i * Six signs of career derailmant * Thinking about getting married? - Things to consider * 19 signs you're in love * c.v. tips for graduates * College Admission Tips * Presentation Skills * New university year begins * Back to College...Starting Out * Per Ardua Ad Astra - through struggles to the stars * Too Many Graduates...Not Enough Jobs * Alternative Education: Earn As You Learn * Wake Up - Tomorrow Has Arrived * Don't worry about finding your first job * Job Seeking...The Approach...Starting Out... * Do Qualifications Count? * Making the Most of Job Fairs * C B Song *By: Nick Collins
Six Signs of Career Derailment
By Barbara Reinhold, Monster Contributing Writer
Getting
bumped off the track on your way to the top is every high achiever's
recurring nightmare. How can you be sure it doesn't happen to you?
Research by Michael Lombardo, principal of Lominger Limited, uncovered
six indicators of career derailment. If any of them describe you, you'll
know what areas you need to work on:
1. Disagreements with Higher Management
Obviously,
this is a no-no, even if your point of view is correct. Those who would
rather be right than promoted almost always get their wish.
2. Problems with Team Building
You need to be good at spotting talent. Building diversity, developing talent and helping your people work together effectively are also core capabilities that you can't do without for very long.
3. Problems Developing Working Relationships
If people don't want to be around you, your career is in trouble. Bullying, isolation and being out of the loop in various ways all torpedo corporate careers.
4. Lack of Follow-Through
When
you consistently forget to follow up on promises and don't attend to
important details, people notice and question the wisdom of handing you
anything else to forget.
5. Problems Moving from a Technical to a Strategic Level
Here's
where engineers and other highly technical people can stumble and find
themselves unable to go beyond what they know in order to formulate more
complex strategies. If you're on your way up the ladder from a highly technical role to a more managerial one, be sure to ask your boss for some feedback as to whether your strategic skills need honing.
6. Assuming Something Other Than Your Own Hard Work Will Take You Where You Want to Go
Being
overly dependent on a powerful boss or some other advocate, or even on
your natural talent, sometimes causes high-potential people to get a
little lazy. "I know I'll make VP this spring, because all the important
people are on my side," a rising young star once said. Wrong -- he was
passed on the inside lane by somebody who had just made a great
presentation to the senior VP. The only person who can get you noticed and promoted is you.
Anything
on that list sound familiar? If not, take a second look or consult a
friend. Psychologists tell us that self-evaluation is a terrible
indicator of performance. To be on the safe side, ask somebody who knows
you well (and will tell you the truth) to have a look at the list and
give you some objective feedback.
When it comes to keeping your career on track, what you don't know about yourself could definitely hurt you.
Thinking about getting married? -Things to consider. This feature from the Daily Telegraph has created quite a controversy between those who consider it valuable advice, to others who think it is nonsence. Make up your own mind.
Asking
about one another's finances and secret addictions before getting
married or moving in together is essential if a couple's relationship is
to last the distance, according to Bross Bennett.
The list of straightforward and decidedly mundane questions was put together as a separate study by website unbiased.co.uk found that January is the busiest month for divorce lawyers.
Here are some of the questions lawyers say couples should ask before committing to one another:
Finances
Do you know the extent of each other's assets?
How does each of you view sharing these assets?
Do you have the same attitude to saving?
Family Ties
What sort of relationship do you have with your extended family?
Are they local? Over-involved?
Have you had any major fallings out? Children
Do you want children? How many?
How do you want to raise
your children? What sort of values do you want to pass on?
Do you have opposing views about the benefits of state versus private education?
Work
Are your respective career paths compatible?
Will you want to give up work when you have children?
What does your partner think about this? Roles
Will you expect to live along traditional lines - woman as homemaker and man as bread-winner?
Who will organise the finances?
Will household responsibilities be shared equally? Leisure
Do you like the same things?
Do you have the same idea of a dream holiday?
Lifestyle
Do you have any secret addictions, such as handbags, shoes, chocolate or football? Honesty
Do you still hold feelings for old flames?
Religion
What religion - if any - will you
bring the children into?
Love & Sex
Ten excuses to get out of a date
Eligible London bachelor Dan Juan lays bare the details of his dating adventures in the capital.…
Posted By Dan Juan, Monday, 20 December 2010 11:53 GMT
Why did I arrange to go on a date with a girl I have no interest
in? That’s what I’m asking myself today, as I contemplate how to get out
of “a drink” with Lucy on Friday. Of course, I know why I did it - same
reason as always… I was thinking about sex. I was offered the
opportunity to probably have sex and I unthinkingly accepted. But I
didn’t properly consider the mechanics, namely that the probable sex
would be preceded by a boring evening of chit-chat and followed by pangs
of self-loathing and remorse. Or maybe I was just being polite. Either
way, I think it’s best for Lucy and I if we don’t meet for a drink. But
how to tell her?
I’m ill/injured This is the classic cop-out. You can go for the standard ‘bad flu’ or, if you want to rule
yourself out of any follow-up dates for a few months, say you’ve broken your neck or gone blind. Pros: People are always getting ill so it sounds perfectly feasible. Cons: It’s such a common excuse that people don’t believe it anymore, even when it’s true.
