Reshaping the Story of Your Career

Reshaping the Story of Your Career Reshaping the Story of Your Career Heres an excellent TED talk by career coach Joseph Liu in which he shares the lessons hes learned from the twists and turns encountered in his own career. A must watch for anyone considering a career change.

ASME Environmental Engineering Division Selects Winners of its...

ASME Environmental Engineering teilen Selects Winners of its... ASME Environmental Engineering Division Selects Winners of its... ASME Environmental Engineering Division Selects Winners of its Education Support Program AwardsThe ASME Environmental Engineering Division (EED) has selected four recipients for its First Annual Education Support Program Awards. The program is designed to help foster the impact of environmental engineering and education in communities around the world, to help people identify and solve environmental problems, and thereby lead to improvements in their quality of life. The program can fund a maximum of $25,000 per year (no more than five proposals will be funded with a limit of $5,000 per award) to students, educators and EED members who propose interesting ways to impact environmental education in their communities.The Division received many outstanding proposals from the United States as well as several other counties. The Awards Committee, which is compri sed of ASME volunteers from the EED Executive Committee, reviewed the proposals meticulously before making their selections. The winners, who are both engineers and non-engineers, spanned the entire gamut of education from high school teachers to undergraduate/graduate students to professors.The four winning proposals chosen by the committee were Michael S. Czahor, outreach committee director, Wind Energy Student Organization, Iowa State University and Austin Herrema, Outreach Committee Ph.D. representative, Wind Energy Student Organization, Iowa State University Wind Energy Student Organization Megan Fuller, assistant professor of chemistry, Philadelphia University Lab component for Sustainability Course Michael Lazere, Project Lead the Way Engineering Program teacher, Marshalltown High School, Marshalltown, Iowa and Mark Mba Wright, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, Iowa State University Using Interactive iPython Simulations to Model Life Cycle Analysis of Ethanol Pr oduction David A. Roke, assistant professor of civil engineering, the University of Akron and Theresa Cutright, associate professor of civil engineering, the University of Akron High School Student Laboratory Education Module Use of Abundant Waste Materials in Concrete Mix DesignFor more information on the EED Education Support Program, please contact Martin Edelson, Education Support Committee Chair, by e-mail at mcedelsongmail.com or Arnold Feldman, EED Chair, at jjdsenvatt.net.

Fact You need a personal business card (+ heres what it should have on it)

