

Ahead of Florida was Texas, with an estimated growth for Latina-owned businesses at 190,000, and at the top was California with 228,500. Florida also ranks third in the overall percentage of Latina women who own a business. In Florida, Latinas make up 24 percent of women who own a business, while Texas took second place again with 25 percent and New Mexico ranks No. 1 with 29 percent. READ MORE

Unless you’ve recently retired, won the lottery or were elected President of the United States, chances are you’re looking to keep your career progression on track with increased responsibility and increased salary. Face it -- no one wants to be the assistant forever.

So how exactly do you go about making the leap into a more lucrative position? Here are some tips to help you land that higher paying job.

Network Strategically

“It’s not so much about your resume anymore, but the people you know, and the people they know,” says Rachelle Falls, HR pro, blogger and conference speaker. She says people often think they aren’t well connected enough, but fail to realize they can be, with a few simple steps.

Falls’ first suggestion is to scan your social media connections for people with a job you’d like to have. If you’re currently a sales associate and want to become a sales manager in a certain industry, then look through your contacts and “locate those that have the job title and responsibilities you’re looking for,” she says. “Reach out and ask for a coffee meeting or a quick phone call.” READ MORE

Understanding certain characteristics of America's fast-growing Hispanic population, such as as their high use of mobile computing devices, reluctance to share information and a need for better education about health insurance exchanges, can help providers and insurers better attract a community with substantial purchasing power, a PricewaterhouseCoopers study contends. The study, which included surveys of 500 Hispanics and 500 non-Hispanics, offers insights and strategies. READ MORE

President Obama has been playing musical chairs with his Cabinet.

At the White House on Friday, Obama announced that he's chosen Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan to be his new budget director. Donovan would replace Sylvia Mathews Burwell, who's taking over the Department of Health and Human Services.

That leaves a vacancy atop the housing department, which the president plans to fill with an outsider: Julian Castro, the mayor of San Antonio and a rising star in the Democratic Party.

Castro would take over as HUD secretary at a time when the nation's housing market has been treading water.

There was some positive news this week about new and existing home sales inching up in April, but the overall spring selling season has been a disappointment. Housing does not look to be the engine of economic growth many forecasters had been hoping for. READ MORE

Nicole Suárez, Anchor, Hoy Noticias Mundo Fox 13

Nicole Suárez is a Chicago native of Colombian roots who holds a deep commitment to representing the voices and lived experiences of her fellow Latinos in the United States. Nicole first gained international recognition in the Spanish-language market through her participation in Univision's highly-rated reality program, Nuestra Belleza Latina. During this competition, she won all of the journalism-related challenges and in the process discovered her love for reporting the news. 

Upon taking third place in the competition and returning to Chicago, Nicole resumed her studies at DePaul University in the fields of Journalism and Public Relations/Advertising. She also became the face of Univision's daily Despierta Chicago morning segment Although she was part of an Emmy-nominated project at Univision, her primary passion for news led to her current position as anchor for Hoy Noticias Mundo Fox 13, where she hopes to continue to serve and empower Chicago's Latino community.

Antonio Casanova, Director of SEO, Starcom MediaVest Group

As the head of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) at Starcom USA, Antonio leads the design and execution of search engine optimization programs for Starcom clients. He has leveraged his deep understanding of search engine marketing, data analytics, and technology to help multiple Fortune 500 companies improve their online performance. Antonio has worked with a diverse array of clients including General Electric, Anheuser Busch, Novartis, Kraft, Wells Fargo, Motorola, Verizon Wireless, Kohl’s, Progressive, and many others. Antonio has also helped clients build custom data analysis frameworks that clearly articulate online performance and provide insights used to refine client strategies. On his free time, he runs a successful Meetup group on the topic of search marketing with over 350 members (http://www.meetup.com/Chicago-SEM/).
Antonio is originally from Cádiz, Spain. He earned a Master’s Degree in Information Technology from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

Ana Serafin, Communications Manager, Goose Island Beer Co.

