Hello all,
I am writing to inform everyone that my blog will be moving. I will be taking my talents to South Beach (haha...sorry I couldn't resist). Actually, my posts will now be seen at http://www.cbt.edu/cbt-connect/cbt-blogs. I hope to see all of you, the wonderful people who read my ramblings, at the new site. Thanks so much for taking the time to read my posts, and I truly hope you'll make your way over to the CBT Blog.
Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
12 Principles to Help You Thrive in the Workplace Part 3
Hello friends!
So, as I said yesterday, I'm back with part 3 of the 12 Principles series. I know, 3 parts seems like a lot, but I feel this last one deserves an entry all on its own. This philosophy was assigned to my coworker Jorge. He really ran with it and did an excellent job. Most of the credit for this entry should go to him. Let's dive right into it...
12. Work with Love and Spirit...
In order to really understand what this principles means, let us first break it down. There are three words that truly give this philosophy its meaning; work, love, and spirit.
Work: There is a mathematical equation tied to this concept. Work is the amount of energy transferred by a force acting through a distance. In essence, work is energy. This means that we must put in real effort in order to consider each day a good day of work. When I think of energy, I think of excitement, enthusiasm, and zeal. Be enthusiastic about what you do. Make the most of every task and duty assigned to you. Put your heart into it, which leads me to...
Love: The Greeks broke love down into four different terms (the 4 loves). The first is Eros, which is a passionate and romantic love. This is shared between couples. The second love is Agape, which is called the "ideal love. This love is often a choice made out of principle. It is sacrificial, and unconditional; a love one is willing to die for. A successful marriage relationship consists of both Eros, and agape. The third love is Storge, which is natural affection. We see this with our parents. It cannot be explained, other than to say that our parents love us because we are a part of them. The final love is Philia, which is a virtuous, brotherly love. It is loyalty and affection for friends.
As we all know, to love is to place a great importance on an object or person. It connects you with that object of your affection deeper than anything else possibly could. When you love what you do, the passion and affection is obvious. As is the effort and energy you put into it.
Spirit: In Latin, the word means soul, courage, vigor or breath. When you put your soul into something, it becomes more than a task. It becomes embedded into who you are. It becomes part of your identity. To put your "breath" into something is to put your life into it. Our breaths keep us alive. Essentially, we are breathing life into our work.
If I may, let me give you some personal examples. I sing, create, and produce music. As you may know, this is no easy task. I would spend weeks locked into my little studio creating full songs from scratch. I was also in a rock band, and would spend weeks writing songs with my band. There is no greater example of working with love and spirit than a group of guys getting together through a shared love and passion for music, tirelessly expending energy and pouring their soul into chords, beats, lyrics, melodies, and harmonies. The end result may not appeal to everyone (different people have different musical preferences), but it made me happy because I knew my blood, sweat, tears, heart and soul had been poured into the music.
Another great example would be my wedding day. Over a year of insane planning, sleepless nights, budgeting, tasting, dieting, designing, shopping, premarital counseling, and countless other things...to put together one 5 hour event. No other day in my life has merited this principle more than June 7, 2010. That day redefined who I am as a person, in that it united me with another person until death parts us. My heart, soul, mind, and strength were poured into that year of preparation. I have never worked so hard in my life. Was it worth the effort? Absolutely!!
We must expend energy with great force and effort over distance in a passionate, ideal, and affectionate manner with all our breath, soul, and vigor! If you want to succeed at any task you are endeavoring to accomplish, you must work with love and spirit. True greatness in our work (whether in a piece of art, a business venture, a home cooked meal, or a late inning home run) comes only when we apply this ultimate principle into our work. If you can't see yourself doing this at your current place of employment, then maybe you should be thinking about getting into a new profession....
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
So, as I said yesterday, I'm back with part 3 of the 12 Principles series. I know, 3 parts seems like a lot, but I feel this last one deserves an entry all on its own. This philosophy was assigned to my coworker Jorge. He really ran with it and did an excellent job. Most of the credit for this entry should go to him. Let's dive right into it...
12. Work with Love and Spirit...
In order to really understand what this principles means, let us first break it down. There are three words that truly give this philosophy its meaning; work, love, and spirit.
Work: There is a mathematical equation tied to this concept. Work is the amount of energy transferred by a force acting through a distance. In essence, work is energy. This means that we must put in real effort in order to consider each day a good day of work. When I think of energy, I think of excitement, enthusiasm, and zeal. Be enthusiastic about what you do. Make the most of every task and duty assigned to you. Put your heart into it, which leads me to...
Love: The Greeks broke love down into four different terms (the 4 loves). The first is Eros, which is a passionate and romantic love. This is shared between couples. The second love is Agape, which is called the "ideal love. This love is often a choice made out of principle. It is sacrificial, and unconditional; a love one is willing to die for. A successful marriage relationship consists of both Eros, and agape. The third love is Storge, which is natural affection. We see this with our parents. It cannot be explained, other than to say that our parents love us because we are a part of them. The final love is Philia, which is a virtuous, brotherly love. It is loyalty and affection for friends.
As we all know, to love is to place a great importance on an object or person. It connects you with that object of your affection deeper than anything else possibly could. When you love what you do, the passion and affection is obvious. As is the effort and energy you put into it.
Spirit: In Latin, the word means soul, courage, vigor or breath. When you put your soul into something, it becomes more than a task. It becomes embedded into who you are. It becomes part of your identity. To put your "breath" into something is to put your life into it. Our breaths keep us alive. Essentially, we are breathing life into our work.
If I may, let me give you some personal examples. I sing, create, and produce music. As you may know, this is no easy task. I would spend weeks locked into my little studio creating full songs from scratch. I was also in a rock band, and would spend weeks writing songs with my band. There is no greater example of working with love and spirit than a group of guys getting together through a shared love and passion for music, tirelessly expending energy and pouring their soul into chords, beats, lyrics, melodies, and harmonies. The end result may not appeal to everyone (different people have different musical preferences), but it made me happy because I knew my blood, sweat, tears, heart and soul had been poured into the music.
Another great example would be my wedding day. Over a year of insane planning, sleepless nights, budgeting, tasting, dieting, designing, shopping, premarital counseling, and countless other things...to put together one 5 hour event. No other day in my life has merited this principle more than June 7, 2010. That day redefined who I am as a person, in that it united me with another person until death parts us. My heart, soul, mind, and strength were poured into that year of preparation. I have never worked so hard in my life. Was it worth the effort? Absolutely!!
We must expend energy with great force and effort over distance in a passionate, ideal, and affectionate manner with all our breath, soul, and vigor! If you want to succeed at any task you are endeavoring to accomplish, you must work with love and spirit. True greatness in our work (whether in a piece of art, a business venture, a home cooked meal, or a late inning home run) comes only when we apply this ultimate principle into our work. If you can't see yourself doing this at your current place of employment, then maybe you should be thinking about getting into a new profession....
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
12 Principles to Help You Thrive in the Workplace Part 2
www.cbt.edu
Hello all,
So the other day, I wrote a post called "12 Principles to Help You Thrive in the Workplace". It was inspired by the CBT West Kendall Pow Wow. This is part 2 of that post, listing the rest of the 12 principles. We knocked out 5, so 7 to go! Today, we will cover 6. Tomorrow, I'll be back to cover the final one. It deserves a post all by itself!
6. Be Customer/Client/People Driven
Whatever you do, wherever you work, you should always be people driven. Business succeed because of customers, students, and clients. Businesses thrive when they have the right people in place. As a company, you should be people driven. Your goal should be to not only satisfy the costumer/client, but also to keep your employees, partners, board members and all involved in your company happy and motivated. As employees, you need to do everything you can for your clients/customers. Keep them happy, and you will keep your boss happy. Be polite, attentive, and always ready to help. If a customer needs you, drop what you're doing to help them. If you are discussing an issue with your director, and a student walks in, that is the priority that must be dealt with. Your situation can wait, because the student comes first! It's the same in any business with any kind of client. After all, while your boss signs your checks, the client supplies them with the funds for that check!
7. Always Respect Each Other:
Respect is a difficult thing to come by. It is not easily earned, yet so easily lost. If you lose the respect of another, how hard is it to gain back? I think we all know the answer to that.
Why is respect important in our every day lives and in our workplace? Simply, because everyone is different. There are no two people that are exactly alike. I may believe something that my coworker doesn't. I may like to have my hair a certain way, while someone else may choose to dress differently than me. That is all perfectly acceptable. Each person is entitled to live their own lives. We should respect that and be understanding and tolerant. Remember, while we may not agree with the things people do, say, believe, or enjoy, it is their right to do them and should be respected(as long as what they do is legal and ethical). Of course, they need to respect you as well.
In the workplace, certain things are considered inappropriate and unfit for a work environment. We are all to honor those written and unwritten rules of etiquette and respect. We should refrain from actions, words, and appearances that are considered offensive and inappropriate. The goal is to create a work environment where everyone is comfortable. No company wants a bunch of uncomfortable, awkward, upset and offended employees walking around. That will lead to unproductive employees, and low morale. Respect your coworkers. Understand that just because they don't like the same music, food, movies, or sports teams as you, that doesn't make them weird. In fact, just respect everyone you encounter. If we don't respect others, how can we expect to be respected?
