Month: May 2011 (Page 3 of 4)

Benefits of Volunteer Work

May 14, 2011 / Michelle Burton

Photo Credit: A.S. Zain / Shutterstock.com

Whether you’re interested in giving back, gaining work experience or filling work gaps, volunteer work has many benefits. For starters, as a volunteer worker, you can gain valuable work experience that can help you begin building a resume. For students, volunteering full-time during the summer months or on weekends during the regular semester will impress future employers and help you stand out from the crowd. For non-students, volunteering anytime will strengthen your resume and help you obtain skills that can lead to advancement opportunities.

Next, volunteering can actually help you find potential employers. When you volunteer, you’re always meeting new people. These people may give you job leads. By volunteering for programs related to your career field, you are also more likely to meet important contacts or other professionals with the same interests.

Volunteer work can help you gain valuable skills. For example, if you’re working for a non-profit, you might learn all about fundraising and develop skills related to working with groups. You might handle donations, help manage projects, and organize events. An organized candidate with management skills and the ability to work with large groups is a great asset to hiring companies.

While working with non-profits can help you gain valuable experience and skills, other fields can do the same. Other fields that may be open to volunteer workers are:

-Education
-Disaster Relief
-Community Development
-Research
-Medical/Health
-Construction
-Administration
-Land Conservation
-Parks & Recreation

To apply for a volunteer position at any given company, all you have to do is contact the company’s human resources department by email or phone and inquire about volunteer opportunities. Most companies have volunteer, internship or other similar programs. If they don’t, they will likely be open to the idea. The human resources department will tell you how to apply if opportunities are available or if they would be willing to consider it. If opportunities are seasonal, the department will give you information about the best times to apply. You will have the option to apply online or via snail mail.

You can also search for volunteer opportunities by visiting any of the following websites:

Good Luck!

Your Career, Your Education, Your Network, Your Team, Your Workplace

Which Careers Require Continuing Education?

May 12, 2011 / Michelle Burton

Continuing education is usually mandatory for jobs that require a license or certification. Continuing education may consist of a few courses or an entire program which can be taught online, on-campus or other location. The different types of careers that require continuing education are in the medical field, education, real estate, law, engineering and construction, to name a few.

Continuing education is not only important to keep up with changes in the law, it is also important to keep up with competition and modern developments. Many companies also require continuing education as a condition of employment. For example, many human resources professionals must attend continuing education classes to stay current with employment laws, salary trends, and other employment related issues.

Although many continuing education courses or programs are mandatory, some are 100 percent voluntary. Many of these programs are for personal development only, so they do not have to be accredited. Courses or programs that are required as a condition of employment or for maintaining licensure or certification must be accredited. Accreditation is a voluntary process. However, only an accredited program or course will meet the requirements of employers and licensing agencies.

There are literally dozens of recognized accrediting agencies covering hundreds of specialized programs and courses. For example, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council Committee is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Before signing up with any given continuing education course or program, especially if it’s a requirement for an employer or licensure, please verify that it’s accredited and that the agency is recognized.

To find out if an agency is recognized by visiting the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

Your Career, Your Education, Your Workplace

continuing education

Family & Career- A Paradox Parents Must Embrace

May 11, 2011 / admin

As soon as you find out your due date for sure (that is, allowing for two weeks leeway either way), you and your partner will have to sit down and decide once and for all how you are going to balance your family and careers. You’ll have to answer a number of questions, which will include but not be limited to:

• How much maternity leave (or Family and Medical Leave as is it sometimes called now) does she have?
• Does he have any paternity/Family and Medical Leave, and if so, how much does he have?
• How long should she work before starting her leave?
• What childcare preparations will need to be made, and when do those arrangements need to be made?

Concerning Family and Medical Leave

According to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), each parent can take twelve weeks off from their jobs for a birth without losing insurance coverage. So, one of the decisions that may need to be made here is whether both people will take off at the time of the baby’s birth, or will the father wait until the mother is ready to return to work before taking his time off?

One thing the mother will have to keep in mind while deciding this is how long she will be able to work before she must start her leave. If she is having no problems, and she has her doctor’s approval, there is no reason why she can’t work literally “up to the last minute.” If she must take off for an extended period of time before then, however, she may want to consider taking vacation or sick time, and keeping the 12-week FMLA time until after the baby is born.

The father delaying his time off can have a lot of advantages, especially if the child is born prematurely or develops some health problems after birth. The mother can take her 12 weeks and then the father can start his 12-week leave as soon as hers runs out, thus giving them a total of 24 weeks before they have to utilize the childcare arrangements that they have made.

Regarding Childcare Arrangements

Your should make childcare arrangements as soon as possible after you find out your due date. Popular childcare facilities might have long waiting lists.

These are only a few of the issues surrounding the family and career paradox. Others include one of the parents not realizing until it happens that leaving their precious bundle of joy to return to a career is just not an option. Another one is that which was already mentioned—a child having health problems that may preclude a parent being able to return to work. And, in this case, it may not always be the mother who has to give up the career. Depending on who makes the most money, the decision to fore-go a career may very well rest on the father.

