Tag Archives: college

Dec12

Post-Uni Work Life Getting You Down? Try These Options To Spice Things Up!

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Post-Uni Work Life Getting You Down? Try These Options To Spice Things Up!

Throughout college, we motivate ourselves by thinking that it doesn’t matter that we have to pull all-nighters and spend 24 hours straight in the library because it will all be worth it when we land our dream job. However, the reality of the situation can be very different when we find ourselves in the work world. Many of us discover that our post-uni work life isn’t quite what we expected it to be, and can be (Dare we say it?) a bit boring? Happily, if you do find yourself in this position, there are some tactics which you can use to make things a lot more interesting. Read on to find out more:

Change your job:

The simplest solution to the boring work blues is to change your job. Perhaps there would be a role elsewhere that would be a better fit for your skills and interests? In another company, you might find colleagues that you have more in common with? You won’t know until you find out.

Although, it is vital to be mindful of making a snap decision when it comes to changing your job in a situation like this. We all have bad days and even bad weeks, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that going somewhere else will be any better.

That is why it’s worth giving any role a decent run of at least three months unless there are extenuating circumstances. Otherwise, you could find yourself leapfrogging from job to job, rather than learning to cope with the ups and downs of typical day to day life.

Keep your job, but work overseas:

Another option, is to find a similar position but in a radically different location. I’m not just talking about moving to the other side of town here, but going to live and work in an entirely different country! Something that is bound to add some excitement and zest into your post-university work life.

Luckily, it’s not that hard to find a suitable role, because you can use sites like GradAustralia that specialize in finding overseas jobs in all sorts of sectors. You can even apply through their portal, so it couldn’t be easier to locate a post that best suits your experience and allows you to infuse a little excitement into your post-university work life.

Go into business for yourself:

Last of all, if the post-uni lull that you are in is more about working for someone else and having to fit into the corporate culture, you may want to consider going into business for yourself and carving your own career path.

The good news here, is that it’s never been easier to get set up as an entrepreneur or small business owner, with the majority of such organizations running primarily over the internet in the startup stages.

Of course, going into business for yourself is not without its challenges, but it is certainly an option that will bring plenty of spice and excitement!

Beat the work blahs by changing things up and enjoy as your job transforms into your ideal career.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Nov20

3 Things All College Students Should Know

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3 Things All College Students Should Know

Being in college is often painted as being one of the easier times in life, but anyone who has actually been there will know that it is quite the opposite. It is often very hard being a student in many different ways and wanting some advice or help is absolutely fair and not a sign of failure. If you are keen to try and improve your own college experience, you might want to look into some of the things that you can do to make sure that it is as easy and enjoyable as possible. In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the things that all college students should know if they are to both enjoy college and get as much out of it as possible:

There Is Always Help To Be Had:

Because it’s usually your first time away from home, you will probably find that you end up feeling a little alone at some point or another. A big part of this is the sense that you can’t really do anything to be helped out, and that you need to suffer or struggle alone. However, this is not the case, and if you want to get ahead in college you will need to remember that there is always help to be had, no matter what. Whether you buy essays to help you out with your work or calling home for a friendly voice, it is worth bearing in mind, so make sure that you remember that as best as you can.

Grades Can Be Improved:

In most cases, you will get the chance to take mock exams and submit early drafts of essays before you actually finalize them, and that is an incredibly useful thing to be able to do. Knowing that your grades can essentially always be improved means that you can hope to reduce any anxiety you might have around your studies, and put a little less pressure on yourself to get it right the first time around. Grades can always be improved in time for them to matter, so don’t worry so much and instead just try to do your best whenever you can.

There is also plenty of help to be had if you are struggling with your grades. Study sessions and tutors are usually available on campus so you can get a better grasp of your classes. There is also lots of resources online like this student research guide as well as sites like Grammarly if you have a hard time proofreading essays and even YouTube videos to help break down difficult math equations. These are all wonderful tools so use them well!

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Study up!

