Tuesday, December 31, 2019

5 mistakes youre probably making with your body language at the office

5 mistakes youre probably making with your body language at the office5 mistakes youre probably making with your body language at the officeThough your co-workers and manager might elend understand tiny shifts in your behavior instantly, youre giving away many invites into your psyche, simply via your body language.According to professional corporate trainer, business consultant, and entrepreneur Denise M. Dudley, PhD, all people communicate using seven channels facial expressions, eye contact, posture, hand gestures, voice tone, voice loudness, and verbal content. While she explains that many professionals are picky with their word choices, very few practice or give a second thought to the other six venues.This is a big loss, considering many studies indicate difficulty pairing sentences with sentiments. ur bodies are actually revealing more about our messages than our voices ever do, Dudley told Ladders. When were delivering a message - any message, good or bad, large or small, ho w we look as were delivering the message is probably more important than our words, if we intend to be understood.Especially in the office setting, where everything from words to presentation to inaction mean something, understanding how youre perceived by the way you hold yourself is key. Even if youre not intentionally sending out a particular message, your hand movements or facial expressions could tell another story.Here, experts decode office body language and give their best tips on how to match your mind to your mannerismsAssertive eye contact shows confidenceYour parents probably encouraged you to always meet the eyes of friends, family members, or teachers when you were growing up, but now that your mom isnt there to subtly reprimand you for darting your eyes, you might be slacking. Dudley says there are two times when making clear, assertive eye contact is important in business when youre giving instructions and when youre sharing information. This is because when youre be ing intentional and purposeful with your baby blues (or greens or browns) youre demonstrating your confidence. It also helps, according to Dudley, to ensure the other half in your conversation feels connected and at ease around you.Dont think you can win a staring contest during a long discussion? Thats okay. Dudley adds that breaking eye contact for a mere few seconds is welcome, since it indicates youre positive, too. Youre showing that youre engaged in the conversation, youre confident about what youre saying, and youre an open, friendly person, she adds.Glancing upwards or rolling your eyes looks untrustworthyWhen youre uncomfortable, you might tend to look up, down, left or right, or frankly, anywhere to avoid locking glances with whoever is causing you distress. Or, when youre inwardly frustrated, you might not be able to conceal your dissatisfaction on your face, mimicking the emoji you overuse. Dudley explains these habits are very common - and all send the wrong message.Wh en you avoid eye contact, you signal that youre not engaged with the person youre communicating with, youre distracted, youre painfully shy or you dont like them. When you frequently glance upward, you signal that youre unsure of yourself, you dont believe or trust what the other person is saying, or that you wish you were someplace else, she says. Rolling your eyes is universal body language. Its sarcastic, dismissive, disapproving and downright rude.When you need to let out your stress, take a walk around the block or find a private conference room to blow off steam. The office isnt a place for a meltdown.Good posture shows youre openEver been on a first date when your could-be love interest appears overly charismatic, but you cant pinpoint why you feel that way? Even if they arent overly funny or witty, something about the way theyre simply sitting across from you has you soaking up their good vibes. Dudley says an open, relaxed, and strong posture can speak volumes about a perso n, without uttering a single word. When you do this, you look open and non-judgmental, ready to handle whatever comes your way. Putting your shoulders back signals that youre comfortable with yourself, able to own your own space, confident, and unafraid, she explains.Throw in a cup of coffee when youre meeting with your direct report to make their weekly 11 laid back and friendly, and youll find theyll be more willing to brainstorm ideas, air grievances, divulge where they are struggling and how they hope to prosper.Folding your arms makes you unapproachableOn the other hand, when another erreichbar dating app match cant seem to unglue their arms from their chest, youll likely wonder if theyre interested in you at all. As a frequent habit of professionals when theyre in a situation where they dont feel comfortable to express themselves, this motion has the same effect. This signals that youre closed, not open to new ideas, uptight, unapproachable, unfriendly, or not wanting to commu nicate - or maybe all of the above, Dudley says.Want to argue that hey, youre just cold in the arctic of your over-air-conditioned office? Dudley says to throw on a sweater, or better yet, target your self-esteem. Make a concerted effort to place your arms at your sides. If this feels too exposed, some people find it easier to hold a notebook or a pen, which then gives one of your hands something to do while youre standing or sitting, she recommends.Leaning forward shows youre listeningEver have someone in your life do anything - and everything - while youre trying to update them on the latest development in your life? Its an annoying habit for a generation thats glued to their phones and always thinking about whats next, instead of living in the moment.Dudley says you can ensure your colleagues trust you - and that feel like theyre being heard - by doing a simple move leaning in.This subtle shift indicates youre not only ready, but youre all ears. This signals to the other per son that were interested, engaged, and actively listening to them. Most people know what this leaning forward action feels like, because we all do it naturally when were hearing something important. So, given that its practically a universal component of our body language, everyone understands what it means it encourages the other person and gives them positive reinforcement while theyre speaking, she explains.Looking for an inspiring way to start your day? Sign up forMorning MotivationIts our friendly Facebook ? that will send you a quick note every weekday morning to help you start strong. 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Thursday, December 26, 2019

