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When Ulysses Romero opened his first Tierra Mía Coffee in 2008, Los Angeles was on the verge of a specialty coffee boom. Chicago’s Intelligentsia had just moved in the year before, sparking a surge in third-wave coffeehouses. Romero, a business school graduate with an entrepreneurial spirit, noticed an unfilled niche in the market and sensed an opportunity.

“I decided that I wanted to start a business, and I felt it made the most sense to do something that reflected who I was and what I understood and what I grew up with,” says Romero, a first-generation Mexican American who was raised in southern California and earned an MBA from Stanford. READ MORE AT THE GUARDIAN

STEM careers are some of the highest-paying and fastest-growing in the U.S., yet women and minorities continue to be underrepresented in majors that lead to careers in these high-demand fields. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, women make up less than 25% of the STEM workforce and have not gained any considerable ground in recent decades, despite increases in the number of college-educated women joining the general workforce.

What’s more concerning about these figures is that Latinas, one of the nation’s fastest growing groups of girls and women, have even lower rates of participation and rank below other women in majoring and earning degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). READ MORE AT GOODCALL

If you’ve recently started looking for a job after years out of practice, you’re probably having that “uh oh” moment where you don’t quite remember where—or how—to begin.

It’s OK, we’ve all been there. So, to help you get over that “I’m feeling so overwhelmed” state, I’m going to refresh your memory on all the basics: from tailoring your resume to writing a cover letter to the terrifying feat of actually applying for a job.

After I’ve covered it all, the job search will quickly transform from something scary to something you can totally handle. Trust me, we’ve got your back.

1. Customize Your Resume For Each Job

If you’ve been out of college for a while and your resume still lists your first internships, you’re probably better off creating one from scratch. Once it’s up to speed, you’re going to want to tailor it, quantify your bullet points and cut it down to one page. And yes, you will have to go through this process for each new position you find. Mostly because the hiring manager’s only giving you six seconds—unless you give him or her a reason to stick around longer. READ MORE AT FORBES

1-Start Simple
Send a LinkedIn message or email, or even pick up the phone to check in with a contact you haven’t spoken with in a while. You’ll hopefully begin to revive the relationship, and perhaps find out about a new campaign they’re working on with which you can help.

2-Get Involved
Look into local Chamber of Commerce meet-ups and volunteer organizations you could lend a hand to. Be yourself, be honest about your passions and see where the conversation goes. The new people you meet could be potential contacts or even future clients.

3-Quit Being Shy
Fight the urge to be a wallflower. At events, approach one person or a group and ask, “May I join you?” or “What brings you here today?” Then make sure to listen attentively and ask relevant follow-up questions to get the ball rolling. READ MORE AT ASICENTRAL

The number of Latino-owned businesses has grown nearly 50 times faster than non-Latino-owned businesses, yet Latino businesses lag far behind in revenue compared with those owned by non-Latinos. The result is a $1.4 trillion opportunity for the U.S. economy, according to a new report from the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative.

On Wednesday, the organization gathered founders and CEOs of Mastec, Liberty Power, Senzari, Nearpod, Rokk3r Labs and Endeavor Miami to discuss the findings and what is ahead for its new national project that aims to provide industry research and education programs for accelerating Latino entrepreneurs.

“Today, the primary engine of growth is Latino business formations. That’s a volume statement. This program is focused on catalyzing the gazelles, the companies that can grow very fast and very big,” Sol Trujillo, chairman of Trujillo Group Investments and a member of the SLEI board, told the group gathered in downtown Miami. “This is a national resource we are trying to build at Stanford.” READ MORE AT MIAMI HERALD

Social networking isn’t just a part of one’s personal life, it impacts your business life as well. Businesses are deep into the social networking world and individuals need to take care with how their personal social networking can affect them at work. As I sat down to write this column I realized that The Emily Post Institute is a perfect example of how businesses are diving headlong into the social networking world—we have a Twitter account, a Facebook page; we’re on Pinterest and LinkedIn and Instagram; we have a YouTube channel (Emily Post Productions) and a weekly podcast (Awesome Etiquette). So many outlets, so many audiences, so many ways to communicate with the world-at-large.

