Monday, March 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Fried Chicken
My eyes want to see it.
My nose wants to smell it.
My mouth wants to taste it.
My hands want to touch it.
What should I do?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Entry Level is H-E Double Hockey Sticks!
One of my near and dear blog followers suggested that I give some advice to my entry-level audience.
The ideal situation for any college graduate is to have a job waiting for them or possibly the prospect of being sought after. Most of us are not fortunate to have a network of people who can hook us up with a job in the field and industry we want to be in. I have some first hand experience of the ultimate lows in trying to survive in the cold, cruel concrete jungle we call work since I didn’t have the opportunity to inherit a job from my parents and I didn’t have any friends or family who could get me a job in the field I was interested in. Oh, and I didn’t have any money so desperation and drive helped me keep my head above water and pay off some credit card debt along the way.
Here is some tough love advice from me to you…
For Starters
You need to build experience so it is important to stack up on internships while you are still in school (the best ones seem to be the unpaid ones) to really get experience in your industry or field. This step is important for many reasons, which includes, getting a realistic view of what the pros and cons are in that field or industry first hand. You should aim to do this so that you can gain your own perspective and not read it out of some career catalog or book. Also, if you do a good job, there may be job prospects for you as a result. You can also use your internships as an opportunity to build contacts in your professional network. If you want a career in a certain field bad enough, I guess you would be willing to look past or deal with the negative.
Don’t flip burgers!
Unless you are planning on franchising the Burger King down the block, don’t waste your time working in retail, restaurants, or fast food. You are worth more than that the minute you set foot in college (don’t let this go to your head though). If you really need money to sustain yourself financially, you should go for paid internships only even if the pay sucks. Trust me, this will pay off in the end.
-Interview tip: Don’t be afraid to ask if you will have an opportunity to be hired full time upon graduation.
No internships under your belt or job experience?
The biggest mistake I’ve noticed, is the perception of deserving more or being overqualified for your entry-level position. This is where you have to step off your high horse and look at the big picture. What can you really offer the company you are working for? You may be a smart person, but they need more than that. If you are reading this and realize that you are arrogant and elitist, you still have some alternative options. You can to start your own company, go back to school, or just deal with your current job get the tenure and skills that you need. No pain no gain. If you woke up this morning and realized your boss does not really care that you graduated from college, you’re probably right. Many companies list “college degree” as a requirement or preference for clerical and administrative masked as “entry-level” jobs because it’s the only way that they can legally discriminate against you in an effort to decrease the number of applicants. That is not an assumption.
The ideal situation for any college graduate is to have a job waiting for them or possibly the prospect of being sought after. Most of us are not fortunate to have a network of people who can hook us up with a job in the field and industry we want to be in. I have some first hand experience of the ultimate lows in trying to survive in the cold, cruel concrete jungle we call work since I didn’t have the opportunity to inherit a job from my parents and I didn’t have any friends or family who could get me a job in the field I was interested in. Oh, and I didn’t have any money so desperation and drive helped me keep my head above water and pay off some credit card debt along the way.
Here is some tough love advice from me to you…
For Starters
You need to build experience so it is important to stack up on internships while you are still in school (the best ones seem to be the unpaid ones) to really get experience in your industry or field. This step is important for many reasons, which includes, getting a realistic view of what the pros and cons are in that field or industry first hand. You should aim to do this so that you can gain your own perspective and not read it out of some career catalog or book. Also, if you do a good job, there may be job prospects for you as a result. You can also use your internships as an opportunity to build contacts in your professional network. If you want a career in a certain field bad enough, I guess you would be willing to look past or deal with the negative.
Don’t flip burgers!
Unless you are planning on franchising the Burger King down the block, don’t waste your time working in retail, restaurants, or fast food. You are worth more than that the minute you set foot in college (don’t let this go to your head though). If you really need money to sustain yourself financially, you should go for paid internships only even if the pay sucks. Trust me, this will pay off in the end.
-Interview tip: Don’t be afraid to ask if you will have an opportunity to be hired full time upon graduation.
No internships under your belt or job experience?
The biggest mistake I’ve noticed, is the perception of deserving more or being overqualified for your entry-level position. This is where you have to step off your high horse and look at the big picture. What can you really offer the company you are working for? You may be a smart person, but they need more than that. If you are reading this and realize that you are arrogant and elitist, you still have some alternative options. You can to start your own company, go back to school, or just deal with your current job get the tenure and skills that you need. No pain no gain. If you woke up this morning and realized your boss does not really care that you graduated from college, you’re probably right. Many companies list “college degree” as a requirement or preference for clerical and administrative masked as “entry-level” jobs because it’s the only way that they can legally discriminate against you in an effort to decrease the number of applicants. That is not an assumption.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Meet Dick
Dick Bolles that is. For those of you who are not familiar with Dick Bolles, he is the author of What Color Is Your Parachute? What Color Is Your Parachute? 2008: A Practical Manual for Job-hunters and Career-Changers I let someone borrow my copy of this book, which was an older version many years ago, and I seriously feel lost ever since. If you haven’t heard of this book you probably did not need it or something.
