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“We all wish to change our lives but only a few of us are willing to do what it takes to change.”

Research suggests that more than 90 per cent of the New Year resolutions are broken within the first week itself and another 5 per cent during the first month.

Change is the only thing constant in this world and it comes in two forms. We either progress towards what we want or regress into what we are comfortable with. There is no status quo in life. As an author, counsellor and a speaker, I have seen so many people attempting to change and failing miserably and then eventually getting back into their old ways of living. It seems as if change has become a secret recipe that only a few lucky people have access to. Nothing could be further from truth. Making any change permanent is a matter of decision and discipline. READ MORE AT THE INDIAN EXPRESS

It's no question that the tech industry is made up overwhelmingly of men. And as far as ethnicities go, whites and Asians tend to dominate the field. Given the enormous impact of tech on our daily lives, this lack of diversity is troubling. Diversity isn't just about making sure these companies represent the population they serve, it's just plain good business -- studies have shown time and again that a more diverse workforce results in better decisions and increased profits.

Fortunately, tech companies realize this too. Last year, several of them released employee diversity reports for the first time, finally revealing to the world just how unbalanced their staffs are. Some also made bold promises to increase employee diversity. In 2015, most of those companies released a follow-up report (Amazon is the one notable exception that failed to publish a follow-up report in 2015. We've reached out for comment and will update if we receive a response). READ MORE AT ENGADGET

Tech leaders take pride in hiring the best and brightest, no matter their color, sex, religion, national origin or sexual preference. Leaders know that it’s the product, service or the app that drives business, and their goal is to hire the right people to get over the finish line and into the market.

In Las Vegas, from Jan. 6-9, you’ll see leaders in science and tech side by side with brand managers and entrepreneurs turning science fiction into serious reality. The best ideas are on display at CES 2016. With exhibitors from more than 50 countries, CES is truly a melting pot of innovation.

What makes consumer technology special is that its services, products and creative ideas are born of free choice in hiring, the free marketplace encouraging innovation and creative expression from entrepreneurs. Countries struggling with innovation are often run by repressive governments subjugating women and minorities, and censoring free expression READ MORE AT RE/CODE

Not happy with your field of work? According to author Kerry Hannon, it’s never too late to change careers.

“I think it’s really a matter of an individual’s energy and enthusiasm,” says Hannon.

Don’t make a quick switch. Take your time and do your research. Hannon says it usually takes three to five years to change careers.

Add skills one at a time. Use the time it takes to transition by adding skills to your repertoire.

Try out the job first. Before diving into a new job, try to moonlight or intern in the field you’re interested in. Don’t sign up for something you’re unaware of. READ MORE AT TIME

When I started my journey in this country 18 years ago, I couldn’t find a roadmap of how other Latinos were succeeding in the United States. Like other immigrants, I worked hard to find my own way, which meant banging my head against a wall a few times before I was able to accomplish some of the goals I had set for myself.

Then, starting in 2014, I set off to find out how successful Latinos and Latinas are achieving their success so others don’t have to make all the mistakes that can set them back in their journey. READ MORE AT MEDIAPOST

As the Hispanic population grows in Grand Rapids, so does the number of Hispanic-owned businesses. However, what most Grand Rapidians don't realize is that many of these businesses — retail shops, grocery stores and restaurants, to name a few — have been thriving in the city for decades. Now gaining greater traction with vocal community leaders and partners like the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (WMHCC), Hispanic business owners are accessing increasing opportunities to work together and reach wider markets.

However, despite this growth, these entrepreneurs face unique challenges and seek educational outlets especially tailored for them. The new executive leadership of the WMHCC, as well as one well-known business owner in the Hispanic community, discussed the ins and outs of being a Hispanic business owner in Grand Rapids. READ MORE AT RAPID GROWTH

The common questions that has been running in the applicants' mind and the workers' mind are: how can an applicant win in the job search competition? Or how can you become a successful employee more than anyone else. Lucky applicants who were hired obviously did the right things to win the spot and those who were promoted surely performed very well in the company. But how did they really do it?

Fortunately, there are a lot of professionals that can answer such questions and provide solution to make the job search and career improvement a bit easier like career coaches. These experts use an effective approach that can help job seekers meet their goals. READ MORE AT JOBS&HIRE

It's no secret that women face a disproportionate number of obstacles to climbing the corporate ladder, assuming leadership roles, and succeeding in male-dominated fields. Fortunately, there's now a lot of career advice out there from successful women looking to lift other women up with them. And more than ever, anyone with Internet access can benefit from this wisdom. Since it would be a mistake not to learn the easy way what others have learned the hard way, I've rounded up some of the best of it here.

