During this holiday season and sometimes throughout the year, we need to be reminded that it’s ok to give, share and spread the wealth especially in a crowded job market.

Kavaleer Animations, the award winning Irish animation production company who have just celebrated their 10 year anniversary have announced that in order to keep up with their international work load, they will create 30 new animation jobs over the course of 2012.

Pamela Kleibrink Thompson reminds us that we never know whom we will influence.

We are excited to announce the date for FMX 2012, the 17th Conference on Animation, Effects, Games and Transmedia: May 8-11, 2012.

It’s not about what you do that defines who you are as a person although I think our society and how we are programmed culturally often portrays a different image. And so it might seem that the “larger than life” your response is to the question “What you do for a living” may further the perception that you are as big as your title and your paycheck.

CTNX is for the young and hungry, boasting a crowd of current students and the recently graduated, who are looking at an angle into their beloved, but notoriously tough, contemporary animation industry. There’s no doubt the event will keep on drawing in professionals, studios, and students, but it remains to be seen whether it can live up to high expectations. Seeing young talent engage with their idols, and feeling their way into a field they are clearly passionate about, is where CTN truly shines.

Trying to stay focused on your original plan, you continue to go out of your way to make it work even when nothing is coming together for you. Do you dare ask yourself, “Is it time to initiate a Plan B?”

Ring Ring, no answer. Ping, Ping no reply. Does this sound like a tune you’ve heard over and over again? It’s called “the silent treatment” and if you’ve ever heard the sounds of crickets when you try to reach out to a recruiter for a job you’ve been dying to interview for, you are probably not alone. The silent treatment doesn’t mean that a recruiter does not want you. It just means that given the amount of people banging down their door, you are let’s just say, not necessarily a priority.

Pamela Kleibrink Thompson dedicates this month's column to giving thanks.

Mark Simon writes that if you think beyond your position you'll get beyond your position.