8.Be Loyal
What does it mean to be loyal? The best definition I found was "loyalty is faithfulness or a devotion to a person, country, group, or cause." A person can be loyal to their favorite sports team, family, school, and country. "Proud to be an American" is a form of loyalty. Serving your country is one of the greatest forms of loyalty a person can demonstrate. Dying for a cause, person, or country is the ultimate form of loyalty. Sometimes, that loyalty is tragically misplaced (such is the case with terrorist organizations, socialist governments, extremists in religions, etc).
Every person should have at least one thing they are loyal to. I, for example, am loyal to my God, wife, family, company, schools (both my high school and college), my country, and my sports teams (Dolphins all day baby). A loyal employee is a respected employee. It is very easy to sift the loyal ones from the disloyal ones. Your boss isn't blind. They can see when someone is upset, rebellious, or disloyal. If you have good reason to not be disloyal to your company, then you either need to address those with a superior, or find a company you can be loyal to.
How can you be loyal to your company? Follow the rules, work hard, represent your company properly and with pride, don't cause discord or discontent in your office. Be the polite, pleasant, diligent worker that all companies desire. Speak to your boss (or bosses) if you have any issues, don't gossip, and respect your coworkers.
9. Strive to exceed your goals
I wrote a post the other day about setting goals, and how vital is it to life. Goals give us purpose and drive. Goals create dedicated people. Goals give us something to reach for. As people, we should always look to improve ourselves. We shouldn't settle for second best. Strive for the best. Work to exceed your goals!
10. Keep a Positive Outlook
Perception is reality. Don't go looking for the negative in everything. Believe me, if you look for it, you will find it. Always examine situations, and see the good that comes from it. When my wife lost her job a few months ago, it was tough for her. She was the best worker that firm had. She poured her blood, sweat, and tears into that office, just to be let go on the whim of a completely unbalanced and heartless lawyer. I saw this as a blessing in disguise from the very beginning. We are perfectly fine with my income alone. Not having to work the 8:30-5:30 schedule allows her to finish up her degree faster than she would have as a full time employee. Now, she is focused 100% on school. She will actually be one of those rare people to graduate with her Bachelor of Arts in 4 years. Had I decided to look on the negative side of it, then things would have seemed bad for a while. No extra income? How are we going to afford to take extravagant vacations and buy bars of gold? The world is falling apart!! As ridiculous as that may sound, some people will reach that far just because they are never content with anything. They are not happy unless they are miserable. They are not satisfied with seeing the reality of situations, instead choosing to wallow and watch their world crumble over the smallest things. Don't let your circumstances shape you. Instead, when something doesn't go your way, re-approach the situation and make it work!
11. Be Accountable to Each Other
Accountability: a concept in ethics and governance with several meanings. It is often used synonymously with such concepts as responsibility, answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and other terms associated with the expectation of account giving.
Being accountable to each other is all about improving who we are as people by holding each other responsible for actions. In regards to a professional atmosphere, it’s all about improving the overall personal and organizational performance of one another by developing and promoting responsibility, honesty, hard work, and creating an environment of personal and professional growth. Accountability is essential for any society to function. We are all held accountable in one way or another. For example, there are laws to obey and if we fail to be obedient, we may have to suffer the consequences set by the officials who hold us accountable. Thus, accountability is simply being responsible for one's actions.
Accountability in the workplace is defined as doing the right thing consistently, day in and day out, in tasks and relationship interactions in order to fulfill or further the mission of the organization
Hello all,
So the other day, I wrote a post called "12 Principles to Help You Thrive in the Workplace". It was inspired by the CBT West Kendall Pow Wow. This is part 2 of that post, listing the rest of the 12 principles. We knocked out 5, so 7 to go! Today, we will cover 6. Tomorrow, I'll be back to cover the final one. It deserves a post all by itself!
6. Be Customer/Client/People Driven
Whatever you do, wherever you work, you should always be people driven. Business succeed because of customers, students, and clients. Businesses thrive when they have the right people in place. As a company, you should be people driven. Your goal should be to not only satisfy the costumer/client, but also to keep your employees, partners, board members and all involved in your company happy and motivated. As employees, you need to do everything you can for your clients/customers. Keep them happy, and you will keep your boss happy. Be polite, attentive, and always ready to help. If a customer needs you, drop what you're doing to help them. If you are discussing an issue with your director, and a student walks in, that is the priority that must be dealt with. Your situation can wait, because the student comes first! It's the same in any business with any kind of client. After all, while your boss signs your checks, the client supplies them with the funds for that check!
7. Always Respect Each Other:
Respect is a difficult thing to come by. It is not easily earned, yet so easily lost. If you lose the respect of another, how hard is it to gain back? I think we all know the answer to that.
Why is respect important in our every day lives and in our workplace? Simply, because everyone is different. There are no two people that are exactly alike. I may believe something that my coworker doesn't. I may like to have my hair a certain way, while someone else may choose to dress differently than me. That is all perfectly acceptable. Each person is entitled to live their own lives. We should respect that and be understanding and tolerant. Remember, while we may not agree with the things people do, say, believe, or enjoy, it is their right to do them and should be respected(as long as what they do is legal and ethical). Of course, they need to respect you as well.
In the workplace, certain things are considered inappropriate and unfit for a work environment. We are all to honor those written and unwritten rules of etiquette and respect. We should refrain from actions, words, and appearances that are considered offensive and inappropriate. The goal is to create a work environment where everyone is comfortable. No company wants a bunch of uncomfortable, awkward, upset and offended employees walking around. That will lead to unproductive employees, and low morale. Respect your coworkers. Understand that just because they don't like the same music, food, movies, or sports teams as you, that doesn't make them weird. In fact, just respect everyone you encounter. If we don't respect others, how can we expect to be respected?
8.Be Loyal
What does it mean to be loyal? The best definition I found was "loyalty is faithfulness or a devotion to a person, country, group, or cause." A person can be loyal to their favorite sports team, family, school, and country. "Proud to be an American" is a form of loyalty. Serving your country is one of the greatest forms of loyalty a person can demonstrate. Dying for a cause, person, or country is the ultimate form of loyalty. Sometimes, that loyalty is tragically misplaced (such is the case with terrorist organizations, socialist governments, extremists in religions, etc).
Every person should have at least one thing they are loyal to. I, for example, am loyal to my God, wife, family, company, schools (both my high school and college), my country, and my sports teams (Dolphins all day baby). A loyal employee is a respected employee. It is very easy to sift the loyal ones from the disloyal ones. Your boss isn't blind. They can see when someone is upset, rebellious, or disloyal. If you have good reason to not be disloyal to your company, then you either need to address those with a superior, or find a company you can be loyal to.
How can you be loyal to your company? Follow the rules, work hard, represent your company properly and with pride, don't cause discord or discontent in your office. Be the polite, pleasant, diligent worker that all companies desire. Speak to your boss (or bosses) if you have any issues, don't gossip, and respect your coworkers.
9. Strive to exceed your goals
I wrote a post the other day about setting goals, and how vital is it to life. Goals give us purpose and drive. Goals create dedicated people. Goals give us something to reach for. As people, we should always look to improve ourselves. We shouldn't settle for second best. Strive for the best. Work to exceed your goals!
10. Keep a Positive Outlook
Perception is reality. Don't go looking for the negative in everything. Believe me, if you look for it, you will find it. Always examine situations, and see the good that comes from it. When my wife lost her job a few months ago, it was tough for her. She was the best worker that firm had. She poured her blood, sweat, and tears into that office, just to be let go on the whim of a completely unbalanced and heartless lawyer. I saw this as a blessing in disguise from the very beginning. We are perfectly fine with my income alone. Not having to work the 8:30-5:30 schedule allows her to finish up her degree faster than she would have as a full time employee. Now, she is focused 100% on school. She will actually be one of those rare people to graduate with her Bachelor of Arts in 4 years. Had I decided to look on the negative side of it, then things would have seemed bad for a while. No extra income? How are we going to afford to take extravagant vacations and buy bars of gold? The world is falling apart!! As ridiculous as that may sound, some people will reach that far just because they are never content with anything. They are not happy unless they are miserable. They are not satisfied with seeing the reality of situations, instead choosing to wallow and watch their world crumble over the smallest things. Don't let your circumstances shape you. Instead, when something doesn't go your way, re-approach the situation and make it work!
11. Be Accountable to Each Other
Accountability: a concept in ethics and governance with several meanings. It is often used synonymously with such concepts as responsibility, answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and other terms associated with the expectation of account giving.
Being accountable to each other is all about improving who we are as people by holding each other responsible for actions. In regards to a professional atmosphere, it’s all about improving the overall personal and organizational performance of one another by developing and promoting responsibility, honesty, hard work, and creating an environment of personal and professional growth. Accountability is essential for any society to function. We are all held accountable in one way or another. For example, there are laws to obey and if we fail to be obedient, we may have to suffer the consequences set by the officials who hold us accountable. Thus, accountability is simply being responsible for one's actions.
