Recommendation Letters

A letter of recommendation has relevant information that is truthful and positive and provides a straightforward opinion of a person’s abilities and potential. It can describe personal characteristics, performance and experience, strengths, knowledge and capabilities.


When are letters of recommendation used?
Recommendation letters are usually used when applying for an academic award (scholarships), or a post-secondary program. But, if you are job hunting, a recommendation letter from a past or current employer is great to have in your portfolio. Recommendation letters are concrete proof of your accomplishments and abilities.

There are two ways to present a recommendation letter to a prospective employer:

* One way is to write the following at the bottom of your resume: “Recommendation Letter and References are Available Upon Request”. Then take your recommendation letter and reference sheet to your interviews, and have it ready if the employer asks for them.

* The second way to submit a recommendation letter is to send it with your resume during initial mailing. Send no more than two recommendation letters. Don't overwhelm a potential employer with a lot to read. *Remember * send copies not the original.

In some cases a recommendation letter is a convenient substitute for work references that neatly sum up a past or current employer’s opinion of you and can allow prospective employers to avoid the sometimes awkward and vague conversations that can happen while checking with your reference over the phone about you and your capabilities. They are also helpful if your prospective employer is having trouble reaching your references.


If you are new to the world of work and don’t have very many contacts, a character or a personal reference letter from people who know your skills and attributes can also be used. If you have little or no work experience, a teacher that you have worked closely with is a good prospect to write a recommendation.

Which career is right for you?

Finding the right career can be hugely rewarding, so it’s worth putting some effort into career planning. Start by thinking about what motivates you as a person, then identify careers that match your skills and interests.

Finding a career to suit you

While it can be tempting to skip straight to looking at specific careers, it’s often a good idea to first spend some time thinking about what motivates you as a person.

What are your interests, inside and outside work - and what are you looking for from a career? Once you’ve worked this out, you can start building up a picture of your ideal job - then find out which careers match it most closely.

Career planning: where to start

Unless you’ve got a clear idea of what you want to do, it can be difficult to know where to start. And if you do have a career in mind, how do you know whether you’ve considered all your options?

As a starting point, you could try sitting down with a piece of paper and listing:

* courses you’ve taken in the past, or are taking now
* any jobs you’ve had, including voluntary work
* interests outside work
* any other significant experiences, like travelling
Then ask yourself:

* why you chose to do them
* which parts you really enjoyed
* which parts you found frustrating or boring
* which parts you were best at
* which parts you found a challenge
* what other people have said about your contribution
* what other people have told you you’re good at

You should start to see some patterns emerging: the types of skills you enjoy using, the sort of environment you perform best in and the types of people you like working with.

You can use this knowledge to help pinpoint areas of work you might enjoy.

Online tools, like the Career Values Tool, can also help you work out what's important to you in a job.

Exploring types of careers

Once you’ve got an idea of areas you might want to work in, the next step is to check out some career profiles. These will give you information about the opportunities available in a particular line of work - and what skills and qualifications you’re likely to need.

You can also get information about careers in particular industries from Sector Skills Councils. Find the council for the industry you’re interested in through the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils. Visit site -
http://www.sscalliance.org/SSCs/LinkstoSSCs.aspx

Help with career planning

Talking to a careers adviser may help you focus on what you are looking for from a career - and work out how to get where you want to be.

Careers advice by phone or email

Call the Careers Advice Service on 0800 100 900. You can also book a free call back from an adviser, or send a question by email.

Visit here - http://careersadvice-findacourse.direct.gov.uk/pls/hot_ca/aff_page_pls_ask_advisor?a=260405&f=AI

Careers advice in person

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get free, face-to-face advice from your local nextstep service.

Visit here - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/GetLearning/DG_071762

Career planning and advice for young people

Follow the link below for tips on career planning and sources of advice if you’re under 20.

