Skills

Teaching Assistant: The Next Best Thing to Being a Teacher

July 1, 2013 by Guest Contributor

Teaching Assistants often lead rewarding careers in education. People who enjoy being around children and helping them learn find that TA jobs can be enriching experiences. Such positions are also a great way to determine if working in an academic setting is the right life-long career choice. While entry-level TAs can become valuable supports for classrooms and schools, TAs with advanced experience and training may even garner greater levels of responsibility.

What Does a TA Do?

A teaching assistant is seldom bored. Each day may require various tasks that may involve helping the teacher prep for an activity, one-on-one tutoring, supervising children at a task, or any other number of things that come up during the school day. Both teacher and TA may operate as a team most days; though, TAs rarely must lead lessons and are often subject to the teacher’s direction. However, this arrangement is often what TAs love so much about their work. They aren’t responsible for lesson planning or grading so they can focus their attention primarily on their relationships with the students and finding ways to [Read more…] about Teaching Assistant: The Next Best Thing to Being a Teacher

What “IT” Skills Pay Most for Undergraduate and Experienced Developers?

June 1, 2013 by Guest Contributor

The IT field has blossomed over the last few decades, with the UK labour force climbing from a few thousand developers thirty years ago to more than one million today. The skills available for an IT student to learn have also proliferated with the development of new programming, scripting and markup languages, which appears to give those hoping for a career in IT more choice—except that all of those skills do not pay the same or offer the same earnings prospects for the future. The following is a summary of what skills IT students should seek in order to launch their careers and enjoy success and greater earnings as their careers progress.

Junior Salaries — Data source: workcircle.co.uk

Right After Graduation

The more money IT graduates earn right out of uni, the faster they can be rid of their student loans, so a decent earnings rate early in your career is important. In this regard, Java is widely taught by IT schools, and many study it, but the market for Java developers has become oversaturated with candidates, and rates at which employers hire new Java developers has not kept pace. Similarly, PHP is relatively new and exciting and everyone is jumping on the PHP bandwagon, but that serves to oversaturate the employment market and make obtaining a PHP job directly out of school more difficult.

For new graduates, the market is particularly attractive in older, more basic languages such as C++ and .net. More than half of junior developers use their C++, .net and related skills in the early stages of their careers, so having them is attractive to prospective employers and increases the chance of quality remuneration to begin with. Jobs requiring Perl tend to pay better than jobs requiring PHP.

Junior vs Graduate Roles — Data source: workcircle.co.uk

In a Progressive Career

The type of initial IT job makes a difference to career progress, as does the industry. For example, testers are far less regarded than first-instance developers, so that a job in testing often means lower initial pay and much lower prospects for career advancement—which greatly affects future pay rises. Also, while the game industry seems to be rich with opportunities, the rates of pay in game development are comparatively low and the hours long and taxing, with some game development work even being outsourced to other countries such as India, where the cost of living is much lower and programmers work for much lower wages.

One nugget of gold for progressive careers is Oracle. Although beginner jobs rarely use Oracle skills, developers with solid experience and facility with Oracle tend to make among the best salaries available to developers today.

With so many IT students graduating today, and so many working IT professionals already in the market, a wise choice of skills to learn in school, as well as a wise choice of job types and industries to join, pays off in both the short term and the long term.

Increase in Salary over Junior — Data source: workcircle.co.uk

About the Author:

Tim Aldiss writes on behalf of workcircle.co.uk who search the UK’s top job boards, employers and agencies so you don’t have to!

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Tutor Others While Between Jobs

March 4, 2013 by Guest Contributor

Searching for a job can be frustrating as you put in application after application. If you’re looking for something to do while you are between jobs, then you should definitely consider becoming a tutor. Here are a handful of benefits that you can gain from being a tutor.

A Reliable Source of Income

The amount of money that you will make as a tutor can vary, but you can potentially make enough money to cover your bills. In fact, you may be able to get a full-time job as a tutor. A full-time tutor can make anywhere from $10 to upward of $80 per hour, but again, the pay is contingent upon many factors including the subject you tutor, the location and the affluence of your students.

Flexible Hours

If you become a tutor, then you will generally have the opportunity to set your own hours. Many tutors only work during the evenings and weekends. Because school is out during the holidays, you may have students who need to “catch up” during this time or conversely they may have no assignments and you will get the chance to have several days off. Furthermore, you may have the opportunity to set your own hours and work whenever you please if you become an online tutor.

