Using job fairs to decide on a career path

Making up your mind as to what you want to do in life is so difficult. Especially today, given the myriad options, with each profession looking better than the other. And you're not too sure what exactly it is you want to pursue. Enter the wonderful world of job fairs. Walk in and you'll see a vista of opportunities light up before your eyes, options even within professions. You can talk to people from various companies, find recruiters who will tell you what they are looking for, compare different salary structures and perquisites and have the opportunity to see what's on offer. For someone just out of college looking for a job, job fairs hold immense potential. They are eye-openers to the big world of career opportunities outside the campus. It could be your first reality check as to what awaits you. Job fairs help you to assess different companies away from the terrifying environs of their offices. It also helps you to be exposed to the different kinds of interviews that different companies conduct. It is easier to ask a prospective employer questions about his company in a more objective setting. Most of all, it gives you the opportunity of choice. It is probably this that makes you know what you want or don't want. And this makes it easier to be clearer in your final decision. Job fairs are held for various professions. The burgeoning healthcare industry, for example has many such fairs all over the country. This could be a great opportunity for professionals wanting to enter the industry as well as professionals who are looking for new opportunities. Whether the posts are for physicians, assistants, the nursing cadre or other supporting areas, here is a place where people can not just compare opportunities and benefits but also look at specific programs that the employer is associated with to see if it could be a perfect fit with what they are looking for. Always remember to pick up all the available printed material from job fairs so you can read it at your leisure when you get back home. It's always good to look at the fine print. Also remember to pick up the free tote that most give to carry them so you're not distracted with a vast amount of brochures and material to manage. Go to as many job fairs as you can - you'll find the world of work unfolding its wonderful opportunities before you.

The original eight genesis of the modern day flight attendant

The following article serves as a tribute to eight women who were the forerunners of the modern day flight attendant now numbering nearly 250,000 women and men worldwide. In 1930, it was the dream of many a young man to marry a Boeing Skygirl. These “original eight” women were single nurses enticed from their homes with the idea of marriage to a rich-lonesome business passenger. Ultimately, however, they played a pivotal role in revolutionizing air travel by ensuring passenger comfort and through promoting the safety of air travel. During that time America was in the beginning of an economic depression that would eventually deepen and spread to effect the entire world. Nevertheless, new advances in aircraft development continued to be promoted which helped strengthen the accessibility of air travel to the general public. BOEING’S FIRSTS The Boeing Company was, at that time, in the enviable position of being both the manufacturer of the first airliner and the first airline passenger transportation company providing cabin services. In 1928 Boeing introduced an airliner designed specifically for passenger comfort and convenience. The Model 80 touted a separate and enclosed flightdeck for the pilots and a spacious cabin for the passengers. The original model held twelve passengers and was followed one year later by the larger, 18-passenger, Model 80-A. THE ORIGINAL EIGHT Originally, young boys were hired to serve food, beverages, and comfort the passengers when they became airsick. Soon, however, it was suggested by Ellen Church, a registered nurse, that women -- specifically nurses -- could work as stewards. She felt that nurses would be best suited to care for passenger comfort (and illnesses), promote a female presence to demonstrate the safety of air travel, and to free up pilots for more important flight duties. Boeing managers accepted her proposal and on May 15, 1930, eight women were hired for a three month trial. Thus began the position of “stewardess” the forerunner of the modern day flight attendant. WIDE AND VARIED DUTIES The duties of the original stewardesses went far beyond providing cabin services. She served as a tour director by pointing out places of interest including, cities, towns, rivers, mountains, passes, etc. She took tickets, loaded luggage, fueled the plane, and helped the pilots push the aircraft into the hangar! Because of low ceilings and narrow aisles, Boeing mandated that stewardesses be small in stature with a height limit not to exceed 5’4” and a weight of no more than 115 lbs. UNITED REPLACES BOEING In 1931 Boeing Air Transportation, Inc., merged with three other transportation companies to form the newly named United Airlines. About that time most of the “original eight” returned to more conventional lives. MARGARET ARNOTT INTERVIEWED In 1996, Clipped Wings historian Vicy Morris Young wrote a tribute to the original eight which made mention of an earlier interview with Margaret Arnott, the last surviving member of the heralded group. Just before her death in 1995, Margaret shared how as she was awaiting hip surgery her doctor brought in a framed photo from his wife -- who was then flying for American Airlines -- that she wanted to have Margaret autograph. The doctor's wife found it in an antique store and it was the only one taken that had all eight women together in uniform. Laughing aloud, Margaret said, “I never thought I would end up in an antique store! I notice you asked for the signature before you did my surgery!” Margaret loved to meet with latter day flight attendants who always asked about early flying experiences. Known for her sense of humor, she was telling a young woman onboard a trip about an emergency landing in a muddy corn field. Her listener asked seriously, “And did they jet you back to Chicago?” A solemn reply, backed by a mischievous grin was, “Not that day.” THE ENSUING YEARS Soon after the introduction of the “original eight” other airlines began to hire “stewardesses” too. Government regulation of steward(esses) began in 1952 when the Civil Aeronautics Administration, now known as the Federal Aviation Administration, passed a resolution requiring all air carrier aircraft with a capacity of ten or more passengers to provide at least one steward(ess) for safety reasons. In 1974 the FAA rewrote the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) to read, “flight attendant crewmember.” This step was significant in professionalizing the role of the flight attendant. No formal government standards exist in the United States to regulate the Corporate or Business Flight Attendant. Most large corporations and air carriers employ flight attendants as they recognize the importance of providing exceptional service from both comfort and safety aspects. Today’s crop of flight attendants consists of men and women of a multitude of nationalities working for a variety of commercial, business, and private companies. Unlike the “original eight” they no longer have to push planes into hangars, load luggage, or fuel the aircraft. However, thanks to jet travel, they can be expected to travel longer, higher, and further than their counterparts, interact cross-culturally, and be equipped to handle any conceivable emergency situation that may arise. Nearly 75 years after Ellen Church’s idea became a reality, the benefits of utilizing flight attendants has been enormous. We salute the “original eight” and all that have followed in their footsteps. “Original Eight” Tidbits The “Original Eight” stewardesses were: Ellen Church, Margaret Arnott, Jessie Carter, Ellis Crawford, Harriet Fry, Alva Johnson, Inez Keller and Cornelia Peterman. Ellen Church’s first flight was on May 15, 1930. She flew from San Francisco to Cheyenne, Wyoming. (Source: kwtv) Church was from Cresco, Iowa. In 1959 that city built a new airfield and named it “Ellen Church Field” (CJJ) in her honor. Source: Iowa State University extension website: ww. exnet. iastate. edu) Can you guess how much the first flight attendants were paid in 1930? They received a salary for the princely sum of $125. per month! Sources: First Stewardess From Cresco, Iowa State University Extension, EXNET. IASTATE. EDU. Model 80, Boeing Company, BOEING. A Special Tribute – The Original Eight Stewardesses, Vicy Morris Young, Clipped Wings, CLIPPEDWINGS.