Ana Serafin obtained her bachelor's degree in Communications at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Upon graduation, she started her career in public relations where she worked for consumer product brands such as Aeromexico, MillerCoors, Wrigley Jr. Co., Nintendo, Walmart, among others. Recently, she obtained her M.A. in Advertising and Public Relations at DePaul University and is currently working at Goose Island Beer Company as their Communications Manager. In addition, she is an award winning travel blogger; she documents her travel experiences via www.TravelingLatina.com

Jessica Faus, Director of Marketing & Communications, IL Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Jessica Faus is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC), the leading Hispanic business, networking, advocacy and development organization in Illinois. In this role, Faus is responsible for all Chamber communications, including media outreach, digital strategizing, member interface, and marketing and branding Chamber events and technical assistance programs.

At the Chamber, Faus also provides one-on-one consultations with small business owners, helping them to plan, design and execute marketing campaigns that focus on leveraging digital opportunities to achieve targeted results. Prior to joining the Chamber, Faus held positions as a Research Assistant at Marshall & Stevens Valuation Consulting Practice and as a Creative Services Intern at WGN-TV.

Faus received her Bachelor of Science in Media and Cinema Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While there, she also studied Informatics and Spanish and was awarded the Bronze Tablet for graduating within the top 3% of her graduating class.

Faus realized her passion for education and public service while studying abroad in Spain, teaching English to adult residents. She has since become a private tutor focusing on ACT preparation and high school coursework. Faus also volunteers at local schools, working with bilingual students and serving as an interpreter between Spanish-speaking parents and teachers.

Mark Flores, Account Director, Multicultural Engagement, Olson PR

Mark Anthony Flores is part of a cross-office practice of multicultural specialists who develop and execute holistic campaigns which authentically engage with U.S. Multicultural and Transcultural communities. Flores and his team employ deep-seated cultural understanding to ensure a brand and its communities are best served with a cultural gap that is bridged, not divided.

At Olson, we believe that best brands are singular in how they go to market. We live in a world in which fusion, hybridity and juxtaposition define our daily encounters. As such, we are all “multi-cultural,” and our allegiances shift with context. We navigate our work cultures, our family cultures, the cultures we create with those we care about, and the many cultures that shape the wider communities in which we live. Recognizing this experiential mash, we at Olson move beyond the traditional marketing focus on demographics to ascertain how people construct and engage with cultures in an ever-changing world. Grounding our agency in the philosophy and methods of anthropology, we embrace this opportunity and challenge on behalf of every client. We’ve identified ten key dimensions that define every community, transcending race, ethnicity, religion, and other classic markers of identity. With every opportunity, we tailor our research, strategy and execution plans to allow each brand to connect with communities in nuanced, unique ways that demonstrate authentic engagement.

Flores provides engagement support and cultural counsel to a range of clients within the agency roster, across disciplines and categories. From digital work to grassroots community programs to national media and advertising campaigns, he has worked with a variety of clients including MillerCoors, Coors Light, Miller Lite, Pepsi, Oscar Mayer, Optima and Wrigley's Extra®, Orbit® and 5® gum brands– predominately focused on the Hispanic, Urban and African American communities.

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Recent grads with shiny new degrees. Mid-career professionals vying for new (or better) jobs. Retirees looking for a supplemental income. The value of professional networking is rarely outgrown — or overstated. Sure, everyone is on LinkedIn these days, but there’s a big difference between knowing the perks of networking and knowing how to network effectively. Hint: Setting up an online profile and halfheartedly touching base with connections now and again probably won’t cut it. Here’s a look at what will.
Seven ways to grow (and leverage) your professional network

Cast a wide net. Connecting with former college classmates and colleagues is a solid way to begin building your network, but it may not be enough. You don’t have to hand your business card to every stranger you exchange pleasantries with on the subway, but why not think bigger than the alumni finder on your favorite networking website? CollegeFeed recommends touching base with a wide breadth of people, including former high school teachers, community and religious leaders, and even your friends’ parents. Networking functions are another great way to meet new contacts (more on this next). READ MORE

The Millennial Latina in America is living a double life. Also almost as many Latina Millennials attend college as non-Hispanic whites (NHW). And many are the first to go to college in their families.

Stephen Palacios, executive director, head of intercultural practice at global marketing firm Added Value, which helped execute the recent People en Español’s Hispanic Opinion Tracker Study, says while about 60% of the Latino Baby Boomer generation was foreign born, nearly the same percentage of Millennial Latinas were born here.

