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Previous surveys have identified Latin America as the hub of the happiest people in the world, as shown in the results of the Gallup polls conducted in the last couple of years.

Some may also notice that Latinos are more upbeat than their Caucasian counterparts, as observed by The Huffington Post's Daniel Cubias. This is despite the fact that Latinos generally live in countries beset by economic challenges. Latin American residents also aren't some of the financially richest in the world. So, what's making them happy?

Panama's cultural attache, Laura Montenegro, attributes part of the Latino joie de vivre to strong family bonds, great landscapes, a resilient economy, and traditional values. READ MORE

Hispanic Americans with dreams of a college degree face different challenges than their White, and even Black, peers. For those who hold English as a second language, there are some inherent communication obstacles. For those who are first-generation Americans (or first-generation college students or both), extra guidance is needed to keep them from feeling overwhelmed by the college journey. Every college student faces obstacles, but the challenges in front of Hispanic ones are unique and growing in importance.

Some colleges and universities have recognized these specific struggles of Hispanic students and found ways to address them. READ MORE AT DIVERSE EDUCATION

Do you remember, about 365 days ago, when you raised a champagne flute and pledged to find a new job in the coming year? Well, here you are, still hunched over the same desk, still itching for a change.

So 2016 it is. For real this time.

Now the hard part. What might you want to do next?

Here are 10 tips for jump-starting your job hunt before inertia relegates it to the trash heap of dead New Year’s resolutions.

Find your objective strengths. READ MORE AT THE SEATTLE TIMES

Mentoring continues to be a critical catalyst for the career advancement of Latinas. It offers the support, roadmaps and role modeling they need to successfully navigate their career journey.

When we think about mentoring, we often think of a long-term and special mentor-mentee relationship, strengthened through a series of face-to-face meetings. The mentor is often older and a higher ranking individual (the expert) and the mentee plays a less valuable role (the receiver) in the mentoring relationship.

However, over the past 10 years, technology and social networks are unveiling new tools and vehicles from which mentoring can take place. READ MORE AT HUFFINGTON POST

Juliana Ceja, Senior Consultant, Centare

Juliana Ceja is a Senior Consultant with Centare’s Agile Practice in Chicago, IL. She has diverse technical and business experience working across industries including logistics, banking, healthcare and marketing.

She specializes in process improvement, coaching, and advising. Juliana currently provides business agility and product development consulting through training and coaching of modern management and agile development practices.

Delia Gutierrez McLaughlin, President, Coda Technology Consulting

Delia Gutierrez McLaughlin is the President and CEO of Coda Technology Consulting and brings extensive experience in leveraging technology to deliver competitive business advantage. She has led engagements with clients such as Catholic Health Initiatives, Ace Insurance, General Growth Properties, etc., that incorporated a high degree of cross-organizational partnering, outsourced vendor knowledge, relationship management, data center, and infrastructure operations skills. She has worked in concert with teams across corporations to drive strategic process improvement. Partnering with her clients, Delia has a track record in providing technology solutions to business initiatives and, more recently, in the effective use of strategic sourcing resulting in a new $25M contract with an outsource vendor.

Before Delia took her life in a new direction by creating her own company, she was the Director of Outsourced Vendor Management for Aon Corporation’s Chicago-based Technology Services and Solutions team. Delia leveraged her 20 years of experience in information technology, telephony and software development to provide governance and oversight for all technology projects assigned to the Technology Services and Solutions team. Delia managed the escalation for all end-user issues within Aon Hewitt by providing an added layer of leadership between Aon and their vendors.

In October 2010, Delia was elected to the Hispanic IT Executive Council (HITEC) and was selected to the HITEC 100 – Most Influential Hispanic Executives in IT, 2011. HITEC is a premier professional organization for Hispanic IT Executives which focuses on significantly increasing Hispanic leadership in information technology. HITEC recognizes the importance of highlighting HITEC members and their achievements by focusing on technology leaders who have made a significant contribution to the IT Industry.

Delia is a native of Chicago, having grown up in the Pilsen neighborhood. As a child, Delia participated in programs such as Head Start, CETA and other social programs that worked to provide opportunities to children. Delia attended college at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas and received her B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Accountancy from University of Illinois – Chicago. Delia has a passion for advocacy and assists organizations on behalf of the communities they represent to continually work toward fulfilling goals.