Bobbing for Power

Bobbing for Power Bobbing for Power Bobbing for PowerOregons 363-mile shoreline absorbs some of the Pacific Oceans mightiest and most notorious waves, powered by offshore storms and fed by long expanses of ocean that produce waves of 20 feet and more. Those conditions have drawn developers seeking to harness that energy and convert it to electricity, making Oregon a flash point of hydrokinetic power development in North America. The first project, a 150-kW unit that is the first of a planned 1.5-MW array and the first commercial wave-power project in the U.S., is a power-packed buoy that mechanically captures energy as it rides up and down on the waves. Offshore Power Technology, its Pennington, NJ-based developer, is betting the device will bolster not only Oregons portfolio of alternative power development, but others in the United States and Europe.PowerBuoy is fitted to stationary spar and foundation that will be moored to the ocean floor. Image OPTOPT has already invested betwee n $4 million and $6 million in the PowerBuoy, a smart ocean-going buoy that uses piston-like motion in the float relative to its stationary spar to mechanically convert energy into electricity as it rides the waves. The mechanical stroking is converted using what OPT calls a sophisticated power take-off to drive a generator. The electricity is then transmitted to shore using the firms Undersea Substation Pod, which steps up low voltages produced by the buoy to higher voltages compatible with the onshore distribution network. The pod can handle up to 10 offshore power devices of any type, according to OTP.The Oregon Innovation Council, which shepherds business development through funds from the states general fund, has steered nearly $10 million to the Oregon Wave Energy Trust and others. Private forecasts claim a power build-out of wave power would garner the state $2.4 billion and 3,000 jobs. The PowerBuoy is the vanguard in the effort.Big BuoyLater this year, OPT will install the first PB150 some 2.5 miles off the coast from Reedsport, just north of California. Although the buoy packs some heftit measures 150 ft tall by 40 ft widemost of it will be underwater, leaving the top 30 feet of the buoy above the surface. Viewed from shore, company officials say it will be barely visible, if at all.Assemblumineszenzdiode wave-power unit awaits towing to site.Image OPTThe devices main components have been fabricated and are awaiting assembly at a site in Portland, says Greg Lennon, OPT business development director. From there it will be towed down the Willamette River to the Columbia River, the ocean and its installation site. After being untethered, it will naturally right itself as the spar moves vertically, and be moored to the ocean floor with a three-point setup.Lennon says the initial version of the PB150, successfully tested over a six-month period in waters off of Invergordon, Scotland, relied on a hydraulic mechanical package to produce power. The PB150 is designed to work in waves across a range of 4.9 to 22.9 feet. In Scotland, OPT engineers confirmed the test buoy had production peaks of over 400 kW and averaged 45 kW at wave heights as low as two meters. Company officials say the results exceeded expectations and verified the ordnungsprinzip could produce an average of 150 kW in higher wave conditions. OPT expects capital costs of $1,000 per kW.In Oregon, OPT has fitted the PB150 with a rack-and-pinion system to replace the hydraulics of the Scottish machine. Lennon notes the buoy is programmed to stop operations when wave heights exceed the design limits. The Bonneville Power Administration will distribute the power along its grid.VarietyThe PowerBuoy is not the only wave-power system under development. U.K.-based Pelamis Wave Power has several projects off the coasts of Scotland and Portugal, the latter having been producing power for three years. Its design differs from OPTs PowerBuoy in that it is made up of five tube sections linked by universal joints, allowing flexing in two directions. It floats semi-submerged on the surface, facing into the direction of the waves. As the sections bend from the waves passing down their length, the movement is converted into electricity using a hydraulic power take-off system housed within the joints of the tubes. Power is transmitted using standard subsea cables.OPT, with grants from the U.S. Dept. of Energy and input from the U.S. Navy and other partners, has worked on its technology since 2005, when a 40-kW test unit was installed off of Atlantic City, NJ. Its success led to a more advanced unit in 100 ft of water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay. From there, the unit increased to 150 kW, tested off of Scotland and Spain.OPT hoped to begin operating off of Oregon in October 2012, but poor weather and high waves at the installation site threatened worker safety, as did towing the 140-ft-long buoy down river in heavy traffic hampered by seasonally viol ent waves, says Lennon.OPT has not established a firm installation date, although it had hoped to work in the spring. The firm must also contend with other environmental concerns and permit restrictions, Lennon says. Spring is when the seasonal migration of gray whales pass on their way to summer feeding areas off of Alaska. Their route directly intersects with OPTs site and environmental advocates worry about whether the PowerBuoy will interfere with the whales.We have the permit, but it is an adaptive management approach, says Lennon. This is new technology and there is a lack of true understanding of how it will respond to the environment.The buoy is programmed to stop operations when wave heights exceed the design limits.Greg Lennon, OPT business development director

