5 insider secrets every first-time solo traveler should know

5 insider secrets every first-time solo traveler should know5 insider secrets every first-time solo traveler should knowWelcome to paradise, solo travel wannabe. Youre gonna love it. Were so excited youre diving into an adventure on your own. Here are five secrets to solo travel that all first-timers should know.1. Research a lot, plan a littleIf youre like us, you want answers to every question before the questions even come to mind. So read everything you can about your destination. Maybe even look at some maps to orient yourself in the place (or places) youll be. Familiarize yourself with the currency and the most popular tourist spots.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreBut youll want to leave room to discover what you like when theres no one else dictating a schedule. When traveling with your family or friends, their tastes and preferences obviously factor into your travel styl e. But on your own, you might discover you have a completely different pace than youd previously thought. Leave room in your itinerary for change.2. Do exactly what you wantYou are the only person going on this adventure. That means you get to choose exactly what you want to do. Forget about what other people do when they go places, what the must-dos are and what everyone on Instagram seems to deutsche bundespost about most. Do what calls to you. If the Eiffel Tower isnt your thing, skip it.3. Be honest about your needsIf you burn easily, this is not the time to skimp on sunscreen (even though theres no one around to remind you to apply it). Travel brings out a lot of qualities you didnt know you had, but it wont change how quickly your skin turns red.Dont worry, youll get a tan just by being out and about.The same thing goes for your tendency to get hungover- if only that condition paused for vacation- or any allergies. If you have long-term injuries, dont push yourself too far. Thatll only slow you down on your days of exploring.However, dont underestimate your fitness level. Your energy somehow magnifies when youre the only one who picked the hike/swim/trek. Just bring an extra snack bar to keep your calorie levels matching your travel-induced endorphins.4. Bring half the things on your packing listWe promise you do not need four colors of lipstick - cross our hearts. You also dont need three sundresses and two pairs of sandals. One backup charger is plenty and you can always buy more shampoo if you run out (you really dont need to pack that in your suitcase).We know, you want to be prepared. But unless youre heading deep into the outback, you wont be out of civilization to pick up some necessities while traveling. Keep your luggage light and your body will thank you when theres no one else to carry it on and off the airplane.But to play devils advocate, if four shades of lipstick make you happy, theyre easy to shove in a bag. This trip is all about livi ng your dream. You do you.5. Make friends with other travelersTraveling solo is a great way to get some alone time with yourself to recharge and reorganize your thoughts, but it also gives you the opportunity to make new friends along the way. Some parts of travel are just more fun when youre meeting new people so dont be shy and exchange numbers with that friendly stranger that you honigwein on the plane - you have nothing to lose just as long as youre meeting up with them in a public place. Apps likeCouchSurfingmake meeting new friends easier by safely connecting you with locals that offer lodging and tips about what to do and see in the area.This article originally appeared on Swirled.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

Nanotechnology Aids the Cancer Fight

Nanotechnology Aids the Cancer Fight Nanotechnology Aids the Cancer Fight Nanotechnology Aids the Cancer FightThe Nanotechnology Startup Challenge in Cancer is a gelegenheit for ideas to find a homeand hopefully a chance to ultimately save lives.The mission for what we do is to identify breakthrough innovations and help them reach commercial potential, explains Jonathan Lui, managing director of The Center for Advancing Innovation. We found there is this subset of these technologies that havent been commercialized but have a lot of taxpayer dollars put into research and are very good inventions. A competition can possibly help them move forward. There are many projects that have potential but they just fall by the wayside. This is a way to bring them back into play.The Challenge, which had to partner with the National Institute of Health (NIH), was an opportunity to sift through patented nanotechnology cancer inventions in the National Cancer Institute patent portfolios and get teams to compete in order to carry them to fruition, he says. This is really like a startup accelerator model to get these technologies out into the market, he adds.The requirements for a team involved what certain participants brought to the table. We require them to have someone with a geschftlicher umgang background, a legal background, and a scientific background, all important skills to help in moving forward, says Lui, who has a bachelors degree in operations research and industrial engineering from Cornell University. Teams picked one of the available technologies and developed their best form of a business model for it.Whitney Grither (right) of Washington University in St. Louis receives her teams award. Image The Center for Advancing InnovationEvery technology in the program will have five to ten teams developing their best business practices, he says. There are different stages evaluation stages to weed some teams out an elevator pitch executive summary they will have to deliv er a full business plan ten-page pitch deck twenty-minute live pitch session and financial models. Were trying to select the best team and best model for every invention put in the program.There were five finalists and five winners in the fruchtwein recent competition, with the latter receiving a cash prize of $2,000, likely to be used for costs ahead, such as possible incorporation.Looking back, one of the standout technologies in the competition to Lui was a novel lipid base nanoparticle for releasing on demand for cancer treatment, utilizing infrared light and allowing for a very local release to avoid certain negative effects. But there were others that were also strong, he says. It just shows you what might be at your fingertips.Gaining Valuable KnowledgeAnother payment, beyond the cash prize, are the lessons learned.This can be a training ground that they can use to get future work off the ground, understanding that you may have to execute how to make it viable financially, no t just have a product thats interesting. Lui says presently some who were involved in the contest are progressing at different rates but there is reason for optimism.The hope is one day well look back and see some of this work having changed lives, he says. Sometimes something just needs a jumpstart. Hopefully this has done that.Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionThe hope is one day well look back and see some of this work having changed livesJonathan Lui, The Center for Advancing Innovation

