TIP OF THE WEEK - February 22

JOB TRENDS for 2010 and beyond

Based on macro trends seen today, the career categories listed below should be in relatively high demand throughout the next 10 years. Almost all jobs, no matter how secure, will experience ups and downs due to the economy and unexpected changes in technology. Thus there is no guarantee. The key to survival and winning in the career game is to be the best at what you do. Even in tough times, the people who have a reputation for being the best in their field will do better than most.
Career Categories with high demand according to careerplanner.com:

Business, such as; Marketing, Financial Services, Internet Specialists and Advertising Executives
Education, such as; Teachers and Aides
Entertainment, such as; Producers, Directors, Musicians, Writers, and News Anchor Persons
Health Care, such as; Surgeons, Chiropractors, Hygienists, Nurses, Therapists, Physicians, Radiology Technicians, and Medical Lab Technicians
Information Technology, such as; Computer System Analysts, Computer Engineers, WEB Specialists, JAVA Programmer, and IT Manager
Law/Law Enforcement, such as; Correction Officer, Law Officer, Anti-Terrorist Specialists, Security Guard, Tax Attorney 
Services, such as; Social Workers, Veterinarian, Aircraft Mechanic, Guidance Counselor, Landscape Architect, and Caterer
Technology, such as; Electrical Engineers, Biological Scientists, CAD operator, and Product Marketing Engineer

TIP OF THE WEEK - February 15

Cramming Techniques for Exams
Cramming for exams should be avoided at all costs. You should only cram for an exam as a last resort. It's hard to take in and retain a large amount of information in a short period of time. Some of the tips on studying and preparing for a test may overlap with the cramming techniques below.

1)Eat some food to give you energy to study but avoid consuming excess sugar which will make you hyper and will make it more difficult to study.

2)An apple does a better job at keeping you focused and awake than caffeine.

3)Find a well lit place with no distractions around to study but don't get too comfortable or you may fall

4)Keep a positive attitude, it is easier to study when you are relaxed than when you are stressed out.
 
5)Since your time is limited you have to choose what you study. Don't attempt to learn everything, focus on things that will get you the most points on the exam.

6)Focus on the main ideas and learn key formulas. Skip the details for now and only come back to them if you see that you have time after you have learned the key points.

7)Write down the key ideas/formulas on a sheet of paper and keep on studying from that sheet, repetition is important.

8)Highlight the important points in your notes, and text and focus on that.
 
9)Read the chapter summaries (they usually do a good job at summarizing the important points). If there're no chapter summaries then skim through the text and write down key ideas.

10)Study from past tests, review questions, homework & review sheets.
  
11)Take at least one five minute break an hour so that you can gather your thoughts and let your brain relax.
 
12)If time permits, try to get at least 3 hours of sleep (one sleep cycle) before the exam so that you don't fall asleep when taking your exam. Don't forget to set your alarm!

TIP OF THE WEEK - February 8

Career Tips for Students

Figuring out what to do for work is a process that happens over time, rather than a single one-time decision. Career Planning is a developmental, thought-provoking process. You must examine yourself: your interests, your temperament, and your values. You then need to think about what you want in a job.

Establish Tentative Personal/Career Goals
Write them in terms of short range and long range objectives, with an emphasis on what you plan to do after high school. Remember, you must continue your education and training beyond high school in order to support the life style you want.

Discuss Your Career Goals With Counselors, Teachers, & Family
Ask their advice, and encourage their input so you can evaluate their suggestions and ideas along with your own.

Explore Occupations and Gather Career Information
Store your collection of materials, articles, and pamphlets in a loose leaf binder or scrapbook. Find out what education or additional training will be required to pursue the careers of your choice.

Conduct Informational Interviews
Talk with people who are working in occupations that interest you. Consider using a tape recorder to take notes. Ask your counselors or parents to assist you in arranging field trips to see various work environments.

Develop a Resume of Activities, Honors, and Achievements
This can be used later when you apply for part-time jobs and volunteer to work in community and civic activities.

Assemble a List of Admission Requirements and Qualifications
This list will assist you in determining how competitive you are. Two and four-year colleges, military organizations, and trade schools have entrance requirements. Collect college catalogs and other brochures. Ask about open house activities.