Someone has died Grandmother, cousin, friend, flatmate, dog – inventing a death gives you carte blanche to get out of anything. Pros:
It would be insensitive to query this excuse, so the person you’ve
stood up will have to be sympathetic. And they’ll believe you anyway -
as you’d have to be sick to make something like this up. Cons:
If that grandmother/friend/dog does actually die, you’ll feel bad. A
little tip: best to choose someone who’s already dead, or didn’t exist
in the first place (e.g. “Frank”, as in “I can’t make it tonight because
my friend Frank has sadly died”).
I have to work Do you have a job that sometimes involves working unsociable hours? Then you can use it to your advantage. Pros: They will admire your work ethic and dedication, maybe. Cons: They will be offended that work is more
important to you than seeing them.
I don’t want to meet you This isn’t actually an excuse. It’s just being honest. Pros: It’s good to be honest, isn’t it? They may appreciate it. Cons: They may not appreciate it and instead cry, or maybe even do something violent, like punch a pigeon.
I can’t make it This is also not an excuse. It’s just telling the person that you are not going to come. Pros: This is good if you abhor lying, or have no imagination. Cons: The
person will wonder why you pulled out, and they may demand an
explanation. In which case, you can tell them your dog died. People like
explanations.
My train/bus/car broke down It’s nice to blame other things or people for our failings, and transport is a classic scapegoat. Pros: Everyone can empathise
with tube delays and traffic jams. Cons: You will need to invent a really long delay to justify missing a whole date; they might just offer to wait until you arrive.
Domestics This
key to this excuse is its vagueness – unspecified ‘personal issues’ or
‘problems at home’ sound potentially grave and are an inarguable reason
to stay in. Pros: The person will not pry because that is not the British thing to do. Cons: The
person may be nosey and pry anyway, in which case you will be forced to
reveal that something bad has happened, maybe involving your dog (e.g.
its death).
I have been arrested You don’t
have to give a reason, unless you want to. But choose your felonies
wisely. Don’t tell them you’ve been wrongly accused of rape. Pros: Makes you appear rebellious and
mysterious. Cons: They will be scared of you forever.
I am penned in by fruit This
is when you say that a huge shipment of citrus fruits, including
oranges and grapefruits, were mistakenly delivered to your house and the
ungainly size of this windfall has rendered you unable to open your
front door. Pros: The person will be amazed and sympathetic, and will tell their friends. Cons:
The person may come to your house to help themselves to free fruits,
only to find that you have wildly exaggerated the volume of fruit in
your possession, and your cover will be blown.
I have been asked to appear on television No one would begrudge you this once-in-lifetime opportunity - it’s a brilliant excuse not to show up for a date. Pros: The person will instantly forgive you, and will just feel privileged to have known someone
famous. Cons: When the person watches television that evening and realises you are not on it, they will know you have lied.
19 signs that you're in love
So you’ve met someone new, and you’ve fallen head over hook, line
and sinker for them. You can’t finish “hello” before ripping their
clothes off. Your cheeks are so pink they’re visible from space.
It
must be love! Or is it? If you recognise more than a few of these
signs, chances are it’s the real thing – and you may just be in it for
the long haul.
1. You chuck out your old relationship souvenirs
For
years, you hoarded ticket stubs from concerts and days out with your
ex. Then you fall in love, and suddenly all these souvenirs are just
tat that’s cluttering up your space. So, if nothing else, falling in
love makes you more tidy.
2. Your ex announces their engagement, and you don’t care
What’s more, you fail to understand what you ever saw in them. And as for sleeping with them... what were you thinking?
3. You’re no longer shy around your former crush
You used to be a
quivering wreck when your office’s payroll assistant entered the room. These days, you barely notice them.
When you’re in love, your partner becomes infinitely more attractive than any other person on the planet. Yes, even Cheryl Cole.
4. You aren’t put off by physical imperfections
Lust
is far more fragile than love. Here’s an example. If your lust-object
arrives for a date with a big green crusty lump sticking out of their
nose, your attraction will disappear in an instant.
But if
you’re falling in love, you won’t be put off. You’ll feel protective.
You’ll rub your nose and hope that they mirror you… and hey presto,
problem solved. Ain’t love grand?
5. You show them where you grew up
It
may seem an odd choice of weekend adventure, but love means wanting to
show them where you’re from. “That’s my old school, that’s where I had
my paper round, that’s where I puked up my dad’s home-brew…”
6. You tell them your plans – big and small
Whether
it’s babbling about your world-travel dreams or asking them to help
make the shopping list, you include your lover in your plans because
they’re part of your life.
7. You wonder where “we” should go on holiday
Even if it means compromising your idea of the perfect holiday or putting up with their mum’s brussels sprouts.
8. You’re thrilled by a joint invite to a family wedding
Partly
because you’re happy that family and friends treat you two as a unit.
And partly because you want your wingman beside you when the boredom
sets in at 10pm in the church hall.
9. You show them off
When you’re falling for someone, you want to include them in your social life and show them off to your friends. However…
10. You’re happy doing nothing together
Ultimately it’s not about being a couple on a social
stage, but just about being two people together. Just going for a walk together sounds like the perfect afternoon.
11. You join their photography class
You want to know what make your lover tick – and you want them to see that you’re showing an interest.
12. You ring them to moan about work
When
they’re the first person you want to talk to about what a class-A berk
the boss is today, it’s because you think they’re a keeper. (Your
lover, not the boss.)