Five principles for any employee

Getting a job after several years of schooling gives some anxious moments to everyone! It is a time when you are on your own and want to lead your life your own way without any strings attached....... There are three major aspects in life : 1. Childhood 2. Adult life 3. Old age There are however some transition periods like there is teenage between childhood and adult life in which period you develop your strengths - physical and mental. You play games and study for a job or a career. Depending on the profession you choose or plan you choose the area of education. Nehru said, " Education is what one forgets what one has learnt at school". It does not mean you immediately wipe out what you learnt. One has to develop one's own learning. Learning Curve A learning curve is 'S'-shaped. There is a lag phase, a growth phase, a stationary phase and a decay phase. In the lag phase you take your time to grasp, understand and apply the rudiments of knowledge imparted or learnt. The time period of lag phase varies from person to person. The growth phase is the period where you learn faster than before that is there is acceleration. In the stationary phase, you reach stagnancy since you are saturated either due to educational limitations or you are an expert by that time. Decay phase may overtake you either due to old age or due to out-dated knowledge. You enjoy your life if you are lucky in the pre-adulthood phase of life when your mother takes care of you showering love and affection and father takes care of your educational needs and career planning. There those who have to struggle ( and there are plenty of them) to overcome emotional and economic problems to achieve their aims and objectives. On getting a job One day you get a job! You are thrilled. You do not have to ask your dad for money, you can buy what you want, you can have fun as you wish. There is a lurking suspicion somewhere. Whether I will be able to work to the satisfaction of the boss, what kind of work will be there, and actually what will I be supposed to do ? What is an organisation? First of all, one has to have an idea of an organisation or a company or a firm. The very word organisation implies a 'structure'. There is a hierarchy or a pyramid of people. There is a base, a mid - section and a pointed top. If one starts at the base, he is at the lowest level where all low-level jobs have to be carried out. If one joins at the mid-section, he has a base at the bottom and a top above him. The top-level or senior management plans, reviews and controls the over-all objectives of a company. The mid-section or middle management has to get the objectives planned by the top-management through the involvement of the base-level employees or their supervisors. The middle management has to clearly understand the plans and perceptions of the top management and the problems and limitations of the base-level to achieve success. Alongside one must also know whether one is in line management or staff management. Line Manager A line manager is directly in the line of command whereas a staff manager is one branch of line management. A line manager has better chance of promotion since he can go to the next higher level by virtue of a promotion in a vacancy. A staff manager has fewer chances of rising up the ladder. A line manager grows more by virtue of his years of experience though he may be doing the same job again and again, year after year! Staff Manager A staff manager can grow only by aquiring up to date knowledge and skills and by looking for better paying jobs. One should identify on joining a job whether he is a line manager or a staff manager. In a big organisation, even staff management can have its own line management but limited up to the main line where it is an off-shoot. Career Visions In the course of a job, one must realise quickly enough whether one is just doing a job for livelihood or for a career. When three bricklayers were asked what they were doing, each replied differently. One said he was earning his livelihood, the other said he was perfecting the art of bricklaying whereas the third fellow said he was building a castle. They are respectively the ordinary worker, the skilled worker and the manager, says Peter Drucker. Thus a profession can be looked at in one's own perception. Fundamentally, one who enjoys his job can achieve greater heights. If you want to be a successful manager, each and every nuance of work should be done with full focus and with dedication. Emotional Quotient In the beginning, very few job-seekers or fresh recruits realise that employee life is worse than student life. One has to have a high emotional quotient to tolerate the behaviour of colleagues at the workplace. There are those who are planning to out-wit you without your knowledge, there are those who are otherwise good but ineffective, there are those who at your very sight curse you under their breath, there are those