Effective Ways to Become Financially Independent

There are many benefits to becoming financially independent. When you have control over your finances, you can do things like retire sooner, travel more, and spend time with family and friends. There are many different ways to become financially independent, but not all are effective. This blog post will discuss the most effective ways to gain control over your financial future.

Invest in Yourself

One of the best ways to become financially independent is to invest in yourself. This can be done by taking courses on financial literacy, learning new skills related to money management, or starting your own business.

When you invest in yourself, you increase your earning potential and set yourself up for success. Self-investment allows individuals to grow their skill set, knowledge and earning potential.

It is a means to an end; there are no guarantees in life, but when you invest in yourself, the chances of achieving your goals increase dramatically. It allows one to stand out from the competition and work more intelligently as they control their time.

Manage Your Credit

This means knowing your credit score and working to improve it. A good credit score can help you get lower interest rates on loans and save money in the long run. You can start using a credit builder card for everyday purchases. Doing so means the money spent on groceries, gas, and other essentials get counted towards your positive credit history. Follow up by getting a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus every year.

Live Below Your Means

Living below one’s means can be problematic in the short term, but it is a great way to achieve long-term financial stability. It requires self-control and discipline, but the rewards are worth it.

Not only will you be able to save more money each month, but you will also reduce your stress levels and have more peace of mind.

Make a Budget and Stick to it

Making and following a budget is one of the most effective ways to take control of your finances. It requires discipline and self-control, but it is worth it in the long run. A budget will help you track your spending, save money, and reduce your financial stress.

Automate Your Finances

Automating your finances is a great way to stay on top of your payments and avoid overspending. It is also a great way to reduce stress, as you never have to worry about forgetting to make a payment or accidentally going over budget.

Invest in a 401k or IRA

When you invest in a retirement account, you are setting yourself up for success in the future. This money will grow over time and can cover expenses in retirement.

Investing in a retirement account is one of the most innovative things you can do for your future. The money you contribute will grow over time and cover expenses in retirement. With just a few hundred dollars per month, you can start small and increase your contributions as your income grows.

Make a List of Financial Goals

When you have specific goals, you are more likely to achieve them. This list can include things like saving for a down payment on a house or buying a new car.

Making a list of financial goals is one of the best ways to achieve them. When you have specific goals, you are more likely to stay on track and achieve them. Your list can include short-term goals, like saving for a down payment on a house, or long-term goals, like retirement.

Cut Back on Expenses

This means that you should find ways to reduce the amount of money you spend each month on things like food, transportation, and entertainment. Cutting back on expenses can be difficult, but it is worth it in the long run.

When you reduce the amount of money you spend each month, you will have more money to save and invest. You can also use this extra money to pay down debt or cover unexpected expenses. The best way to cut back on expenses is to find ways to reduce your transportation costs, food costs, and entertainment costs.

Track Your Net Worth

Tracking your net worth is a great way to stay on top of your finances. When you know your net worth, you can see exactly where you stand financially and make changes as needed. Depending on your preference, you can track your net worth monthly or yearly.

Have an Emergency Fund

An emergency fund is a crucial part of financial independence. You don’t have to worry about covering unexpected expenses with an emergency fund. With just a few hundred dollars, you can start small and increase your savings as your income grows.

Becoming financially independent is a difficult task, but it is possible. If you are willing to change your spending and saving habits, you can achieve financial independence. These ten effective ways will help you get there.

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Why You Should Consider Blogging to Improve Your Writing Career

Whether you are an aspiring novelist, or an academic writer, you might be feeling the pangs of the ever-changing publishing industry these days.  While some transitions have made publishing academic journals easier, still other changes in the publishing biz have made it extremely challenging to get your work published.  If you can relate, then you’ve probably had your fair share of rejection notices.  As a result, you might be looking for different ways to improve your writing career.  Enter the helpful art of blogging.

How Can Blogging Help Your Writing Career?

Blogging is an often overlooked resource because most writers are more focused on getting published.  To explain, many writers assume that blogs are for promoting works that have already been published, not a tool to help them improve their writing career. 

In truth, blogging can be a multi-faceted strategy to help you write, publish or even land a writing job.  What’s more, starting a blog these days is incredibly easy to do and requires very little startup investment.  All you need is a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress and fast WordPress hosting service to get you rolling in the right direction.  

That said, here are a few ways blogging can not only help you get published but might actually help you find a stable, writing job you might be dreaming about.