All About Being a Digital Forensic Examiner

All About Being a Digital Forensic ExaminerAll About Being a Digital Forensic ExaminerTheres little question that technology has significantly changed the way police do business. Just as true is the notion that ur ever-advancing technology is changing the type of crimes that police detectives investigate altogether, hence the rise in digital forensics jobs. Cyberspace is increasingly becoming a high crime neighborhood, and the need for a police presence is readily apparent. Thats where the field of digital and multimedia sciences and people like John Irvine come in. One of the pioneers of the digital forensics field, John welches conducting computer investigations before most people knew there welches such a thing. Currently, he serves as the Chief Product Officer for CyFir, which offers a remote digital forensics and incident response platform. John is also an adjunct hochschulprofessor of digital forensics at George Mason University, where he teaches Legal and Ethical Issues in Com puter Forensics. He holds a Master of Science degree inInformation Systems and a graduate certificate in software systems engineering. Hes been working in computer forensics since 1997 in both the public and private sector, including work with the FBI, the DEA, and numerous private consulting firms. He also volunteers with the Arcola Volunteer Fire Department. As busy as he is, he found the time to answer some questions for us about the rapidly growing field of digital forensics and what its like to work in the industry. Interview With Digital Forensics Expert John Irvine Tim Roufa You have years of experience in digital forensics, to the point that youve established yourself as a recognized expert in the field.It obviously takes a lot of hard work and education to achieve what youve been able to, but how did you get your start? John Irvine Completely by accidentLike most stories of great careers, I fell into it because of happenstance, not planning.Ive always had a great intere st in technology.As a kid, I put together the first PC clone on the block.Also, from the age of about five, I knew I wanted to be an FBI agent.Eventually, the two interests dovetailed. While sitting in my schreibstube working in software project management one day, the urge struck me to finally reach out to the FBI.This was before the Internet was, well, the INTERNET, so I couldnt easily get information online.I called my local FBI field office, left my name and address on the answering machine for interested candidates, and answered yes to the question asked about having computer skills. I received what I call the So You Want to be a Special Agent? package a few weeks later.I opened the brochure, and the first page blew away my lifelong dream in one sentence. My career as an FBI agent ended before it started with the requirement for 20/40 uncorrected vision or better.In a time before the wonders of LASIK, I was about 20/2000. In the back of the packet was what looked like a 17th ge neration, schwimmbadly skewed, almost illegible copy of a job posting for a computer specialist that had apparently been included because of my stated ability with computers.I thought, Well, maybe I can fix printers or something for the FBI.At least that will get me in the door. I sent my resume to the HR rolle listed on the job description, and I received a call about a week later from one of the program managers at the FBIs Computer Analysis Response Team.He said, Your resume was routed to me because you said you were a computer generalist in your cover letter.What do you know about computer forensics? Nothing, I replied.He said, Great. Come in for an interview. TR How did you first become interested in digital forensics? JI In the interview, the people with whom I met told me that I could be a geek with bad eyesight and still help catch the bad guys.Apparently my generalist abilities- meaning I could effectively use different operating systems and had pretty good knowledge of bot h hardware internals and major applications- would be a great fit on their team. That was really all I needed to hear.I thought I had been playing with Linux and Mac operating systems in addition to Windows just for fun I didnt realize it was all setting the stage for a future career. TR Besides your forensics experience, youve spent a lot of time working for the federal government. Did that experience help prepare you for your current career? JI Before working for the FBI, I had spent quite a lot of time as a government contractor.In fact, during my senior year of high school, I would leave when the bell rang and would drive up the street to a defense contractor where I worked as an assistant to the directors of HR and Special Security.Later on, I worked for a software company that had a number of government customers. In addition to already having a security clearance at a very young age, that experience helped me by exposing me to a number of different hardware platforms, softwar e applications, and- most importantly- different types of people in the government and professional world.Regardless of how it looks, computer forensics is as much about the people who use the computers you analyze as it is about the hardware itself. In the second part of our interview with digital forensics professor and expert John Irvine, we learn about some of the pitfalls of the profession and he explains why this job isnt for everyone. The Digital Forensics Career Path and Pitfalls TR Between your bachelors degree in management, your software engineering certificate and your masters degree in information systems, how well do you feel your degrees prepared you for your career path? JI Each of those programs brought something to the table for me working in computer forensics.First, I think its important to say that computer forensics is NOT a computer science discipline.Its as much an investigative function as it is a technical challenge.If either skill set is missing, one w ill have a much harder time working successfully in the field. The MS in Information Systems helped by giving me a better understanding of operating systems, file systems, and computer mechanics.However, my BS in Management was equally helpful with my coursework in psychology, sociology, management, and accounting.I cant really give an edge to one degree over the other for usefulness in the field. That said, I want to make sure I say a few things.Computer forensics is an apprenticeship discipline.More programs have come about in recent years- the one in which I teach at George Mason University included- that offer excellent coursework in computer forensics.However, you really learn the trade once youre in a seat working on real cases alongside a senior examiner. Also, you do NOT need to have a programming background to work successfully in the field.In fact, Ive had significantly better luck training investigators in the technical details of the job than Ive had in teaching programm ers methods of investigation and art of the hunch.If one doesnt have a technical background in school, that is NOT a deterrent to getting into the field. TR Youve worked in both the private and public sectors, performing much of the saatkorn work. How would you describe the difference between the two? JI The largest differences between working in public and private sectors are generally procedure and speed.In the federal world, ones procedures are generally (but not always) heavily prescribed, and speed of production is generally less critical (with some notable exceptions). In the commercial world, procedures are largely driven by personal experience or your employers preferences, and the speed of production is much higher.Id spent four months on a single hard drive once with a federal employer because of the amount of data it contained, but in the commercial world, you usually aim for a turnaround time of days or weeks at most. TR What is a typical workday like for a digital foren sics analyst or examiner? JI The workday for a digital forensics professional is anything but typical.Depending on the organization for whom youre working, you might be working a steady stream of child pornography cases, or you might be analyzing subjects so high profile that youre watching them on CNN while youre doing the work. However, you can often expect to be in an overly hot office (because of the number of computers at your desk overpowering typical office air conditioning), and youll get very good at piecing together one working component from a bunch of non-functioning ones. Much of your day will be spent on documentation.You might be writing a report of analysis, peer reviewing another examiners report, or noting everything you did when performing an exam.The best examination in the world is useless if you cant communicate clearly in a written report that can be easily understood by an agent, officer, lawyer, or jury.Plus, if your written report is poor, it will naturally call into question your technical abilities by those who try to read it. Depending on where you work, testifying in court is a potential part of performing digital forensic analysis.If youre working in a law enforcement environment, its almost guaranteed, but even corporate forensics personnel might have to testify during an unfair termination lawsuit or to support subsequent law enforcement action from tracking an intrusion.Some examiners Ive known are great behind the keyboard and can write fantastic reports, but they fall apart when called to testify in court. TR You wrote an article titled The Darker Side of Digital Forensics. Can you tell us a little bit about some of the pitfalls of the job? JI Youre actually referencing a blog post I wrote an eon ago that was picked up by a few digital forensics outlets and has been reposted time and time again.I had no idea it would have such legs when I wrote it I was just amazed that people who wanted to get into the field still had no id ea what it really entailed. Computer forensics has been a fantastic career for me, but there are definitely pitfalls.In fact, the first two class sessions that I teach are centered around the realities of the job, and Im shocked every time when I find out that Im the first person that has told my students what the work is really like after theyve chosen it as their degree field. I dont have scientific numbers, but Id estimate about 70 to 80 percent of computer forensics cases worldwide are related to child pornography.The closer you get to state and local law enforcement, the higher that number goes. Even if youre concentrating on computer intrusions and incident response, youll often find child pornography as a purpose or result of the intrusion (or simply existing on the computers you examine from the regular user of the machine). Exposure to child pornography, particularly for eight hours a day, 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, takes its toll.Its not just looking at still pictur es.Youre watching the videos, too, and youre seeing and hearing everything. If you can keep doing it, youll most likely develop a very dark, graveyard sense of humor to combat it.I also volunteer with a fire and rescue squad, and you see much of the same humor there its a coping mechanism developed by people who work in the mora grim areas of life. Also, depending on the work youre doing, youll be exposed to graphic images and text of murder, torture, rape, terrorism, and just about any crime, depravity, pornography, or deviance you can imagine. Computers are excellent tools for good, and theyre also excellent tools for committing crimes and spreading hate.As a computer forensic examiner, youll be exposed to all of it, day in and day out.In one group we had a joke that riffed on a commercial at the time talking about people who surfed to the bottom of the Internet.We added, and then our team gets a shovel and starts digging. Because of the work and the content to which an examiner i s subjected, many people who enter the field dont last.On average, Id say about 50 percent of the people who get into it leave within about two years.That seems to be the mark when an examiner has had enough cases under his or her belt to become either weighed down by (or immune to) the exposure.If you can make it past the two-year mark, you generally have a long career ahead of you in computer forensics. A Changing Discipline TR With such rapid advancements in computing technology over the past decade, how has the field of digital forensics changed over your career? JI Computer forensics has changed tremendously from when I started in the 90s.Back then, you looked at every file on a hard drive (because you could), and mobile devices werent even a thought.Floppy disks would come in by the hundreds, but now, you never see them. Today, the amount of data is so vast that you have to be much more pinpoint in your searches, and mobile devices are an equal- if not more important- subj ect of examination. Additionally, the depth of tools has changed significantly.In the early days, most tools were written by cops who had taken a few programming classes or who were self-taught.We had dozens of single-use utilities that we would cobble together to do an examination. Now, the tools are much more professional and multi-purpose.A good examiner will still have a large toolbox from which to work, but he or she has much better base platform options for performing the overall examination.The industry is always trying to move to the magic find all evidence button, and some tools are edging close to that for certain types of cases. Politically, the types of cases have shifted tremendously.Originally, computer forensics was mostly used by law enforcement for criminal cases.After 9/11, much of the work shifted toward counterterrorism.Now, computer intrusions are the hot topic, and many careers have moved toward incident response.The field changes tremendously with the times. T R Currently you serve as Vice President for Technology Development at CyTech Services. If you can share them with us, what sorts of innovations have you been able to have a hand in over your career? JI Making the move to CyTech Services has been a fantastic one for me.In my position, I not only am able to use my computer forensics experience, but I can also use my background in software project management.CyTech produces CyFIR Enterprise (CyTech Forensics and Incident Response) for performing enterprise computer forensic investigations. My contribution here is further development of the tool with a practitioners eye.For example, CyFIRs architecture allows investigators to search every node on an enterprise network at once for forensic data- without requiring users to stop work for a lengthy imaging process. If theres a malicious code outbreak in an organization, CyFIR has the ability to locate all affected machines within minutes instead of days or weeks.This is huge when performing incident response, e-discovery, or internal investigations on a large enterprise network or when responding to a multi-store point-of-sale compromise that is stealing credit card data from checkout lanes.The old thinking of image everything and sort through it later just doesnt fly anymore in an enterprise context. While not an innovation per se, with my management background, I have been exceptionally lucky identifying candidates who make outstanding forensic examiners. Resume inflation is, unfortunately, a large problem in our industry, and someone who looks great on paper might have only a buzzword-level knowledge of actually performing an exam.Through an interview process Ive developed over time, Ive been extremely successful in finding the right candidates with the skills necessary for the position. On the educational side, Ive been able to reisepass my knowledge and- more importantlymy experience to future generations of forensic examiners.During those first two days of class that I mentioned, I find that one or two people each semester will tell me that they didnt realize what they had bargained for when they started the program and thank me for letting them know what the job was like, because they didnt feel comfortable performing that kind of work. At that point, I am able to guide them into a computer security program that wont have the same kinds of content issues waiting for them in the future.Likewise, I can pretty quickly identify the students who really seem to have the knack, and I can help point them in the right direction to start their careers. In the final portion of our interview with digital forensics expert John Irvine, we learn why the field is so important, what aspiring examiners can earn, and what you can do to get started in a career as a digital forensic expert. Why Digital Forensics Is so Important, and How You Can Get Started TR Why is the field of digital forensics so valuable to governments and corporations? JI Digital for ensics is valuable to both governments and corporations for exactly the same reason- information.Whether that information is evidence for a federal criminal case or knowledge of an insider stealing corporate intellectual property for a competitor, digital forensics professionals provide data that the customers otherwise do not have available. In very simple terms, one could liken the job of a digital forensic examiner to that of a photo developer.For example, if I have an undeveloped roll of film in my hands, thats almost useless to me as any kind of evidence.However, if someone develops that film into pictures (or recovers data from a hard drive in our case), that content can provide everything the prosecutor, HR manager, or corporate security officer needs. Now that I think about it, I need to come up with a new analogy for the future.Kids in school today probably dont even know what a roll of film is anymore TR What do you enjoy most about your job, and why do you continue to do it? JI Digital forensics appeals to me on a number of levels.First and foremost, it allows me to make meaningful contributions to the safety and security of people without being restricted by the physical limitations of eyesight or age.I might not be the agent chasing someone down an alley, but I might give that agent the data from the subjects cell phone that seals the case and opens three more. Next, digital forensics deeply appeals to me because its a kreuzung of my love of law enforcement and intelligence (my TiVo is filled with cop and spy shows) and my inner geek.If you watch those shows, youre even seeing an evolution of those characters on screen.Fifteen years ago, they were the ber-nerds with broken glasses and awkward social graces.Now, the computer forensic examiner usually has a dry sense of humor and a great sense of style TR What does it take to be successful as a digital forensics examiner or analyst? JI Primarily, it takes a sincere passion for justice (and Im using that in an all-encompassing term) with a love of things technical.If you have those two items, youre well on your way. Formal educational programs are available now which didnt exist just a few years ago, and its well worth taking the time to investigate them to see what each has to offer.Additionally, many of the forensics tools out there have classes (using the tool sold by the company, my own included) that can get you started. As I tell my students, the field requires a very strong sense of personal responsibility.You need to be willing to put your name and reputation on the line with each case you analyze because you could very well end up in court based on the contents of your report.If you lack conviction, grace under pressure, or candor, this is absolutely NOT the career field for you. Lastly, being successful is helped tremendously by finding a good mentor in the field and working shoulder-to-shoulder with that person while you learn the trade.Schools can give you a great f oundation, but case experience helps you put people behind bars. TR How much should your average digital forensics examiner expect to earn, and how much might they earn if they become reputable and/or go to a private firm? JI Digital forensic salaries vary widely, and as of recently due to sequestration and market saturation of people trying to advertise themselves as computer forensic examiners who arent, salaries are starting to come down.(Much of the responsibility there rests with bad hiring managers who cant determine a candidates true skill set.) However, in general, a person with talent should be able to find positions between $60-$80,000 at a junior level, $80-$120,000 at a mid-level, and up to and over $150,000 at a senior level.That said, Ive known some amazing examiners who were in positions paying only $50,000 per year as local police officers, and Ive known lousy examiners who made more than $250,000 per year because they marketed their name well. In very general terms, forensic examiners make the most in defense litigation cases or in e-discovery if they can run a large number of cases at once (and bill multiple clients).Those salary levels are typically followed by federal government contractors, federal government employees, state government employees, military, and finally local government examiners, respectively. Commercial salaries run the gamut depending on experience, size of the company, and corporate interest in forensics (either because of proactivity or public embarrassment). TR What advice do you have for someone who is trying to decide whether or not they want to work as a digital forensics examiner, or for someone just starting out in the field? JI Read this articleSeriously, I would spend a little time on LinkedIn and reach out to people in digital forensics to ask them many of the same questions youve asked me. Find people who work for the organizations or companies you want to work for and let them tell you about the day-to-day g rind.I field one or two inquiries a week through either my LinkedIn or school email addresses, and Im happy to offer my advice depending on their individual situations. If you have a little money to spend, Id suggest signing up for one of the training classes offered by the large computer forensic tool manufacturers to get a feel for whats involved with the work and the ways in which its done. If the class holds your interest, Id look into the excellent programs in some universities at either the BS or MS levels (like the Masters of Computer Forensics available from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where I teach). TR If you have anything else youd like to add about your career or the field in general, please feel free to share it. JI Computer forensics definitely isnt for everyone, and thats OK.Before spending a lot of time or money, find a digital forensics professional in your area, offer to buy him or her a cup of coffee, and pick their brains for an hour.fruchtwein of us are more than willing to share our knowledge, as thats how we came up ourselves. Digital forensics is a growth field (lets face it, computers arent going away anytime soon), and theres plenty of work for everyone.However, if you dont value truth and arent able to stand up for your work in the face of adversity, you wont last long in this business where reputations are everything. I may not know a given forensic examiner personally, but I can guarantee you that Im one phone call away from someone who does, and those unofficial hall files get passed around between examiners quickly.One instance of poor candor or lack of responsibility can end a career in its tracks. All that said, its been a fantastic field for me, and Im grateful to everyone Ive worked with in the past for the lessons theyve taught me and the experiences that theyve imparted.Its been a wild ride.