Saturday, December 21, 2019

These people would give up their spouse to get something they lost

These people would give up their spouse to get something they senfgasThese people would give up their spouse to get something they lostJewelry. Old photographs. Your grandfathers watch. Old stuff animals. Your wedding ring. Sensing a pattern? Many people would go to great lengths to get back precious sentimental items if they lost them.Were about to find out exactly how far theyd go. CarRentals.com polled 2,000 people about things some of them precious, some of them pets that they left behind in rental cars, and scoured lost-and-found databases of airports to discover the most common things people forget.They then asked the forgetful drivers what they would do to get their lost items that were valuable or sentimental items back.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThe results were revealing.Logging off 32% of respondentssaid theyd give up a year of social media to retrieve somethi ng they lost of sentimental value.Soda for me 23% would go sober and give up a year of drinking and smoking.Another 18%said theyd even give up a whole year of dining out.Oh, joe 16% would give up a year of coffee.No raise this year 7% would give up a job promotionAnd 4% said theyd give up, well, their significant other to get that special something back. (Hey, spouses and partners can be replaced old photographs and family Bibles cant). Men were twice as likely to ditch their partner to get an item back then women.Well, there you have it. Some things cant be replaced. But in certain situations, you can be. Be sure to prevent this by super-double-checking your rental car before turning it inYou 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, accordin g to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Monday, December 16, 2019

This is the city where you should buy your first home

This is the city where you should buy your first homeThis is the city where you should buy your first homeYou might want to check out one of these areas if youre a first-time homebuyer.If youre in the market to make possibly the biggest step in adulthood, Tampa, Fl was recently ranked the best city in the US for first-time homebuyers, according to personal-finance WalletHub.The study compared 300 US cities across three key components - affordability, real-estate market, and quality of life - while evaluating different metrics to give each a numerical score.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThe findingsTampa ranked No. 2 on the real estate market while having a strong quality of life, ranking within the top 15 in the country. Other cites that filed in behind the top spot were Overland Park (Kansas), Thornton (Colorado), Grand Rapids (Michigan), and Boise (Idaho).For the fruchtwei n affordable housing, WalletHub found that Ohio is a hot-bed for cheaper options with Akron, Toledo, and Cleveland taking the top three spots. Cleveland also had the highest rent-to-price ratio at 6%, which is more than six times higher than Sunnyvale (California), the lowest city in that category.On the flip side, finding a home in most areas of California was considered the worst option, according to the survey. The Golden State had seven cities ranked in the worst cities for first-time homebuyers including Berkeley, which took the top spot due to it being in one of the most expensive markets.Outside of California, Detroit (Michigan) and areas in Northern New Jersey (Newark and Elizabeth) were ranked as some of the worst cities, as well.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

How to Include Bullet Points in a Cover Letter

How to Include Bullet Points in a Cover LetterHow to Include Bullet Points in a Cover LetterThe purpose of adeckblatt letteris to persuade hiring managers that youre a good fit for the job. Think of it as being like a ausverkauf pitch while aresumeoutlines the entirety of your related work experience and skills, your cover letter gives the highlights. The goal is to grab readers attention and convince them that your application should make it to the next round. Of course, hiring managers and recruiters are busy. One study found that recruiters spend an average of justsix secondsreviewing a resume before moving it to the yes or no pile. Adding bullets to your cover letter can help you make the most of those six seconds, highlighting your relevant experience and matching it to the job listings requirements. Best of all, bullets show your experience and skills in a way that stands out immediately. Readers may skim through your opening paragraph, but their eyes will automatically pause w hen they see a bulleted list of qualifications. Theres something about the white space and the formatting of bullet points thats very eye-catching. How to Include Bullet Points in a Cover Letter Start your cover letter with anintroductory paragraphthat explains why you are writing. Then, when explaining your related experience, use a bullet for each of your job qualifications. Each bullet point should include a concise phrase or sentence that begins with anaction word you can include a period at the end of each sentence. Avoid having too much text for each bullet point once the text following a bullet point spreads to three lines, it might make more sense in paragraph form. Use simple bullets such as circles, dots, hyphens, or small squares. Avoid other symbols that might look too confusing or may not upload properly when you apply for jobs online. Keeping it simple will avoid funky formatting in your cover letter. To generate your bullet points,match your qualifications to the job description. Include the skills that are the closest match to the job. You might also includekeywordsrelated to the job, but not specifically listed in the job listing. To figure out which keywords to include, scan job postings for other, related positions at other companies, or scanthis list of skills to include in a cover letter or resume. As well as listing skills, you can use bullet points to convey accomplishments (e.g., Drove record-breaking sales numbers.). Letter Introduction The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Refer to the position you are applying for and tell the hiring manager where you found the job listing. If you were recommended by a contact, nows the time to mention it. Next, provide a brief introduction, followed by the bullets. Bullet Points The middle section of your cover letter should include what you have to offer.Mention how your qualifications match the job you are applying for.Highlight your most relevan t experience and accomplishments.Show the employer why youre a great match.Be selective you dont need to include every skill and achievement, no matter how impressive they might be. Restrict yourself to qualifications that match the job description and show that youre an outstanding fit for the position. Letter Closing Finish your cover letter with a closing paragraph and your signature. Tips for Writing Bullet Points When youre writing your bullet points, dont copy from your resume or from the employers job posting. Take the time to write unique statements for each, based on your qualifications for the job. Include 3-6 bullet points listing your expertise and accomplishments. Remember that cover letters are intended to persuade. As you write, focus on making the case that youre the best candidate for the job. Once youve set up your letter with an introduction, bullets, and a closing, you can simply swap out the bullet points when you write each new cover letter. It is a quick a nd easy way to customize your job application letters for each position you apply for. Cover Letter Bulleted List Examples Manage company communications including extensive social media experience.Experience with C, UNIX, Shell, and Python scripting.Work with students to educate and prepare them for careers using career advising techniques, career development strategies, and career preparation techniques.Experience as a teachers aide in elementary school classrooms.Certified human resources professional with extensive recruiting and hiring experience.Manage complex projects from start to completion while ensuring client satisfaction and meeting all scheduled dates. Email Cover Letter Sample With Bullets Subject Line sale Manager Job Application from J. FernandezDear Mr. WilliamsIt was with much interest that I learned, through your recent advertisement on Indeed.com, about Hamilton Motors current search for a Sales Manager. Please accept the attached rsum as an expression of my deep interest in accelerating the profitability of your new car sales department.As an accomplished sales producer with 8 years experience in automotive sales management for two dealerships in Greenville and Spartanburg Counties, I have consistently demonstrated leadership and motivational talents that produced steady YOY growth throughout my tenures. A few of the credentials I bring to the table includeConsistently meeting ambitious monthly sales forecasts, exceeding profit objectives by 32% in 2016, by 49% in 2017, and by 58% in 2018.Proven effectiveness recruiting, onboarding, and training retail sales teams that have led their territories in production from 2014 through the present, capturing top CAR sales awards each year.More than doubling customer traffic by hiring dedicated automotive internet sales team members.Introducing stringent inventory control policies that reduced overhead by 40% while maintaining an optimal range of vehicle types.As a self-driven and charismatic s ales manager, my super hero talent is my ability to inspire others to own their sales quota responsibilities and enthusiastically work as a team to smash ambitious sales targets. Excited at the prospect of bringing these strengths to Hamilton Motors, I thank you for your consideration and look forward to your response.Sincerely,Julio Fernandez3089 Montgomery AvenueGreeneville, SC 29603(000) 123-1234jfernandezemail.com Expand

