The Importance Of Work Experience

Students who work as they go through college with internships, part-time and summer jobs give themselves an important advantage in the job market when they graduate. Since not all working students understand how they benefit from their work experiences, it is important for them to think about their jobs as a way to support their career goals. For that to happen, students should understand five factors that improve their odds for employment success:

1. Experience - Knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things. Employees who are experienced can anticipate problems and know how to handle the issues that crop up. They quickly get things running smoothly again and can maximize productivity. Since some skills and abilities only come with experience, employers love candidates who have already demonstrated their capabilities and work ethic in the workplace. Real world emergencies, accidents, mistakes, equipment failures and the difficulties and pressures that go with them will test any employee. The way students react to them depends on the experience and understanding they gain on the job.

2. Performance - Employers seek candidates who will perform well for them. Although doing well in the classroom is highly desirable, that doesn't always translate into good performance on the job for every student. That's why employers want to see or learn about a student's job performance every place they have worked. The more positive comments they hear from previous employers, the more likely it is that they will have a serious interest in the student.

3. Reliability - Employers select employees who are reliable. They show up every day on time and are ready to work. These employees are highly productive. They regularly exceed quantity, quality and timeliness requirements. They always get the job done, even when they are unsupervised. Being someone an employer can count on is critical to employment success.

4. People - Employers are usually more interested in candidates who get along well with and are respected by others in the workplace. They know that the workplace often requires collaboration, cooperation and teamwork, in order to get the job done well. Students who get along well with coworkers and help them achieve results will be in high demand.

For students, the workplace is where they build relationships with people who can help them in the job market. There are people in the workplace who can help students gain the information and training they need to perform at a high level. Students should also look for other employees to include in their employment networks. Additionally, when students impress company executives with their performance, those executives may be willing to serve as references and may even offer students full-time jobs when they graduate.

5. Accomplishments - Employers try to hire people who learn quickly, work hard, help them make money, create harmony and efficiency in the workplace and strengthen relationships with customers. Therefore, students with Internships, part-time and summer jobs can create an impressive resumé by emphasizing their accomplishments in these areas.

Students who view college jobs as merely a source of spending money, without considering these five points, are missing out on important opportunities to make themselves highly attractive to the employers with the best jobs at graduation. The most effective students always use those work experiences to learn something new, perform at a high level, meet new people, establish relationships, add to their list of accomplishments, build their brands and enhance their reputations.

Bob Roth, a former campus recruiter, is the author of five books, including: A Successful Senior Year Job Search Begins In The Freshman Year. Known as The "College & Career Success" Coach, Bob writes articles for College Career Services Offices, Campus Newspapers, Parent Associations and Employment Web Sites. Bob has created The Job Search Preparation System™ for colleges to use to help students find greater success in the job market. Visit Bob's web site http://www.the4realities.com.

Feel Inspired And Take A Look At Engineering Courses In London

One of the most famous and prolific UK engineers was Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Born in 1806 in Portsmouth on the south coast of the UK, he went on to be chief engineer of the Great Western railway running all the way from London to Exeter. Isambard also designed the Bristol Clifton suspension bridge in the late 1820s, and the worlds largest ship at the time 'the Great Eastern' in 1858.

Isambard Kingdon Brunel died in London, during 1859. Throughout his relatively short life he had created many engineering marvels that are still are still noted as some of the best in the world, even in today's society with the highrise buildings or skyscrapers being built-in china and the USA, what Brunel achieved during his time still stands out as something special.

Long before Isambard Kingdom Brunel, famous buildings and structures were built and created, the Pharos of Alexandria, the pyramids of Egypt, the Acropolis in Greece and the great wall of china, stand as some of the best accomplishments of ancient engineers.

From an early age many youngsters love building things. Playing with interlocking blocks as a toddler is something that most of us have done. As we grow, the idea of building the highest tower using what we can find in the toy box. And then on to building dens and tree houses in the garden, most of us have a wish to be creative and are intrigued to see how things work from an early age.

In many ways this is a form of engineering, the putting together of materials to build and create and to see what can be achieved with design and planning. A summary of civil engineering is the design construction and maintenance of such things like roads, bridges, dams and buildings. All of which youngsters love to do whether they know it or not.

There are many types of engineering, from mechanical and electrical engineering all the way through to chemical and computer engineering. To become qualified, many years of study are needed. Either a two-year course at college or A levels in various subjects like maths and science, then university to gain degrees in a chosen field. After achieving the needed qualifications, finally on a career within the industry.

A current report suggest that there are over 46,000 graduate engineers coming through university each year. 5.4million people within the UK are already employed in this sector, which is a huge amount of people, bearing in mind the UK has in the region of 65 million inhabitants. The engineering industry employs over 8% of the UK work force.

Further training within each sector is so important, the advancement of science and technologies change the boundaries of what can be done every year and to keep up with advances further study is needed. Keeping up with these trends and making sure as people stay a valuable asset to the company they work for.

For further training there are courses that are available, a city the size of London has a variety of courses that can be attended, just make sure the one you book is fully accredited. These courses are attended by those that want to improve through new relevant ways and experiences in the industry.

Courses can be booked on-line and are available all year around. The courses are usually kept small so usually no more than 10 attend. It is usually possible to get a discount if the courses are booked a month or two in advance.

While in London why not take a visit to some of the vast structures and achievements of the London skyline that are famous worldwide, London Bridge built-in 1824, the Millennium Wheel built-in 1999 or the recently built Shard Building, the 310m high skyscraper in Southwark. You may get some inspiration for the next project that you will work on.