Early Retirement - People Who Retire Early - The Muse

Early Retirement - People Who Retire Early - The MuseEarly Retirement - People Who Retire EarlyPeople who retire early seem to have it all figured out. They can do what they want- completely free of financial constraints. How did they do it? Is therbeie some wisdom that can be gleaned from their success?Maybe. And though you might not be able to follow in their footsteps just yet, heres what we can all learn from those lucky (lets not pretend that luck doesnt play some small role) folks. 1. Patrick PichetteLesson Dont let ambition get in the way of life.Patrick Pichette was most recently in the news for his stunning retirement from his punkt as Googles CFO. Despite his impressive career, Pichette chose to retire to spend more time with his family rather than let life get away from him as he chased his ambition.As he states in his retirement announcement In the end, life is wonderful, but nonetheless a series of trade offs, especially between business/professional endeavors and family /community. And thankfully, I feel Im at a point in my life where I no longer have to have to make such tough choices anymore. While you might not be able to choose yur family over your salary just yet, its important to remember not to get carried away with your career and forget why youre doing it all in the first place. 2. Greta GarboLesson You dont owe anyone anything.Greta Garbo, an incredibly popular actress in the 20s and 30s, surprised the world when she unexpectedly retired from acting in 1941. In fact, she essentially dropped out the Hollywood scene altogether and didnt even go pick up her Oscar in 1954 when she was awarded an Academy Honorary Award for her luminous and unforgettable screen performances.And while Garbo did sign up for a few additional projects, all of which she quickly dropped out of, she more or less made the decision to be done with acting and stuck with it- for completely personal reasons. She didnt quit for family (she never married and had no children) , and, had she wanted, she could have easily continued to act. But, she didnt want to and therefore didnt- and that is totally fine.While easier in theory than in practice, in the end, you dont have to do anything you dont want to do in your career- and that includes continuing it.3. Michael JordanLesson You can change your mind.Im not going to write an introduction to Michael Jordan, because who doesnt know who Michael Jordan is? Jordan was frequently in the news, not only for his numerous athletic triumphs, but also the numerous times he went in and out of retirement. Despite his indecision regarding where to end his athletic career, none of his mini retirements hindered his success. Jordan reminds us that no matter how big of a decision youre facing, even if its retirement, you can always change your mind. Consequences are a real thing, but many times theyre an inconvenience more than a serious detriment. Retirement, like most things, doesnt have to be permanent. 4. Mr. Money Mus tacheLesson You dont have to be rich or famous.And, the most hopeful lesson of all, even normal people can retire early. Mr. Money Mustache is an engineer named Pete in Colorado who, along with his wife, retired when he was 35 and writes a blog on how he managed it all. With some frugal living and smart investments, he and his young family are completely financially independent- and therefore, in their mind, retired. In an interview for MarketWatch, he explained, I realized that you can generally count on your nest egg to deliver a 4% return over most of a lifetime, with a good chance of it never running out. In other words, you need about 25 times your annual spending to retire. So we tracked our spending and our net worth, and when we hit the magic number, we declared ourselves retired.Sadly, Im not retiring any time soon, but its a nice reminder that the possibility is out there. Perhaps, with a clear plan like Mr. Money Mustache, an understanding that there are things more impor tant than my career la Pichette, and the realization that I dont need permission from anyone (thank you, Garbo), we can all aspire for some form of early retirement- and then change our minds once weve achieved it. Photo of eye courtesy of Shutterstock.

Top Programmer Resume Examples Tips!

