Video Chapter 2Sustainable Global Development

Video Chapter 2Sustainable Global Development Video Chapter 2Sustainable Global Development Video Chapter 2 - Sustainable Global DevelopmentChapter 2Sustainable Global DevelopmentBased on the scenario below, Chapter 2 focuses on the frustrating discovery of Kamillowho lives in a rural village in Zambiathat the water pump that welches built six months earlier by Peace Corps volunteers is already inoperable. Why do a large percentage of such projects fail?THE SCENARIO Will Engineers Be True Global Problem Solvers? In the United States, middle school student Bella attends a Maker Faire and is inspired to join the schools robotics team. In Zambia, young Kamillo examines his villages broken water pump and wonders how it can be repaired. Both young people have started on a path that could lead them to confront some of the largest challenges on the planet. How will each be prepared and empowered to be true problem solvers?Watch Chapter 3 - Makers or Engineers?Join the conversationThis video is part of the ASME Decision Point Dialogues series an initiative designed to challenge thought leaders from industry, government, academia and NGOs to grapple with some of the most complex questions facing engineers and technologists today. The series raises awareness of existing conflict points and stimulates the kind of debate that leads to bold decision making and disruptive learning. In this first installment, the panel tackles the question of how to prepare and inspire generations of engineers to solve the most pressing global challenges. The copyright of this program is owned by ASME.

How to Overcome That Awkward Silence in Interviews

How to Overcome That Awkward Silence in InterviewsHow to Overcome That Awkward Silence in Interviews Weve all been there what we thought was an excellent interview quickly degrades as we sit with the hiring manager in silence- left only to wonder what we have done wrong to encurage our colleague to stop speaking entirely. (Talk about awkward) And so, we get it The silence in an interview is rough, says job search and career expert J. T. ODonnell , and not only because we perceive the hiring manager to be in charge of the interview and flow of the conversation. If there is a silence, we dont want to take over the situation and try to fill it, commiserates ODonnell. Sometimes the hiring manager is taking notes. Whatever the case, we need to just be patient, take a deep breath and wait for them to re-engage.But when thats not the case- when a hiring manager doesnt take the lead and fill that odd void- you can step up. Here are five ways you can overcome awkward interv iew silence.It will be tough to grin and bear that awkward moment, but ODonnell encourages you to lean into the silence. Try to smile at the hiring manager and stay still in your seat, she encourages. The mora fidgety you are, the more distracting it is. Show your ability to stay calm and composed. To push through that silence- and stay silent- ODonnell says you should focus your thoughts on what you believe are your best traits, which will help your mindset will stay positive and your natural facial expressions will convey that positivity. Just because you dont speak doesnt mean you cant speak in a silence showing a confident, happy person in your body language and facial expressions.You may be thinking, why would I stay silent in an interview? But heres the thing Some silence is always parte of natural conversation, says career coach Hallie Crawford. And a pause here or there in an interview is not only OK, but its expected. Pausing is part of the normal rhythm of conversation, Crawford says. And, in this case, show that you are still engaged in the conversation by sitting tall, smiling, and making eye contact, she advises.You may not realize it, but how you are behaving could create those uber-awkward silent moments. There may be awkward periods of silence if you are nervous and rushing too quickly through your answers, points out Crawford. But luckily, there is an easy fix, according to Crawford Try to calm your nerves and your thoughts by taking deep breaths and speaking at your normal pace, Crawford says. It is also helpful to take a few seconds to process a question before you reply. If you arent sure how to reply after a brief pause, then you can ask the hiring manager for a moment before you respond.Picture it you give a knock-it-out-of-the-ballpark answer, but you are still met with crickets. Karen Elizaga, an executive coach and author of Find Your Sweet Spot, says you should take this opportunity to be proactive. Aske, would you like me to clar ify what I just mentioned? Elizaga suggests, or say, Given what Ive just explained, how do you think that might work here? That puts the onus on the manager to respond.Is your hiring manager taking a long time looking at your resume or your portfolio? asks Crawford. If so, now is the time to speak up and ask if you can address any potential issues. Try something like, Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications I can address? Crawford suggests. Or, if theyre taking long time after youve shared one of your star stories, try something like, Is there a part of the example I gave that you would like me to clarify? It provides you with an opportunity to keep the conversation moving and address anything the manager has an issue with.When that awkward silence becomes too loud to bear, take the opportunity to expand on the answer youve just given or to answer the interviewers question in a different way that allows you to flex your muscle and share the diversity of your experience , suggests Elizaga. Say something like, In thinking about it some more, she says to begin, and then share an insight related to the question on which youre on.If youre sitting in an uncomfortable silence, its time to ask your own questions to fill that quiet. After all, the silence may be the managers way of providing you with an opportunity to ask questions or make comments, points out Crawford. So, take advantage of the opportunity to address any concerns you might have about the position, the work environment, or something else that might have come up during the interview. You can also take the unexpected silence as a time to let the manager know youre excited about the position and the possibility of working for the organization.

