Good News for Graduates Looking for jobs

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Are you a graduate looking for a job? Then I have some excellent news for you. Recently it was reported that almost 40 graduates compete for every graduate vacancy. Now you may ask how this can be good news for you when you have to compete with 39 other equally qualified graduates for a single job. Let me explain....

The graduate vacancy scenario....

Graduate jobs in Britain are expected to increase noticeably this year as more employers are prepared to recruit fresh talent. However, it was also found that almost 40 graduates will have to compete for each position. Although it may sound bad to you, but in fact it is undoubtedly good news. The fact is since the last financial crisis in 2008, graduate jobs have been in an all time high in 2014. It was reported that leading employers are offering around 18,753 new jobs for fresh graduates this year, which is an 11.6 per cent rise from 2013.

Moreover almost one third of the top organisations have extended the graduate schemes they offer in the last 6 months due to UK’s developing economy. Apart from this, average starting salary for new graduates has also risen by £500 and is now £29,500. But due to a 3 per cent hike in applications, 40 graduates will need to enter into a battle royal for each graduate job.

Do you think 40 graduates for one job is just too much?

Then let me refresh your memory. Last year when Costa Coffee put an online advertisement for 8 jobs at their new Nottingham branch, the café managers anticipated a good response from applicants. However, they got surprised after 1,700 applicants appeared for the interviews. Yes...1,700 job seekers applied for only 8 jobs at a café and most of them were over-qualified for the posts. This was a clear indication of how competitive the current job market actually is.

Do you now see why an average of 40 candidates is good news?

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If you ask me, I would love to compete with 39 others any given day than take on 200 other applicants, some of whom may be more qualified and experienced than me.

Although I am not really a competitive person but I simply cannot deny that competition at the workplace is a reality. And I am ready to cope with it. It might seem overwhelming to even think that there are 40 equally skilled and qualified graduates vying just to get a single job. But it’s also about being the best in your field and proving that you are determined to reach your goals. Eventually it all comes down to how ambitious you actually are.

Need for some competition....

In a sense I guess I like a little competition. But there are many others who shudder at even the mere thought of it. The problem, I believe, begins at the college level. While studying at the university we don’t really get to experience real competition. But the business world is a cut-throat competitive place which young graduates need to prepare for. You will have to compete to get the job at the interview, you will need to compete to get noticed by your manager and you will need to compete to get the next promotion.

You may get close with many of your colleagues as you will spend several hours every day with them. You may also choose to hang out with them during the weekends. But the truth is they are only your colleagues and in some cases, your competitor. So you need to be prepared for some competition if you wish you achieve success in your career.

Is competition good then? Yes.

So when you go for a job interview and you need to face 39 other graduates to get the job, you should feel that it is the best opportunity for you to get the job. Having to fight with others to get a job might not be the most ideal scenario, but it is the reality. Actually I believe it offers you the opportunity to prove yourself and builds your character. Thus you need to celebrate this opportunity instead of criticising the scenario and the system for being what it is.

What do you think?

Do you think competition at work is good news? Or do you believe that it is an unfair practice? Feel free to share your opinions, views and concerns in the comments section below.

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Meet Employees’ Needs To Boost Profits, Says Study

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What do you think is preventing you from being more productive and satisfied at your work? A recent survey conducted by the Harvard Business Review (HBR) attempted to answer this basic question. The researchers surveyed around 19,000 employees at various levels in organisations across different industries. Let’s check out the findings.....

So What Did The Research Find?

The study discovered that most people tend to perform more sustainably and effectively and feel better when 4 basic needs were satisfied, which include-

• Renewal (Physical)
• Value (Emotional)
• Focus (Mental)
• Purpose (Spiritual)

However this shouldn’t come as a surprise as all of us tend to work better when we feel more stimulated, appreciated, determined and purposeful. It is certain that the encouragement and opportunity to occasionally rest and restore your energy levels during work serves as the perfect remedy for work pressure and even overload which you feel in your daily lives.

When you feel appreciated and valued, it generates a much stronger level of security and trust at your workplace. This enables you to focus on using your energy in creating value instead of spending energy in searching and protecting your value. Let’s face it, in today’s world focussing your attention on the task at hand is a serious challenge. But as you will be able to focus better on your job, you can get more quality work done at much lesser time. Furthermore, when you feel that your work contributes significantly to a larger purpose and is able to make a difference, it becomes a unique source of enthusiasm and professional motivation.

How Does It Influence Your Performance?

