Opportunities in Speech & Hearing Science

Speech disorders can arise in various parts of the nervous system and muscles and other apparatus involved in speech. These may lead to inability to communicate effectively. Some of these disorders however are disturbances of language rather than of speech since they result from an impaired ability to understand or to form words in the language centres of the brain rather than from any defect in the apparatus of speech production. People with speech and language disorders can be helped by speech therapy. Hearing impairment (deafness) may be complete or partial inability to hear.

Total deafness is usually congenital. Mutism – refusal or inability to speak – is a symptom off profound congenital deafness. Rehabilitation professionals in this field help people with three inter-related problems of speaking, language, and hearing. There are three types of professionals – speech and language therapists, audiologists, and teachers for the hearing impaired. Speech therapists diagnose and evaluate the individuals, speech and language abilities and plan treatment programmes to restore or develop patient’s communication skill. Audiologists are concerned with the prevention of hearing impairment.

Speech and hearing science is the study of normal functioning and disorders of the auditory system, the speech mechanism, and language processing. It is a diverse field with connections to a number of other disciplines, including anatomy, physiology, psychology, linguistics, medicine, and education. Students pursuing a major in speech and hearing science are introduced both to basic and applied research and to clinical applications. Ultimate career paths can include speech science, hearing Science, speech-language pathology, or audiology.

Hearing, speech, and language scientists study such topics as sound localization, speech perception, and language learning in both normal and impaired persons. Their research may be basic in nature or may be more applied, as in studies of the effectiveness of clinical hearing aids or voice therapies.

Speech-language pathology and audiology are concerned with evaluation, treatment, and research in human communication and its disorders. Speech-language pathologists assess and treat persons of all ages with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. They also may work with people who have oral motor problems that cause eating and swallowing difficulties. For individuals with little or no speech, speech-language pathologists select alternative communication systems, including automated devices and sign language, and teach their use.

Audiologists specialize in prevention, identification, assessment, and rehabilitation of hearing disorders. When a hearing loss exists, they determine the nature and extent of the hearing loss and recommend appropriate treatment, including hearing aids or other assistive devices. Audiologists also test noise levels in workplaces and conduct hearing protection programs.

For more info visit http://www.employmentnews.gov.in/career_details-career-opportunity-in-speech-hearing-science-232.html

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.

Choosing the best career that suits you

What are they and why do I need them?
Qualifications prove you've acquired knowledge or developed skills. They're documents that prove your achievements. For some careers like medicine and law, it's essential you have specific qualifications. For others, such as journalism, it helps to have a particular qualification.

You'll need qualifications to get onto certain courses. Most universities set entry requirements for degree courses. Mature entrants don't always need formal qualifications, but need evidence of recent study, relevant work experience or professional qualifications.

What type of course should I do?
There are work-related (vocational) and academic courses; and practical and theoretical courses. Further education colleges offer academic courses and work-related courses. Universities offer higher education qualifications, such as academic first degrees, and higher degrees, and the more vocational BTEC Higher National Diplomas.

For plumbing, a vocational course is essential. For teaching you need a degree. However, for many jobs, you have a choice between academic and vocational courses. A vocational course is better if you like doing things and learning practical skills. You might prefer an academic course if you like researching, analyzing and presenting arguments.

Which type of study would suit me best?
Do you prefer on-the-job training - or do you prefer to research and gather facts? Do you like working in a group covering the same topics and working towards the same goal?

If you want to work on your own, at your own pace, an open or distance learning course might suit you. You study from home, with the help of tuition packs, computers and tutor support via telephone or e-mail. You can speed through the course or take your time. But you do need self-discipline and motivation.

What about my financial circumstances?
Be realistic about the costs. Can you afford to give up work and study full-time? Full-time study will usually affect your financial and personal circumstances the most. Investigate sources of funding. Funding for adult, further and higher education is complicated. It depends on the type of course and your personal circumstances. Work out your outgoings - mortgage, rent, bills etc. Review your assets and income, (house, savings, partner's income) and see what your budget is.
There are hidden costs too such as daily travel, books, equipment, and money for trips. Think about equipment - will you need a computer for example?

How can I be sure I'm making the right choice?
Be realistic about your chances of success. It's easy to make snap decisions about wanting to change career. If you've not been in education for a while think about a course to ease you back in. Be clear of your goal. If you've decided on a particular job, get an idea of what the job's about and if you'll like it. Read careers information, buy trade magazines, and speak to people currently working in the job.

This research is well worth it. It's better to take your time rather than doing a course that leads to a job you might not really want. You'll ensure that you don't waste any time or money.

Top interview tips

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.

What to do:

• 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

What not to do:

• 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!

These rules apply for most jobs. However, employers in some industries can use more relaxed and informal interviewing techniques. In some creative fields (design and media for example) it may be expected that you turn up for the interview in casual clothes, as that is the dress code in the office. If you're in any doubt, do some research on typical interview technique in your line of work.

Questions that are generally asked in interview

What if I was fired from my last job?

If you were laid off as part of a universal reduction in the workforce, be honest about it but then move on quickly. But if you were excited for misconduct or not fulfilling your responsibilities as laid out in your contract, deal with this differently.

You can confess to occasional failings if you show that you've learnt from them. For instance, if you lost motivation, became lazy and got caught, describe how you intend to stay provoked in future. If you broke company policy, you could say you were going through personal or economic problems at the time, but that now they are resolved.

You should check out your references. If it was your last boss who fired you, and you have to list your last boss as a reference, phone them up to try and clear the air. Say you understand why they had to fire you, but you've learned from the experience and are looking to start afresh.

Explain that you're looking for a reference as you’re looking for work. Ask what they would say about you. Ask if they would say you were fired or if they would say you resigned. Not many bosses would keep giving you a bad reference to prevent you getting new work.

So even with these questions, honesty is the best policy. But always end with a positive, and show how you learnt from a negative experience.

What if I get asked why I've been out of work for a long time?

Firstly, stress any positive activities you've undertaken during your period out of work, such as:
• voluntary work
• courses
• keeping up with developments in your field
• treating job seeking as a full-time job
• keeping fit
• networking

You can also say that you were being selective, and not taking the first job that came along. Stress you were waiting for the right opportunity, such as the job being offered by the employer interviewing you.