Use Your Blog as a Portfolio

Publishers and employers alike are more apt to take your writing skills more seriously if you have a portfolio.  In the old days, a writer almost had to be a veteran in order to get a second publication.  However, with the help of a blog and the internet, you can self-publish and showcase your own work. 

When you are beseeching publishers or academic institutions to consider your work, include your blog URL address with your submission.  This gives the “powers that be” a better understanding of your scope, style and capabilities, which can work towards your favor in getting published.

Include Your Credentials

While we’re talking about using your writing blog as a portfolio, don’t forget to upload your resume and credentials on your blog too.  If you have a professional social media network such as LinkedIn, include a link to that as well.  Including your accomplishments and past experience on your blog can go a long way towards landing a book deal or getting your academic paper published.

Use Your Blog to Land Freelance Gigs

Once you have a healthy amount of high-quality, well-written blog posts on your site, you can start marketing yourself as a freelance writer.  There are many syndicates that are eager to hire ghostwriters, content writers, or advertising writers. 

With the internet being the behemoth that it is, more indie publication sites online are looking for contributing writers to substantiate online authority as well as increase awareness to their websites.  When you put a “hire me” CTA (call to action) button on your blog, you are essentially putting your shingle out and encouraging these publications to hire you for their writing needs.

Convert Your Blog Into an EBook

After writing on your blog for a while, you may find that all your accumulated posts can make a cohesive and even profitable book.  In this case, you can convert your blog into an ebook.  This is self-publishing at its finest. 

Very often, blogging promotes writing in chunks which is far easier than sitting at the keyboard trying to hammer out an entire novel or a 300-page piece for an academic journal. You may even find that you appreciate the sporadic approach to writing on a blog because it’s less rigid and not as stress-inducing.  Before you know it, you might find yourself with several hundred blog posts that could culminate into a sensational best-seller.

Promote Your Blog for a Book Deal (Or More)

If you promote your blog on social networks, you may get the attention of publishers such as Random House, which could result in turning your blog into a book deal.  Sound far-fetched? Not really.  Consider the unlikely, but hugely successful, I Can Haz Cheezburger, which started as a blog and became so wildly popular that the blog was picked up by Avery publishers and made into a book in 2008. 

You never know, your blog could even become a movie. Look at the film Julie & Julia which started out as a blog about a Julia Childs fan who set out to post one of Childs’ recipes every day for a year.  The blog became so popular, it landed a book deal and eventually was made into a movie starring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep in 2009.

As you can see, there are many opportunities that blogging can offer when it comes to improving your writing career.  Just remember to stick with it and keep adding high-quality, well-written posts. With dedication and commitment, you could have a better chance at getting published, landing a writing job, or maybe even a movie deal.

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Five Types of Online Writing in Technology

Writers have historically been solely creative people. Beyond the few marketing writers and ad copy producers, most writers were novelists, poets, and journalists. Now, with technology becoming such a central part of our lives, writers are being hired for technical work. Whether it’s copywriting, coding, blogging, or press releases, there are all kinds of writing techniques that are used in technology. Below are five types of online writing skills utilized for technical aspects of our economy.

Copywriting

Copywriting refers to the production of copy for a variety of purposes. It is most often used in drafting website content. Every website requires engaging and informative writing about the company, product, art, or brand. However, copywriting is a broad field that encompasses a lot of different things. While a copywriter may simply write web pages and other words for promotional content, they can also use search engine optimization (SEO). SEO uses keywords, hyperlinks, and metadata to land a web page high up on Google or Bing, but copywriters aren’t the only ones using the method.

Blogging

Blogging is also another form of online writing that utilizes SEO. In fact, maintaining a blog can be the difference between landing high on search engines and falling to the back of the search. Blogs don’t just provide the consistent publishing of SEO content; they can also provide the avenue for informing and engaging with customers. You can write about the uses of your product, topics that pertain to your brand, information on new services or sales, and much more. The sky’s the limit with blogging. Not only can it be informative, but it can also land you on search engines and provide a method to link to your products and other web pages. If you have been making fun of blogging in the past, it might be time to change the way you are thinking about it.

Technical Writing

Technical writing might seem vague, but it is a field all its own. You need someone to write the words for employee handbooks, software manuals, medical copy, scientific journals, and other forms of technical spaces that need to be written about. Technical writing software provides a way to get the most out of your content. Drag and drop content into different places and convert them into different files. Interact with a database of talented technical writers. Find new solutions to problems. Whatever field you are in, if you are working with technology, you will probably need a technical writer at some point.