Accountability in the workplace is defined as doing the right thing consistently, day in and day out, in tasks and relationship interactions in order to fulfill or further the mission of the organization
Monday, September 27, 2010
12 Principles to Help You Thrive in the Workplace Part 1
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
It's a grind most days, isn't it? For most people, Monday through Friday harbors the dreaded work, eat, sleep routine. Just about everyone I know is "working for the weekend". No one wants to be sitting in the office, living the Dwight Schrute life, but that's exactly where most American professionals find themselves. As I said, it's a grind. Sadly, most of us make our work experience even worse than it should be by the attitude we adopt. This attitude doesn't start when we arrive at work. It doesn't even begin when we wake up in the morning. For most, the negativity and dread begins while laying in bed thinking, "aggghhhh, I don't want to go to work tomorrow!!" It all starts with the mind. Perception is reality. If I get it in my mind that I cannot comprehend this little math problem I'm working on, my mind will just shut down and make it a reality. We underestimate just how powerful our mind is.
How can we as professionals in the modern business setting find enjoyment, and thrive in our workplace? How can we achieve personal and professional growth, while demonstrating excellence and commitment? Recently, we had a "Pow Wow" here at CBT West Kendall, and came up with twelve principles, that if followed, would lead to success in the workplace. At first, I thought this activity was pointless, and a huge waste of time. I felt like I was living an episode of The Office, and Michael Scott had called us all into the conference room for an absolutely ridiculous time waster. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that it turned out to be productive, , and created an identity for us as individuals and as a team. We saw coworkers in a different light, a light that for some, had been left in the dark until then. It actually helped us gel.
I decided that I would share five of the principles we outlined. Why five? Because twelve would take me too long, and I have other things to do today. I really believe these "philosophies" can make a difference in your daily life, and help you thrive at your workplace.....
1. Attitude is a Choice:
As was stated earlier, it's all about your attitude. Wake up thinking positively! Tell yourself it will be a good day. Get in a good morning workout, take a shower, and actually have a real breakfast (coffee doesn't count). It will truly go a long way to shaping your day. The flip side is you getting up with a bad attitude, driving angrily and hastily because you are running late, and maintaining those bad vibes all day. Any little hiccup in your workday will just push you off the cliff. Not only will you be highly unproductive, but chances are your bad attitude will rub off on others. Don't be "that" person. Don't be Buzzkillington. Don't drag the rest of your coworkers down into you misery. Change your attitude, change your outlook, and create a positive atmosphere for yourself and those around you. Attitude is a choice.
2. Be consistent:
I realize this leaves room for consistently mediocre, but in speaking with several executives and company higher ups, consistently mediocre is better than maddeningly inconsistent. There is nothing worse than a person who only "shows up" when they want to. Why is this so bad? Your employer, friends, family, and significant other never know who they are going to get: the pleasant, hard working, and caring version, or the moody, lazy, lethargic, and irritable version. If you are consistently mediocre, at least everyone knows what to expect from you, right? The goal is not to be consistently mediocre, though. Your goal should always be consistent excellence, and consistent max effort. As humans, we should always be striving for the very best in everything we do. Consistency is key to that excellence. The guy who gets up early every morning to do his P90x workout, have a great, healthy breakfast, get to work ten minutes early, and put in a full day of hard work will achieve much more than the guy who is a superstar one day, and a superdud the next. Be consistent. Be consistently excellent, which leads to our next to point.....
3. Autograph Your Work with Excellence:
Everyone likes to hear the words, "good job!" I have never met a single person who prefers being ripped into for poor performance. We should always try to stamp our work with excellence. Whether it's school work, a blog, our job duties, our home life, a piece of art we are working on, a party we are planning, or a poem we are writing for our significant other, always strive to make it the best. Don't cut corners, don't cheat, don't do things half heatedly. Be ethical and considerate of others. How can you make sure your work is excellent? Be consistent with it, and try your very best. Also, keep a positive attitude throughout. Yup, I'm tying things together.
4. Go the Extra Mile:
"If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." Hard work, compassion, and kindness are essential to a good workplace. Picking up your teammate/coworker is a big part of that. If you see someone in need of help, don't hesitate to lend a hand. Be the one to step up for your team. Be the one who is willing to make a difference. It means putting the needs of others before your own. Going the extra mile is often an inconvenience for us. Believe me though, people (including the ones who sign your checks) will take notice.
5. Manage your Time Effectively:
One of the biggest issues we as people face is poor time management skills. We spend our time taking a nap rather than finish our English homework, or browse through Facebook for five hours instead of finishing those expense reports, or Call of Duty as opposed to helping our wives with housework, or even watch New Moon for the nineteenth time when we should go visit our parents. Worst of all, it's not that we don't to do those things, it's just that we lose track of time. We don't prioritize our time. We don't set schedules for ourselves. We don't place the more important things ahead of the self gratification stuff. We place ourselves and our petty and unnecessary wants above what we really need to accomplish. Is it possible to play Call of Duty after helping with housework? Of course! Can we fit a nap into our schedule, once the homework is completed? I'm sure we could. The point is that we don't manage our time properly. I guarantee you, if you set a daily tasks schedule at work, with allotted time for each task, we will be more efficient and effective that day. Do that on a vacation, and you will get to do all the things you wanted to. Plan, schedule, and follow through. If you set your schedule to wake up at 6:30 for a morning workout, shower, and healthy breakfast before work...do it! Don't hit snooze. If you plan on doing homework for three hours when you get home, make it happen, and make sure you use that time as effectively as possible. Don't allow yourself to be distracted!
I will be back later in the week with the rest!
www.cbt.edu/facebook
It's a grind most days, isn't it? For most people, Monday through Friday harbors the dreaded work, eat, sleep routine. Just about everyone I know is "working for the weekend". No one wants to be sitting in the office, living the Dwight Schrute life, but that's exactly where most American professionals find themselves. As I said, it's a grind. Sadly, most of us make our work experience even worse than it should be by the attitude we adopt. This attitude doesn't start when we arrive at work. It doesn't even begin when we wake up in the morning. For most, the negativity and dread begins while laying in bed thinking, "aggghhhh, I don't want to go to work tomorrow!!" It all starts with the mind. Perception is reality. If I get it in my mind that I cannot comprehend this little math problem I'm working on, my mind will just shut down and make it a reality. We underestimate just how powerful our mind is.
How can we as professionals in the modern business setting find enjoyment, and thrive in our workplace? How can we achieve personal and professional growth, while demonstrating excellence and commitment? Recently, we had a "Pow Wow" here at CBT West Kendall, and came up with twelve principles, that if followed, would lead to success in the workplace. At first, I thought this activity was pointless, and a huge waste of time. I felt like I was living an episode of The Office, and Michael Scott had called us all into the conference room for an absolutely ridiculous time waster. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that it turned out to be productive, , and created an identity for us as individuals and as a team. We saw coworkers in a different light, a light that for some, had been left in the dark until then. It actually helped us gel.
I decided that I would share five of the principles we outlined. Why five? Because twelve would take me too long, and I have other things to do today. I really believe these "philosophies" can make a difference in your daily life, and help you thrive at your workplace.....
1. Attitude is a Choice:
As was stated earlier, it's all about your attitude. Wake up thinking positively! Tell yourself it will be a good day. Get in a good morning workout, take a shower, and actually have a real breakfast (coffee doesn't count). It will truly go a long way to shaping your day. The flip side is you getting up with a bad attitude, driving angrily and hastily because you are running late, and maintaining those bad vibes all day. Any little hiccup in your workday will just push you off the cliff. Not only will you be highly unproductive, but chances are your bad attitude will rub off on others. Don't be "that" person. Don't be Buzzkillington. Don't drag the rest of your coworkers down into you misery. Change your attitude, change your outlook, and create a positive atmosphere for yourself and those around you. Attitude is a choice.
2. Be consistent:
I realize this leaves room for consistently mediocre, but in speaking with several executives and company higher ups, consistently mediocre is better than maddeningly inconsistent. There is nothing worse than a person who only "shows up" when they want to. Why is this so bad? Your employer, friends, family, and significant other never know who they are going to get: the pleasant, hard working, and caring version, or the moody, lazy, lethargic, and irritable version. If you are consistently mediocre, at least everyone knows what to expect from you, right? The goal is not to be consistently mediocre, though. Your goal should always be consistent excellence, and consistent max effort. As humans, we should always be striving for the very best in everything we do. Consistency is key to that excellence. The guy who gets up early every morning to do his P90x workout, have a great, healthy breakfast, get to work ten minutes early, and put in a full day of hard work will achieve much more than the guy who is a superstar one day, and a superdud the next. Be consistent. Be consistently excellent, which leads to our next to point.....
3. Autograph Your Work with Excellence:
Everyone likes to hear the words, "good job!" I have never met a single person who prefers being ripped into for poor performance. We should always try to stamp our work with excellence. Whether it's school work, a blog, our job duties, our home life, a piece of art we are working on, a party we are planning, or a poem we are writing for our significant other, always strive to make it the best. Don't cut corners, don't cheat, don't do things half heatedly. Be ethical and considerate of others. How can you make sure your work is excellent? Be consistent with it, and try your very best. Also, keep a positive attitude throughout. Yup, I'm tying things together.
