Posts Tagged: UK
2
Dec 10
Does Earning More Increase Happiness?
Does earning a higher salary really make us happier? This issue is nagging many of us: how to balance the desire of having a satisfying job and a satisfying paycheck? It’s usually a dilemma that confronts every college student when pursuing a career path. How much is enough and how little is too little is a personal decision based on one´s values, priorities and spending habits. However, as a recent study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found, there is a magic number that links income and satisfaction.
This study indicated that $75,000 USD is the yearly salary that seems to satisfy most people in the U.S. The study suggested that earning above 75 K had little influence on the satisfaction level, but that less than 75 K decreased satisfaction levels.
When it comes to studying those whom sought out high incomes were more likely to major in fields like business, engineering and economics. And those whom high income was not a priority pursued majors in liberal arts and social sciences.
For most, choosing a major is one of the hardest decisions in young adulthood. Students should think not only about their priorities and values now but also the possibility that those priorities can change later on.
Best of luck, those are hard decisions!
Source: The Economic Times www.economictimes.indiatimes.com
8
Nov 10
Motorsports Engineering – Course of the Week
Who doesn’t admire the cutting-edge technology and sophisticated design of Formula 1 race cars? The fastest race in the world represents innovation, superlative performance and style. There are thousands of people involved in creating the show – from vehicle and engine designers, vehicle and engine testers, motorsports race-event managers and race-crew management. The number of mechanics in one race exceeds 6,000!
There are various career opportunities for those interested in high performance vehicles:
The Old Dominion University in Virginia, U.S. offers Bachelor in Motorsports Engineering Technology. This program involves conventional lectures in classrooms and practice in laboratory facilities, including the driving simulator and chassis dynamometer. Motorsports Engineering program consists of such courses as: Ground Vehicle Aerodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Race Car Performance, and High Performance Piston Engines.
The Master in Science Racing Engine Design in Oxford Brookes University is offered in the UK. This program provides exposure to design, simulation, modelling and analysis of performance road cars, through rally, IRL, Kart and F3 right up to F1. The analysis elements of the modules include structural optimization, dynamics, engine performance and tuning.
Auto racing is not only an entertainment event, but also a real opportunity to test vehicles, their power, safety and aerodynamics in extreme conditions.
Formula 1 Technology facts:
6,000 – the number of Mechanics in one race
100º F – temperature of tires when it is driven
600 kg– weight of the machine with driver
10 million USD - the presumed value of a machine
1
Nov 10
Make-Up Artist – Course of the Week
Bobbi Brown for Erin Fetherston Make-up
Make-up artists apply makeup to models, actors and other stage performers, as well as brides and other clients for special occasions. Professional make-up artists must understand and interpret make-up expectations of clients and to produce accurate visual result. This field also can include designing wigs, using makeup to produce visual effects such as aging, illness, scars and bruising – very often under time-pressure.
There are various schools where you can study:
The London School of Beauty & Make-up offers Course – IMA Foundation /Fashion / Photographic / Media Make-up Diploma where supervised by a professional make-up artists you can create your own looks. These skills come into practice in a professional photo shoot using a model with clothes supplied by leading British Designers. These pictures will help to build a portfolio.
The part-time Esthetics Ontario College Certificate awarded by the Conestoga College in Canada offers a 39-hour professional make-up course. Topics of study include day, night and special occasions make-up, shading, contouring, colour analysis and product knowledge.
A Certificate IV in Make-up at the Chisholm Institute of TAFE in Dandenong Campus, Australia will prepare you to apply Period Make-up and Body Painting. You will also learn the difference between special effects, film and television make-up, as well as make-up for production.
Practice at home and apply makeup on various face shapes, eye shapes, skin colors, eye colors, and ages. Try different professional make- up products and sketch your looks. You can share your ideas on youtube and ask other amateur make-up artist to comment your work. That is a mean smoky eye…
25
Oct 10
American Sign Language – Course of The Week
The "I Love You" sign
American Sign Language (ASL), a visual-gestural language with its own vocabulary and grammatical structures, is said to be the fourth most commonly used language in the United States. A universal sign language does not presently exist, and thus different sign languages are used in different countries. British Sign Language (BSL), for example, differs from ASL.
Sign Language is offered at many universities as a foreign language and has gained popularity among hearing college and high school students, since many American colleges and universities have accepted American Sign Language as an option to fulfill the language entrance and exit requirements. Sign Language can be useful for anyone who has contact with the deaf public in their work place or personal life. Fluency in ASL can also allow you to be an ASL/English interpretor, and is important if you aspire to become an educator, or social worker.
California State University at Fresno awards a Certificate in Conversational American Sign Language to students who complete the 12-unit program.
Deaf Studies Certificate Program at Hofstra University Continuing Education in New York is delivered by instructors that are both hearing and deaf. Courses may be taken on an individual basis without participating in the certificate program.