Email Newsletters

Another form of writing online that is quite effective comes in the form of emails. Companies of all kinds are utilizing email newsletters to speak directly to their customers. You don’t get to just talk to the people who want to hear what you are saying, it’s a great way to promote new products, announce new services, and provide information on sales. Email marketing, as it has become known, is one of the best ways to create an audience. Whether you are in the world of science or social media, email newsletters provide a fantastic opportunity to get the word out.

Press Releases

Press releases are nothing new, but they are being used in fresh and exciting ways. Now, you can send a press release directly to an email address. Whatever field the organization is in, a press release can announce changes to the structure, a pivot in business model, a new name, services, a product, or just that you plan on going in a different direction. Press releases must be written and the person who is writing them should understand who they are writing for. Press releases have become another type of online writing.

It doesn’t matter what your perspective is, online writing is dynamic and continues to change. It is important to understand the various forms of online and technical writing that exist. These are just a few. As technology becomes more and more prevalent, it is viable as a form of living. Where writers would either struggle to survive on their art or become huge stars, now writers can support themselves doing a form of technical online writing that never existed before. It will continue to evolve, but right now it is in a special place. 

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Guarding Your Mental Health During College

Taking care of our mental health is a priority for everyone these days. Collectively we have been through a lot, and it’s hard to keep a positive attitude all the time. While feeling defeated on some days is normal, when we start to experience frequent anxiety or symptoms of depression, it’s critical that we take steps to minimize them. Throw into the mix of everything else going on a heavy class load, extracurriculars, and studying for important exams – college life can be challenging to balance responsibilities and mental health challenges. Let us take a look at some ways to guard our mental health as students and roll with the punches of student life and life in general. 

Stay Social 

Making friends in college is an essential part of the entire collegiate experience. If you struggle to meet new people, it’s worth considering joining a sorority or fraternity to have a sense of community and make like-minded friends. You can also consider joining clubs or movements with people who share the same values and interests as you. In addition to the aforementioned, just getting out and about on campus is a great way to meet people. Even if you consider yourself shy, be open to people approaching you and starting a conversation. You may not hit it off with everyone you interact with, but the more people you meet, the more likely you’ll establish a social circle that keeps you engaged. Connection is critical to human happiness, so prioritize socialization. 

Maintain Your Physical Health 

A critical part of our emotional and mental well-being is keeping up with our physical well-being. With dynamic course loads and social life, it’s easy to get caught up eating many convenience foods and overly processed late-night meals. While you likely have little room to store fresh foods or cook at home (depending on your living situation), it’s still important to make healthy food choices as often as you can. If you know, you’ll still be eating out, opt for plant-based options when you can. 

Sleep is another massive factor when it comes to our physical well-being. Late nights and partying go hand in hand with many people’s college experiences. While having a good time and enjoying your friendships is necessary, try to make sure you’re limiting that to the weekends and getting adequate sleep during the school week. You want to aim for eight to nine hours of sleep a night. If you struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep, look into sleep aids like Chamomile organic tea or diffusing a Lavender essential oil. 

Of course, one of the most significant components of physical health is exercise. While you’re likely getting in a ton of steps walking around campus, you still should prioritize getting regular cardio exercise several times a week. Most campuses have gyms that are free for students to use – take advantage of them. You can also try gentler activities like yoga if that’s more your speed. Strength training is a critical component of your exercise routines, too, especially if you’re looking to lose weight. 

Seek Appropriate Help 

Sometimes, no matter our commitment to staying social, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep and exercise, we still may struggle with our mental health. In these situations, make sure that you reach out for the appropriate help. Virtually every campus in the country has a student health department, which should be your first stop. Connect with someone in the department and let them know you need help with some mental health issues you’re dealing with. This is not weak; it is wise. Seeking treatment when you know you can’t deal with your problems on your own is stronger than letting them get worse. 

Mental health is so personal, though, and you may not feel like you’re connecting with the therapist or psychiatrist you meet with. If you find that to be the case, or want a second opinion, check with your insurance company to find other providers in your network. Mental health matters, and taking care of yourself is an investment that will pay off in spades for your entire life. By living a balanced lifestyle, you can accomplish this, most likely on your own. And, it’s okay to need some help from time to time. Here’s to your health!

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You’ve Been Bitten by a Dog. Now What?

Most dogs are lovable, fluffy creatures you’ll find wandering through your neighborhood or in the local park. However, not all dogs are friendly, and some can even turn violent. Getting bitten by a dog is a traumatic and dangerous experience. When you have only viewed the animal as a pet, it can be confusing to determine a course of action after an attack.

Depending on the circumstances of the incident, what compensation you’re entitled to will vary. Keep reading for further insight into the legal process, advice on building your case, and preventative steps for future attacks.

Getting a Lawyer

If you have been attacked by a dog, you may be entitled to legal compensation. However, it’s essential to make sure the attorney you decide to press charges with has experience representing clients who suffered from an animal attack. Once you find a suitable lawyer to represent you, check to ensure your case is eligible for compensation.

When determining if you’re entitled to anything, consider if you’ve experienced these effects:

  • Severe injuries
  • Medical bills from the incident
  • Psychological damage
  • Unable to work

Essentially, if you’ve been impeded in any way by an attack, hiring representation is likely the best course of action to ensure you get proper retribution. A severe injury can dramatically impact your life, whether at work or psychologically.

Building Your Case

The first thing you should do immediately following an attack is to seek medical attention. Dogs carry different diseases such as rabies that could pose a risk to your health, even without a severe bite. Therefore, documentation about the physical impact can influence what reimbursement you receive.

Your case relies on evidence, so keeping track of contacts, records, and medical details will solidify your case. It’s essential to get the dog’s owner’s contact information and gather any relevant insurance information in the time following the incident. These steps aid in the processes leading up to a trial and provide your lawyer with essential details.

Anything that would contribute to your claim, even if small, can have a monumental impact. This includes pictures, videos, location details, and witnesses. Most importantly, follow your lawyer’s advice and keep information about the trial private.

Preventing Future Attacks

After an attack, you may feel wary of dogs or even be completely traumatized by the experience. And while you shouldn’t blame yourself for the attack, keeping prevention tips in mind for the future may help you feel more comfortable around dogs in the future as you now know what to look for.

Most commonly, children are the victims of these animal outbursts. Informing children of safe practices such as making sure the dog is friendly before approaching will decrease the risk of them being involved in a dangerous environment.

In addition to informing family members of safe practices, it’s a good rule of thumb to avoid situations that seem risky. For instance, if a dog is without its owner, it is recommended that you take extra precautions and keep your distance until there are no signs of aggression. Look out for any growling or barking as signs of stress.

Life After a Dog Attack

Dogs are man’s best friend most of the time, but there may be times when stressful environments cause them to lash out and accidentally or purposely injure humans. Getting legal guidance and medical attention will help ensure proper rehabilitation in these situations.

When you receive compensation, you can put that money toward covering your medical bills or even giving yourself time to take off work and recover from your physical wounds and trauma. With proper guidance and support, you can quickly get back to your life after an attack.

 

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How to Improve Cognitive Learning

Learning new things and demonstrating your abilities is what makes you stand out among others. However, when it comes to understanding more complex information, it’s not always easy. Even if you know the basics, more advanced topics can lead to a lot of stress and worry. When you struggle, it may feel like you’re not even cut out to do what you’re trying to achieve. If that feeling is all too familiar, there are things you can do to sharpen your cognitive skills. Below are the most important cognitive skills you need to enhance learning and help you reach your goals, and one tried and true strategy to help cover all your bases.

Attention Span

Where you direct your attention is sometimes more important than how long you can maintain it. There are two distinct attention types: focused and selective. Focused attention, both visual auditory, is how you learn new skills, complete difficult tasks and retain information. Selective attention is different. Even though you’re present, you’re not really paying close attention to what you’re doing. 

Now, you don’t want to confuse this with not caring. It’s not uncommon to shift into selective attention mode when tasks seem too difficult or when the way in which you are attempting to focus on something is particularly distracting. In today’s virtual world, it is not uncommon for people’s attention spans to be out of whack. In spite of all the virtual learning tips that have come to light, developing the ability to focus on the task at hand when you have so many distractions at your fingertips takes time and practice. 

Never Stop Learning

Adopting the strategy of making learning ongoing instead of incremental can no doubt improve cognitive learning. Even if you have taken your education to the highest possible level, when you dedicate yourself to being a lifetime student, you are feeding your brain non-stop. This strategy is effective, but it is also a commitment of your time, patience, and finances. A strong personal discipline can help you with the first two, and scholarships can help you with the latter. 

