University open days What you need to know

University open days What you need to know by Michael Cheary Not sure which university is right for you? Don’t panic… Preparing for your first year at university can be a pretty nerve-wracking experience. But a big part of being able to adapt to your new environment is making sure you choose a university â€" and a course â€" you’re comfortable with. That’s where open days come in.To help you get up to speed, here’s a quick rundown on how university open days work:What are university open days? A university open day is when an institution invites prospective students (and their families) to look around the university for the day.Attendees will then have the opportunity to learn more about the university, tour the campus, talk to current students and staff, and be given more details about what university life is really like.Do all universities offer open days? Yes. Every university in the United Kingdom will hold at least one open day every year.However, most will offer two or three open days each year, to spr ead the number of students out.When do university open days start?Usually, open days are held between the months of July and October, to give prospective students enough time to visit several institutions.If two of your open days clash, contact the universities directly and they’ll do their best to slot you in on another tour. They may even be able to offer you a private one.For more information, visit the UCAS site to find out open day dates.What happens on an open day?During the open day, you’ll have the chance to see several important aspects of the campus.After indicating what subject you’re interested in, the day will be structured around seeing the relevant department to really get a feel for what it’s like.You may also be able to:Meet some of the staff members and lecturersTalk to current and former studentsAttend introductory talks about your chosen subject (as well as uni life in general)See lecture halls, and other university buildingsView other university faciliti es, such as the library and students’ unionTake a tour of various student accommodationWhy should I attend a university open day?University open days are an invaluable way of seeing whether a university is right for you.As every course is different, it’s a good idea to visit each one you’re thinking about applying for before you submit your application.And, as tour guides are usually current students, attending open days allows you to find out about their experiences first hand, rather than just listening to lectures.You will also be able to ask questions about your course, and university life in general.  What questions should I ask at my open day?Asking questions at your open day is a great way to learn more about what’s on offer, and cover things which might not come up in the prospectus.Potential questions you could ask include:What modules are compulsory?How large are the tutor groups?Is there a reading list to help students prepare?What sets this course apart from othe r universities?Are you guaranteed a place in halls?What are the best places to eat and go out?What kind of jobs do graduates go on to after finishing university?What’s the best thing about studying at this uni?However, this is by no means an extensive list of questions. So think about what’s most important to you before you make the trip â€" and make sure you’ve got it covered.Don’t worry if you forget some. You can always contact the university afterwards if you have any more questions.  What should I do before my  open day?The best way to make the most of your open day is to plan ahead.Here are a couple of things to get sorted before you start looking up open days:Make a list of the universities you want to visitCheck UCAS to get some dates of open days you’d like to attendDraw up a calendar, to help you avoid clashesRead through the university prospectus’, to see what’s on offerCheck the university websites for a guide to the day, and get timingsPlan your schedule f or each open day before you arrivePrepare some questions to ask during the dayFinally, if you’re interested in attending an open day, make sure you book your place in advance.It’s the only sure-fire way to secure your place.To find out more about university open days, visit the UCAS site now.Should I go to university?How to: Prepare for your first year at uniStudent loans: What you need to knowStill not sure? Read our guide on  graduate expectations vs. reality, or  view all graduate jobs now  to find out what you could be earning.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. School leaver advice

Founder of Classycareergirl.com, San Diego Magazines Woman of the Year 2016 Nomination - Classy Career Girl