4. Go the Extra Mile:
"If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." Hard work, compassion, and kindness are essential to a good workplace. Picking up your teammate/coworker is a big part of that. If you see someone in need of help, don't hesitate to lend a hand. Be the one to step up for your team. Be the one who is willing to make a difference. It means putting the needs of others before your own. Going the extra mile is often an inconvenience for us. Believe me though, people (including the ones who sign your checks) will take notice.
5. Manage your Time Effectively:
One of the biggest issues we as people face is poor time management skills. We spend our time taking a nap rather than finish our English homework, or browse through Facebook for five hours instead of finishing those expense reports, or Call of Duty as opposed to helping our wives with housework, or even watch New Moon for the nineteenth time when we should go visit our parents. Worst of all, it's not that we don't to do those things, it's just that we lose track of time. We don't prioritize our time. We don't set schedules for ourselves. We don't place the more important things ahead of the self gratification stuff. We place ourselves and our petty and unnecessary wants above what we really need to accomplish. Is it possible to play Call of Duty after helping with housework? Of course! Can we fit a nap into our schedule, once the homework is completed? I'm sure we could. The point is that we don't manage our time properly. I guarantee you, if you set a daily tasks schedule at work, with allotted time for each task, we will be more efficient and effective that day. Do that on a vacation, and you will get to do all the things you wanted to. Plan, schedule, and follow through. If you set your schedule to wake up at 6:30 for a morning workout, shower, and healthy breakfast before work...do it! Don't hit snooze. If you plan on doing homework for three hours when you get home, make it happen, and make sure you use that time as effectively as possible. Don't allow yourself to be distracted!
I will be back later in the week with the rest!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Power Drive Network Expo tomorrow!
The Bert Oliva Wealth Academy is hosting the First Annual Power Drive Network Expo tomorrow, Saturday September 25th, 2010. The event will run from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Come join CBT College as Bert Oliva will be showing you how to network and work your business by meeting and greeting people in an expo or networking environment. If you are a business owner, there are booths available, in addition to main sponsor spots. There will be tons of prizes, food, activities, and entertainment! Join us there friends. The event will be taking place at the Hilton Airport Hotel Griffin Road in Dania, FL. For more info, call (888) 711-2044.
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Giving Back to the Community
As an Event Coordinator and Social Media Manager, I am tasked with putting on big events for CBT College. One thing I have realized in my time as Event Coordinator, is that there is nothing more rewarding than giving back to your community. Here's the greatest thing about that: there are so many ways you can accomplish it! From events, charities, marathons, walks, and fundraisers to nursing home and homeless outreaches, we can truly make a difference in our community and world! Here are some great ways to get involved and give back.
1. Homeless Outreach: There are countless churches, and charitable organizations that go out there and take food and clothes to those less fortunate. You can volunteer at a soup kitchen, or join your local church's "Help the Homeless" ministry. There are various homeless shelters and organizations (Camillus House, Miami Rescue Mission, Homeless Voice, Salvation Army)that could use some volunteers. It would only take a few hours out of your Saturday afternoon. Maybe, instead of going to the beach or eating at Yardhouse one Saturday afternoon, we could all just spend a few hours helping people who need it!
2. Nursing Home Outreach: I know this one doesn't seem like a big issue, or something of importance, especially since we often don't even make the time to visit our own family. I assure you though, if you were to put yourself in the shoes of these men and women in nursing homes, you would appreciate a visit every now and then. Just a few hours one random afternoon to sit with them, hear their stories, and show them that there are still people out there that care. Again, it doesn't seem like much, but they will appreciate it more than you know.
3. Be a mentor: All across the country, there are young people making all sorts of wrong choices and falling in with the wrong type of people. One thing that you will find is that often, these kids just don't have anyone to look up to. Without a proper role model or support system in place, these kids look to anyone they see as important, and often times that person is not the right kind of role model. Volunteer at places like the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, sign up for mentorship programs with the public school system. I'm not suggesting you became a social worker, or that you put yourself in a situation you don't feel comfortable with, but just that we make an effort to help the youth around us reach their potential for a good, happy, and full life. If it were your child, and you were unable to care for them and parent them, you would want them to have the right influences around them...
4. Child Care Assistance: Volunteer to bring some healthy snacks to a local day care, take part in the day care at your church or former elementary school. If you have a younger sibling at an elementary or middle school, help out with any functions and events. As I said earlier, the right influences...
5. Charities, Walks, Marathons, Relays, etc.: There is no shortage of charitable organizations. They are always having some sort of event. We all know about the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Relay for Life, NFL Play 60, March of Dimes, and several others, but there is a myriad of other great causes. Give a few dollars to help these great causes, maybe volunteer, or sign up to take part in a marathon/walkathon.
6. Animal Shelters/Plant a Tree/Save the World: Now, I have to admit that I'm not one of these people that cries when I see the Sarah McLaughlin commercial with the sad puppies and kitties. I'm not really an animal person. I like to eat meat. I'm all about Texas De Brazil, Grimpa, and Fogo de Chao (Brazilian Steakhouses), because it tastes so good to me. I am not however, an advocate for cruelty, abuse, or violence towards animals. We can volunteer at an animal shelter or hospital. Maybe we can help the environment by planting a tree, volunteering to clean our beaches, or any other activity that helps preserve this planet.
I know we all have very busy lives and finding time do anything is tough, let alone giving back to others. Sometimes we don't even make time to spend a few minutes with our families. So, why would we bother to spend time helping another family? Why give back when I myself don't have enough, right? It's difficult to imagine, in this Instant Gratification/Me, Myself, and I culture, that people would be willing to sacrifice some of their time and resources to give to someone who isn't as lucky. We live in a world that tells us that we are all individuals, to look out for number 1, their is no God, no afterlife, no hope, no purpose...so how can we expect anyone to care about their fellow humans or this planet?
As far as I'm concerned, that philosophy is so misguided and 100% influenced by the selfishness of humans. All problems humanity has ever faced come from our lack of consideration for others. Religion is not to blame for wars fought in their name. God is not to be blamed when a priest does unspeakable acts of evil. Maybe it's time we stop hiding behind our beliefs and blaming them, and start taking responsibility. God didn't command that clergy person to commit those acts. In fact, God abhors that type of behavior. It has no place in the church. When we blame Islam and the teachings in the Koran for extremist groups and their actions (911, and many other attacks), we are in the wrong. Islam does not teach them to do these things. Rather, they are twisting words and distorting Islamic doctrines to suit their agendas. The individuals who commit the acts are solely responsible, not the belief system they claim to follow. I promise you, any person who commits tyranny in the name of their deity, knows nothing about that deity. John Lennon was wrong when he said that if there was no religion, the world would be a perfect place. Humans would find another avenue in order to achieve their horrible, and selfish agendas. Sorry for the little rant there....
Anyway, it's time we stop thinking about me, me, me...and realize that life is about relationships, connections, and love. Love makes the world go round. Love for humanity, love for nature, love for all creation, love for oneself....these are the things that make life worth living. If we give just a little bit everyday, imagine how we could change the world.
Finally, I'm sure you are wondering how I will find a way to tie this to college life, and our professional career. It's simple: Volunteer work, charitable associations and activities look absolutely amazing on a resume. Believe it or not, employers look very favorably on employees that give back to the community. It's especially great for young people, and college students with little or no work experience. You should absolutely list your charitable work on a resume. It could help you land that first great job!
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Setting Goals
When I was a child, I remember wanting to be a professional baseball player when I grew up. I also wanted to be a doctor, meteorologist, lawyer, superhero, actor, singer, advertising exec, graphic designer, producer for a record label, and King of Prussia. I had some lofty dreams. The direction that my life has taken dictated my current standing in the professional world. As we speak, I believe I have achieved one of my "when I grow up" goals as an up and coming marketing, events, and new media manager. Most would agree that I am in the right field, based on my talents, "artsyness", persistence, and persuasiveness. I truly believe the sky is the limit for me in this field because I am great at what I do. Why do I tell you this, though? Where is this coming from, and where is it going? Good question! Well, I was recently thinking about where I want to be in a few years, and how important setting goals in your life can be.
I strongly believe that setting goals allows a person to establish purpose in their professional and personal life. Are you working at your current place of employment just to work? Is it just for the money? If so, you're probably not where you should be. Are you dating someone you don't see a real future with? If so, you shouldn't be dating that person. Honestly, what is the point of being with someone if you don't see it having a future? What is the point of living life with no desire to create a better existence for yourself, your loved ones, and humanity as a whole? By setting goals in every significant aspect of our lives, we are creating the drive, the motivation and the perseverance needed to accomplish them.
When a person enrolls at a college or university, they should have a goal in mind: graduate! That goal is directly connected to another goal: start a career in the field you are studying. That should again, lead to a bigger goal, like move up the ladder, go to grad/med/law school, start your own business, plant a church, etc. When a person embarks on a new romantic relationship with someone, the goal should always be marriage. I am strongly opposed to the idea that in our youth, we should sow wild oats, spread our seed, and play the field. All of those things are without purpose, without promise, and unnecessary acts of instant gratification. Of course, this is my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree with me or suddenly change their point of view. Just to cement my point though, let me give you two personal examples of this very goal setting issue.