13. You take their kids out for lunch
If
your other half has children from a previous partner, your relationship
with the kids is a barometer of your future as a couple. And if you’re
in love, you’ll try your hardest to get along with them.
Try not to let it stress you out. If you and the kids can be relaxed in each other’s company, you’re onto a long-term winner.
14. You aren’t afraid to argue
Couples don’t agree all the
time. If you’re in lust, you don’t care about standing up for yourself – it’s more trouble than it’s worth.
But
when you’re in love, you want to put your point across. Speaking up
shows that you’re secure enough to question what your lover says or
does.
However…
15. You feel terrible when you argue
You wouldn’t be half as upset about a row with anyone else. Here’s why…
16. You care more about their happiness than your own
You feel bad when your other half isn’t happy, so arguments are a double whammy of emotional trauma.
On
the bright side, it shows that you’re really in love. You’re no longer
looking after number one all the time. Instead, you want your partner
to be OK.
17. You don’t mind saving if you're usually a spend-thrift
Our money habits are deeply entrenched, but love motivates you to make an exception.
For
example, if you’ve spent your adult life being unwilling to save up for
anything dearer than a haircut, love could suddenly make you want to
save a deposit on a flat.
Likewise…
18. You don’t mind splashing out if you're usually frugal
If you’re suddenly willing to splash out on a luxury holiday together, it shows how important they are to you.
But
it’s not about changing the real you. If you’re usually more
comfortable being a saver, love won’t change that. It just means you’re
less rigid about it. Which brings us to…
19. You risk being yourself
Of all the love-signs on this list, this is the big cheese.
When
you’re infatuated or in lust with someone, you edit yourself to fit
what you think they want. You might dress to suit them, or hide the
fact that you don’t have much in common with their friends.
But when you’re in love with someone, you want your other half to know and like the person you really
are.
It’s
a risk, of course. Certain incompatibilities may come to the fore. But
you know that you can’t be happy for long if you’re faking it.
This
isn’t an excuse to be stubborn or tactless. “Being yourself” does not
mean sticking rigidly to habits, or telling your lover that their CD
collection is crap. A bit of flexibility works wonders.
CV tips for graduates
We asked our experts how
graduates lacking in on-the-job experience should present their
achievements around campus and during study to potential employers
Whether you were involved in the beer and wine society or the uni orchestra, employers will be interested in your achievements. Photograph: Graham Turner
Simon Reichwald, director of Bright Futures — a company that helps students make informed career choices, network with employers and develop employability skills
Don't waste space on a personal statement:
Personal statements at the top of a CV — those three to four lines
which use words to describe you such as energetic, enthusiastic and
committed — add little or nothing, as everyone uses them. So, instead
use the space to write a career summary — three or four lines outlining
what you want to do as a career and why. This is both different to the
norm and helps you show some focus on what you want to do. Focus is key
for employers when recruiting graduates, as too many applicants have no
idea what they want to do. Plus focus and direction are still a rarity
in graduates, in my view.
A typical statement that adds little or no value would read: "I
am a confident, enthusiastic and hard-working person. I am responsible
with a mature outlook and have excellent interpersonal skills and enjoy
meeting new people. I take pleasure in working as part of a strong
team. I am highly motivated, creative and enjoy learning news skills."
This is just a mass on adjectives for any role — so with no real focus
A better one would be: "Career objectives: I am focused on
building a successful career in sales and marketing for [organisation
name]. I have deliberately looked for and found work experience in this
area so I know that the fast paced, results-orientated environment will
give me the challenge I thrive on. I am a strong relationship builder,
resilient and motivated by success."
Lucy Cheatham, marketing director of Grad Central — a recruitment specialist in the West Midlands
Is your CV keyword-search friendly? Graduates need to be mindful of how CVs
are searched and screened by employers and recruitment specialists.
With the growing popularity of searchable job board CV databases and
sophisticated recruitment databases able to run multiple keyword
searches to find the perfect matching CV, it's really important for job
seekers to create search-friendly CVs that show case their skills and
competencies to the full. Thinking about the key words and phrases that
recruiters will be looking for should be part of your planning phase
when you're writing your CV. Prospective employers will be looking for
terms relating to specific personal qualities, key competencies and
technical skills relevant to the role and the industry.
Key areas of expertise might include direct marketing, social
media marketing, search engine optimisation and campaign management.
Key competencies could include teamwork, communication and negotiation.
Give employers a reason to meet you: The most common problem I encounter with CVs at graduate
level is that they are overlong and they don't give me a reason to want
to meet you right up front. Think about the person who is scan-reading
your CV in the midst of a pile of dozens, maybe hundreds, just like it.
What are the three things that person needs to know about you that
distinguish you as someone who is worth meeting out of that large pile?
Give serious thought to your points of difference — in marketing terms,
your unique selling point — and put those three things up front in a
visually accessible way. Making the recruiter's life easier greatly
increases your chances of being shortlisted.
So, include examples from your work experience/internships or
from your extra curricular activities that demonstrate accomplishment,
initiative, leadership potential, communication skills and the ability
to work smoothly and effectively with others.