Founder of Classycareergirl.com, San Diego Magazine’s Woman of the Year 2016 Nomination Anna Runyan, Founder and CEO of Classycareergirl.com has been named a finalist for San Diego Magazine’s 2016 Woman of the Year Awards. Please join me in congratulating Anna for this well-deserved honor. In order to be nominated, you have to be an unabashed leader, champion of helping others, and widely respected by her peers for her measurable success in business and outstanding character. I think we can all agree, if you have spent any time on this site, that Anna is one of the most giving and passionate women that we know. All finalists will be featured in San Diego Magazine’s September issue, which comes out August 19. The Woman of the Year will be announced at the Celebrating Women event on September 28, 2016 at MCASD La Jolla. Nominations are evaluated based on the following categories: Leadership Passion and mission Challenges and perseverance Personal integrity, charitable contributions and volunteer work Achievement Humanitarian/social enterprise Impact/measurability CELEBRATING WOMEN EVENT: All finalists are honored at the Celebrating Women event on September 28 at MCASD La Jolla, which includes hosted bites and beverages, a networking hour, a panel discussion, awards ceremony and dessert. Last year’s Woman of the Year, Dr. Karen S. Haynes, Dean of California State University San Marcos will present the award to this year’s winner. Celebrating Women MCASD La Jolla September 28, 2016 6:00 p.m. â€" 8:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at sandiegomagazine.com/woman Why Anna was nominated: Anna passionately leads 2,000 women daily online in the Classy Career Girl Network founded on the premise that when women support other women, incredible things happen. With daily podcasts, videos, blog content, and challenges, Annas main focus is to provide valuable content to her audience and that she does. Anna leads by supporting members and inspiring them to take action to launch their dream careers or businesses and realize their full potential. Anna has always had a passion for making a difference. While working full-time and getting her MBA, she volunteered at Difference Makers International and assisted in creation of new business processes, procedures and organizational structures. Annas Community Support in San Diego Through hiring employees at her former company, Booz Allen Hamilton, she realized the lack of preparation women had during interviews. She became obsessed with helping women find jobs and start businesses which perfectly aligned with Dress For Success San Diegos mission of empowering disadvantaged women to compete for jobs, build careers and improve the quality of life for their families. Since partnering with Dress for Success, Anna has hosted multiple events for women in San Diego, contributing proceeds of the events to Dress For Success. Her next event, Classy Career Girls Night Out, is scheduled for September 16th, 2016 at Gold Leaf South Park. She is also an ambassador on Fox 5 News and San Diego 6 News to promote Dress For Success San Diego charitable events on air. Anna is also involved with the Rady School of Managements #RadyMade campaign at University of California, San Diego which celebrates achievements of its MBA alumnis startup efforts. As a Professor at DeVry University here in San Diego, Anna made an impact on college students by teaching a variety of different topics. She taught leadership, career development and journalism and brought real world business and life experience to her facilitation of these topics. She has spoken to over 25 local San Diego organizations, companies and professional associations and hosted her own events to share the very important topic of her book, female leadership and working with men. Annas Major  2016 Accomplishment   At the beginning of the year, Anna realized that she wanted to create a business that lasts a lifetime and even outgrows her. She wanted to create a legacy and not just be, “That girl who did a $60,000 launch.” She spent the entire last year restructuring her business to do more of what she is passionate about every single day, teaching and creating communities. This involved phasing out all of her higher earning programs in January 2016 and re-launching in a different business model to reach and help more women in April 2016. This is a major accomplishment because now the sky is the limit and Anna can focus on completing Classy Career Girls mission of helping at least 2,000 women launch their dream careers and businesses by 2018. Please join me in congratulating Anna in the comments below!