Friends Are Sustenance:

If you don’t manage to make many friends, it is much less likely that you will have a great and useful time at college, so it is definitely something that you should try to do early on. Making friends is an important part of the whole experience for most people, and it’s something that everyone is perfectly capable of if they know how. If you feel that you sometimes struggle with this, you might want to think about some of the things you can do to ensure that you are going to be able to make more friends in the future, so that you can hope to enjoy college life all the more.

College, although stressful, is a fun and exciting time so use the tips above and make the most of it!

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Nov15

A Life Lesson From Facebook

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A Life Lesson From Facebook

Hi everyone! Facebook is the only form of social media that I have and I definitely prefer it that way. For the most part, it keeps me entertained and it would be just too much to have to maintain other social media pages on top of my blog. While scrolling through the book, I came across a meme that said something along the lines of “The people who are doing better than you don’t look down on you, it’s the ones who are falling behind that are hating” or whatever. Reading this poorly paraphrased quote instantly reminded me of a little story that goes like this:

I was once on a date with a guy and we were talking about college while we were in his car. At the time, I was at Cuyahoga Community College and he was at Kent State University studying photography. So, we’re sitting there talking and he tells me that he’s failing basically all of his classes. Meanwhile, I share with him that I’m really enjoying all of my courses and I wish that I had started my college career earlier. And, he snaps back with “that’s because you go to community college”.

Excuse me?!?!

Because he was the one failing his courses and I’m thriving in a college setting, that automatically makes Tri-C easier? Although they offer the same classes as any college in the area? Righhhhhht. I spent over three years out of school and I made the choice to give college a try even though I was so nervous of failure that I sometimes found it hard to breathe. And, instead of congratulating me for what would surely be a difficult task for anyone, he replied with a verbal slap in the face.

I’ll never forget this story, because it is so incredibly off putting. But, seeing it from the light of what that meme on Facebook said made me see it in an entirely different way. It was basically a rephrasing of the quote from The Interview “They hate us cause they ain’t us”. Lol, I was so confident in how I was doing in school and proud of myself but, someone tried to dull that down because he wasn’t happy with himself. And this, boys and girls, is an awful way to be.

I guess the point that I’m making is to not let anyone’s jealousy or whatever they might be feeling take away your confidence. Jealous people want you to stoop down to their level, because misery loves company. No matter what anyone says, words hurt. Use your words appropriately and, if you need to think about whether you should say something or not, chances are that you shouldn’t!

Has anyone ever had a similar scenario to the one that I described? How do you deal with haters? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun4

You Don’t Have To Be A Suck Up To Get That Promotion

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You Don’t Have To Be A Suck Up To Get That Promotion

No one like that one person in the office that is always laughing way too hard at the boss’s joke or begging for extra work! Luckily, you don’t have to be that gal or guy to get where you need to be in your career. You can excel without being a suck up, just read the post below to find out how:

Actions speak louder than words:

One way to prove yourself worthy of a promotion and a position of responsibility is to let your actions speak for you. What this means is that you don’t waste your time handing out hollow compliments to people or playing the political game but, instead, keeping your head down and focusing on the work.

Then, you can demonstrate your focus, dedication, and commitment without having to do anything else. These are all qualities which any manager worth their salt will recognize as being top of the list when considering you for a promotion.

Educate:

Next, you certainly don’t have to suck up to get a promotion if you can prove that you have the necessary education and experience. One way to achieve this is to complete a specialized course like this electrical engineering degree online in your own time. Then, you can fit your studies around your current work commitments and get qualified for the promotion that you want. Studying in your field puts you in a great position for a promotion.

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Hit the books!

Of course, it’s also possible to enroll in courses that provide on the job training, that will set you up nicely for the role that you want. Yes, these may pay a little less in the short term, a consideration that is important if you have a family to support or bills to pay. However, such courses do have the advantage of providing practical experience as well as just book learning. Something that is often perceived as incredibly valuable by potential employers and those in a position to offer a promotion.