Focus on value, not tasks: Having read hundreds
of graduate CVs, I find it amazing at how many people are still fixated
on telling us what they've done, rather than what value they've
delivered. In writing their CVs, what these people forget is that as an
employer I have customers, shareholders and employees, and each of
these parties expect something from the investment or effort they put
in. And because of this, it's essential that anyone joining our company
is focused on adding value. With this in mind, as you write your CV
it's essential that you focus on proving that you're the type of person
who can use your initiative to deliver real value. This means writing a
compelling story about value you've delivered, not just the tasks
you've done. For example, a person writing about tasks would state:
"head waitress at local restaurant", whereas a person writing about
value, would state: "increased nightly takings and customer
satisfaction 20% by implementing new training programme as head
waitress". When you read this second example you immediately take
notice; you want to employ them because they make a difference, they
add value. This is what will make me want to give you a job.
Richard Freeborn, national graduate recruitment manager at the bank, Santander
My top tip would be to spend a good amount of time on your
applications. Every day I see applications that have been rushed, with
some candidates just putting one word answers in boxes with a word
limit of 100. It's important to develop your answers logically, stating
the context, what you did and what the end result was. By following
this loose structure, you should be able to outline your answer in an
ordered, cohesive way.
Be relevant: Tailoring your CV to make it
relevant for the job you are applying for is something students
sometimes overlook. Most employers don't have long to read your CV, so
don't include irrelevant information — the title of your dissertation,
for example — unless it is relevant. Instead, describe some
achievements and skills which you used when writing it. For example:
"For my dissertation, I analysed and interpreted information from
various sources including the internet and library." Also, be clever
about presenting your experience. If your most relevant experience
isn't the most recent, you can split your experience under two
headings: relevant employment and additional experience.
Employers hire graduates who take responsibility and achieve things:
It can be a useful exercise to write the body of your CV using these
phrases "I was responsible for ..." and "my achievements included ...".
Even if you don't use those exact words, it will help you avoid process
descriptions — "I attended numerous meetings to plan the student ball"
— and instead demonstrate what you were responsible for and what you
achieved, however little. For example: "As music officer, I was
responsible for arranging the four professional bands who played at the
student ball". Don't worry about the activity you're describing;
employers don't mind much whether it was the wine and beer society, the
rugby club, the church or the orchestra, as long as you can demonstrate
that you achieved something. And don't worry about the quantity
involved; not everyone raises hundreds of pounds for orphanages in
Africa, raising £50 from your friends for the local hospice is great
too.
Tailor applications for every role: It is so
important that when applying for a job that you tailor your whole
application. Employers want you to apply for the job they have
advertised not just any job. Before you start editing your CV or
writing a cover letter or person specification, research the position
and employer you are applying to. What skills and experience stand out
that directly related to your own experience? It's important that you
highlight this in your application.
Don't be afraid to shuffle things around on your CV with each
job you apply for (if fact I would recommend it), have a relevant
employment/experience section on the first page of your CV so the
employer can see that you have really thought about the position you
are applying for and how it directly relates to your previous
experience. With the experience you've had that is not directly
relevant to the role highlight the relevant skills and activities
you've used and been involved in so you are still tailoring it in that
sense.
Your education/training section can also be tailored to the
employer, it doesn't just have to be as dry as listing the
course/degree you studied and institution you attended. Think about
your course work, major assignments, team projects or major research
project like your dissertation. If it is directly relevant and you've
performed well, list this concisely under the education section of your
CV. Not only does it demonstrate you have studied something relevant
but you have been successful at using transferable skills that are
important to the employer.
College Admission Tips by Marisa from Stanford University CA
There may be a lot of things looking grim about college (acceptance, tuition, student loans) but the good news is that smart applicants have more and better choices. As you begin to turn in your college applications for next fall remember some of these tips to being smarter about your college applications.
1. Apply as early as possible. Many colleges read applications as they come in. As you can imagine deadline day sees a lot of applications. Allow your application to be set apart by arriving early.
2. Try to keep C’s off your transcript. C’s tend to have the pop off the page effect for admissions officers. If you plan to take an AP course but think you will probably get a C, don’t take the course. It is better to keep as many A’s and B ‘s on your transcript as possible.
3. Visit the campus of the school you would like to attend. Colleges keep record of students who come for campus visits. This shows you are proactively looking into the college. Plus you get to see the campus and get a better feel as to if it is the right school for you.
4. Have a stranger critique your essay. They will more easily be able to tell you where you need improvement. If you are writing about what makes you unique or different ask your closet friends what they think. They can probably give you a better idea of what makes you special.
5. Think outside the box when writing your essay. Admissions officers see loads of essays that talk about world peace, the best parents or scoring the winning goal that if you choose a topic like this your essay will have to be perfect. Write about something that you have a passion about, don’t write about what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. By being yourself, you will stand out and have a better chance at acceptance.
To read some more interesting tips on getting accepted and choosing a college, check out this article.
Presentation Skills from Stanford University. CA.
Strong communication and presentation skills are essential in relating thoughts and ideas effectively. Whether delivering a laboratory presentation or interviewing for a job, the overall success of the presentation relies heavily on the speaker’s ability to confidently impart information in a concise and interesting way.
Personal Preparation
The best way to confront fear of public speaking is effective preparation. Before you begin organizing the content and details of the talk, clarify your purpose in giving it. Ask yourself: Who is my audience? What are the most salient points to make? Why is this information important? And, you should know well in advance what your expected format, time frame, and space/technology limits are.