Become the Chief Financial Officer for the Brand Called You - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Become the Chief Financial Officer for the Brand Called You - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I interviewed Garrett B. Gunderson, who is a New York Times bestselling author, millionaire and speaker.   Garrett reveals the truth about 401Ks, real estate, Wall Street and other truisms about investing.   In the world today, everyone needs to be their own CFO (Chief Financial Officer).   You are your own business and you have to keep track of the money you make and spend. Garrett, how did you come up with the name Killing Sacred Cows and what does it stand for? To kill the sacred cows of our minds, we must persist in learning and doing things that may be uncomfortable to us. Keep reading and questioning the assumptions and beliefs circulating out there. Instead of questioning if you will have enough money to retire, question the concept of retirement itself. If working for a company just to have security and retire in 30 years sounds like a limiting concept to you, that’s good, because it is. Deep down, all of us know we were born to do so much more than accumulate a million dollars and retire after 30 years of an uninspired and uninspiring career. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw79BvAHDRI] Most people cant wait to retire (I may never retire though), but they dont know how to set themselves up for retirement. Do you have any retirement planning strategies you can share? 1) Education 2) The basics (budget, emergency savings of 6 months, credit repair and refinance to save) 3) Look to places you would like to invest, investigate and shaow the investment for at least 6 months or up to a year 4) Build a blueprint/plan of what you want to accomplish financially 5) Hire a mentor in the area you are going to invest 6) Look to private investments as an option or alternative (non-stock market essentially) 7) Invest anywhere you have expertise or that enhances your soul purpose 8 ) Invest where you can get cash flow Why is net worth a poor indicator of wealth and why do you emphasize cash flow instead? People tend to accumulate with no exit strategy, we eventually want cash flow, but most people are prisoners to interest rates and have no control over what happens in the future, cash flow and utility now. What is your formula for overcoming money myths? Ask the right questions, such as: Who has a vested interest in what’s being proposed to you: Is this really in alignment with my best interests? What level of control do I have with this proposition? What are the opportunity costs of this approach? Know your interests. Analyze all of the implications of a proposed investment, and see how they align with your interests, values, and your vision of your ideal life. When we have precise visions of what our lives are about, and a clear sense of our Soul Purpose, we can see through any proposal that is not aligned with principle and our purposes. You must weigh every financial option on several merits. If you’re unable to see how value is being created, the chances are high that you’re dealing with a myth. Before you rush, under pressure, to act on a hot stock tip, determine exactly how value is being created, and how it will be sustained. Apply the teaching universally, in as many contexts as possible. If something is clearly wrong and ridiculous in one context, the chances are good that it will be ridiculous in any other context. An excellent way to test if a financial teaching is a myth or not is to apply it to any other area of your life and see if it holds true. For example, would you parent a child the way you deal with a 401K? Imagine raising a child by just throwing money at them, feeding them systematically, letting daycare have almost full control over them, and not thinking much about how they are performing until they’re fully raised and it’s too late to do anything about it if things have turned out badly. Of course, it wouldn’t work out very well (but it would be okay since everyone else is raising their kids that way too). Identify the impact that, living the teaching will have on the fulfillment of your “Soul Purpose.” The ultimate end of every one of our decisions-financial and otherwise â€" should be to get us closer to finding and living our Soul Purpose. Our Soul Purpose is the reason that we were born. It is the thing that brings us the most joy and creates the most value for others. It is the development of our full potential. It is what causes us to reach far beyond the mediocrity of social agreements. It is what gets us beyond a normal life to live extraordinarily. Commit to always seeking every educational opportunity possible throughout your entire life. One of the best ways to cultivate the ability to see through myths, recognize them for what they are, and then to break through them is to be constantly increasing our knowledge. The more we know, the more content we have. The more complete our knowledge is, the better informed are our decisions. For example, the more an entrepreneur knows about historical cycles, her market, her product and/or service, her customers and how to run her business, the less risk she is exposed to and the more profitable she can be. Ignorance is perhaps the highest risk of all. What 3 tips do you have for starting to build a great financial future today? Find your soul purpose Increase financial literacy with at least 10 minutes a day Read Killing Sacred Cows Garrett B. Gunderson, a mutli-millionaire and serial entrepreneur, is the author of the provocative and controversial new book, Killing Sacred Cows: Overcoming the Financial Myths that are Destroying Your Prosperity (Greenleaf Book Group, July 2008). His book powerfully challenges the myths and money assumptions propagated by the financial services industry and explores a unique way to approach and define wealth. Gunderson, a millionaire by age 26, is a natural-born entrepreneur who began his first business at the age of 15 and won the SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award at age 18.

How Young Professionals Should Prep For An Interview - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