The researchers believe the most surprising aspect of the findings is that how positively and greatly these 4 basic needs are correlated with different variables which impact your performance. In a blog post, the Harvard Business Review (HBR) stated “It would be statistically significant if meeting a given need correlated with a rise of even one or two percentage points in a performance variable such as engagement, or retention. Instead, we found that meeting even one of the four core needs had a dramatic impact on every performance variable we studied.”

For instance, when an employee realised that any one of his needs has been satisfied, he reported almost 30 per cent rise in his focus; almost 50 per cent increase in level of engagement; and almost 63 per cent higher probability of staying in the organisation. It was also observed that with every additional need which got met, the cumulative positive impact also increased in a straight dose effect.

So when all the 4 basic needs were met, the impact on level of engagement escalated to 125 per cent from 50 per cent. The researchers at HBR believe that the engagement is positively correlated with productivity and profitability. A meta-analysis of around 263 studies of almost 192 businesses showed that companies with engaged workers were 22 per cent more profitable than others.

The HBR blog post concluded “In practical terms, it’s possible to start making a considerable improvement without a lot of effort or expense, addressing one core need at a time.”

What Do You Think?

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Employers do not need to make any financial investments to encourage and value their employees. However employers should be willing to think beyond the age-old presumption that “performance is best measured by the number of hours employees puts in.” Businesses need to consider the value their employees create, irrespective of how they decide to do work.

Do you think that meeting these basic needs can improve your performance? Or is there something else that needs to be addressed? Share your own opinions below in the comments.

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Why Online Education is Better Than Community Colleges?

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Are you prepping for community college even when tuition fees are rising constantly? If you are, then you need to be ready to take the burden of a hefty student debt. But is there any way for you to avoid crippling student loans and yet earn a degree? Yes...there is. Read on.... 

Nowadays it has almost become mandatory to take loans in order to pursue college education as tuition fees have become excessively high lately. But do you think it is worth it? Studies show that the average debt of college graduates in America is around $25,000. As rules and restrictions regarding education loans become more stringent, this average is expected to rise further. 

Do You Have to Bear the Load of Debt to Get a Qualification? 

 

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No. The choice is in your hand. Numerous students all over the world are now applying for online learning programmes to earn a recognised degree/diploma without taking a heavy debt. You can avoid crippling education loans by simply pursuing an online Level 5 diploma. Moreover, traditional degree programmes can only dream about offering you the benefits provided by an online course. But we will come to that later. Let us focus on the cost of traditional education for now.

Here are Some Facts....

 

Most students who went to community colleges end up defaulting on their student loans after completing their graduation. What is more surprising is that around 70 per cent of students borrow below $6,000, yet they are unable to pay off their debts. However, failure to repay even such minute amounts may be due to low graduation rates to some extent. Andrew Kelly of Forbes writes, “Unfortunately, less debt does not equal fewer defaults...And default’s consequences, like wage garnishment and severe credit damage, can hurt borrowers even more than a bloated loan balance.” (Source: bit.ly/1A10TKG)

Studies also revealed that around 58 percent of young-adult families in the US have below $10,000 in education related debt; whereas about 7 per cent of similar American families have more than $50,000 in student debts. Most of these graduates usually have a hard time in getting employed and repaying the debts. A recent research conducted by the Brookings Institution on student debts from the early 1990s to 2010 reveals that “among households with some college but no bachelor’s degree, the incidence of debt increased from 11 to 41%.” 

What is the Solution then?

 

If you are set on going to college, then you can apply for federal financial aid for students. These can help you to manage your student loan and repayment modes to some extent. However, if you want to completely avoid being burdened by debt, then your best option is to study online. By studying a Level 5 undergraduate diploma online, you will be able to save heaps of cash as these programmes are much more affordable than community colleges or public 4 year schools. 

Is Online Education the Answer?

 

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Yes. Online colleges offer several accredited online undergraduate and postgraduate courses at really affordable rates so that you do not have to lumber with debt in your future. Moreover, online programmes can help to save and earn money as well. Here’s how- 

Convenience

 

Online programmes offer you high levels of convenience as you can study directly from your home or workplace. As you don’t need to physically go to the campus, you can save money on conveyance and other living expenses. 

Flexibility

 

As online programmes are highly flexible, you can study at anytime you want by accessing the content online. This provides you the opportunity the work while you study and gain experience and earn money from your full time job. 

Variety

 

If you apply for a Level 5 undergraduate diploma online programme, you will have the option to choose from a variety of courses that match your interests, skills and work experience. Hence you will be able to advance your career with your education and knowledge. 

Go Online for Debt Free Education

 

As going for a community college will saddle you with student debt for years to come, it is undoubtedly a great idea to pursue an online programme to earn a debt-free recognised degree/diploma. You can clearly see the benefits you will get from going online. All you need to do is think about what exactly you want and which option is most suitable for you. 