Top Programmer Resume Examples Tips What You Dont Know About Programmer Resume Examples Once youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to learn how to vary using action verbs and receive a feel for what makes a potent accomplishment statement. You need to visit a lawyer for information having to do with your personal circumstance. In america, companies with 10 or more employees want to follow EEO rules. You need to look for work thats well ready to cover for the work. Extremely convenient, and itll help save you hours of work. If you are a newcomer to the computer programming business, the experience section of your resume should list any employment opportunities youve had in the brde few years. The 30-Second Trick for Programmer Resume Examples If you decide to turn into a programmer, you should create a resume that highlights your abilities and compelling resume. Youre going to compose a killer programmer resume. A promising Programmer has to b e devoted to keeping up with the newest innovations in technology and computer languages. For instance, a computer programmer with one professional role whos searching for advancement ought to have a one-page resume. No matter your degree of work experience, your resume format is vital to making your program stick out. Writing is one important process that most represents the on-line world. If you dont list that experience, I will assume you have little if any experience with it even if its on your skill list. Relevant It is extremely good in the event you can locate work whichs applicable to that which you might want to do later on. You also need to list any certifications or degrees you earned close to the peak of your resume should you not have sufficient work experience to fill up the page. Youre most likely not going to obtain function from your resume, however you will not truly get one because of it, so prevent placing so much stress all on your own and afterward cre ating a monster. Make certain that you only list work experiences related to the open position. If youve got large sums experience outside the workforce, locate a way to demonstrate that on your resume. It gives employers an opportunity to see what you could really do. Companies welcome any proof or validation that youre in a position to apply theory into practice. Overall it wasnt really a work just a learning experience. Even though most of resumes must offer advice on your own work and education experience, as well as your abilities and achievements, there is an assortment of approaches to present this info. What you may read within this post. Folks can use the resume examples to learn to create an overview of qualifications, and a distinct paragraph that focuses on experience highlights. Otherwise, we might discover during the bewerbungsinterview that you arent interested in that which we have to offer you. The prior interview is really to work out in the event the cand idate is the most appropriate match, he clarified. Plus Note the way that it adds transferable skills from different jobs. To find out more on what it requires to be an Analyst Programmer, take a look at our complete Analyst Programmer Job Description. Its crucial that you dont simply apply these resumes verbatim. An outstanding Programmer Resume, similar to this example, will incorporate numerous impressive skills your employer is searching for in a candidate. While the computer and technology industries are growing at unprecedented prices, it can continue to be challenging to find the job you would like today. Enaya you write down each of the strengths and potential youve got to draw attention. You should also incorporate basic soft abilities, like your capacity to work well within a team or your capacity to head huge projects with success. Make sure to be aware that you learn how to use common development programs, and describe your degree of skill. By agreeing you ac cept the usage of cookies in agreement with our cookie policy. Your resume provides a window in your history and is one of the most important files in your job hunt, as it provides the crucial preliminary impression on a hiring committee. You can down load and utilize and be provided a work readily. You will get an amazing job only provided that you put inside effort. In addition, do not mix Serif and Sans Serif fonts thats just ugly. If you would like a slightly fancier font, use it just for section headers. You could really like to create headings for example Skills, Strengths or Interests and checklist info that may be associated with the task youre trying to get. You may want to make headings like Skills, Strengths or Interests and listing details that may be highly pertinent to the task youre trying to get. The Dos and Donts of Programmer Resume Examples These human resources professionals wish to evaluate your experience and knowledge and find out how up-to-date you re on technologies and languages. While technical pros resumes do not will need to be pretty, formatting can earn a tremendous difference in a resumes readability. Documented the full process according to ISO standards with different associates. Involved in maintenance of current programs according to user requirement. Using Programmer Resume Examples From a number of options on the internet were sure this pic may well be an ideal reference for you, and we sincerely hope youre delighted by that which we present. Otherwise, you can opt to compose References located on request. Usually, you might choose to compose References on request. Please search by keyword in accord with your wishes. An internet designer is to blame for creating and keeping the internet presence of one company, or a list of clients. An internet developer can expect to earn a salary in the variety of $35,000 to $105,000 annually. Our internet developer resume samples will reveal to you precisely how to p resent your qualifications so that employers will see your thorough experience and expert background. A great web developer resume takes the opportunity to outline the huge experience a developer has in all the disciplines that clients will have to maintain and boost their internet presence.

The Dirty Truth About Msu Writing Lab Resume

The Dirty Truth About Msu Writing Lab Resume Msu Writing Lab Resume the Ultimate Convenience Employers now anticipate a letter that is centered on your interest in the organization and the way you fit the job. Sessions with experienced writing consultants are made to give help on every element of the writing process, with the aim of enabling writers to attain long-term improvement, confidence, and independence. By joining our research group, youre going to be working with researchers committed to psychological investigations related to real-world issues. Choosing Good Msu Writing Lab Resume The functional resume is organized by every skill and typically limited to two or three general areas in buchung to not overwhelm the possible employer. Teaching-focused community college CVs may additionally have a research section, but will consist of limited detail. Be certain to include a succinct description of the essence of your research experiences and what youve learned from them . For instance, skills like customer support, writing, communication, or organization are widely used in functional resume. In truth, it requires loads of writing skills, understanding of format and distinctive guidelines of admissions resume writing. Mandatory worldwide student orientation is going to be held the very first week before the start of classes. In order to provide all students the chance to use our writing tutors, students are limited to one Writing Center appointment daily. Students in high school sometimes takes a look at every section of a resume to assist plan for their career. Writing tutors are offered by email. Conventions of Scientific Writing In each area, there are particular parts that need to be written in a given way. The scores go straight to MSU, and that means you truly dont require a department code anymore. The Chronicles of Msu Writing Lab Resume When you first begin using either the MLA or APA documentation style, you might feel overwhel med by the intricacy of the style and by the many rules that pertain only to certain sources. Citing your work can be complicated, so to give you a hand, here are a couple of resources you may use while writing your next paper. You are then going to be given authorization to file your assignment. Therefore, using resume writing templates that provide sequential writing format will help you to get noticed. Students may submit the exact same paper up to three times if its revised significantly between submissions. Instead, the feedback will make it possible for you to reflect and use the thorough comments to revise and polish your paper. You may submit any paper for virtually any class or subject, if youd like to obtain feedback on the way that it is written. Generally, your undergraduate paper is going to be reviewed and went back to you within a day.

Definitions of Resuem

Definitions of Resuem Who Else Wants to Learn About Resuem? Have another person do the exact same. You could also Sample resumes. Your probability of getting the job can become very slim when it happens. Dont make the error of answering each job posting with the exact generic resume. For starters, the resumes owner employs full sentences instead of sentence fragments. In a couple of sentences youll be able to tell us a lot The speed by which youre ready to comprehend sentences remains measured and theres still uncertainty in your selection of words. Once youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to learn how to vary the usage of action verbs and receive a feel for what makes a highly effective accomplishment stellungnahme. Every trade position has a certain set of skills which are needed at work and its vital that you highlight your technical training in your resume. Luckily, there are tons of different tactics to demonstrate youve got the abiliti es and qualities essential to thrive in an advertising position. Various kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with a number of the exact same skills. There are many benefits of listing your work experience by skill category as opposed to by employer. If thats the case, make certain your descriptions reflect that information. The sample reference page provided here can readily be adapted to satisfy your requirements. Consider what sections and data youd love to include before you begin. Be sure your contact information is accurate. There are a lot of resume strategies to master which will help you land the job that you desire. 1 advantage for employers to internet resumes is the substantial cost saving in contrast to traditional hiring methods. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. There are lots of standard kinds of resumes used to make an application for job openings. Volunteer experience is also a great add-on to healt hcare resumes since it shows the hiring manager which you have compassion off the work too. Your jobs might be varied, your experience and abilities vast, and it can be hard getting it all on paper. Federal jobs often need you to have experience in a special type of work for some period of time. Transportation jobs involve plenty of responsibility and your resume will want to reflect you can deal with that. Our resume builder is the quickest approach to create a resume that will allow you to get your fantasy job. You should compose your statement in a means which makes the recruiter see the way the skill will profit the business. A recruiter would like to observe the results that youve achieved in previous positions, as it speaks to the potential you need to do well in the role for which theyre attempting to fill. In truth, its not that hard as it might appear to be. If you dont want to use a resume objective, you can merely use a heading below your name that indicates the s ort of job that you want to apply for. There are a few things that dont belong on a resume for work. Understanding how to start can be the largest challenge and looking at examples can be quite useful. The area of information technology gets more important daily. Below, you will locate a list of resume examples that may assist you with your work search. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously provide you an advantage. Everything about your resume is selling one product you and if you are wanting to work in retail, you will need to prove that you understand just what is necessary to sell yourself. Its high-quality PSD file is totally customizable. Writing a strong application is a challenging procedure and we would like to make it simpler. Its content-packed layout is fantastic for engaging employers with several facts, from experience to education. Notice how the example resumes are extremely specific when it has to do with technical skills.

