Small Business Wishes that just Might Come True in 2017

Small Business Wishes that just Might Come True in 2017Small Business Wishes that just Might Come True in 2017Small Business Wishes that just Might Come True in 2017 RossheimWhat tops the 2017 wish list of small business owners and their HR managers? Items on the list include affordable health insurance coverage and improved talent-acquisition processes, among other things.Heres what the companies we checked in with are wishing for in the New Year to improve their hiring strategies and employee retention.A stable health insurance and regulatory environment. With a new Congress and president taking office in January, small business owners and HR managers are wishing for mora certainty in the regulatory landscape.Lorna Hagen, senior vice president of people operations at OnDeck, which has 640 employees, is concerned with the uncertainties surrounding the future of the Affordable Care Act and the incoming administrations evolving policy on health insurance. With overtime and sick leave laws, multi-site companies like ours have to deal with different rules in different jurisdictions.Easier access to affordable health insurance programs. With the talent supply continuing to tighten, many small businesses want to improve their benefits offer but for 2017 they are confronting spiraling health insurance premiums and administrative headaches.Small-business owners wish the Federal governments SHOP Exchange Small Business Health Options Program insurance was better run, says Christy Hopkins, principal at 4 Points Consulting.Efficient queueing of quality talent. Our biggest wish is to be able to keep getting A players in the door as we scale up, says Steven Bock, chairman of Swaponz, an eight-employee startup that makes designer cell phone covers.We need designers and graphic artists and so far were recruiting through networking connections with art schools in Boston and Providence. Were still a step away from using recruiters or recruiting platforms.Bock says that when t he time comes, hell be looking for effective tools to streamline that qualification process, such as technology to send candidatesquestions and video interviews.A mora dependable supply of hourly workers. Small businesses bemoan the fact that dependable hourly employees are difficult to recruit and hard to retain, says Christy.To ease the shortage, she believes employers should think creatively about scheduling. For example, employers can offer a 6 to 10 p.m. shift to accommodate student workers who can only work evenings.A steady pipeline of high-quality workers with legal immigrant status. Some small business owners are hoping that the incoming Congress and presidential administration will consider employers continued need for legal immigrant workers.We want to see more and more people from other countries who want to contribute to our society, that they have more of the right opportunities to immigrate, says Lior Rachmany, CEO of Dumbo Moving in New York City.The president-elect has taken an approach to immigration that could compromise our service. With undocumented workers disappearing from the labor pool, immigrants who do have legal status will start to demand higher salaries and positions.Talent acquisition technology that grows with the employer. HR managers wish that 2017 technology would step up to the challenges of implementing 2017 people strategy and policy. HR strategies change faster and faster, but HR technology isnt nimble or customizable enough, so youre often hamstrung by technology that doesnt work, says Hagen. For example, OnDeck would like to mask the names of candidates on resumes they are considering in buchen to reduce implicit bias but Hagen finds that her company is stuck with doing it manually.Candidates with realistic expectations about compensation. Business owners, recruiters and HR managers wish that workers, especially young professionals, would bring knowledge of what the talent marketactually is rather than what they imagi ne it to be to their salary discussions with prospective employers.For a recent software developer position, Hopkins had multiple candidates some interrupted her job pitch to ask her what the pay was. I say to the candidate, Unfortunately you interrupted me, which is not a great way to start the interview, so lets start over. One candidate whose professional experience comprised two internships expected $70,000 for a position where the market rate is about $40,000.Millennials with management skills. Small business owners are concerned about mining management talent from the young generation of Millennials that is now the most numerous in the U.S. workforce.We wish that well have more people skilled in management, says Rachmany. The Millennial generation doesnt have the best management skills. We wish that problem would disappear.Employees with a development mindset. With flatter organizations and fewer opportunities for rapid upward mobility, employers are hoping that internal oppo rtunities for career planning and increased responsibility can serve as a key retention tool.We want our employees to acquire a mindset of growth and learning, says Hagen. We want them to appreciate the value of development, of experiences in different departments and on different teams.

Compare Jobs in the Construction Field

Compare Jobs in the Construction FieldCompare Jobs in the Construction FieldDo you like to work with your hands? Are you good at troubleshooting problems and do you have strong critical thinkingskills? If so, consider these construction careers boilermakercarpenterconstruction helperelectricianHVAC technicianreinforcing iron and rebar workerproject manager One of them may be suitable for you. Get job descriptions, learn about training requirements and find out how much you can earn. Boilermaker Boilermakers manufacture, install and fix boilers which are used to generate electric power or provide heat to buildings. They also make, install and repair tanks and vats which are used to store chemicals, oil, and liquids. If you want to become a boilermaker, you can do a four- to five-year apprenticeship that combines classroom with on-the-job training. You will be paid while you learn. Boilermakers earned a zentralwert annual salary of $60,120 in 2015. Those who worked part-time earned m edian hourly wages of $28.90. Carpenter Carpenters build, assemble, install and repair fixtures and structures that are usually made of wood. They also work with other building materials including drywall, fiberglass, and plastic. If you want to work as a carpenter, you can do a three orfour-year apprenticeship that is sponsored by a trade union. Alternatively, you may begin your career as a carpenters helper and receive your training through that job. You must also pass the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA) 10 and 30-hoursafety courses. In 2015, carpenters earned a median annual salary of $42,090 and median hourly wages of $20.24. Construction Helper Construction helpers assist construction trade workers. They do basic tasks and keep work areas neat and clean. Their work is limited to doing simple jobs and therefore they arent required to have a lot of training. They will learn what they need to on the job. Construction helpers, in general, earned a median s alary of $28,510 annually or $13.41 per hour in 2015, but compensation varied by trade. Electrician Electricians install, maintain and repair buildings wiring and electrical components. While they can specialize in maintenance or construction, many work in both areas. Aspiring electricians receive training through four-year apprenticeship programs that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Regardless of where you work, it is very likely you will need a license. Most states require one. Electricians earned a median annual salary of $51,880 or an hourly wage of $24.94in 2015. HVAC Technician The initials H-V-A-C stand for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. HVAC technicians install, maintain and repair these systems, as well as refrigeration systems. The most common way to prepare for this occupation is to attend a six-month to two-year program at a trade or technical school. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate or associate degree, depend ing on the program. Alternatively, you can do a three- to five-year apprenticeship during which you will receive paid on-the-job training as well as classroom instruction. In 2015, HVAC technicians earned a median salary of $45,110 per yearor hourly wages of $21.69. Plumber Plumbers install and repair pipes that carry water or gas. If you want to enter this field, you will have to do a four- to five-year apprenticeship. It is likely you will need a license issued by the locality in which you want to work. Plumbers earned an annual salary of $50,620 in 2015. Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker Reinforcing iron and rebar workers kooperation concrete used in construction with iron bars (rebar), mesh and cables. Like most construction trades, you can train for this one by doing an apprenticeship that can last from three to four years. Certifications are available in welding, crane signaling, and rigging. They may increase your ability to get a job. Reinforcing iron and rebar workers e arned median annual wages of $48,010 or $23.08 per hour in 2015. Construction Project Manager Construction project managers, sometimes called construction managers, oversee construction projects. They hire and supervise specialty trade contractors such as carpenters, electricians, and HVAC technicians, among others. They usually advance after spending years working in specialty trades. Many employees prefer to hire prospective construction project managers who have bachelors degrees in construction science, construction management, building science or civil engineering. Construction project managers, in 2015, earned a median annual salary of $87,400 or median hourly wages of $42.02. Sources Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,Occupational Outlook Handbook. Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor,O*NET Online. Comparing Construction CareersTrainingLicenseMedian Salary (2015)Boilermaker4- to 5-year apprenticeshipnone$60,120/yr. or $28.90/hr .Carpenter3- to 4-year apprenticeshipnone$42,090/yr. or $20.24/hr.Construction HelperOn-the-Job Trainingnone$28,510/yr. or $13.41/hr.Electrician4-year apprenticeshipLicense required in most states and municipalities$51,880/yr. or $24.94/hr.HVAC Technician6-month to 2-year program at trade or technical school or apprenticeshipLicense required in most states and municipalities U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) certification required to handle refrigerants$45,110/yr. or $21.69/hr.)Plumber4-5 year apprenticeshipLicense required in most states and municipalities$50,620/yr. or $24.34/hr.)Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers3- to 4-year apprenticeshipnone$48,010/yr. or $23.08/hr.Construction Project ManagerExperience and Bachelors DegreeLicense required in some states and municipalities$87,400/yr. or $42.02/hr.)

Americans spend an average of nearly $3,000 annually on vices

Americans spend an average of nearly $3,000 annually on vicesAmericans spend an average of nearly $3,000 annually on vicesWhile research has found that Americans spend 22% of the money they make a month treating themselves, thats not allnew data from Bankrate shows that they spend an average of nearly $3,000 yearly on financial vices. Thats an average of$2,944, to be exact.But what does that last part mean? The site reported that in this case, this financial vices specificallyrefer to takeout food, restaurant meals, prepared drinks and lottery tickets. You know, the good stuff.Chances are, you also indulge in one of these things from time to time - dont we all? But only you know how much this spending impacts your own finances.In terms of how this survey was carried out,fiberglas Custom Research North America polled 1,000 people for Bankrate.How much money Americans spend on vices a yearHere are the averages, by generationMillennials $2,758Generation X $3,473Baby Boomers $2,883Silen t Generation $2,457Average $2,944The survey also found that 38% of Americans surveyed eat out a minimum of three times weekly, 25% purchase prepared drinks a minimum of three times weekly, and 10% buy lottery tickets just as frequently every week.How many Americans buy lottery tickets, by income levelHere are the percentages of people who buy them at least one time per week, based on how much money they earn per yearUnder $30K 28%$30K-$49.9K 20%$50K-79.9K 23%$75K+ 18%As the numbers show, those who have the highest income seem to be the least likely to hop on the lotto bandwagon.

If you had a time machine, what would you tell your younger self about your career

If you had a time machine, what would you tell your younger self about your careerIf you had a time machine, what would you tell your younger self about your careerLast month, we shared a list of things one woman knew about her career at 50 that she wished she knew when she was younger. Inspired by that post, we asked members of our Facebook community The Climbwhat they wish they could tell their younger selves about their careers.Their answers were often beautiful, always important, sometimes funny, and in one case, made us wish we could provide a man with a brick wall to bash his head against. We saved that one for last. (Its OK Keith, hindsight is 20/20.)We hope you enjoy their answers as much as we did- and join us atThe Climb for more conversations like this. Become part of our wonderful, brilliant group of people striving to better themselves, and their careers, every day.That Im better, stronger and way smarter than what I was made to believe when I was young. That you dont h ave to be silent about sexual harassment. Ignore the naysayers and go for what you really want. - LisaThat its not always greener on the other side. I had some great jobs with amazing co-workers which I wish I had continued with for a longer amount of time. - Mark3 important things find not only a mentor, but an advocate (bonus if theyre an awesome person on top of being successful) learn earlier to get things done involves getting help from others, not trying to do it all invest and save for retirement early - SuziThe importance of compartmentalization and self-care Practicing self-care whether its yoga, massage therapy, or sleeping past 9 AM is tantamount to success in this career. I would tell myself you dont have to work six days per week, the clients will survive. Take the day and rest - FaatimahThat its not a career path, its a career maze. Thats its not a career ladder, its *Chutes Ladders*. That if you make good decisions every day it will all work out. AND That its way OK to be proud of yourself once it does.- KristinJust because an experienced person is giving you advice does not mean they are a good mentor. And not everyone will binnensee the real you, so dont waste time taking advice from those who cant see your potential. And also work is not everything you have to build a life for yourself as well. - AmyIts ok to have a job where you dont wear a suit every day. Back in the day, dress for success was all the rage, and in fact, expected. It took me years to wake up as my friends in manufacturing or logistics and freight passed me by with their good paychecks while I settled for crumbs in my business suit with my BS degree in my pocket. We have progressed, thankfully.- ElaineThe importance of collaboration, in-person networking, and personal development. Dont wait for someone to offer a development opportunity- seek one out for yourself. Be proactive. Get used to public speaking and get comfortable with being uncomfortable.- PamelaContinually rein vent your future.- TimothyThat sometimes no matter how hard you work, how good you are, someone may decide you are expendable because you make too much or are too old. SO take the vacation. Take time off to see your kids game. Dont let the jerks who think you are too young/old/loud/take charge ruin your mojo.Live.- KathyAnd lastly When Microsoft cold calls you to go for an einstellungsgesprch in 1996, take the leap- Keith

How to Get Through a Busy, Stressful Time at Work - The Muse

How to Get Through a Busy, Stressful Time at Work - The MuseHow to Get Through a Busy, Stressful Time at Work For high-achievers, striving to be the best is part of the job description. Pushing your limits can be exhilarating, accomplishing things youve set your sights on can be motivating. Its thrilling to see your career aspirations come to life when you hit a major milestone, land a new client, or launch a new project. If your careers important to you, you also know that making your dreams a reality requires sacrifice. At times, work may become your number one priority, leaving your personal life to fall by the wayside. Trading quality time with loved ones for long hours at the office becomes the norm. Finding the right work-life balance is a struggle that every ambitious person faces. Crazy-busy periods at work are inevitable- and while they may be temporary, if you dont manage them properly, they can hurt your relationships and well-being. Its one thing to communicate about your stress with your boss and co-workers during demanding times in the office, but explaining to family and friends that youre going to be spending mora and more time at work can be challenging.Gone are the weekly happy hours, trips back home, phone calls with buddies. The irony is that although a chaotic work schedule means you have less time for those closest to you, its precisely when you need them the most. How then do you handle this catch-22 of ambition and rally your support system to get through busy periods?Addressing the situation directly is the best way to deal with these conflicting priorities. Take the following steps to negotiate a positive balance, without pushing away those who care for you (or coming off as a workaholic). Here are three ways to save your relationships and keep your career and personal life on track.1. Be Clear About How You Can Be SupportedWhile youre all too aware of the projects youre juggling and your growing to-do list at the office, it can be har d to remember that your friends and family are in the dark about the details of your work day. Your mind may be consumed by work, but your loved ones know nothing about the supplier who messed up your order or the five meetings you have to prepare for. When you come home from work tired and preoccupied, all they see is your closed body language and emotional cues. Noticing that youre stressed, your partner or roommate may do his or her best to be there for you, making misguided attempts to help by offering suggestions that only end up frustrating you (you should really take a mental health day Why dont you try yoga?). Are they even listening? Do they not know how urgent work is right now?Rather than getting defensive or shutting down, share the details of your current workload and get specific about how he or she can best help you manage the demands youre facing. For example, be direct and let your mother know it would more helpful if she just listened when you talk about work. If y oure typically in charge of chores, delegate specific tasks to someone else and let this person know how much his or her efforts would help you out this week- or month. Thats much more effective than griping about how no ones helping out around here. Clear communication gives your loved ones insight into your stress, empowering you to tackle it in a collaborative, constructive way. 2. Lay Ground RulesDefining boundaries is essential to creating space to accomplish your professional goals, especially when work conflicts with your personal life. To successfully focus during busy periods, you have to know when to set limits- even with the people closest to you. The key to asserting boundaries is to do so firmly, but compassionately. During a product launch, you may let your partner know youll have to forego your weekly lunch date for a month. Explain why you need the extra time in your schedule, how it will help you focus, and then be future-focused Specify a date when you can revisit getting your lunches back on the calendar. Or, if you usually spend the day in constant communication with your best friend, lay down boundaries around when youll be free to talk, so you can give your undivided attention to them during those breaks and to work projects the rest of the time.Boundaries become all the more significant if youre going to be working from home. Be koranvers to implement rules on when its OK or not OK to interrupt you and commit to stop working at a certain hour to transition to downtime. 3. Channel Stress the Right WayAt home, after a particularly long work day, you and your partner are debating your nightly Netflix pick. You suggest a comedy. Your partner groans. You fly into a rage. How dare she disregard your suggestion Why do you always have to watch what she wants? But, wait- why are you getting so worked up over a TV show? Whats really at play here is a defense mechanism called displacement. It gets triggered when we try to deal with stress. Displace ment is when your mind redirects a negative reaction away from the true source of your upset to a person or object thats less threatening. In other words, to save you from work stress (which feels huge and overwhelming), you may become disproportionately outraged at an easier target- often a spouse, sibling, roommate, or parent. Displacement can happen when youre not channeling stress in other healthy, constructive ways. And if you have a lot of work anxiety, displacing it could lead to a momentous fight at home.If youre noticing this defense mechanism rear its ugly head, ask yourself the following questionsIs this really worth a battle over?Will bringing this up now benefit me and the relationship?How would I react if they said the saatkorn to me?Create a plan to channel your anxieties appropriately through a healthy outlet like meditation, exercise, or even art. 4. Be Mindful of What Really MattersEven if youre consciously choosing to make work a priority at the moment, keep room in your life for honoring your social commitments. So, while it might be tempting to bail on lunch with a friend to tend to important work, resist the temptation. Your word is important in your personal life just as it is at the office.When youre in the midst of a busy time at work, do a quick perspective check Why are you working so hard, if not to create a life that you love? Its important to find meaning and purpose in your career, but its only one part of living a balance life. Dont neglect the importance personal relationships have on your long-term emotional health and wellbeing. Its often worth it to make certain sacrifices to achieve what you want in your career- but not to the detriment of your happiness. Its fine if you need to lighten your social calendar a little during a busy work period, but dont drop all your friends and cancel all of your plans in favor of more hours glued to your computer. Busy periods are inevitable, but theyre most often temporary. Managing them c orrectly will ensure that you stay balanced. Ambition does not have to lead to loneliness. Be sure to take the above steps, and let your friends and family know theyre the support you need, not those youve left behind.Photo of couple having a serious conversation courtesy of Tetra Images/Getty Images.

Top Biodata Format Secrets

Top Biodata Format Secrets For an entry-level job at a financial institution, cash handling skills will be required. Indicate your aims and what youd aim to achieve when you have the job. Include different talents regarding the particular job that youre applying for. The very last thing that you want to do is apply for work in education with a subpar resume. CVs are popular in academia. Together with mentioning the work type, if youre going to give a tiny description of your work in the cv then it is going to be best too. To begin with, have a very good look at the job posting itself. A work compatibility datenbankindex is typically utilised to screen out applicants who are more inclined to participate in counterproductive behavior if theyre hired. The further skills can be in accord with the job or completely different. For students that are new to the work market, interests and activities are a very good method to show employers you have skills they are searching for. Guarantee that the skills are related to the job that you desire. Write down what skills you used, and the way they may relate to the job that you desire. Besides the above mentioned, in the event youre changing cities its advisable but not mandatory to arrange for a neighborhood number of your intended city. Produce and download marriage biodata on-line bio data format is similar to a resume used for matrimonial purposes which aids people to obtain a summary of the other individual. Or it might just be a handy place to shop for a data model that satisfies your requirements. Your resume is viewed as the reflection of you and its unique for every single person. Everyone was in the exact situation when they were searching for their very first job Locating a new job isnt always simple, but should you are in possession of a well-written resume, youre going to get the automobile body painter position youre searching for. Remember a well-crafted email is the sole thing which wil l tischset you apart from other candidates. HTML Forms are required, when you wish to collect some data from the website visitor. The Simple resume formats can be employed by anyone who wants to submit an application for a job. Writing a Basic Resume Template isnt a little feat as it requires time a slew of preparations. Whether youre experienced or inexperienced, its always important to get a concise Resume Format. Interest or skills section is the fruchtwein crucial and difficult portion of the writing. Writing a successful resume isnt straightforward. If your application needs a cover letter then you may use the cover letter template. Company Profile PowerPoint Template is a presentation template that you may use to present your organization. The Principles of Biodata Format You Will be Able to Learn From Beginning Today Additional the employer doesnt will want to supply some changeable pay or health benefits to acquire an intern. The resume format sample needs to be c arried out well. So it is essential that your resume ought to be convincing and has to be easily read. Your resume will be broken up into sections. The Simple resume formats must be used dependent on the kinds of templates they are. There are a few word biodata forms downloadable at no cost and may be used for different purposes. Free resume templates dont need to sacrifice quality. Theres no doubt that a resume which is both cohesive and professional will have a much better probability of standing from the crowd even supposing its made utilizing a template. There are lots of tactics to compose a resume. Biodata for marriage can be readily made by utilizing prepared to use totally free multiple templates tools tips. What you place on the top is what you would like to get seen first. Which means that you have to understand the way to create the best page you could send to the business and offer great first impression about yourself. Consider what you are going to be putting on your resume, and select your template accordingly. There are lots of free resume templates readily available on the web but sometimes it can be quite hard to choose the best one that is most suited to you. Introducing Biodata Format So you simply want a simple resume. A resume is regarded as one the main documents youll ever have in your lifetime. The marriage biodata should emphasize the personal traits a prospective marriage partner might discover attractive. Be sure that your resume isnt too long.

A Look at Our Recent Event with OUTFRONT Media and Peloton

A Look at Our Recent Event with OUTFRONT Media and Peloton A sold-out crowd braved some hot and sticky New York City summer weather to join PowerToFly at our invite-only event featuring OUTFRONT Media and Peloton, held at Rise New Yorks beautiful Flatiron District office last week. Attendees had a chance to network with their peers and enjoy some small bites, wine, beer and some much needed water before the evenings programming officially kicked off. Rise New York, part of the Barclays open innovation plan, kicked off the evening by welcoming our guests. The evenings keynote address was delivered by Mariquit Corcoran, Partnerships and Programs Director in Barclays Group neuheit Office who shared a bit of her own career journey and helpful advice to the attendees. The centerpiece of the evening was a panel discussion featuring Marion Parrish, SVP Digital Operations at OUTFRONT Media and Yao Liu, Senior Android Developer at Peloton, and was moderated by PowerToFlys CoFounder Katharine Zaleski. Marion and Yao discussed the tech trends and industry trends they are observing, their companies latest tech innovations, company culture at OUTFRONT Media and Peloton, work-life integration and many other topics. The conversation then opened up to include the other attendees in the room and morphed into a candid QA session featuring our panelists, our keynote speaker and the many other women tech leaders in attendance. The evening concluded with mora networking time and a chance to establish deeper connections with our two featured companies. OUTFRONT Media and Peloton are both hiring. Visit their pages on PowerToFly to learn more about both companies, their benefits and their open roles. Our guests begin to arrive Related Articles Around the Web Think Rise - Home New York Peloton Exercise Bike With Indoor Cycling Classes Streamed ... OUTFRONT Med ia Outdoor Advertising Outdoor Media Aki Merced

7 ways to build your childs vocabularly starting now

7 ways to build your childs vocabularly starting now7 ways to build your childs vocabularly starting nowIf you want your child to have a rich and fulfilling life, one of the best things you can do is help build your childs vocabulary. Research shows strong language ability is associated with a number of positive things, including happiness, friendships, connections with family, academic success and a satisfying career.Building your childs language ability is not something you should wait to do until theyre old enough to go to school. Vocabulary development is extremely rapid. Between birth and second grade, children, on average, learn about 5,200 root words.The ability to quickly interpret words at 18 months can determine the size of a childs vocabulary later in childhood.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreBy grades three and four, vocabulary also is closely related to childrens ab ility to understand what they read. This is partly because a childs vocabulary is a strong indicator of a childs knowledge of the world.As one who researches the best ways to develop childrens literacy, here are seven things that I believe parents and educators can do to help build childrens language and vocabulary skills.1. Talk about objects and events that interest the childTalk about something that has the childs attention. A mother may notice her 8-month-old baby staring at a large cat and say, Oh look at the nice kitty. She has such pretty eyes and soft fur. Such interactions may also occur when a child points to something and starts trying to talk about it, indicating excited interest. These exchanges are prime opportunities for adults to name, describe and explain things. Occasions when parents and children talk about things they are both attending to are powerful instructional moments. Words are paired with objects, events and emotions. The importance of these exchanges is shown by the fact that the amount of pointing by children at 18 months is related to language development at 42 months.2. Have many conversations with childrenThe amount of language children hear during conversations with adults in the first 18 to 24 months of life matters. Language areas of the childs brain are rapidly developing. The ability to translate sounds into meaningful words is rapidly improving. Linking sounds to meanings quickly enables one to continue to make sense from the words they are hearing. The speed with which children assign meaning to words is strongly related to the amount of language they have heard as part of adult-child conversations.3. Engage in sustained interactionsBy the time children are 2, it is not only the quantity but also the quality of the conversations they hear that matters. At this point to really foster your childs language growth, dont be in a hurry talk with your child about particular objects or events for a decent amount of time. Its n ot necessarily a certain amount of time that matters. But there should be at least eight to 10 back-and-forth exchanges between the parent and the child. When children are verbal, these back-and-forth exchanges that take place over many turns are especially valuable.Indeed, preschool children who have longer-lasting conversations show faster brain development and more efficient processing of information than those who have fewer and shorter conversations.4. Read and discuss booksOne of the most powerful of all shared activities is book reading. Books can be shared and enjoyed from the first year of life. They provide endless opportunities to name objects, animals and action. These experiences can be repeated over and over. The activity also gives parents a time to obligation with their child while talking about favorite pictures, events and stories.5. Use varied words while expanding world knowledgeChildren acquire knowledge rapidly as they learn words that refer to more complex con cepts. As time goes on, these words will be used during conversations about new ideas and experiences. For example, during a trip to an aquarium a child might see fascinating creatures as their parent names the animal, talks about parts of its body its fins and tail, for instance and how it moves. Or, during a trip to the grocery store, one can name objects, discuss their attributes, talk about where they come from and much more.6. Talk about past eventsThrough language we are able to travel through time to past and future events. As parents talk with children about experiences from the past, they tend to use novel words and children, in turn, are encouraged to use them. For example, a parent may say, Do you remember when we went to the aquarium? The child responds Yes, we saw that big big fish with wings. To which the parent replies Yes that was an enormous stingray. Regular conversations about the past foster vocabulary learning.7. Engage in pretend playLanguage enables children to construct and live in imaginary worlds. The talk that occurs as they enact their roles in these imaginary worlds leads them to expand their vocabulary.For example, two children are playing with action figures that represent doctors. One child holds a doctor figure and the other is playing with one that is lying on the ground. The doctor says, Be quiet I need to use my stethoscope. The injured figure says, OK. Is that the thing you use to hear my heart? Here we see one child informally teaching a sophisticated word. The second child is learning what a stethoscope is and, as they play, will gain some understanding of how it is used.These evidence-based methods are just a few ways that parents can help build their childrens vocabulary and knowledge of the world.David Dickinson, Professor of Teaching Learning, Vanderbilt UniversityThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Flexible Work for People with Disabilities and Special Needs

Flexible Work for People with Disabilities and Special NeedsFlexible Work for People with Disabilities and Special Needs4We received a bedrngnise from one of our members recently that reminded us of a very important fact Flexible work isnt just a great thing for working parents or people who want to enjoy their lives more. Flexible jobs are a critically important source of income for professionals who have disabilities or special needs.How do people with disabilities benefit from flexible workOur member put it perfectlyThe disabled and those of us with shades of disability would magnificently benefit from the ability to work from home. Some of us cannot always physically get to a job or would be physically restricted in a way by being in an office, but are plenty able to do work from home.We hope employers will remember this important idea as wellThat telecommuting and flexible work opportunities are not just juicy added benefits for employees, but that they actually make it possible for professionals who otherwise might not be able to work to find meaningful, fulfilling work in a capacity in which they can truly be productive.For more advice on job searching with a disability. Check out this fantastic resourceWhen and How to Disclose a Disability from the magazine Careers and the disABLED.To view our most current telecommuting and flexible job opportunities.Head over to our job search page with 50 career categories to choose from. Youre also able to select the type of flexibility youre seeking, whether it be telecommuting, flexible schedule, part-time, freelance, or any combination of flex-types. Best of luck in your job search

Meet The Woman Revolutionizing Genetic Testing, 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki

Meet The Woman Revolutionizing Genetic Testing, 23andMe CEO Anne WojcickiMeet The Woman Revolutionizing Genetic Testing, 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki To be Anne Wojcicki, you must start the day with a strong French pressed coffee- or, better yet, a few coffees.The 44-year-old founder and CEO of 23andMe is also the motherbeibei of two, a real estate investor and owner of kid-friendly cafe, Bumble, in Northern California. Oh, and her portfolio also includes an arts-and-crafts store, a video arcade, and indoor play space. Talk about a multi-tasker.In addition to juggling a non-stop schedule, Wojcicki is transforming how we think about genetics and the future of health. 23andMe has given 3 million consumers information about their ancestry, carrier status, wellness and traits, as well as genetic health risk reports, authorized by the FDA. At the helm of the personal genomics company, Wojcicki spends her days in DNA at her offices in Silicon Valley rushing from meeting to m eeting, as she looks for new ways to break boundaries. After all, the preskoranvers is on 23andMe as the industry leader and the first direct-to-consumer DNA testing service with FDA-authorized health reports..Glassdoor caught up with Wojcicki to talk about the next frontier of genetics, common DNA misconceptions, her career journey, and the advice shed give her 20-year-old self.Glassdoor 23andMe is the leader in personal genetics- a way for us non-science folks to access our data. Was this the goal or an unexpected perk? Anne Wojcicki This was always the goal. Our mission is to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome. A huge piece of that is education, and making genetics relatable. Our scientists do a phenomenal job creating reports that are understandable for our customers and are an opportunity for them to begin learning about themselves through genetics. We also take opportunities to educate the public more broadly, for example helping create the Smit hsonians genome exhibit which toured museums nationwide. Weve also helped create curriculum for courses on genetics, and have put together two childrens books about genetics the latest just debuted on Amazon last monthGlassdoor How is 23andMe different from the traditional DNA testing that can be done through a clinic or hospital? Anne Wojcicki 23andMe is different in a couple ways. First, we are not a diagnostic test. Tests done in a medical system are designed to help diagnose disease. 23andMe is a medical device that is designed to look at carrier status, wellness, physical traits and ancestry. Second, 23andMe is intentionally designed to be easy for consumers to understand. Most tests done in a clinic are designed for physicians and not consumers.Glassdoor 23andMe has much more on the line than say an Uber or Spotify. How do you as CEO not get overwhelmed by that responsibility? Anne Wojcicki I feel a responsibility to our customers to get important information out to them. I have seen over the last few years just how much this information can impact lives for the better. I am driven by the desire to have better and better health information for individuals so we can all make better decisions in our lives.Glassdoor What motivates you or keeps you going on the tough days at work? When the morale is low and the expectations are high, how do you motivate yourself to push forward? Anne Wojcicki Customer stories and the impact of what we are doing is what keeps me going when days are tough and things are not going well. I am proud of impact we are having in the world by uniting families, answering questions, and helping people take action with their health. The impact of what we are doing is top of my mind every day.Glassdoor Youre one of the elite group of female co-founders and CEOs. Is the landscape for female CEOs and female founders improving? What do you notice are some of the trends in the gender leadership gap? Anne Wojcicki What changes the landscape and improves the gender gap are supportive and vocal role models who lead by example and with proactive outreach. I am a strong believer that female role models need to tell their stories and reach out to the younger generation.Glassdoor How do you tackle or approach the gender pay gap? Internally, how have you sought to equal the playing field as it pertains to your staff and women employed by 23andMe? Anne Wojcicki I think awareness is the first step towards making sure a company doesnt have a gender pay gap. We frequently evaluate salaries to make sure we are balanced and we continuously evaluate ourselves to make sure we have a culture that is friendly to men and women of all ethnicities and sexual orientation. I think awareness and regular intervals of reflection are key to making sure the company is making the right decisions.Glassdoor Any advice for how other tech companies improve equal pay in the workplace? Anne Wojcicki It comes from management. Management ne eds to be open to feedback and needs to regularly review pay to make sure they are compensating fairly.Glassdoor For those interested in working at 23andMe, what is the company culture like? How would you describe the work environment that youve led for the past few years? Anne Wojcicki I genuinely love coming to work every day and its because of the culture and the people. First and foremost we are a mission-driven company and people come to 23andMe because they believe in the work we are doing. Everyone at the company is contributing to our mission of enabling people to access, understand and benefit from the human genome. I like to think that we have a culture that is inquisitive, stimulating, fun and rewarding. I am also a firm believer in giving everyone the opportunity to grow and keep learning.Glassdoor Now a fun one what was your first job? And how did it shape or impact you? Anne Wojcicki Growing up, one of my friends family owned a luggage shop and I often had the oppo rtunity to help out in their store. I know a lot about luggage and pensGlassdoor If you could sit down with her for a drink, what advice would you give your 20-year-old self?Anne Wojcicki I would say enjoy the uncertainty and the adventure of figuring out the world and what you want to do. 20-year-olds can get away with adventure and exploration in a way 40+-year-olds can not. So enjoy asking all the questions and trying all the different jobs and realize that each new experience helps shape your views of the world and what you want to do in it.Originally published December 2016. Updated in Janaury 2018.