Dr. Chaz Austin, Ed.D., a trailblazer in personal branding and self-marketing, joins Success, Motivation & Inspiration with M. Curtis McCoy to discuss his groundbreaking strategies for helping individuals bridge the gap between education and the job market. As the author of How to Find Work for the Rest of Your Life, Dr. Chaz Austin shares actionable insights for professionals, students, and universities seeking to adapt to the rapidly changing world of work.
Dr. Chaz Austin, Ed.D.: The Vision Behind Career Training
Dr. Chaz Austin, Ed.D., has been a college professor for over twenty years, primarily teaching communication and business courses. Throughout his career, he has identified a major gap between traditional education and the demands of the professional world. Many graduates leave college unprepared to market their skills, reach an audience, or monetize their talents effectively.
Dr. Austin’s mission is to change that. Through his books, courses, and coaching, he has developed a program to teach students and professionals how to:
•Build their personal brands.
•Develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
•Identify career opportunities early and pursue monetizable skills.
As outlined in his book How to Find Work for the Rest of Your Life, the ultimate goal is to integrate these skills into the college curriculum as mandatory courses.
The Problem with Traditional Education
According to Dr. Chaz Austin, Ed.D., education systems have failed to prepare students for the realities of the job market. Many college graduates lack basic professional skills, such as:
- Effective communication.
- Writing for business purposes.
- Understanding how to provide value to employers.
Feedback from the business world often includes frustration with graduates’ inability to adapt to workplace expectations. Employers want to know:
- Can this person contribute to the organization?
- Do they have the skills to solve real-world problems?
- Are they focused on outcomes or personal preferences?
Dr. Austin argues that the root of the problem lies in the outdated mindset of both students and educators. Degrees are often viewed as a ticket to success, but they do not automatically guarantee employability or financial stability.
The Updated SWOT Analysis: A Tool for Personal Branding
Dr. Chaz Austin, Ed.D., discussed the SWOT analysis, a key framework traditionally used by businesses to assess their positioning. Dr. Austin has adapted this tool for individuals to help them evaluate their careers, skills, and market opportunities.
Traditional SWOT Analysis
The standard SWOT analysis consists of four quadrants:
- Strengths: Personal attributes, skills, or experiences that set you apart.
- Weaknesses: Areas where improvement or growth is needed.
- Opportunities: Positive trends, openings, or market growth potential.
- Threats: External factors limiting opportunities, such as industry changes or competition.
Dr. Chaz Austin, Ed.D.’s Updated SWOT Analysis
Dr. Austin’s version replaces “Weaknesses” with “What’s Missing,” making the analysis more actionable. The updated quadrants are:
- Strengths: Your current skills, achievements, and unique qualities.
- What’s Missing: Specific qualifications, certifications, or skills needed to succeed in your desired field.
- Opportunities: Emerging trends, market needs, or gaps you can fill.
- Threats: Obstacles such as industry decline, technology disruptions, or stiff competition.
By replacing “weaknesses” with “what’s missing,” individuals focus on actionable gaps they can fill rather than viewing shortcomings as limitations.
Practical Example of the Updated SWOT Analysis
For someone aiming to become a registered nurse:
- Strengths: Volunteer experience in hospitals, excellent people skills.
- What’s Missing: The RN certification is a mandatory credential.
- Opportunities: High demand for nurses and growth in the healthcare sector.
- Threats: Competition from other graduates and advancements in medical technology.
This updated approach helps individuals visualize their career paths more clearly and take specific steps to bridge gaps.
Adopting an Entrepreneurial Mindset in a Changing Job Market
One of Dr. Chaz Austin, Ed.D.’s most significant insights is the importance of adopting an entrepreneurial mindset, even within traditional jobs. In today’s gig economy, jobs are no longer permanent. Professionals must learn to view themselves as businesses, constantly offering value to the market.
How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset
- Focus on Value: Understand what you can offer and how it helps your employer or client solve problems.
- Think Like a Brand: Treat yourself like a business and market your skills effectively.
- Build Networks: Connections are key to finding opportunities, especially in a competitive landscape.
- Upskill Continuously: Stay ahead of market trends and technology by continually developing new skills.