Lastly, do not forget the power of volunteering in your chosen field in your own time. This shows your dedication to the area and can provide you with the relevant experience that you need to climb the ladder.

Be your own person:

The temptation in a work environment is to become a yes person or join a group or clique for safety and security. However, sometimes being a part of a larger group can do more damage than good when it comes to landing that promotion that you are looking for.

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Pexels Image

Those in power may associate you with the group first and not judge you on your own individual merit. In fact, they can also be concerned that because of your loyalty and friendships within the company that you will provide favorable treatment to those that you are close to; that could compromise the running of the business.

To that end, it’s always best to be your own person as much as possible while at work, and don’t be afraid to speak out if you think something is a bad idea. Although, do remember to do this constructively with valid reasons. Otherwise, you risk being labeled as a complainer, and that certainly won’t be too good for your promotion prospects, either.

Being up for a promotion is a big deal, and following the above steps can help you land the spot that you’ve always dreamed of!

May18

Want To Enjoy The Remote Working Lifestyle?

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Want To Enjoy The Remote Working Lifestyle?

Today, the opportunity to work more flexibly, where we no longer need to commute to an office in order to make a living, can be viable for anyone. For as long as we have a decent internet connection, we can practically work (or study) anywhere in the world. Today, most people are valuing a much more valuable commodity than money, and that’s the ever depleting commodity of time. In particular, they want to squeeze as much out of life as possible and, in order to do that, they often have huge travel plans or at least aspirations, and to travel the world one needs the flexibility and finances that are made possible by remote working.

Indeed, today, “living the dream” is less about having a fancy car and a corner office, it’s more about having the freedom to do what you want, when you want, with who you want – rather than being chained to a job with colleagues you may or may  not get on with, being stuck in congested commutes and getting home knackered to the point you just flop and drop in front of the TV with your family (often, still catching up with work on your laptop).

The freedom of the remote working lifestyle means, quite literally, that the world is your oyster, and in these exciting times, many of us are looking for ways to tap into this lifestyle and the freelance economy.

Similarly, many people wanting to learn new skills are looking at ways of doing this that work around their life, rather than having to work their life around their studies. This is particularly pertinent for mature students who may have existing work or family commitments, and therefore can’t access the full time courses offered by many universities that require regular attendance.

Today, however, even prestigious universities like Exeter University will allow you to study advanced courses like a masters in education online. This means that you could, hypothetically, have your cake and eat it too – as many students finishing their undergraduate studies have the desire to travel the world and take a gap year; but studying online in this way means that you can literally have the best of both worlds.

In summary, the remote working lifestyle is clearly an attractive option, as it enables the time and freedom to enjoy life and ensure that you are living your life for yourself and your family, rather than having to try to squeeze your life in around the office. Today, many companies are offering people more flexible working hours and the ability to work remotely, as they see that in order to stay competitive within the job market, they need to offer the flexibility people have been craving for decades.

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Feb23

4 Career Paths In Public Administration

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4 Career Paths In Public Administration

If you are currently in search of a career path that is fitting of your vocational calling, earning a degree in public administration might be one that you will want to consider. This is a noble calling where you can service your local, national, or global community. It is a way to put your gifts to use, in conjunction with the education that you receive, to make the world a better place. With that in mind, take a look at four possible career paths in public administration that you might find appealing:

Education Administration: We all know that schools are one of the most important social institutions that we have. Without them, we cannot adequately prepare young people to become productive members of society themselves. That being said, schools depend on professional and qualified administrators in order to run smoothly. Without that, chaos can quickly descend on the institution itself. If you enjoy the field of education, and you have the capacity to lead and supervise, a career in educational administration might be right up your alley.

Elected Official: City, state, and county jurisdictions across the country are in need of qualified officials to take over the helm. Managing items of the public interest is serious business, and it requires a specialized knowledge that not just anyone possesses. When you have a degree in public administration, you will be well positioned to run for public office and have members of the community take you seriously. You will also learn the skills necessary for public crisis management, and that is something that is becoming more and more important today.

Policy Advisor: Society is constantly evolving and changing. Along with that comes the need to create new policies and regulations in order to properly manage and organize the people within any given community. A policy advisor is able to read what is happening and propose new ideas that will better reflect the changing face of society. It is, once again, a specialized field that requires a unique knowledge base and set of skills. This is how society will adapt and change with the times. Policies that are rooted in the past are often doomed to fail today. In exchange, policy advisors look for ways to anticipate the future and make sure that the local community is prepared when the time comes.

Civil Service Jobs: There are a host of civil service jobs designed to support and uphold the ideals of the local community. Not everyone aspires, or is qualified, to be an elected official. That does not mean that you do not want to serve in a professional capacity. If that is you, then a civil service job is what you are looking for. These are typically support role positions that follow a set career path. Job security is high, but so is the competition.

While there are many more jobs awaiting a person with a degree in public administration, these four should give you the motivation that you need to pursue a higher education. Giving yourself to help others, and making a career out of it at the same time, is extremely rewarding. You owe it to yourself to at least consider such a career option, so contact a school near you today.

Featured Image By: The Twin Powers

Jan15

Is Further Education Worth It?

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Is Further Education Worth It?

Going into further education after leaving school seems like the best option for many. At eighteen years old, you don’t know what you want to do. So instead of going full time at a job you despise and would love to bring down from the inside, you choose to pursue the highs and lows of university life.

But is it all worth it? Tuition fees have skyrocketed, and continue to raise, leaving graduates mired in debt. Furthermore, the jobs you wanted aren’t available, too many applicants, not enough positions. Was your three, four, or five years sitting hungover in lecture halls a waste of time?

Finances:

Paying for college is expensive and a student loan will ease a lot of money troubles when at university and websites like SoFi (read here) can help to find the best loan for you. While some choose to work while they study, there are others who don’t want to or can’t and will need to consider what financial shape they will be in upon graduating.

While there are national student debt relief programs available to help graduates through this, you should also consider other ways of paying off your loans. It is smart to begin paying back as soon as you graduate. Otherwise, you will find it hard to start prioritizing your debt when you need to pay for rent, food, and everything in between.

Keep in mind that there are less expensive alternatives to a full on university. Trade schools will give you all of the knowledge you need to start your career as soon as you graduate. Online schooling can also help cut costs. If that is something you are interested in, you can take a look online to See Learn Now IGCSE courses, or you can get in touch with one of your local community colleges.

Health:

You are allowed to let loose at college. If you aren’t there for the social side, then you will miss out big time on some priceless experiences. But doing this can cause your health to suffer in the long run. People get so into the party lifestyle that they can develop conditions such as alcoholism or nicotine addiction due to their actions while studying.

It’s hard to keep on top of your health; you eat what and when you can and many often suffer from the Freshman Fifteen when first starting. You have so much free time at university that it pays to get into good habits then and not try to repair the damage later. Furthermore, the stress that comes from student debt and deadlines can hurt your mental health, as well. However, universities will offer free counseling if you find yourself struggling to cope with the demands.

Career:

Studying something at university is supposed to set you up for entering a related career in the future. But how many people have you met who studied something, say marketing, and are still droning away behind a till?

It takes time to find the job that you want, and getting it straight out of university is unlikely, but now we are seeing people some five or more years in the future still working away at the same job they had in school. Some people have taken steps towards fixing this by retraining later in life to give them much-needed experience, without having to quit their job.

Or, it might be the case that you are looking to further your existing career and education is the way that you can do this. You can look into something like dod cysp if this is relevant to you such as if you are a whiz with computers and want to help the government to help you pay for your further education.