Fact You need a personal geschftlicher umgang card (+ heres what it should have on it)Fact You need a personal geschftliches miteinander card (+ heres what it should have on it)Youve probably had a company business card at one job or aelendher, but do you carry a personal one?Because the thing is, if youre currently job searching, hoping to start a side hustle or land some freelance, or youd just like to keep your options open, your regular company card isnt going to cut it. That tiny,unassuming personal business card just might be what stands between you and your next big career opportunity.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWhy you need a personal business cardSmart women make their own luck (and business cards). When I decided I wanted to leave my bebrdeung job, I knewit was time to start putting myself out there (and networking any chance I got). I had business cards through my company. They were like most company cards white, square, and bland. I didnt want to be seen with them.One night, after a motivating happy hour dialogue, I came home feeling like I needed to do something. I wanted proof that I was ready to start a new chapter. A requisite Google search for personal business card entwurf led me toMOO, an online service that letsyoucreate and print cards online (courtesy of plenty of well-designed templates). Im sure there are other companies out there that will do the same, but so farMOO is the best one Ive found.I spent the nexthour designing my ideal layout. It was a card on my own terms, according to my own rules based onmy career transition goals. A week later, the package arrived, andmy career hasnt looked the same since. Heres how a personal business card changes the game1. It helps you control your own storyIn a few simple words, I summarized who I wasprofessionally, but alsowho I wanted tobecome.Each cardgave all the information people neede d to find meonline, including a link to myportfolio but also my Instagram, which I knew demonstrated my aesthetic and voice.2. It makes it easy for people to remember- and hire- youIn simple terms, those cards made it easier for people to hire me. They didnt have to just remember my last name the next day or go digging through search results to find my portfolio. And so they did hire me. Just like that, I hit a new level of legitimacy- and I started getting calls.3. It gives you confidence (seriously)Personal business cards serve a specific need they help yousummarize who you are to a potential contact. But they also make your professional lifefeelreal,even ifyoure currently faking it untilyou make it. And thats the heart of it even though I felt like my career had hit a dead end, ordering those cards made me feel like Id done something about it, and thatI was gonna be OK.What to include on a personal business card1. Your name- The one you want them to GoogleYour full name or, more specifically, the one you use professionally. Kit isnt my given name (Ill leave you the fun of guessing what it is), but itisthe name Ive published writing under since I was 15. And its the name I want people to search for on Google when theyre looking into my experience because thats where all the good stuff is.2. What you do or want to doMaybe youre slaving away as an administrative assistant but your ultimate goal is to become a graphic designer. Your personal business card shouldnot read administrative assistant. That isnt who you are Thats just what youre doingright now. Think about what youd like to call yourself. Designer? UX Design + Web Design? If youre not sure,look up people you admire on LinkedIn and do some research on the ways they describe their work and themselves.3. Your personal portfolio siteIf you dont have one and youre trying to make a career transition or start freelancing, take a break from designing your card and do that now. We have an entire downloadable g uide dedicated tosetting up your personal websiteas well as various articles aboutwhy you need a personal siteandwhat to include in an online portfolio(even if youre not a creative).4. Phone number (preferably your cell phone) and/or personal emaille addressYou want people to be able to reach you quickly and easily, so a personal business card shouldinclude at least two options for contacting you. And make sure that whatever email address you include, youre checking it regularly and often. If yourethinking about freelancing, you need to get used to quick replies. I always answer within 24 hours. You can choose to skip the phone number, but honestly, whenever Ive seen people doing that, they wind up having to jot their phone numbers down inpen on the card anyway. My recommendation is to skip the hassle and include it.5. Social handles as applicableUnless your industry skews toward keeping these things private, youremay want to include your LinkedIn, Twitter, and/or Instagram dependin g on what youd like to show off. If youre a wordsmith, Twitter makes sense. If youre trying to show that you have a particular style and eye for design, you might include Instagram. It varies because personal business cards are just that- personal. Think about your end goal and decide what makes the most sense.6. (Optional) A personal logoIf your personal brand is on lock, you might have a logo on your personal website, that you can include on your business card as well. If so, great. A consistent brand is great. If not, dont sweat it. Simple is always best anyway.What not to include on a personal business cardJust a few pointers here because sometimes people overdo itToo much design- the goal is for them to focus on your information, not on the graphicsYour mailing address- danger zone. Do you really want that floating around in the world? It also takes up too much space so its a lose-lose.Typos- On multiple occasions, Ive encountered a personal business card that has a typo, even in the email address. Thats a big problem if you want people to contact you. So double- and triple-check before hitting PurchaseA QR code- No one uses these anymore, but somehow they still crop up. Just dont. People are savvy enough to type in your personal website URL on their own.The simplest personal business card templateIf youre not sure where to start, this layout is a no-fail option. Simple, right?Kit WarcholWriting + Editing Digital + Brand Strategykitwarchol.com IGkitwarcholPhone Number25 ways to use your personal business cardJust to drive the point home, here are some other times carryingcards can actually work out for youAtany networking event ever.When youve got a side hustle going and youre your own marketing department.Or youve gotseveralside hustles going, and you dont have cards for each of them.Youre at a Girls Night Out and you meet a woman youd like to know better.Time to mail a package from your Etsy store? Drop it in the box with your Thank You note.You hate your current job, and youre trying to find a new one.Or maybe your current job title doesnt match what you want to do. Like, at all.You want people to visit your personal site because it looks so good.Youre at an interview, meet yet another person, and- realize youve run out of copies of your resume.Youre like This dudes cute, but youre afraid he might not be interested, or youre just afraid to ask him to coffee. Keep it pseudo-profesh.You know no one spells your last name correctlyever. Just hand it to them.At a dinner party when youre trying to explain to the person next to you WTF you actually do.Youre hesitating on when to launch your entrepreneurial venture. Youll never be completely ready. Business cards make it official.Are you a designer or branding professional? Your business card is a tangibleexample of your aesthetic and skills.If your company name or website address is hard to remember.To drop into the fishbowl at your neighborhood Thai restaurant for a free lunch entry. Theres something in your teeth, but you dont have floss. Card corners work wonders.When youre somewhere loud and the person you meet cant hear what your name is.When someone else gives you theirs. Its weird to not respond in kind.When youre traveling. Slip it into your baggage tag.When youdontwant to give someone your number. A card with just an email address is a stealth cop out.When your coworker isnt at her desk and you want her to know youve stopped by. Calling card.When youre looking at a chair at a yard sale, and they wont go as low as you want. Ask them to email you if they change their mind.AtSephora, when the clerk asks for the email address on your account.When you just need something to write on.This article originally appeared on Career Contessa.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Reasons to Call in Sick - Should You Stay Home From Work

Reasons to Call in Sick - Should You Stay Home From Work Reasons to Call in Sick - Should You Stay Home From Work When you wake up with an upset stomach or a stuffy nose, are you someone who thinks Oh no. I dont want to call in sick. Alternatively, maybe youre one of those people who feels that its okay to take a sick day even when you arent ill. If you are a member of the first camp, you may be underutilizing your sick days, but if you count yourself among the second, you may be misusing them. 5 Good Reasons to Call in Sick Your sick days are yours to use when you need them. Put your workaholic tendencies aside. Organizations rarely fall apart because of one employers absence. Calling out from work may even save everyone else from catching what you have. Going to work sick means spreading your germs around the office, which is sure to annoy your coworkers. Its also difficult to be productive at work when you arent feeling well. Here are some appropriate reasons to stay home: You Have an Illness That Might Be Contagious:  If you suspect your coworkers could catch your illness, stay home until you are better or know for sure that what you have isnt contagious. For example, if you are throwing up or have diarrhea, you could have a stomach virus. The sudden onset of symptoms like fever, chills, and body aches, could mean you have the flu. Both a stomach virus and the flu can spread through a workplace like a wildfire, taking down everything in its path. If your eyes are red, swollen, and crusty, you may have conjunctivitis- also known as pink eye- which is highly infectious. A severe sore throat with swollen glands is a symptom of strep throat and you can spread it to your coworkers. You Have a Fever:  You will get a fever when fighting an infection. Not only is it a symptom of a contagious illness, but it will make you tired and keep you from being able to work efficiently. Go to the doctor to find out if an antibiotic is necessary. Also, get plenty of rest.You Have a Rash: In addition to rashes making you extremely uncomfortable, some are also communicable. Until you know the cause, avoid contact with other people. If you find out it isnt contagious, go back to work, but dont be surprised if your coworkers keep their distance. While you dont have to go until detail, inform them they cant catch it. Dont forget to mind your manners and relieve any itchiness in private. You Are in Significant Pain:  Headaches, injuries, sprains, broken bones, and other problems can cause severe or significant pain. After you have taken the proper measures to make sure nothing that can endanger your overall health is causing it, you can go to work if you choose. Realize, however, that that you may not be able to operate at your peak performance and pain medication will compound that problem. Rest is beneficial.You Have a Common Cold: Whether or not to call in sick because you have a cold depends on its severity. A case of the sniffles isnt a good reason to take the day off, but if you are rapidly emptying boxes of tissues and have an uncontrollable cough, your cold is pretty bad. It can cause problems with concentration and can spread to others in your workplace. If you decide to go to work, wash your hands frequently and keep your phone and computer germ-free by wiping them down with alcohol wipes if others share them. If your coworkers keep their distance, dont be offended. It may not be the garlic dill you had with lunch, but instead their fear of catching what you have. The need for extended absence due to a more severe illness may qualify you for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It allows eligible workers to take up to 12 weeks off from work. According to the FMLA, your employer doesnt have to pay you for this time- a state law may require that it does- but the organization must allow you to return to your position or a similar one when your leave ends. 5 Bad Excuses for Taking a Sick Day Excessive use of sick days may catch your bosss attention. When you call in sick, it is usually on short notice and can leave your boss scrambling to cover your duties. ? Do not take advantage of sick days to tend to matters for which a personal or vacation day would be more suitable. Whenever you can notify your boss ahead of time that you need to take off- using a personal or vacation day- do so. Here are some examples: A Previous Engagement: If you know in advance about something you need to attend- for example, an event at your childs school or an appointment- use your personal or vacation time.A Beach Day:  When you wake up on a hot summer day, your thoughts may turn to sand and surf. Its unfair to leave your colleagues in the lurch to have a day basking in the sun. Plan your trip to the beach ahead of time and request a vacation or personal day.A Job Interview:  Congratulations! Interviews sometimes come up on short notice. Unless your boss knows about your job search, telling them you need to take off for an interview isnt an option. Instead, try to schedule it before or after work. You Are Tired:  Did you stay up too late? That isnt a good enough reason to take the day off. Suck it up and head to work. Take a quick nap during your lunch hour and plan to go to bed earlier that night.Religious Observance:  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires employers with over 15 employees to allow their workers to take time off for religious observance unless it causes undue hardship to the organization. This absence should come out of your personal or vacation time.

When to Say No (or Yes) to Additional Responsibilities at Work

When to Say No (or Yes) to Additional Responsibilities at Work When to Say No (or Yes) to Additional Responsibilities at Work Think about your average work week: How many of your daily tasks fit into the original job description you were hired to do? Chances are that, over time, out of an eagerness to prove yourself, you’ve taken on a number of responsibilities that fall well outside the realm of your core role. But how much of this newfound accountability is contributing to your professional advancement- and how much of it is just running you ragged? Top performers can be a prime target for additional requests because they enjoy challenge and frequently seek out new ways to demonstrate their skills. But do you find yourself saying yes every time your boss asks you to take a stab at a project that’s in no way related to your core competencies simply because you want to look like a team player? If you do, you may find yourself on the brink of burnout, living at work, and unable to find time for yourself or friends. And what’s worse, you may be moving through every day with a cloud of dread hovering over your head, wondering, “How on earth will I ever get all this done?” Often, we say yes to additional projects because we think that it may pay off with a promotion, raise, or other reward. We adopt the mentality of “I just need to bust my butt for the next couple of months; then I can relax.” Too often, those couple of months come and go, but the promotion never comes. You grow increasingly frustrated, but don’t slow down because maybe, just maybe, this month your boss will recognize all the hard work you’re putting in and it’ll pay off. It can turn into a never-ending cycle. While there’s nothing wrong with taking on additional responsibilities, if you’re not careful to draw the line somewhere, it can become a problem. When you have too much on your plate, not only can the quality of your work start to suffer, but your relationships and commitments outside of work may take a blow as well. Does this mean you should stop saying yes to additional responsibilities altogether? Absolutely not! But it’s up to you to make sure you’re agreeing for the right reasons. If you’re someone who tends to agree to every additional request that comes your way, here’s how to gauge when it’s appropriate to push back. When Your Primary Job Responsibilities Will Suffer It can be dangerous to agree to more if it impacts your ability to satisfy the job requirements that you were hired to do. For example, say you work in HR, but you’ve been asked to attend some marketing-related conferences because that team is short-staffed. You may soon find yourself spending so much time away from your desk at events (which, truthfully, should be done by someone who has direct client contact and knows the ins and outs of marketing- not you!) that your primary job responsibilities, like training new employees and interviewing potential hires, starts to suffer. If it’s an assignment that will detract from your core responsibilities, overwhelm you, and compromise your ability to consistently deliver a high quality of work- all without any significant upside- it’s best to decline and focus on what’s already on your plate. When it’s Someone Else’s Work Is your boss asking you to do the job of an intern and change the printer ink, even though you’re a manager? No matter your role, it’s easy to get sucked into doing tasks that “aren’t your job”- like a sales rep who finds him- or herself constantly fielding customer service calls. And there’s something to be said for adopting an all-hands-on-deck working style, but if you let it go too far, your willingness to pitch in can be abused. How do you spot these time-sucking tasks? Ask yourself: Is this contributing to my professional development in a strategic way? If the assignment doesn’t link back to your career growth somehow, don’t be afraid to say no and shift the responsibility off your plate. (But it’s still a good idea to offer a proactive solution, like coaching another team member to do the task.) When There’s No Exit Strategy Don’t take on additional responsibilities until you understand the full scope of what’s involved, how long it will take, who you’ll be working with, and how long the project will last. You want to avoid miscommunication down the road, and most importantly, you don’t want it to be an open-ended arrangement. You may be happy to be a team player, but at the end of the day you have core responsibilities- and those should be your top priorities. For example, if your boss delivers a fairly vague request, like asking you to oversee a new initiative and provide strategic guidance, get the specifics about what exactly that means. How long will you be needed on the project? Will you be expected to attend certain meetings or be on weekly calls? Make sure you have a crystal clear picture of what’s involved before saying yes in order to shield yourself from becoming embroiled in an open-ended, never-ending situation. When it Won’t Contribute to Your Skill Set, Growth, or Network Even an additional responsibility that doesn’t exactly fit your job description can be the opportunity to get in front of important people. For example, being asked to help create a sales deck for a company meeting is a great opportunity to get your work in front of senior management. On the other hand, a solo project like filing old reports for your manager offers zero chance to expand your network in a meaningful way. Since it has little relationship-building potential and is essentially busy work, it’s better to pass on it in favor of stretch assignments that will help you grow. If you do decide to decline a request, keep the conversation emotionally neutral. Focus on how it might affect the company’s goals, not your stress levels. And if you agree to take on new work, clearly outline what you expect the new responsibility will result in- e.g., better assignments in the future, a move toward a promotion, or a mention at the board meeting- so that you don’t end up in a dead-end situation. Learning to say yes to the right types of opportunities- and say no to others- is an exercise in setting healthy boundaries at work. Speaking up for yourself will not only save you from the anxiety of taking on more than you can handle, but it will display maturity, confidence, and strong self-management skills to your boss and others in the office. Remember, setting boundaries and sticking to them doesn’t show you lack drive or ambition- it shows that you’re an employee of high value who prioritizes doing the job at hand. Photo courtesy of Jacob Bøtter.