Travel

There is a high demand for native English speaking tutors overseas. So even if you have no training or certifications it is possible to [Read more…] about Tutor Others While Between Jobs

The Organized Registered Nurse

February 18, 2013 by Guest Contributor

Organization is critical for registered nurses and even for those who are just enrolled in a registered nursing program. When it comes to multi-tasking, RN’s need to hone their skills quickly. Being organized won’t only improve a nurse’s ability to provide the best possible care, but it is also a critical tool to help alleviate the stresses that can unfortunately be considered an “occupational hazard” for many busy nurses.

Here are 6 ways registered nurses and those in a nursing program can stay organized.

1. Good Registered Nurses Get to Work a Little Early

Arriving on the job a few minutes before starting is important for you to start your shift off on the right foot. Taking the time to organize your station, inventory your supplies assess the environment and get feedback from the other nurses who you are relieving will help you start your shift in a calm, intentional manner.

2. Registered Nurses Set Daily Priorities

One of the most helpful ways to tackle organization as a nurse is to establish a system of prioritizing tasks. Obviously, the tasks that are the most unpleasant tend to be put off until the end of the shift or even worse, left for the next shift. This starts a cycle of dread and is not a positive way to start your shift. Consider tackling these tasks first thing to get them out of the way.

3. Registered Nurses Take Charting Seriously

Charting, many nurses’ least favorite task is perhaps the most critical task necessary to provide a continuum of care for the patient. Consider taking the time to document as you go along, pausing momentarily to complete the necessary documentation on each patient before [Read more…] about The Organized Registered Nurse

Shortcuts to a Good Job: Online Certificate Programs, Career Training or Community College?

December 3, 2012 by Jorgen Rex Olson

Attending a big University may seem like the American dream. But there are many obstacles to completing college. For some, it could be the cost while for others, they simply don’t have the time to sit through four years of school.

Someone with small children who desperately needs a better income may not be able to attend a traditional college to get the education they need. And if you’ve been making decent money but abruptly lost your job, you may not have four more years to upgrade your skills. There are many reasons why a four-year college may not be the best fit for some students.

The good news is that there are plenty of career training options that can be completed in a shorter period of time, that will still give you, the graduate, the opportunity to upgrade your skills and earn a higher wage.

Here are some options that you should consider if you are looking for a decent job in a shorter timeframe.

Online Certificate Programs

There are several schools that offer certificate programs that will not earn the student a diploma. These courses simply help the student pass the certification test for a certain field, so they can begin work immediately. Depending on the course chosen, these programs may take from a few weeks to several months to complete. These courses are usually offered online, although classroom learning may be available or required for certain programs. Some of the most common certificate programs are Information Security, IT technology such as Linux, Paralegal, Medical Coding and Billing, and various art and design certificates. A student pursuing Online Certificate Programs, however, should [Read more…] about Shortcuts to a Good Job: Online Certificate Programs, Career Training or Community College?

Leadership Styles in Management

November 30, 2012 by Melanie Bayon

Effective Leadership Styles

One of the most important tools for corporate managers is leadership. Corporate managers generally arrive in their successful positions through hard work, diligence, and the proper training and education. Often coming from executive MBA programs and other top schools, corporate managers will have worked their way up as specialists in their fields into broader roles that let them lead teams and large groups of people to ensure company success. Because team management can be stressful and project development often comes under a tight deadline, it is necessary that corporate managers have the leadership skills to ensure everyone they supervise fulfills their respective roles to the best of their abilities. A good understanding of leadership and leadership qualities is essential for the corporate manager.

No Leadership Formula

There is no magic formula for successful leadership, just as there are no unique set of traits that leaders share that make them effective. Qualities like integrity and empathy, assertiveness and likability, good time management and good decision making skills are all qualities that good leaders can possess, either alone or in combination with one another. But an effective leader does not have to be well liked to motivate people, and a good leader can make good decisions without a strong sense of empathy. Thus, it is necessary to look more closely at the actions of leaders and the styles that leaders can adopt.

3 Different Leadership Styles

There are essentially three different leadership styles in management. Each has its place and is closely tied to [Read more…] about Leadership Styles in Management

Career and Job Success Tips

November 21, 2012 by Jorgen Rex Olson

Tips for a Successful Career and Job

We all know that during a double-dip recession people will lose their jobs, the economy revives a bit and then more people lose their jobs. Whether you are worried about losing your current job or you have been out of work for months, you may be nervous about getting or keeping a job. With unemployment averaging 7.9% , the job market is rough, and there are many job seekers competing for a relatively small number of positions. When you’re applying for employment, you must make sure that you keep your mind open.