Visit here - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Workandcareers/Planningyourfuture/DG_066169

If you’re a graduate or you’re working towards a higher education qualification

Follow the link below for sources of information and advice on graduate careers.

Visit here -
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/ChoicesAfterYouGraduate/DG_4017755

How to write the Chronological Resume

While there is no one correct resume style, there are some general guidelines to follow to prepare a high quality resume. Plan to group information under category titles that employers will easily recognize, such as objective, work experience, and education. Follow the step by step outline below to write and lay out your resume into a chronological resume style.

1. Provide your full name, address and telephone number with area code.


2. Objective
   
   Write only one objective statement per resume. The objective should state what position you are applying for, and include a couple of reasons why you should be considered for the job. It is a good idea to write the objective to aim toward the employer's job duties and needs.


3. Work Experience
   
   
   
   
   • Begin with your most recent employment and continue backward to report your work history or volunteer activities.
   
   
   
   • List the dates of employment.
   
   
   • List the name and address of the employer.
   
   
   • List the job title.
   
   
   • Explain job duties and responsibilities in one to two sentences followed by a bulleted list.
   
   
   
   • Try to begin each bulleted sentence with an action word.
   
   
   • Write about your experience and skills to aim toward the job requirements.
   
   
   • Provide the most information about your most recent job. For example: write a brief description consisting of a few sentences followed by a short list of bulleted items.
   
   
   • Provide less information about your remaining employers with a briefer description and fewer bulleted items.
   
   
   • Show growth and progress with responsibilities.
   
   
   • Stress achievements and accomplishments.
   
   
   • List any volunteer work or civic activities that you are involved with that are related to the job. Include the dates of your volunteer service.
   
   

   Example:
   
   (Date)
   
   2000 to present Job Title Employer's Name and City and State
   
   Explain job duties with one to two brief sentences. Then add a bulleted list that explains your responsibilities and accomplishments. Begin each sentence with an action word.
   

   
   
   • Built . . .
   
   
   • Installed . . .
   
   
   • Repaired . . .
   
   
   • Ordered . . .
   
   
   
   

   1997 to 1999 Job Title Employer's Name and City and State
   
   (As above, except briefer. See "Sample Chronological Resume" below.)

   
   
   
   
   


4. Education
   
   Under education, start with your highest degree.
   
   Avoid using dates.
   
   Include academic honors.
   
   Leave out high school information if you have college education.




5. Licenses or Certificates
   
   List job-related special licenses or certificates that you may have, such as special class drivers license, guard card, or certified nurse assistant certificate.




6. Activities (Optional)
   
   List community activities or club memberships that you are involved with that are related to the job.

Modify a Bad Reputation

Reputations are built after a stream of first impressions meet and people start communicating and comparing notes about their experiences then reveling in the common ground whether it be optimistic or negative. It is just a human nature and an important endurance skill.

It takes consistent change of performance for an extended duration of time to change a bad reputation. It also takes readiness on the part of the one who made the judgment to let go of their personality and be open to changing their mind. No easy task to change a reputation to be positive.

Priority -1: Take on a marketing campaign emphasizing the change. Be serious in admitting an accepting about why things needed to change and the ensuing empowerment and eagerness since making the change.

Priority -2: Struggle to make every future first impression optimistic to the extent possible. Release the anxiety when finding those who refuse to let a reputation to change or who form a unenthusiastic first impression due to reasons you can’t control.

Top Tips for Interview

An interview is a discussion between you and an employer to find out if you can do the job. However, there are certain rules and conventions to follow in interviews. Here's a checklist of the main do's and don'ts.