Friday, December 6, 2019

The Low Down on Helped Synonym Resume Exposed

The Low Down on Helped Synonym Resume Exposed The skill section may be the most important section on your resume if you set it together correctly. Actually, there are particular jobs in which its important to place a skill section at or close to the top of the resume. While buying a home, you can want to employ negotiation skills, and you will definitely require a great deal of patience and very good temper. Any skill thats useful in your life can be thought of a life skill. The War Against Helped Synonym Resume You might also have a peek at some useful resume keyjas to further improve your resume. When you begin typing a word, the application will automatically suggest you all well-known combinations of similar words. You dont only receive a list of synonyms but a list of vocabulary words that could be employed to draw conclusions between similar words so that you can choose the exact one that is most fitted to what youre looking for. The web application gives you a rich su pply of new words and expressions as an actual dictionary of synonyms. ByteScouts Synonym Finders internet dictionary has you covered with all the probable terms you want to hunt for. Resume Wording Keyword Tips Resume keywords can be exceedingly important and are a vital part of expert quality resume wording. If your language is the exact same as everyone elses, it is going to be difficult for you to stand out. When writing your job descriptions you need to be careful concerning the word tense. You may not be conscious of it, but by employing weak words and phrases in your resume, youre sabotaging your own odds of landing a wonderful job. To be able to impress a possible employer, virtually every word on your resume must pack a proverbial punch. Selecting the most suitable words to describe job performance is very important. A complete, well-designed waiter resume resume is vital so that you can secure that call for a last interview. Your odds of getting the job can becom e very slim when it happens. Excellent wording may be the difference between obtaining a good reply and receiving no response for people carrying out job searches. After youve implemented your solution, you will need to use critical thinkingand attention to detail as you assess the outcome and tweak your strategy as needed to be sure the issue is successfully resolved. On that note, are you considering applying for work that needs plenty of computer work. For instance, if youve got a strong history with word processing and a work description demands experience with a particular processor you havent used, you may use your experience to demonstrate the employer that youve got zero issue working with new word processors. 1 specific example was last year once I was accountable for planning our yearly event. A project manager is an indispensable portion of the infrastructure of any provider. Your accounting degree or experience with bookkeeping might be more applicable than you believe. So it is essential you put the absolute most important information they have to see up front in an executive summary. You may have helped your company gather vital info in your part-time job, while its on the lookout for potential new customers or researching an upcoming article. Get the Scoop on Helped Synonym Resume Before Youre Too Late In addition to the practical demand for developers in just about any company, programming skills demonstrate advanced problem solving skills that could lead to a well-rounded professional. Colleges wish to know that students are in a position to recognize their strengths and set and maintain boundaries. Secondly, you should ascertain if you possess knowledge and techniques outside project management in that area. Facts, Fiction and Helped Synonym Resume If one of these categories is an area where you excel, visit its precise page to learn how resume skills may be used to your benefit. For example, if you submit an application for a Chinese-English interpreting job, you ought to be fluent in both languages otherwise you would just not qualify for the position. Even in the event that you leave the webpage for being in a rush, the app will save your latest search so that you might come back to it later. Locating the perfect teacher resume layout. The Basics of Helped Synonym Resume Theres no definitive collection of life abilities. It is possible to look on the internet for a list of soft abilities or hard skills to offer you a few ideas. Look through the work description and see whether any soft skills are mentioned. There are a few skills that will be utterly necessary for any successful candidate.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Virtual Lunch Learn with Women Leaders at Thales