Affording to Take an Unpaid Internship

Affording to Take an Unpaid InternshipAffording to Take an Unpaid InternshipYouve just found the perfect internship that you know will provide just the right experience that you need to get a job in your chosen field after graduation. You have a place to stay and the internship offers a chance to get hands-on experience working with some very knowledgeable and well-respected professionals in the field. It all sounds perfect except for one thing, the internship listing you found says that the internship is unpaid. Since you know there is no way that you could even consider applying for an internship that is unpaid since it is essential that you make money over the summer to help defray some of the costs of college while making a little spending money to use over the summer and once you return to college. The frustration of finding the perfect internship is a dilemma that many college students face. To make matters worse, the dilemma of the unpaid internship as well as those organizati ons that say the internship must be done for leistungspunkt are unforebinnenlandseen obstacles that many students werent aware of prior to looking for an internship. Students who do an internship for credit over the summer often have to pay college tuition in buchung to receive college credit. Consequently, taking an unpaid internship, especially if its an internship for credit, can become quite costly for students. Its important for you to research your options to see if taking an unpaid internship is the best course of action. Doing an internship for credit over the summer can be costly as well so you might want to see if the organization will waive the requirement or if your college offers 1 or 2 credit for an internship which can provide substantial savings. Internships during fall or spring semester usually are rolled in with the semester and dont require any additional costs. If a lack of financial resources is holding you back from applying for what you see as the perfect in ternship, take a look at some of the strategies listed below to see if you are able to come up with a solution. The key is not to give up prior to exploring all options. Paid Vs. Unpaid Internships The majority of paid internships are usually found in the business world. Students interested in finance (investment and commercial banking, venture capital, accounting), information technology, marketing and sales, and entertainment will often get the best paid internships. Keep in mind that many sales positions consist mainly of cold calling of which salary is based on percentage of results, a multi-level marketing or sales internship may not hold the financial rewards that are listed in the internship description. Recently more organizations are offering at least a modest stipend in order to get the most talented students to apply. Unpaid internships can be valuable for those students who can afford to do them. Gaining the relevant skills required for getting hired in the field alo ng with making connections with professionals in the field can be invaluable. It is important to base your decision on not doing an unpaid internship more on financial need than on the principle that you refuse to work for nothing. Does your College have a funded internship program? Many colleges and universities have started programs in order to help students who want to pursue an unpaid internship. Several years ago the small liberal arts college where I work began to offer a number of funded internships. Each student receives $2500 to help defray costs and expenses over the summer. The goal of these internships was to provide access to all students to be able to get experience in their field of interest especially if they didnt have the financial resources to complete an unpaid internship. The Program has grown exponentially over the past three years and we are looking to expand it even further in the future. It has become a major endeavor of the College since providing a qu ality education for all students with equal access to resources is an important part of the Colleges Mission. Check with the Career Services Office at your College to see if they have a similar program and, if not, you may recommend that they looking into ways that they could fund several internships just to get started. Many internships are funded by alumni, parents, and friends of the College. Research Individual Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships on the Web There are many organizations and foundations who provide grants for students seeking to gain relevant work experience by completing an internship in their field of study while they are in college.Scholarshipsare awarded to many individualsbytypebased on personal experience and professional pursuits. Often scholarships are awarded for some unique attribute or interest of the student and there are thousands of unique opportunities that exist. For example,Green Scholarshipsare awarded to students interested in protecting t he environment, who want to gain experience in the field, or who actually plan on working on an environmental project during college or immediately upon graduation. Whatever you or your familys situation or uniqueness, there may be available grant money offered through the federal or state government, organizations, and/or foundations. Is There a Chance That a Family Member or Friend Would Contribute Money in Order for You to Do an Unpaid Internship? You may be able to receive a donation or a loan from family or close friends if they believe that the internship you are planning to do will help you to get started in your career without incurring any additional debt. They may see it as providing a resource that could provide a big pay-off in the end. Especially when we are in the throes of a challenging job market, the value of doing an internship can be the deciding factor between getting hired or not immediately after graduation. Competition is fierce for new graduates in a down job market and not having therelevant experiencethat employers are looking for can be a definite detriment to getting hired anytime soon. Financial Aid Options You may apply for additional financial aid if you have reason to believe that you will need to do an unpaid internship in order to gain the experience you will need to get hired. This is not the ideal situation and should be explored if you feel there are no other options. Of course discussing your finances with a professional should be considered when taking on any additional debt. Apply for a Part-time Job Many students will combine a part-time job with an unpaid internship. Since many internships can be done part-time, coupling that with a part-time job may not be such a bad idea. Combining a job with an internship may give you the best of both worlds relevant experience in your chosen field along with some money to help pay for some of your college costs and other incidentals. Being Proactive and Checking Out Options Is Well Worth the Effort Gaining relevant experience and developingprofessional connectionswith professionals in your field are two of the most important aspects of completing an internship. Once you complete your internship, the experience you gained can be used to help you build a strong and effective resume. Checking out some or all of the various options that may permit you to do the perfect unpaid internship is well worth the effort. Remember we are talking about a very short time-frame that can make a huge difference in your career. By taking a proactive stance you will be capitalizing on your education while seeking ways that you can compliment it by creating a bridge between the academic and real world by doing an internship.

A Guide on the Advantages of Doing Freelance Work

A Guide on the Advantages of Doing Freelance WorkA Guide on the Advantages of Doing Freelance WorkFreelance work offers tremendous advantages and can represent an attractive alternative to a traditional job. If you are considering a freelance career, you should explore the benefits and pitfalls of freelancing. Below are advantages of freelance legal work. Advantages of Freelancing Flexibility of Hours Working from home or from a remote workplace as a freelancer allows you to dictate your own hours and work at times most convenient to you. Freelancers with young children, for instance, can work after the children are sleeping freelancers with traditional employment or part-time jobs can perform their freelance work around their regular work hours. You can work when you are most productive or load up on work now to have some me time later.Building an Asset- Owning and operating a successful freelance geschftliches miteinander allows you to create an asset that may be saleable down the road. Your efforts may be rewarded through the present income you generate. Your reputation, client list, and other business assets can also net additional income if you sell your successful business to abedrngnisher. Workload Control As a freelance worker, you can control your workload. While client demands can, at times, dictate your schedule, you can turn away work during busy times or accept more work during lean times.Autonomy Freelancers are highly autonomous. As business owners, they generally answer to no one (other than their clients) and operate on their own terms, at their own hours and at the rates they establish.Quality of Work In some cases, particularly for freelance paralegals or new law school grads, work as a freelancer may be more fulfilling than the work assigned by a law firm or corporation. For example, new law school grads in large law firms often perform monotonous tasks such as document review while a freelance attorney may gain more challenging assignme nts such as court appearances. National Exposure Freelancers are not geographically confined or limited to serving local clients you can work for clients across the country or across the globe. This national exposure can open doors to new clients and new opportunities.New Skills As a freelancer, you will learn new skills out of necessity that you might not gain as a traditional legal employee. These skills may include marketing, sales, office management, and client development as well as knowledge in a broad range of practice areas. No Office Politics Office politics are non-existent for solo freelancers. If you work alone, you are guaranteed to have the corner office. You are not required to attend time-wasting meetings or cut through bureaucratic red tape to gain the tools you need to do your job.No Commute Working from home eliminates the daily commute to and from the office, saving you hours in travel time and the expenses of parking, fuel and car maintenance. Even if you work f rom a remote office away from home, you can choose a location that is convenient and close to home. Freedom As a freelancer, you can choose the clients you wish to work with and the projects on which you work, particularly if you have an excess of work. You can drop high maintenance or slow-paying clients or turn down undesirable projects if you desire.Income Control Your income is the direct result of your own efforts rather than being set by the law firm or company. In most cases, the harder you work, the greater the reward. Your paycheck or bonus will not be capped, reduced or eliminated by your employer, although it can vary month to month, depending on your efforts and business. Work-Life Balance Because they work from home, freelancers often have a better work-life balance. You can spend more time with your children or the dog and steal moments to relax and do the things you love.Respect Achieving success as a business owner adds an additional layer of accomplishment and respe ct to your title of freelance paralegal, secretary, court reporter or another legal professional.Tax Benefits Working as a freelancer from a home office can provide certain tax benefits including write-offs for your home office space, equipment, and other business costs. New Opportunities Freelancing can open doors to new clients, new areas of law, new skills, and new friends. Freelancing can help establish you as an expert in a niche area of the law and can lead to speaking engagements, book deals, business collaborations and other opportunities.Casual Attire When you work from home and dont meet with clients personally, there is no need to dress up. You can eliminate the expense of business attire, dry cleaning, manicures and other personal maintenance costs and reduce the time it takes to get ready in the morning. Free Parking Parking costs in some major cities can take a chunk out of your paycheck. Working from home eliminates parking expenses.Diversification In todays shrinking legal job market, job loss is not uncommon. However, since most freelancers work for multiple clients, losing one client does not mean unemployment.Full Credit When you work as a freelancer, you receive full credit for your work. You dont have to worry about the blunders of other employees, compromising your work product for the sake of the team or others taking credit for your work. New Connections Freelancing will inevitably bring you into contact with new people including new clients, mentors, business associates and others.

Cover Letter Secrets Revealed

Cover Letter Secrets Revealed Cover Letter Secrets Revealed Nothing stinks worse than a plain, uninspired, sample-off-the-internet cover letter. If you use a generic cover letter, the hiring manager is going to think youre generic too. And thats not the kind of first impression you want to make. Here are some tips to avoid pitfalls and poor choices the secrets to any successful cover letter. Start out swinging: Many hiring managers admit they skip reading the cover letter entirely at first, and start with the resume. If they see potential in the resume, theyll backtrack to the cover letter and give it a chance. Why would they do this? Because hiring managers are used to seeing the same identical, bland, repackaged form-letters hundreds of times a day and they know these types of cover letters dont reveal anything about you as a candidate thats why your cover letter needs to be unique and relevant to the job. Get to the point: In order to make a positive impression, your cover letter needs to be short, sweet, and to the point. A few paragraphs at most and avoid long paragraphs of more than a few sentences each. Your cover letter should be a recap of your resume. Specifics sell and hard numbers are great to use when you can. Briefly detail past experiences and achievements. Get into the mind of the hiring manager previous achievements dictate future performance. You are the solution to their need. Look out for mistakes: Make sure there are no errors. That means factual errors as well as spelling errors. Dont trip yourself right at the finish line. Make the effort to make sure everything is right. As a rule, you should always tell the truth make sure your resume, cover letter, and interview talking points all match up. The dates should coordinate perfectly and say different things: your resume and cover letter should compliment each other, not be a mirror of the other. Ask for the interview: If you dont ask, then the answer is no. Be sure to include a sentence specifically asking to meet with the hiring manager in person. Your boldness will come off as confidence and youll be seen as a more proactive job seeker. A cover letter without including a request for an interview is like a car without wheels whats the point? Post script: Nobody ever skips the P.S. on a letter. Its irresistible. Take the opportunity to say, P.S. I look forward to meeting with you in person. This is also a great place to put a personal relationship or connection, if you have one. For example, if you have a friend at the company, you might write, P.S. Abby told me about your new accounting package implementation I just so happen to have gone through the same process myself last year, love to talk to you about it. What youre doing here is not really reiterating qualifications, but pointing out a personal connection (our fictional friend Abby being our connection.) A strong cover letter may be the grain of sand that tips the scales of the job assessment process in your favor. Embrace the opportunity to highlight your most favorable attributes, get to the point, and ask for an interview. It may just be the secret to unlocking your new career.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. We're SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.

