AOL Jobs

Battling Obesity To Stay In The Military

Carol Berman — 2011-11-03T13:14:00+00:00

In 1999, Nancy McClure wanted to join the National Guard. She was 37, close to when many veterans hope to retire. The recruiter said she was too old. Two years later, she returned to that recruiter's office with two daughters who planned to enlist. McClure learned about an age waiver and promptly joined the Missouri National Guard. She was 40 years old in basic training and in great physical shape. But in 2007, she was almost kicked out. The reason: her weight.

I Love My Job: Paola Cavalli, Shoe Designer

Carol Berman — 2011-06-13T09:05:00+00:00

Colombia is known for its excellent coffee and "Modern Family's" Sofia Vergara, but if Paola Cavalli gets her way, her name might soon join that esteemed list. Cavalli (pictured left) is a shoe designer who has just broken into the U.S. market by way of Puerto Rico. (There's no relation to Roberto Cavalli, the Italian fashion designer.)

Her style is reminiscent of that of 1940s actress Carmen Miranda, a virtual fruit salad of bright colors and patterns. And her background is colorful too.

I Love My Job: Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer [Video]

Carol Berman — 2011-06-07T09:34:00+00:00

Cesar Millan loves his co-workers. Their needs are simple, they work long hours, love corporate outings and only talk back now and then. Of course Millan's colleagues are furry, but there's no dress code. It's no surprise that Cesar Millan, of television's "Dog Whisperer," loves his job.

Geeks Destined for Success

Carol Berman — 2011-06-01T11:34:00+00:00

The 1985 classic movie The Breakfast Club focused on high school cliques and how people struggle to be individuals within the confines of their groups. In 25 years, not much has changed. But now, there's new focus on what becomes of those tortured teens when they grow up.

Alexandra Robbins, best-selling author, has released the findings of her semi-scientific study in "The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth." Robbins (pictured at left) proposes in what she calls, "Quirk Theory," the idea that the very traits that make students outsiders in high school will be beneficial to them as adults.

Moms Who Made It Big: Lori Mackey Prospers With Prosperity4Kids

Carol Berman — 2011-05-26T05:05:00+00:00

Lori Mackey is living proof that you never know where life will take you. She started out as a hairdresser; now she's a go-to person for teaching children about money. Who goes to her? Banks like ING, with highly regarded finance programs for children, and schools around the country.

My Unemployed Life: Job Seeker 'Of a Certain Age' Struggles to Find Work

Carol Berman — 2011-05-20T07:01:00+00:00

Four-and-a-half million Americans over 45 remained unemployed in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's like the entire Boston metropolitan area being out of work. But as some people will attest, while wisdom comes with age, employment may not.

"I'm living the American dream. I'm divorced, unemployed, and deep in debt," says Gene S., a job seeker "of a certain age."

At last count, he had sent out 745 resumes in 18 months since losing his job.

How to Make Your Work Clothes Chic on the Cheap

Carol Berman — 2011-05-16T04:59:00+00:00

A woman's suit for work can run anywhere from $300 at Banana Republic (not on sale) to $3,000 for a bespoke custom job. Even if dress codes relax with the hotter weather, it often makes sense to have an interview-ready outfit in the closet. But the mall might not be the best shopping destination for a memorable ensemble.

What It's Like to Be an FBI Agent

Carol Berman — 2011-05-13T10:13:00+00:00

Jack Owens attended law school although he never wanted to be a lawyer. He chose a profession based on rules, regulations, and bureaucracy, but he wasn't much of a rules guy. For 30 years, Jack Owens was an FBI agent, catching bad guys, working Cold War counterintelligence, and earning a spot on the S.W.A.T. team, often while bending the rules a bit. He chronicled his career in a memoir: "Don't Shoot, We're Republicans."

How Jewel Finds Time for Motherhood and Family Dinners [Video]

Carol Berman — 2011-05-10T10:16:00+00:00

Jewel, the musician, actor, philanthropist, poet, and mother-to-be spoke with AOL Jobs about her latest cause and how pending motherhood will impact her self-described "Type A" personality.

As she and her husband, nine-time world champion rodeo rider, Ty Murray, 41, expect a son, Jewel, 36, is not complaining about morning sickness, fatigue, or swollen ankles. She's working, although differently than before -- doing as much as she can from her home in Stephenville, TX.

I Love My Job: Cathy Hobbs, Home Stager

Carol Berman — 2011-05-03T05:57:00+00:00

The U.S. housing market drags on like a ball and chain is attached to its leg. But life goes on, and sometimes a move is unavoidable. Downsizing empty nesters, a job relocation, or even fortuitous circumstances all require a buyer and a seller.