Virtual Lunch Learn with Women Leaders at Thales Thales creates advanced technology systems that make the world a better place to live in, especially if you love to travel. Want to learn more about Thales, including what they are looking for in new team members? Then please join PowerToFly at our invite-only virtual Lunch Learn with Jilene Frost, Senior Technical Recruiter at Thales.Join us for our virtual Lunch Learn on Thursday, August 16th from 12pm to 1pm ET (9am to 10am PT). You will receive a separate email in your inbox with the Zoom Conference link to access the call by phone or computer.Even if youve never heard of Thales, youve probably used their technologies in one way or another.Like watching movies at 35,000 feet? Thales InFlyt Experience technology keeps you entertained as you fly from one side of the world to the other.Traveled by train recently? When you bought your flugticket from a vending machine, you most likely completed your purchase with Thales on board val idator.Checked your bank balance on your phone today? Thales protects the information systems of 19 of the worlds 20 largest banks.In addition, Thales also offers relocation and visa sponsorship as well as a 401(k), generous paid time off, mentor programs and a wellness plan. Thales is hiring and is specifically looking for Software Engineers, System Engineers and Custom Program Engineers.Is there something specific youd like to discuss on our call? Just let us know in Eventbrite when you register One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When welches the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAcco rding to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71, 067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Library Jobs - Duties, Requirements, and Salaries

Library Jobs - Duties, Requirements, and SalariesLibrary Jobs - Duties, Requirements, and SalariesHave you ever thought about working in a library? Maybe you have special memories of spending time in one as a child. If you want a career in this field because you love books, it is essential to note that you should also love technology- libraries are filled with the latest tech tools and you will have to feel comfortable using them. You should also enjoy being around people. Your library job, regardless of the career you choose, will involve interacting with patrons, but some involve less direct contact than others. It takes many people to make a library run. There are those individuals who deal directly with the resources for which people come to libraries librarians, library technicians, and library assistants. The job duties differ for these occupations, as do the education requirements and salaries.Then there are the people who work behind the scenes, but are nonetheless essential to the functioning of the facility. They are public relations specialists,office managers, computer support specialists, and janitors. Librarians Librarians select print and non-print materials for public, school, university, law, medical, and corporate libraries. They make these resources accessible to users by organizing them and providing instruction in their use. Librariansalso supervise other library workers and some become library directors. Required Education Masters Degree in Library Science (MLS), Master of Information Studies, or Master of Library and Information StudiesMedian Annual Salary (2016) $57,680Number of Jobs (2016)138,200Projected Job Growth (2016-2026) 9 percentProjected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026) 12,400 Library Technicians Library technicians are paraprofessionals who work under librarians supervision. Their duties vary according to the size of the facility in which they work- library techs who work in smaller facilities usually have more responsibi lities than those employed in larger ones. They may order and organize materials, lend them to patrons, and reshelve those items when they are returned. Some library technicians teach patrons how to use resources. Required Education High School DiplomaPreferred Education Postsecondary Training in Library TechnologyMedian Annual Salary (2016) $32,890Median Hourly Wage (2016) $15.81Number ofJobs(2016) 99,000Projected Job Growth (2016-2026) 9 percentProjected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026) 9,000 Library Assistants Library assistantsprovide clerical support.Librarians and library technicians supervise them. Their duties includeorganizing materials, collecting fines for overdue or lost materials, checking in and out books, dvds, and other materials to patrons, and returning books to their shelves after patrons have used them. Library assistants also answer phones or organize files, as well as perform other routine clerical tasks. They are also commonly called library clerks, technical assistants, and circulation assistants. Required Education High School or Equivalency DiplomaMedian Annual Salary (2016) $25,220Median Hourly Wage (2016) $12.12Number ofJobs(2016) 104,000Projected Job Growth (2016-2026) 9 percentProjected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026) 9,800 Public Relations Specialists Public libraries offer a lot of services and programs. Public relations specialists are responsible for making sure people in the community know about them. They send press releases to local newspapers and broadcasters, and create in-house promotional materials such as flyers and newsletters. Public relations specialists sometimes meet with community organizations and schools to promote activities. Required Education Bachelors Degree in Communications, Public Relations, or MarketingPreferred hintergrund Experience in a library or degree in library scienceMedian Annual Salary (2016) $58,020Number ofJobs inLibraries and Other Entities(2016) 260,000Projected Job Growth inLibraries and Other Entities (2016-2026) 9 percentProjected Increase in Jobs inLibraries and Other Entities (2016-2026) 22,900 Administrative Services Managers Administrative services managers coordinate libraries support services. They may oversee mail distribution, plan budgets, and allocate supplies. Some are also responsible for scheduling staff. Required EducationBachelors DegreePreferred Background Experience working in a libraryMedian Annual Salary (2016) $90,050Number ofJobs inLibraries and Other Entities(2016)281,700Projected Job Growth inLibraries and Other Entities(2016-2026)10 percentProjected Increase inJobs inLibraries and Other Entities(2016-2026)28,500 Computer rckendeckung Specialists Computer support specialists provide in-house support to staff members in libraries. They help solve problems, install software and hardware, and maintain computer equipment. Required EducationBachelors DegreeMedian Annual Salary (2016) $62,670Number ofJobs inLibraries and Other Entities(20 16)198,800Projected Job Growth inLibraries and Other Entities(2016-2026) 8percentProjected Increase inJobs inLibraries and Other Entities(2016-2026) 16,400 Janitors Janitors keep libraries clean. They maintain the inside and outside of these facilities. Janitors may also make repairs to plumbing and electrical systems. Required TrainingOn-the-JobMedian Annual Salary (2016) $24,190Median Hourly Wage (2016) $11.63Number ofJobs inLibraries and Other Entities(2016)2.4 millionProjected Job Growth inLibraries and Other Entities(2016-2026) 10 percentProjected Increase inJobs inLibraries and Other Entities(2016-2026) 236,500 Sources Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,Occupational Outlook Handbook Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor,O*NETOnline(visited March 20, 2018).