Women constitute only 14.2 percent of top executives at S&P 500 companies, 26 percent of employees in computer and mathematical occupations, and 15 percent of public companies' board members. But this is changing. READ MORE AT BUSTLE

With the new year comes renewed interest in changing jobs. If you want to move into a career poised for growth or one that is more stable, consider this first. While it may be tempting to drastically change careers, it may make more sense to switch companies within your current industry. You’ll be able to leverage your knowledge of systems, processes and customer behaviors within your field. Often, a change in company culture and management is enough to reignite your enthusiasm for the work you do. Plus, changing industries is more difficult. You’ll have to work harder to prove you have the relevant skills.

If it has been a while since you last looked, you may want to brush up on some job-search trends and what to look out for in 2016. READ MORE AT U.S. News & World Report

Latinos gave us plenty to think about in 2015, and it's time to revisit some of the best mic drop moments of the year.
From pointing out Hollywood's lack of diversity to exemplifying the importance of redefining masculinity, there was no shortage of food for thought from wise Latinos. Take a look at what John Leguizamo, Zoe Saldana, America Ferrera, Gina Rodriguez and many more Latinos said that really got us thinking in 2015. READ MORE AT HUFFINGTONPOST

At the dawn of the smartphone age, US Hispanics stood out as early adopters. Now that the population in general is converging at a high rate of smartphone ownership, one must look harder to see distinctive aspects of Hispanics’ mobile usage. The key is that smartphones still power an exceptionally large portion of Hispanics’ overall digital activity.

US Hispanics are well-equipped with smartphones, though they no longer outpace the general population in that respect. And the volume of their usage is large as phones fill an outsized share of their digital day, according to a new eMarketer report, “US Hispanics’ Mobile Usage: Relying on Smartphones as Core of Their Digital Lives." READ MORE AT EMARKETER

Among of the world’s most popular social media influencers, Latinas made the biggest gains in 2015.

Latinas are the most prominent demographic among this year’s top 20 Twitter users, from Selena Gomez to Shakira, making up over 41% of the world’s most followed women and the majority of the platforms’ most popular non-white users, regardless of gender.

Vocativ’s analysis reveals this 2015 surge reached beyond Twitter. This year Jennifer Lopez and Demi Lovato became two of the world’s 20 most popular Instagram users, acquiring millions of new followers. Selena Gomez became from Instagram’s second most popular user... READ MORE AT VOCATIV

Mexican pay-TV and broadcasting behemoth, Grupo Televisa S.A.B. (TV - Analyst Report) and U.S. broadcaster, Univision Holdings Inc. have decided to extend their alliance to provide additional opportunities for next-generation Latinos in the U.S. media and technology fields in 2016.

The primarily motive of this agreement is to reinforce and amplify the companies’ endeavors to boost the careers of Latinos in media and technology sectors and to train potential media and high-tech industries leaders and professionals. Notably, the fresh deed will include an extensive variety of programs concerning education, mentorship and career advancement. READ MORE AT ZACKS

Recently JetBlue seized an opportunity that many airlines—and other industries—are unwisely ignoring: Hispanic smartphone users. JetBlue's Spanish-language mobile website, launched last summer, has delivered significant incremental customer engagement and revenue.

It's a smart play, for two key reasons. Firstly, this market loves air travel. Nearly 80% of Hispanics take at least one vacation a year; nearly 20% take at least three vacations a year. About one-third of that travel is to international destinations, of which 90% are Spanish-speaking regions such as Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. When Hispanics travel domestically, they fly about half the time. READ MORE AT HOSPITALITYNET

Next year will be a strong one for Hispanic ad spending, with the Olympics and the presidential election, yet there’s still more money that should be funneled into Hispanic media that’s not. In part that’s because advertisers remain confused about the best way to reach Hispanics, including whether to use English- or Spanish-language media. And in part this it’s also because English-language media has been so slow to embrace true biculturalism, such as shows or magazines that truly show a Hispanic influence. Carlos Santiago, president and chief executive officer at Santiago Solutions Group and research chair at the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies, talks to Media Life about what to expect for ad spending next year, how TV is holding up in the digital age, and why media buyers are still confused about Hispanic media.

What’s the general outlook for Hispanic ad spending in 2016? How much do you think it will rise over 2015?

I think it will be up.

I think that this last year might have been down from 2014 because of the World Cup. So those are normal fluctuations, and next year is a political year. There are several big soccer games that will help boost it also. So I think overall next year it should be up, but the key question is if the percentage of the overall ad spend will go up, stay the same or go lower. READ MORE AT MEDIALIFE MAGAZINE

Much has been said about the youngest populations of Hispanics in the United States, because the Hispanic community ranks among the "youngest" in the nation. However, little has been said about Hispanics 50+, an age group that currently represents 11 percent of the total "aging" population in the United States, which will jump to 24 percent within the next decade or two.