Employers hiring in May 2015

Employers hiring in May 2015 Employers hiring in May 2015 We have over ninety thousand employers looking for new employees on Ladders and we could use your help.If you, or your friends or colleagues, could fit the bill for one of the below-listed jobs, please let us know by clicking through and applying. Or ask your friend to!It’s been a terrifically busy Spring for hiring, and the Summer ahead looks like it will continue the trend… Mike Borgen Talent Acquisition and Development Manager at Atkore International Engineering Manager â€" PA Outside Sales Representative â€" IL Salesforce.com Administrator â€" IL Klaus Kokott Partner at Kokott, Wood Associates LLC Regional HR Manager â€" Retail â€" TX Refined Fuels Business Development Manager â€" VA Controller â€" Accounting / IT Operations â€" FL Beth Simpson Executive Recruiter at Parker Blake Consulting Account Manager â€" GA Strategic Account Manager â€" GA Strategic Account Manager â€" TN Manasa UM IT Recruiter at HSS SOFT Java Technical Lead â€" NJ Business Analyst â€" Financial Domain â€" FL Data Modeler â€" CT Mahadevan Raj Tecnical Recruiter at TalentHound Facets Configuration Analyst â€" Atlanta, GA C# / VB.Net / ASP.net Developer â€" NY Sr Linux Administrator â€" New York, NY Cheryl Griffin Recruiter at A Simpson Staffing Domain Architect Marketing â€" Kent, WA Private Equity Analyst â€" New York, NY Staff Accountant â€" Charlottesville, VA Mario Fidanzi CEO at MedTeam Staffing Inc. Clinical Systems Analyst Charge Services â€" Fort Lauderdale, FL Senior Investment Accountant Insurance â€" New York City, NY Senior Accountant â€" Statutory Reporting Insurance â€" Madison, WI Nagendra Jetti Recruiting at MIT Resources LLC Windows Systems Administrator â€" Madison, WI BPM Business Analyst â€" Columbus, OH Android Developer â€" Chicago, IL Crissy Camerota Corporate Recruiter at Pegasystems Executive Negotiations and Contracts Specialist â€" Cambridge, MA Senior Accountant â€" Cambridge, MA Drew Beno Senior Recruiter at Talent Acquisitions Associate Marketing Manager â€" Oak Brook, IL Customer ( Insights ) Development Manager â€" Fishers, IN Customer Marketing Manager, National Accounts â€" Oak Brook, IL  Good luck with your search!