So, if you want to go to university, then go for it. This isn’t supposed to warn you off pursuing further education. But you know yourself, and you need to be aware of what the future may hold upon graduation. Most people who graduated will tell you that university is worth it, but not necessarily in the way that you might think.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jan3

Switching Careers Out Of Left Field – A Handy Guide

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Switching Careers Out Of Left Field – A Handy Guide

Switching careers out of left field can be a difficult thing to do. Not only does it immediately set you off outside of your comfort zone, but it can take years of sacrifice and lower income to get to a level that you’re finally happy with. However, sometimes going for a career with less room for growth or taking on a position with less rewards, money, and benefits can be perfect if you’re happy with what you’re doing. Not every job requires you to earn millions of dollars to make the entire affair bearable. Some things you can genuinely enjoy from the bottom of your heart, a concept which can become relatively blurred when we have yet to experience it.

Many people are hesitant to switch to a career that they truly enjoy because they feel like time has passed them by. As you age and become comfortable in a set routine, this can be harder and harder to change. But, age is always nothing but a number. You can change careers at almost any time you want, provided you have a reasonable amount of time left before retirement! But what should you keep in mind when you do this? We’re here to find out:

Education:

You should consider yourself at square one when choosing a completely new career. How do you proceed in a field you know little about? You learn about it’s nuances and quirks. Job training will always help out, particularly if you start from a lowly position. If you have the funding or the loan eligibility, then applying for a university course both online or offline in an institution can help you gain a fast track to mental competence (Provided you take your studies seriously!).

It might seem worrying going back to college, especially when you believe you’ll be older than almost everyone in your class. However, you’d be surprised at how many mature people return to university for the same purpose as you. This is especially true in fine arts courses, such as music, film, fashion, and graphic design. It’s common for people with successful STEM careers to find out they had an inner artist all along just yearning to break free.

Resume:

When you hope to change jobs, you once again become a candidate. It’s likely you have built up a respectable amount of job experience by this point, meaning that you have all the possibility in the world of making a great impression. List all of the achievements you have made at your previous work. It counts, even if it has little or nothing to do with the new role. People often look for transferable skills, not the specifics of your job.

For example, someone who is competent at running a film set need not be someone skilled in producing, but someone who managed events for a period of time. There is likely more overlap with your career now than you might have originally estimated. If you need help crafting a modern resume, CV advice services are on hand to offer you a deft and careful touch in its writing. A good employer will see this value immediately, but only if you succeed in selling yourself with appealing language.

These two disciplines – building the new while highlighting the value of the old can combine, and help you create a career that you truly desire and deserve.

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Jan2

Positive Mindsets To Kick Start Your New Career

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Positive Mindsets To Kick Start Your New Career

You wake up each morning with a sinking, fearful feeling at the prospect of heading to work. When your alarm goes off, you aren’t filled with ambition and motivation; it seems you’re stuck in a rut and you can’t find your way out of it. With the New Year well and truly upon us, now is the time to shake it up and make a change for the better. Alter your mindset and become a happier, unwavering, career-driven person. Make some decisions and get yourself on track today:

Own Your Goals:

When was the last time that you sat down and thought about where you want to be in life? You have probably found yourself in a dead-end job, which you are constantly trying to escape. Your job may well pay the bills, but you can’t put a price on your own happiness so let’s start reassessing. Write down your career goals on a piece of paper and be proud to have big ambitions. Planning out a meaningful career path will boost your motivation and set you up to succeed.

Start small with your goals and plan out each stage that you can take in order to reach your ultimate dream. You might want to try out an internship on the weekends to get yourself networking with people you need to know. You may dream of starting a business from home, which will take time and energy outside of your current job. Plan out your time meticulously and use each moment to get where you need to be. It could take one year of really hard work to make a huge step in the right direction so get to grips with your goals today.

Love To Learn:

Once you have your goals and aims in order, you need to establish how you’re going to attain them. You may need to take on some additional courses or go back to college. There are tons of tools online which can help you to get the qualifications you need. You can even earn an mba online and kick-start a career in whatever your heart desires.