Ultimately, who wouldn’t want a perfect balance of family & career in their life?

Uncategorized

Why Major in Political Science?

May 11, 2011 / Michelle Burton

A political science degree is a common degree of choice for aspiring attorneys, public administrators, public relations specialists, and journalists. Although political scientists can find work in these fields and many others, many work in education, research, and government. These areas require an advanced degree, but an undergraduate degree in political science is the first step to acquiring one.

Having a variety of careers to choose from is only one benefit of a political science degree. Another is salary growth. The top paying industries for political scientists are:

-Federal Executive Branch, $114,040 per year
-Local Government $83,790
-Social Advocacy Organizations $77,410
-Scientific Research and Development Services $77,160
-State Government $58,040

Salaries vary, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for political scientists is $104,090 per year. The lowest paid political scientists average $46,520 per year and the highest earners average $151,360. Salaries for political scientists have increased every year since 1999. Increases are significant, with the largest jump occurring between 2004 and 2009.

-Year 1999: $74,280 per year
-Year 2004: $86,460
-Year 2009: $104,090

Job growth in this field is promising for all degree levels, but an advanced degree can increase your options even more. Job growth for political scientists increased between 1999 and 2004 from 4,280 employees to 4,490. Between 2004 and 2008, the number of employees in the field decreased to 3,970. However, between now and 2018, overall employment of political scientists is expected to grow 21 percent. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. Many other career fields for political scientists will continue to grow as well. For example, job growth for attorneys is 13 percent from 2008 to 2018. For public relations specialists, job growth is 24 percent during the same time period.

If you choose a career as a political scientist, you can expect to perform the following duties:

-Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.
-Research a wide range of subjects, such as relations between the United States and foreign countries, the beliefs and institutions of foreign nations, or the politics of small towns or a major metropolis.
-Study topics, such as public opinion, political decision-making, and ideology.
-Analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities.
-Conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

If you’re interested in a career in political science, you can get started by earning your undergraduate degree. Political science degrees are offered at colleges and universities across the U.S., but some of the best programs are offered at:

-Columbia University, New York, New York
-Cornell University
-Massachusetts Institute of Technology
-New York University
-Northwestern University
-Ohio State University
-Princeton University
-Stanford University
-University of California
-University of California – San Diego
-University of Chicago
-University of Michigan
-University of Minnesota
-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
-University of Rochester
-University of Texas at Austin
-University of Washington
-University of Wisconsin
-Washington University in Saint Louis
-Yale University

You can find other colleges and universities that offer a political science degree by visiting Princetonreview.com or Petersons.com. For more information about political science careers, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics at bls.gov.

Your Career, Your Compensation, Your Education

4 Reasons and tell-tale signs that you need a career change

May 7, 2011 / admin

Think you’re reaching professional burnout? It’s a typical job hazard in the high-pressure business world. If you’re not sure, check out these tell-tale signs that you’re in dire need of a career change:

1. You’re Less Than Motivated

If your usual get-it-done attitude has taken a bad turn, you might be spending more time looking out the window than performing your duties. While this isn’t a good thing for the company, it’s not so hot for you either. Remember those days when you were so excited about your job that you whipped through those challenging projects and the days flew by? If you’ve mastered your job to the point that it’s boring you to death with no hint of an upcoming promotion, it may be time to look for greener pastures and bigger opportunities.

2. You’re Fantasizing About the Pre-Mature Demise of Your Current Boss

While everyone butts head with their boss from time to time, certain situations are worse than others. If your current manager doesn’t appreciate your talents or is heck-bent on keeping you in your place, maybe it’s time for a change? This situation is one that’s almost guaranteed to keep you miserable until you take a leap into a new job or a totally new career. As the economy picks up, the list of hottest upcoming jobs is definitely getting longer. Why not look for one that takes advantage of your superior skills? If you’re lacking in that category, it might be the perfect time to head back to school to get a new lease on life. Right now, there are some new and awesome careers out there just waiting for you to give them a try.

3. Your Current Company is in the Toilet

If your present employer isn’t handing out raises or promotions, it could be simply because they haven’t been able to afford to lately. However, if they’re instituting a hiring freeze or handing out the proverbial pink slip here and there, it could be a sign of things to come. Before there are mass layoffs and everyone is out there competing for the same job, make your own career move. Even if you’re kept on until the company turns around, it won’t be a fun-filled workweek for you; the corporate culture of a company that’s going down the toilet can be depressing for even the workers who get to keep their job.

4. You’re Under Appreciated

When your interest in taking on more responsibility is ignored or the promotions are going to less experienced (and less intelligent) coworkers, it’s definitely time for a change. While money is one way to keep an employee happy, no one can maintain a high level of job satisfaction if his efforts are not appreciated. During your search for a new career, you may find a new employer who will appreciate your input and make the most of your skills.
Although changing career can be a scary, and sometimes risky, proposition, that’s what life is all about! By not taking this chance, you could be short-changing the rest of your life. Do you experience any of these signs at your job?