5 Good Reasons to Consider Turning Down a Job Offer

5 Good Reasons to Consider Turning Down a Job Offer 5 Good Reasons to Consider Turning Down a Job Offer You’ve been offered a job- and with the unemployment rate these days, that’s a feat- so, why would you turn it down? Well, there are a few reasons. Take it from me. About a year ago, I received an offer for a position that was, in theory, a perfect fit for my skills and goals. Plus, the company would increase my salary by 25% and promised mentorship and travel. But something just didn’t feel right, and after a good deal of back and forth, I said no. I was unemployed for another two months, but a better opportunity came along (with an even higher salary, to boot), and I haven’t regretted it a day since. When I asked my friends if anyone else had ever turned down a job offer, I was surprised to hear how many had made the difficult decision when they knew something just wasn’t right. Of course, turning down a job offer is a privileged circumstance to have, and that decision as well as all of the following advice should be taken with a dose of reality that the perfect job- the one that fulfills every item on your wish list- rarely exists. That said, finding yourself in the wrong job can have a big impact on your long-term career and happiness, and it’s important to make sure you’re not missing out on what you’re really looking for just to have nailed down something. Learn from my experience, and consider these reasons why turning down a job offer might make sense for you. 1. Mission You need to care, to some degree, about what your company is hoping to achieve, but it’s easy to get too excited by any great-sounding job and overlook when an organization is not the best fit. It’s also easy to take the company’s mission statement at face value, without digging further. In fact, the job I turned down at first seemed perfectly aligned with the type of work I was hoping to do. But when I spoke with former employees, individuals at similar organizations, and mentors who work in the space, and when I compared its model to other organizations I trusted, I realized that it was not one I completely respected. So, do your research beyond what you read on the company website- by talking to people who are familiar with the company, reading up on its current news, and browsing reviews on Glassdoor. Many conversations and further research helped me realize that I couldn’t work at 100% and be my best self if I didn’t believe in what I was working toward. 2. Lack of Growth Every job you have should add to your resume- and not just in terms of taking up space. If you’re not going to have growth opportunities in terms of roles, knowledge, and new projects or responsibilities, it’s a fair reason to be hesitant about accepting the job. Take an inventory of what you’re already great at and the skills you want to gain. Will this new job allow you to work on these skills, or do the things you already excel at in a new market or with bigger name clients and teams? Even if you’re looking at a horizontal job move, you should have the opportunity to take on more responsibilities or see a greater possibility of promotion. Remember: If you’re not growing, you’ll either get bored too quickly and not perform at your best, you’ll get too comfortable with what you know and passed up for promotion, or you’ll be looking for a new job again soon. Take a critical eye to the position description and talk to potential colleagues to see if it’ll really be a good fit for you. 3. Warning Signs The hiring process is scattered, your potential manager is already emailing you on off-hours, or the potential colleagues you met were rude or inappropriate. These signs are easy to dismiss- hey, maybe it’s just a busy season- but they should actually be treated as red flags. Busy season or not, the way you are treated from the first day of communication in the hiring process is very telling as to how you will be treated as an employee. I’m betting you want to be somewhere for at least a while, right? Look for a hiring process that includes thoughtful interview questions and e-mails, great interviews with multiple employees, and signs that the people who work there are happy, respected, and taken seriously. If you don’t see that, I’d definitely think twice. 4. Timing It sounds like a small thing, but sometimes the timing on a job offer just isn’t right. A few of my friends turned down job offers to take that extended trip they’ve always dreamed about, or because they wanted to wait to see what other job offers would come through. Of course, sometimes the company wants an immediate answer, which forces you into a quick decision, but if they want you badly enough, they’ll wait. And if not? Could be another warning sign. If you’ve been on the market for a while and unemployment is beginning to bring too many negative consequences in your life, it might be time to take that offer. But if you have many interviews and opportunities lined up, you can feel more secure in considering turning one down if the timing is just not right. 5. Money Of course, money certainly isn’t the ultimate factor of consideration. Many people are much happier in positions that are more personally fulfilling- whether that means better career growth or a more aligned mission- than they would be making more somewhere else. That said, in a day and age where companies are constantly trying to do and get more for less, it’s important to make sure that any job you take is the right move financially. Several of my friends have turned down job offers because the salary couldn’t support them or their families. If this is the case- and if you’ve tried negotiating for a better package or more opportunities- it might make sense to look for, well, greener pastures. What does turning down a job offer do to your career trajectory? Adam Poswolsky recently discussed the deceiving career ladder in the Washington Post, noting that: “20-somethings are still erringly being told to figure out their (single) calling, find the perfect first job in that field, and then maintain a linear career trajectory.” In fact, he writes: “There is no one way up, just a series of opportunities and mini-experiments that get you closer and closer to discovering what’s meaningful.” That might just mean turning down a just-OK job offer to look for something that’s a better fit for your goals, growth, and personal alignment. If you do turn down an offer, here’s some advice for doing so gracefully. Photo of sticky note courtesy of Shutterstock.