What if I voluntarily left my job?

Make sure you state positive reasons for leaving. The best reason is to say that you wanted a fresh challenge, and you wanted to fully concentrate your efforts on finding your next opportunity. Reflect positively on your time in your previous job - describe how you developed in the role and say you were grateful for the opportunity.

What is the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)?

The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) is a Europe-wide qualification in basic computer skills. If you have passed ECDL, employers know you have the skills to carry out the main tasks on a computer. The ECDL is the first qualification in personal computing skills to be recognised throughout the EU. And it looks great on your CV!

You might do an ECDL if you want a basic qualification in computing to enhance your career prospects, to improve your skills or just for general interest. ECDL is open to anyone - regardless of age, education, information technology (IT) experience or background.

What does it involve?

You get a logbook listing all the modules. As you pass each module, the accredited testing body will sign your logbook. You can take the modules in any order or even all at once. Normally all tests should be completed within three years of starting.

ECDL consists of seven units, each of which has a 45 minute test. The modules are:

• Basic concepts of IT


• Using the Computer and Managing Files


• Word Processing


• Spreadsheets


• Databases


• Presentation


• Information and Communication.

Advanced ECDL
The ECDL advanced qualification aims to take your computer skills to the next level. You’ll get a certificate for passing each module.

In the UK you can study the following ECDL Advanced modules:

• Spreadsheets


• Databases


• Presentation drawing


• Word processing

What is the job of Atmospheric Scientist?

Atmospheric science is the study of the physics and chemistry of gases, clouds, and aerosols that surround the planetary bodies of the solar system.

Research in atmospheric science focuses upon such areas as:
Climatology. the study of long-term weather and temperature trends,
Dynamic meteorology. the study of the motions of the atmosphere,
Cloud Physics: the formation and evolution of clouds and precipitation,
Atmospheric chemistry: the study of atmospheric chemical reactions,
Oceanography: the study of the Earth's oceans and how they affect the atmosphere.
Some atmospheric scientists study the atmospheres of the planets in our solar system, while others study the Earth's atmosphere.

Atmospheric scientists may work in the following areas: field research, laboratory studies and/or computer analysis and modeling. Good communication skills (oral and written) are necessary as atmospheric scientists attend conferences and workshops, where they share their results with other researchers. They write papers and technical reports detailing the results of their research, give progress reports, and disseminate information on satellite data.

Atmospheric scientists may also be found working for private weather services, television and radio stations, commercial airlines, state governments, colleges and universities, public utilities, consulting firms, and aircraft and instrument manufacturing companies. They often work in groups where their different skills and backgrounds can be combined to study specific scientific questions such as the effects of aircraft emissions on the atmosphere. These multidisciplinary teams usually include people in other related careers such as aerospace engineers, electronics engineers, computer and communications technicians, photographers, science writers, data systems analysts, astronauts, pilots, astronomers, physicists, geologists, oceanographers, and biologists.

Internet Safety Tips for Parents

General rules for ensuring Internet safety.

• It’s important to be knowledgeable about the Internet, because even if you don’t have a computer at home, your child can access it at school, at a friend’s house, or at your public library.


• Create a family agreement for Internet use, including hours of use, which sites can be accessed and which ones shouldn’t be.


• Place your computer in a central, open location, like the living room, so Internet use can be supervised.

General rules for ensuring Internet safety.

• Look at the sites your child visits.


• Look into software or online services that filter out offensive material. Check with your Internet service provider (ISP) for any blocking features they might offer.


• Consider installing a children’s search engine, like Yahooligans.


• Create a special folder of “bookmarks,” or “favorites,” for your child on your computer’s browser.

Preserving your family’s privacy

• If you have a web site, avoid putting your children’s pictures on it.


• Teach your children to never give out identifying information about any family member. This includes: names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, passwords or credit card numbers.


• Encourage them to tell you if anyone is pressing for personal information.


• Teach your children that talking to a stranger on the Internet is no different than talking to a stranger on the street.

Minimizing possible risks

• Talk to your children about potential online dangers such as giving out personal information to strangers. Chat room acquaintances are strangers and your child should never arrange to meet them in the real world unless you give permission and/or know who they are.


• Better yet, if your children are young, steer them away from chat rooms. Older children should only participate in chat rooms you approve of.


• If your child starts receiving phone calls from strangers, or places calls to people you don’t know, get to the bottom of it immediately.


• Tell your children that if someone harasses them on-line, says something inappropriate, or makes them feel uncomfortable in any way they should tell you, their teacher, or a trusted adult.


• Contact the police immediately if your child receives child pornography, has been sexually solicited or has received sexually explicit images from an adult.

Tips for preparing an effective personal statement

A compelling personal statement will enable you to stand out in a field with other high-achieving persons. It will help you overcome any gaps or inadequacies in your record. It can predispose the interview panel to want to give you a Truman Scholarship rather than to merely hear your case and then decide.

The passions, accomplishments, ambition, and creativity that you present in a carefully prepared personal statement will go a long way toward success in the Truman competition. Your ability to portray well these characteristics should be of enormous value in competitions next year for graduate fellowships and admissions to highly selective graduate schools.

Writing an effective personal statement is difficult. Points in this section should help you — but count on a lot of thought, effort, feedback from the Truman Faculty Representative, rewriting and editing to produce an outstanding personal statement. The skills that you develop in writing an excellent personal statement for the Truman competition will likely be skills that you will employ throughout your professional career.

The secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components.
William Zinsser from On Writing Well

Recognize that the people who read your Truman application and decide whether you advance in the Truman competition are pros. Veteran members of the Truman Scholarship Finalists Selection Committee have read hundreds of Truman applications. They distinguish easily between the sincere and the insincere, the truth and the puffery, the carefully prepared and the hastily prepared, the substantive and the superficial. Don't try to guess what they want to read. Just write honestly, simply, and clearly about yourself and your aspirations.

Understand your motivations for a career in public service. Think about why you want to be in the public sector as opposed to the potentially more lucrative and less emotionally challenging private sector.

