Spotlight on
This page will feature articles and interviews with people who are designing and marketing their careers and whom I feel deserve greater visibility in the Pittsburgh area. They are people I admire greatly. They have much to share with the larger community.
This Spotlight is on Becky Hooman who, through the many challenges and transitions in her life, has always managed to give of herself to others. I think you will find her story fascinating.
Neal: As a child, did you have any idea of what you wanted as a career for yourself?
Becky: I initially assumed I would be a teacher. There are many public school teachers and college professors within my family. By the time I finished high school and entered college, however, I did not have that focus. I find it interesting that I have now essentially taken on the teacher role through keynote speaking and training in the business world.
Neal: What coursework did you focus on in college to prepare yourself for a career?
Becky: I was lucky to have attended a liberal arts college. Many classes were not directly related to my major, but added to my general knowledge and understanding of the world — from various sciences to philosophy and religion. In addition, the courses within my major (Recreation Administration) provided background and understanding in working with groups and basic management skills and knowledge
Neal: What were your earliest jobs and what made you choose them? Or did they choose you?
Becky: After graduating college, I new I did not want to work in the field for which I had just prepared (therapeutic recreation programs for handicapped individuals). At that point in my life, I felt very much lost; as if I were on the outside of the working world, with the ability to contribute much but without the key to get in the door. Upon completing a Master of Science in Library Science degree a couple of years later there were two librarian positions in Charleston, West Virginia, where I was living at the time. One was as an academic librarian for the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies. The other was as a sort of public relations librarian for the Kanawha County Public Library, which included a radio/television show. At the time, the thought of hosting a radio/television show absolutely petrified me, so thank goodness they hired me at the College of Graduate Studies! I left that position four years later to start my own business and have been in business for myself virtually all the time since then. From one viewpoint, I have chosen my jobs, from another viewpoint, which business I have been in has also been affected to a certain extent by circumstances as my life has unfolded.
Neal: What skills did you acquire along the way that enabled you to succeed in those early jobs?
Becky: The education was definitely key, but life experience had to be added to that. Having grown up in a family of teachers and academics, getting sales experience and doing consulting work as a librarian were extremely valuable in my development.
Neal: What made you choose a financial services career?
Becky: I had thought for a number of years about becoming an accountant or a systems analyst, but did not want to have to complete another four year degree. I finally took an assessment entitled “Discover What You’re Best At” by Linda Gale, which not only identified accountant and systems analyst as good choices for me, but also financial advisor. The more I looked into it, the more I liked the fact that it was a balance of technical, thinking work and people-oriented activity. I met with my financial advisor, who immediately arranged an interview for me.
Neal: Now you have again made a dramatic career shift. Why?
Becky: It was not as much about wanting to leave that career as it was realizing there was something else that I was finding more personally fulfilling. My husband and I had begun to work together on what had been separate practices. I took on more of the marketing role, which involved seminars for clients and prospects. One in particular focused on helping participants think about what they wanted life to be like beyond the financial part. I watched it change lives. I also realized that through my own introspection and self-examination over a number of years, I had a message I wanted to share with others to reduce negativity in the world and create more personal fulfillment.
Neal: I know you’ve been drawn to motivational speaking for some time. However, you’ve also become a trainer. What programs are you featuring and why did you choose them?
Becky: I see the training just as another form of motivational, or keynote speaking. The difference is more in length of program and amount of audience interaction. The trainng came about from requests for longer sessions or more information than what can be covered in 45-60 minutes.
So the training still centers around attitudes and getting rid of negativity. One program in particular focuses pretty specifically on workplace relationships, The average manager spends 42 percent of the time dealing with conflict. And so many people are so unhappy at work, this training helps — measurably — reduce conflict, so it helps people get more done with less stress.
Neal: How can potential customers reach you?
Becky: Via phone at 412-580-1486 or email at becky@beckyhooman.com. They may want to check my website at www.beckyhooman.com or my blog at www.returnonlife.blogspot.com.