Jobscan LinkedIn Optimization A Complete Guide

Jobscan LinkedIn Optimization A Complete Guide Jobscan LinkedIn Optimization A Complete Guide LinkedIn Optimization with Jobscan Here at Jobscan, we’ve leveraged our resume scanning and optimization technology  and researched recruiter behavior to help job seekers and in-demand professionals increase their searchability and get more out of their LinkedIn profiles. With Jobscan  LinkedIn Optimization, you see exactly how your profile scores for the jobs you want and receive actionable tips to optimize your profile. Why Does LinkedIn Optimization Matter? 138 million users are on LinkedIn in the United States. 44,000 job applications are submitted daily through LinkedIn. 74% of recruiters source job candidates from LinkedIn. 94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to vet job candidates. Recruiters pay thousands of dollars for powerful LinkedIn search tools that highlight candidates based on hyper-specific keywords and algorithms. Hiring managers vet candidates based on their LinkedIn profiles. Whether you’re using LinkedIn to attract recruiters or supplement your resume in your job search, your profile can only make a positive impact if it’s complete, professional, and tailored to the jobs you want with targeted keywords and search engine optimized profile sections. After getting your LinkedIn profile score, transform your profile with Jobscans tips, example phrases, keywords, and LinkedIn search insights to help boost your profiles visibility and credibility among recruiters. Getting Started with LinkedIn Optimization You can get your profile score and begin optimizing your LinkedIn profile in 3 simple steps. Step 1: Connect to Your LinkedIn Profile At the link above, connect with your LinkedIn profile. Your profile might already be connected to LinkedIn if youre a registered Jobscan user, so sign in at this point if you havent already. If your LinkedIn was previously connected or you have revised your profile and are rescanning your profile, be sure to click Refresh LinkedIn above your photo. Once your profile is connected, click Next. Step 2: Export LinkedIn profile PDF and upload to Jobscan Linking your profile in Step 1 doesnt give Jobscan all the information required to analyze your LinkedIn profile summary, work history, and other fields. LinkedIn offers a PDF download of your profile that is accessible by  visiting your profile, clicking the dropdown menu in the top section of your profile, and selecting Save to PDF. After uploading your PDF, click Next. Step 3: Paste job descriptions Jobscan scores your LinkedIn profile against real job descriptions. If youre signed in and have already used Jobscans resume scanner, your previously scanned job descriptions will be available on the right. If youre just getting started or would like to add new job descriptions, copy and paste any job description into the field on the left and click + Add. Add and select at least 3 job listings then click Scan. Youre ready to see your score! LinkedIn Optimization Report Your LinkedIn Optimization report features 7 sections: Profile Score LinkedIn Basic Info High Impact Work Experience Skills Education Tips and Tricks Profile Score Your score is a snapshot of how well your LinkedIn profile represents you for the jobs you want. Optimizing your profile above 80% will move you toward the top of recruiters search results and add credibility to your online persona. High Impact Nailing the high impact section is crucial to improving your searchability and increasing your exposure on LinkedIn. Your headline is your introduction to recruiters and anyone else on LinkedIn. It should be up to date and feature specific keywords to give recruiters a clear idea of what you bring to the table.  Your summary is your elevator pitch that shows off your best work and qualifications, but is also an important field for LinkedIns search function. The LinkedIn Optimization report includes customized tips and examples regarding your headline and summarys length, keywords and phrases to include, red flags to avoid, and other important checks. Unlock Full LinkedIn Optimization Profile Score, LinkedIn Basic Info, and parts of the High Impact section are available for all users. To unlock the rest of the report and unlimited LinkedIn profile scans,  upgrade your account. Upgraded users also receive access to: unlimited resume match rate calculations resume live scoring resume scan history and interview tracking cover letter optimization exclusive learning materials Profile Summary The Profile Summary is an underutilized section on many LinkedIn profiles. This premium portion of the High Impact section checks your summary for length, suggests specific keywords and phrases to include for LinkedIn search purposes, looks for measurable results, and more. Work Experience Including a thorough work history will paint the clearest picture of you as a candidate and provide you ample opportunities to share your accomplishments, measurable results, and experience. This section checks to make sure you have included enough experience and measurable results, dont have any unexplained temp gigs or job hopping, and arent using too many cliche buzzwords. Skills Recruiters input specific skills or keywords into complex queries to find candidates in LinkedIn search. The skills you list throughout your profile should match the frequency and exact wording found in the descriptions of jobs you’re interested in or have applied for. This section of the LinkedIn Optimization report compares the frequency of hard skills and keywords found in the job descriptions with your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn Tips Tricks There are ways to increase your LinkedIn presence beyond fine tuning the contents of your profile. This section checks to see if youre utilizing typically neglected portions of your profile and engaging in LinkedIn behavior that will increase your exposure and searchability. Get Help Receive a walkthrough of your report by clicking Guide Me next to your score. More information about any of Jobscans checks and why theyre important can be found by clicking the blue question marks throughout the report. Revise and Rescan After improving your LinkedIn profile with Jobscans tips and advice, click New Scan on the left sidebar to rescan your profile and get your new score. Be sure to click Refresh LinkedIn on Step 1 and upload a new PDF on step 2. Strive to boost your score above at least 80%, but dont stop there! The more you increase your score, the more you increase your LinkedIn profiles searchability and impact. Get noticed! Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

Canine Careers

Canine Careers Canine Careers