Visit Colleges or Other Education/Training Sites
Talk to professors and administrators, interview students, sit in on classes, tour facilities, read the bulletin boards and get copies of its newspapers. Develop a list of questions to be answered, and names, addresses and phone numbers of key contacts. Make sure that the institutions offer the type of education and/or training you will need to pursue your career choices. Inquire about the placement of their graduates.

TIP OF THE WEEK - February 1

Four Ways to Graduate in Four Years

 

If you think four years of college is expensive, try five. You may hear jokes about fifth-year seniors, but the extra time and money you’ll spend on an additional year in college is serious. Not only will you pay another year’s worth of tuition, textbook costs, campus fees and other education expenses, but you won’t be earning money in your first job or getting started in graduate school.

Don’t count on graduating in four years without putting some effort into making it happen. Less than four in 10 students earn their bachelor’s degree in four years. Here are four things you can do to graduate on time.

 

1. Decide on your major early. The sooner you decide on a major, the sooner you can complete the requirements. Start thinking about your major the first day you arrive on campus or earlier. Don’t rush selecting a major; if you aren’t happy with your selection, changing majors later could set back your four-year plan. Declare your major as early as possible, but no later than the end of your sophomore year.

2. Figure out what classes you’ll take. Once you’ve decided on a major, get organized. Figure out what classes you’ll need to complete your major requirements in four years. Get your general core requirements out of the way first. Talk to your advisor to help form your four-year class plan. Once you’ve created a plan to graduate in four years, check in with your advisor at least once a semester to discuss your progress. Some classes are harder to get into than others, so sign up for them as early as possible to secure a spot. If you followed your graduation plan and run into trouble getting into a class that you need to graduate, you may be able to appeal to the department head.

3. Take at least 15 credits per semester. Take enough credits each semester so you can complete your graduation requirements in four years. This usually turns out to be around 15 credits per semester. Don’t drop classes. If you fall short, make up the credits right away — either over the summer or during a winter session. It’s not enough to sign up for courses worth 15 credits; you must do well enough in them to pass or you won’t earn the credit.

4. Look into four-year guarantee programs. Some schools have four-year graduation guarantee programs. These programs, like the one at , require students to pledge at the start of their freshman year that they are committed to graduating in four years. Students are often required to declare their majors during their first semester and agree not to change majors. The school agrees to make this happen by providing advising resources and facilitating registration. See if your school has a program like this during your first semester on campus.

With a little planning, you should have no problem earning your degree in four years.

TIP OF THE WEEK - January 25

Netiquette...

E-guide on social interaction and communicating electronically.

Communicating clearly on the Internet without creating misunderstandings is a challenge. One problem is that you haven't any facial expressions, body language, or environment to help you express yourself; another, that there is little "give and take" for developing what you mean to say or are discussing.

These guidelines hopefully will help you:

Be clear - Make sure the subject line (e-mail) or title (web page) reflects your content.

Use appropriate language - If you have a question on whether or not you are too emotional, don't send the message, save it, and review it "later", remember:  no one can guess your mood, see your facial expressions, etc. All they have are your words, and your words can express the opposite of what you feel.  Don't use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS--it's equal to shouting or screaming.

Be brief - If your message is short, people will be more likely to read it.

Make a good impression - Your words and content represent you; review/edit your words and images before sending.

Be selective on what information you put in an e-mail or on a web site. Information on the Internet is very public, and can seen by anyone in the world including criminals, future employers, and  governments.

Forward e-mail messages you receive only with permission of the sender.

Remember you are not anonymous - What you write in an e-mail and web site can be traced back to you.

Consider others -  If you are upset by what you read or see on the Internet, forgive bad spelling or stupidity; If you think it violates the law, forward it to the FBI or your state's Attorney General.

Obey copyright laws - Don't use others' images, content, etc. without permission Don't forward e-mail, or use web site content without permission. Visit the Library of Congress' Guide on "Copyright Basics ".

Cite others' work you use -  Refer to the Guide on “Citation”.

Use distribution lists appropriately and with permission.

Do not send SPAM - SPAM is posting or e-mailing unsolicited e-mail, often advertising messages, to a wide audience (another way of thinking of it is electronic junk mail).

Don't forward chain letters - If you receive one, notify your web master.

Don't respond to "flames" or personal attacks -  Contact your web master for action and referral.