Student Job Interview Questions and Answers

Student Job Interview Questions and Answers Student Job Interview Questions and Answers Interviewing as a student or recent student is unique because you don’t often have as much work experience as other job seekers. However, you still have a lot to offer. The key to impressing any employer is to be prepared and to position your own unique situational skills. Read below for information on types of student interview questions, and advice on how to answer those questions. Also review job interview questions that employers commonly ask high school students, college students, and graduates seeking part-time, summer, and full-time entry-level jobs. There are also sample answers for each of the interview questions. Types of Student Job Interview Questions There are a number of types of interview questions a student or recent student might be asked in interviews. Behavioral Interview Questions Many interview questions will be  behavioral interview questions. These questions require you to provide an example of a time when you did something work-related in the past. For example, an interviewer might ask, “Tell me about a time you had to complete a group project under a tight deadline.” Interviewers ask questions about your past to see what kind of an employee you might be in the future. These kinds of questions require you to think of examples from past experiences. To answer these questions, use the  STAR interview response technique. Describe the specific example you are thinking of (it helps to think of examples in advance). Explain the situation, and what you did to either solve the problem or achieve success. Then, describe the result. As a student or recent student, you might not have a lot of work experience. You can draw on experiences as a student, an intern, or even a volunteer. If you participated in any extracurricular activities, you can talk about those experiences too. Situational Interview Questions Situational interview questions  ask you to consider a possible future situation at work. An interviewer might ask, “How would you handle working on three tasks that are all due at the same time?” Although these are about future situations, you can still sometimes answer with an example from a past experience. An example provides credibility to your answer. When you provide examples, try to use examples that are closely related to the job you’re applying for. Think about past work, volunteer, or school experiences that required skills similar to those needed for this job. Questions About Yourself Interviewers will ask you a lot of  questions about yourself. Some of these will be straightforward questions about your education and  work history. Others will be about your character such as your  strengths and weaknesses. To prepare for these kinds of questions, be sure to review your resume and cover letter thoroughly. Also look at a list of  common interview questions  to prepare answers for questions about yourself. Remember to answer honestly, but always put a positive spin on your answers. Questions About the Company The employer might also ask you questions about the company, and why you think you are a good fit for the position. To answer these questions, be sure to  research the company  ahead of time. Get a sense of the  company culture- its mission, the work environment, and what the company looks for in employees. Student Job Interview Questions and Answers High School Job Interview Questions and Answers:  Even though high school students dont have much, if any, work experience, its still important to be prepared to answer questions about your ability to do the job and your education and school activities. College Job Interview Questions and Answers:  For college students and recent graduates, its important to relate your education, extracurricular activities, and experience (work and campus) to the job for which you are applying. Here are sample questions you might be asked during an entry-level job interview and examples of the best way to answer. Entry Level Interview Questions and Answers:  The interview questions that hiring managers ask entry level candidates will typically be focused on why you are interested in the job and why the company should hire you. Review these entry-level interview questions and be prepared to respond effectively to the interviewer. Summer Job Interview Questions:  When you interview for a summer job youll be asked about your qualifications and your school schedule. Review the questions you will likely be asked during a summer job interview, plus tips on the best way to answer summer job interview questions. Part-Time Interview Questions:  Here are typical part-time job interview questions and the best answers to interview questions youll be asked when applying for a part-time job. More Job Interview Questions and Answers:  Review more of the most frequently asked job interview questions, plus examples of answers for each interview question employers ask. Student Job Interview Tips Ready to ace the interview? Review these  job interview tips for high school and college students  and graduates to be sure you are thoroughly prepared for successful interviewing. The more you prepare and practice, the better your chances of getting a job offer.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn, R.I.P.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn, R.I.P. Alexander Solzhenitsyn, R.I.P. Today is the day of the Solzhenitsyn obituary (see here, here, and here.) In 1978, Solzhenitsyn gave the commencement address at Harvard. Some thought the speech was prophetic, others called it ayatollahlike. Either way, I think the section of his address concerning a society where the tissue of life is woven of legalistic relations is worth reading:Western society has given itself the organization best suited to its purposes, based, I would say, on the letter of the law. The limits of human rights and righteousness are determined by a system of laws; such limits are very broad. People in the West have acquired considerable skill in using, interpreting and manipulating law, even though laws tend to be too complicated for an average person to understand without the help of an expert. Any conflict is solved according to the letter of the law and this is considered to be the supreme solution. If one is right from a legal point of view, nothing more is required, nobody may mention that o ne could still not be entirely right, and urge self-restraint, a willingness to renounce such legal rights, sacrifice and selfless risk: it would sound simply absurd. One almost never sees voluntary self-restraint. Everybody operates at the extreme limit of those legal frames. An oil company is legally blameless when it purchases an invention of a new type of energy in order to prevent its use. A food product manufacturer is legally blameless when he poisons his produce to make it last longer: after all, people are free not to buy it. I have spent all my life under a communist regime and I will tell you that a society without any objective legal scale is a terrible one indeed. But a society with no other scale but the legal one is not quite worthy of man either. A society which is based on the letter of the law and never reaches any higher is taking very scarce advantage of the high level of human possibilities. The letter of the law is too cold and formal to have a beneficial influ ence on society. Whenever the tissue of life is woven of legalistic relations, there is an atmosphere of moral mediocrity, paralyzing man's noblest impulses. And it will be simply impossible to stand through the trials of this threatening century with only the support of a legalistic structure. - posted by brian