Vanessa Flores, Marketing/LEED Coordinator, JGMA

Having studied Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences - Human Dimensions, Vanessa is zealous about energy conservation, water efficiency, reusing existing materials and resources, and optimizing sunlight, among others . Ms. Flores ascertained her interest in environmental design in her native Guadalajara, Mexico, a colonial city with copious green spaces. At the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, she worked with Dr. Ming Kuo, founder of the Landscape and Human Health Lab, examining how various activities in “green” settings reduce ADD/ADHD symptoms in children. Furthermore, Vanessa spent three months in the Galapagos Archipelago studying the evolution of the Galapagos tortoises that led to Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. She witnessed the dynamic volcanic activity throughout the islands and their pertinent flora and fauna.  She also had the opportunity to work with Hacienda Tranquila and assist in educating the local population of San Cristobal Island regarding the importance of environmental stewardship. Their collaborate effort encouraged the community to prevent the spread of invasive species, protect their wildlife, and evaluate the efficacy of local policies. Currently, Vanessa is the Sustainability Coordinator for the award-winning architecture firm, JGMA.

Consuelo Venegas, Civil Engineer Illinois Department of Transportation

Connie grew up on the South side of Chicago and attended Jones College Prep High School. She graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in December 2009 and is currently working on earning her Masters of Science in Civil Engineering at University of Illinois at Chicago. Connie obtained the Engineer in Training (EIT) designation in 2011 and is currently working toward obtaining her Professional Engineer’s license later this Spring. Connie has worked for both the public and private sector in her career. She has worked both the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Parsons Brinkerhoff. She is currently working in the Bureau of Construction as an Assistant Resident Engineer and is the IDOT Chicago city expressway closures coordinator and CTA/CDOT/OEMC liaison. Connie's past projects include the construction Congress Parkway and Wells Street Bascule Bridges. She recently completed work on the Circle Interchange Project and is currently working on the I-55/Lake Shore Drive Bridge Reconstruction Project.

After work hours, Connie works with IDOT's department of Diversity Recruitment and Outreach helping in minority youth events to expose students to STEM field careers. Connie is an active mentor in the Transportation YOU program, a partnership program between the WTS, CPS, and the DOT that fosters the development of women in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals and students to undertake careers in transportation.

Laura Sanchez, CEO, SWATware

Laura Sanchez is the founder and CEO of SWATware LLC, a full‐service Information Technology (IT) firm that delivers comprehensive IT and Web solutions, with a focus in Cyber Security. With over ten years of experience as a consultant, Laura has assisted numerous businesses in improving their online presence, while at the same time improving the security and reliability of their IT infrastructure. She is one of the
few existing Latina entrepreneurs in Chicago’s Technology field, combining her quality services and passion for IT by sharing her experience with small business owners in various capacities. Laura has utilized her proficiency in both English and Spanish to perform work internationally and is well recognized for her expertise in the IT field. She has spoken for the City of Chicago (BACP), the IHCC (Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce), WBDC, UNAM Chicago, HACIA, Verizon and other organizations dedicated to educational and economic development that encourage the proper use of technology both professionally and personally.

Laura received her Master’s degree in Innovation and Business Development from the Tec de Monterrey, one of the top universities in Mexico. She graduated Summa Cum Laude when receiving her undergraduate degree in International Business and Marketing. In 2013, Laura was awarded the Nueva Latina Estrella in the Technology category by Verizon, and was an honorable mention recipient for the 2013 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards by Enterprising Women Magazine that same year. These awards are meant to honor women business owners who have demonstrated high potential‐growth and stand out as leaders in their communities. In addition to this Laura has been feature on TV by Univision, Telemundo and ABC7, as well as in local radio stations and newspapers such as Hoy and Negocios Now and the national publication Latino Leaders Magazine.

Time is running out to register! Don't miss your opportunity to make new year connections this Thursday! 