Friday, November 22, 2019

Does Silicon Valley Have Enough Mechanical Engineers

Does Silicon Valley Have Enough Mechanical Engineers Does Silicon Valley Have Enough Mechanical Engineers Does Silicon Valley Have Enough Mechanical Engineers?For those with the right skills, Silicon Valley has developed a system that can catapult the career of a couch-surfing coder to new heights, making him or her wealthy and perhaps even nerd-famous in the process. The model is simple invest in startups with a handful of employees, avoid physical assets, and sell their final code across the internet. While many firms fail, others, like Google, Facebook, and Netflix, have changed their industriesand our livesforever.Its hard to disagree with renowned Silicon Valley entrepreneur Marc Andreessen, whose oft-cited 2011 Wall Street Journal essay argued that software is eating the world. Nor is it hard to miss how Silicon Valleys economic model offers few opportunities for mechanical engineers, the people trained to design physical machines and their components.Frederick Fourie of Micros oft combines programming, internet of things sensors, and mechanical parts to build a robot at a hackathon. Image MicrosoftUntil now.A new digital revolution is upon us. In fact, Andreessen, Nostradamus-like fashion, foretold it. In the same essay that explained how software was eating conventional entertainment and retail alive, he predicted that it would start consuming the physical world. Now, seven years later, the most stubbornly physical of industry verticalsthink agriculture, manufacturing, and constructionare getting their own virtual makeover through the internet of things (internet of things).internet der dinge, at its simplest, is leid so much a technology as a model of connection. It makes it possible for just about any physical devicefrom a car or HVAC system to warehouse shelves or sensorsto connect to the internet and other devices. This makes it possible for users to remotely unlock the front door or collect critical data from a wind farm.IoT is not some technology f ad, said Alfonso Velosa, an IoT analyst at the tech consulting firm Gartner. It goes beyond using a handy app to control the thermostat or dim the lights. Today, emerging networks of connected things are also becoming mora important in industries ranging from healthcare to logistics.We are now seeing business leaders, across the world, wanting to implement IoT projects so they can make business transformations or get the data they need to make better business decisions, he said. The conversation over the last few years has gone from, What is IoT? to How can I make this work for my business? In fact, Gartner estimates that the world will be home to over 26 billion connected devices in the next few years. The emerging rule of thumb is, anything that can be connected, will be connected. And as those connections grow richer, they promise to upend philanthropisch and corporate behavior in ways that are every bit as surprising as the changes caused by the internet and smartphone technolog y.As this revolution unfolds, it raises some very important questions. If the IoT seeks to control physical things that require an understanding of engineering principlesforce, stress, and thermodynamics, for examplehow will that change the role of mechanical engineers? And does Silicon Valley have enough skilled MEs to keep up with the IoT boom?The Right Stuff, the Right SkillsCompanies will need employees who successfully straddle the line between information technology (IT) and engineering skills, said Ram Ramasamy, consulting manager for digital industrials at consultant Frost Sullivan. He expects IoT demand to rise 11 to 14 percent annually over the next five years.We are going to see a convergence of sensors, assets, algorithms, cloud, and information and data needs, Ramasamy said. Hence, someone who has experience with industrial assets and mechanical engineering as well as IT skills will be the most sought after.There is a supply-demand issue right now. For so long, the wor ld has had a single stream focus. You were either IT or operational technology (OT). Were now at a juncture where IT/OT convergence is driving change in skill set requirements. Companies want people who can do both, he said.Those people are not easy to find. IT managers are reporting that hiring has gotten harder over the past year, said Rich Pearson, a senior vice president of marketing for UpWork, a international platform that helps businesses find freelance talent. While technical positions are always hard to fill, those that require IoT skills are especially difficult.When Pearson ticks off employer needs, they include the usual computer science/IT skills, such as machine learning, web programming, and geographic information systems. Yet, they also include such mechanical engineering standbys as AutoCAD and Arduino software and hardware used to sense and control physical objects.We track the demand for different skills and, from an IoT perspective, were trying to find freelancer s as fast as we can to fill these jobs, Pearson said. As long as the business world and the distribution models for products continue to evolve as quickly as they have done, were going to see continued demand for engineers.Those mechanical engineers, however, will have to bring something a little more than just traditional skills to the table, said William Oget, vice president of engineering for Prodea, a global IoT services operator.Were at the point where almost everyone needs some kind of understanding of software engineering, Oget said. Perhaps everyone is a bit of an overstatementbut its a must for engineers. Today, if you have a blind spot around IoT, if you have a blind spot around the cloud, if you have a blind spot around coding or data, you will be at a disadvantage especially since the efforts of mechanical engineers and software engineers will need to dovetail throughout the timeline of any IoT project.Clearly, Silicon Valley needs a different type of mechanical engineer , one who is fluent in forces, thermodynamics, and process controland also data science, informatics, and some basic IoT application programming.I call this new generation of engineers, digital engineers, Ramasamy said. Codification of processes to make IoT faster, smarter, and simpler will be their defining role in the industries of the future.Building Tomorrows EngineerAre todays mechanical engineering students learning the skills they need in order to become tomorrows digital engineers? They should be, said Jonathan Cagan, co-director of Carnegie Mellon Universitys Integrated Innovation Institute in Pittsburgh. To