Do's

• dress smartly, look bright and attentive, and speak clearly and confidently. Don't forget that only 7% of the interviewer's opinion of you is formed by what you say - the rest is judged on how you look, act and sound


• find out where the venue is beforehand, how to get there and how long it takes


• get your outfit ready the night before


• find out what kind of interview it will be so you can prepare


• examine the person specification and your CV/application form, and think about what type of questions they will ask you


• prepare answers for the main questions - for example, why do you want the job, what are your strengths and weaknesses, what are the main tasks in this job


• make about three or four points in each answer


• quote real examples of when you've used certain skills - just saying you've got a skill isn't enough


• take your time when answering the questions. Make sure you understand the question and take your time if you need to think


• sell yourself. No-one else is going to! Be positive about yourself and your experiences


• prepare some questions to ask at the end - use it as an opportunity to find out more about the role and the company. But don't ask about money or perks just yet!


• when discussing salary, know your market worth and start by quoting a little higher than this


• get feedback on your performance, whether you were successful or not


• turn off your mobile! Treat the interviewers with respect and give them your undivided attention


• keep your answers focused on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you

Don'ts

• don't be late!


• don't swear or use slang words


• don't slouch in your seat or do anything else that makes you look disinterested


• don't smoke


• don't lie! The interviewer may see through you. Even if you get the job, your employer can dismiss you if they find out


• don't let your nerves show too much. A few nerves are normal but extreme nerves will affect your performance. Use breathing techniques and try to remember that it's not a life and death situation - there are plenty of jobs out there!


• don't be arrogant and assume you've got the job. Nothing turns off employers more than someone who is disrespectful and over-confident


• don't discuss controversial topics such as religion, politics and gender relations


• don't read from notes or your CV. You should be familiar enough with your own history to be able to talk about it unprompted


• don't criticise former employers or colleagues. Interviewers may mark you down as a troublemaker and a gossip


• don't argue with the interviewer, no matter what. Remember to keep things positive!

20 Career Tips as of Chicago Business Women

I recently had the superior luck to be the only male at ceremonial dinner with 78 dynamic women.

I assist position pro bono PR support for Camp CEO, supported by the Girl Scouts of better Chicago and Northwest Indiana, so they requested me to the group's reunion dinner where high school and college-age women reunited with C-suite executives who go to site with them over the long-ago three summers. It's an wonderful program that is moving and altering lives of the students and volunteers.

Girl Scout Board Member and Camp CEO chair Mary Lee Montague, EVP for the managerial employing firm DHR International, is so passionate about the program that she has decided to chair the week-long camp for the fourth year in a row. Camp CEO helps young women improved appreciate and navigate the business world.

Mary Lee stopped up the dinner by opening a list of top-of-mind "words of wisdom" that had been public by the decision-making women while participate in this year's camp plan called "Dreaming Your Future".

These 20 short expressions are motivational for everybody, not just Girl Scouts:

• You don't forever know what you desire to be when you grow up until you get there.


• Have the bravery to make the change.


• Move to new places...a magnificent world out there!


• Be a good listener.


• Have the bravery to stand alone.


• Whatever you do be the top at it you can be.


• Leadership is...the skill to bring the best out of people.


• Create the unforeseen.


• Find your fervor in life.


• What will you do to carry hope to others?


• You can have all but not all at the same time.


• Find your say.


• If you come to a hit in the road don't make it a mountain.


• Treat people with respect; Tell them the truth.


• Every time challenge yourself.


• You may have to reinvent yourself.


• Partnering is key.


• Primary is not about being the boss...it's about having people go after you.


• Obtain away from people who don't believe in you.


• Show up on occasion!

Database Administrator

The Internet and electronic commerce (e-commerce) generate lots of data. Computer databases that store information on customers, inventory, and projects are found in nearly every industry. Data must be stored, organized, and managed. Database administrators work with database software to find ways to do this. They identify user needs, set up computer databases, and test systems. They ensure that systems perform as they should and add people to the system as needed. Database administrators often plan security measures. Data integrity, backup, and security are critical parts of the job.

Database administrators work in offices or labs. They usually work about 40 hours a week. But evening or weekend work may need to be done to meet deadlines. Telecommuting—working from home—is common for computer professionals.