Get a mentor/critic to help you with the Personal Statement. Generally, this will be the Truman Faculty Representative. If you are unable to work closely with your Faculty Representative, find a professor to assist you and to encourage you when you bog down in telling your story.

Before answering any of the items, think strategically about yourself and your candidacy. Ask yourself: "What are the most important characteristics and values, goals and ambitions, life experiences and service activities that define who I am?" Then decide which of these you wish to emphasize in your Truman personal statement. Don't try to cover every aspect.

Everybody has a special story - some people just tell their story better. Share those stories that have been formative in your development as a potential change agent. These stories are often interesting and compelling.

In telling your story, you want to use your responses to Items 7-9 and 14 to bring out some dimensions that are not obvious from reading your list of activities (responses to Items 2-4). Reveal why you are committed to public service.

Writing 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.

What to do what not to do in an interview

What to do:

• 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

What not to do:

• 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 criticize 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!

Atmospheric Scientist

Careers in NASA

Atmospheric science is the study of the physics and chemistry of gases, clouds, and aerosols that surround the planetary bodies of the solar system.

Research in atmospheric science focuses upon such areas as:

• Climatology. the study of long-term weather and temperature trends,


• Dynamic meteorology. the study of the motions of the atmosphere,


• Cloud Physics: the formation and evolution of clouds and precipitation,


• Atmospheric chemistry: the study of atmospheric chemical reactions,

• Oceanography: the study of the Earth's oceans and how they affect the atmosphere.

Some atmospheric scientists study the atmospheres of the planets in our solar system, while others study the Earth's atmosphere.

Atmospheric scientists may work in the following areas: field research, laboratory studies and/or computer analysis and modeling. Good communication skills (oral and written) are necessary as atmospheric scientists attend conferences and workshops, where they share their results with other researchers. They write papers and technical reports detailing the results of their research, give progress reports, and disseminate information on satellite data.

The majority of atmospheric scientists in the United States work for the Federal Government. The largest number of civilian atmospheric scientists work for the National Weather Service and other branches of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Energy.

Atmospheric scientists may also be found working for private weather services, television and radio stations, commercial airlines, state governments, colleges and universities, public utilities, consulting firms, and aircraft and instrument manufacturing companies. They often work in groups where their different skills and backgrounds can be combined to study specific scientific questions such as the effects of aircraft emissions on the atmosphere. These multidisciplinary teams usually include people in other related careers such as aerospace engineers, electronics engineers, computer and communications technicians, photographers, science writers, data systems analysts, astronauts, pilots, astronomers, physicists, geologists, oceanographers, and biologists

Steps in filling application forms

Before you start…

It's important to plan how you're going to complete the form. Make sure you read the instructions on the form carefully. If it asks you to put the information in a certain order then make sure you do!

Online application forms

If the form is online, draft your application offline first – in a word processing package like Word – and save it to your computer. This way you'll be able to run a spell check before you copy the info into the online system. It also means you'll have a back-up if there's a problem with the form.

More and more sites offer the option of storing your application online and coming back to it. If you do this in more than one sitting, keep a record of any usernames and passwords so that you can get back in!Online forms can be longer and more complicated than paper forms – follow the instructions carefully and check how many screens you have to fill in before you can submit your application.

Paper application forms
If you’re filling in a form by hand, write as neatly as you can in black ink and use block capitals if the form asks you to.A good way to avoid mistakes and crossings-out on the final form is to photocopy the original and practice filling in this copy first. Take care of the form – don’t spill anything on it or leave it in your bag to get creased!

Some important final checks…

Whether your form is online or on paper you should:

• read it over a few times to check for spelling and grammatical errors – these are one of the most common reasons applications are rejected
• someone else to proofread it for you
• Check you’ve filled in all of the boxes that are relevant to you – if you leave an empty box the employer may think your form is incomplete. If a box isn’t relevant, put ‘N/A’ (not applicable)
• Photocopy or print out the finished form, so you have a record of what you’ve put. You'll need to be able to refer back to it at the interview stage
• Take note of the closing date and send your application form to arrive in good time.

Tips About Career Consulting Firms for Job-hunters

Before you sign a contract or pay anything to a career consulting company you have seen advertised, take the following precautions to protect yourself and your livelihood:

• Be skeptical of any employment service firm that promises to get you a job for an up-front fee and guarantees refunds to unhappy customers.


• Consider the cost versus the likely benefit of their services.


• Ask to meet with the representative in his or her office, rather than a hotel room or other temporary location.


• Get a copy of the firm’s contract and review it carefully prior to signing. Understand the terms and conditions of their refund policy. If oral promises are made that do not also appear in the contract, reconsider doing business with them or, at a minimum, have these written into the contract.


• Check the company’s track record in Georgia and nationally through the Better Business Bureau. Remember, even if there are no complaints, they may have changed names or may be too new for complaints to have been registered against them.


• Follow up with the corporate office of any employer listed in an employment service ad to confirm that the company is really hiring.


• Be wary of firms promoting “previously undisclosed” federal government jobs. All federal positions are announced to the public.


• Do not give out your credit card or bank account information on the phone unless you are familiar with the company and agree to pay for something. Anyone who has your account information can use it to take money from your account.


• If you call an 800 number, you cannot legally be transferred to a 900 number. If this happens, you will be charged excessive fees in violation of federal law.

Do you need to know what the job of a pilot is and how to become a pilot?

Pilots fly airplanes and helicopters in order to get various jobs done. Most pilots fly people and cargo from place to place. Some pilots test new planes, fight fires, do police work, or rescue people who are hurt or in danger.

Before they take off, pilots plan their flight carefully. They check their plane to make sure that it is working properly. They also make sure that baggage or cargo has been loaded correctly. They check the weather forecast to see if they will run into any bad weather on their trip. They then decide what route they should take and how high and fast they should fly.

Takeoff and landing are the hardest parts. Pilots must be especially careful during those times. The rest of the flight is fairly easy, if the weather is good. Planes have indicators to tell pilots if their trip is going according to plan. These indicators show whether there is enough fuel, whether the weather is changing, and whether the plane is on course. Pilots must check these indicators often during the trip to be sure that all is going well. If problems come up, the pilots take steps to solve them.