Palacios tells Marketing Daily that Hispanic American women between the ages of 18 and 34 choose similar media channels as non-Hispanic women. “We see a lot of very similar behaviors, for instance, around social media," he says, noting that non-Hispanic women are more engaged with Pinterest while Latinas favor Instagram. READ MORE

CHICAGO-- (May 14, 2014) – Fifth Third Bank honra a líderes de nuestra comunidad durante un año reconociéndolos por sus contribuciones.
Tsi-tsi-ki Félix y Juan Gaytán, homenajeados durante el 2013, otorgaron hoy las becas por $5,300 dólares, que recibieron cada uno, a dos estudiantes de la Escuela Secundaria Cristo Rey en una ceremonia especial.

La presentación de las becas tuvo lugar en la secundaria Cristo Rey Jesuit, ubicada en el 1852 W. 22nd Place. Tsi-tsi-ki Félix (periodista y personalidad de los medios) y Juan Gaytán (Empresario y mentor) formalmente presentaron en su nombre: la beca Tsi-tsi -ki Félix y la beca Juan Gaytán , respectivamente.

Cada año, Fifth Third Bank honra a varios líderes de la comunidad. En 2013, Tsi-tsi -ki y Juan recibieron el premio Cristal y las becas, durante un evento especial que tuvo lugar en octubre y que ahora se hizo la entrega formalmente de estas becas a los dos estudiantes elegidos, para el primer año de sus estudios universitarios.

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School es una escuela católica, universidad mixta bilingüe, ubicada en el barrio Pilsen de Chicago. Fundada en 1996, Cristo Rey es pionera del programa Corporate Work Study (CWSP) para la educación dentro de la ciudad mismo que ha inspirado a una red nacional de más de 25 escuelas que ayudan a comunidades de bajos ingresos en todo el país. El Programa CWSP mantiene a Cristo Rey accesible y permite a todos los estudiantes a ganar aproximadamente 70 % de su matrícula anual a través del empleo en una posición de entrenamiento en una de las 200 empresas, incluyendo Fifth Third Bank, en el área de Chicago. 100 % de los estudiantes actuales son aceptados en la universidad cada año.

"Nos sentimos honrados de que Tsi- tsi -ki Félix y Juan Gaytán hayan seleccionado a Francisco Cano y Celina Ornelas, dos estudiante “senior” de Cristo Rey , a quienes se les otorgaron las becas que recibieron de Fifth Third Bank para su educación universitaria. Nuestros estudiantes se han beneficiado en gran medida de la participación de Tsi-tsi-ki durante muchos años en Cristo Rey, mientras que muchos de nuestros estudiantes trabajan para la compañía de Juan, Monterrey Security. Estamos orgullosos de contar con el apoyo de líderes locales como estos en Pilsen y en la comunidad latina", mencionó Antonio Ortiz, Presidente de Cristo Rey Jesuit.

Francisco Cano es un joven de 18 años de edad, estudiante de último año muy involucrado en su escuela Cristo Rey. Cano es un embajador de Cristo Rey, se encuentra en la Lista de Honor, y trabaja en SEIU Healthcare para obtener su sitio de estudio y trabajo. Cano aun está decidiendo a qué universidad asistirá el próximo año.

Celina Ornelas es una joven de 18 años de edad, estudiante de último año, y trabaja en el Economic Club of Chicago combinando éste con sus estudios. Celina tiene la intención de asistir a la Universidad Rockhurst en Kansas City el próximo otoño.

Juan Gaytán (presidente y consejero delegado de Monterrey Security). Gaytán es presidente y director general de Monterrey Security y es un veterano de 12 años del Departamento de Policía de Chicago, Bajo la dirección de Gaytán, Monterrey Security, un proveedor con sede en Chicago de la protección privada y los servicios de seguridad , sigue siendo el único proveedor de seguridad de la minoría en la NFL, su compañía ha sido nombrada en la revista Hispanic Business como una de las de más rápido crecimiento de las 100 empresas hispanas de los EE.UU. y su compromiso con la comunidad es permanente e impactante .