Like other workers who spend long periods in front of a computer, database administrators can suffer eyestrain, back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems.

In Future
The number of database administrators is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2016. This is because many database administrators work in computer system design and related services, one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. economy. In addition, the Internet and e-commerce will continue to expand. There will be a continuing need to build and maintain databases. Also, the increasing importance being placed on "cyber security"—the protection of electronic information—will result in a need for workers skilled in information security. For these reasons and others, there will be a continued need for database administrators.

Those having a college or graduate degree in computer science or a related field will have a good chance of getting a job. Those having a lot of related work experience will also have a good chance.

Tips on How to Successfully Interview Job Candidates

Hire the right people by knowing how to uncover a candidates abilities, talents, strengths, and weaknesses.

An interview is your opportunity to find out if the applicant is qualified for the job, if they're truly interested in the available position, and if they fit your company's culture. A successful interview is a matter of asking the right questions, listening to the answers, and getting candidates to talk honestly about their abilities and attitudes.

Once you've received the bulk of your responses, narrow your stack of resumes to the top 10 candidates or so, and start by preparing a basic list of interview questions. You may want to consider briefly talking to candidates over the phone before you bring them in, as the candidate may look good on paper, but will make a terrible phone impression. When you call an applicant in for an interview, qualities to look for include good communication skills, a neat and professional appearance, and a friendly and enthusiastic manner. Remember to take objective notes and record responses during the interview to help you compare candidates when it's time to make a decision. Following are some tips to help you screen candidates and improve your job interviewing skills.

Set the framework of the interview

Tell the applicant about the interview format, introduce yourself and put the candidate at ease by outlining the basic structure of the interview. Have the applicant feel comfortable so as to speak freely and provide detailed answers to your questions. Be prepared to discuss your business' core functions, history, future plans, and culture. You may want to prepare a fact sheet that lists relevant company information.

Avoid questions with an obvious response

Try to avoid general questions that won't tell you much about the candidate. Avoid any question that can be answered with a simple yes or no. The idea is to find out how the person will perform in a specific role. Formulate your questions based on your list of desired skills.

Encourage candidates to talk about themselves

To avoid pre-planned responses construct open-ended questions that invite candidates to share information and talk about their experiences in detail. Have a good mix of experienced-based, work style-based, and behavior-based questions that will provide a complete view of the candidate's background and personality. These questions will help you gather some real information about a person's judgement, willingness to take risks, and decision-making capabilities. Following are some examples:

Experienced-based

1. What were your three biggest accomplishments in your last job? In your career?


2. Tell me about a recent project you've completed.


3. When working on a group project, what role do you typically play? Why?


4. Tell me about a time you had to make a critical decision, and what went into that process.


5. What are three things you really do well?


6. What are three areas where you need help? Work style-based

Describe a typical day on your current job.

1. What do you like?


2. What don't you like?


3. How would you react in a scenario that would require you to work independently?


4. In what situations have you disagreed with your boss?


5. What was the outcome?


6. What risks did you take in your last job and what were the results?


7. What methods do you use to make decisions?

Behavior-based

1. Describe three situations where your work was criticized.


2. Tell me about the last time that you missed a project deadline. What happened and how did you manage the problem.


3. What is the best environment for you to function?


4. What would your best reference or people you work with say about you?


5. What wouldn't they say?


6. Questions not to ask during an interview

The law is very strict about what you can't ask during an interview, and asking them can lead to a discrimination lawsuit. Questions on non-job related information such as age, race, marital status or disability are legally forbidden. When conducting an interview it is advisable to focus on the professional topics.
Sample questions of what not to ask include:

1. How old are you?


2. Are you married?


3. Are you a citizen?


4. Are you planning on having children soon?


5. Are you disabled?


6. Do you have any medical problems?


7. Have you ever filed for worker's compensation?

Bringing the interview to a close

1. Leave time at the end of the interview for the applicant to ask questions and pay attention to what he/she asks.


2. Based on the kind of questions asked you'll be able to judge if the applicant researched your company, or if they are only interested in what they can get out of the job.