The law says that pilots who work for an airline cannot fly more than 100 hours a month or more than 1,000 hours a year. Most airline pilots fly about 65-75 hours a month, and work another 75 hours a month at other parts of the job. When they are flying, airline pilots must very often stay away from home overnight. Airlines have flights at all hours of the day and night. This means that airline pilots often are asked to work odd hours.

Pilots who do not work for the airlines can have unusual work schedules, too. For example, they may fly 30 hours one month and 90 hours the next. Most of them do not have to stay away from home overnight, but they may have to work odd hours.

Pilots who fly very long distances may have "jet lag." This is fatigue caused by moving through different time zones. The work of pilots who test new planes may be dangerous. Pilots who work on farms or who help police and firefighters also might get hurt on their jobs.

Flying does not involve much hard physical work. However, pilots can feel a lot of stress because they know that they are responsible for the safety of their passengers. They must be careful and quick to react if something goes wrong.

All pilots who are paid to fly must have a license from the Federal Government. They must be at least 18 years old. They must have flown at least 250 hours. To get an airline pilot's license, a person must be at least 23 years old. The person must have flown for a total of 1,500 hours, or have gone to a special school for pilots.

A doctor must also examine the person. The doctor makes sure that the person can see and hear well, and is healthy enough to fly. Pilots must also pass a written test to show that they know how to fly properly. The pilot's employer may ask him or her to pass other special tests as well.
Many pilots learn how to fly in the military. Others become pilots by going to flight schools. Most companies want the pilots they hire to have some college education. In fact, most people who enter this occupation have a college degree.

Three Reasons to Get Over Your Fear of Networking ... Now!

If you are a job hunter you’ve likely heard much about the importance of networking. Perhaps you’re reluctant to give it a try. You’re not alone.

According to a recent study conducted by Pepperdine University and Upwardly Mobile, Inc., “both the corporate and academic realms are seemingly blind to the power of networking, evidenced by a large population of students and employees who want to network but do not believe they are skilled enough to do so effectively.”

If your fear of networking is holding you back in your job search or career, here are three good reasons to get over your fear of networking fast:

1. Networking is a critical business skill.

Networking — the ability to meet new people and build mutually beneficial partnerships — is an essential business skill. It is far more than just getting out and meeting people, collecting stacks of business cards, or making countless “friends” or “connections” online. Networking effectively necessitates long-term, strategic thinking.

“You know those Verizon commercials where the entire network is standing behind a person? That’s how I see people. Everyone in my mind has a network standing behind them,” says Molly Wendell, President & CEO of Executives Network, a quickly growing peer-networking organization for executives in transition.

Individuals within your network may or may not be able to help you personally. However, they are more than willing to introduce you to people in their network who can. The ability to develop and tap into an extensive professional network is fundamental to success in business. This is true whether you are networking as a professional, job hunter, or entrepreneur.

2.Your ability to network effectively can directly impact your career achievements and income.

The Elite Networker study mentioned earlier reveals that networking is a key driver behind higher salaries and career advancement. This is particularly true of high-earning, “elite” professionals. They are adept at cultivating richer relationships and gaining more access. Thus they enjoy a higher level of success in their careers and personal lives.

ExecuNet.com – a recognized authority in executive recruiting and human capital – states, “Career advancement is all about making connections with people who can share ideas, leads and opportunities.”

The Elite Networker study illustrates that anyone can benefit significantly by improving their networking skills, habits, and mindset.

3. Networking is the most effective job search strategy.

Networking is a highly-effective job search strategy. According to the Elite Networker study, 40% of respondents found their current position through networking and referrals. Yet another study, ExecuNet’s Executive Job Market Intelligence Report 2008, reveals that 70% of job search executives found their current positions through networking.

Molly Wendell can testify to the effectiveness of networking. A few years ago, also during a tough economy, Molly spent more than 21 months looking for a job with barely an interview. Then she decided to change her approach to her job search.

Source: http://www.womenco.com/benefits/articles/3712-three-reasons-to-get-over-your-fear-of-networking-now?page=2

Ten Tips on Career Advancement

Many career experts agree that the best time to look for a new job is while you are still comfortably in your old one. If you’re starting to feel unchallenged in your present position, you may be ready for a promotion to the next level. If there aren’t many career advancement opportunities where you work, the best next job may be waiting for you elsewhere.

Nowadays, it’s up to you to take control of your professional future and make sure that you are progressing wisely down the right career path. Here are 10 proven strategies to help you get started:

1. Talk to your boss. Sit down and have a very direct and pointed conversation with your boss about your future in the company. Stress that you want your job performance to meet the company’s goals. Share your own career goals with him or her. Your boss will respect this display of confidence and maturity.


2. Ask for more. Volunteering to help out other departments or teams — or simply asking for more responsibilities — increases your value within the organization. Asking for additional work shows an interest and desire to help your department and company to succeed. It also puts a spotlight on your value to the business.


3. Volunteer for boards. If you have your career set on something beyond what you are doing in your present position, seek out opportunities to volunteer or serve on advisory boards, where you can build a reputation as someone who is passionate and dedicated to your particular industry.


4. Sharpen your people skills. Strong interpersonal skills play a crucial role in gaining the respect of your boss and coworkers; they will also attract the notice of outside influencers who might open new doors of opportunity for you. Be friendly, outgoing, and personable. Listen carefully to people, and practice being a clear and effective communicator.


5. Be innovative. Never be afraid to think outside of the box and put your business acumen to work. Stay on the lookout for creative solutions to problems that will make you — and your boss — look good.


6. Find a mentor. Develop mentoring relationships, either inside or outside the company. Recent studies have shown that four out of five promotions are influenced by a mentor higher up in the company. Mentors are also great sources of information and career guidance.


7. Sell yourself. Learn the fine art of self-promotion. If you have had major accomplishments or created successful programs, make sure people know about it — especially those in influential positions who could help you advance professionally. Let it be known that you are seeking a promotion or the next step up in your career.