While companies have legitimate social networking needs which you may be part of fulfilling, as you take part in the social networking world here are five tips to help you prevent your personal online efforts from negatively affecting you at work.

1. Think before you post. That moment’s hesitation before hitting the submit button could save you from a world of trouble. Reread the post you are about to make or the comment that you think is so very clever. What you think of as clever may be perceived by others as rude. READ MORE AT BOSTON.COM

With each passing year, the Super Bowl is generating more interest amongst U.S. Hispanic sports fans and increasingly becoming a key bridge between those who navigate across the Latino and American cultures.

Four well-known ESPN Deportes on-air personalities will be part of the network’s exclusive Spanish-language coverage of Super Bowl 50, featuring Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, live from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Sunday, February 7.

The following talent will share their insights into Latinos’ growing interest in American football: Álvaro Martín, a well-known voice for Hispanic NFL fans; Raúl Allegre, two-time Super Bowl champion; Kary Correa, SportsCenter anchorwoman; and John Sutcliffe, the first Hispanic sideline reporter for the NFL.

How do you explain Hispanics’ growing interest in the Super Bowl?

Álvaro Martín: The Super Bowl brings all Americans together. This event is comparable only to the Oscars award ceremony or the Olympic Games. As an immigrant, it’s a way for us to feel like any other citizen of this country. This is one of the few common denominators left in American society, and everyone talks about it the week before and the Monday after; it’s an event that transcends sports. READ MORE AT ECONOTIMES

By: Ana Dutra, Chief Executive Officer of The Executives’ Club of Chicago

If you ever find yourself sitting in a park or a playground where you can observe young children in action, focus on their behaviors and try to imagine what kind of leaders they will be or, even better, relate what you see in the children’s behaviors to the executives and leaders you know and deal with. As I did this exercise time-and-time again, when I watched my children and their play-mates on weekends, I could clearly see the “empathetic,” the “tyrants,” the “task oriented,” the “no-tolerance for ambiguity” and the “high confidence” leaders in the making, as these children were experiencing their first team interactions. I could also see extreme behaviors being called and reprehended by peers, parents or supervisors in the scene. Some responded to the negative feedback to their not-so-popular or inappropriate behaviors and some didn’t, essentially ignoring the feedback or responding with a tantrum. Those who continued to behave inappropriately typically continued to receive negative responses and feedback. But, they didn’t change or adapt… I always wondered whether they couldn’t change their ways or just didn’t care to.

Fast forward a few years and change the scene from the playground to the corporate offices. As I thought back to what I experienced with multiple executives and leaders, the resemblance to the playground set-up was stunning. Does that sound similar to the corporate environments you know? I am sure the answer is “yes.” Does that mean that leadership can’t be developed, people simply “are who they are?” The answer is “absolutely not.” My observation of children-at-play confirmed that people may be wired a certain way, but what will really make the difference between those who create followership, inspire others and ultimately perform at the highest levels, is their ability to understand who they are, understand how their style and behaviors impact people, organizations and business performance and, most important, their willingness to figure out how to develop the mission critical competencies that will get out of their leadershiT-land and enable them to rise to the top as outstanding leaders.

At the end of the day, self-awareness and awareness of others, of the changes in the business environment and of the resources available (or not) to solve problems, create change and drive results are the factors that will distinguish leadershiT from true leadership. The continuous pursuit of understanding how others experience our behaviors and react to us increases our awareness of who we are as leaders and how far apart we are from the leaders we truly want to be. Great leaders were not born great. Like everything else in life, achieving a “great leader” status takes a lot of effort and hard work. It also takes a true desire to change. So, have you ever stopped to think which kind of leader you are versus what kind of leader you would really like to be? How do you play in your organization’s playground?