We would love to know what you think about student debts and how online learning can be helpful. Feel free to share your views.

Prevention of Cyberbullying Needs to Begin in Schools, Says MARC

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Cyberbullying has become a serious concern for both parents and teachers as more and more young students are now using the internet from home. Although the internet can be a great place for learning and interacting with others, but your kids may also get victimised by bullies online.

So what can you do to protect your child from online bullying? A new study says it is important to teach our children about cyberbullying and how to cope with it.

The MARC Study on Cyberbullying

According to a new study conducted by the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC), schools, districts and states need to modify the way they address cyberbullying and teach students about its prevention. Anne Collier of The Christian Science Monitor says that this is the first time a study has focused on the elementary school students. She believes that the findings reveal the urgent need for Media Literacy Education and Social-Emotional Learning starting from lower grades.

Education- An Urgent Need

The study by MARC was conducted by surveying over 11,700 students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades in different schools in New England from 2010 to 2012. It suggests that cyber education should begin much before students reach middle school as they start using various online devices fairly early. Cyberbullying education must teach students about the dynamics regarding online game-playing. Moreover, when young students report problems on email or Facebook, it should be considered as a sign of online risk involvement.

According to data, use of Facebook among 3rd, 4th and 5th graders have increased drastically in last few years. The number of young girls using Facebook increased to 49 per cent in 2012 from just 19 per cent in 2010. The study also shows that use of mobile phones has also increased among students in every grade. It was observed that 22 per cent of 3rd graders and 52 per cent of 5th graders were using mobile phones by the year 2012. Furthermore, the use of smartphones also increased in every grade.

Protecting Your Child from Online Bullying

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The new study on online bullying also revealed that if your child owned a smartphone, then it increased the chances of your child being either a cyberbully or a cyberbullying victim. The survey showed that 18 per cent of 5th graders who owned a smartphone and 12 per cent of those who did not have a smartphone reported to be a cyberbully. On the other hand, 34 per cent of 5th graders who owned a smartphone and 12 per cent of non-owners admitted to being a victim of cyberbullying. The numbers were almost same for 3rd and 4th graders.

Thus if you are planning to buy a smartphone for your elementary school-aged child, you need to seriously consider both the advantages and risks related to your child’s usage, suggests MARC.

Teaching about Cyberbullying

The study found that education on cyberbullying proved to be highly effective in Massachusetts. The number of children who did not understand cyberbullying reduced to 10 per cent in 2012 from 24 per cent in 2010. Victims of online bullying were keener on reporting if they received cyberbullying education, particularly among 5th graders. Students who acted as bullies online said they received little or no education at all.

The Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC) believes that awareness and education about cyberbullying at the elementary level is imperative for providing better safety to students in schools and can be effectively implemented.

What do you think? Let us know how you will protect your child from being bullied online.

How To Use Google Glass In The Classroom

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Innovation in learning and education has traditionally faced many challenges. Teachers and students have always followed proven methods when it comes to education. However the scenario has started to change, especially after the advent of online learning and MOOCs. Google has always been popular for innovations and its latest presentation, the Google Glass, might drastically change the way we teach and learn in the future.

Google Glass may not be widely popular yet, but it is undoubtedly gaining ground. The entire concept of having a display in front of your eyes providing you information in real time, which still seems somewhat like science fiction, have certainly grabbed the attention of several people, including me. But being in the education field I started thinking how can Google Glass be used to improve education. The fact is it can be used in quite a few ways in the classroom.

The features offered by the device have massive capabilities which can used be along with some unique classroom based ideas to help students learn better. Although some ideas may not be suitable for particular institutes, but it can definitely help several classrooms. How? Let’s have a look...

Google Glass in Education

This unique and innovative device has great potential which can help us to take education to a completely new level. Let me point out a few excellent uses of the device in education-

• Remote Teaching
• Providing Supplementary Material for Lectures
• Helping in Student Orientations
• Helping in Monitoring Students
• Offering a Close Look at Lab Work
• Helping in Better Medical Training
• Documenting Field Trips
• Helping to Learn While Participating
• Providing Tutorial Videos to Students
• Helping in Student Performances and Presentations
• Enabling To Record Lectures In Classes
• Helping in Monitoring Attendance
• Assisting Teachers to Capture Notes
• Helping in Remote Project Work by Student Groups
• Assisting In Performance Evaluations

But these are only a few uses of Google Glass in education. When used properly, the device can prove to be highly beneficial for campuses and classrooms. Let’s read how-

Enabling Teachers for Better Lectures

Educators can wear the device while giving lectures and start Google Hangouts with students who may participate in the sessions remotely. Google Glass may also be used as a back-up resource for the teachers to gather detailed and unplanned content when asked by the students.