Next, practice “dress rehearsal” style, meaning that you should go through the speech using the slides and technology tools you will have on the day of delivery. Plan ahead for questions you expect to receive and prepare slides and/or other supportive materials to support your answers. Finally, arrive early at the presentation site on the day of your talk to ensure proper set up of technology aids and to take time to acclimate to your surroundings before beginning.
Slide and Technology Preparation
The purpose of using slides and other technological devices in talks is two-fold: to provide a visual aid which explains a concept and to introduce an idea you will talk about.
It is important, therefore, to present one idea or concept per slide and expound on it verbally as opposed to presenting materials cluttered with lots of details. Make sure you provide at least one slide which outlines what you plan to talk about and slide formats should be the same throughout the talk. It is also advisable to bring back up materials just in case your first plan does not work.
Delivery
All presentations begin with a brief introduction, continue with content development and explanation, and end with conclusive, summarizing details and/or question and answer opportunities. Your talk should include smooth transitions between these stages to keep your audience engaged and clear about program objectives.
Introduction: Start your presentation with a brief introduction of yourself, the context for your talk, and your agenda for it. You will want to begin on time and speak confidently, even if you are nervous. Remember: it is not just what you say, but how you say it that makes for a good first impression and effective speech.
Presentation of Content: Your content is best when presented in a relaxed, conversational style. Avoid reading directly from your slides or notes; rather, you should be adding to slide content. Provide relevant, concise, and interesting stories or examples to illustrate key or complicated points. Walk around a little, if possible, and make eye contact with audience members. If they appear disengaged or confused, try to reconnect with them by explaining information in a different way or by asking if they need clarification.
Conclusions, Questions and Answers: You will want to end your presentation by restating your original point and by summarizing your supporting arguments. Listen carefully to audience members’ questions and repeat them back, should you need clarification. End on time and provide opportunities for future follow-up and questions by providing references, resources, and your contact information.
New university year begins.2009.08.28.The new students of Tsinghua University queue for registering on August 26, 2009. They will start their new life here. Tshinghua University has totally enrolled 3337 new students this year.(Xinhua Photo)
As students find themselves confronted with making choices at aged 19, or upon graduation, we have condensed, updated and presented new information to help you make those important decisions. Our dedicated team of advisers will treat enquiries as a matter of priority until the end of Octover, 2009. E-mail: enjoyingenglishinfo@yahoo.com through the above link, and write 'Careers' in the subject box.
Back to College...Starting Out. 2009.08.27.
Although this article was originally intended to offer information to students arriving at college or university for the first time, much of it applies equally to those who are embarking on their first job, embarking on the initial steps towards your future career.
There are 8 areas to consider.
1. Getting there. Arriving at a strange and unfamiliar city is often a daunting and bewildering experience. Trains, buses and roads are crowded. It is often wise to travel with a minimum of luggage, keeping to the essentials. Carry with you a minimum of cash, it is safer in a bank. Take care of bank cards, and check before you leave home that they operate in other regions and in ATM machines.
Parents often want to accompany their children to a new location, to be sure that they settle in, and that all is well. I'm not so sure that's a good idea. You will have to fend for yourself, perhaps for the first time. My feeling is, that it is best to say your 'Good-byes' at home, and plunge in at the deep end. After all, when you think about it, most other new-comers are in the same situation, and have the same anxieties.
2. Accommodation. Most accommodation for students is shared in one way or another, often in a dormitory with several other people of more or less the same age. That in itself causes its own problems; creating your own space with little privacy, getting along with your new room-mates, and being mindful and considerate of their situation. A common concern is that you may never have undressed in front of someone else before, or feel embarrassed in communal showers. You needn't worry. In a short time it will be as much of your routine as brushing your teeth.
In a city starting work, living on your own in a rented room or small apartment, can be very lonely. You have no one to share experiences with, or to talk to. Just you, and the television. Try to find a colleague in a similar situation. Even if you're not completely compatible, at least there is someone else around on a daily basis.
3. Orientation - getting to know the campus and city.
It's well worth the time and effort to find out as much as possible about your environment in advance. Search the Internet for information e.g. Google Earth. a local map and bus time-table is often helpful. Spend some time during your first week exploring the city to find facilities and local markets. In my experience, markets are great! Apart from the fact that they are cheaper, often they are a good place to meet with local people, who will usually be pleased to welcome you into their community, and show you the best places to go.
4. Eating. I don't think that there is anything more tedious than preparing food for yourself and eating it on your own. It is usually not practical to eat out every meal, although in China, there is a magnificent range of food available on the streets and in markets, from early morning to late at night.
Canteen food on campus is often bland, unappetizing and generally poor. Planning, shopping and eating together with friends is a pleasure. Indirectly,it has a beneficial effect on study and work. People who eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, perform better, look better and feel better. Developing basic cooking skills is, in my opinion, essential. Lunch or dinner provides an excellent opportunity for communication or companionship, providing a focal point for social or business interaction.
5. Your Schedule. Getting a practical, workable schedule is a priority. Make certain that you are on the correct courses for your chosen area of study and that you are at the level that suits you. If they are wrong, then change, or talk to someone who can help.
English courses in the First Grade are often mandatory, which means that you have to attend classes whether you want to or not. It doesn't follow that your skill level in a subject, necessary equates to your level of academic ability, for a number of reasons. Most commonly is that many students have not had an environment with suitably experienced teachers. There are many resources listed in World Wide Webs and on the Ed Webs pages that can help. In short... don't skip or miss lessons. If there is a problem, talk to your teacher or tutor.