The American Sign Language Program at the Northeastern University in Boston will provide you with a wide array of course offerings as well as volunteer, internship and practicum opportunities.
Northeastern University’s Master of Science in Interpreter Pedagogy (MIP) is primarily offered online, using web-based courses. It will prepare you for interpreting, with a focus on reflective teaching and active learning.
Source: The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), USA
14
Oct 10
Pupils in Scotland Are Given Lessons in How to Sleep
According to the recent study one in four teenagers are not getting the appropriate nine hours of sleep at night. What’s more, it was suggested there was a link between lack of sleep and obesity, lower academic achievement and even depression.
In March, pupils in Scotland took lessons in how to sleep as part of their curriculum. The charity Sleep Scotland has provided classes free of charge in a pilot program at three local schools in Scotland to raise awareness of the importance of sleep for emotional and physical wellbeing. The “Sound Sleep” pack will be offered to schools across Scotland next year as workshops for groups of 20 secondary school pupils, with an after-school session for parents and staff advising how to support teenagers to get good sleep.
Here are Sleep Scotland’s top tips for better sleep:
• Restrict homework, exercise and computer games to the early evening.
• One hour before bedtime use to relax and bath
• Switch off TV and PC. Try listening to music or reading a book.
• Avoid chocolate, caffeine, additives, alcohol and nicotine before bedtime. Have a warm milky drink instead.
• Keep to a regular bedtime. Have a set waking time.
Source: SleepScotland.org and Guardian.co.uk
4
Oct 10
Personal Shopper – Course of The Week
Do you enjoy strolling through the mall window shopping, comparing prices and sale hunting? Are you satisfied and fulfilled when you finally get home with some newly purchased clothes, accessories or home decors? Have you ever thought of making it your profession to do the same for other people as a Personal Shopper? In our busy world an increasing number of people need to hire professionals to assist them in their shopping, putting this profession in growing demand. As a Personal Shopper you may work both for individual clients and for organizations, such as boutiques, shopping centers and department stores.
The Personal Shopper 3-month course offered by the European School of Economics in London, UK covers topics of vital importance including the skills employers and clients are looking for in a personal shopper, how to get insider knowledge of products and trends, identifying a client’s needs and finding the appropriate products.
Creativa Buenos Aires, in Argentina offers a program “Personal Shopper – Shopping Advisor.” During your studies you will learn market and consumer trends, negotiation and legal aspects of shopping, as well as the importance of verbal and nonverbal communication.
So what do you think? Shopping anyone??
29
Sep 10
10 Highest Paying Jobs and Career Paths
Many students start college not knowing exactly what career they want to pursue. If a high salary is one of your priorities in choosing a career this blog could help you. Here is a list of the most profitable career paths for the average person from statistics taken directly from the U.S. Labor Department.
1. Doctors and Surgeons
Formal education and training requirements for Surgeons are among the most demanding of any occupation, but earnings are among the highest. After training for at least 10 to 15 years (additional schooling for specializations), a surgeon has the ability to earn at least $206,770. Anesthesiologists, Gynecologists, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Internists, Prosthodontists and Orthodontists are also among the best paid health care professionals.
2. Business & Management Career Path
Top Executives are among the highest paid professional, however, this career also involves long hours, considerable travel, and might be highly stressful. Often it takes years of experience to reach management level.
3. Education Career Path
Post Secondary Health Specialties Teachers earn the highest salary in education. Health Specialty Teachers for example can earn around $102,000. Ph.D. recipients should experience the best job prospects. Many faculty members apart from their base salary have significant earnings from consulting and writing for publication. They also receive many benefits like access to campus facilities and housing and travel allowances.
4. Computer & Mathematical Science Career Paths
Job prospects seem to be excellent for computer and mathematical scientists and they may earn as much as $151,250. Computer and mathematical science researchers and scientists earn the top salaries.
5. Architecture & Engineering Career Paths
Starting salaries for Engineers are among the highest of all college graduates. But in order to keep up with improvements in technology, continuing education is critical. Petroleum Engineers have the highest salaries in the architecture and engineering occupations.
6. Legal Career Path
Remember that competition for admission to most law schools is intense. Salaries of experienced attorneys vary widely according to the type, size, and location. Median annual wages in the management of companies and enterprises is $145,770. But as a Judge you can earn above $162,140 a year.
7. Social and Political Sciences Career Path
Employment opportunities for Sociologists and Political Scientists are projected to grow much faster. Median annual wages of political scientists is $104,130. As an Economist you can earn as much as $113,590 annually, but only candidates who hold a master’s or Ph.D. degree in economics reach top salaries.
8. Biological Science Career Path
Biotechnological research and development should continue to grow at fast rates. Microbiologists earn an average annual salary of $97,264; Ecologists, $84,283; Physiologists, $109,323; and Zoologists, $116,908.
