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Inspire Youngsters: Teach Science

March 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The news is frequently full of alarming stories about the decline of science and math skills among American students. A rising superpower such as Russia, Japan, or China is often invoked for outperforming U.S. schoolchildren in these areas, with cautionary predictions that other countries will out-compete the United States in areas relating to crucial industries such as engineering and technology. Whether or not this alarmist tone is justified, it is true that Americans largely lack a basic scientific literacy with which to make the informed decisions about policy that are needed for a functional democracy. If you have a passion for sharing your love of science, then science teaching may be a good career path for you.

Science teachers specialize in elementary teaching, specific high school subjects, or university instruction, depending on what audience they understand the best. They are also trained in pedagogy of some sort. People wishing to teach K-12 science are usually required to have a Bachelor’s Degree and a teaching certificate and/or Master’s Degree in teaching, with certification in one or more subject areas such as Earth Science, Biological Science, Physics, and Mathematics. A university science instructor will generally have a Master and sometimes a Ph.D. Recent trends in pedagogy point to the importance of informal and hands-on science education opportunities for engaging the interest of students. Informal science education may include experiences such as science camp, trips to a science museum, participation in science fairs, and field trips related to a scientific subject.

Whether or not your students become professional scientists and engineers, a basic understanding of the scientific method is increasingly necessary in the modern world. A science teaching profession is of great service to any community.

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The Workforce Development Center: A Resource for Job Seekers

February 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

With the many concerns that unemployed Americans are facing, it is hard to know how to approach “green energy” jobs and other skilled sectors for which we do not have a history of training new workers. Going to school is expensive, and it is especially difficult for those who have family responsibilities. What is an unemployed person who is seeking to increase their skills to do? One good resource is the Workforce Development Center. The focus of the Workforce Development Center is to train workers in a particular sector that is moving into their neighborhood, or to work individually with people from areas with high concentrations of low-income earners to increase opportunity.

Workforce Development Centers are usually governed by a Workforce Investment Board, which is usually a group of people from local businesses and organizations that seeks to best identify the needs of their area’s workers. The Board often administers funding that usually comes from government grants. The Workforce Development Centers can offer comprehensive access to social services, so that people seeking new skills can be identified for education grants, temporary public assistance, or other services that will help them to meet their family’s needs during their transition to a new career.

The success of the Workforce Development Center in helping its clients is going to depend on its resources, so it is a good idea to ask some questions about your local Center before committing to its programs. Centers with high rates of success typically have strong ties with local businesses. One indication that these ties exist is that the Workforce Investment Board that oversees the Center has representatives from successful employers in your area. Find out who is on your board, and if their specialties align with your interests. Another important factor is the Center’s ties to local colleges and job placement organizations. Ask about prior participants and if they were able to enroll in the local community college and where they ended up working. Whatever you decide, your Workforce Development Center may be able to help you get on the right career track.

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Education for Recession

January 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Almost everyone has been impacted in some way by the national economic slump that has had a deep hold over the past 2 years. Even with small decreases in unemployment, gains are slow. So, you may ask yourself, what can I do to provide security for my family and even have some chance of a fulfilling career, even in the midst of global economic turmoil? Well, as it turns out, there are two industries –”industries”– that tend to fare well even in times of trouble; healthcare and education. People see economic downturns as the perfect time to go back to school…and very often, they’re right in that assessment.

In times when employers have their pick of employees, they will choose the very best people who are available to them. And, the very best people have gotten more and more qualified as the years passed. Eighty years ago, graduating high school was optional, and if you did further your education that much–with a high school diploma–it was likely you could support a family on the job you got afterwards, at least if you were a man. Fast forward to the present day, and you’ll find that many employers are looking to make sure their entire team is composed of people who have a Bachelors degree–any Bachelors degree. For many jobs, this is the minimum requirement.

A Bachelor’s degree shows employers that you had the discipline to accomplish something, to see it through even though it was long and difficult. The very fact that you have one may be more important than where it came from, whether that was a state school, the Ivy League, or an accredited online programs. Of course, for the very best jobs, even more education is usually required. With an advanced degree, the jobs you’re seeking will become more specific, but also more prestigious–and of often more rewarding.

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Tackling the Job Offer

January 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

One of the most exciting things in life for anyone and even those who do not have a career is getting that phone call for a job hire or orientation.

While it’s just about defunct, companies can back out on their claim to hire you but rarely does that case have legs to move. On the other hand, you have to do everything in your power to keep the job offer on the table. Doing or saying the wrong thing can thwart your chances of landing the job.

Now, if you know deep down you want this job, here’s a few rules to remember to stay focused and sharp and not sound desperate:

If you get the job offer by telephone, try to avoid excessive shouting or celebrating but sound happy but keep it proper, calm and polite as well. Thank the employee who extended the job offer and ask for a day to consider starting. Don’t automatically accept the offer or position as you may be putting a wrinkle in any chance at salary negotiations and at the same time, sound a bit desperate. Try to focus on being cool, calm, polite and as professional as you can be at all times.

In case you get an offer for a job you do not want, here’s a couple things to remember as well to not cause conflict and still keep it professional:

Again, if you get the job offer by telephone, the immediate response is to say thank you for the offer. You want to follow that up with that you would like to take some time to think about it. The biggest thing to remember is to never tell the company immediately that you do not want the position. This may cause embarrassment or regret on your behalf for being too quick. This is also being rude to the company, so give it at least a day to politely decline their offer.

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Take This Job and Love It

December 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

All your hard work, hours, time, sweat and tears has been poured into your career. You just got a phone call from a big company within driving distance of your home. You think to yourself, “This could be the big day”. You have only a week to prepare. The vicious cycle of sweat and nerves starts up again. You quietly ask yourself, “How do I prepare”?

Obviously, the first thing to do is to compose yourself. Take a deep breath and start doing your research on the company who is interested in you. Learn everything about them from inside and out. No matter if it’s a private company or a Fortune 500 company, the more you know about the company, what they do, what they specialize in and anything that positively stands out, makes an everlasting impression. Treat this interview as if you are already working there.

Once you done your research, have a friend or relative help you out and have them be the person asking you the possible questions you think you may get. Be calm and as cool as you can be. Nervousness is normal but the cooler you stay, the interviewer will see you as having a lot of confidence and self control.

If at all possible, make two or three questions of your own if possible since many interviews may have that “Do you have any questions”? at the end of it. Usually on a higher percentage, companies like people who are intuitive and show a great interest. Staying mum most of the time tends to have its drawbacks and sends the wrong signal. Your goal is to make a good impression, show confidence and a level of professionalism to the person speaking to you.

On a side note, make sure you wear something comfortable, something light, but casual enough that it doesn’t make you perspire and definitely nothing that makes you look reflect like a rainbow.

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