Sister Table Talk

Stop Thinking Like an Employee is a workshop The SOFEI Group provides to individuals seeking to become an entrepreneur. Since we started facilitating this workshop, we have learned there isn't a vast distinction between an employee and entrepreneur; except for their attitudes and their approach towards work. For example, if you're an employee whose work is based on the instruction of your employer, you're what Seth Godin states in his book, The Linchpin - a "cog in a machine." A “cog in a machine” is a compliant person who shows on time to work, do what they’re told, but get paid less than what they're worth. The gap between their worth and pay creates a profit for the business owner. The Linchpin is a non-conformist to the cog system. They're a career activist! They know how to take control of their career and have a clear understanding of the value they bring to a work environment or project. And, here are a few suggestions to help you perform and th...

There is a strong connection between project management and technical communication. The skills we refine as technical communication have a critical place in project management: communicating content, identifying audience needs, extracting knowledge from subject matter experts, and ensuring quality deliverables. Many technical communicators can step into a project manager role using these highly transferable, existing skills. How can you work toward a broader role in your organization? What is project management? Why is project management important to the technical communicator? Using an interdisciplinary approach applicable across multiple programs of study, Technical Communication with an Emphasis in Project Management can enhance your understanding of project management and prepare you for a project management career using basic technical writing skills. Click here to learn more. #ProjectManagement #OnlineCourses #WomeninTech

Don`t know where to put that apostrophe? Bamboozled by "who" and "whom"? It`s hard to communicate with confidence with uncertain rules about grammar. And there's an easy and fun way to learn the rules. Packed with fun explanations, examples, and memory devices, Communicate with Confidence is the course that can help you learn the crucial aspects of grammar. Communicate with Confidence has four lessons that target the most common real-life misunderstandings and mistakes that can surface in the workplace or home. If you're ready to reverse bad habits and ingrained mistakes to converse with confidence click here .

Immerse yourself in the fields of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence! With over 40 hours of expert instruction, you’ll have a firm grasp of core machine learning concepts and be positioned to apply this technology to your career. This course includes: An Introduction to Deep Learning & Computer Vision Recommendation Systems in Python Machine Learning: Decision Trees & Random Forests Twitter Sentiment Analysis in Python Python Programming: From Beginner to Intermediate Quant Trading Using Machine Learning Factor Analysis Linear & Logistic Regression Course Outcome Upon successful completion of this course, you will have learned the following concepts & so much more! Discover Core Machine Learning Concepts & Build an Artificial Neural Network. Build a movie recommendation system in Python. Learn Intuitive Machine Learning Techniques by Exploring a Classic Problem. Use Python and the Twitter API to build your own sentiment analyzer. Go from beginner to ...

Industrialized jobs have depleted in America, and if you want to stay afloat in today’s economy, you need skills that people want and what they’re willing to pay for. Essentially, your work will be based on your key strengths, accomplishments, self-marketing, connections and your performance. And that’s authentic connections, not pretentious ones to simply make a sale or to gain a client. Social media is falsifying some efforts to connect. Some people think they’re gaining connections based on their followers. If followers aren’t being acknowledged or valued, there’s no connection. But information sharing to an audience that can relate to their content. The realities of today’s workforce have changed. Job security no longer exists, and safe careers are simply a myth. To achieve a successful career, entrepreneurial (i.e., always exploring opportunities) skills are a must. You have to rely on your inner resources to be self-managing to plan and execute your own career. No one ca...

Security can be obtained from God’s everlasting arms. God is our best security system from past, present, and future sins. God is our security from life’s storms because He is our refuge. Security is dwelling and abiding in the presence of God. Security is knowing that God is our rock, our fortress, and deliverer in the time of trouble. Security is the confidence that God is always near, and He will never leave nor forsake us. Security is the Sovereignty of God because He has all things under His divine power and control. Security is in God’s omniscience because He knows all things. Security is in God’s word because it will not return to Him void. Eternal security is the belief and knowledge that salvation belongs to Jesus Christ.

It’s amazing how salt adds flavor to food? It’s also amazing how salty foods can make you thirsty. And, water is a great beverage to quench a salty thirst. Every born again believer is the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13) and they are responsible for adding flavor to the lives of people they encounter daily. Are you a believer, what kind of flavor do you add to the lives of others? Is it wisdom, unconditional love, encouragement, salvation, peace, healing, faith or strength? Or, is it jealousy, envy, bitterness, complaints, or criticism? What flavor of salt do people you encounter thirst for the most? The flavor of the spirit or the flesh? God has given every born again believer a gift or talent to add spiritual flavor to a flavorless world. In addition to adding flavor, salt is used to preserve and heal. The Blood of Jesus Christ has preserved every believer from: 1) the power of sin; 2) eternal damnation; and 3) the power of Satan. God would like His children to use their gi...

A husband would never have to ask his wife to submit if he’s submitting his will to God. And, it’s quite challenging to surrender your will to a man who doesn’t know his mission for God, his life, and family. God called man to be the head (leader) of his family; not the boss! There is a difference. When husbands recognize and acknowledge God’s will for them to lead like Jesus led, (i.e., without coercion, but by example), their family will follow with honor and respect; without resistance.

Define your identity as a vessel for God; not a vessel for society. Identify your uniqueness as a blessing from God who’s constantly unfolding your beauty. Identify your shape, complexion, and size as priceless authentic fine art that can never be duplicated. The antidote to an identity crisis is to define or re-define your being in the sight of God and not man. Your identity will be recognized by the fruits they bear. God’s disciples are identified by the love they show to others. Your behavior will define your identify. So, let not your good be evil spoken of. Be not dismayed if you’re not identified as an important member of an ‘elite’ social group. If you’re one of God’s children, He identifies you as royalty and joint-heirs to Him.

Whenever you have to buy something in order to get something for free, are you really receiving a Free Gift ? If you think about it, the gift that’s supposedly free has been paid in full by the required purchase. One of the most valuable gifts an individual can receive is the gift of Salvation. There is a price for this free gift ; however, the wage was paid in full by the death of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). You see, something was given in exchange for this precious gift, and it can be obtained by confessing with your mouth, and believing in your heart that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead. (Romans 10:9). The gift of Salvation seems to be the most difficult gift for some people to receive freely. Who would rather choose death and not life? Who would rather leave this earth not knowing where they would spend eternity? When God created man, He created Man in His image (Genesis 2:26-27). God’s image (i.e., God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit), and the imag...

Find time to commune with God daily. Allow your mind to be accessible to God to free you from past negative thoughts, hurts, and sins. Make clear the pathway to your heart so that God may create a clean one in you! God needs available vessels to be used for His glory and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Make your ears available to God to hear His divine calling. Make your eyes available to God so He can show you where He wants you to go. Make your temple available to God so that He can make it holy. Make your spirit available to receive spiritual truth for spiritual growth. Make yourself available to God to receive His power to enter into a full relationship with Him!

There are struggles in life that can become emotional strongholds – things that hold you hostage and keep you from wholeheartedly serving and trusting God and experiencing the abundant life He has promised. One of the most damaging strongholds is worry. It is available for every age and is an obstacle to moving forward. When it is a stronghold in your life, it is a way of life. We worry about so many things – what do people think about us, do we look fit, are we healthy, and do we have enough money. If you are prone to worry, there is no limit to the possibilities to worry about. People cope with worrying in a number of ways – some drink to dismiss it, others shop for a distraction, some take naps or go to bed early to avoid it. None of these remedies work because the panic still sets in. In Matthew 6:25, 31-34, Jesus stated three times, “Do not worry!” The Greek word used for “worry” is the concept of being strangled or choked. It leaves you frustrated when you ought to be free an...

Be responsible for your actions. No one can make you behave the way you do. Be responsible for your thoughts. No one can make you think what you think. Take ownership of your feelings. No one can make you feel good or bad. Be responsible for your life. No one can make you have a fulfilled or dreadful life. Be responsible for your well-being. No one can define who you are or your purpose for living. Be responsible for how you’re treated. You’re treated the way you allow yourself to be treated. Be responsible for how you treat others. No one can make you be respectful. Be responsible for your relationship with God and others. God and no one can make you love them. The choice is ultimately yours.