9. Physical Sciences Career Path
With their skills in problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, Computer Programming, and organizing and interpreting scientific data, Physics grads are in great demand in a wide range of industries. Such industries include telecommunications, industrial physics, hospital physics, electronics, computing and quality control testing. Potential earnings are around $106,440 a year.
10. Recreation and Fitness and Wellness Studies Career Path
As increasing numbers of people spend more time and money on Leisure and Fitness Services, job opportunities in fitness, wellness and recreation are expected to grow rapidly. Recreation and fitness employees plan, organize, and direct sport activities in recreation areas, fitness centers and tourist attractions.
Reference: USA Bureau of Labor Statistics 2009
20
Sep 10
Computer Game Art & Design – Course of The Week
Behind every PlayStation, Nintendo and PC game is a brain – the Computer Game Designer. Anyone can play a video game for hours on end, but the real challenge is to create one yourself. According to the PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the video game sector will note the fastest growth in the global entertainment industry in the coming years. A career in Game Art and Design is definitely worth considering if you have a passion for video games!
Relevant Game Art and Design coursework will generally include such key topics like 3D modeling & animation, level creation using commercial engines, digital audio and video production, and demo reel creation. There are a number of colleges where you can pursue this career:
In The Art Institute of California – USA Bachelor of Science in Game Art & Design students learn hands on, using industry-related software and technology.
Master of Arts in Computer Games Art at the University of Teesside, School of Computer Animation & Games in Middlesbrough, UK focuses on the creative design and development of content suitable for a computer gaming environment.
3D Graphics and Game Development Graduate Certificate at the Concordia University in Montreal, Canada offers the fundamental concepts and advanced design principles of 3D graphics and intelligent systems.
After you successfully complete the program you should be able to research game genres, styles and trends to aid in the design of games and business plans; create and edit storyboards, scripts, graphics, soundtracks and animation; develop game narratives, character histories and online help files; design a complete game level from storyboard through media distribution; prepare a portfolio and demo reel to assist in securing your future job.
17
Sep 10
Education Lowers Heart Attack Risk
Prevent Heart Disease
According to a recent study, in “high-income” countries such as USA, UK, Canada and Australia, risks of stroke and heart disease declines as education levels rise. A study was conducted on 61,332 people from 44 countries who had either been diagnosed with heart disease or those who showed to have risk factors, such as smoking or obesity. A link between cardiovasular disease risks and education was found to exist in “higher-income” countries, and is probably due to better knowledge about what causes heart disease and how to prevent it. Knowledge of risk factors may help to make healthier choices. Obesity (one of the main heart disease risk factors) was more prevalent among those with less education in higher-income countries. It was found that in high-income countries, the highest educated men smoked less than men with the fewest years of formal education. However, higher rates of smoking were noted among more highly-educated women in these countries. The study also found that the link between education and heart disease risks did not apply in middle and low-income countries.
These findings were published in the September 2010 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
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Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death worldwide. Major controllable risk factors that can be lowered by modification, treatment or control include smoking, high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, lack of physical activity, obesity and stress.
Reference: Reuters Health and American Heart Association
15
Sep 10
How to Become a Successful Online Student
Distance learning has many advantages: it’s convenient, flexible and nowadays has a wide variety of available programs. Online studies are often more affordable than traditional modes of study and can work around your job or career. However, there are also several drawbacks to studying online. With online studies the student has less (if any) face-time with professor. In addition, there is limited social interactions with other students and no campus atmosphere nor collective learning. Many students get behind in the their studies because it takes a lot of discipline to keep up without the reminders from professors and students. If you are taking an online course or interested in taking an online course, have at look at these tips below for a better chance at having a sucessful experience:
Self -Motivation and Self-Discipline It is up to you to motivate yourself and stay on track at all times. Be aware of all deadlines, complete all assignments and stay up to date with all class work and news.
Time Management Consider dedicating specific days of the week, and times of the day, to complete particular tasks. Determine what time of day you think would be best to dedicate to your online class. Stick with schedules that you impose on yourself to meet the course deadlines.
Solve Potential Technical Problems Before They Pop Up The computer will become your primary learning tool. And although you don’t need to be a computer whiz, you do need to have some basic technology skills to succeed. Technical problems can be a major source of frustration so it is best to have some basic computer skills before you start. Find out which programs and software will be needed to start the class beforehand so that you don´t get behind.
Learn the e-learning System Become familiar with e-learning systems as quickly as possible so that you can more efficiently concentrate on the course content.
Reach Out to Professors and Classmates You might feel isolated without face-to-face interactions with professors and peers. Use virtual classrooms, chat rooms, Skype and interactive presentations to establish successful cooperation with other students taking the course.
Communicate in Writing You should feel comfortable in expressing yourself in writing as almost all correspondence is in written form.
Remember It’s All Up to You! Becoming a successful online student is not an impossible task. It only requires adjusting to a different style and way of learning.
Search for online courses around the world on Educaedu:
Online Courses in the USA, Online Courses in Australia, Online courses in the UK, Online Courses in Canada
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