You should thrive in a learning environment and be motivated to grow your knowledge. Be prepared for some hard work, as getting a further education isn’t a walk in the park. You may need to keep earning money in your current job as you learn other skills part-time. It will all be a balancing act at first, but if you’re determined enough you will stick at it and feel proud when you achieve each step.

Take a Risk:

Now is the time to take the leap and conquer the unknown. If you’ve always dreamed of starting your business or creating a brand new company of your own, you can do it with the correct support and planning. Be meticulous in the process of finding staff, software, and the like so that the reward will outweigh a risk should you choose to take it. Consider services like online accounting or a sportsbook solution provider if this is something you can’t do on your own. Before taking a financial risk, make sure that you’ve got adequate savings to fall back on. Build your own brand from scratch and finally be happy in your career. If being your own boss appeals to you, then this might be the way forward.

Leverage Tools That Support Your Growth:

As you move forward in your career journey, don’t overlook the power of structured digital environments to support your learning and productivity. If you’re working in a corporate or collaborative setting, tools like a site collection website can help you find relevant industry resources, stay informed on emerging trends, and connect with valuable content in your field. Whether you’re in marketing, content creation, or simply looking to expand your knowledge base, tapping into curated link directories can quietly enhance your efficiency and keep you ahead of the curve. Of course, you will want to keep all of your digital operations secure and efficient, especially if you are using the cloud. Cloud management like aws devops consulting services can be hugely beneficial to your company to streamline this process. With the right tools and services in place, you’ll be better equipped to take control of your workflow, adapt quickly, and deliver impactful results.

Make a plan, carry out the method, and take the leap. A happy, healthy and open mind will allow you to reach your career dreams in no time!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Dec27

Fitting Self-Improvement Into A Hectic Lifestyle

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Fitting Self-Improvement Into A Hectic Lifestyle

The new year provides us with the opportunity for a new start. This is perhaps why so many of us make vows and resolutions to change and become better people. Do you want to start going to therapy? Or you’re searching for Gyms in Wokingham, or nearby, to work on your fitness? Regardless of your resolution, you get to start a completely clean page. Moving on from the past events of the previous year and heading into a brighter future.

But if, like many of us, you have a relatively hectic and chaotic day to day routine, how are you supposed to fit grand ventures of self-improvement into the equation? Well, the good news is that with a little organization and forward thinking, the world is your oyster and endless opportunities abound! Here are just a few ways to become a more rounded being without throwing your already busy lifestyle into disarray:

Education:

Increasing numbers of people are returning to education at a later point in their lives. There are various reasons for this. Perhaps they want to boost their resume. Maybe they want to explore subject areas that they don’t have much previous experience in. They might even want to specialize their existing knowledge. Regardless of the reason, a return to education doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to commute to campuses, sit in extensive lectures, or attend group seminars. The increasing efficiency of the internet means that you can now engage in distance learning, AKA taking courses online. Take online msc in international accounting and finance, as an example. This course offers everything that a standard degree course would, but you can complete it from the comfort of your own home. This allows you to schedule your education around your existing responsibilities. Perfect!

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 Study up!

Exercise:

While it may seem like you’re run off your feet all day, chances are that you haven’t managed to schedule a proper workout for a little while. Though an exercise class at the gym or a quick circuit of the machines may only take half an hour or so, showering and changing afterwards and the commute back and forth to the gym itself can mean that you’re out of the house for hours at a time. Instead, why not try to exercise at home?

This means that you don’t have to spend time getting to the gym and you can work out before you’d usually shower in the morning or go to bed at night. While you may not have the same equipment or professional trainers at hand, there are several things you can do to ensure that you get your heart beating and energy flowing. Consider exercise apps with tutorials in yoga and Pilates, squats, planks, push ups, and sit ups. They will monitor your progress and give you a basic understanding of how to achieve certain positions or poses all straight from your phone.

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#werk

While education and exercise are just two methods of self-improvement, you can see that they can easily be incorporated into already busy lifestyles. Take the same reasoning and thinking to whatever it may be that you want to improve about yourself. You will see positive changes taking place in next to no time!