Example 1:
I dated this girl, let's call her Lily....
She dated an acquaintance of mine for a few years. Some mutual friends of the acquaintance (let's call him Greg) told me that Lily was bad news. They told me to stay away from her, because it would not end well. Greg himself offered some advice, but I did not heed any of their warnings. I liked Lily. She was pretty, fun, spunky, and we had common interests (music, food, movies). Mind you, I was 20 at the time, and living the "college life". I was far from the person I am now, and far from the God who gave me true purpose. She was pretty, I was into her, and we started dating. There was no real goal, and I should have seen it ahead of time. We had differing views on politics, religion, and family. She liked the drinking, smoking, rock star lifestyle. I played along, and I actually really liked her. Fast forward a few months...she cheated on me. Funny thing is the guy she cheated on me with was the very reason her and Greg broke up! Greg didn't tell me about that, and neither did anyone of our mutual friends. In hindsight, I don't think it would have made a difference to me. I would have dated her anyway, because I thought she was cool, and pretty. I ignored all the warning signs, I ignored the caution flags, I ignored the "Buyer Beware" notice. I gave her parts of me that she didn't deserve. I compromised values, and lifelong beliefs and goals for someone who would later devalue and defame those very things. It was a fruitless relationship that served as a wake up call and became the catalyst for bringing me out of my prodigal living.
Example 2:
I met this girl, let's call her Stephanie....
We met under interesting circumstances; my family member was dating her family member. She was down from another state, let's call that state Tennessee. It was a blind date kind of thing. Stephanie was going through a rough patch at the time, and came to stay with some relatives to clear her head, and hopefully have some fun. So, that night we all went to dinner and a movie. I was 22 at this time, and a little wiser I think. I was over my dumb phase, and had the proper mindset for a real relationship. We hit it off, I liked her. During her time here that summer, we really began to fall for each other. She wanted to transfer to a college in Miami, and be with me. Towards the end of the summer though, she had to leave. She went back to Tennessee and we were devastated. I did some very hard thinking, and knew that if I did what I was planning to do, I had to KNOW that she was the one.
My next move was drastic, and had I not had the goal of "happily ever after" in mind, my actions would have been both selfish, life shattering, and stupid. I realized all this, and made the decision then and there, that I was going to marry this girl name Stephanie. I took a bus to Tennessee, and her parents placed their trust in me. They trusted that I would take care of their first born, that I would love her, cherish her, and never forsake her. They trusted that allowing her to leave home and move to Miami to be with me was not a mistake. Fast forward to June 7th, 2009...Stephanie Marie Diago became Stephanie Marie Saavedra. This was and is the greatest day of my life. I knew on June 23rd, 2007 that I was having dinner for the first time...with my wife. From that day on, all my actions were made with that goal in mind.
My point is this folks: goals give our day to day actions a purpose, a meaning, and significance. Who wants to just float through life without ever accomplishing or achieving anything? Set goals, strive for excellence, and walk the straight and narrow path in order to achieve those goals. Set daily goals, weekly, monthly, yearly, and major life goals. I want to own a house in the next 5 years. I want to have my first child in the next five years. I want to be the youngest director of this company in the next 3 years. Those goals are all attainable for me, as long as I put in the work to make them possible. I am confident in my abilities. You're goals may be as big as curing cancer, or as small as getting an A+ in your Physics quiz tomorrow. The point is, set them because they honestly do give you more desire to achieve them. If you just go into that quiz with no stated goal, you won't be as motivated. It sounds dumb, but it's true.
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
I strongly believe that setting goals allows a person to establish purpose in their professional and personal life. Are you working at your current place of employment just to work? Is it just for the money? If so, you're probably not where you should be. Are you dating someone you don't see a real future with? If so, you shouldn't be dating that person. Honestly, what is the point of being with someone if you don't see it having a future? What is the point of living life with no desire to create a better existence for yourself, your loved ones, and humanity as a whole? By setting goals in every significant aspect of our lives, we are creating the drive, the motivation and the perseverance needed to accomplish them.
When a person enrolls at a college or university, they should have a goal in mind: graduate! That goal is directly connected to another goal: start a career in the field you are studying. That should again, lead to a bigger goal, like move up the ladder, go to grad/med/law school, start your own business, plant a church, etc. When a person embarks on a new romantic relationship with someone, the goal should always be marriage. I am strongly opposed to the idea that in our youth, we should sow wild oats, spread our seed, and play the field. All of those things are without purpose, without promise, and unnecessary acts of instant gratification. Of course, this is my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree with me or suddenly change their point of view. Just to cement my point though, let me give you two personal examples of this very goal setting issue.
Example 1:
I dated this girl, let's call her Lily....
She dated an acquaintance of mine for a few years. Some mutual friends of the acquaintance (let's call him Greg) told me that Lily was bad news. They told me to stay away from her, because it would not end well. Greg himself offered some advice, but I did not heed any of their warnings. I liked Lily. She was pretty, fun, spunky, and we had common interests (music, food, movies). Mind you, I was 20 at the time, and living the "college life". I was far from the person I am now, and far from the God who gave me true purpose. She was pretty, I was into her, and we started dating. There was no real goal, and I should have seen it ahead of time. We had differing views on politics, religion, and family. She liked the drinking, smoking, rock star lifestyle. I played along, and I actually really liked her. Fast forward a few months...she cheated on me. Funny thing is the guy she cheated on me with was the very reason her and Greg broke up! Greg didn't tell me about that, and neither did anyone of our mutual friends. In hindsight, I don't think it would have made a difference to me. I would have dated her anyway, because I thought she was cool, and pretty. I ignored all the warning signs, I ignored the caution flags, I ignored the "Buyer Beware" notice. I gave her parts of me that she didn't deserve. I compromised values, and lifelong beliefs and goals for someone who would later devalue and defame those very things. It was a fruitless relationship that served as a wake up call and became the catalyst for bringing me out of my prodigal living.
Example 2:
I met this girl, let's call her Stephanie....
We met under interesting circumstances; my family member was dating her family member. She was down from another state, let's call that state Tennessee. It was a blind date kind of thing. Stephanie was going through a rough patch at the time, and came to stay with some relatives to clear her head, and hopefully have some fun. So, that night we all went to dinner and a movie. I was 22 at this time, and a little wiser I think. I was over my dumb phase, and had the proper mindset for a real relationship. We hit it off, I liked her. During her time here that summer, we really began to fall for each other. She wanted to transfer to a college in Miami, and be with me. Towards the end of the summer though, she had to leave. She went back to Tennessee and we were devastated. I did some very hard thinking, and knew that if I did what I was planning to do, I had to KNOW that she was the one.
My next move was drastic, and had I not had the goal of "happily ever after" in mind, my actions would have been both selfish, life shattering, and stupid. I realized all this, and made the decision then and there, that I was going to marry this girl name Stephanie. I took a bus to Tennessee, and her parents placed their trust in me. They trusted that I would take care of their first born, that I would love her, cherish her, and never forsake her. They trusted that allowing her to leave home and move to Miami to be with me was not a mistake. Fast forward to June 7th, 2009...Stephanie Marie Diago became Stephanie Marie Saavedra. This was and is the greatest day of my life. I knew on June 23rd, 2007 that I was having dinner for the first time...with my wife. From that day on, all my actions were made with that goal in mind.
My point is this folks: goals give our day to day actions a purpose, a meaning, and significance. Who wants to just float through life without ever accomplishing or achieving anything? Set goals, strive for excellence, and walk the straight and narrow path in order to achieve those goals. Set daily goals, weekly, monthly, yearly, and major life goals. I want to own a house in the next 5 years. I want to have my first child in the next five years. I want to be the youngest director of this company in the next 3 years. Those goals are all attainable for me, as long as I put in the work to make them possible. I am confident in my abilities. You're goals may be as big as curing cancer, or as small as getting an A+ in your Physics quiz tomorrow. The point is, set them because they honestly do give you more desire to achieve them. If you just go into that quiz with no stated goal, you won't be as motivated. It sounds dumb, but it's true.
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Maximize Your College Experience
It's a fact: College is a huge investment in every way. It's a major investment of money, time, and energy. It requires countless hours of hard work, reading, writing, reviewing, analyzing, critical thinking, cramming, Red Bulling, and bad eating. For some, it's a big party centered around sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Most of the time, those people eventually -but not always- realize that this isn't high school, no one is going to hold your hand, and push you to stay the course. In most colleges, they have zero problem failing you. There are no parent-teacher conferences, no principal visits, no desire to make sure you will stay in school. Why is that? Well, they could easily find someone else to take your place, and fill your seat. Don't believe me? Check Miami Dade College's graduation and retention percentages. It's not pretty. Is it their fault? By no means! MDC is a great college with solid professors, and good programs. They are, however, the second largest college in the country behind the University of Phoenix (let's not even get started down that road). Being that large, you are bound to have higher drop rates, and more trouble making sure students succeed. This discussion isn't about that though. My point is simply that no one will hold your hand and guide you through it. It's all on you. So, what can you do to maximize your college experience? How can you get the most out of college?