You can utilize a free scholarship search and application platform with personalized matching and thousands of scholarships and grants where you can build your profile, get matched to eligible scholarships, and apply for these opportunities. This is great for lifetime students because of the sheer volume of opportunities as well as varied types of scholarships and grants available. Using a platform that does the matching for you also frees you up to hone your cognitive skills while you wait to see how your qualifications align with the terms of each opportunity. 

Visual Processing

Visual processing is one skill you need to improve, as it is a great method for improving memory, especially if you’re having trouble understanding visual data. Even people who work in a tech-heavy field can struggle to truly understand visual information. They might feel overwhelmed and everything they look at starts to blur together. The thing is, the faster you can process information, the easier it’ll be to understand and retain in memory.

Long-Term Memory Function

You might think information you learned in the distant past isn’t important. Unfortunately, that’s incorrect. Information you learned years ago but can recall like it was yesterday demonstrates how long you can retain new information. If you have trouble remembering things that happened in the past, you can try using flash cards to build muscle memory. Any activity that involves repetition can boost your long-term memory function and cognitive ability.

Types of Intelligence

In terms of intelligence, you need to gauge your levels of fluid and crystallized intelligence. Fluid intelligence sounds like a fancy term, however, it’s just your reasoning ability and how you use it to solve problems. Crystallized intelligence works differently. It takes information you learned in the past and applies it to the present. It’s based more on concrete facts as opposed to learning in real-time. To improve both types, you need to increase the quantity of true learning and do activities that enhance retention.

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What is a health information exchange model?

Health information exchange  (HIEs) are organizations and systems that promote the safe and timely transmission of protected health information (PHI) between healthcare practitioners and other entities involved in a patient’s care. A technology-based exchange is a multi-stakeholder collaboration in which enterprises that would normally compete cooperate on use cases that benefit participating organizations and result in improved results. 

What is a health information exchange model? 

Rather of providing medical care, HIEs and other “objective data trustees” assist their clients through the use of cutting-edge technology. 

In the United States, for example, there are regional, state, national, and vendor-to-vendor health information exchanges. There are regional, state, national, and vendor-to-vendor HIE bodies in the United States. If you are interested in the structure of it, you can contact https://mycustomessay.com/research-paper-topics.html to order the research paper on the topic.Regardless of their distinctions, they all serve the same objective as “unbiased data trustees,” or groups that don’t provide care but instead use cutting-edge technology to meet a community’s needs.

Three key forms of health information exchange   

Here are the three core types of HIE modalities: 

  • Directed Exchange (Push). 
  • Query-Based (Pull). 
  • Consumer Mediated. 

Directed Exchange 

An alarm or clinical data can now be sent to a doctor via push exchange. In your writing and reporting, you can utilize encounter notifications, lab results, and data submission to public health registries as examples. Push, like e-mail, enables two service providers to communicate in a controlled and secure manner. Referrals, care coordination, and care transitions are all made easier with push exchange. 

In value-based payment schemes, push-based exchange, especially encounter notification, is crucial.  As a result, under new models, ‘patient panel knowledge’ is becoming increasingly vital to financial success. Infrastructure for informing patients, families, and caregivers might also help them participate more fully.  As part of the Meaningful Use incentive scheme, secure communications were required. Hospitals and doctors’ offices that participate in incentive schemes already have it embedded into their EHRs. 

Direct Secure Messaging may be used less frequently in LTC EHRs than in EHRs. Direct Messaging is primarily used to allow healthcare providers to communicate encrypted, secure email communications containing protected health information (PHI). Through web-based Direct messaging, LTPAC and home care agencies may communicate hospital discharge information. DirectTrust eliminates the need for different secure email providers to communicate through separate portals or domain-specific solutions.   

Query-based exchange 

Providers look for and “pull” patient data from one another in a query-based exchange, a form of data exchange. In some circumstances, a doctor will rely on the records of past patients to fill in any information gaps that may exist concerning a particular patient. 

One of the early applications of the Health Information Interchange was a query-based exchange of information (HIE). The use of web-based portals will allow doctors to enter demographic information and see a patient’s integrated health record. One way to use technology to get health information into an EHR is through the use of one login. Another way is through the use of an API-based exchange and a new standard known as the Fast Health Information Resource (FHIR). 

If you wish to make advantage of an HIE query resource, you’ll need an HIO who is capable of providing the appropriate information to the appropriate person at the appropriate time using the appropriate tools. 

The use of SSO and patient context passing are essential if a web portal isn’t sufficiently secure. How near does the query approach have to be to an EMR or health information system in order for it to be effective? 