3. End the interview by letting the candidate know what to expect next and when they can expect to hear from you.


4. Take 5 or 10 minutes to write down the applicant's outstanding qualities and evaluate his/her personality and skills against your job description and specifications.

CDC Careers

What's the best thing about working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the world's top public health organizations?

For Hilda Shepeard, a team leader and senior health communications specialist at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, it's not the prestige or pay: "There's an enormous opportunity to really do something meaningful -- you're touching people's lives."

Here's a closer look at what these public health protectors do and how they got where they are.

Infectious Disease Containment and More

The CDC's 8,500 employees have plenty to do. The agency's current priorities include stemming the spread of infectious diseases, such as pandemic influenza, and increasing the nation's preparedness for bioterrorism, natural disasters and other potential public health emergencies.

Most CDC job opportunities are typically for medical officers, epidemiologists, microbiologists and public health advisors/analysts. Their main activities range from researching health problems and disease-control programs to identifying epidemics, carrying out lab science, and advising state, local and foreign governments on public health matters.

But the CDC isn't just about detecting and stopping infectious diseases. For example, in response to increasing violence in society, the agency created the Division of Violence Prevention to help curb youth violence, child mistreatment and other forms of abuse.

Also playing key roles in fulfilling the CDC's mission are business disciplines such as program management, information technology and communications. Says Shepeard of her department: "We develop health communications strategies regarding sexually transmitted diseases to try to influence individual and community behaviors. It doesn't matter how good the science is; if we don't communicate it, we haven't done anything."

Guidelines To Offshore-Proof Your Technical Career

Some of the top tips also are parallel to tips experts advise for any IT career succession, whether offshoring is a risk or not.

Some of the best advice usually falls under three wide categories –

• Technology and business skills diversification


• Self promotion


• Soft skills and networking.

Skills diversification:
"If you want to move up the food chain, and keep your career secure, you've got to be a perpetual learner," says Steven Creason, assistant professor in MIS at Metropolitan State University in Minnesota and a former Accenture consultant and employment lawyer.

"Whether it's taking classes or moving around within a company, you need to broaden your skills and stay relevant to the business' needs," he says. "How many times do I need to reinvent myself? As many times as it takes," he says.

One key characteristic that can help offshore-proof your own job is education how to manage relationships with service providers and vendors -- those skills are a bonus if your company does offshore work to a third party. So, instead of becoming a aim of offshoring, you're a possible link.

However, only 55% of IT staffers say they currently have an additional important connected skill-set -- significant how to build vendor relationships. More managers -- about 77% -- maintain they have those skills.

Self promotion:
While some people shy away from self promotion, too much reserve might really hurt you career-wise. "Being a manager, marketing yourself internally, and also having a enthusiasm to step out of your comfort zone during your career" can help construct offshore-proof defenses, says Bill Wisley, who spent 20 years as an IT pro previous to joining nationwide IT staffing firm XSell as director of ERP solutions.

Once you step further than the IT comfort region, "immerse yourself into day-to-day operations, building relationships with users, and understanding how tech tools can be an asset to them and their processes," he says. "If you're coding, understand why you're coding," he says.

But most important, "make sure your direct organization knows you're maximizing your skills," Wisley says

Soft skills and networking:
Increasing solid interpersonal skills also is significant. "The strongest and best things people can do to stay valuable is to develop teamwork and communication skills," advices Mike Biela, a 20-year IT expert who last year reinvented himself as a mentor after becoming a casualty of a former employer that determined to outsource its IT process . "Acquire those interpersonal skills through training, on the job or outside the job, whether it's at a local or community college," Biela says.

Also helpful in developing valuable business and communications skills is involvement with IT professional organizations, Wisley says. Networking with other professionals in and outer your association could help you land your next job, mainly if you do get the boot since of offshoring or outsourcing.