who paint a dismal picture of the organisation on your very first day of joining and so on. Yet there are some good people too. There are those who want your help and company. Five Golden Principles In Any Job The first principle : " Study the environment and the people for a reasonable time." The second principle : " Do not get tempted to comment or make statements." The third principle : " Do not be in a hurry to please your boss ." The fourth principle : " Do not enter into political discussions ." The fifth principle : " Study your boss carefully remembering the golden adage - the boss is always right!" Ethics and Morality In the long run, one should try to maintain ethical standards in a job. Ultimately, everything boils down to one's character. One has to be true, sincere, honest, hard-working, dedicated, principled and caring if one wants to be a successful manager. Remember, in an organisation you are what you are perceived to be! You cannot believe in something and appear to be somebody else - certainly, not in the long run. Be sure. Gandhian principles merit consideration in every walk of life. Then you must plan for your finances. Work out a plan - when you want to get married, when you want to raise a family ( and what size!), where you want to be locationally and career-wise, standard of life you plan to maintain, assets you wish to build - fixed and current, your responsibilities, disaster management plan, savings for the future etc. Above All Above all, one should never land oneself in unnecessary problems. It is always better to maintain integrity. Do not be greedy or get misled by quick-money ventures. Take your time to study, analyse and discuss any investment and its associated risks. Do not fall into traps just because your friend has taken up something. Be safe and sure. Live by truth and self-control. Never be avengeful or nurture evil thoughts. Whenever you get angry or upset with someone, adopt "silence with a smile". If you wish you can tell politely but be ready to hear similarly! In the long run, try to make up as best as and as fast as you can. Nobody has come to live permanently on this planet.... For latest job openings in computer related fields, you can visit:

Seven basic salary negotiation tips

Money is the most sensitive issue in the whole hiring process. Discussing the compensation often causes anxiety on both employee and employer. Here are seven ways to make the process of salary negotiating efficient. 1) Research: Before the interview process begins, contact the professional organization that represents your field of career. As soon as they provide you with your salary information, you can now examine your monthly cash requirements. Remember that once your taxes are added to your paycheck, approximately 30% of your gross monthly salary is deducted. 2) Determine your skills: You should understand that different segments of the economy require a variety of skills depending on the industry setting. Once you have established what your skills are and what they are worth to the current employment market, you would know the limitations of your negotiation. Salary range information is available at American Almanac of Jobs and Salaries, National Association of College and Employers, Career Center, and professionals in your related field. In stating your salary range, avoid basing your desired salary on your current salary. Always tell the truth when it comes to your past salary. It is acceptable to extend a range to approximately $6,000 to show that you are within the company’s price range but interested in more compensation. 3) Weigh the company’s compensation package: To determine your fair market value for a specific job, you should consider the economic, geographic, and industry factors of the job offer. Weigh the benefits of compensation and promotions, insurance, allowed time off and retirement settlements of the offer to ensure a fair proposed salary. 4) Sell yourself: If you know what you could offer the company requires a larger income, never say it directly. Once you sell yourself discreetly, the interviewer would understand that the proposed salary is not appropriate for your background. 5) Have a positive attitude: In negotiating, never compete. Negotiation is basically a process which could benefit both parties. Understand your needs and those of the company. 6) The final offer: Be aware when the negotiation is done. Pushing further when a deal has been set could give a negative first impression on your part. 7) Show what you are made of: The interview is only the first step in having an enhanced compensation. Once you are hired, offer your skills to the company and prove your worth by doing quality work. You may even get a promotion for doing so. Based from a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, four out of five employees are willing to negotiate compensation. Understanding these basic tips will allow you to enhance the terms of your new job.