I have done some research and have found some keys to collegiate success. I hope these help some of you on your journey through academia.
1. Prioritize!!!
There is no bigger mistake that a person can make in college than not having their priorities in order. Let's just get this out of the way, because I can literally go on about this for 938 pages: College is not a party! People go to college to learn, and prepare themselves for the professional world. The main goal is to get the training and education necessary to succeed in the field you will eventually enter. It is not a 4 -6 or 7 for some- year excuse to go out every night and get hammered, sleep with Regina Random or Stevie Somebody. While you may think those things are important, in the long run, they can end up doing more harm than good. I don't think I need to go into detail about the dangers of excessive binge drinking, drinking and driving, or drinking and sexing. I'm sure you have heard it all before. Remember, you are paying (or borrowing money that will be repaid by you later on) to be in class, learning the skills necessary to be a success in life. Whether you are studying to be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, chemist, speech pathologist, or librarian, your goal should be to become the best in that field. Don't settle for mediocrity in your career because you were too busy partying in college to actually learn anything. Stay on top of your degree track, keep your GPA as high as possible, don't procrastinate, do your own work, and make sure you don't sacrifice your school work for a couple of drinks with the guys. You have your whole life to party, but that assignment can only be turned in once. You can't undo a failing grade in a college transcript. Keep your priorities in check!
2. Learn How to Think...Critically
What does that even mean? Well, in college you are going to come across material and subjects that are new territory for you. These may come in the form of lower division, or very difficult level 4000 courses. Regardless, new material means you will have to actually take the time and LEARN the material.
First, you will have to learn a skill most of us have eluded for years: listen. I don't mean to hear things. I am referring to the practice of filtering the truly vital and distinguishing it from the unnecessary. I am referring to proper note taking (not scribbling every single word spoken by the professor). Learn to speed read through your books (there will be plenty of them), "identify the main points, concepts, and reasoning behind them".
If you don't understand a concept, or idea brought up in class, ask the T.A. or professor. Don't be afraid to speak up in class; raise your hand and ask your question. You will not be laughed at, or thought less of for not understanding. Chances are you aren't the only one with that question. Don't wait for someone else to ask it because they are probably waiting for you to ask. Most professors won't mind going over something again. After all, they get evaluated after each semester, and believe me, those evaluations actually mean something. I work at a college, and have seen bad evaluations lead to dismissal of professors. Take what you learned in the lectures, and expand on it. Learn how to think "critically". Ask yourself “What if” questions. Try to look at what you learned from other possible angles, not just the one that was presented to you by your professor or book. Draw your own conclusions, find different ways of looking at things. Always be able to back up your points, though. Do this, and not only will you impress your professors and build a good rapport with them, but you will take your though process to a new level and develop one of the most useful life skills that you can acquire in college.
Critical thinking often appears in research papers, liberal arts courses, group discussions, and essays. While we did a lot of these types of assignments in high school, the college professor will not give you the same grade you received in high school. Why? Your thought process and critical thinking should improve and mature as you progress through academia. You will have to put more into your papers than fluff and restated introductions. In the case of group discussions, you will hear from a variety of people, each with slightly different perspectives and thought processes. Sometimes, these classmates could blow your mind with their take on a subject. You want to be able to contribute to these discussions. Develop this skill, and it will aid you all your life.
3. Build Lasting and Quality Relationships
This one is quite overlooked in the era of the Social Network. We think that our 762 Facebook "friends", 241 Linked In "connections", and 458 Twitter "followers" form our network. While some of those connections may be very valuable and could pay off big time in our future, it's always a much safer bet to develop quality connections with people at school. What constitutes a quality relationship, though?
It's a simple idea: Make quality friends. Devote some time and energy to the development of lasting, beneficial, friendships. Get out there and connect with classmates. Once you start getting into your program courses (not so much with general education courses), you will begin to see the same faces over and over. Make friends with those faces! Listen to them, provide comfort and advice when necessary, help each other out without expecting a return. Share notes, help them get a job if you can, introduce them to your social circle. These relationships are the ones that can last for a lifetime. High School friends rarely stay friends. Those young relationships often deteriorate and fizzle out as you embark on different paths. It's sad, but so very true. The things that I believe helps maintain these college friendships are common life interests (career), similar fields (which could put you in constant contact), and maturity. The whole maturity thing actually does make a difference. Often times, we find that our middle and high school friends were our friends because we shared common interests in our youth, but as we grew in college, our interests and goals became very different. Now, I'm not saying to dump your high school buddies, I'm simply stating the what and why of it. I have seen this happen dozens of times, and it's usually for these reasons. Your best relationships are almost always created in college.
Join clubs and associations. Get involved in student government, support school athletics, join organizations. Not only does that allow you to become a contributor to the college, but it gives you another avenue to build relationships.
I haven't even gotten to professors yet! Build relationships with the faculty in your program. Chances are you will have the same professors often, so make sure they know who you are by name. Build a great rapport with them. If they have functions or events, attend them. Network with their people. Get noticed in your department for the right reasons. Those professors will one day become great recommendation letters for grad school or future employment. It won't be the case if you do not build relationships with them, though. A professor will not recommend a student who was a ghost in their classes. A professor will not recommend a nameless face. Make sure to build these vital relationships! You will be glad you did...
4. Take Interesting Classes
You don't have to limit yourself to classes in your major. That's what electives are for! Classes unrelated to your major, that offer great skills, and knowledge are great. Take a class on something you have always found interesting but never had the chance to learn about (like Greek Mythology, Latino Literature, French, or History of The Beatles).
In college, Steve Jobs took a calligraphy course. Weird right? Well, he says it ended up influencing the "typography of Apple". You never know what you may take from an outside the box type of course.
"By taking classes that interest you, not only will you learn interesting things about the classes and about yourself, you may find it helpful to you indirectly down the road".
5. Socialize
Being shy is not an option in college. Learning how to socialize is not only important in college, but it's extremely important life skill for your career. It can help you develop more than almost any other skill. What better place to learn these skills than in college?
Talk to your classmates. "By socializing in class, you can easily form study groups", have someone to share notes with in case you miss a class or didn't feel satisfied with your notes. And of course, you can develop quality relationships (you remember that, right?)
6. Gain Work Experience
Rather, gain good work experience. I know it's much easier to just work at American Eagle or Starbucks, but where will that get you? It may help you pay for things in the short term, but this is not the ideal job for college students. Again, it is the easiest job to find, but I recommend you go in a different direction.
Take the time to find a quality job or internship related to your field. This is very important, because it can help you figure out whether you really WANT to do that. Too often, a person spends thousands of dollars and 4 to 6 years of their lives on something they soon discover is not for them. That is completely tragic and possibly avoidable. Find jobs or internships in your field. If you want to be a lawyer, apply as a legal assistant, or law office receptionist. If you want to be a nurse, apply as a medical office front desk. If your career allows for internships (journalism, advertising, business, etc.), find one before someone else takes it. Who knows, they may love your work so much that they keep you on after your graduate as a full time, well paid employee. It could also help you "Build Quality Relationships"!
Trust me when I tell you that this is extremely important, and always everyone puts it off until after they graduate. By that time, you shouldn't be interning, but full time, and salaried. So many people fail to do this, and then wonder why they can't get that job they want. There will be plenty of graduates in your degree program. What separates you from them? Your work experience and connections.
7. Time Management!!
Why do today what you could put off until tomorrow? That's the typical person's mentality. Instead, don't put of until tomorrow, what can be accomplished today, that way you can stay ahead of everyone else tomorrow! Believe it or not, you have more activities to accomplish in college than beer pong, and flip cup! You have a ton of classwork.You have to learn, study,, think critically, build relationships, exercise, work, etc. That's a loaded schedule. Oh, and don't forget family time. Never neglect your family. Few things in life are more important than our families, yet they often fall behind friends, and fun. So, how can you manage your time? Create "to do" lists, create updates calendars using tools like Outlook and Google. Keep a schedule and stick to it. Don’t procrastinate. Go to class, study, do your work. Make time for friends, and a social life, but not at the expense of your school work. Remember, you have your whole life to have fun. Most people will only work from 9AM through 6PM, and they don't take their work home. That leaves weekends, and nights open for the rest of your life. Get through college with effective time management, and prioritizing properly. Read up on time management techniques, and USE THEM!!!
8. Have Fun!
I know I have sounded like Johnny No Fun throughout this entire rant of mine. The reason for that is that I want to stress the importance of success in your collegiate life, above all else. That success in the classroom can lead you to huge success (through financial success and life satisfaction). Don't sacrifice your grades for the parties. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have fun, though. I'm not going to say, "hey guys, go to the parties, the clubs, the midnight underwear runs, the games, the concerts, and drink beer with your buddies on Thursday night". That's not me, so I won't tell you that those things are awesome, and essential to the "life experience". I personally don't think they are, and can say that having done those things. I prefer going out to eat with my friends, and just cracking jokes, talking, eating, playing games, going to watch the Marlins or Dolphins, and watching movies and TV shows. That's me, though. Expand your social circle, try new foods, listen to different types of music, join clubs, and associations at school, volunteer for charitable events, help the homeless, visit a nursing home! Have fun and take pictures!