7 Questions for Barry Frangipane, Extreme Telecommuter and Author of The Venice Experiment

7 Questions for Barry Frangipane, Extreme Telecommuter and Author of The Venice Experiment 7 Questions for Barry Frangipane, Extreme Telecommuter and Author of The Venice Experiment Tired of the rat race, Barry Frangipane and his wife left the United States to experience life in Italy. While abroad, Barry was able to maintain his job with a U.S. based software company by telecommuting. As more employers are offering flexible work arrangements as benefits, it’s no surprise Barry had the option to “work from home,” but from a foreign country? In his book, The Venice Experiment, Barry discusses what he learned when he and his wife left everything behind to work and live abroad.’ CEO Sara Sutton had a chance to talk with Barry about his advice for making telecommuting (from home or anywhere!) a success, convincing the boss to say yes, finding balance, and more. Questions for Barry Frangipane: What tools allowed you to not only “work from home” but also from out of the country without missing any major events… other than the holiday party of course? It’s a pretty short list, actually. A good phone/cell phone. Fast, reliable Internet.  A scanner, VOIP, a way to receive faxes. And a quiet place to work, ideally an “office.” What lessons did you learn through trial and error while trying to work a U.S. based job out of Italy? The big-picture problems the we thought we’d have â€" adjusting to the culture and a different lifestyle, missing friends â€"  weren’t problems at all. And in fact, when we came back to the U.S., those same questions came up. So many of the lessons we learned were logistical: Keep the 8am-5pm EST schedule. Before I left, I chose not to communicate the move to clients since my hours and phone number were going to be the same, but the few who found out somewhat accidentally weren’t sure what to do with the time difference, and didn’t know when to call, so they didn’t call. When I reached out to them, they seemed a bit confused by the situation. Have a plan for mail forwarding. For us, it was to have mail sent to my parents in the States, who forwarded non-junk mail once each week, and would fax something if it was really critical. Figure out finances and cash. Direct deposit is a necessity, and other banking arrangements can be more of a challenge, so be sure to think them through. How were you able to convince your boss to let you work outside of the country? It wasn’t difficult, but it was methodical. I started working from home one day a week, then two, then five. It didn’t take too long, about a progression of about 10 weeks. A few things happened: 1) They got used to me working from home, and 2) We got the system down (scanner, fast Internet, VOIP).  Then I started attended weekly meetings from home via Skype.  After that was working smoothly and I’d proved that the concept of telecommuting worked, I talked to my boss about moving. I focused on productivity and promised that I’d be back in one year. In your book, The Venice Experiment, you detail your experiences and the obstacles you came across when working “from home” outside of the country. You also mention that you didn’t need a vacation because you were living in a favorite destination spot! How did you balance work and getting to enjoy Venice? We vacationed every weekend, and I worked 2pm â€" 11pm EST during the week, so I had half a day, every day, to explore Venice the museums, markets, etc.  Really, I led two lives! I was Venetian until noon in local cafes, discussing local issues, watching boat parades, and hanging out with with locals. I’d recommend taking a language course to learn the language. If you’re a couple, then you should both take it, even if only one is working. If you don’t, one person will be isolated.  Buy-in from both partners is crucial. Knowing the language opened so many doors for us, to experience things other than what the tourists experience. What advice can you offer to get over the hump and take the leap? SET THE DATE. You can talk about, “Oh, when this happens I’ll go,” or “I want to learn the language first” but you’ll never go. SET THE DATE, and magically things will start happening. Work your way backwards, each step is a small step, although the idea can be overwhelming. Would you do this experiment in extreme telecommuting again? Yes, and we’re talking about going to Paris this time. Do you have any regrets? Maybe coming back! A big thanks to Barry for sharing his amazing story with us. Readers, if you could telecommute from anywhere in the world, where would it be?