How Young Professionals Should Prep For An Interview - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career A great resume isn’t going to get you hired but a great interview will. Whether you are a recent college graduate or a seasoned professional preparing ahead of time can make all the difference. “Being prepared for the interview will give you an edge over the competition,” says Pamela Skillings, co-founder of job coaching firm Skillful Communications. “People feel like they can wing it with no problem but the job interview is different than any other type of communications, especially for new college grads.” According to career experts, job seekers have to view the interview as their opportunity to shine above and beyond their resume. In order to do that, Amanda Augustine, TheLadders job search expert says the interviewee needs to come across as poised, polished and professional, which is where the practice comes in. “By not properly preparing for the interview, you run the risk of sending the wrong signal,” says Augustine. “The last thing you want to do is send the message that you’re uninterested in the role or that you  didn’t  take the interview seriously.” Once you land an interview, the first step in preparation should always be researching the company and job you are interviewing for.   Job seekers need to know the products or services of the company as well as the culture, which can typically be found on the company’s website, says Susan Heathfield, the guide to human resources at About.com. Heathfield says to also do a google search of the person or people that will be interviewing you. Having information ahead of time will show you care enough to do your homework and it also gives you the opportunity to click with the interviewer on a more personal level if you know something about them. It’s also a good idea to set up Google News Alerts for the company you are interviewing with so you’ll be up on the most recent news about it, says Augustine. Sources like Glassdoor can yield information about the company culture and the type of interviews they conduct. Often companies will put sample interview questions on their website as well, eliminating any excuses for not preparing ahead of time. Based on the research, Augustine says job seekers should put together a list of at least five questions for the interviewer. Avoid asking about pay and benefits until a job offer has been made. One often overlooked preparation tool is the job ad itself. It’s a good idea to scour the job description carefully to make sure the skills and experience you’re highlighting during the interview matches the needs of the company, says Skillings. “It’s amazing that few people think about it in length,” says Skillings. Job seekers want to go into the interview knowing what strengths the company is looking for, as well as what the job duties are and why the person interviewing is a good fit, she says. Interviewing for a new job can be nerve wracking, especially for people who haven’t done it a lot. Nerves can undoubtedly get the best of you and cause you to bomb an interview, which is why preparation is important. If you have an idea of what you’ll say prior to the interview, you won’t be stressed out and will be better equipped to handle any curve balls thrown your way, says Skillings. She suggests job seekers either practice with a friend or family member or record themselves so they can recognize any behaviors that may turn off the prospective employer. “It really does make a difference,” says Skillings. “Seeing yourself on Webcam may be a little painful at first but it helps fine tune how your present yourself to others.” While you don’t want to come off as too polished during the interview spitting out one canned answer after the next, you do want to have answers for some of the potential questions in your back pocket. For example common interview questions include “tell me about yourself” or “give me an example when you stepped up and took a leadership role.” The recent college grad may not have much past job experience but he or she should be able to come up with a couple of stories of how they took on the leadership role in school or during another activity. “If you have at least gone over the details in your mind prior to the interview you really heighten the possibility of answering them well,” says Heathfield. “You don’t want to have canned questions and answers. You want to bring yourself with all your quirkiness and all your humor or whoever you are to the interview. Author: Donna Fuscaldo is a freelance journalist hailing out of Long Island, New York. Donna writes for numerous online publications including FoxBusiness.com, Bankrate.com, AARP.com, Insurance.com and Houselogic.com. As a personal finance reporter for years, Donna provides invaluable advice on everything from saving money to landing that dream job. She also writes a weekly column for FoxBusiness.com focused on technology for small businesses. Previously, Donna was an equities reporter for Dow Jones Newswires and a special contributor to the Wall Street Journal. Through the Glassdoor Blog, Donna will provide tips on how to find a job and more importantly keep it.