Career and Job Success Tip #1 – An Open Mind

When job hunting, most people are looking for a position just like the one they just left. While you know that you are definitely qualified for a position like that, you may not be aware of the fact that you are limiting yourself in many important ways. For example, if you were declared redundant at your old job, there is no guarantee that a new company will be any kinder. It is possible that you are in a shrinking field. Imagine the plight of leather buggy whip makers after the advent of the “horseless carriage.” The smart ones found jobs making something else like leather boots, leather wallets, leather belts, etc., rather than continue to look in a shrinking field. So to be truly effective, you have to expand your horizons and look in fields that you never considered before.

Remember that there is no such thing as a useless skill. When taken in a broad context, every skill is useful, and there is a job out there that requires it. The job may not be one that you want to do, but you may also find that when you [Read more…] about Career and Job Success Tips

An Information Technology Career

November 7, 2012 by Sachin

Information Technology

With the rapid expansion of new technologies across the entire computer universe, it’s a great time to be interested in a career in the Information Technology field. There are so many different job opportunities available as companies struggle to maintain a leadership position in their industry. Almost any type of business, from retail to manufacturing, is implementing more and more computersystems and methods in an effort to stay competitive. It requires everything from knowledge of basic personal computer operations to networks, servers and even the latest wireless devices. It is certainly more complicated today than at any other time in history, and that is why well-trained, professional Information Technology personnel are always in demand.

Education is an important key in getting a job in the information technology field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are a variety of careers in Information Technology including:

Computer programmers which require a Bachelors degree and earned an average of $71,380 in 2010. Computer systems analysts earned an average of $77,740, Database administrators averaged $73,490, Network and computer systems administrators earned $69,160, while Software developers earned $90,530. With only some college Computer support specialists were still able to earn an average of $46,260 at the other end of the spectrum Computer and information research scientists require Doctoral or Professional degrees and average over $100,000 per year. So there are a variety of different types of positions available in the Information Technology field to suit a variety of different career needs at a variety of different education levels.

The question for you is: what kind of company you want to work for, and what kind of position you want?

Get Rid of IT Career Stagnation Once and for All

Answer the Basic Questions

The most efficient way to find the right career for you is to use a professional IT recruiter. If you’ve recently graduated from technical school, or if you have many years of previous experience, you have to set goals for yourself and decide exactly what you want to do with your career:

4 Tips for Staying Organized in College

October 21, 2012 by Melanie Bayon

What is the Real Unemployment Rate? One thing about college is guaranteed: When you start, you’re going to be inundated with paperwork, emails, names, phone numbers, and a million other things you’ll never remember. Here’s the good news: You don’t HAVE to remember them, because we’re going to tell you how to stay organized in college.

1.) Keep Hard Copies of Things that Matter

This includes (but is not limited to) emails and any work that is submitted online. Technology is great, but it isn’t foolproof. If you email your professor your essay and he notifies you after the due date that he never got it, in addition to forwarding him the email from you “sent” folder, provide him with a hard copy of the email you originally sent.

This is also beneficial to do when you’re dealing with money online. Bank statements, student loan information and receipts, resumés, etc. should all be in your possession in hard copy, in addition to floating around somewhere in your computer.

2.) Organize Important College Paperwork in a File Cabinet

All of that important (and sometimes confidential) paperwork looks fantastic in a messy pile on your computer desk, right? Wrong! It’s also unsafe and could be damaging should you start to lose track of things. Clearly labeled file folders will keep your information secure and organized, just as you need it. This is perfect for receipts, scheduling information, student loan documents, and all of those other hard copies you’re going to start to keep. [Read more…] about 4 Tips for Staying Organized in College

How College Students can Write a Powerful Resume

September 26, 2012 by Tim McMahon

Resume Writing for College Students-

Gather the info: Get all of your data, such as your grades, main courses, projects, internship details, achievements and experience. With all the information in one place, you are ready to start your resume.
Understand the Job Needs: Read the job ad carefully and find out what skill and experience it needs. If you feel you are a good fit, begin to build a resume.
Tailor Your Resume to the Job: Employers only spend about 30 seconds on each resume unless you catch their attention. You need to make your resume look like you were custom tailored for the job. Explain how your specific experience makes you the perfect fit for the job. With the ease of Wordprocessing software, each resume should be [Read more…] about How College Students can Write a Powerful Resume