compete for a job in the future, MEs must broaden their idea of what a mechanical engineer does.Every engineer needs a basic set of IoT skills, and not just to send the right data to the internet, Cagan argued. They need to understand how accessing IoT data after it is processed will change how we design and build mechanical products to interact with one another and wi th humans.Todays mechanical engineer needs to understand how to design these things, and also how connectivity works, the advantages of connectivity, and how things need to function in a collaborative system, Cagan said.Most university mechanical engineering programs require at least some basic programming. Yet Anthony Rueda, who is pursuing a masters degree in mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon after graduating with a B.A. in electrical and computer engineering, wonders if it is enough.The integration between mechanical engineering and computer science is at the forefront of Silicon Valley, no doubt, Rueda said. And that may be why you dont see many mechanical engineers finding jobs there. There arent enough mechanical engineers with a strong enough programming background.Paul Steif, associate head of the mechanical engineering department at Carnegie Mellon, said the department is always adding courses to reflect new workplace demands, and to fill in perceived gaps in their students education. They have already added some IoT courses.Last year, for example, we added a course in the internet of robotic things, Steif said. We recognize there is opportunity herea new area where students want to gain skillsand we are trying to meet that opportunity. We are definitely seeing that the whole connection between electronics, mechanical engineering, and computational processing is becoming more and more central to todays work. Being able to integrate the mechanical sidethe actuators, sensors, and old-fashioned mechanical thingswith the processing and computation is becoming more and more important.IoT knowledge is also working its ways into traditional courses as well. At the University of California, Berkeley, in the heart of Silicon Valley, mechanical engineering professor Francesco Borrelli has been modifying his process control class to fit todays requirements.I cant teach the same class I taught five years ago, Borrelli said. The field of IoT is evolvingbut there is definitely a kind of skill profile that IoT companies are looking for.Mechanical engineers who work in this area will have to be comfortable with some programming. They will have to analyze and work with data. And, you know, not everything that is connected should be connected. Since its the engineers that understand the mechanical design, they need to be able to help make a use case of why something should even be on the internet in the first place.Borrellis point on the fields rapid evolution is important. While most experts agree that IoT will be increasingly important in the future, it has not quite reached the anticipated feeding frenzy status. One reason, Gartners Velosa said, is because companies are having such difficulty finding the right people to staff current projects. He expects that 75 percent of IoT projects will take up to twice as long as planned through 2018.That skills shortage is a global problem, Velosa said. I see more capabilities in North America be cause educational institutions are now realizing the importance of IoT. Yet IoT is not about some abstracted model of a physical asset. You have to understand the physical assethow it works and how it is used. High levels of abstraction can only take you so far. We need more people who can work in that physical space.Prodeas Oget, whose firm recently acquired another IoT company, agrees. So where is he looking for more mechanical engineers?Anywhere we can find them, he joked.The top universities are mostly great, Oget said. But Id love to see more flexible, innovative programs where there are partnerships between universities and companies and students are working on IoT internships and bringing that knowledge back to the classroom, he said.Prodea, like many other companies, still recruits engineers through job sites and at job fairs and technical opportunity conferences at the top universities. It fills immediate needs through freelancer work platforms.Until the market fully mature s, and companies know exactly what skills they will need from tomorrows mechanical engineers, Oget has a piece of unorthodox advice participate in hackathons.Hackathons are sprint-like design events where computer geeks collaborate intensively to create usableand perhaps even commercially viablesoftware. Once the sole province of computer science majors, hackathons now embrace autonomous robots, smart homes and cities, driverless cars, and other IoT standbys.These festivals provide many opportunities for mechanical engineers to show off their practical IoT skills. They are a boon for students just entering the job market, and also established engineers who are looking to expand and showcase their IoT capabilities.Go to these kind of events, show your skills, have fun, meet people, Oget said. Go to an accelerator, to a crowd-funding meet-up, to places where new ideas and start-ups are discussed. You may discover a company that would have never been able to explain why they need you a nd your skills, but will realize they need you once they see you in action.Those companies are surfing the IoT wave. After decades of ignoring hardware, Silicon Valley is rediscovering its physical assets. It may not know exactly what skills it needs now or will need in the future as IoT evolves, but it is ready to start talking to mechanical engineers.Its clear that Silicon Valley does not have enough mechanical engineers, Velosa said. It does not have enough people who understand how these interconnected physical things work in the real world.Right now, we are at the beginning of what will be a ten- or twenty-year journey. We barely understand how these things that we are connecting work, how or why or where they should connect to one another, how we can or should use the data we collect from them. But we are learning as we go.There are a broad range of challenges. But within those challenges, there are also a huge set of opportunities, not just for mechanical engineers but for th e other professional fields that can help us address them, Velosa said.Kayt Sukel is the author of The Art of Risk and covers science and technology from outside Houston.Readthe latest issue of theMechanical Engineering Magazine.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Why We Need 5G Cellular Service