8. Keep learning. A proven way to advance in your career is to be continually acquiring new knowledge. Stay on top of trends or developments in your field and make sure that your current résumé reflects those needed skills.


9. Network. Strengthen your personal network and join professional organizations, attend industry conferences, or even volunteer. The more people who are aware of your strengths and abilities, the better your chances of hearing about any new opportunities that might arise.


10. Build your reputation. In business, your reputation is the most valuable thing you own. Be known for being dependable, professional, and cooperative. Act and look the part by dressing professionally. Make a name for yourself by attending conferences, delivering speeches, or writing articles.

Source : allbusiness.com

Career Planning Tips

Building a Career
The 9 most important career planning tips is listed below:

1. Never Stop Learning

• Life-long learning is your keyword.
• The world is constantly changing, and everybody is looking for new ways of doing business.
• If you have decided that your current skills are good enough, you have also decided that your current job is good enough.
• But if you want a career in the future, you should add regular updates to your skills and knowledge.

2. Ask, Listen And Learn

• A good listener can learn a lot.
• Listen to your co-workers, your boss, and your superiors. You can learn a lot from their experience.
• Ask about issues that interest you, and listen to what they say. Let them tell you about how things work, and what you could have done better.
• Most people will love to be your free tutor.

3. Fulfill Your Current Job

• Your current job might be best place to start your career.
• It is often very little that separates successful people from the average. But nothing comes free.
• If you do your job well and fulfill your responsibilities, this is often the best way to start a new career.
• Talk to your supervisor about things you can do. Suggest improvements. Offer your help when help is needed. In return ask for help to build a better career. It is often possible - right inside your own organization - especially if you have proved to be a valued employee.

4. Build Your Network

• Your next career step might arise from your contact network.
• Did you know that more than 50% of all jobs are obtained from contact networks?
• If you have a good contact network, it is also a good place to discover future careers, to explore new trends, and to learn about new opportunities.
• Spend some time building new contacts, and don't forget to maintain the ones you already have.
• One of the best ways to get serious information from your network is to regularly ask your contacts how they are, what they do, and what is new about their careers.

5. Identify Your Current Job

• Your current job should be identified, not assumed.
• Make sure you don't work with tasks you assume are important. This is waste of time and talent.
• When you start in a new job, talk to your superior about your priorities. If you're not sure about what is most important, then ask him. And ask him again. Often you will be surprised about the differences between what you assume, and what is really important.

6. Identify Your Next Job

• Your dream job must be identified.
• Before you start planning your future career, be sure you have identified your dream job.
• In your dream job, you will be doing all the things you enjoy, and none of the things you don't enjoy. What kind of job would that be?
• Do you like or dislike having responsibility for other employees. Do you like to work with technology or with people? Do you want to run your own business? Do you want to be an artist, a designer or a skilled engineer? A manager?
• Before building your future career your goal must be identified.

7. Prepare Yourself

• Your dream might show up tomorrow. Be prepared.
• Don't wait a second. Update your CV now, and continue to update it regularly.
• Tomorrow your dream job may show up right before your nose. Prepare for it with a professional CV and be ready to describe yourself as a valuable object to anyone that will try to recruit you.
• If you don't know how to write a CV, or how to describe yourself, start learning it now.

8. Pick The Right Tools

• Pick the tools you can handle.
• You can build your future career using a lot of different tools. Studying at W3Schools is easy. Taking a full master degree is more complicated.
• You can add a lot to your career by studying books and tutorials (like the one you find at W3Schools). Doing short time courses with certification tests might add valuable weight to your CV. And don't forget: Your current job is often the most valuable source of building new skills.
• Don't pick a tool that is too heavy for you to handle!

9. Realize Your Dreams

• Put your dreams into action.
• Don't let a busy job kill your dreams. If you have higher goals, put them into action now.
• If you have plans about taking more education, getting a better job, starting your own company or something else, you should not use your daily job as a "waiting station". Your daily job will get more and more busy, you will be caught up in the rat race, and you will burn up your energy.
• If you have this energy, you should use it now, to realize your dreams.

source : w3schools.com

Career tips for professionalism

When you step out into the world with your skills, it’s important to keep a professional attitude going. What is professionalism? This term means that you have to strike that all elusive balance when things are going over the board. Keeping a distance from your peers and colleagues is a healthy sign. Keep the attitude as positive as possible, even when the going gets really tough is absolutely essential. At work we are unnecessarily surrounded by problems that we have nothing to do with. All these generally add to our distractions and instead of conserving our energy for the task at hand, we get trapped in gossip, petty politics and just a waste of time tactics. It is important to keep social contacts but you don’t necessarily have to enter the households of every person you meet.

Focus is very important. You have to deal with distracters and detractors firmly. Time management is an important tool, and so are deadlines. Everything we do is governed by time, so having an attitude that goes beyond timeliness is certainly non-productive. You can strive to excel, but remember all your actions and thoughts have to produce results in the given time frame. Gaining popularity is good, but as you scale the ladder, do not compromise your standards of ethics and productivity for a few moments of cheap fun and publicity. Some people are too harsh and others too soft, you have to fine-tune that balance between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

You yourself are important. If you suffer from low self esteem, people are going to walk all over you. In the long run, don’t keep slaving for others and forget yourself in the bargain. When you are at the giving end of the spectrum, make it felt that you also receive some benefits. Nobody is working for charity in a corporation. If you feel sensitive to an issue mull over how you are going to voice over your concerns to your seniors. Do not allow your seniors or your juniors to get away with wrong doing. Sometimes you have to educate others that what they are up to is no good. For this you need good communication skills, you have to stand up for what you believe in and for yourself. Bring to light all issues being swept under the carpet, but do it diplomatically and with some subtlety and skill. There are some problems you can solve just by facing them squarely instead of covering them up or sweeping them under the carpet.