I think that everyone should have a copy. Keep in mind, this book is not one of those pseudo Tony Robbins books on the clearance shelf. Not that I think Tony Robbins is b.s. but I think some writers and motivational speakers try to be like him and they suck. Trust me, I have bought those books and I should have known better when they were on sale for $6.00 at the bookstore. Anyway, to give you an idea about what this book can do for you. You can use this book to prepare for an interview. This book is seriously like a career bible. It will give you the pointers and guidance so that you can take the right path on your interview, have the right attitude, exude confidence, and give the right answers so that you can land that job. Use the career finding tools. The most unique section in this book is where you can list interests, lifestyle preferences, skills, which will narrow down what career path may suit those requirements and/or needs that you have or think that you have. I consider this part career therapy. It’s like you might have all these thoughts in your mind but the method in which Dick Bolles designed the activity really organizes all your thoughts and ideas about how you visualize your future life and career. For example, someone may think they want to work for a non-profit but also have a 5 series BMW in the stars. Is that possible? Well I’m thinking it is not likely but depends on your education level and what YOU really want to do for a job. Use this book if you are thinking of changing careers. The sad part about career changers that I have met, including myself is that most of us spend our lives fooling ourselves into following a career path that we know is shit but to be practical, stable, recession proof (what ever that means) we stay. This really sucks but does not have to be the end. I know you’re miserable but before you quit your job read this section in the book.
I think that everyone should have a copy. Keep in mind, this book is not one of those pseudo Tony Robbins books on the clearance shelf. Not that I think Tony Robbins is b.s. but I think some writers and motivational speakers try to be like him and they suck. Trust me, I have bought those books and I should have known better when they were on sale for $6.00 at the bookstore. Anyway, to give you an idea about what this book can do for you. You can use this book to prepare for an interview. This book is seriously like a career bible. It will give you the pointers and guidance so that you can take the right path on your interview, have the right attitude, exude confidence, and give the right answers so that you can land that job. Use the career finding tools. The most unique section in this book is where you can list interests, lifestyle preferences, skills, which will narrow down what career path may suit those requirements and/or needs that you have or think that you have. I consider this part career therapy. It’s like you might have all these thoughts in your mind but the method in which Dick Bolles designed the activity really organizes all your thoughts and ideas about how you visualize your future life and career. For example, someone may think they want to work for a non-profit but also have a 5 series BMW in the stars. Is that possible? Well I’m thinking it is not likely but depends on your education level and what YOU really want to do for a job. Use this book if you are thinking of changing careers. The sad part about career changers that I have met, including myself is that most of us spend our lives fooling ourselves into following a career path that we know is shit but to be practical, stable, recession proof (what ever that means) we stay. This really sucks but does not have to be the end. I know you’re miserable but before you quit your job read this section in the book.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
THE ULTIMATE REFERENCE WEBSITE!!!!
You can go to this website to get latest news headlines, about what the top 100 U.S. newspapers are, or would like to know the number of war casualties in Afganistan and/or Iraq. The best part is that the designer of this webpage managed to fit all the links on the homepage. I think this is so cool that I recommend that you book mark it as a favorite for sure. I also don't think it would be a bad idea to set it up as your homepage.
http://www.refdesk.com/
http://www.refdesk.com/
Friday, March 20, 2009
For Analytics (Scientific Analysis) professionals
What is analytics? Analytics = Scientific Analysis.
Most of the research I do is general and not specific to certain markets or niche fields so I turned to my super nerd of analytics correspondent for his input.
With the economy being so volatile, especially for those in data-oriented fields (scientists, engineers, other geeks that do math or applied math) it is important to keep these things in mind (some may be obvious).
1) We all know you're a nerd and don't expect you to be friendly but DO build and maintain a strong network of contacts in your field.
Social network for Analytics professionals: AnalyticBridge.com
2) It is also crucial for you to keep up with the pace of changes and stay on the cutting edge of what's new.
Don't know how to? Well maybe the people you meet in your network can let you know. Work on your social skills, and yes this means you should brush your teeth and take a shower regularly, which means every day.
Don't have friends? Here are some links to do the research online for you homebodies out there:
Analytics:
http://www.analyticsmagazine.com/
Operations Research and Management Science Today:
http://www.lionhrtpub.com/ORMS.shtml
Information Management:
http://www.information-management.com/
Intelligent Enterprise:
http://www.intelligententerprise.com/
3) Don't have a job or need a new one? Try these links and hope for the best. I'll have my fingers crossed for you ;).
Job search engines for analytics professionals:
http://www.analyticrecruiting.com/list_category.asp
http://www.icrunchdata.com/
http://www.numericjobs.com/
More job search engines:
http://www.dice.com/
http://www.socaltech.com/company.php
http://www.simplyhired.com/
http://www.careerjet.com/
Most of the research I do is general and not specific to certain markets or niche fields so I turned to my super nerd of analytics correspondent for his input.
With the economy being so volatile, especially for those in data-oriented fields (scientists, engineers, other geeks that do math or applied math) it is important to keep these things in mind (some may be obvious).
1) We all know you're a nerd and don't expect you to be friendly but DO build and maintain a strong network of contacts in your field.
Social network for Analytics professionals: AnalyticBridge.com
2) It is also crucial for you to keep up with the pace of changes and stay on the cutting edge of what's new.
Don't know how to? Well maybe the people you meet in your network can let you know. Work on your social skills, and yes this means you should brush your teeth and take a shower regularly, which means every day.
Don't have friends? Here are some links to do the research online for you homebodies out there:
Analytics:
http://www.analyticsmagazine.com/
Operations Research and Management Science Today:
http://www.lionhrtpub.com/ORMS.shtml
Information Management:
http://www.information-management.com/
Intelligent Enterprise:
http://www.intelligententerprise.com/
3) Don't have a job or need a new one? Try these links and hope for the best. I'll have my fingers crossed for you ;).
Job search engines for analytics professionals:
http://www.analyticrecruiting.com/list_category.asp
http://www.icrunchdata.com/
http://www.numericjobs.com/
More job search engines:
http://www.dice.com/
http://www.socaltech.com/company.php
http://www.simplyhired.com/
http://www.careerjet.com/
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