These days, who among us hasn’t been disrupted at work? And we’re not talking about the colleague who lingers by your desk every day with updates about her sick mother. We’re talking about real disruption—layoffs, downsizing, lack of pay raises and big changes in our industries.

In her new book, The Episodic Career (Atria Books) former Newsweek, CNN and ABC reporter and author Farai Chideya discusses the many kinds of work we do and how we are perceived on the job. If you haven’t found what she calls “your work/life sweet spot,” it may be time to go looking for a new job. Here are five tips for getting started.

Five To-Dos Before Start Your Job Search

1. Before you look, look inside. READ MORE

In 20 years of working in the U.S. Hispanic market, I’ve had a front-row seat, watching as marketers have taken notice and, subsequently, put their money where the opportunity is. But since marketers tend to have short attention spans, I’m afraid that some Hispanic consumers are getting lost in the Madison Avenue shuffle.

During the 1990s and 2000s, there was a baby boom among U.S. Hispanics, many of whom had come to this country during the 1980s and 1990s. Combined with the decreasing fertility rates among non-Hispanics, it became obvious that the future of America is increasingly Hispanic.

Not surprisingly, marketers are locked in on these young bicultural children of immigrants. It’s literally where the Hispanic market is exploding. READ MORE AT MEDIAPOST

Some would have you believe the telenovela is dying, watched devotedly by Hispanic immigrants as a last tie to their homelands but shunned by younger Hispanics in their rush to rush to assimilate into American culture.

Actually, it’s quite the reverse. In reality, it’s the telenovela that’s assimilating into American culture, along with all those young Latinos.

The TV genre is going mainstream, along with so much of the U.S. Hispanic population. In the same way Latinos are influencing American culture, so too this genre is cross-pollinating, influencing so much of what’s on English-language TV. It’s been going on for some time.

It’s not hard to understand the appeal of telenovelas to U.S. Latinos. READ MORE AT MEDIALIFE

The new year often brings with it aspirations of professional improvement: Find that dream job, grow or start a business, make new connections. Networking is key to achieving these goals, but approaching strangers and striking up a conversation can be daunting.

Today, many bypass face-to-face encounters and turn only to social media – which can be a big mistake, says Michael Goldberg, who has taught public speaking and networking skills at Rutgers School of Communication and Information for the past decade. An amateur boxer, Goldberg uses metaphors from the ring to convey points. "Networking, like boxing, is all about the connection – the physical connection," he says.

Rutgers Today spoke with Goldberg, who also guides professionals through his consulting firm, Knockout Networking, on ways to overcome anxiety and connect with people more effectively. READ MORE AT PHYS.ORG

A new national study exploring the health patterns of young Hispanic adults reveals striking differences on a variety of related topics, beginning with the definition of "health" itself. Those born in the U.S. describe it as being happy while the foreign-born say it is about not being sick, according to results of The Hispanic Millennial Study unveiled this week in Houston.

"I was surprised by that," said Beatriz Mallory, vice president of SensisHealth, a Los Angeles-based national advertising agency that works with health care providers, drug companies and insurers. "We've been making the wrong assumptions all these years, which can hamper any attempt to change behavior."

"There just wasn't enough data so we had to do it ourselves," added Karla Fernandez Parker, managing director of Sensis in Texas, who along with Mallory, participated in a discussion with local health care professionals during a session hosted Tuesday by the United Way of Greater Houston. READ MORE AT HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Increasingly, Latina women are a driving force in the U.S. economy, a statement that reflects, yes, their impressive buying power and their contribution to the growth -- and influence -- of all American women. But there's also something more about Latinas.

In fact, countless studies and articles have cited their entrepreneurialism, tech savvy, community mindedness and increasing education. And in combination, these factors position Latinas as the ones to watch in real estate, as well.

