In January, the job search websites go crazy as people start the New Year resolved to find work that's more satisfying.

"While thousands of people are dealing with the tragedy of unemployment, many others are looking for jobs that are more fulfilling than the ones they have," says attorney and author Pamela Samuels Young, www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com, whose newest novel, "Anybody's Daughter," is one of five nominees for NAACP Image Awards' Outstanding Literary Work, Fiction.

In January 2013, job search website Indeed.com had a record 17.3 million unique visitors?a 24-percent jump, and January 2014 will likely see a similar increase. Many of those job seekers won't be looking for just a job, but one they're passionate about.

"It's great if your day job is your passion," Young says. "But if it's not, you don't have to give up a position that pays the bills in order to pursue your dream. You can do both."

Since 2006, Young has pursued her passion?writing legal thrillers?as well as her day job as Managing Counsel for Labor and Employment Law for Toyota Motors Sales, U.S.A., Inc. She was described by one reviewer as "John Grisham with a sister's twist."

"I enjoy practicing law and I didn't want to leave Toyota, nor could I afford to. But I also had a burning desire to write mystery novels," says Young. "Anybody's Daughter," her sixth novel, is described by Kirkus Reviews as a "fast-paced, well-written thriller that's grounded in social issues." The book takes readers inside the world of child sex trafficking in the United States.

"I've always believed that if you have a dream, you should formulate a plan and make it happen. So that's what I did."

Young's plan included rising at 4 a.m. to squeeze in some writing time before heading off to work, and turning weekends and vacation time into creation time.

"Sometimes it's hard to believe that I've published six novels, while still practicing law," she says. "The hard work and commitment have definitely paid off."

Young offers these tips for busy professionals itching to pursue their own passions.

· Schedule time to devote to your passion. "On my calendar, you'll find a few hours or full days blocked out as 'Writing Time' every week," Young says. "You have to schedule time for your passion. If you don't, the day-to-day demands of life will get in the way."

· Put "passion" time ahead of "pleasure" time. If you're working full-time and pursuing another "job," you won't have a lot of free time. "You'll have to cut back on watching television, socializing with friends and even family time," Young says. "Explain your goals to friends and family. People who have your best interests at heart will support you. "But do take an occasional break to relax.  Otherwise, you'll burn yourself out by working around the clock."

· Learn from others. Surround yourself with people who share your passion. Sign up for newsletters, read books and join communities of other like-minded people, Young says. "There are tons of professional groups whose sole function is to help their members develop their creative talents and business goals." Young is a diehard member of Sisters in Crime, an organization that promotes the advancement of women mystery writers. "Not only will you get energy and inspiration from networking with others, you'll grow."

· Don't put your day job on the backburner. Young says it's important to give your day job 100 percent. "I never want my co-workers to think I'm phoning it in because I also have a writing career." That attitude has paid off. "I have a strong support system at work. My co-workers read my books, critique my manuscripts and come to book signings." Many of the people Young thanks in the Acknowledgements in each of her books are co-workers. Her fourth novel is even dedicated to another Toyota attorney.

"Don't just dream about pursuing your passion," Young says, "make it happen!"

About Pamela Samuels Young

Pamela Samuels Young is a novelist, motivational speaker and Managing Counsel for Labor and Employment Law for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., the sales and distribution arm for Toyota and Lexus vehicles in North America. She published the first of her six legal thrillers in 2006.  "Anybody's Daughter" is her latest. Her novel "Buying Time" won the American Library Association's Black Caucus 2010 Fiction Award.

The NAACP Image Awards celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. Winners will be announced Feb. 21-22.

Davenport, IA-The Quad City Symphony Orchestra has named Darlene J. Link, CPA, MBA, as their new Director of Finance. Ms. Link has over 30 years of accounting experience, most recently as Controller for Augustana College. She has also worked for Illini Hospital, the ARC of the Quad Cities, and is a member of Volunteers for Symphony.

Ms. Link is taking the place of Steven Morenz, MBA, who is taking a position as Director of Finance and Human Resources with the River Bend Food Bank. "We wish Steve the best in his new position with greater responsibilities and opportunities while continuing to serve the greater Quad City community," said Executive Director Benjamin Loeb. "We are also very excited to have Darlene Link join our staff. She comes with tremendous experience in nonprofit accounting and strategic financial planning and we know she will be an invaluable and productive part of the team."

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today were joined by Iowa Department of Education Director Brad Buck to highlight the progress made under the landmark education reform package of 2013.

"Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and I are pleased with the progress being made to restore Iowa's leadership position in education following the landmark reform package signed last year, but we know all parties - our administration, the Legislature and local school districts - must be held accountable to maximize our success," said Branstad. "We have a shared responsibility to give our children the best education in the nation.  Iowa's schools are transforming.  As they transform, the state stands ready to assist districts with further implementation to ensure success while we prepare our students for college or career training after high school."

Branstad, Reynolds and Buck highlighted and provided updates for the following portions of education reform:

1) Teacher leadership and compensation system

More than 100 school districts have begun the application process to enter the Teacher Leadership and Compensation System, which aims to transform learning in schools by better utilizing the expertise of top teachers to strengthen the teaching around them.

More than one-third of the school districts in Iowa are expected to submit a plan prior to the deadline on Jan. 31.

The Iowa Department of Education is working closely with the Commission on Educator Leadership and Compensation to develop an equitable selection process.  The goal is to ensure a rigorous selection bar for districts that receive funding and enter the system in the first year and also to ensure that the districts entering in year one reflect the diversity of the size and geography of Iowa's schools.  All school districts will have the option of entering the system over the next three years.

2) Update on taskforces

The Council on Educator Development was created to recommend statewide systems for evaluating teachers and school administrators. The council has met three times and will reconvene on Feb. 13. To date, the council has engaged in conversations that define the legislative language in HF 215 as it pertains to the council's primary task, has examined data around current evaluation practices in Iowa districts, and has reviewed the Iowa Teaching Standards in comparison to national standards known as the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium Standards.

Iowa schools are still required by law to administer the Iowa Assessments for accountability purposes; however, the Legislature created the Assessment Task Force to study testing options for the future. This task force has met three times and is on track to make a recommendation as early as this fall. So far, the task force has defined the scope of its work based on requirements in House File 215, completed a request for information from all major test vendors in Iowa and nationally to identify assessments that would meet those legislative requirements, and is building a mechanism to rate those potential assessments.

3) Year-long student teaching pilot

Five higher education institutions applied for the student teaching pilot project, which will provide students in participating teacher preparation programs with a one-year student teaching experience. Student teachers in Iowa currently train typically for 14 consecutive weeks.

All three regents universities and two privates colleges, Morningside College and Dordt College, applied for the project. The awards went to the University of Northern Iowa and Dordt College.

The Iowa Department of Education is now developing the award documents in order to disburse the money and establish the reporting, communication and accountability procedures.

4) TeachIowa.gov job postings

All 346 public school districts and nine area education agencies have access to TeachIowa.gov, a new statewide education job posting system. There are 23 nonpublic schools or school systems using TeachIowa.gov.  Each Catholic Diocese and five higher education institutions are posting jobs or are set up to post jobs.

By the numbers:

•             More than 2,000 jobs have been posted since the system was launched.

•             There are currently 1,486 jobs posted to TeachIowa.gov.

•             There are 3,500 applications in the TeachIowa.gov system.

5) Iowa Learning Online

The education reform package includes an expansion of Iowa Learning Online, a state-run system that has provided high-quality courses online and through the Iowa Communications Network since 2004. The goal is to provide a full array of course options, including language arts, social studies, math, science, health, physical education, fine arts, foreign language, and vocational education online.  The Iowa Department of Education should have most of these options available in the fall.

Lt. Gov. Reynolds took the opportunity to highlight the Teach Iowa Scholar Program, which was also part of the education reform package of 2013. The program is designed to provide tuition reimbursement to top students who commit to teach in Iowa schools for five years.

"Governor Branstad and I believe the key to a quality education is having an excellent teacher in every classroom. In Iowa, we're fortunate to have excellent teachers in every corner of the state," said Reynolds. "The Teach Iowa Scholar Program aims to attract more top students into the teaching profession and into hard-to-fill positions - such as math, science and special education. This program will benefit K-12 students, school districts and the teaching profession as a whole."

Starting with the Class of 2014, subject to an appropriation, selected teachers will receive $4,000 a year for up to five years - $20,000 total - for teaching in Iowa schools.

Reynolds concluded, "We have high expectations given the recent reforms adopted and the collaborative work under way by the Iowa Department of Education, area education agencies, school districts, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission, and higher education institutions to reach the goal of giving Iowa children a world-class education. Iowans know we must chart a path that makes steady progress possible on every measure."

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