Travel Health Guidelines for Students Studying Abroad

Study-abroad programs offer students an exciting opportunity for learning and cultural exchange. Study-abroad programs are increasing in availability and geographic diversity; thus, students can expect to deal with cultures and environments that are very different from their own.

Students may be at increased risk of illness or injury due to these cultural and environmental differences, such as climate extremes, the presence of certain insects, inadequate sanitation, and poorly lit roads. Travel to developing regions of the world, especially for a period of several weeks or months, can be particularly challenging.

Few events can negatively impact the travel experience more than becoming sick or being injured while far away from home. To reduce health risks while studying abroad, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following general guidelines for students:

Before travel

• Be sure to check with a health-care provider to make sure you are up-to-date with all routine vaccinations (i.e., measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, influenza, and polio). Diseases such as measles and mumps remain common in many parts of the world, including some developed countries.


• See a health-care provider or a travel medicine specialist, ideally 4-6 weeks before travel, to get any additional vaccinations, medications, or information you may need to stay healthy abroad. If it is less than 4 weeks before travel, you should still see a health-care provider since there may be some vaccinations, medications, or prevention information that could be beneficial to you. The section of the CDC Travelers' Health website entitled Travel Medicine Clinics has information about locating a travel medicine specialist or a travel clinic.


• It is especially important that you consult a health-care provider who specializes in travel medicine if you have a complicated travel itinerary (e.g., travel to rural areas of developing countries) or have a current medical condition that will need to be managed while abroad.


• Visit CDC's Travelers' Health website to educate yourself about any disease risks and preventive measures for the countries where you plan to study. If you are visting a developing country, you are at greater risk for illness or injury than those who travel to developed countries (e.g., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Western Europe), where the health risks are similar to those found in the United States.


• Prepare a travel health kit that includes
  
  
  
  • an ample supply of your prescribed medications in their original, clearly labeled containers (copies of all prescriptions should be carried, including the generic names for medications, and a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationery for controlled substances and injectable medications);
  
  
  • an antidiarrheal medication;
  
  
  • alcohol-based hand gel (containing at least 60% alcohol);
  
  
  • an antibiotic for self-treatment of most causes of acute bacterial illness;
  
  
  • a thermometer;
  
  
  • insect repellent containing at least 30% DEET if you plan to study in or visit a tropical or subtropical area;
  
  
  • the name and telephone number of your primary health-care provider;
  
  
  • a copy of your vaccination record.
  
  
  
  


• Familiarize yourself with basic first aid so you can self-treat minor injuries.


• Learn how to swim if you are inexperienced and plan to participate in recreational water activities while abroad.


• Consider a health insurance plan or additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick or injured, if your plan does not already offer this service. Information about medical evacuation services is provided on the U.S. Department of State web page, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad


• Identify in-country health-care resources in advance of your trip in case of a medical emergency. This is especially important if you have a pre-existing medical condition. The U.S. Department of State provides links to U.S. Embassy or Consulate websites for the country or countries you are visiting that can assist in locating Doctors/Hospitals Abroad. Several private travel medicine organizations provide assistance in locating medical care abroad; see Seeking Health Care Abroad in CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008.


• Register with the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Registration website, so the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your destination country knows of your whereabouts in the case of an emergency when it might be necessary for a consular officer to contact you. This registration is especially important if you plan to stay abroad for longer than one month, if you will be visiting a country that has an unstable political climate, or if there is a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or hurricane.

While residing abroad
To reduce your risk of illness

• In developing areas, boil your water or drink only bottled water or carbonated (bubbly) drinks from cans or bottles with intact seals. Do not drink tap water or fountain drinks or add ice to beverages. Avoid eating salads, fresh vegetables and fruits you cannot peel yourself, and unpasteurized dairy products.


• Eat only food that has been fully cooked and served hot, and avoid food from street vendors. If living with a host family, discuss any food allergies or dietary preferences in advance.