6. Social Life is as important as study. Mutual support and friendships are earned or created through relationships, co-operation and attitude. They are made with your room-mates, class-mates and others that you 'hang-out' with on a day to day basis, through sports, activities and clubs. It is important to achieve a balance between study/work and play, for you to be able to develop into a 'rounded person'. Employers are usually looking for interests which you do on your own and in groups both in and out of doors. As the expression says, ' All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy!'
7. Finances. For most moving away from home, or starting work, handling personal finances is a first-time experience. Look after your money and keep it safe. Budget (plan) for the amount you have available, divided by the number of weeks it has to last.
In the beginning, it is worth keeping a notebook of everything you spend. It's very easy, especially when you have a lot of money for the first time, to lose track of what you have spent, and where you spent it.
First,make allowances for essentials such as; travel, rent, food, and books, making sure that you keep enough money in reserve to get home at the end of the semester / term. If you need to, or want to, find a part-time job that doesn't interfere with your study time or disrupt too much, the time you have for social activities.
Beware of wonderful...spend now...pay later offers of credit from banks, and don't borrow long-term from other students. They probably are facing similar problems to you. Above all else, remember... that loans have to be repaid.
8. And finally... moving to a new study or working environment is in the top 3 most stress factors, along with divorce/marriage break-up and a visit to the dentist.
Most students worry about 3 things. They are, in order of importance; money, their grades and their family at home. Many students keep worries to themselves, without realising that more than 90% of the people they are with, are experiencing exactly the same thing.
To draw these points together, one thing is certain. It is that whether you are continuing studies away from home, or looking forward to launching your career or moving jobs - your life, and that of your f amily and friends, will never be the same again. You will survive, because you have to. You will be successful, because it drives you. However old you are, life, like language, is constantly changing.
Get organised...get going! Smile...and be happy!
'Per Ardua Ad Astra...' ~ 'through struggles to the stars.' is the motto of The Royal Air Force (RAF), the air-fighting section of British Military of De fence, with its origins in 1912. I joined as an RAF cadet at age 13, and remained a member until I went to college at 19. That was because after the second world war, as late as 1969, young people over the age of 16 could be 'called-up' into military service i the event of an outbreak of a third world war.
If boys were cadets in one of the armed forces, that would be where they had to go to fight. Rather heroically, I chose the RAF because I figured that it was a better option to be blown out of the sky, than be drowned in the icy Atlantic Ocean, eaten by sharks in the Pacific in the Navy, or shot to pieces in muddy wastelands or jungles as a soldier in the Army.
As kids from the countryside, we did loads of unimaginably exciting things like; survival courses, summer camps at RAF bases - where we learnt gliding and flying. I learnt to shoot, and won my 'wings' by firing 5 single high-calibre rifle shots in succession, through a 1.2cm disc target at 50 metres. It was character forming, and developed life-skills which I may otherwise have missed. I'm still a pretty mean shot at rifle ranges at funfairs!
The point is, that the RAF motto translates as... 'through struggles to the stars'. It's a thought that has always brought me back into focus when life has thrown obstacles and disappointments into my path.
I can understand student's frustration at not achieving the right exam results or an interview. It is one of the problems with systems which is so heavily based on exam results. It is not able to reflect a person's wider capabilities, talents, character or work ethics.
For me, as a student, examinations were absolute hell, as I panicked. From 1972 - 1997, I worked with the South-west Examinations Board and University of Oxford, first as a marker, and later as a full Examiner and Moderator (a Moderator is a member of a group of examiners who standardise the marking of different groups of markers, to establish fair standards at the same level). Students were continuously assessed on all areas of their work from ages 13 - 16.
It was the fore-runner of what is now 'Records of Achievement'. It enables students to keep a full record of all their achievements, interests and activities throughout their education. It is presented to employers and shows a good picture of the full person - their qualifications, achievements, aims and objectives.
If you feel a little let-down or deflated, or some kind of failure, sit back and think about what you have achieved over the past few years, and how your abilities and outlook have developed. Many young people in China, have achieved remarkable and significant progress, upon which to build their future.
I firmly believe in 'fate' and people being Masters of their Own Destiny - using their ability, talents, character. If 'Fate' has a hand, which I believe, set-backs and disappointments are for a reason - and the probability is that the situation will work out alright and for the best in the end. We sometimes need to reflect on circumstances and readjust our perspective as to what may be the best way forward over the coming months or years. Seizing opportunities to benefit our own objectives and for the benefit of others.
I still maintain a 100% commitment to my ideals; Enjoying English and The Red Dragon Initiatives - the people I would like to work with and students to whom I have a long-standing commitmentnt and obligation. It is often the case that we have to re-align our targets or time-line to safeguard our future. But I don't give in easily!
Some things are set in stone: circumstances often restrict our ambitions. This page has been inspired by questions from students, and should be read in conjunction with features on other Student pages, Viewpoint, Letters and Red Dragon.
We can never offer definitive answers which suit everyone, because everyone is different and their circumstances are not the same. Although the thoughts are of a general nature, they are based on considerable and varied experience.
When you have a problem, think it over, and try to come to a rational decision. If you have some ideas, send them to us at enjoyingenglishinfo@yahoo.com Every little helps!