If you are in a position of power, you can make your subordinates feel really lowly, but give them a positive signal or two so that some hope floats. Lastly, you can be a positive influence of change, even if it means deflating an ego or two. But it’s important that you don’t kill the spirit of the defaulting person at the same time.
Source : http://blogs.mybandra.com/2009/03/05/career-tips-for-professionalism

Powerful Networking

One of the first things you find in situations where you are meeting new people is that they want to know about your work…what you do. They don’t want some long drawn out life history and it would obviously be rude and nonproductive to wave off their interest. Yet, you need to be able to effectively and naturally deliver the info they seek. Stuff like, what your work consists of now, what your experience (work &/or education) is, and maybe a bit about your career goals. They just need to be able to categorize you a bit. Getting categorized sounds rude but it is meant to be helpful. If an opportunity comes up that they want to share, they need to be able to quickly pull you out of their mental filing system. Many people love to make connections and help others this way especially if it is easy and they know just the right person to refer.

So, have you spent time practicing your one minute bio? The exercise feels kinda lame and unnatural but the important thing is that you give it some thought and practice putting your voice to your thoughts about your work — where you have been careerwise and where you are going.

There is an art to networking. It is quite difficult to remember to take a moment to understand who you are interacting with and how to best present yourself in various situations. But keep your mind on it and stay aware for opportunity, not just opportunity for you but opportunity to help others somehow — that is powerful networking. The person you help may not be the one to help you but you set wheels into motion by being generous with your knowledge, info, and positive energy.

Source : http://www.steviesue.com

25 Graphic Design Career Preparation Tips

The Graphic Design Career is a fast growing career that is becoming more and more competitive with every passing day. People are realizing how much money is available and how flexible the graphic and web design career really is. You can work full-time in house in a small studio or large agency. You can earn extra money on the side, you can freelance full-time from the comfort of your own home or you can even use your skills in design to you accomplish business projects.

The bottom line is its a great choice for creative people looking to express themselves and earn a decent and comfortable living at the same time.

In order to survive in such a fast growing and competitive field though it is essential you do everything you can as early on as you can. I started in college, but I know people who are freelancing and running businesses and websites at age 14 and even younger! The age aspect should not discourage you, but should rather inspire you to get your butt into gear before other graphic designers leave you in the dust!

So no matter what age you are or what stage you are in, we have created a list of things you can do to get your dream graphic design career going in the right direction.

Graphic Design Career Preparation Tips

1. Major in Graphic Design


2. Figure Out Your Specialization


3. Plan Your Credits Carefully


4. Take Advantage of Your Counselor and Teachers


5. Take Advantage of Career Services


6. Become Involved in School Events


7. Develop Friendships With Your Classmates


8. Get an Internship


9. Get a Certificate in Graphic Design


10. Practice Your Photography


11. Learn HTML, XHTML and CSS


12. Take Some Business Courses


13. Master the Adobe Suite


14. Stay in Touch With Your Roots


15. Express Your Creativity


16. Create a Portfolio Website


17. Create a Print Portfolio


18. Create Your Own Personal Identity System


19. Create a Resume and Cover Letter


20. Research Job Requirements


21. Start Freelancing


22. Take Advantage of Design Contests


23. Build Up Your Vault of Free Design Resources


24. Get the Graphic Artist Guild Handbook


25. Start Networking

For more information : http://www.youthedesigner.com/2008/10/08/25-graphic-design-career-preparation-tips/

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.

Fresh Out of College?

Fresher and no job from campus? It is not a very comfortable situation to be in. You spent a fortune trying to acquire the professional degree, and worked very hard to earn that degree. The reward for all your efforts will follow, but one needs to be a little patient and work towards it. Getting depressed about the fact is not going to help.

First and foremost requirement is to probe oneself. What skills did you lack to get that dream job from the campus itself? Go, work to acquire those skills. Improve your command over the language, your confidence and brush up your presentation skills.

If not sufficient companies or no companies came to hire from your college, don't get disappointed, its time to approach them directly. Identify and make a list of companies of your choice. Find out the skills they would be looking for and do you have those skills? Find out the business of the company and identify how both you and the company can benefit from each other. Every job aspirant must be approaching them, so how to make yourself stand apart from the rest?

First impression is always from your résumé and the covering letter attached. Always send a neatly typed biodata. Don't know what to write in your résumé? Emphasize your objective for your career choice, your expertise area, your achievements and leave all the personal details towards the end. As a fresher you may attach details of the specialized courses you attended, any specialized training attended and achievements. In the covering letter, you may mention briefly your skills and the position you are applying for.

Try to speak to the HR personnel of the companies and give your résumé directly to them, explaining why you want to work with the company. Follow up with the company. Not all freshers recruited from campus join them and some vacancies may still exist. Following up may help get a job.

The best practice is not to wait to graduate, to start looking for a job, but eight to twelve months before graduating. Most companies come for campus recruitment in the final year and that's the time one should start gearing up for a job and approaching prospective employers.

Your efforts will definitely pay up. Don't get disheartened and work towards your goal.

Source : http://www.careerage.com/career/tips/fresher/

Your Career Growth Plan

It is important that you construct your own career growth plan, since only you can decide what career or job environment interests you. Although developing this plan is your responsibility, we encourage you to enlist the guidance and assistance of other resource people. Most important are your supervisor or staff in the Board's EEO Office or Personnel Management Division.

Setting Your Career Goal
Your goal should represent what you ultimately hope to accomplish. This goal may be to obtain a specific position or to work in a specific career field. When you set your career goal, set a reasonable time frame indicating when you would like to reach your career goal. Your career goal may include a job that you're now qualified for as well as a job you want to qualify for in the future. However, keep in mind that your career goal should be realistic and attainable-one that is reachable through your ongoing developmental efforts.

Developing a Plan of Action
Develop a plan of activities to reach your goal. Think of this plan as a step-by-step statement of the specific activities needed to reach your goal-in the order in which they should be completed. These activities or objectives should focus on enhancing your education, skills, knowledge, or experience and should be measurable and tailored to achieve your specific career goal. You must be able to recognize when you are working toward your goal and when your goal has been accomplished. Be specific and set dates. You may also consider scheduling a meeting with someone that you believe can provide you constructive feedback on your plan.

Obtaining Approvals
Your plan may require the approval of your supervisor and the coordination and assistance of other units and supervisors because of the possible need for release time, funding, or other considerations. Based on the provisions of the applicable bargaining unit contract, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement from the state for an upward mobility program or for job-related or career-related training costs, including tuition and course-required books. With prior authorization from your supervisor, you may also be given release time for career-related or upward mobility training.

