Readying Yourself for Online Education
By Kris Powers | March 3rd 2015
Online education, also known as distance learning, consists of taking classes via the internet. More and more students are taking online classes because of the flexibility and convenience they provide. Students can login to their classes and complete assignments anywhere, any time of the day.
Online education, when done right, is no easier than education provided in a brick and mortar building. However, to be a successful online learner requires a certain skill set. For some, these skills are innate. For others, they may need to be learned and practiced.
10 Steps to Setting Effective Career Development Goals
By Kris Powers | February 24th 2015
When setting Career Development goals, it’s important to clearly define your goals as well as the steps necessary to achieve each and every one. By taking the time to set effective career development goals, you can measure progress and track yourself getting closer and closer to the career you have envisioned for yourself. This will not only keep you motivated, it will also help you feel more self-confident along the way.
The following are some tips for setting effective goals:
1. Be positive. Frame your goal in light of something you want to obtain, rather than in terms of something you want to avoid. For example, set the goal of improving your writing skills in order to start a career as a blogger working from home as opposed to not getting stuck behind a desk at a dead-end job at a large corporation.
Good Writing Skills are an Essential Part of any Professional Development By: Kyle Danowski
By Guest Blogger | February 19th 2015
What do a nurse, an electrician and a security guard all have in common? The answer is that at the end of the day they all need to have well-developed writing skills to do their jobs correctly. In fact, you could really say this about any job—from a nuclear physicist to a custodian—and it would remain true, because even if a job doesn’t focus on writing, there’s almost a certain guarantee that an important aspect of doing the job right includes being able to communicate well through writing.
“But I can’t write very well!”
Most people realize their dislike, love or indifference to writing in a high school English classroom and unfortunately, it’s usually determined by the grade they got on their first big essay.
7 Steps to Developing a Career Vision Statement
By Kris Powers | February 17th 2015
What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you still searching for the answer? Are you where you want to be in your professional life or is something missing?
Developing a career vision statement will help bring your ideal career into focus. Unlike a career “mission statement”, which puts the focus on where you are currently; a career “vision statement” helps you to create a mental image of yourself in the career you really want – the career that will bring you fulfillment and joy. Your vision is a “picture” of what you aspire to, and what inspires you, in your work life.
The following steps, adapted from Randall S. Hansen of Quintessential Careers, will put you well on your way to creating a career vision statement that will inspire and motivate you.
Create a Personal Learning Network in 2015
By Kris Powers | February 10th 2015
What is a Personal Learning Network (PLN)? A Personal Learning Network (PLN) is an informal learning network of professionals, industry thought-leaders or organizations. Building a PLN allows one to connect with others who create, curate and/or share valuable information with the intent to educate others in their community. PLNs allow two or more people, who might not know one another personally, to come together to exchange information.
“The Personal Learning Network fosters connections and can be a rich source of professional development and learning.” (Online Learning Insights)
Seven Apps for Students
By Kris Powers | February 3rd 2015
Jennifer Morrison, a blogger at Military Career Education, recently compiled and released a list of iOS and Andriod apps for students to utilize and optimize their time. We've taken her list and added a couple suggestions of our own. If your favorite education app isn't on this list, please share it in the comments below. We are always interested in learning what new tools are available!
This app allows you to track your course schedules and assignments, and organize them by due date and class. You can also sync your syllabus and resource materials.
Ed4Career – Taking Career Programs to a Whole New Level!
By Kris Powers | January 27th 2015
When planning and preparing for a new career, it’s important to consider all of the skills and knowledge you will need to be the most successful.
Employers look for two different skill sets in applicants: hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are teachable abilities or easily quantified: a degree or certificate, computer skills, writing ability, etc. Soft skills are more difficult to quantify. These are also known as “interpersonal skills” and relate to the way you present yourself as well as how you interact with others. Examples might include: communication, workplace professionalism, and time management. Techtarget.com offers the following definition of soft skills, “Soft skills …are also defined by abilities that can be practiced, such as leadership, empathy, communication and sociability.”
The Human-Animal Connection
By Kris Powers | January 20th 2015
In 2012, 62 percent of American households included at least one pet. Studies have shown that health benefits for those living or working with pets include emotional, psychological and physical benefits. These benefits may translate to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduced stress levels, and better mental health. In addition, research has also shown that humans respond in a unique way to animals in a wide variety of therapy and care settings.
According to the AVMA, “The veterinarian’s role in the human-animal bond is to maximize the potential of this relationship between people and animals and specifically to promote the health and well-being of both.” We feel that this role is also the responsbility of all members of the veterinary staff, from the front desk to those working side by side with the doctors.
4 Easy Steps to a Healthy, Happier You!
By Kris Powers | January 14th 2015
When considering health, we have to think of not only the physical, but the mental and emotional components that all work together and make us who we are. What we think, what we eat and what we do are all integral to our state of health. While “health” may mean different things to different people, feeling better is most likely a common goal among us all.
Below are some fun facts about food, exercise and stress relief!
Cut Out One Cookie a Day
If you cut out one cookie a day, by this time next year, you will have eliminated 21,170 calories. That’s enough to drop six pounds. That’s just by cutting one cookie a day!
Take a Lap Around Your Local Big-Box Store
If, once a week, you take a lap around the inside of your local big-box store before you begin shopping, you’ll walk an approximate 12 miles over the course of a year.
Laugh to Burn Calories and Relieve Stress
Five Tips for Online Learning Success
By Kris Powers | January 6th 2015
Never stop learning. What a great resolution for 2015! With the widespread use of internet technologies, students of any age can take advantage of learning anytime, anywhere. Whether you wish to acquire a new skill or hobby, or take classes to explore an exciting new career, Ed4Career has the course or program for you.
Below are five tips for success for those interested in continuing their learning: