The Modern Guide to a Career Transition

The Modern Guide to a Career TransitionThe Modern Guide to a Career TransitionThe Modern Guide to a Career TransitionChange can be a good thing.Looking to transition to a new career? Youre not alone. A growing number of people, especially millennials, are jumping into new careers. But that doesnt mean a career change isnt a difficult process, especially if youre trying to move to an industry where you dont have much, if any, experience. Before you make the switch to something new, do your research and follow unterstellung five steps.Land your dream job, with a professionally written resume.1. Consider your options.Before blindly jumping into something new, consider the why behind your actions are you unhappy with your current job and find the work unsatisfying? Is it simply the people you work with that are making you want something new? Take some time to reflect on your skills and interests to identify the work that would be the most enjoyable and rewarding for you. Look at your li kes and dislikes, your talents, and your ideal work environment. You can also ask around and talk to other people who have moved on from a career similar to yours.Some industries lend themselves to an easier career transition than others, so look for connections you can build between your current work and what you hope to be doing. Theres a fine line between blindly following your dreams and starting completely over versus pivoting to a slightly related career where you can capitalize on much of your past experience consider the pros and cons to starting fresh or staying closer to home. Setting strong career goals can help you visualize what you really want and can be a guiding force through your career transition.2. Grow your network.The first step to a career change is to build a strong network of people in your current and desired industries. These people can serve as a sort of advisory board to provide advice and guidance for your new job search. Even more importantly, they can often connect you with hiring managers and point you in the direction of open positions. With relatively little experience in your new career, having someone who can vouch for you and open doors can be immeasurable.Look for additional ways to build your network by connecting with professional groups in person and online. These groups can help you learn more about the industry and whats going on and can connect you to a wide range of people who can provide connections, advice, or a friendly smile. Push yourself to get out there and attend networking events, ask for advice, and meet a variety of new people you never know who can connect you to your dream job.3. Learn the industry and build skills.Before jumping into something new, do your research and learn about how people work and talk in your new industry. Every industry has its own standard software and required skills. Is there a computer program you have to learn before you can even be considered for a job? Take the time to cr eate a strong arsenal of competitive skills that will be vital to your new position.Thanks to the internet and online courses, you can learn most skills, like coding and other software programs, fairly quickly and inexpensively. Getting certified or licensed in the right areas, such as earning your ACLS recertification or passing the CPA exam, can also help set you apart. Having these skills not only looks good on a resume and can get you past the initial screening, but is also vital to performing your job well and being prepared to make a difference in your new industry right away with little on-the-job training.You may also need to adjust how you communicate. If youre switching from marketing to finance, be prepared with the terminology and jargon youll encounter. Being able to talk the talk proves you understand the industry and helps you hit the ground running. Theres nothing worse than showing up for an interview or the first day on the job and not knowing what people are talki ng about. Read industry reports, talk to thought leaders, and peruse job postings to get an idea of the most commonly used terms and how you can incorporate them into your resume and vocabulary.4. Tweak your resume and cover letter.If youre competing for a job in a new industry with someone who has years of experience, youre likely already at a slight disadvantage. Your resume and cover letter can tell the story of who you are and what you can bring to a new organization. In general, you want to focus on the future by highlighting what you can bring to the company. Your previous experience and recognitions may be impressive, but with a career transition they need to be presented in a way that is understandable in your new industry and can tie the work youve already done with the new work you hope to do. For example, being the top salesperson at your old marketing job is impressive, but it doesnt translate well to the medical field. Use that experience to highlight your people skills and good memory, both of which can be advantageous in a new position. You can also highlight similarities between your old company and the company youre applying with, such as the size, systems, or revenue.5. Prepare for the questions.Once you land an interview, youll inevitably be asked about your potential career change, so come prepared with answers. Have a strong response for why youre switching to a new career it could be because you want to challenge yourself, help people, or follow your dreams. Stay positive and show how passionate you are for the new industry. You will also likely be asked questions about your previous experience and how it translates to a new position. When this occurs, look for the similarities between your previous experience and your new job and focus on results, such as the number of people you managed, the amount of money you raised for a cause, an increase in revenue, or the amount you improved a program. Avoid using jargon from your old industry an d put your answer in simple terms that utilize terminology from the new industry to showcase how your skills can transition to something new.A career transition can be a long and difficult process, but the payoff can be wonderful once you land a new position. Dont get discouraged through the job hunting process and try to let your passion show through. If all else fails, look for unpaid ways to get experience or expand your search to other similar industries. Soon you can join the ranks of employees in new and rewarding careers.Click on the following link for more advice on changing careers.Tell the career story for the job you want, with a professionally written resume.Recommended ReadingHow to Make a Career Change in 3 Easy StepsHow to Answer the Critical Question Why Should We Hire You?Career Changing Guide for Modern Job-Hoppers

Business Gift Etiquette Tips

Business Gift Etiquette TipsBusiness Gift Etiquette TipsGift-giving is a cherished tradition in sales. It ranges from freemiums- like getting a free toaster when you open a new checking account at yur bank- to expensive schadstoff packages for your best corporate client. Unfortunately, the wrong gifts can get a careless salesperson into a lot of trouble. If youre a B2B salesperson, you should be aware of your clients corporate rules on accepting gifts. Most companies have certain limits as to the value of gifts that their employees can accept. You will usually be safe if you dont give corporate employees anything that costs more than $25. If you feel the need to give something more impressive, ?making it a group present. For example, you could send an extravagant food basket for everyone in the Purchasing department to enjoy. When youre pricing gifts, stick to a value thats appropriate compared to how much your customer spent on your products or services. A customer who bought $100 w orth of products this year shouldnt receive a gift worth $200 or even $75. And never give any gifts to a prospect Even if you intend it simply as a kind gesture, your prospect will probably see it as a bribe- and so might her lawyer. For the same reason, dont give a gift to a customer who is in the middle of contract negotiations with your company. Adding a personal touch can give a small gift a much bigger impact. For example, if you hand-deliver your gift to your customers home or office instead of sending it in the mail, your gesture will give that present much more meaning. A card with a personal message and handwritten signature is more meaningful than a pre-printed card with a generic Thanks for being our customer message. As you get to know customers, keep notes about their preferences and use that information to choose just the right gift. On the other hand, if you dont know much about a customer, youre better off sticking with a generic gift than sending something that migh t be considered offensive. For example, sending a bottle of wine to a customer who is a recovering alcoholic will not be taken well. Common business gifts include calendars (especially at the end of the year), flowers or plants, food baskets, gift certificates, and charity donations in the recipients name. All of these types of gifts are generally safe, although you might want to confirm food likes and dislikes before sending anything edible. Sending a basket of nuts to someone who is allergic to them, or a pack of gourmet sausages to a vegetarian can have unfortunate effects on your customer relationships. Be especially careful when choosing gifts for a customer located in a different country. A gift that seems perfectly benign to you might send exactly the wrong message from the viewpoint of a different culture. For example, in China, its inappropriate to wrap a gift in white wrapping paper for anything but a funeral- because the color white is associated with death in the Chines e culture. Again, when you are in doubt, stick with a generic gift such as a gift certificate for a major retailer. Many salespeople send gifts to mark certain events in the customer lifecycle when a customer first purchases from you, or on their one-year anniversary, etc. Its also appropriate to send gifts on the customers birthday or during the holidays. But you can stand out from the crowd by being a little more creative in your timing. For example, if you have a number of small business customers, you might send a card or gift on the anniversary of the day your customers company went into business.

More companies are giving employees time off to vote

More companies are giving employees time off to voteMore companies are giving employees time off to voteOn November 6, Americans head to the polls to vote for midterm elections, but for too many of us, the process of taking time off from work to go vote can be cumbersome. When the Pew Research Center asked Americans this past September and October why voting would be difficult, more than a fifth of respondents listed long wait times and large crowds and scheduling conflicts. In the 2014 midterms, Americans who did not vote said a conflicting work or school schedule welches among the top reasons why they did not vote.How many more Americans would vote if they had the whole day to do so? More companies are making policies to find out.Time off to vote movement spreadsTuesdays election day is not a federal holiday. Currently, there is no federal law mandating time off for employees to go vote, but in the absence of federal law, more companies are stepping in to make voting a workplace pr iority. Spotify, SurveyMonkey, and TaskRabbit are among 348 companies participating in a Take Off Election Day campaign to give employees time off to vote.Outdoor apparel company Patagonia said it is going one step beyond a few paid hours and is giving a full day of paid leave to employees. Patagonia closed its business on Nov. 6 and is giving its employee the day off as part of a Time to Vote company commitment.I believe this movement is crucial to the future of our democracy. Midterm elections suffer immensely from low voter turnout, Rose Marcario, CEO of Patagonia said in a blog post. Together, we can remove barriers to civic participation and encourage all American workers to be citizens and voters first.This movement has grown since the last election cycle. Forty-four percent of American firms will give workers paid time off to vote, up from 37% in 2016, according to a survey from the Society for Human Resource Management. When employees have the freedom to vote at their person al convenience, voting becomes easier for all to do.Maybe your company will be next?

Analyst Resume Fundamentals Explained

Analyst Resume Fundamentals Explained Things You Should Know About Analyst Resume Data analysts are a crucial link in the organizational procedure of any enterprise. Employers generally have lots of resumes to check through, and they prefer short resumes they can receive all the info they have to know at quick glance. A Career Objective is valuable if youre applying to a certain position and ready to tailor your objective especially for that function. You also could have done Volunteer Work or independent Projects that you are able to include. Read resume articles focused on specific facets of job searching and the way to use your resume. Also, BASE SAS certification is going to be the cherry on the cover of the cake In case you have any questions or comments about how to compose a professional resume for a data analyst, dont hesitate to comment below. Its essential that the employer see a history of BA-like work if at all possible. The Key to Successful Analyst Resume No w take into consideration how youre able to show you will be a fantastic fit. The work description also has consulting with clients on how best to efficiently utilize technology in supporting the small business. Thus, your job application should be written so it can be readily understood by somebody from outside your industry also. Both can cause you to get exceptional but only one can allow you to land work. Basically, employers wish to realize that you can bring something to their team. Qualifications Potential employers in the area of investment banking will search for candidates with these qualifications in education and work experience. Hiring managers will truly feel exactly the same way. Most hiring managers wish to find a cover letter with your data scientist resume. Make certain you list software and certifications which best match the work description. My comprehension of the plastic company is extremely slim. An applicant which has a close match of keywords utiliz ed in their job application with the ones utilized in the work ad is going to have greater likelihood of being hired. Be sure your objective involves the particular title for the job that you are applying. The Birth of Analyst Resume Successful data analysts must discover helpful information from piles of information and offer tangible solutions. Financial analysis is just one of the most complex spheres of a contemporary business enterprise. Not all data entry and data processing positions will list a necessary typing speed, but a lot of them do. Writing a resume summary isnt necessary in such a circumstance. Do a little studying to learn the name of the individual who will make the hiring decision. If youre applying for work, any answer you give will be kept private and wont be used against you in any manner. If you previously do the job for us, your answer wont be used against you in any manner. Because someone may become disabled at any moment, were expected to ask al l our employees to update their information every five decades. You should also provide your prospective employer a concept of how you approach work. Part-time work has supplied a good grounding in the practical application of academic understanding. For additional emphasis you may add a number of bullet points to highlight extra skills which didnt quite make the cut for the exact top of the resume. Any resume ought to be tailored as much as possible to the particular job its being used to submit an application for. Not employing the perfect search phrases in your job application is among the most typical mistakes folks are doing when writing a rsume. The comprehensive data will help your possible employer to have a good comprehension of your worth. If youve got under 10 decades, going over onto another page only makes it increasingly difficult for a reader to absorb all of the information. Each business with an open position would like to fill it using a particular person who can continue to keep that information flowing smoothly and steadily. Uploading to our resume database requires you to make an account. To learn more on what it requires to be a Data Analyst, have a look at our complete Data Analyst Job Description. For inspiration, take a look at the next Data Analyst resume sample Microsoft Excel is likewise very vital for many in the area, with functions like VLOOKUP and PivotTables of specific importance.

Air Force Combat Control Enlisted Job 1C2X1

Air Force Combat Control Enlisted Job 1C2X1Air Force Combat Control Enlisted Job 1C2X1AFSC 1C2X1 directs and controls the delivery and battlefield application of lethal and non-lethal airpower. Uses visual and electronic aids to control airhead in the area of responsibility (AOR). Establishes long-range command and control communications and intelligence (C3I) nets. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup 250 Duties and Responsibilities Conducts reconnaissance and surveillance of potential assault zones and target areas. Plans, coordinates, and conducts operations using advanced technologies to kooperation reconnaissance and target identification. Records and submits Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) data and site surveys of assault zones (drop, landing, forward area refueling points (FARP) and other areas critical to aviation. Evaluates and relays status of airfields and assault zones to inbound aircraft and higher headquarters. Provides limited weather observations, including su rface and altitude wind data, temperature, and cloud heights. Reports current battlefield information. Plans, organizes, supervises, and establishes air besucherzahlen control (ATC) in the target area. Initiates, coordinates, and issues ATC clearances, holding instructions, and advisories to maintain aircraft separation and promote safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of traffic under visual or non-radar flight rules. Operates and monitors portable and mobile communications equipment and terminal and en route navigation aids required to control and support air traffic in forward areas. Prepares and issues advisories to pilots, ATC, and other agencies concerning weather, notice-to-airmen information, air traffic flow control measures, and wake turbulence. Provides flight assistance and emergency service to air traffic. Records weather and ATC data. Controls vehicular traffic on the airport movement. Identifies, assesses, and marks assault zones with visual and electronic navigation ai ds for day and night air-land and airdrop operations. Coordinates clearances, instructions, advisories, and air traffic movement with forward and rear area commanders. Uses ground-to-air communications equipment and visual and electronic systems to control and expedite the movement of en route, arriving, and departing air traffic. Directs actions to handle aircraft emergencies or mishaps. Coordinates with medical personnel on casualty and patient staging points. Provides airlift operations support that cannot be provided by combat communications groups or other agencies. Operates Global Positioning Systems (GPS) equipment to navigate for infiltration or exfiltration and locate assault zones. Coordinates airfield ground support (crash/fire/rescue, sweep). Maintains qualification on primary assigned weapons. Conducts fire support operations. Plans, coordinates, and conducts fire support operations to include close air support (CAS) and supporting arms. Employs visual and electronic na vigation and marking equipment to direct aviation assets to target. Issues weapons release clearance.Deploys into forward areas and forward operating locations by land (mounted, special purpose vehicle or dismounted), sea (surface or subsurface naval vessel, small watercraft, SCUBA, or surface swim) or air (parachute, airmobile, air-land) to participate in the full spectrum of military operations to include air expeditionary force (AEF), force projection, direct action (DA), counterterrorism (CT), counterproliferation (CP), foreign internal defense (FID), humanitarian assistance (HA), special reconnaissance (SR), personnel recovery (PR), non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO), integrated survey program (ISP), counterdrug (CD), and fire support operations. Uses demolitions to remove obstacles affecting safe air traffic flow in the target area. Specialty Qualifications Knowledge is mandatory of ATC and combat control principles and proceduresAircraft flight characteristicsEnco mpassing tactical airlift and weapons deliveryAir and surface firepower systems and effectsInternational Civil Aviation Organization, Federal Aviation Administration, and military air regulationsMap, aeronautical chart, and publication useCharacteristics and use of tactical and ATC communications systems and equipment,Air navigation aidsNight vision equipment GPS, and other operational equipmentMeteorology principles Deployment proceduresJoint service operationInfiltration techniquesMovement and route selectionAlternate insertion and extraction systems (AIES)Parachute procedures and equipmentJumpmaster training and small unit tacticsAmphibious and scuba operationsSmall arms and destructive demolition applications Education For entry into this specialty, completion of high school is desirable. Training The Combat Controller Pipeline Training is 35 weeks, consisting of the following courses, which are conducted at various locations Air ForceCombat ControllerOrientation CourseCombat Co ntrol OperatorFundamentalsCombat Control Tower TrainingJump School (U.S. Army Airborne School)U.S. Air Force Basic Survival SchoolCombat Control Apprentice CourseU.S. Navy Underwater Egress TrainingAdvanced Skills Training (AST)U.S. Army Combat Divers SchoolU.S. Army Military Free Fall Parachutist Course Experience The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated 1C251. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1C231. Also, experience in reconnaissance, terminalcontroland combat enabling tasks.1C271. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1C251. Also, experience performing or supervising duties involving reconnaissance, terminal control enabling tasks.1C291. in and possession of AFSC 1C271. Also, experience managing operations involving reconnaissance, terminal control, andcombat control enabling tasks. Other The following are mandatory as indicated For entry into this specialty, Successful completion of theCombat Control Team(CCT)physical ability and stamina tes t (PAST).For entry, award, and retention of AFSCs 1C211/31/51/71, physical qualification for air traffic controller duty, marine diving duty, and parachute duty according toAFI 48-123,Medical Examination, and Standards.For entry, award, and retention of AFSCs 1C211/31/51/71/91/00 qualification to bear firearms according toAFIs 31-207, Arming and Use of Force By Air Force Personnel,AFI 36-2226, Combat Arms Training, and Maintenance (CATM) and AFSOCI 36-2204, Special Tactics Operator Training. For award and retention of AFSCs 1C231/51/71/91/00Qualification as a static line and military freefall parachutist andas a scuba diver.Physical qualification and maintenance of personal physical standards as defined inAFI 13-219, Special TacticsStandards, and Evaluation, and AFSOCI 36-2204 Special Tactics TrainingEligibility for a Secretsecurity clearance, according toAFI 31-501, Personnel Security Program Management. Strength Req K Physical Profile XXX1XX Citizenship Yes Note Job not open to wo men Required Appitude Score G-44

Define Resume Exposed

Define Resume Exposed Define Resume - Is it a Scam? Users are able to take advantage and use our present import sheets to produce updates instead of navigating through the system to update relationships and updates. Editing your layout may help you optimize space, but you should be certain to keep the document as uncluttered as possible. Using JavaScript has a price, and its entire cost in GNU would need to be integrated over its lifespan, probably 20 decades or so. Ordering is a bit odd here. Theres no need to bring a subheading. PCB comprises information related to a particular approach. A method is essentially a program in execution. In general, it can have one of the following five states at a time. It may be in one of the following states. Companies dont have the opportunity to interview every applicant thats interested in the job. Make certain its tailored to not merely the position, but the business too. So, when you submit an application for work in Greece, the u nited kingdom, or Denmark, your prospective employer will ask you for a CV. So much so, that even if youre not ideal for the advertised position, they would tend to abflug one for you. It isnt necessary to to mention your achievements at every position. One very significant part the work experience section is finding the best method to list your contributions to the organization. You require a job but arent sure of your career direction at this time, or perhaps youre eager to consider more or less any position. Not only is it an honest means to contact employees and share the required information with them, but additionally it is an excellent way to hear their feedback. Possessing a normal personal chat with every one of those who report to you will help you find a rise in employee engagement. Psychology-Understand how and why folks think how they do, then use that knowledge to create products which will appeal to the correct people. Make certain that you get the information youre looking for. Once you have written a work description look for strategies to create your explanation more concise. The company would like to think that you took the opportunity to read about and understand the job. Focus on how youre an advantage to the companynot the way the corporation can help you. Otherwise, it might be only the thing that loses your opportunity. Define Resume - What Is It? Neutrality-Conduct an unbiased evaluation of you and offer expert objectivity to assist you determine your very best focus. Dont forget, employers get hundreds of resumes and you would like the most pertinent info to be noticed. Objective Many regular resumes incorporate an objective as the very first section beneath the contact details. List your abilities and accomplishments utilizing the exact same keywords utilized in the description. The majority of the document is going to be based on your abilities and your employment history, so lets start from that point. As an example , experience with particular software programs like spreadsheet software could be important if youre asking for a finance job, but not necessary if youre asking for an industrial position. Make certain you keep each employee in the loop to prevent gossip and misinformation spreading in the workplace. The employee ought to be the primary focus of one on one conversations. The Basics of Define Resume The functional resume is utilized to concentrate on skills that are particular to the kind of position being sought. You may add Willing to relocate whether the position requires moving to some other city. Utilize your spacebar instead. Dont forget, your target is to catch the hiring managers eye and stick out from the remainder of the paper in that pile. The guideline is to check out CV requirements in the nation of your pick. It is better to list your abilities and achievements in bullet points. Letters dont have the capability to transmit malware or other harmful files that co uld be transmitted by email. It is possible to add the address of your professional site, portfolio, or LinkedIn Account if youve got them. You may also have to include specific info. A number of the info is subjective. Letter writing contributes to the mastery of the technique of great writing. The format employed in that document will be different slightly from the above mentioned outline. The cover letter ought to be a one-page document that gives clear and concise details as to why you desire the job. Your cover letter shouldnt be generic.

blur Group Finds Long-term Relationships with Service Providers Leads to Stale Ideas

blur Group Finds Long-term Relationships with Service Providers Leads to Stale Ideas New research from technology firm blur Group has found that about half of procurement decision makers believe that there are superior tafelgeschirr providers than their current partners, and 46 percent of companies think that they engage with the same partners for too long. Companies are looking for innovative approaches to supplementing business knowledge but 65 percent of procurement decision makers at large companies think that having long-term relationships with service providers results in fewer creative solutions. A further 43 percent agree that personal ties, preferred suppliers lists, and other extraneous factors force a continued relationship with providers demonstrating poor performance. Business isnt a marriage, but right now U.S. businesses must certainly feel like theyre trapped in an unhappy one with their service providers, Philip Letts, CEO of blur Group, said. The decline in creativity could be due to the trouble they have finding the most relevant providers for their needs. This could be solved using an s-commerce platform bringing together the functionality of enterprise class cloud services, marketplaces and community.Additional findings from the research includeSearch engines are used by 55 percent of companies when finding and interacting with service providers.55 percent of survey participants said that finding the most relevant service provider was a challenge during the procurement process.67 percent of procurement decision makers from large companies admit that their strategy is more standardized and needs a refresh. This compares to 48 percent of medium-sized companies. However, 21 percent of large companies are more likely to perceive their procurement as innovative, compared to 7 percent for medium-sized companies.Over 40 percent of companies admitted to personal biases when choosing service providers but 87 percent would like to partner with new providers. Only 70 percent of companies feel free to switch to new providers.

Volunteer Work Is the Ultimate Interview

Volunteer Work Is the Ultimate InterviewVolunteer Work Is the Ultimate InterviewConsider volunteer work a lengthy interview.If you think doing volunteer work is just filler to pad the resume while you are looking for a real job, then think again. It can make or break you during a job search.Pro bono work can include anything from nonprofit projects to community service and even religious or alumni events.No matter what you invest your time in, its all a lot like an extended behavioral interview. These experiences are a great way to shine, build credibility in professional circles and get your name out there - if you have the right attitude.The bottom line is People talk. And people are more likely to refer someone based on past successes. In other words, your volunteer resume should be just as outstanding as your professional one.Here are some tenets to remember during your pro bono work. Ive seen them all, and I know that people who demonstrate ansicht behaviors end up on the short list when organizations are looking for people to fill paid positions.1. Have the attitude you would have at the office.Yes, we know they dont pay you to do this thats why its called volunteering. Go in with the attitude that, for the short term, you will give more than you receive. Nevertheless, you are volunteering to give back to your community, and this will build long-term trusting relationships.2. Lead, even if youre bedrngnis the team leader.Volunteer appointments are a great way to showcase your leadership, organization and communication skills. If you can help take some of the burden off the team leader, your efforts will be noticed. If the decision that needs to be made falls within the responsibilities of your role, make it and keep the team leader informed. Dont send 200 e-mails a day asking for guidance or permission. Doing so makes you appear indecisive and unsure of yourself. These are not great qualities to display in front of people who may be in a position to refe r you somewhere down the line.3. Showcase your management style.It is equally damaging to make decisions that are not within your role of responsibilities, which could potentially damage or muddy the relationship you have with the team leader. Theres a fine line between being supportive and being power-hungry, so make sure you dont cross it. Your actions will reflect how you might go about managing a team or staff in the business world, so treat volunteer teams as such.4. Endure as you would in a real-world role.Sometimes volunteers make commitments to projects with the best of intentions and then stuff happens, and they fall off the face of the earth. This puts an extra burden on teammates and causes resentment. And if thats not enough, it damages your professional reputation. It is unlikely that you will be trusted with a paid role if you cant deliver on a volunteer project. Stick it out as you would a turn in the market or an unanticipated business need. If you volunteer for a pr oject, stick with it to the end - even if it means doing some juggling.

Were sitting more and more and its affecting our health

Were sitting mora and more and its affecting our healthWere sitting more and more - and its affecting our healthIf Justan Germano werent so dedicated to staying fit, work could put his health on the line.The 32-year-old professional zocker spends more than eight hours nearly every day glued to a screen as he livestreams his exploits on social media and interacts with followers.But hes also a lifelong athlete who takes an hour-long stroll in the mornings and does 90 minutes of weight training at the gym five to six times a week.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreI wanted to show people that just because youre a gamer doesnt mean that you have to be lazy, Germano told Healthline.However, millions of other people in the United States are becoming increasingly sedentary, according to a newstudyTrusted Sourcethat examined low-energy behaviors.Researchers found that Americans of all ag es are spending more of their leisure time on a computer. They also discovered that a large portion of the population is sitting for longer periods in general.In addition, the researchers concluded that well over half the country continues to watch television or videos at least two hours a day.Scientists analyzed data from almost 52,000 children, adolescents and adults who participated in an ongoing federal study of Americans health.Although there have been other studies on the publics level of physical activity, none is as comprehensive as this one that appeared in this weeks Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).For the first time, researchers measured the prevalence of sedentary behavior as well as looked for trends among all ages and over a long period of time, saidLin Yang, PhD, an epidemiologist at Alberta Health Services in Canada and the studys lead author.Among the conclusions reached by Yang and her colleaguesAbout 60 percent of Americans have been spending at least two hours a day for the past 15 years watching television or videos.The number of people using a computer at least 1 hour a day for reasons other than school or work increased during the same general time frame. By 2016, 56 percent of children, 57 percent of adolescents and 50 percent of adults fit this profile.The amount of time that survey respondents estimated they spent sitting rose. In 2016, adolescents reported they were seated slightly more than eight hours a day while adults averaged slightly more than six hours a day.Its really concerning, Yang told Healthline. Were looking at a really alarming trend.The effects of sittingInactivity can produce a host of health problems ranging from obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure to anxiety, cancer, and atrophied muscles.Even people who exercise regularly can sabotage their metabolism if theyre also stationary for long periods of time, saidKen Smith, senior research scholar at the Stanford Center o n Longevity in California.Smith said Americans have made marginal progress over the past decade toward meeting the federal governments recommendations for physical activity, which calls for adults getting at least 150 minutes of modetarif exercise a week.However, he told Healthline, when were not working out, were more likely to be not moving at all.Dr. Cate Collings, president-elect of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and a cardiologist in Mountain View, California, echoed Smiths comments.She said that vigorous exercise on the weekend wont entirely mitigate the effects of inertia Monday through Friday.For better or worse, the body responds in real time when we sit, stand or walk. These actions have an immediate effect on processes such as the heart rate and blood pressure, Collings said.You cant store up (the beneficial effects of exercise) - be sedentary, sedentary, sedentary and then exercise, she told Healthline.Why we sitExperts cite multiple reasons for the sedentar y habits that can lead to sitting disease, an informal term that describes the collection of health complications.In addition to watching TV and using computers for entertainment, Collings pointed to the popularity of mobile devices.The Information Age is absorbing, if not addicting, she said.She notes that people now use their smartphones and tablets to do everything from making dinner reservations to shopping - all of which is easier done sitting down.Whiling away hours in commute traffic also contributes to physical inactivity, Collings said.Kaiser Permanente physicianDr. Sean Hashmipoints to the economys shift from blue-collar jobs to more sedentary, white-collar ones in which office workers are more apt to communicate with other employees by email than walk over to talk to them.The biggest culprit is (workplace) culture, he told Healthline.He added that organizations must ensure their employees are healthy if they want them to be productive.Hashmi, regional director of clinica l nutrition and weight management for Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, used to meet staff members once a week for 30 minutes of light exercise in the companys Walk With Your Doc wellness program.Long hours on the job often leave employees with only enough energy to plop down on the couch with the TV remote when they get home, he added.What you can doHealthcare providers say there is hope for sedentary souls who want to get moving.The body can heal itself if given a chance, said Collings.She noted that exercise is a tool to treat and even reverse the effects of inactivity.The body has a remarkable ability to heal itself when you remove the insults, she said.Hashmi is equally optimistic, pointing out that even those who have been heavy smokers for years start seeing improvements in their lungs as soon as they kick the habit.The key is to take the first step, even if its a small one, he said.For someone whos been sitting watching Netflix, the best day to start is today, Hashmi said. Today is the day. You start today. And you will start to feel better tomorrow inside.Here are some quick ways to get your body moving during the dayTake a break every 30 minutes if youre sitting at a desk, says Ohio chiropractorDrew Schwartz, DC. Walk around or do a few stretching exercises in your cubicle to relax the chest and hip muscles.Get out of your chair and have face time with coworkers instead of communicating with them on the computer.Run errands - or at least walk quickly - during your lunch break.Forget the elevator - take the stairs instead.Get off the subway one stop before your destination and walk the rest of the way.Maintain the homestead yourself instead of paying someone to do it. Vacuuming, washing the car, and doing yard work can get the blood pumping.When you watch TV, do a few exercises during the commercials.This article first appeared on Healthline.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your s ocial class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Greener Less Expensive Cogeneration Plant