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Social Media in the Classroom
Have you ever taken an online class? As an FIU student who worked full time, I became accustomed to the convenience of online classes. At FIU, we used Blackboard as our online education LMS (learning management system). Miami Dade uses Angel, and Keiser University uses CampusVue as their portal. Many people in the education industry assume that in order to run online courses, it must be done through an LMS. Those systems were originally designed to allow faculty to transition their on campus courses to fully online without having to learn HTML coding. Anyone who has messed with HTML knows it's no walk in the park, and certainly not something a busy college professor wants to learn just to facilitate a group of students. These systems, like Blackboard, provided all the tools necessary to deliver an online course in one simple, and easy to use (somewhat) package.
Take it from someone who took almost two full years of classes though Blackboard; it's not that simple. These systems are flawed, glitchy, and not without confusing elements. They may be convenient, but they're not flawless. As online learning has grown, so did the functionality of course management systems. As the systems grew, they became more and more complex and fragile. The systems that were once managed by faculty is now monitored and kept up and running by IT guys, and webmasters.
Now, professors around the country have taken control back from system administrators by implementing social media sites (such as this one)into their curriculum. Blogs, Wikis, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, and VoiceThread are being used in ways never imagined. From using Twitter as a real time discussion forum, to writing assignments being turned in via Blogger, professors are learning to maximize these free resources we thought were only around to post pictures from that Pi Kappa Phi party, and tell everyone that, "I'm going to the beach on Friday with the chicas!"
The beauty of using these sites as an online learning tool is that they are free, and easy to use. Instead of spending hours upon hours stocking modules into an LMS, a faculty member can simply write a blog in minutes, start a Twitter discussion in seconds, and spend all of his/her time communicating with the students. It creates a great platform for learning because it is interactive and personal. The professor can help individuals out more easily than through Blackboard emails and forums, which often go down for hours at a time due to glitches.
These methods of e-learning have started to catch on with select colleges and universities, but most do not have a social media strategy in place at the moment. They still believe online classes must be run through an LMS. Some systems, like Blackboard, are adding social media modules like blogs, but they are locked down in the LMS, thus restricting the openness and exponential power that gives these forms of media its value.
It's about time we started seeing social media as more than just a hang out spot to talk to our friends, and realize that it is a networking tool that can make or break our professional lives. An obscene amount of companies are looking into a person's social media portfolio before committing to hiring a person. Why would they do that? Well, we are living in a time of great economic discord, and jobs are difficult to come by. Companies don't want to waste their time and money on anything less than the best. They have so many options on who to hire because so many qualified people are unemployed. Who do you think will get the job between two identical resumes? The person with the professional Linked In account, and a Facebook that shows them to be responsible, mature adults worthy of ________ company, or the person who has a Facebook full of drunken escapades and shady friends?
Social Media will be a big part of the classroom within the next five years. I don't think it's a bold prediction to say that...
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
A Good Portfolio: Sushi for the Graphic Soul!
When we were in our early elementary school years, we were introduced to this amazing activity known only as "Show and Tell". We probably think we haven't played a rousing game of Show and Tell since those kindergarten days. The fact is nothing could be further from the truth. When one goes out looking for a job, they bring along with them a very important Show and Tell item. We call it a resume! This is especially true for anyone in the arts, particularly a Graphic Designer. It may be an age old cliche, but a picture really is worth a thousand words. A graphic designer’s entire livelihood depends on his/her ability to communicate effectively with their audience using visually striking material. So it should come as no surprise when I tell you that your graphic design portfolio is the most important thing you bring with you to a job for potential employers. While your education level, previous work experience, industry certifications, or any other qualification you may possess are useful for bringing you into the interview room, it will not suffice if you present a sloppy portfolio or mediocre samples. You can have all the qualifications, all the certifications, all the degrees, and all the prestige, but if you don't have good work to show, you will be going nowhere fast.
I have done some research, and found these tips on how to put together a great portfolio. If you are an up and coming graphic designer, read carefully and heed these small tidbits of wisdom. They could be the difference between your dream job, and the unemployment line...
1. Make it "Catchy" not "Kitschy"
So, you may be asking yourself, "what the heck does that mean?" Well, kitsch is defined as a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art. Now, I may not be an expert on copyright laws, or principles of advertising, but I seriously doubt knock offs, and imitations of other pieces of art will not appeal to a potential employer. "You're trying to show your work to its best advantage, so don't distract from it with too many bells and whistles."
2. Don't lose sight of your primary objective
While it is always a good idea to set yourself apart, don't overdo it. You should differentiate yourself from your competition with a clever layout, but don't lose sight of your graphic design portfolio's objective: to display your WORK. Don't divert attention away from it with "fluff". It doesn't work in a college English course, it won't work in a graphic designer's portfolio.
3. Diversity is not just an old wooden ship used in the Civil War era
Just as a singer can show their vocal range, you as a graphic designer must do the same with your portfolio. "Choose pieces that required you to utilize a variety of design skills. Versatility is an asset. If you've got it, flaunt it. And if you don't, develop it." Bring a smorgasbord of work, to demonstrate how diverse and well rounded your skills are as a designer. Nobody wants to hire a "one trick pony", remember that...
4. Seek out the experts
It's hard to examine your work objectively. It is also not a great idea to seek an outside opinion from a parent, significant other, or close friend. While they may have certain pieces they prefer, they are not experts, nor have they ever presented a portfolio to a potential employer. "Find someone whose design judgment you trust and get their feedback on your graphic design portfolio. Sometimes a brutally honest critique can be the best thing that happens to you." Side note, even if your parent, significant other, or best friend is an expert, it's best to find an impartial third party expert, who won't pull any punches, and can offer truly valuable insight.
4. K.I.S.S.
When asked what the greatest piece of sales advice Michael Scott had ever given him, Dwight Schrute responded, "Keep it simple, stupid." Don't clutter your portfolio with sentimental pieces. "Just because it was your favorite project ever, doesn't mean it should be in your portfolio. Hang it on your wall, or frame it for your mom. If it's not your strongest work, keep it out of your portfolio." The ability to look at your work critically and realistically is vital for a graphic designer. "Your portfolio should reflect both your ability to produce high quality design and your ability to discern what qualifies as high quality design."
5. Go viral with it
We are living in the 21st century, in what is known as the "App Age". The internet is the default tool for everything now. The best thing about this tool is its ability to take something and multiply its value exponentially. Just take Linked In as an example: You make 146 connections with people you know and people in related fields, and you are now "linked" to 2,865,525+ professionals. Imagine how many resume views you are opening yourself up to that way! Another example is Facebook. You post a status update, and your 384 friends view it, and 7 of those friends comment on it. Now, all of their friends have the opportunity to see your update. Should any of those people decide to "like" to comment made by someone within your update, all of THEIR friends now get to see it, too. The internet doesn't multiply viewership by 2 or 3, it multiplies it by 100, 1,000, and for some people 1,000,000. "Why not make it easy for prospective employers and clients to view your work?" Keep in mind that an online portfolio will not replace your hard copy, it's an easy, affordable, and convenient way to get your work out there for the entire world to see.
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
I have done some research, and found these tips on how to put together a great portfolio. If you are an up and coming graphic designer, read carefully and heed these small tidbits of wisdom. They could be the difference between your dream job, and the unemployment line...
1. Make it "Catchy" not "Kitschy"
So, you may be asking yourself, "what the heck does that mean?" Well, kitsch is defined as a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art. Now, I may not be an expert on copyright laws, or principles of advertising, but I seriously doubt knock offs, and imitations of other pieces of art will not appeal to a potential employer. "You're trying to show your work to its best advantage, so don't distract from it with too many bells and whistles."
2. Don't lose sight of your primary objective
While it is always a good idea to set yourself apart, don't overdo it. You should differentiate yourself from your competition with a clever layout, but don't lose sight of your graphic design portfolio's objective: to display your WORK. Don't divert attention away from it with "fluff". It doesn't work in a college English course, it won't work in a graphic designer's portfolio.
3. Diversity is not just an old wooden ship used in the Civil War era
Just as a singer can show their vocal range, you as a graphic designer must do the same with your portfolio. "Choose pieces that required you to utilize a variety of design skills. Versatility is an asset. If you've got it, flaunt it. And if you don't, develop it." Bring a smorgasbord of work, to demonstrate how diverse and well rounded your skills are as a designer. Nobody wants to hire a "one trick pony", remember that...
4. Seek out the experts
It's hard to examine your work objectively. It is also not a great idea to seek an outside opinion from a parent, significant other, or close friend. While they may have certain pieces they prefer, they are not experts, nor have they ever presented a portfolio to a potential employer. "Find someone whose design judgment you trust and get their feedback on your graphic design portfolio. Sometimes a brutally honest critique can be the best thing that happens to you." Side note, even if your parent, significant other, or best friend is an expert, it's best to find an impartial third party expert, who won't pull any punches, and can offer truly valuable insight.