Volunteering and Side Doors to Opportunity
Dr. Austin emphasizes that the traditional path of applying for jobs often falls short. Instead, he advocates for “side doors” into industries. For example:
- Join industry associations to meet professionals and learn the business.
- Volunteer to work alongside decision-makers and showcase your abilities.
- Build relationships with people who can hire or refer you for gigs.
These strategies allow individuals to build trust and credibility while gaining valuable experience.
Overcoming Fear of Success
During the interview, Dr. Chaz Austin, Ed.D., addresses a common issue: the fear of success. Many people procrastinate or avoid pursuing their goals because of internal fears, such as:
- What if my work isn’t good enough?
- What if I fail to deliver?
- What if others criticize me?
This “fear of success” often prevents individuals from taking action, even when they know what steps to take. Dr. Austin’s advice is simple:
- Create urgency: Progress won’t happen until you decide it’s urgent.
- Take action: Talk is meaningless without action. Start small and keep moving forward.
- Focus on results: Measure your success by the outcomes you achieve, not the fear you overcome.
For example, aspiring authors often hesitate to finish their books because they fear rejection. However, as Dr. Austin points out, action is the only way to test the waters, improve, and succeed.
Building a Career Plan: Starting Early and Thinking Long-Term
Dr. Chaz Austin, Ed.D., advocates starting career development as early as possible. Ideally, students should begin building their career plans on day one of college, not senior year.
Key Steps for Students and Professionals
- Identify Your Skills and Strengths: Use the updated SWOT analysis to clarify your value.
- Address What’s Missing: Fill in skills, education, or qualifications gaps.
- Gain Experience Early: Pursue internships, volunteer roles, or part-time jobs to build credibility.
- Network Continuously: Stay in touch with industry professionals who can offer advice, mentorship, or referrals.
- Set Long-Term Goals: Plan for career changes, growth, and opportunities in five to ten years.
Dr. Austin stresses that students must learn to think ahead, recognizing that the nature of work will continue to change. By building a career mindset early, they can adapt to market shifts while maintaining financial stability.
How Universities Can Implement Dr. Chaz Austin’s Program
One primary goal of Dr. Austin’s work is to see his program adopted as a mandatory part of college curricula. According to Dr. Austin, this program serves as a “brand differentiator” for universities, offering tangible value to students and parents concerned about the ROI of higher education.
Steps Universities Can Take
- Contact Dr. Chaz Austin: Reach out to discuss implementing his program.
- Pilot Programs: Start with small test programs to demonstrate results.
- Embed Career Training: Integrate courses focused on self-marketing, personal branding, and entrepreneurial thinking into all degree programs.
- Train Faculty: Equip professors to deliver career-focused training effectively.
- Measure Results: Use metrics to assess the program’s success in preparing students for work.
By offering these courses, universities can ensure their graduates are prepared to enter the workforce with the skills, confidence, and entrepreneurial mindset needed for long-term success.
Resources for Career Development: Dr. Chaz Austin’s Work
Dr. Chaz Austin, Ed.D., has created multiple resources to help individuals develop their careers. These include:
Books
How to Find Work for the Rest of Your Life: A step-by-step guide to personal branding and self-marketing.
Online Courses
LinkedIn Learning courses on finding, keeping, and leaving jobs.
Coaching and Consulting
- Individual coaching for professionals and students seeking personalized guidance.
- Consulting for universities and organizations looking to implement career development programs.
TEDx Talk
Dr. Chaz Austin’s TEDx talk discusses the updated SWOT analysis and its application to personal branding.
Conclusion
Dr. Chaz Austin, Ed.D., offers a proven approach to personal branding, self-marketing, and career development that bridges the gap between education and the job market. By teaching individuals to treat themselves like businesses, he equips them with the tools to succeed in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
Dr. Austin is revolutionizing how students, professionals, and universities approach career readiness through his book How to Find Work for the Rest of Your Life and his comprehensive career training programs.
To learn more, connect with Dr. Chaz Austin, Ed.D., on LinkedIn and explore his resources for actionable guidance on finding meaningful, financially sustainable work.