The problem for sellers is, it's a buyer's market. According to the National Association of Realtors, in 2009, the average home stayed on the market for 10 weeks. But that time can potentially be cut by 50 percent percent with the help of a certified home stager.

Iowa Woman to Graduate College After 19 Years in School

Carol Berman — 2011-04-29T14:31:00+00:00

Many tuition-paying parents hope their kids avoid the "five-year plan," when students take an extra year to finish. But in the case of Iowa State student Kathy Vitzthum, her 19-year plan was not only supported by her parents, but her husband and kids gave the thumbs up as well. This May, she'll have the diploma to prove her hard work paid off.

Working Security: Now You See Them, Now You Don't

Carol Berman — 2011-04-28T15:36:00+00:00

To many children, security comes in the form of a blanket. To others, it's a financial instrument that gets traded. But to the 55,000 employees of AlliedBarton, it's jobs in a growing industry. In fact, security jobs are pegged to grow more than 14 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (The average industry is only expected to grow by 10 percent.)

I Love My Job: Joel Burgess, Video Game Designer (Video)

Carol Berman — 2011-04-20T09:51:00+00:00

As you watch your children spend hours playing video games, don't think they're rotting their brains. They could be laying a solid foundation for a future high-paying job. An entry level video game designer makes, on average, $46,000. And there's a better chance you're playing the game and not your kids! The average age for video game players is 34, according to the Entertainment Software Association.

Moms Who Made it Big: Becky Fawcett, Help Us Adopt

Carol Berman — 2011-04-19T14:49:00+00:00

Becky Fawcett seems like any working mom with two young kids. Before 9AM, she's changed diapers, fed the kids (and the dog), taken one to school and been to the supermarket before work. But Becky's work isn't a regular 9 to 5 -- she's the founder of a non-profit called HelpUsAdopt.org which gives grants to potential parents who can't afford the average $25,000 in adoption costs.

In three years, the organization has helped "build" 43 families. She doesn't make a dime of income for all her hard work.

Unemployed and Savings Going, Going, Gone? Tips to Stretch Your Unemployment Check

Carol Berman — 2011-04-04T10:08:00+00:00

The recession's over -- yay! To the 8.9 percent of Americans who remain jobless, that's as much reason to celebrate as this year's Groundhog Day prediction for an early spring. (Which also turned out to be substantially untrue.)

For the unemployed, hours and hours spent online and pounding pavement for a job search need to be supplemented by hours toward money management. Just cutting out the $5 Starbucks and using last year's spring handbag won't do. We're talking tough choices and no messing around.

AOL Jobs spoke with noted author and personal finance expert Jean Chatzky, creator of the Debt Diet online program.

Moms Who Made it Big: Shazi Visram of HAPPYBABY Food

Carol Berman — 2011-03-29T18:30:00+00:00

These days, baby food is more than just pureed peas in little jars that may get eaten or spit out. And despite the fact that the birthrate in the United States is down 2.6 percent, one woman decided to enter the baby food arena anyway. After just a few years, HAPPYBABY products now grace shelves in more than 7,500 stores.

Earn What You Deserve, Thanks to Lilly Ledbetter

Carol Berman — 2011-03-23T05:22:00+00:00

Many Americans are forced to take pay cuts these days in order to get a steady paycheck. If Lilly Ledbetter gets her way, no woman or minority will make less than deserved and certainly not less than someone else doing the same job.

If her name rings a bell but you're not sure why, in 2009, President Obama signed a law called the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

I Love My Job: American Girl Doll Hair Stylist

Carol Berman — 2011-03-18T21:31:00+00:00

There are almost 700,000 hairstylists in the United States. Uncounted in those ranks are the very specialized hair stylists who style the hair of some unique customers that will never complain about their cuts or styles -- because their chairs host dolls. It's a dream job for Luisa Rodriguez, doll hair stylist at the American Girl store in New York City.

International Women's Day: They Are Women, Hear Them Roar

Carol Berman — 2011-03-08T02:24:00+00:00

Men and women are just about evenly split, if you're counting. There is 1.01 man for each woman in the world, according to The CIA's World Factbook. That's about even to me.

But history has shown us that "even" or "equal" existence hasn't exactly been the global or U.S. equivalent of everyone joining hands, singing 'Kum Bah Yah.'

Actress Danica McKellar Proves Math Doesn't Suck

Carol Berman — 2011-02-17T08:08:00+00:00

Everyone knows Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton. But what about Sophie Germain? We have skyscrapers because of her work in math. And how about Danica McKellar? You may know her name, but not all of her work. She might earn her place among those legends because of her work in mathematics.