What information is relevant prior to a scheduled contact, at the patient’s initial interview, or at a later stage in the care process? 

In order to be effective, critical information must be delivered at the proper moment and in a format that is suitable for the recipient. 

Consumer mediated exchange 

By utilizing Consumer Mediated Exchange, patients may control their health information on the internet. 

Traditional consumer-mediated health information sharing has proven to be time-consuming and difficult to implement. The vast majority of health information exchanges (HIEs) communicate with patients only through permission-based protocols, which allow patients to consent to whatever electronic interactions they choose. Recently developed technological advancements, on the other hand, have given patients greater control over their data.   

Consumer-mediated sharing initiatives include the “Blue Button” project, which allows Medicare patients to easily access their information through any electronic mode of communication they choose7, as well as Apple’s recent integration of the Health app with several major hospital and outpatient laboratory EHR systems. 

This is a list of the three most important kinds of commerce in contemporary manufacturing. Various degrees of meetings, both geographically and commercially, are held at these gatherings. 

Three stages of health information exchange implementation 

It is impossible to stress the inescapable requirement for HIE across institutional borders. Patient data sharing is eagerly embraced by healthcare professionals from all sectors in order to improve local and national patient care. 

The necessity for secure patient data interchange does not imply that implementation will be simple. Financial restrictions, regional limits, competitiveness, priorities, security, and policy are frequently encountered roadblocks.  HIEs are essential for community integration and the preservation of patient privacy. HIE connection is gaining popularity across the country, despite the fact that interoperability remains an issue.  Between 2018 and 2019, the number of hospitals using a nationwide network to access patient data increased by around 40%.  Hospitals frequently use state, regional, or municipal HIEs to access patient data. In 2019, this percentage climbed from 46% in 2018 to 53% in 2019. 

Providers can save money by using accurate patient data and exchanging information. 

A comprehensive health information technology system connects providers and hospitals. Some statewide and nonprofit health information exchange networks, on the other hand, are more advanced and complex.  Several HIEs are looking into measures to boost interoperability. Health IT developers from Montana to California to Texas are pursuing these goals by building or implementing statewide health information exchanges and expanding the digital footprint at the state, regional, and national levels. 

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Making STEM Programs Accessible To All Students

It is ten years into the future and a quick scan of the job listings from the online search on your screen reveals Smart Home Designer, Workplace Environment Architect, Data Collector, and Cyber Calamity Forecaster.  Jobs that once seemed specialized like weather analyst and marine biologist have stepped into the forefront as need drives the job market. Of course health care will always be important, but much of preventative health and even surgeries will be taken over by artificial intelligence. 

New technologies abound and continue to advance every year. As technologies evolve so too do jobs and the skills needed to do them.  Jobs of the future will be focused on technologies, the living planet, and global sharing and communication all of which require the workers of tomorrow to be well trained in technology, math, science, and teamworking skills that include collaboration and problem solving.  

Today, we have seen the future suddenly thrust upon us, necessitating our having to take a hard turn from what we’ve always known, to figuring out how to work and learn in a virtual world.  Unfortunately, many of us discovered we were not prepared for such a drastic change.

For years futurists proclaimed the need to refocus educational priorities from a humanities driven curriculum to a math and science concentration in order to better prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.   School districts around the world answered this call by designing STEM curriculums to emphasize science, technology, engineering, and math.  What recent events unfortunately revealed, is that this type of curriculum has not been equally accessible to all.  Many underserved populations throughout the world do not have access to basic technology and are certainly not being trained for a future that depends on such knowledge. STEM is the way to the future.  Ensuring students around the world receive a sound education that prepares them for what’s ahead, requires due diligence on the part of academic decision makers.

Lack of Standard

There are no standards for STEM programs and much of this has to do with budgets.  In some school districts the emphasis on STEM curriculum is at the secondary levels. These programs, as strong as they may be, ensure exclusivity for the few who have already shown aptitude for STEM subjects and have access to superior technology, leaving out students from underperforming schools with poorly trained teachers, overcrowded classes, and minimum resources.  

Instruction For All

A successful STEM Curriculum must be available for all participants. This begins with teacher training programs.  The most gifted teachers will tell you they have always felt a calling to teach. However, most teachers end up in education programs in college because they don’t know what else to do.  Historically, many teaching programs focused heavily on theory and less on practicality, assuming the student teaching portion would take care of the How.  Today, it is imperative that teaching programs become more rigorous and require math, science, and technology courses for their degrees.  State licensure must also show proof of expertise in these fields and require continued proof of growth in STEM knowledge before license renewal.  Ensuring teachers know their subject matter well is paramount to student success. 