• Do not touch animals, including domestic pets, and especially do not touch monkeys, dogs, and cats, to avoid bites and serious diseases (such as rabies and plague). If you are bitten or scratched by any animal, get medical attention right away, and immediately clean the wound well with large amounts of soap and water and a povidone-iodine solution, such as Betadine®, if available.


• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before meals and after going to the bathroom. If soap and water are not available and your hands are not visibly dirty, use an alcohol-based hand gel (containing at least 60% alcohol) to clean your hands. Cleaning your hands often with soap and water removes potentially infectious material from your skin and helps prevent disease transmission.


• If visiting an area where there is risk of malaria, use insect repellent and a mosquito net for sleeping, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors between dusk and dawn, and make sure to take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after your trip, as directed.


• If you are visiting a country that has experienced an avian flu (bird flu) outbreak, avoid poultry farms, bird markets, and other places where live poultry is raised or kept. For more information, see the Outbreak Notice: Guidelines and Recommendations, Interim Guidance about Avian Influenza A (H5N1) for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad.


• Be aware that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS, are among the most common infections worldwide. The most reliable way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual activity or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship. For people whose sexual behaviors place them at risk for STDs, correct and consistent use of latex or polyurethane condoms when engaging in sexual activity can greatly reduce a person’s risk of acquiring or transmitting STDs, including HIV infection. For more information see Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

For your safety

• Automobile accidents are the leading cause of preventable deaths in travelers. Wear your seat belt and follow the local customs and laws regarding pedestrian safety and vehicle speed. Remember to check on what side of the road people drive, because this may differ in the country or countries you will be visiting. Use helmets when riding bicycles and motorcycles.


• Remember not to drink alcoholic beverages and drive. The most important risk factor for road traffic injuries is the presence of alcohol in the blood of a driver or pedestrian who is injured.


• Be aware of the cultural impact of being involved in or causing an accident that includes injury to the local population. In unfamiliar or foreign environments, utilize a local driver. It is important to note the legal age for driving varies by country.


• Swim in well–maintained, chlorinated pools, and only if you are an experienced swimmer. Drowning is also a leading cause of death in travelers.


• If visiting an area which has risk of water-borne infections (i.e., schistosomiasis), do not swim in lakes or streams or other fresh bodies of water.


• When spending time outdoors, wear sunblock for protection from harmful effects of UV sun rays. This is especially important if you are visiting tropical areas or areas in high altitudes. See Sunburn and Skin Cancer Questions and Answers for more information.


• To prevent infections such as HIV and hepatitis B, avoid receiving tattoos, body piercings, or injections.

After your return

On return from study abroad, if you are not feeling well or have been injured, get medical attention, including psychological support and counseling, if necessary.

• It is especially important for you to get health care if you have a fever, rash, cough or difficulty breathing, or any other unusual symptoms.

If you are returning from malaria-risk areas and become sick with a fever or flu-like illness, for up to 1 year after your return, get immediate medical attention and be sure to tell the doctor or health-care provider your travel history.

Career Discussion Tips

“Career discussions” are essential to career management. This website provides a great deal of information on careers, and links you to a lot of internet-based tools and resources. But the real mover of most career management comes in career discussions. Planning and carrying out a discussion of career issues can be challenging. Everyone means to do it, but often the career discussion becomes a few minutes tacked onto the annual performance review. So just what makes for a really useful conversation about your career? In this article we’ll look first at who career conversations can be held with, and then share tips for how to set them up. In part 2, we’ll look at tips for conducting the discussion itself.

Career discussions can be held with a wide variety of people. There’s really no limit…the list of useful people should begin with your immediate supervisor or manager, but can include other people in your area’s management team. Really, anyone who can give you useful guidance or answer your questions is a potential career advisor. This can include people such as formal or informal mentors, counselors, coaches, and Human Resource Management and Development Specialist within HR. People who know you well from other parts of your life can provide advice, as can other NASA people who you believe to have information that could be useful. The key is not who or where people are, but rather what they can say that will help you move forward.