A new report by Nielsen, supported by both the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) and the Hispanic Federation, found that Hispanics 50+ have a bright future ahead of them with growing cultural, economic and political influence. These findings send a strong message about the new role Hispanics will have in our society, and illustrate that the time has come to recognize the significance of Hispanics in the 50+ age range. READ MORE AT HUFFINGTON POST

President & Founder of Figueroa Strategic Communications, LLC, Vanessa E. Figueroa, is from Chicago.

Vanessa Figueroa is a versatile professional with 15 years experience advising clients. A recognized leader in media relations, strategic communications, reputation management, events management, community engagement and crisis communications, she understands how to navigate the public relations landscape and a diverse array of public affairs challenges.

Vanessa Figueroa has provided consultation and in-house representation of corporate, government, and non-profit clients such as Comcast, Sinai Health System, Sinai Community Institute, Sinai Children’s Hospital, Chicago Metropolitan Breast Cancer Task Force, ComEd, Dove, Wrigley, Butterball Turkey,
U.S. Cellular, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Pfizer, World Business Chicago, Latino Policy Forum, Chicago Community Trust, Year Up Chicago, various elected officials and the Chicago White Sox.

Prior to launching the Figueroa Strategic Communications consulting firm in 2014, Vanessa Figueroa served as a director or manager at multiple, reputable Chicago public affairs firms. She has also worked as an in-house public affairs manager at a global media corporation where she worked with community and business leaders, elected officials, and non-profit organizations to promote the company’s education, government and public affairs initiatives.

Since launching Figueroa Strategic Communications in 2014, President & Founder Vanessa Figueroa has worked with Enlace Chicago, SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana, and Cook County Commissioner and Chicago mayoral candidate Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Gun Violence Prevention Pac (GPAC), El Valor, South East Chicago Commission, Chicago Run, Women’s Business Development Center, and the Hispanic Housing Development Corporation.

Vanessa started her career with the City of Chicago serving as an aldermanic community relations liaison and conducted statewide grassroots outreach efforts for then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama.

She has appeared in Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine and was featured as one of “Chicago’s Top 25 Young Latino Leaders” in Latino Leaders National Magazine in 2012.

Vanessa Figueroa graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and has a master’s degree in Public Service Management (Public Policy and Public Administration) from DePaul University.

If you are interested in work opportunities with FSC, please contact Vanessa Figueroa at vanessa@figueroastratcom.com

For more information visit www.figueroastratcom.com

More Latinos are now graduating with post-secondary degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), but they continue to be significantly underrepresented in the total number of STEM credentials earned.

A new report released Wednesday by Excelencia in Education found that Latinos earned more STEM credentials across all academic levels—including associate, bachelor and graduate degrees—over the last few years. However, only 9 percent of STEM degrees and certificates went to Latinos in 2013.

The report lists the top 25 colleges and universities that are graduating Latinos in STEM. Those schools are primarily located in three states—California, Florida, Texas—and Puerto Rico. The majority of them are Hispanic-Serving Institutions, which means over a quarter of their student body is Hispanic. READ MORE AT NBC NEWS

There is no doubt that Hispanics are a growing and important market for brands and retailers. For those looking to reach Hispanics consumers in 2016, below are five important thoughts to keep in mind from notable industry experts.

1. Sponsor brands that promote Hispanic “techies” and technical bloggers.
Rebecca Castrejon, online community manager, MXM: “According to Nielsen Consumer Insights, Hispanics are the largest group using mobile devices for any type of transaction, from banking to watching movies. Additionally, Hispanics have become ‘super consumers’ of mobile marketing, making them the most desired market for telecommunication companies. READ MORE AT MEDIAPOST

Celia Aguilar wears a long, loosely fitted white dress with touches of red embroidery and red bandanas tied around her head and waist. The 29-year-old Chicana dances alongside men wearing large, feathered headdresses, the seashells on their ankles rattling. Here in El Paso, Texas, they gather in a ritual of Danza Azteca, an Aztec dance preserved in Mexican culture.

“For me it is a form of spiritual healing,” she says. “A way to connect with my indigenous roots as well as preserve ancient traditions. It’s a form of prayer and ceremony that really helps me cope with all of the things that I face in my life.”

Author Claudia Kolker took a closer look at such cultural practices for her 2011 book, "The Immigrant Advantage." Her book examines why immigrants are often healthier than native-born Americans — a question that continues to be explored. Some credit this perplexing phenomenon to the idea that immigrants must be healthy to migrate. READ MORE AT PRI