STEM programs need to start early and that means in kindergarten. Young students love math, science, and technology as these disciplines encourage their innate curiosity. It’s when they are deprived of problem solving opportunities that they find difficulty in dealing with these subjects later. 

Everyone is capable of succeeding in the STEM subjects. Unfortunately, gender biases are still prevalent and greatly influence our thinking.  Girls at a young age love math and science and do well in their primary years.  Numerous studies from around the world have shown unconscious biases tend to discourage girls from believing they can succeed in STEM subjects as they grow older.  However, this changes when girls are educated in same sex classrooms, allowing them to feel confident and excel when the biases are removed. 

One Size Instruction Doesn’t Work

Because of school overcrowding, many teachers teach by lecturing as it is the easiest way to reach a maximum group.  However, students learn by doing and lecture style instruction fails to capture the attention of most.  Sadly this is the case in so many public schools across the globe.  Virtual classrooms are an ideal way to allow school districts to think outside the box. Large classes can be divided into small teams with some students online and others in attendance. Physical classroom space can be used for labs, projects, and team problem solving guided by the teacher, while virtual space can be used for research and preparation.  Teams would switch spaces to complete all activities.  Low socioeconomic students with no access to technology at home can be provided with laptops or tablets and sent to underutilized spaces within the school like the cafeteria or library, or outside weather permitting. Arrangements could also be made with public libraries for these students.  Time should be made for students who are lagging behind with tutoring sessions.  These can be with the teacher, a peer, or using virtual platforms such as Khan Academy, this Math 2212 course from ProPrep, Learn to Be, and Skooli. 

Not only do teachers need to think outside the box to afford everyone the opportunity to learn by doing, but school districts around the world need to do the same. Budgets must be prioritized towards quality STEM instruction, starting with teacher training.  Real and virtual class time must take priority in schools that are overcrowded.  The use of space must be reconsidered with traditional classrooms divided into several work areas for experiential learning.  The socio-economic background of students must be considered, and every measure taken to equal the disparity of access to technology.  Gender bias should be taken into consideration with professional development for teachers and optional same sex classes.  STEM curriculum needs to begin when children first enter school and not considered as a special program to students who excel in these subjects.  All students want to embrace STEM to be successful.  It is up to us to ensure they have equal access to quality STEM instruction throughout their school career.

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How To Embrace A Sustainable Work Environment

In our current work environment, we’re working remotely, creating an eco-friendly workplace, and supporting sustainability. 

If you’ve been noticing that your work life has changed dramatically in the last few years, you are in good company. The radical changes have altered expectations, norms, and standards for many Americans. 

What can you do to enjoy the transformation? 

Here are 4 tips to help you support sustainability as you work.

Embrace Remote Work

Initially, when professionals started working from home, a lot of people were upset. We were used to face-to-face meetings, social interaction, and in-person camaraderie. The idea of working from a home office seemed unappealing to many people. 

However, flash forward to today. Now, we are happily working from home, enjoying the freedom and independence of setting our hours. If you’ve managed to escape this trend, consider the benefits of remote work.

Working from home can help you take control of your time and your life. You won’t have a long and tedious commute. You’ll be able to play with your children if you have kids. And you won’t be the absentee husband/wife/ partner that you might have been in days when you worked in an office. 

The decision to move to Scrum and Agile culture may sound very linear and clean, it’s important to note that a number of internal projects and teams focused around components of products and just started using Scrum.

Embrace Healthy Living

A sustainable work-life is healthy and balanced. If you’re working remotely or in a hybrid arrangement, focus on maintaining your mental and physical health. This means making it a priority. 

Healthy decisions include setting boundaries around work. You may have done this at the office, but now you need to maintain regular working hours from your home office, as well as set boundaries with your family, housemates, or friends. 

It’s easy to forget that healthy living starts with having a healthy and balanced attitude towards work. Our work-centered society can get the better of our time, energy, and attention. By making your health a priority, you’ll take care of your part to have a happy, healthy planet. Starting with your mind, heart, and body. 

Embrace Healthy Transportation

We do love our cars, don’t we? That’s why one of the smartest decisions to help the planet is to shift to electric transportation. If you’re thinking about which car to buy, there are many makes and models to choose from. 