Greener Less Expensive Cogeneration Plant Greener Less Expensive Cogeneration Plant Almost two decades ago, I recommended that our institution, the University of Connecticut, where I taught mechanical engineering, build a cogeneration plant that would help lower energy costs. Cogeneration, also called combined heat and power, is the production of more than one useful form of energyboth heat and electric power, for examplefrom a single energy source, such as the burning of natural gas.At the time, UConns Storrs unigelnde of 15,000 students heated its buildings by steam generated in a central plant with natural gas-fired boilers. During warm months, buildings were cooled by individual electric-powered air conditioning units or by central plant chilled water. All electric power welches purchased from the local notoriously expensive electric utility company.Although my recommendation was not immediately accepted, as energy costs began to soar, almost doubling to $15 million by 2002, and with the prospect of even higher costs, the university administrations thinking aligned with mine. The university asked for proposals for a plant that would produce a peak of 25 megawatts, 200,000 pounds per hour of steam, and 6,000 refrigeration tons of chilled water. Construction started in 2003 and was completed in 2005 at a cost of about $80 million. The plant, which went online the next year, makes better and more efficient use of a high-grade fuel and has a reduced environmental impact.Cogeneration is the key. Heating buildings and people by combusting a limited, high-grade fuel to produce a low-grade form of energy is wasteful. Cogeneration uses the fuel to first produce both high-grade energyelectricityand low-grade heat.The cogeneration plant was designed to blend seamlessly into the campus landscape. In fact, the doors shown here lead to a classroom.If a large institution, such as a university or hospital, purchases electric power from a utility, it is in effect, burning t wo measures of fuel instead of one. One measure of natural gas is combusted in an offsite utility companys gas turbines (and exhausted up a stack) and another measure of natural gas is burned in steam boilers (and exhausted up a stack). A cogeneration plant uses one measure of natural gas twicefirst for generating electric power in a campus-installed gas turbine and then passing the hot exhaust gases through a heat recovery system to produce steam (and only then exhausting up a stack).Total utility costs for universities such as UConn can be substantial. For fiscal year 2005, utility costs for electricity, natural gas, and fuel oil amounted to $23.4 million for the Storrs campus, 20% of the campus operating budget and 3% of the total campus budget.The heart of UConns cogen plant is three 7.5MW Solar Taurus 70 gas turbines, with a rated thermal efficiency of 34%. The load at UConn ranges from 8MW to 22MW. The fuel of choice is natural gas, but the gas turbines can alternately be swit ched over to fuel oil. Each gas turbine drives a water-cooled electric generator. The exhaust, which runs as high as 900F, passes into a heat recovery steam generator to produce both high-pressure and low-pressure steam. Low-pressure steam is used for campus heating, and during the warm months powers turbines that drive three refrigeration compressors supplying air conditioning.High-pressure steam is used to power one single-stage steam turbine that drives a 5MW water-cooled electric generator, providing additional electric power and higher combined-cycle thermal efficiencies. The exhaust from the steam turbine, now at a reduced pressure and temperature, can be added to low-pressure steam to either heat or cool facilities. Thus, this portion of the energy conversion cycle in UConns cogen plant has made three uses of a unit of gas turbine fuel.Using the plant design requirements25MW of electricity and 200,000 pounds per hour of steam, one can calculate a demand rate (ratio of heat re quired to electrical power required) showing that the fuel energy savings ratio could be as high as 48%.I am proud of what we achieved although I cant help but feel that we could have done it sooner. As society faces the prospect of having to use fossil fuels more wisely in order to conserve a finite resource and to reduce the production of greenhouse gases, I cant help but worry that other large but sensible steps toward efficiency will also take as long.Adapted from Campus Heat and Power, by Lee S. Langston, for Mechanical Engineering, December 2006.If a large institution, such as a university or hospital, purchases electric power from a utility, it is in effect, burning two measures of fuel instead of one.