Best wishes.
Alan.
August, 2009.
Too Many Graduates...Not Enough Jobs. University and job places will be highly contested this Autumn as students prepare to start their first term.
As the economic position throughout the world deepens, more students are taking the option of deciding to improve their opportunities by entering or continuing their education.
However, an increasing number are graduating at 19, or at the end of their college / university education, and are finding there is increasing pressure in the job market.
A-level results are collected by pupils at Parrs Wood High School in Didsbury. Photograph: Christopher Thomond
Although student's situations are different; some are completing Higher Education at middle or comprehensive school level, whilst others have graduated college or university, the problems they face are similar. What is the next way forward, and what are the various options? Students in both the east and west face a similar dilemma, facing an uncertain future, with various choices and having to make decisions.
Gap Year - a year off your normal routine either before or after entering college or university. This is becoming increasingly a choice for students in western countries, but less so in China and the east, for financial reasons.
So, what's the truth about a Gap Year, and how beneficial is it? Is it likely to be a beach-hopping romp around the world, or planning a 6 - 12 month project to bulk up your c.v / resume to give you a career advantage over the next guy in the queue?
Richard Blooms, Administrations Officer for the City University, London, says that a Gap Year for some students can be a positive advantage. They tend to return to university more mature and well rounded having had a broader experience outside the comforts of an educational environment.
The important thing is, that whatever a student chooses, they should be able to explain why they want or wanted, to defer university entry. They need to be able to explain co-coherently what benefits they have or would, gain from their experience.
Simon Owen, a partner at the global professional advisory firm Deloitte, says that a Gap Year should be carefully considered. He wants to know that there was a process of serious planning involved. He looks for a series of well thought out projects of reasonable duration, with specific aims and objectives. That, he says, would make him sit up and take notice of a student's application for a job.
Six students are battling for every university place across the UK … students at Birmingham University. Photograph: Martin Argles
Charity / social or voluntary work, aiming to improve the quality of life for others, or to improve facilities in the community, is another option which is likely to get you ahead of the pack.
An Internship or work experience in your chosen career field is also helpful. Learning an additional foreign language is also time well spent.
Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive of Communications giant WPP, which employs 139,000 people in 106 countries worldwide, believes that the sooner you get on with it, the better. He emhasises that if you do something which shows initiative, it is of value to you and your future employer.
Another option, often favoured by students who are unsure of which way to turn, is to return to further extended education. In some ways, I think, this is prolonging the moment they have to face reality. There is a danger that some may become 'professional students', and there is the added danger that they may chose courses that are of little advantage to their future career. E.g. Philosophy or subjects which are already over-subscibed such as some IT subjects and Media Studies.
To sum up, the more experience you can gain, the better. One thing is certain, you won't experience anything useful to your career playing computer games on the Internet!
AC. August, 2009. Various sources including Agencies.
see also: other features on Student Life, Advice~line and Viewpoint on this website. Contact us if you have specific enquiries.
Alternative Education: Earn As You Learn. 2009.02.28. Students and their parents often think that College or University Education is the only route to a successful career. However, as the worldwide economic recession deepens, and the hunt for jobs becomes more competitive, it's worth considering alternatives. In the UK, this week is National Apprenticeship Week.
Don't let predjudice about apprenticeships or vocational study get in the way of clear thinking. Andy Powell of 'Edge', which champions practical and vocational learning, including apprenticeships, says that we all need to tackle educational snobbery.
'The tradional bias,' he says', against vocational qualifications results in too many people evaluating personal success by academic achievement.'
An Edge survey found that 35% of parents think that vocational learning is for those who don't do well at school - but, in reality, it's simply an alternative route to career qualifications. Infact, if you don't want to do any more college-related study, think about an apprenticeship.
As well as workplace training, they involve some study, either in college or your own time. So, you need to be prepared to put in extra time after work. see: www.edgecampaign.co.uk
Like most qualifications, apprenticeships are available at various levels. In the UK they usually begin at age 16 - 19, but there are no limits - at least one, is being taken by a man aged 60. Again, in the UK, they cover a range of 80 subjects from accountancy to football, business studies and vetinary (animal) nursing, so forget tht they are only for young boys or people with no academic ability.
An apprenticeship lasts for as long as it takes to gain competence in the job. That's usually 1 - 3 years, but there are no limits. They are usually 'paid employment', with the company or organisation paying tuition costs. I think that, although it may not be generally known, similar situations ocur in countries worldwide.
Case Studies. The following are examples of the way 3 young people in the UK have advanced their career opportunities through apprenticeships in different ways.
DT male, aged 25 completed an advanced apprenticeship in Business Administration, whilst working for a large Corporation in northern England. He is now doing similar studies in Customer Services working as a Customer & Information Addministrator. He says that his studies had been tailored around his job, and hopes to go on to do a degee. 'I like the mix of work and study,' he said.
EE female, aged 26 is a Weapons Technician with the Royal Air Force. She took an advanced apprenticeship in Aerosystems Engineering. Her studies hae taken 3 years, and she is now qualified to work on operations and abroad.
JN male, 19 was very well qualified at 16 when he left school. His school assumed that he would progress to university, but, 'I wanted to something more practical,' he said, 'and start earning money, without getting into student debt.' By next August, he will have compled a number of courses with an International Chemical Company. He says, 'Apprenticeships give you a real chance to show employers whaat you can do.'
In conclusion. There are clearly other roads to career success, other than through university. Large companies offer opportunities, although there may be an obligation to remain with the company for 2 or 3 years after graduation. Internationally, The Armed Forces of a country, offer ways of obtaining skills, whilst offering a salary, accommodation and comradeship.
Explore all your opportunities, and choose the one which best suits your circumstances.
Compiled from various sources including: Edge, Government & Education information, apprenticeships.org, Linda Whitney (Journalist) and agencies. AC. 2009.08.28.
WAKE UP - Tomorrow Has Arrived!
Back to college or university following a long summer break and settling into your study routine. However, November is approaching, an so begins the start of the new Job Fair Season. Check them out regularly; you'll find details in the local press, your school notice board and, of course, - the Internet - see Job Fair Maze.
Be prepared to be flexible. The job you want may not be available in the place you want to work. You may have to move away or change your perspective - the way you look at things or your career options. Similarly, be aware that an unexpected opportunity may appear. Weigh up the good and bad points, and make a decision. Opportunities come and go; they rarely come round a second time. Americans have an expression, 'WIGIG' - when it's gone, it's gone!
Even if you have one or two years study left, it's worthwhile attending the occasional Job Fair to keep an eye on the way the job market is moving. You may consider changing your major or, better still, take on a parallel 'bolt-on' course. This involves more work and requires a dicipline, but is probably worth the effort and sacrifices in the long run.
Such circumstances are nothing new. In my situation almost 40 years ago, teaching jobs in Geography had dried up throughout England & Wales, (Scotland and Northern Ireland have different educational administrative systems). I chose English for students with special needs as a parallel course. A decision I have never regretted.
In more recent times, Wang Bo found himself with an opportunity he never dreamed of, even though he was still studying full-time.
I am very reluctant to tell students, 'You ought to do this or that,' because I believe you should take some responsibility for your studies and activities to improve your future development. The only thing that they 'ought to do', is make sensible preparations to take advantage of forthcoming opportunities.
Whatever you do, good luck! Contact us if you need further help.
Alan.
August2009.Revised and updated from October.2007 & 2008.
Don’t worry about finding your first job
from Yue Xiaodong
From November onwards every year, university graduates are starting to look for their first job. So what is the most important element in a first job? Money? Promotion prospects?
Training opportunities?
Winston Churchill (1874-1963), the former British prime minister, once said: "Lucky are those whose interests and work are the same.” He is a good example. He once said that he had a gift for politics and a passion for it. He fulfilled all of his potential by being a politician and statesman for much of his life. Had he, however, followed his father’s advice to become a teacher, he would have achieved far less.
Finding the right job is a problem. Many students enter college or university not knowing what they want to do, and many leave with no clear direction of where they should be going. Too many, I think, rely on the notion that 'my parents will find me a good job'.
You need to match what you like with what you aspire in your life. I think that two points are particularly important;
- think about what you might like to do early on, certainly in the first grade, if not before
- match that with what you think your talents and interests are
- think carefully about the subjects you are studying. Ask yourself if they relate to the kind of job you might like to do
- keep an eye on the job-market. It is constantly changing. What may be neded today, may well be over-subscribed tomorrow.
Then, after you get a good job that meets your interests, what’s next?
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), the third American president, “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.”
In other words, good fortune favours the prepared. Working is like searching for luck, the harder you strive and prepare for it, the more likely you are to get it and enjoy it!
Yet in the increasingly competitive Chinese job market, there are some unlucky ones who cannot land a job even though they have really tried their best.
Don’t despair. Keep on trying and opportunities will present themselves to you.
About 80 years ago, a young American cartoonist was searching for a job in New York city for quite some time but kept failing. Feeling depressed, he sat on a bench in Central Park and thought about leaving the city. He got a job drawing cartoons for the New York Times and eventually got a full-time job for the newspaper.
Eventually he started his own company based on drawing. 'It’s fun to the do the impossible' said Walt Disney
Experience shows me, that coping with the broader aspects of student life; studying and enjoying life away from home - or not, as the case may be, three things are constantly at the fore-front of their thinking. They are; will my grades be good enough to secure a good job, are my family OK, and money - or lack of it.
Many students are pre-occupied with these matters and often leave matters relating to their future career until the last minute.
These things need to be put into perspective. Of course studying is important, your whole future depends on the final results, but it should not be at the expense of other things which make student life attractive and fun. Frequently, burning the midnight oil hs negative effects in terms of retaining information or progressing with your learning pattern. Student life needs to be organised and balanced.
To maintain that balance, one needs to enjoy a social life and relaxing persuits. Things which you like to do on your own, such as reading, and group activities with friends and class mates, such as sport. However, from the point of view of your future career, it is never too early to think about what you may like to do or where you would like to work and, of course, how much you
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The list of straightforward and decidedly mundane questions was put together as a separate study by website 
Whether you were involved in the beer and wine society or the uni orchestra, employers will be interested in your achievements. Photograph: Graham Turner
College Admission Tips by 
Back to College...Starting Out. 2009.08.27.
Too Many Graduates...Not Enough Jobs. 
A-level results are collected by pupils at 
Six students are battling for every university place across the UK … students at Birmingham University. Photograph: Martin Argles 