However, one of the most popular is Tesla. The sleek design of this electric vehicle offers an unparalleled experience for the driver as well as for maintaining a green ethos. In addition to beauty and driving efficiency, you’ll find that it’s very convenient to locate a convenient Tesla charger.

This means you won’t have to stress over where to recharge your Tesla. You’ll find that like many electric cars, the option to do fast charging makes driving electric even more attractive. 

Embrace Alternative Transportation

Let’s not forget that the car is only one option for transportation. To support earth health, and your health, get out of your car regularly. When you do, turn to alternative transportation. 

Remember bike riding? It may have been a while, but many communities rely on bikes as the main mode of transportation. If you’ve been to Amsterdam, you know how joyful it is to see people of all ages traveling across town on bikes. Why not get this trend started in your area?

Remember walking? It could be that you live in an area with an exceptional walking score. If so, you most likely selected this neighborhood because of its walkability. Now that you’re living here, why not go for a stroll? Take a walk to the local corner store. Go watch the stars at a local park. Bake something to bring to a neighbor down the street. 

Remember car sharing? It could be that you did this when you were in high school or college. Why not initiate some carpooling for group events and outings? Perhaps there is a need for a carpool in your neighborhood. Talk with your friends and associates to explore options. 

As you evaluate ways to embrace sustainability, keep an open mind. You’ll start with simple shifts, share ideas, and grow your toolkit. In no time, people will ask you for input about how to start and keep an eco-friendly lifestyle.

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Courses To Consider Taking Before Starting A Business

There’s been an increase in the number of people interested in starting a business. Some people have always dreamed of being the boss, while the decline in job security encouraged others to jump on the bandwagon. Although there’s nothing wrong with setting out on your own, many people leap without having a complete understanding of what they’re getting into. Ultimately, their businesses barely turn a profit or fall by the wayside after only a few years. 

How can you prevent this from happening to you? By learning everything you can about owning a business. While you will still face challenges along the way, it’s easier to bounce back and press on to success when you’re well-educated. If you’re thinking about starting a business this year, find the appropriate learning platform, brush up on your Cornell Note taking skills, and consider taking professional development courses such as these listed below. 

Business Management

Managing a business is about more than just having a good idea, introducing it to the marketing, and waiting for sales. If you’re going to remain successful, you must learn how to be an effective leader, develop solid plans with actionable steps, resolve problems, work with different personalities, collaborate, and manage teams. 

While some of this comes with time, a business management course can give you the basics. You’ll learn things like business planning, decision-making, ethics, and laws, which will help you navigate any organization you intend to run. 

Finance And Accounting

Novice entrepreneurs make many mistakes when it comes to business finance and accounting. They merge personal and business finances, fail to develop budgets, waste money, mismanage their taxes, and so much more. The outcome could prove detrimental and take years to bounce back from. 

Even if you hire an accountant to take care of your finances, a good entrepreneur should know the basics. A general finance and accounting course would teach you how to create a budget, manage expenses, generate financial reports, comply with local and federal taxes, allocate payroll, make investments, and more. 

Marketing

No matter how great your business idea is, if no one knows it exists, you’ll have a hard time turning a profit. That’s where marketing comes into play. Many hopeful business owners don’t realize that it’s a multi-faceted, complicated, ongoing task. Sure, you could create a website, write a few blog posts, and share your business on social media, but if you’re not in tune with the latest trends or your target audience, it won’t get you very far. 

Ultimately, taking a marketing course can help you better understand what’s required, what’s trending, and how to apply these practices to your business. In a marketing class, you could learn how to use traditional and digital channels, and more importantly, how to define and reach your target audience. 

Productivity And Work-Life Balance

Last but certainly not least, anyone thinking about starting their own business should look into courses that teach about productivity and work-life balance. Although it may seem like life would be easier when you call the shots, set your schedule, and delegate tasks to others, it’s quite the opposite. 

Business owners devote long hours to their company, and their personal life often takes a hit. If you’re going to remain productive and maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle, you must learn to find balance. Whether it’s learning how to rely on others or managing your time more efficiently, these courses can help reduce the challenges entrepreneurs face in the first few years. 

Thanks to modern technology, starting a business is easier and more convenient than ever before. Whether you want to create an eCommerce site and sell merchandise, offer professional services to other companies (accounting, virtual assistance, etc.), or do something that helps improve the lives of everyday citizens, it’s possible. However, before you quit your job, start investing money, or prepare for launch, it’s a good idea to get educated. The types of courses listed above will give you the foundation you need to ensure your entrepreneurial journey is more manageable.

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