"Como un líder de negocios latinos, he encontrado que el compromiso de Fifth Third Bank para nuestra comunidad es genuino y sincero. Ha sido un honor absoluto trabajar con su equipo y traer esta gran beca para Cristo Rey". Dijo Juan.

Tsi - tsi -ki Félix (Personalidad Nacional de Univision América " De Costa a Costa " , también fundadora y productora ejecutiva de " Al Aire con Tsi- tsi-ki " de Univisión América 1200 AM ) . Félix es una mujer dinámica, influyente y visionaria, ganadora de un prestigioso premio Emmy como presentadora de noticias. Su personalidad natural, motivadora y altruista sirve como una importante voz para la comunidad hispana. Féix es portavoz prolífico en temas tan variados como la política, las finanzas, la salud, la mujer y la familia. Además de su galardonada carrera periodística, Félix es también un empresaria, recientemente lanzó una línea de maquillaje para mujeres que beneficia a organizaciones sin fines de lucro que se dedican al negocio de empoderamiento de éstas.

"A lo largo de mi carrera como periodista he corroborado una y otra vez la necesidad de la educación, y lo fundamental que es para nosotros los latinos para alcanzar el éxito. Reconozco a Fifth Third Bank por ser de suma importancia en estos esfuerzos y proporcionar a través de becas a los estudiantes un camino para alcanzar sus metas". Dijo Tsi-tsi-ki.

ACERCA DE FIFTH THIRD BANCORP

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $118 billion in assets and operates 15 affiliates with 1,322 full-service Banking Centers, including 105 Bank Mart® locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores and 2,409 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Investment Advisors. Fifth Third also has a 39% interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC, formerly Fifth Third Processing Solutions, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of June 30, 2012, had $291 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $25 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® National Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB." Fifth Third Bank. Member FDIC.

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Driving along US-411N, flanked by rolling green hills and slow-moving cows, it seems surprising to hear a DJ on the FM dial breathlessly announcing a merengue show in nearby Knoxville - in Spanish.

In fact, Tennessee, like fellow Appalachian states Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, is home to one of the fastest-growing Latino populations in the country, much younger on average than the region's non-Hispanic white and black populations, and with larger families.

This hasn't escaped the attention of the region's colleges, most of which have drawn heavily on the area's non-Hispanic white population for their students. But that population is shrinking, said Deborah Santiago, the vice president for policy at Excelencia in Education, a nonprofit agency that advocates for Latinos in higher education.

"It's in their economic self-interest to learn how to attract and retain Latinos," Santiago said.

Doing this won't be easy. Limited experience with college, lower household incomes and other factors have made Latinos less likely to enroll in and succeed at college. But as universities across the country contend with flat and even declining enrollments, they're starting to go after the biggest growth market: Latinos. READ MORE

Our economy is one driven by technology and innovation. New industries are emerging rapidly and traditional industries are changing radically through the application of advanced tech. In order to stay globally competitive in this Innovation Economy, we must develop an economic base of companies that constantly innovates, optimizes the use of technology and leverages diversity of talent.

In a previous column, I pointed out we are not doing so well in the latter area. For too many Americans – including African Americans, Latinos and women – the Innovation Economy is an invisible economy. READ MORE

Whether through professional associations, trade groups, conferences or clubs, networking is an excellent way to learn and share important career information. Here's some sage advice:

Look for areas of mutual interest. Consider each person you meet someone with whom you might be able to share information or assistance.
Ask questions and be a good listener to gather interesting information. Remember needs that people mention so you can pass leads on later.

Talk about your strengths. Don't be afraid of self-promotion. As you let people know about you, they'll find it easier to know what to ask you or share with you.
Organize your records. Be able to find someone's name and contact information on a moment's notice. READ MORE

Hispanics are the fastest-growing consumer market in the U.S., and upscale Hispanics are the most influential segment since the baby boomers, so it's important to know how to market to this powerhouse group.

This segment contributes close to 40 percent of Hispanics’ overall $1.5 trillion spending power, according to an AHAA and Nielsen report, “Upscale Latinos 2.0: A Renewed Outlook for High-End Marketers.”