How Many Hours Should You Work as a Freelancer CareerMetis.com

How Many Hours Should You Work as a Freelancer Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comMany people imagine that freelancers have lives drastically different from those of their nine-to-five friends. Freelancers have control over their work setting, their schedule and every other aspect of their business. With no one else making demands, it’s natural to assume that working for yourself would mean working less.Though it’s true that some freelancers work less than the average employee, many work more than 40 hours per week. So, while freelancers may work from home in their pajamas, they also know how to hustle.As a freelancer, time management equals money management. Since it is reported that as many as 90 percent of online businesses For those just starting, determining the ideal work schedule can feel confusing, and meeting that work schedule while also paying all the bills can be equally challenging. Even experienced freelancers may wonder if they’re working too little or too much.Though everyone has different needs and preferences, mos t freelancers have some things in common with other workers â€" namely, the need to earn a living and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Whether you’re new to freelancing or a seasoned professional, you need to structure your work week for maximum productivity and happiness.Let’s take a look at how freelancers spend their time and determine how many hours you should work when you work for yourself.How Many Hours Does the Average Freelancer Work?According to one 2016 survey, a full-time freelancer works an average of 36 hours per week. This schedule is about on par with the rest of American workers, though some freelancers work more or less than this average.The main difference between freelancers and regular employees lies in their use of time. An employee working full-time for an average company spends most of the day performing tasks related to their specific area of expertise or training. If they are a customer service representative, they work with customers. If they work in a kitchen, they spend the majority of their time cooking food. Rarely do typical employees step outside of their job description to handle other duties â€" the designer doesn’t control the finances and vice versa.For freelancers, every aspect of running a business is essential to the day-to-day, even elements that aren’t directly related to the freelancer’s field. For example, a freelance designer may handle tasks related to accounting, marketing, and customer service in addition to their artistic work.What’s more, many hours freelancers spend maintaining and promoting their business go unpaid. One survey reports that only 49 percent of freelance writers surveyed wrote for more than 14 hours per week. They spent the rest of their time doing equally important work unbillable to clients. So, the average freelancer works about as much as the average U.S. worker â€" but doesn’t always get paid for every hour they work.What Determines Freelance Working Hours?evalOne of the most exciting aspects of freelancing is the ability to set your schedule. When you work for yourself, there’s more room for flexibility. You can work wherever and whenever you want, as long as you’re still able to work with clients.Though freelancers do make their schedules, factors aside from personal preference influence the number of hours they work. Some freelancers may restrict the number of hours they work to accommodate a second job or another commitment, for example.Your rates and experience may also influence the number of hours you put in weekly. The more experience you have as a freelancer, the more likely you are to have a steady flow of clients. When work is readily available, freelancers spend less time marketing and searching for clients and more time doing the work that pays. Similarly, freelancers who can charge higher rates may work less because they require fewer hours of pay to meet their financial needs.The industry also determines working hours for some fre elancers, especially in sectors that require frequent job searching. IT and programming freelancers spend the least amount of time searching for work since they tend to land longer-term gigs. Legal freelancers, on the other hand, spend the most time hunting for work for the opposite reason â€" they don’t often have long-term repeat clients.evalThe number of hours you need to work per week, then, will rely on your financial needs, experience and the client turnover rate in your industry.How Many Hours Should You Work?Though the average freelancer works 36 or more hours per week, the ideal workweek for creative freelancers may be shorter. While you should certainly follow whatever schedule works best for you, research suggests that you might want to rethink a self-enforced nine to five.Most workers know productivity fluctuates throughout the day. It becomes evident that the quality of work decreases as fatigue increases when you start to make mistakes or doze off at your desk. In in dustries like manufacturing, the 40-hour workweek marks the point when asking people to work more becomes unprofitable and dangerous.Though most freelancers won’t risk injury or muscle strain by working long hours, the brain gets tired like the rest of the body. In fact, “knowledge workers” like writers and coders typically perform best with even shorter workdays than manual laborers, because focus falls after six hours during creative and mentally taxing work.Furthermore, creating a healthy work-life balance is essential to succeeding as a freelancer. Though you’re responsible for your work, you also need to be accountable for your health and happiness. Isolation and burnout only make work more difficult, so reserving adequate time for relaxation and socialization helps keep freelancers functioning at their best.It seems that working less as a freelancer is both an ideal and a best practice.How Can You Work Less as a Freelancer?Because freelancers have so much freedom in th eir careers, it can be possible for them to work less while still earning a decent living. Successful freelancers work fewer hours by working efficiently and optimizing their businesses.One way you can work fewer hours is to improve your working efficiency. As a freelancer, you can arrange your schedule and control your work environment to maximize productivity, which can help you accomplish the same amount of work in a shorter amount of time, consolidating your schedule.To work more efficiently, try scheduling work during optimal times of the day, removing distractions from your workspace and tracking the time you spend on specific tasks.evalExperienced freelancers can also work less by working on their connections. After several years of freelancing, you may have a steady stream of clients. Successful freelancers take on new clients from their networks and cut most forms of outreach from their schedule. These people know their limits and decline projects they don’t have time to complete.In general, the more time you can spend working on actual projects, the more you’ll earn, and the fewer hours you’ll need to work.Make Your Schedule Work for YouMany people find themselves attracted to a freelancing career by the promise of flexibility. Indeed, a freelancing career can grant more flexible hours, scheduling and work-life balance.Though it may take a while to turn a shorter work week into your reality, knowing your industry, monitoring your needs and optimizing your process can help you accomplish your goals.