Pursuing Your Plan
The personal development aspects of a career development plan can be successful only if you are committed to the plan. You should be prepared to commit a portion of your own time and effort to accomplish this plan. Completing your planned work experience and/or training activities is your responsibility. You'll need to seek help when necessary, be flexible, and periodically reassess your career development plan.

How to develop your Interpersonal skills-Group Discussion

In the group discussion participants discuss a problem or an issue. it is a forum for presenting your views to a group of people. You may or may not arrive at a perfect solution .remember the following tips that you and your Classmates should follow before you begin the given activity.

• Each member of the group should introduction yourself to the guide at first.
• Understand the subject of group discussion.
• Pay attention to the views of others.
• Contribute to the ideas clearly and effectively.
• Avoid interrupting the group discussion.
• Avoid monopolizing and let others to speak.
• Deliver of ideas should be quick and brief.
• Wait for a natural pause in the conversation before you present your view.
• Always have a smiling face throughout the group discussion.
• Try to genuinely seek a solution to the issue instead of heated argument.
• Views should be positive. If there any disagreement, criticize the idea and not the person.

Career considerations

Once you have a good idea of the career you want, the next step is to consider how you’re going to make it happen. As well as practical issues like location, salary and the job market, you may need to look into updating your skills and qualifications.


Things to consider when researching careers

After you’ve drawn up a shortlist of potential careers, there are a number of issues you’ll want to consider before putting your plan into action.

Location

If you’re not prepared to move, you’ll need to consider location. While you can probably find work as a travel agent in most large towns, if you’re looking to get into TV production there are likely to be more opportunities in London and other major cities.

Salary

You’ll have opportunities for promotion in most careers – but this doesn’t always translate to lots more pay. Is doing something you love more important than a large salary?

The job market

There’s competition in most careers, but some are more competitive than others. Careers that are seen as ‘glamorous’ can be difficult to get into without plenty of unpaid work experience, enthusiasm and a certain amount of luck. If you’re attracted to a career like this, are you prepared to put in the extra effort?

Career progression

What opportunities are there to progress within the careers you’re looking at? Once you’re in, how would you get to the next stage - either within the same line of work, or in a related field? What training is likely to be on offer?

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.

Career Tips for Interviews

The job interview can be a stressful and intimidating process. Through the experience gained by connecting job seekers with employers, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development wanted to share some key principles that will assist to make your job interview a positive experience. While no one job interview secures employment, it is your opportunity to communicate your skills, personality, attitude and work ethic to your prospective employer. Along with both personal and professional references, work experience, employability history, resume and introductory letter, all of these aspects help an employer determine if you are the right candidate for an opening. With that said, it is imperative that all of these areas receive your attention through the job hunting phase. Often young people face the challenge of limited work experience with little or no employment history. A good substitute, in this case, would be to include grades from high school or college courses which may reflect ability in a particular career cluster.

This list touches on key aspects of the interview and is in no way considered all inclusive.

• The interview is your opportunity to sell yourself

• Be prepared.

• Interviewing is a skill and can be learned.

• Through practice - your confidence will grow.

• The interview creates impressions - consider your dress, communicate your strengths, show your personality

• Remember your purpose, to let an employer learn about you and for you to learn about the employer. You need to be sure that this is the place for you.

• Expect the expected! In other words, in the interview you will be discussing several issues about yourself. These areas include your interests, your skills, your education, your experience, your attitude, your strengths and weaknesses and also your career goals (5-year/10-year). If you are prepared, you can take charge and guide the conversation.

• Know who you are interviewing with. It sends a positive impression when you are knowledgeable of an employer's products, locations, history, services, etc.

• The interview: Be on time (10 minutes early), dress appropriately, be positive, smile, maintain eye contact, speak with confidence (practice helps), maintain your posture, answer the questions and be yourself.

• During the interview: Emphasize your strengths and abilities (not where you are weak) to demonstrate how you can benefit your employer. Never criticize a previous employer, teacher, etc.; it sends the wrong message. Do not discuss your personal issues and always say thank you to the interviewer.

• Regarding the salary question, know your worth. There are several ways of finding out what people in certain career fields and with certain skills and education levels earn. Be realistic. Often people hurt themselves on the salary question as asking for too little money can hurt your chances as much as asking for too much.

• After the interview: Make sure the employer knows how to get in touch with you. Follow up with a thank-you note to the interviewer and stay positive.

• Understand that if you do not get the job that it's okay and learn from the experience. Rejection is a very real part of a job search and in many ways teaches persistence.

Dress for Success

This information focuses on two critical aspects of the job interview which are your appearance and the message your body language is sending.

Dress

Remember that when you market your job skills it all starts with the first impression. How you look is imperative as an interviewer's assessment of you has already begun when you walk in.

Some key principles include:

• Your attire should be appropriate to the industry. This means dress professionally for your interview.


• Even if a company has a casual dress code, wear a suit to the interview. Chances are your competition is.


• Your attire should be conservative - both navy and black work well on men or women, with a simple white or off-white colored shirt or blouse.


• Jewelry, ties or other accessories should be limited and tasteful.


• For women short skirts and open-toe shoes do not look as good as skirts that hang near or to the knee with hose and closed-toe shoes. Avoid bright, flashy colors. Pay close attention to your choice of make-up, purse and nails.


• Men should avoid casual shoes, turtleneck and sweaters for the interview. Socks should match your color of suit and your shoes must be shined.


• Your dress sends a message about yourself, your attitude and it's those small details that help gain an impression. Use your dress to your advantage by making the right first impression.

Non-Verbal Communication

The clothes you wear create an impression which is an important part of non-verbal communication, but so is body language. Here are some key principles as they relate to non-verbal communication.

• Maintain eye contact. If you must look away do not look down as this is sometimes perceived as being submissive.


• If you are asked to sit down, sit with your body leaning forward. Leaning back shows a relaxed attitude while leaning to either side looks awkward or evasive.