So it's a misconception that “Hispanics are just a group of people who speak Spanish and can’t afford my products."

Upscale Hispanics have household earnings of $50,000-$100,000 and tend to be bicultural, younger with large families, and most likely dual income. They also are tech-savvy with more college completion than overall Hispanics. READ MORE

Earlier this year, we saw the closure of two major efforts by the mainstream media to connect with Hispanics in the U.S.

CNN launched “CNN Latino” last year. The goal of the cable news network was to build an audience around syndicated news and entertainment shows in Spanish. Broadcast TV stations in several markets with large Hispanic populations – including WDFL in Miami and KBEH in Los Angeles – carried the programming.

Over at NBC, the broadcast network went with an online model called “NBCLatino.” The website featured news stories written in English with a Latino focus.

Both lasted about one year.

Struggling to find an audience

Executives of the Atlanta-based cable network made it clear why it closed: “CNN Latino was not able to fulfill our business expectations,” according to a statement. Translation: CNN Latino was not getting the ratings that would impel advertisers to invest in the programming. READ MORE

Google is planning to release statistics documenting the diversity of its workforce for the first time amid escalating pressure on the technology industry to hire more minorities and women.

The numbers are compiled as part of a report that major U.S. employers must file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Employers, though, aren't required to make the information publicly available.

Google Inc. had resisted previous calls for it to share the diversity data.

David Drummond, an African-American executive who oversees Google's public policies, announced the about-face Wednesday during the company's annual shareholders' meeting at its headquarters in Mountain View.

"Many companies in (Silicon Valley) have been reluctant to divulge that data, including Google, and, quite frankly, we are wrong about that," Drummond said. He said the information will be released next month.

The concession came after the Rev. Jesse Jackson appeared at the annual meeting to urged Google to lead the effort to hire more African-Americans, Latinos and women in technology. The longtime civil rights leader applauded Google for its transparency. READ MORE

This week marks the 51st annual National Small Business Week (May 12-16) in the U.S. But who really cares, right? If you're a small business owner, you don't have time to think about stuff like that.

Maybe it's a good time, however, to revisit, just how crucial a role small business plays in the U.S. economy. Despite the rise of mega-retailers and giant conglomerates small businessesare an important source of job creation and healthy economic growth.

Need proof? Here are some thought-provoking statistics that prove small businesses are mighty, despite their size... READ MORE

Who you know gets you through the door, but it’s what you know that gets you places. Networking is kind of like the sports playoffs: you need multiple strategies, good teamwork, and above all professionalism to make beneficial connections.

Who you know matters a lot in the startup world. What's your best tip for networking like a pro?

Identify Common Mindsets

"Instead of trying to network with everybody and anybody, identify people who are like you and share the same mindset. Look for people who might be in the same age group or the same growth phase with their own companies. Don’t just limit yourself to connections within your own industry. Good connections within other industries are often the most beneficial."—Ziver Birg / Zivelo READ MORE

Upscale Latinos are young, digitally connected and represent a growing and important segment for marketers, according to a study released Wednesday by Nielsen and AHAA: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing.

Identified as those whose incomes range from $50,000 to $100,000, upscale Latinos contribute $500 billion or 37 percent of the $1.3 trillion spent annually by Latinos in the United States. They represent 29 percent of all Hispanics and are expected to reach 35 million in number by 2050, said Carlos Santiago, AHAA research chair and president of Santiago Solutions Group. He was a speaker at a session introducing the study, "Upscale Latinos 2.0," at an AHAA conference at the Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel in Miami Beach. AHAA is a Fairfax, Va.-based trade organization for promoting the Hispanic marketing and advertising industry. READ MORE

After a decade of working 10-hour days as a manicurist, Patty Paredes decided to take a risk and pursue her dream: to become her own boss.

She wiped out her savings, and with the financial help of her mother, Paredes collected $95,000 to open her own nail salon, Nails & Spa 4U, which she inaugurated in March.

Today Paredes works more days and more hours per week than she did at her previous job—and has other things to worry about as a business owner, such as paying rent for her 900-square-foot nail salon. But for the 30-year-old, the extra work and sacrifice pays off, because for her, entrepreneurship is the only viable path for prosperity. READ MORE