Register via Eventbrite >> http://bit.ly/1OYSVu5

Will Roberto be able to carry the heavy boxes his job requires if he donates a kidney to his brother, Jorge? How will his family pay their bills if Roberto has to take several weeks off from work to recover from the surgery?
Will Mama consider a kidney donation from her daughter, Carla, or turn her down, worried the procedure will keep Carla from having another baby?

These two telenovela plots have gripped some viewers in the past few months. But don’t expect to see the Spanish-language dramas on a network or streaming service. They’re customized for Infórmate, a new bilingual website dedicated to using culturally familiar methods to educate Latinos about options for living kidney donation. READ MORE AT PBS

The national unemployment rate remained 5 percent for a third straight month, while the Hispanic unemployment rate lowered slightly to 6.3 percent in December, as more Americans started looking for work, and most found jobs.

According to the Department of Labor, American employers added a strong 292,000 jobs in December, suggesting that the U.S. economy is so far defying global trends and growing at a solid pace.

The government also said employers added a combined 50,000 more jobs in October and November than it had previously estimated. Hiring averaged 284,000 a month in the fourth quarter, the best three-month pace in a year.

Among the major worker groups, Hispanic unemployment is second highest following black Americans (8.3 percent) and whites (4.5 percent). The labor participation rate – the percentage of the population that is working – has remained unchanged nationally... READ MORE AT FOX NEWS LATINO

As we ease into a new year, we marketers are enthusiastically looking forward to seeing our 2016 marketing plans in action. Marketers who included online Hispanics in their plans should be rewarded by a large, growing audience which engages and transacts predominantly on smartphones. Those marketers who are not engaging digital Hispanics may want to look for ways to add them to this year's plan now.

A recent study by David Burgos of TNS research provides ample evidence for why smart marketers are engaging online Hispanics this year. READ MORE AT MEDIAPOST

The holiday-networking slump can cause warm leads to languish. Here’s how to revive them in 2016.

Business developers and sales teams often write off December as a dead month. With so many leads out for the holidays, out-of-office auto-replies “ding” more frequently than ever. But there’s no reason to think those contacts are lost forever.

Here are 5 things I do to revive valuable relationships in the new year:

1. Capitalize on the resolution mindset
January marks the annual moment when resolutions are being made: and that includes 2016 business goals. READ MORE AT FORTUNE

If a new career is on your list of new year’s resolutions, then a key first step is knowing exactly what career that is: what industry, what role, what type of company. Employers hire people who are decisive about what they want. Even for entry-level roles, an employer expects candidates to demonstrate a genuine interest in the field. But what if you’re interested in many things?

What if you have a passion and you’re not sure how to turn it into a career? What if you’re so burned out by your former career that you aren’t excited about anything? Here are five ways to identify new possibilities. READ MORE AT TIME

As we begin 2016, we anticipate what the New Year has in store for our industry. I have never been afraid of making predictions, but I think 2016 will be unpredictable. So I’ll instead highlight important stories and trends to track.

Latin American Immigration

This topic has the most direct impact on Hispanic marketing – both in the short- and long-term. Since 2008, net immigration from Mexico has steadily decreased, to where the most recent figures show net negative immigration. In 2016, it’s important to watch net immigration from Central America, the Caribbean and South America, not just Mexico. So many factors influence immigration trends. It’s hard to know how and what effect U.S. and Latin American geo-political and economic factors will have. READ MORE AT MEDIAPOST

In presidential election years, it is natural to see our political leaders also as the brokers of our economic salvation. Some, such as columnist Harold Meyerson, long have embraced politics as a primary lever of upward mobility for minorities. He has positively contrasted the rise of Latino politicians in California, and particularly Los Angeles, with the relative dearth of top Latino office-holders in heavily Hispanic Texas. In Los Angeles, he notes, political activism represents the “biggest game in town” while, in Houston, he laments, politics takes second place to business interests and economic growth.

In examining the economic and social mobility of ethnic groups across the country, however, the politics-first strategy has shown limited effectiveness. Latinos, for example, have dramatically increased their elected representatives nationally since the 1990s, particularly in California. But both Latinos and African Americans continue to move to, and appear to do better in, the more free-market, politically conservative states, largely in the South. READ MORE AT THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

“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