3 Passive-Aggressive Phrases You Shouldnt Say - The Muse

3 Passive-Aggressive Phrases You Shouldnt Say - The Muse 3 Passive-Aggressive Phrases You Shouldnt Say You’re a nice person- and you never want anyone to think otherwise, especially not your co-workers, the lovely people you sit next to five days a week. So, in an effort to always be kind, you water down feedback by saying things like, “Maybe it’s just me, but…” And while those kinds of comment qualifiers are usually coming from a good place, chances are the person receiving it won’t take it that way. They’ll think you’re just being passive-aggressive and not-so-subtly hiding what you’re really trying to say. To prevent you from ever being that person, here are three phrases you should avoid in meetings based on my very own (and very common) experiences- plus, bonus, I tell you how to say what you’re thinking in a more straightforward, but polite way. 1. “I Was Surprised/Confused/Curious About…” What the Person Hears: “You’re Wrong.” I worked with a woman who often tried disguise her criticism in this way. Rather than just being upfront that she didn’t quite follow my line of thinking, she’d attempt to come across as truly surprised by what I’d said. While she might’ve done this in an attempt to soften the blow, I never heard it like that. Instead, I took it as a stab in the back because my boss was in attendance- and that feeling led me to promptly ignore her feedback. Which was unfortunate, because I’m pretty sure she often had a point. What to Say Instead “I thought X was different, because Y. Can you walk me through your steps?” 2. “Oh, I Thought You Understood…” What the Person Hears: “You Did it Wrong Because You’re Stupid.” I’ve run into this a few times when working with larger, cross-functional teams. Inevitably, there would be a few different translations of a project’s goals. And if everyone wasn’t communicating well, wires would get crossed and the project would get off track. When the time came to present our results- which were inevitably wrong- someone would exclaim, “Oh no, I thought you understood the objective!” Obviously no one’s happy in this situation, so saying this just adds fuel to the fire and prevents people from gaining any insight from the work that was done- even if it wasn’t quite right. What to Say Instead “You took this in a different direction than I initially intended, but let’s talk about what you found, see if it can make this work, and if not, what the next steps will be.” 3. “Actually….” What the Person Hears: “I Think You’re an Idiot.” While technically this word shouldn’t be offensive, I’ve found that just about anytime someone uses it, they’re just hedging their comments. A colleague once told me she was “actually impressed,” with an article I’d recently written. Even if that was really the case, I didn’t take it as a compliment, but rather as an insult. (Translation: “I didn’t think you could do that, so I was surprised when I was impressed with your article.”) Such a small word, such a big impact! What to Say Instead In this case, you can actually just remove the actually from whatever you’re about to say. Being- or appearing- passive aggressive can really sneak up on you. When we try to minimize criticism, things can easily go awry. Rather than couching your constructive criticism in confusing language, just come out and say it- politely. Your colleagues will appreciate your candor, and you’ll avoid being labeled as the worst person to meet with in the office.

3D Printing in Diesel Engine Manufacturing An Interview with Roger England

3D Printing in Diesel Engine Manufacturing An Interview with Roger England 3D Printing in Diesel Engine Manufacturing An Interview with Roger England 3D Printing in Diesel Engine Manufacturing: An Interview with Roger England, Cummins, Inc. When you think of large engine manufacturers in the 3D printing space, Cummins, Inc., is likely not the first company that comes to mind. But that doesnt mean the diesel engine maker is taking a pass on this explosive new technologynot by a long shot. Roger England, director of materials science and technology, technical quality, and intellectual property at Cummins, recently represented the company on a panel at ASMEs AM3D conference in Boston. We spoke with him further about the impact of 3D printing on diesel engine manufacturing at Cummins, including the challenges of bringing metal additive in line with typical production quality procedures, and its benefits to the environment. ASME: Cummins is not jumping on the 3D printing bandwagon as publicly as some other companies. Why is that? Roger England: I think the additive manufacturing industry right now is a lot like the automotive industry around the turn of the 19th century. When folks had cars back in the 1890s or 1900s, it was common that those people were fairly affluent and they could afford to hire a chauffeur who was also a mechanic that could keep the car running. Electric Waste Heat Recovery Turbine Expander. Image: cummins.com We see the same thing in the current [metal 3D printing] equipment on the market. It is very labor-intensive to keep it running. Weve had direct experience with several pieces of equipmentsome better than othersbut all of them have a constant stream of updates and changes that the manufacturers are trying to respond to as they learn things in the field. And people do things with them that they dont expectlike running one 24 hours a day, seven days a week for three months, just as fast as you can get stuff on and off it. [And sometimes that means machines arent robust enough for such frequent and ongoing use.] The units that we have here are finally getting past the 50 percent uptime availability measure, and thats after we deduct time for scheduled maintenance. Its been a big challenge. ASME: Is this an industry-wide problem? RE: You hear different stories of different units from different people. When you go to some of the older polymer systems that have been out for 10 years or so, its just like buying an older cartheyre a lot more robust than new ones, but also have a lot less capability. It takes a long time to get all of the functionality into the system at a level of robustness and availability that people expect in traditional subtractive equipment, but its just the normal growth and learning phase of any new technology. ASME: What else is preventing Cummins from using 3D printing for production parts? RE: Weve actually helped generate some data that shows you can take a metal additive machine and run a part on it, and then go to another machine, same brand, same make, same model, but different location or serial number, run the same part with the same set of user inputs, and the properties are different. Until we can get it right every time, its not something were going to engage. But we will use [additive] in areas where we can add controls, like prototypes. The ability to print prototypes to speed things up is a huge advantage for us as were doing engine development. ASME: Do you have specific examples where Cummins is already using metal 3D printing? RE: Weve actually made injection mold tooling using metal additive manufacturing, because it gives an ability to put very complex cooling passages in the mold. In the process of injection molding these parts, you actually shoot the plastic in, and as soon as it gets cool enough that it skins over on the outside, you can eject it. The faster that you can get it ejected, the fewer molds you need, because the higher your production rate. By changing the [design of the] cooling passages and then making the surface on them a little rougher finish than usual, we get better heat transfer through it, and that allows us to increase our production rate. A lot of times our volumes arent great enough to financially justify using injection-molded plastic, because of the cost of amortizing molds. Having [additive] now makes plastic injection molding a viable and cost competitive process for lower volumes. ASME: Tell us about environmental benefits Cummins sees for additive. RE: Our new engines are the most efficient theyve ever been. And we are doing everything we can to make our manufacturing processes just as efficient. If we could move some parts from sand casting aluminum into an injection-molded plastic, that would consume a lot less energy during manufacture. And if you look at the entire carbon footprint of the part through its life cycle, its much friendlier. ASME: What part do you see more advanced materials and processes playing in 3D printing? RE: Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory [where Cummins maintains a research lab] are looking at layering materials as we additively build parts: How can we have parts that have improved physical properties, in just the areas we want? So were back to environmental stewardship. When you start talking about high-quality materials like nickel and chromium [which create severe environmental impacts due to mining], we have to put a lot of that into Cummins parts because of the high temperature and pressure operating environment were in. If we could limit [these metals] to just the areas of the parts where its necessary, that also helps to decrease our impact on the environment, and still give us the type of product we need. Its about the whole process, from cradle to grave. Additive gives us an opportunity to improve our stewardship of the environment, and were going to be on the cutting edge of that. The new frontier of additive manufacturing can be intimidating to navigate; fortunately, theres the ASME AM3D conference to help guide you as you integrate AM into your business. Learn more about the ASME Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Conference and Expo here.