Having said that, there are some basic tips that apply to setting up any useful career discussion:

Complete relevant self-assessments
Knowing yourself and your needs and wants is the first step in career self-management. Don’t approach help-providers with a totally blank slate on which you want them to write their thoughts. Rather, explore through instruments, feedback and counseling just who you are, what you have to offer, and some preliminary thoughts about what you want. Asking for feedback and reaction on these can be a good starting point.

Print out or send ahead any relevant documents
Much career-related data can be shared usefully ahead of time. Various forms and other pieces of feedback that you may have collected can be printed out and taken along (e.g., Individual Development Plan, mission statements, career goals, etc.). You might have to explain some of these in order for your guide to truly understand them. Or, you can offer to send them on ahead for him or her to read.

Determine and communicate the focus of your conversation
Career discussions work best when they have a definite purpose. While people may be helpful, it can be confusing to try responding to very general wishes to “give me some feedback,” or “help me think things through.” Depending on where you are in the career self-management process, you might want to focus on: interpreting feedback results, gathering information on options, getting feedback on a first draft career goal, or learning another person’s experience in a new role you’re considering. Clarity and specificity make it easier for people to help.

Determine outcomes
Related to the previous point is the need to have in mind a particular outcome from the career discussion. Based on where your focus will be, consider just what you want to get by the end of the conversation. This could be “a thumbs up or down judgement on my new career goal,” or “a list of other people who have made the change I’m considering,” or “suggestions for how I should develop the skills I need for that new position.” Knowing where you’re going will make it easier to set up and manage the conversation.

Schedule a time free of interruptions
Everyone’s busy. Some of the people who can help you most will be especially busy. The nature of career conversations makes it important to have uninterrupted, dedicated time. With people in management roles, you might want to ask for time away from their office, so there will be no interruptions. Depending on who you’re meeting with, meetings in the cafeteria might be useful (although they also can involve distractions). In any case, ask for some dedicated time.

Things to remember before and after your exams.

What are the most important things to do the night before an exam?
Don’t skip meals. Food is fuel for the brain, so make sure you get enough of it. Get some sleep, so you’re not tired for the big day. Get some fresh air and exercise.

What should I do on the morning of the exam?

• Eat breakfast – it’s hard to concentrate on an empty stomach.


• Give yourself plenty of time to get to the exam.


• Read all the instructions carefully when you’re in the exam room, and make sure that you understand the question before you start to answer it.


• For essay questions, write a plan first to help make sure you don’t miss anything out. Don’t spend too long on any one question – although it makes sense to spend longer on a question with 20 marks than one with only two.

Golden rules for revision

• Keep the noise down. Find yourself a quiet place to work and take regular breaks to keep your mind fresh.


• Reminders. Write important points, facts and formulae on sheets of paper and stick them by your bed, in the bathroom, on the fridge - anywhere you’ll see them regularly so they will sink in.


• Test yourself. Sit down and test yourself with past exam papers and try them against the clock.


• Highlight. The first time you read something, highlight the most important points. Use different colours and symbols to help you remember the important facts.


• Break it down. Summarise or break down whole chapters and subjects onto cards or single sheets of A4.


• Plan it. No matter how clever you are, the odd hour slotted round the TV or sports practice isn’t enough. Before you start, draw up a revision plan and keep to it. Give each subject a decent amount of time.


• Tape it. You could try putting important information on tape – some people find this helps them remember.

Life after exams
It’s important to keep things in perspective when you’re waiting for your exam grades. Yes, it’s great if you do get the grades you want, but it’s not the end of the world if you don’t. Remember, you can retake them next year. There’s always the option of taking them again later in your career.

Think positive! If you believe you’re going to succeed, you probably will.