In fact, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate recently conducted a national survey, along with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), to find out more about how Latinas’ business and community savvy extends to the housing space. READ MORE AT ENTREPRENEUR

One in five women living in the U.S. is Latina, and by 2060, this is expected to increase to a third of the U.S. female population. In public schools across the country, Latinas account for about 25 percent of female students. But, in states like California, Texas, and New Mexico, these numbers are even larger, with Latinas accounting for more than 50 percent of school-age girls.

For higher education, these figures hold significant meaning, as colleges and universities enroll more young Latinas. A report released by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics shows that Latinas have made significant progress in earning college degrees, with college completion rates increasing by eight percent for two-year degrees and six percent for four-year degrees between 2003 and 2013. READ MORE AT GOODCALL

According to a new AARP survey, four out of 10 experienced workers will be looking for a job this year, and of those, a quarter are considering a complete career change.

If you’re one of those eager to change careers in 2016, what can you do to improve your odds of success?

The trick is to convince an employer that your “old” skills and experiences can be just as — or even more — valuable in a new industry or role. Or, as my colleague Kathryn Sollmann, founder of the career advisory firm 9 Lives for Women (and an expert on women’s career change issues), puts it: “You can change industries when you connect the dots.” READ MORE AT NEXT AVENUE

Law school enrollment has decreased each year since 2010, according to numbers from the American Bar Association (ABA). That was the all-time high with more than 147,000 students at the 204 ABA-approved schools. But, there’s an interesting trend taking place amid this overall student reduction: more minority students are being admitted and attending law school.

Hispanics are applying to law school less frequently than in 2010, along with all other groups. The change is that more Hispanics and other minorites are being accepted. In the 2012-13 school year, nearly 36,000 non-white students were attending law school. That was the highest level on record, following steady increases each year since tracking began in 1987. Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education followed up on the numbers with interviews at schools with significant Hispanic enrollment.

At Florida International University, employment after graduation looks good for Hispanic students. Dean Alexander Acosta reports, “We have 55 percent Hispanics [up from 43.8 percent in 2010] and 65 percent minority overall.” Job placement is at 80% at the nine-month mark, and there’s a lot of opportunity for bilingual lawyers in the Miami community. Rutgers University is also seeing an increase in their Hispanic population, now at 35%. Mentorships, orientation, and other strategies are being implemented to help ensure success. READ MORE AT GOODCALL

Unemployment continues to follow its downward trajectory, according to October data from the Bureau of Labor statistics that show 5 percent of the population was without a job. The insurance industry played a significant role in the job market recovery, hiring hundreds of thousands of professionals over the past five years. Looking solely at insurance agents, more than 95,000 were hired between September 2010 and July 2015 (representing a 15 percent increase).

New agents who joined the insurance industry since 2010 should be confident they made the right career choice, as they have seen the industry continue to grow. And, while many insurance professionals may find themselves in stable sales positions, many may be asking whether they selected the right employer, or if they would have better career options at other insurance companies. READ MORE AT INSURANCE NEWS NET

It’s hard out there for an introvert—especially when it comes to working a room. For the less outgoing, “attending a networking event can be like diving into a mosh pit,” says Nancy Ancowitz, business communication coach and author of Self-Promotion for Introverts. “It’s downright scary.”

As many as 50% of Americans are introverts, according to Susan Cain, author of the 2012 best-seller Quiet: The Power of Introverts. While conventional wisdom holds that shy types are at a disadvantage in the business world, there are some lesser-known benefits to being among the more reserved. READ MORE AT TIME

This is the first in a five-part series highlighting Wisconsin residents of Latino heritage who have accomplished great things in business, education, government, media and the nonprofit sector.

Griselda Aldrete is the President & CEO of Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM). Previously, she served as the Executive Director at the Cream City Foundation, where she still serves on the board of directors. She’s been a corporate events director, a criminal justice instructor, and an investigative reporter. Griselda serves on the board of directors for 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Ballet and the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation, and on the advisory boards for Visit Milwaukee Multicultural Committee, Notre Dame Middle School, United Way Emerging Leaders and United Way Latina Taskforce. READ MORE AT CHANNEL 3000 MADISON