This is what everyone will be naming their baby in 2019 (and beyond)

This is what everyone will be naming their baby in 2019 (and beyond) This is what everyone will be naming their baby in 2019 (and beyond) Nameberry just released their official list of the most popular baby names for the first quarter of 2019 and the results may come as a bit of a surprise to you.The name Posie for instance, a name that has never before ranked in the top 1,000, takes the number one spot for girls so far for 2019, with Milo claiming the top spot for boys. “We calculate our popularity list based on which names attracted the most of the 11 million views of our name pages so far this year,” says Nameberry.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!Nameberry co-creator and CEO, Pamela Redmond Satran, specifies that the names that top their list of 1000 are the ones most likely to get “hotter over the next few years.” So even if you haven’t met an abundance of little Milo’s and Posie’s, you’re likely to relatively soon.How does the new list stack up against the old ones?The most popular names based on Nameberry’s previous December list, for the year 2018, are as follows:Boys Jacob Oliver Elijah William Mason Girls Abigail Evelyn Amelia Ava Charlotte If the metrics used by Nameberry are indeed suggestive of future trends, your children can expect to hear a lot more colorful additions to morning attendance.For girls, the top five for the first quarter of 2019 are: Posie Isla Olivia Aurora Maeve According to Nameberry, three naming components are the most in en vogue with young people. New hip parents like vintage names, names that are derived from nature, and names that boast a sort of nickname vibe. Posie happens to be an example of all three.It’s a name that has roots dating pretty far back (it’s the feminine version of the Hebrew name Yosef, which means “he will add”), it has a floral association (the English definition of the word being a small bouquet) and it is often a shorter version of names like Penelope or Josephine.Milo doesn’t correctly hold to all these factors.  Even if it’s exact derivation is a bit unclear, it is potentially based on the old German root “Milan,” meaning to mill, beat, crush, or rub until fine or tender. Similarly, the name Atticus which is quickly gaining global popularity  dates back to old Roman times. Atticus means from Attica, which is the region in Greece that surrounds Athens. Milo may have caught on because of the mas sively popular tearjerker series “This is Us,” which stars actor    Milo  Ventimiglia.The most popular boy names for the first quarter of  2019 are: Milo Jasper Atticus Theodore Asher You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

Making a big decision Dont forget to ask this question

Making a big decision Don’t forget to ask this question Making a big decision Don’t forget to ask this question For several years, I’ve asked myself the same question before making an important decision:  What’s the worst that can happen? (And no, this isn’t the question I mentioned in the title of this post. We’ll get to that in a minute).The “worst that can happen” question is an important one. When I’m about to make a big decision, I tend to dream up nightmarish scenarios. I know I’m not alone here: When we face the prospect of uncertainty- whether it’s buying a new house or quitting your corporate job to become an entrepreneur- we tell ourselves that life as we know it will be over if things don’t work out as planned. We assume we’ll go broke, become a laughing stock, and lose all of our friends.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!  Writing down these worst-case scenarios has the strange effect of taking their power away. “Named must your fear be,” as Yoda s aid, “before banish it you can.” When I do this exercise, I realize the sky isn’t going to fall. The things that matter the most to me will still be there regardless of what happens.But here’s where I run into trouble: My imagination can be  really  powerful when it comes to spinning negative tales about the future. My negative mind, as Elizabeth Gilbert  writes, is “like a mall cop who thinks he’s a Navy SEAL: He hasn’t slept in days, he’s all hopped up on Red Bull, and he’s liable to shoot at his own shadow in an absurd effort to keep everyone ‘safe.’”Our negative thoughts resonate far more strongly than positive ones. The brain, to paraphrase Rick Hanson, is like Velcro for the negative but Teflon for the positive. We’re wired to notice and exaggerate negative inputs: The rattling in the dark, the smell of gas, the sight of smoke, the screeching of tires. Our pupils dilate, our heart starts pumping faster, and adrenaline is released.This negativity bias makes evolutionary sense. If our ancestors ignored a potential positive outcome, they might have missed out on the spoils of a hunt, but at least they could survive to pass their genes onto their offspring. But if they ignored a potential negative- if they assumed that rustling in the bushes was a prey instead of a predator- they may have ended up as lunch.Because we’re wired to hone in on the potential downsides when making a decision, the playing field is rigged toward inaction. We stay the course, we play it safe, and we remain in our current state, however inferior it may be to other possibilities. The fear of missing out is nothing compared to the fear of a decision gone wrong.As a result, it’s not enough to ask,  What’s the worst that can happen?  To balance the scales, we also have to ask,  What’s the best that can happen?Here’s the thing: Our decisions rarely produce a mushroom cloud. Taking a leap of faith can lead to joy, discovery, and the fulfillment of your fu ll potential. It can mean getting elected mayor, finding your life partner, or starting the next Netflix.This isn’t blind optimism or a naive belief in the power of starry-eyed dreams. Unless you consider the best-case scenario along with the worst, your neolithic brain will steer you toward the seemingly safest path- inaction.Asking the “best that can happen” question has another upside: It can push you to expand your boundaries. You might go for a PhD instead of a Master’s. You might decide to launch your own business instead of answering to somebody else. You might decide to  build your own rockets, instead of buying them from Russia.The next time you’re about to make a decision, don’t forget to ponder the best-case scenario. And remember the Chinese proverb: Many a false step was made by standing still. Ozan Varol is a rocket scientist turned law professor and bestselling author.  Click here  to download a free copy of his e-book, The Contrarian Handbook: 8 Principles for Innovating Your Thinking. Along with your free e-book, you’ll get the Weekly Contrarian - a newsletter that challenges conventional wisdom and changes the way we look at the world (plus access to exclusive content for subscribers only).   This article originally appeared on Ozan Varol. You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

Tests to Unleash the Genius Within!

Tests to Unleash the Genius Within! Tests to Unleash the Genius Within! Are you a hidden genius? No, I’m not referring to the intellectual prowess that a small percent of the population is born with. Truth be told, most people don’t see themselves as geniuses of unique talents or skill sets. Many are multi-talented but still possess a dominant trait. We all have the power to unleash the genius within. What if I told you that we are born with the power to become a genius? But over time we allow our immediate social circles and society determine our ability to unleash the genius within? We let them determine who we are or what we should be doing with our lives. We allow this partly due to our own insecurities or someone else's. We haven’t been coached or developed properly, or simply because it is just easier to blend in as opposed to being unique. I believe some people just do not know how or where to begin. They have been looking for the right opportunity to present itself. Test to become a genius In the last few years, I’ve been fascinated with employee engagement. I stumbled across a brief 2-minute genius test founded by New York Times, best-selling author, Futurist and social entrepreneur, Roger James Hamilton. Even though there are many competency/personality tests out there, this one was straight to the point. It immediately grabbed my attention. I decided to roll it out for new employees at the company I worked for as we were experiencing very high levels of turnover. Attrition was so high during training that we needed to insert key engagement activities to retain employees. The findings were astounding once implemented. Observations I observed the following from the trainees: Their mood immediately became more positive Most people were unaware of who they were or their hidden genius Most people subconsciously gravitated to sitting next to strangers they felt were similar Those who realized their strengths became more engaged Findings Those who realized their strengths wanted to learn more about themselves. More people wanted to know how their talents could be utilized to achieve fulfillment of life goals. Trainees started became increasingly punctual. Attrition started to slow. Why did this happen? In my presentations to them, I spent time revealing what I knew was of importance to them. They were inspired. Many of us desire positive affirmation and want to sincerely believe in someone. Inspiration helps us to go to the next level in our careers, but often times we become discouraged. How do you get started? FIGURE IT OUT! Write down what you enjoy doing the most. Ask yourself if it provides fulfillment every time you do it. For me, I find international travel gives me a sense of fulfillment. I continuously obsess about traveling to new places and countries. I sincerely enjoy learning from other cultures. Why? People. I genuinely ENJOY meeting new people. I make a list of countries I wish to visit, envision that I am already there and I travel the minute I am able to. What is it for you? INVEST IN YOURSELF OR ALLOW OTHERS TO INVEST IN YOU! Since I genuinely love cultural diversity and was already traveling internationally for business, I decided to formally educate myself on the topic. So, I pursued and graduated with a Masters in International Management. This was for my personal achievement. In addition, I had the support of the Director of International Programs (now Dean of Admissions) where I worked at Monroe College. At the time, I didn’t know what he saw in me but he would assign me projects to execute for the department. As I experienced success, he took my responsibilities to a whole new level. He coached and critiqued me on my writing skills and public speaking skills. Truthfully, it was painful. But as a result, he tapped into my strengths and I was able to build a solid foundation as a young professional. He helped unleash the genius within me. Discovering your hidden genius may require that you find a person in your life to provide honest feedback about your strengths. They can explain how to become a genius and leverage it for your career. PERFECT YOUR CRAFT! Michael Jackson is a household name, a legend and was considered “The KING of Pop”. Why? He knew the real meaning of perfecting his craft. He understood what he needed to do to become a genius. He redefined the music industry forever. He invested countless time and effort in training and dedicated himself to his albums, concerts and his exquisite dance routines. As a result, he brought the entire world together through the content of his songs and the brand he built for himself. If you bought a ticket to his concert, you knew exactly what you were going to get. In dance, it was pure excellence. The precision, timing, and wardrobe were intricate. Did he have flaws? Yes! We all have flaws. It’s what makes all of us human. But had he focused on his flaws, he never would have left a great legacy behind for generations to follow. Even today when a Michael Jackson song plays, you still immediately start singing. You start thinking about the music videos you saw growing up or maybe try to even dance like him. When you unleash the genius within and become a master of your craft, you inspire a league of people that you never knew was possible. UNLEASH THE GENIUS WITHIN! Why do you think there are so many shows like “X-Factor”, “America’s Got Talent”, or “The VOICE”. Tens of thousands of people flock to auditions for these shows because they desire to be heard or seen for their talent. Aren’t you shocked at certain people when they get on stage and they do well? That could be you too! The difference between you and those you watch is simple: They decided to do something about their talent regardless of the outcome. How about you? What keeps you from revealing your hidden genius? Why don’t you just do it! What’s the worst that can happen? You don’t need to be Michael Jackson to make a difference but you CAN make a difference! You never know who is waiting for you to make the first move. If you are consistently feeling unfulfilled in your current role, stop and ask yourself, “Is this what my life is meant to be?” There are times when you need to compromise a little to move forward but not forever. Great resources to help you become a genius GENIUS TEST I HIGHLY recommend watching the 3-minute video before taking the genius test. The test is about two minutes long. DO NOT overthink anything once you start.. Answer sincerely and voila! The best part is that it’s free! Note: Job seekers can use this to describe yourself on job interviews. It will set you apart from other candidates. GALLUP This company provides access to your top 5 strengths and it is very accurate. Some companies use this to determine if you are the right fit for the role and your possible success rate. If you wish to take this on your own time this will personally cost $19.99. 16Personalities aka. ‘Myers Briggs Test’ You will love this one. If you are unfamiliar with Myers Briggs, 16 Personalities is the miniature version of the extended Myers-Briggs test. It is extremely accurate and is designed to determine how ‘you’ specifically view the world. Your strengths and areas of opportunity are broken down for you in great detail. It highlights the best careers suited for your personality type and a host of other things in your personality that you may not even be aware of. The test helps you understand the decisions you make, how you communicate and much more. It’s one of my favorites. The best part is it is free like the Genius Test. You’ll need to pay for the extended version, which gives a more detailed breakdown of who you are. To recap We all have the power to unleash the genius within. We need to hone in on our unique superpowers in order to find our real purpose. It is never too late to find out who you should be. You can start by figuring out what you are great at, start investing in it, perfect it and when you are ready, unleash the genius that you are destined to be. Now go on take the test! You have absolutely nothing to lose but everything to gain! Please share this blog with anyone you believe is a hidden genius, or use it to become a genius for yourself!