”And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set amoung our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the curse of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6) ”But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessings and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:8-10) The danger of the tongue. James compares the tongue with fire because it cannot be controlled and the damage it causes cannot be reversed. And, sometimes when water is added, it spreads the fire instead of putting it out! When I worked in the corporate world, a manager attempted to assassinate my “working” characteristics with lies about my inability to perform tasks in a male-dominated career. The manager also stated, “I was not a team player and did not like to be critized.” I conf...

Some plant leaves were drooping, withered, and turning brown. The leaves were in this condition because the plant had not been watered for over a week. When the plant was watered, rotated, and placed in an area to receive sunlight, it was restored to its original state. It’s amazing how nutrients like water and sunlight can revive neglected plants, and keep them healthly and alive. The sun, water, and plant are symbolic to: 1) mankind (the plant), 2) the Word of God (water), and 3) the Son of God (sun). Saved individuals can end up like droopy, withered, brown-edged leaves on plants if they neglect to daily feed their souls and spirits with the word of God, and stay in the presence of His Son. How many of you have family members or loved ones you believe need a relationship with the Lord, but you have given up because the more you talk or pray for your loved ones, the worse off they become? Or, how many of you no longer go around your family members since you’ve been saved? Do...

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela Education isn't a powerful weapon for many students in Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS). It has become a barrier for students who want to succeed. It is alleged that graduation requirements decreased to increase graduation rates, and students' grades were changed to camouflage the accuracy of their in-class performance. These allegations are serious and should be addressed to ensure PGCPS students have the proper resources and aptitude to excel in college, work, and life. PGCPS are replete with minority students. Should it be assumed minority students aren't smart enough to meet basic graduation requirements? If this is the spirit among PGCPS leadership, don't save face; change its leadership.

According to CIO.com there are thirteen IT certifications that have emerged that can help you get a leg up on your career. Whether you're a seasoned IT professional, recent college graduate, or an individual transitioning to an IT career, an IT certification can help you stand out from the crowd and show hiring managers you have the credentials to meet their IT business needs. We've highlighted our IT certification courses that made the list to help you emerge in your business and/or career. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is a certification program developed by ISACA to develop an individual's career as a a security manager. Once certified, the CISM qualifies students to design, manage, asses and oversee an enterprise's information security infrastructure. IT Security without question is one of the hottest and most lucrative areas of Information Technology and the CISM is one of the most valu...

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 If the truth makes us free, why are so many of us bound? Are we bound because we haven't defined our truth? Bound because we live through the lens of people (i.e., their opinion) and not our values and beliefs? Bound because we govern our lives according to what we're told, which is contrary to who we are, or who we're striving to become. No one knows us better than the One who created us. We were fearfully and wonderfully created in His image to glorify and honor Him in everything we say and do. If we're not living our lives to please God, are we neglecting His divine plan for our lives? And, if we're choosing to live according to the opinions, beliefs, and values of others, we're not living authentically. We're forfeiting our true divine freedom.

Why are women called a B**** when they exude confidence? Confidence has nothing to do with lewdness, selfishness, or being a female dog. It has everything to do with relying on an inner power and strength to achieve and succeed in life. Once a woman reaches a level of self-confidence, she doesn’t need to be torn down. No one knows her journey to reach her height and our level of confidence will never increase when we tear women down. We've launched a tee-shirt campaign to end negative languages and images associated with confident women and women in general. And you can show your support here.

Having access to statistics about the status of women (especially minority) is great. However, it would be even better if women of color would use data to collaborate and harness their power to change the trajectory of the economic conditions that lingers among women of color. Over the next few months, The SOFEI Group will host community forums addressing the question, How We Get Here? to discover the underlying causes that negatively impact the lives of women throughout the Washington region. We will seek and encourage input from the community-at-large, social change agents, politicians, spiritual leaders, and subject matter experts. Following are topics we will discuss during the forums: How We Get Here? – Why black women and their issues are ignored in politics? - Source: Status of Black Women in Politics How We Get Here? – Black women 16 years and over has experienced the highest unemployment rate among all other ethnic groups since 2007. - Source: The African American Labo...