Santa is ballin

Santa is ballin 1 Flares 1 Flares Grubbing on some beef stew last night for dinner, I reached over and grabbed the Jobs section from the local paper.  Each week they cover an out of the box job.  In this weeks edition, the job in discussion is Santa Clause, and just how jolly the seasonal job can be.   Stuffing my face and smiling, I continued reading as my mood started to cheer up, rosy cheeks and all. Everyone knows that thousands of men are hired each year to play Santa Clause in hospitals, malls, department stores, banquets, or wherever.  What might come as a shock is that some Santas are making $175 per hour.  A real beard plus a stout figure equals a higher wage for Mr. Clause.  Also determining rate is location, the group hiring Santa, and of course how many years hes spent in the North Pole.  Putting the paper down for a second I thought that maybe adding on another 20 pounds of winter fat wouldnt hurt, and lets be honest shaving is over rated.   There has to be a con to this kick ass seasonal job, right?  Well, besides long hours in an awesome costume all day I really couldnt come up with too many downers for this gig.  Santa is more famous than Oprah, we are talking world-wide fame.  Children and adults greet Santa with smiles, hugs, and cookies.  How are the customer service associates at Best Buy greeted?  If you need further convincing, just talk to Tim Allen.  The man loved becoming Santa so much that he did it two more times.   Thats not all.  The group of Santa actors that feature real beards meet annually to celebrate their stories and network with each other.  These top notch Santas are part of a group called The Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas.  Dont believe me?  I googled it

Creativity - How to Write a Professional Resume That Will Help You Find a Job

Creativity - How to Write a Professional Resume That Will Help You Find a JobWriting a good resume is not all about the details. In fact, writing a good resume requires a strong understanding of the job market. While learning how to write a professional resume that will help you find a job, you must also take into consideration writing a creative resume as well.A resume is usually what determines whether or not an employer even bothers to read your resume. The information in your resume may be designed to persuade your potential employer to call you for an interview. By presenting your professional background, skills, and accomplishments, you are able to convince a potential employer to contact you.However, a professional resume should also follow some basic guidelines so that it will become appealing to those that are reviewing your resume. First, be sure to use a professional font size, a more-complicated design, and a coherent layout. The formatting on your resume should be clear and simple.Next, to make your resume stand out from the rest, it is important to keep it current and easy to read. Word size should be four points, although there are still some people who prefer ten point font on a four-point page. Always ensure that your resume is easy to read by providing you with clear explanations for your employment history, educational accomplishments, and references.You should also not omit any of the professional accomplishments that have made you stand out from the rest of the crowd. Always include your job title, supervisors, company affiliations, awards and honors received, and any other professional accolades that show that you are a leader in your field. As much as possible, also list your skills, positions held, and job titles that you held before.List all of your skills on your resume as well. It is a good idea to give your previous work history, as it gives employers an idea of what kind of position you can handle. Your skills must also be based on experience, which means you may need to elaborate on a particular area such as research skills or technical skills. Always remember that people who have the most experience in a particular field will also be the ones that are able to easily transfer their knowledge to others in their current field.Make sure that your resume is not too long, as it makes it difficult for people to read and they may throw it aside. Try to keep your resume at least two pages and be sure to make full use of bulleted lists and multi-dimensional lists to show off your key accomplishments. Also, keep in mind that your resume should not contain many technical jargon and instead should be easy to understand. Try to summarize your major achievements in bullet points instead of going into detail with each one.Remember that while writing a professional resume that will help you find a job, you must also take into consideration writing a creative resume as well. While writing a resume, you should provide examples of your skills, accomplishments, and opinions that can help a potential employer decide if you are right for the job. If you take the time to write a creative resume, you will be ready to submit it to hundreds of potential employers, which will surely help you find a job.