Why We Need 5G Cellular Service Why We Need 5G Cellular Service Why We Need 5G Cellular Service Read Part One The Critical Need for 5G Cellular ServiceThe new data-sharing network that defines so many technical applications would be almost impossible without 5G. Because it transmits data more efficiently, 5G has the potential to be 40 times faster and suffer shorter lag times than the current 4G standard. That speed is critical for autonomous cars, where timely decisions need to be made to avoid crashes.Real-time data is used to control self-driving cars and change their behavior on the grund of observations. Image VTT Technical Research Institute of Finland5G will also be able to transmit video instantly over long distances, allowing one vehicle to share live images with many others.5G will bring more transmission capacity and bandwidth, Ojanper said, so we are looking at a see-through application where vehicles traveling in a queue can get a view of the front of the pick-up truck a nd adjust their actions accordingly in terms of takeover.Top ASME.org StoryFight Climate Change, Build the WallEditors PickNavy Sails Into Supply Chain with Metal 3D Printing Researchers at VTT are running cars in hazardous conditions in the Lapland town of Sodankyl, where 11 feet of snow falls in a typical year, to show how 5G can broadcast information to improve autonomous and semi-autonomous car navigation. Sensors in a manually driven car and fixed weather stations alongside a test track will collect information on ice build-up, which can reduce friction on the road surface. The readings will be sent over a 5G network to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, which works with VTT to analyze the data. If the road is determined to be slippery, an alert will be sent to a 5G-equipped Martti self-driving car thats also running on the track.We can pull sensor data, transfer it to a back-end server in the 5G test network and send out the warnings, and test the maneuvers and actions in t he Martti when it receives the warnings, VTTs Ojanper said. It can go around an obstacle or choose another route if slippery road conditions are detected in one stretch of road.The trial is based on low-bandwidth 5G internet der dinge communications, but cars could exploit high-bandwidth capabilities. For instance, onboard cameras could send images to cloud services to determine hazardous road conditions, and that video could be shared in case of accident, Ojanper said. 5G will allow transmission of more extensive data, including video and phone call to emergency centers.The new data sharing network that defines so many technical applications would be almost impossible without 5G.Other experiments have shown the potential of 5G in connected cars. A June 2018 experiment in Detroit by the 5G Automotive Association showed how cars could get information on traffic congestion and other road conditions beyond the immediate view of the vehicle.5G may also enable manufacturers to deliver fa ster over-the-air software updates to vehicles and allow quicker diagnosis of performance issues. While seamless fixes to minor problems might seem like a boon, even automotive researchers admit it could raise questions of who really owns the car.What happens if your car will be behaving differently compared to how you originally planned to use it? Its a bit of a safety risk, Ojanper said.5Gs potential is yet to be fully realized, but one thing is certain It makes IoT devices and sensors in robots, machines, cars, and drones matter unlike any other past technology.Agam Shah is an independent technology writer in New York City.More Exclusive Stories from ASME.orgUsing the Eyes of Killer Shrimp to Design a Super Camera5 Ways How Digital Farm Technology Is Transforming AgricultureHow Engineers Can Resolve Conflict and Save Their Business For Further Discussion