Forget Work-Life Balance to Lead the Life You Want

Forget Work-Life Balance to Lead the Life You Want Forget Work-Life Balance to Lead the Life You Want Forget Work-Life Balance to Lead the Life You Want Blaszczyk, Managing Editor, Resource Center Do your leadership skills generate the results you desire? Do you dream of achieving something significant in your lifes work something you can feel proud of yet find yourself struggling to do so without shortchanging the people who count on you including family and employees? It turns out that many people struggle with finding a better work life balance, says Stewart Friedman, whose most recent book is Leading the Life You Want: Skills for Integrating Work and Life(Harvard Business Review Press, 2014.) As founding director of the Wharton Leadership Program and the Wharton Work/Life Integration Project, Friedman redefines work-life balance and concentrates instead on creating a life that is whole. In this interview, Friedman provides valuable insightson how to live with passion, purpose and principle as you generate success. Monster: What inspired you to write Leading the Life You Want? Friedman: The Total Leadership program, which I wrote about in a previous book, emphasized diagnosing, dialoguing, and discovering to create wins at work, at home, in the community and for the private self. When I bring the Total Leadership program to businesses, students, and others I am usually met with skepticism.I get this question a lot:How can you achieve real significance and impact without sacrificing your life?My new book is a response to that natural query. Monster: Everyone seems to struggle with finding harmony between work and the rest of life these days.Are we all simply busier than ever? Friedman: Societal expectations for men and women are changing traditional norms are rapidly fading, leaving so many people confused, disappointed, or both, about gender roles. Both women and men are hungry for help in figuring out how to navigate the turbulent modern-day waters of meaningful work, domestic responsibility, community engagement, and satisfying inner life. No one seems to have the answers. Monster: The book profiles six famous men and women whose lives are examples of a more integrated life, including Michelle Obama and Bruce Springsteen.What characteristics did you look for in selecting these individuals? Friedman: For more than a decade Ive been curating examples provided by Wharton students of luminaries whom they believe are exemplars of these three core principles of the Total Leadership approach: be real, be whole, and be innovative. I wanted to have a balance of men and women and a representation of various industries. Monster: What were some of the most meaningful life lessons that these individuals demonstrated in creating a better integration of work and life? Friedman: The big take-away from all the stories is that paradoxically, in order to lead the life you want to lead, you cannot be selfish or self-centered, you must bring others along, attend to what others need from you, and take your stakeholders needs into account, trying always to make the world better somehow. In other words, the common denominator is that serving others, in one capacity or another, allows you to live a meaning-filled life. At the same time, economic pressures are forcing individuals, families, organizations, and communities to do more with less or just to do less. Monster: How much does fear and a lack of trust keep people from pursuing a better work-life balance? Friedman: Fear is definitely a big part of it. People are afraid of what their superiors or colleagues might say, and with good reason. Thereve been studies indicating that theres a stigma and a penalty attached to work/flex. This is precisely why I advocate for taking small steps, for experimenting.It changes the game when you explicitly refer to proposed changes as experiments that will be evaluated to determine if they work for you, your boss, your co-workers, your family, or other stakeholders. Monster: Does work become less of a priority as people create a better work-life balance? Friedman: No, thats exactly the wrong mindset; thats the balance, trade-off, zero-sum mindset that Ive been trying to de-bunk for decades.Im talking about figuring out whats essential to you and then investing in that in all parts of life, creating mutual value among them. Whatever youre trying to do, its got to work for all the aspects of your life that matter, including and especially your work or career. Monster: Your book includes many exercises that focus on being: being real, being whole and being innovative. Can you recommend one? Friedman: One of my favorites is the Four Circles exercise in which you analyze all the roles that you play in each of the four main aspects of your life: work or school, family (however you define it), community (friends, neighbors, religious or social groups) and self (mind, body, spirit.) Draw four circles to represent each of the four domains and consider why your circles overlap or not and how this makes you feel. Compatibility among circles indicates realness. Monster: Should employers look to hire individuals who have a good work-life balance? Friedman: Employers should be looking for people who are striving to live a full and meaningful life so they can sustain the energy and passion to invest at work. I recommend asking about prospective employees values and what they do to in seeking to align their actions with them. Monster: How can employers help their employees achieve a better work-life balance? Friedman: If youre asking an employee to be at work from 8 to 8, but youre not focusing on what theyre producing for you, then your employee is susceptible to burnout. If instead you focus on producing a measurable result and you dont care how, when, or where its done, thats empowering and liberating for your employee and its sustainable.Youre not asking less, but you are often getting more! And with respect to modeling, check out my article, The Happy Workoholic: A Role Model for Employees. As long as executives understand that while they may want to be at work all the time, others may have other passions and responsibilities, and as long as executives focus on productivity and measurable results rather than on face time or other arbitrary measures that dont affect the bottom line, then its not essential for executives living a balanced lifestyle. They need to be authentic true to themselves. Author Bio: Stewart D. Friedman is a professor at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and the founding director of the Wharton Leadership Program and Whartons Work/Life Integration Project. He is the author of the national bestseller Total Leadership: Be a Better Leader, Have a Richer Life (Harvard Business Review Press, 2008).

How to Return to School Without Leaving the Marines

How to Return to School Without Leaving the Marines How to Return to School Without Leaving the Marines Many career Marines take advantage of their off-duty time to work on a college degree rather than wait until they retire to become full-time adult learners. In addition to reflecting well upon your qualifications for promotion within the U.S. Marine Corps, this is a great strategy to make yourself marketable in the highly competitive civilian job market. It can be a tough road to follow, though, taking years to accumulate enough credits for a bachelors degree and essentially eating up all of your free time. It may also be virtually impossible if youre in a demanding assignment with unruly hours, such as infantry, recruiting, or drill instructor. Fortunately, the SNCO Degree Completion Program (SNCODCP) offers staff noncommissioned officers (SNCOs)- Marines of pay grade E-6 and above- an incentive to finish a four-year degree without struggling to squeeze classes in after hours. Full-Time Study for Specific Degrees The SNCODCP doesnt pay for your degree, but it offers the opportunity to study full-time and receive a degree that you can put to use in a new job within the corps and, potentially, civilian jobs after you leave the corps. Participating marines can use personal funds, GI bill money, or loans to cover the cost of tuition and other expenses, such as books. Every November, the SNCODCP announces the types of bachelors degrees Marines can pursue because the program is predicting the need for billets that are associated with those kinds of degrees. Billets are specialty assignments that fall outside the typical military occupational specialties (MOSs). In November 2018, the SNCODCP announced that for fiscal year 2019, it would accept applications for those pursuing degrees in the following areas: Safety (Environmental and Occupational Safety, Environmental Health Management, Occupational Safety, Waste Management, Hazardous Material, Waste Control), Psychology, Accounting, Education, Paralegal, and Music. Along with the areas of study, the program listed the specific locations at which each of the various disciplines could be studied. In March 2019, it announced the names of the five Marines who had been chosen to participate in the program. Qualifications for the SNCODCP Those accepted into the program must complete their bachelors degree within 18 months on the campus of an accredited college or university affiliated with the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps. They must then work at their assigned billet for 36 months to pay back the corps for the time they were allowed to study. Applicants must have the grade of staff sergeant or higher, up to master sergeant.They must have completed an associates degree or at least two years of classes toward a bachelors degree by the accredited college or university.  They must have passed all necessary entrance exams, have been accepted for enrollment into the college or university, and have lived in their current geographical area for at least 24 months, though 36 months is preferable. Those interested in applying for the SNCODCP in fiscal year 2020 should look for the administrative message about the program that will be sent out in November 2019.