Helping Students to Understand Lectures Better

Students attending the lectures may use the device to bookmark essential sections, take notes and even access additional content offered by the lecturer. It can also help foreign students to have real time translations while the lecture is being delivered.

Simulated Field Trips

It can be used to provide simulated and interactive field trips to students, especially for places that are hard to access like Federal Reserve Bank, LHC at CERN, Mountain ranges, war zone experiences, the White House and even outer space.

Providing Location Specific Information

Google Glass can help to try out QR codes throughout the campus and provide location specific information as the device can instantly interpret QR codes.

Offering Self-Guided Tours

Glass can be offered to prospects and visiting students to provide self-guided tours of college or university campus. It can automatically identify landmarks, detail the history of the institute and answer student queries.

Improving Sports

Google Glass may also be used in school or college sports and athletics like basketball, tennis, baseball, football etc. The players can use the device while playing and receive real time instructions from their coach. Students can also view video recordings of their performance to identify their strengths and weaknesses.

Do you think I missed something? Can you think of any other uses of Google Glass in education? If you have some other ideas then feel free to share with me. I would love to hear from you.

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What Can You Gain by Studying Business Management?

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Do you want to make a rewarding career in Business? Are you thinking about earning a business degree/diploma? What can a management diploma or degree do for you and your career? If you are reading this article, then it means you are also wondering about these things.

Well...business studies will teach you the skills required to face the challenges of corporate world and help you shine in your professional career. You will be able to achieve success in all areas of your life and secure your future.

But is a Business Degree Right for You?

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To get an answer for this question, you will need to answer some other questions. Do you wish to have a high paying and challenging job? Do you wish to start your own business? Do you want to achieve your career goals? Whether a business degree is right for you or not depends on your interests, goals and what you want to achieve. If your answer to the above questions is “yes” then you should pursue a business degree or diploma.

So Why Study Business?

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Pursuing a degree or diploma in Business and Management will provide you the opportunity to gain comprehensive knowledge and necessary skills that will enable you to build a thriving career in various business fields. An online or on-campus postgraduate or undergraduate diploma in management will help you to learn conceptual and practical elements of organisations and business management. You will also gain valuable insight on the rapidly evolving global market as well as the external environment n which businesses operate.

You will be able to obtain a wide array of transferable skills such as-

• Critical and Creative Thinking

• Analytical Skills

• Interpretive and Problem Solving Skills

• Self-Management

• Effective Communication Skills

• Project Management Skills

• Leadership Skills

• Personnel Management Skills

• Research and analysis

• Personal development

• Others

What are the Career Prospects?

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A Postgraduate or even Undergraduate Diploma in Business will provide you excellent job opportunities with high pay in different fields all over the world. You will be able to make a promising career in your desired industry and get a job in management or senior management level designations.

Below you can find some of the career options that will be available to you after the completion of your programme -

• Financial Manager

• Marketing Manager

• Accountant

• Business Manager

• Entrepreneur

• Advertising Executive

• Corporate Communications Manager

• Executive Recruiter

• Financial Analyst

• Retail Manager

• Human Resources Manager

• Systems Analyst

• Logistics and Distribution Manager

• Sales Executive

• Risk Manager

• Management Consultant

However, your options are not limited to the jobs listed above. You will be eligible for a wide range of jobs in different business fields and industries.

What is the Scope for Further Study?

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With a diploma in business, you will have the opportunity to pursue further
education and strengthen your career. You can choose to study in various disciplines, such as Finance, International Business, Human Resources, Marketing and Computing/ICT. You can also study MBA and develop your expertise in specific business areas.

Some of the professional qualifications you may study are- 

• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

• Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)

• Common Professional Examination (CPE)

• Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) 

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What If You are Already Employed?

In case you are a full time employee, but still want to pursue a business degree
to advance your career, then an online programme will be most suitable for you. Online business management programmes provide you sufficient flexibility and convenience. Thus you will be able to focus on your day job as well as study for your qualification at the same time.

You can easily earn an online postgraduate or online undergraduate diploma in management by studying at your own pace from the comfort of your home. As long as you have a laptop or desktop and an internet connection, you can access the study material online wherever and whenever you want.

So Why do You Think You Should Study Business?

It will undoubtedly prepare for the challenges presented by the corporate world and you will have an edge over your competitors when entering the intensely competitive global job market.

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