London Training for Excellence are one of the UK's fastest growing companies, they are proud to offer over 300 unique courses covering a vast range of sectors. The company look to offer clients the chance to improve performance through highly relevant, innovative and professional training courses. Their experienced team assist clients to understand their personal requirements. London Training for Excellence share their passion of education through their approach to the courses they offer; courses that provide insightful, high quality and exceptional content. To learn more, please visit http://www.londontfe.com

Homework Doesn't Have to Be a Battle of Wills

Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of wills between child and parent. There are several strategies and elements that a parent can use to maximize an opportunity to support a child's education and to massage the parent/child bond. For the parent, it is a way to understand what is going on at school and an opportunity for communication. Simply put, a parent has the ability to guide a child to positive feelings about education and to the rewards of good efforts.

Teachers need to have parents on their side, not for the teacher's benefit, but for the child's. When a parent gets involved and stays involved on a routine basis, this catapults the child to another level. A parent who reads to a child, models life-long learning, participate in school events and monitors homework time is doing his or her job of setting up the child for success.

The Five Essential Elements of Helping Your Child with Homework are: knowing the homework basics and the whys; knowing how to set up a proper environment; knowing how to monitor a child's work; knowing how to provide the appropriate guidance; and knowing how to communicate with your child's teacher.

Essential Element # 1 - Homework Basics

Getting to know the basics of homework, the ins and outs of the process, is critical. Think of it as a perfect platform for a parent to be involved, in a very meaningful way, in a child's education. Think of it as one of the greatest challenges that a parent can ever face. Finally, think of it as an everyday routine that needs to be a primary function of family life.

Think about the reasons for homework to begin with. This is ammunition for a parent when responding to the typical child question, "Why do I have to do homework?" Homework helps the child do the following things: reviews previous learning; provides opportunity to practice; readies the child for the next lesson; expands reference skills using the library and internet; supplements and extends learning; provides opportunities for exploring subjects in more depth; helps the child become an independent worker; and allows for exploring individual interests. Keeping these lofty goals in mind will help a parent when the child starts to balk from time to time. Patience and perseverance is the mental state that parents must adopt. Staying in a positive mode, along what might prove to be a bumpy road, is the preferred approach.

Essential Element # 2 - A Proper Homework Environment

If a child believes that a parent cares and that there is a good reason to complete assignments, the child will value education and the routine of homework. A child needs to see that homework is as essential to education as training is to an athlete.

There are several considerations, which provide a great deal of flexibility, when setting up a good homework environment for a child. A parent should work with a child to make some of these decisions together. Research shows that the following areas need to be addressed: schedule a priority time, which may need to flex if there are dance lessons, sports teams, etc.; choose a specific place that is comfortable and works for the family; minimize distractors, such as TV; organize school supplies and materials; be a good role model by reading, playing educational games, and other appropriate activities; and show interest in what the child is working on.

Essential Element # 3 - Monitoring the Homework Routine

How closely a parent should monitor the homework time will vary from child to child. Those who do not work well independently will, of course, need intensified monitoring. Teachers may have varying views on the parent's monitoring role. It is imperative that a parent talk with the child's teacher to get an understand of the best way to support the child at home. A "never, never rule" is that you never do your child's homework.

Being available for and in close proximity to the homework area is important. At the end of the homework time, a parent needs to thoroughly check to see that the assignments are complete. Asking the child what they were supposed to do and having them explain the assignment is a very effective way to wrap up the summary portion of the homework routine. This can also be a good way to start the session if the child tends to procrastinate about getting down to the assigned tasks. A parent should always be alert to teacher comments that may be on homework and other school papers. These can be red flags for the parents.

Essential Element # 4 - Providing the Appropriate Guidance

Supporting homework routines includes the appropriate guidance in scheduling other activities. Left to their own devices, most children will choose TV or video games over homework. There is a place for the television watching and the game playing, but a parent and child need to formulate a limited time for these. Homework has to be the priority.

Some of the specific techniques in guidance can include the following: encourage independence in completing homework; assist the child with organization skills, such as using folders; reinforce good study skills; help with practice and drills, for example multiplication flash cards; help the child learn about budgeting time to complete all tasks; talk about the assignments with the child; and provide praise throughout.

Essential Element # 5 - How to Communicate with the Classroom Teacher

A parent should contact the child's teacher if the following issues arise: directions for homework are not clear; the parent can't provide the necessary materials and supplies; the child is overly disorganized; the assignments are too easy or difficult on a consistent basis; and the child has missed several days of school and is behind on a massive amount of work.

As early as possible, contact the child's teacher when there is a problem. A parent should take some notes to the meeting in order to be specific about what problem needs to be addressed. Work together to find a solution. It important that whatever is agreed upon that the parent and teacher monitor the results. If there no change after 3 o 4 weeks, the parent should follow up with another meeting request. Don't let things go wrong too long.

The homework environment does not have to be a battleground. However, it can easily turn into one if the parent does not see the big picture and take control of the situation. A parent needs to seize this daily routine as an opportunity to be involved with the child and to be the child's number one supporter for school success. Here's a chance for a parent to give a meaningful gift to a child - a positive attitude toward responsibility, independence and educational accomplishments.

Copyright usage: No permission is needed to reproduce this story. The About The Author statement must remain in tact. I possible, we also request notification of where the article is being used so reciprocal links can be considered. barb@sbmag.org

Barbara Snyder M.A. Ed. is a retired California Distinguished School Principal and Coordinator For Human Resources. She has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She holds elementary education, secondary, community college, and administrative credentials. She is currently the publisher of [http://EducationResourcesNetwork.com], co-publisher of Strictly Business Magazine at [http://www.sbmag.org] and Student Teacher Supervisor at Chapman University.