• If you shake hands at the beginning or end of the interview, do so firmly while maintaining eye contact.


• Try to reflect very little emotion. It's okay to laugh along with the interviewer but not on your own.


• Keep your chin up even if you do not feel that you have done your best.


• Be proud for taking the risk of putting yourself on the line.

Tips About Career Consulting Firms for Job-hunters

Before you sign a contract or pay anything to a career consulting company you have seen advertised, take the following precautions to protect yourself and your livelihood:

• Be skeptical of any employment service firm that promises to get you a job for an up-front fee and guarantees refunds to unhappy customers.

• Consider the cost versus the likely benefit of their services.

• Ask to meet with the representative in his or her office, rather than a hotel room or other temporary location.

• Get a copy of the firm’s contract and review it carefully prior to signing. Understand the terms and conditions of their refund policy. If oral promises are made that do not also appear in the contract, reconsider doing business with them or, at a minimum, have these written into the contract.

• Check the company's track record in Georgia and nationally through the Better Business Bureau. Remember, even if there are no complaints, they may have changed names or may be too new for complaints to have been registered against them.

• Follow up with the corporate office of any employer listed in an employment service ad to confirm that the company is really hiring.

• Be wary of firms promoting "previously undisclosed" federal government jobs. All federal positions are announced to the public.

• Do not give out your credit card or bank account information on the phone unless you are familiar with the company and agree to pay for something. Anyone who has your account information can use it to take money from your account.

• If you call an 800 number, you cannot legally be transferred to a 900 number. If this happens, you will be charged excessive fees in violation of federal law.

Sole parents - 10 career tips to help you unleash your potential

Sole parents face many challenges. They often need to juggle a whole range of different issues – childcare, family, home, work, education and financial management on their own. Here are ten tips which will help you to develop your career.

1. Take responsibility for your life & career - take charge

Be proactive and positive. Self care is an important step - only after you look after yourself can you look after others! Be kind to yourself, this can be a positive growth process - if you allow it! Be the best parent you know how to be and be proud of yourself. Ban the “G” word from your vocabulary (guilt). You don’t need to be a victim to external circumstances. You are in charge!

2. Make a 'date' with yourself

Don’t jump straight into preparing your resume; you deserve to take “time out” to think. Do a “stocktake” of your skills, values and interests. Your life experiences provide a wealth of knowledge and skills you can tap into. This can include both paid and unpaid work and volunteer jobs. Think about childhood dreams – is there something you always wanted to do? Get in touch with “yourself” – what are your talents? What resources are available on Australian WorkPlace and other websites to help you do your “stocktake”.

3. Know your challenges

Facing your challenges and fears helps you to deal with them. As a sole parent, there may be a variety of issues to deal with, such as childcare, financial stability and commitments, relationship and ongoing role of ex partner, negative perceptions of a “sole parent”, fear of failure, lack of formal education or qualifications, age and conflicting needs between home and work, etc. The important thing is to realise that if things are getting too hard for you – you don’t have to do it alone. Seek help and counselling if needed. It helps to have someone to talk to.

4. Getting the work-life balance right

There are many aspects of your life you need to consider. As a sole parent – you wear many hats – and often at the same time! Think about the things that are important to you ie work/family/study/interests and consider a portfolio approach. Work out what will guarantee your income and allow you the freedom to do things you feel passionate about including education and training. You may need time to explore and discover your direction.

5. Nurture your support networks

Childcare is often the most difficult issue and contingency plans must be in place. Meeting other people in the same situation as you can lead to many positive opportunities. Know the supports in your local community and availability of childcare. Build your network of family and friends who can help and support you.

6. Trial and error without judgement

Exploring is an exciting time, where you are heading in a different direction and trying out new things. Taking risks is necessary and at the same time learning not to judge yourself on the results. Exploring involves risks otherwise there would be no growth. Find a direction you are interested in and take small steps. Find the things that energise you and give them a try. Ideas such as home based business may be a possibility. The internet is a great place to help you explore ideas.

7. Network, network, network

Take time to talk to others about opportunities and ideas. Generally people like talking about themselves and what they do. As a sole parent – you already are a good networker – look at all the people you talk to during one day!

8. What education and training do you need?

The JET advisor at Centrelink is an excellent contact. Courses such as Work Opportunities for Women through TAFE can help you find a direction. Make an appointment to see the Counsellor at TAFE or University to help you research study choices. Local community centres may offer courses as well. This can help ease you back into study and help give you the confidence to move forward.

9. Reality check

Talk your ideas over with a trusted colleague or friend for a different point of view.

10. Inspiration

There are many web sites which can give you information and ideas. The internet is also an excellent medium to meet other sole parents. Explore sites such as

• Community.gov.au information and services for Australians

• Parent Link

• The Single Parent Network

• Single Parents

Career Tips

Work in the outdoors and make a difference!


EMPLOYERS
Positions are usually in government agencies or non-profit organizations. Many people begin with a seasonal position to gain experience and get a feel for the variety of opportunities available. These positions often do not offer the full range of benefits such as insurance and retirement, but they do offer greater flexibility and experience that can lead to a better position later on.

Electron microscope

How would the field of science have developed without the invention of the microscope? Although magnification by simple lenses has been practiced since ancient times, the first compound microscope wasn't discovered until the late 16th century. While experimenting with a pair of lenses mounted on a sliding tube, Dutch spectacle makers -- Zaccharias Janssen and his son Hans -- discovered that nearby objects appeared enlarged. In 1609, Galileo improved upon their experiments and worked out the principal of lenses with a focusing device. In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Anton van Leeuwenhoek of Holland, often referred to as the father of microscopy, developed lenses that could magnify objects up to 270 times and made numerous biological discoveries with microscopes he built. By the early 1900s, the compound microscope had evolved to its present form. Although sophisticated, special-purpose, modified microscopes have emerged since then, modern light microscopes still cannot distinguish objects smaller than half the wavelength of light and have limited magnification capabilities. In the 1930s, German scientists Max Knott and Ernst Ruska introduced the electron microscope, which utilizes an electron beam with a smaller wavelength. This invention now allows scientists to magnify at levels up to 500,000 times.