4. K.I.S.S.
When asked what the greatest piece of sales advice Michael Scott had ever given him, Dwight Schrute responded, "Keep it simple, stupid." Don't clutter your portfolio with sentimental pieces. "Just because it was your favorite project ever, doesn't mean it should be in your portfolio. Hang it on your wall, or frame it for your mom. If it's not your strongest work, keep it out of your portfolio." The ability to look at your work critically and realistically is vital for a graphic designer. "Your portfolio should reflect both your ability to produce high quality design and your ability to discern what qualifies as high quality design."
5. Go viral with it
We are living in the 21st century, in what is known as the "App Age". The internet is the default tool for everything now. The best thing about this tool is its ability to take something and multiply its value exponentially. Just take Linked In as an example: You make 146 connections with people you know and people in related fields, and you are now "linked" to 2,865,525+ professionals. Imagine how many resume views you are opening yourself up to that way! Another example is Facebook. You post a status update, and your 384 friends view it, and 7 of those friends comment on it. Now, all of their friends have the opportunity to see your update. Should any of those people decide to "like" to comment made by someone within your update, all of THEIR friends now get to see it, too. The internet doesn't multiply viewership by 2 or 3, it multiplies it by 100, 1,000, and for some people 1,000,000. "Why not make it easy for prospective employers and clients to view your work?" Keep in mind that an online portfolio will not replace your hard copy, it's an easy, affordable, and convenient way to get your work out there for the entire world to see.
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Providing a MUCH needed medical service!
Hello everyone!
So, CBT College has opened up a great new service in the Cutler Bay area. As we all know, medical screenings are quite expensive. Even with insurance, you always have to pay a little something in the form of a deductible. For what? For a simple blood test, or cholesterol screening. These services should absolutely be free and offered to everyone. Now, at CBT Cutler Bay, they are!
As of August 30th, the Cutler Bay campus has opened its doors and become an Outreach Health Center. All services are free as a courtesy of CBT College, and will be performed by our medical students. Some of the free medical screenings include:
-Cholesterol
-Glucose
-Blood Group
-Pregnancy Rapid Test
-Strep Throat Rapid Test
-Blood Pressure and Vital Signs
-Weight/Height and BMI
-Pulseoximetry
-Electrocardiogram/Spirometry
-Health and Nutrition Education
These great services will be appointment only. So, don't just show up and expect to be attended to at any time. Just like any medical facility, we will be conducting it by appointment. We are available for these appointments between the hours of 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Please take advantage of this service. It is our way of giving back to the South Florida community, and providing a much needed service to those who aren't so lucky to have the means to pay for these tests whenever they want them. If you suspect that you may be pregnant, I strongly urge you to make an appointment and find out for sure. The number to call for an appointment is 305-273-4499 ext. 400
There are few things in life more important than our health, yet we always seem to neglect it. We fill ourselves with insane amounts of terrible food, alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. We live increasingly sedentary lives. We rarely take vitamins, drink enough water, keep our cholesterol in check, or even sleep enough. If there is one thing we are constantly sacrificing, it's our health. We, who are young, get this idea in our head that tells us we are invincible! We start to believe we can fly around with a red cape,that we are faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings with a single bound, and have bullets bounce off our chest. What we don't actually realize is that in real life, just about everything can be that little green rock that causes us harm. Every time we puff that cigarette, skip the gym to watch the Biggest Loser (ironically), have one too many shots of tequila, or throw down six cheeseburgers in a single sitting, we are exposing ourselves to kryptonite.
You may find my Superman analogy a little childish (what can I say, we have been watching a lot of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman), but it holds true for most of us. I am not free from guilt in this. Is it odd to see me at Taco Bell, scarfing down a Mexican Pizza? Absolutely not! If it were possible, I'd have one every day. Do I ever exercise? Definitely not! Why? Simple: it's boring and feels like work. I like to do stuff that is fun, like play a video game, watch movies, design, and have awesomely long discussions. Maybe I should start taking my own advice, right? We should all start living a more health conscious life, and it can start today! So, get on it people!!!
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Student Loans: A Necessary Evil or Just Evil….
In this day and age, we are being told to hold on to our monetary resources as much as possible. Don’t leave your jobs, don’t make any crazy purchases, and don’t spend any money whatsoever. It’s an odd thing, considering the insane buyer’s market we find ourselves in! So, do we take out that $200,000 dollar loan and buy a house because that house could potentially triple in value over the next 10 years? It is a considerable gamble, isn’t it? Making a huge investment, and not knowing for sure that it will pay off for you. The housing market is so fickle. It bends and breaks, then gets rebuilt again. Who knows what can happen. Will it get even worse before it gets better? Who knows! It’s possible your $200,000 dollar investment does pay off big time, and it’s also possible you buy the house and watch the value plummet even further. We can never say for sure. It is indeed a very dangerous and risky game. Does that mean you don’t play it?
To answer that question, I will pose another question: Since it is very possible you could end up broken hearted, do you take the risk of falling in love? There are many factors to consider, right? What if she cheats? What if she leaves me for another man? What if she is a serial killer who only kills serial killers? What if it just doesn’t work out and you end up a broken mess? It can turn out very badly for you! So, is it worth the risk? YES! When it’s bad, it’s bad...but when it’s right and it is real, it is the greatest thing humanly possible. Just about anything in this world that is worth having will require a risk. It has to be worth fighting for in order to be worth having. The same can be said of a house.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to be irresponsible and purchase a home when you know your job isn’t stable. Just as with love, be responsible and be sure you are making the right choice. Don’t marry someone you can’t stand, or that you know isn’t right for you! Be responsible with your investments, whether it be love, a car, a boat, or a house. Make sure your investment pays off as well. If you buy a boat, use it! If you buy a house, take care of it, and update it so that the value will remain high.
What does any of this have to do with student loans? Well, I think you may have already guessed. Let’s go over a few things before I really delve into it. In this age, it is extremely rare to find a student who doesn’t need student loans. I’m not talking about your private college and university students either. I’m talking about your average FIU or FSU student! Consider that every year, FIU’s tuition goes up. Also consider that the family income level for Pell Grant recipients is not based on a state per state or a family per family basis. It’s a general figure for all states. So, if it’s $15,000 per household member, and you live in New York City, chances are you won’t get much in the way of federal grants. The days of fully covered college are all but gone. Next year, my wife will not qualify for Pell Grants because we make too much for our two person household. That means she will have to finish her last semester at FIU with a student loan. She also had to take out loans at Miami Dade College when she was an out of state student. Many factors will impact your aid, and your needs for student loans.
All that being said, let’s get right down to dispelling the old time notion that student loans are evil. At this point, they are a necessary evil for most students. Obviously, if you don’t need them, you shouldn’t take them. That would go against the whole “be responsible” thing I mentioned earlier. If you can afford to fund your college education through grants and scholarships, then that is great for you, and you should take advantage of that. If you don’t qualify for grants, or scholarships, does that mean you should forget about college and just try to get by for the rest of your life with bottom of the barrel jobs? By no means! If there is one risk, one investment you absolutely have to pursue in our world today, it’s that of a college education. Believe me, without it you will not reach your maximum potential in life. It will be very difficult to make a career for yourself. Forget about a job. A job is a place you go to get paid. Most people hate their “jobs”. You need to find a career; a position and a field that gets you excited and will allow you to wake up in the morning and be happy about what you are going to be doing for the next 8-9 hours.
Again, I have to stress the whole responsibility thing here. Be wise, and very careful as you select a major. Unless you are 100% planning on attending graduate school, find a major and a career field that you will not only enjoy, but that will provide you with opportunities and monetary success. No one wants to shell out $30,000 in student debt to be making $8.50 per hour. Pick the right career for you! Do some research, be informed, be prepared to work hard, and try as hard as possible to be certain you are entering the right field.
Finally, back to the subject of the loan….Student loans are not the same as auto, or home loans. If you fail to pay your home loan, they take the house away from you. The same is true of an auto loan, a motorcycle, or a boat. It’s not the same with a student loan. Why? Well, with a student loan, the bank can’t get anything in return for it. If you don’t pay that home loan, and they take it away from you, they can just sell it to someone else and at least recover some of the value. It’s not so with a student loan. They can’t take your Bachelor’s degree away from you and sell it to the highest bidder. You earned it, that title and degree belongs to you, regardless of who financed it. For this reason, lenders are very flexible and willing to work with you on payment schedules and deferment. Of course, you have to have good reason to have your loans deferred, such as loss of employment, low income, or continued education. They work with you, because it’s better to get paid less over a longer period, then to get nothing at all. You really have to work hard and avoid every possible avenue of communication in order to fall into default!
If getting student loans is the make or break decision for you in regards to a college education, take that risk, make that investment! Without a college education, chances are you will be stuck in dead end situation after dead end situation! Don’t limit yourself and your potential! As John Connor once said, “The future's not set. There's no fate but what we make for ourselves.”
To answer that question, I will pose another question: Since it is very possible you could end up broken hearted, do you take the risk of falling in love? There are many factors to consider, right? What if she cheats? What if she leaves me for another man? What if she is a serial killer who only kills serial killers? What if it just doesn’t work out and you end up a broken mess? It can turn out very badly for you! So, is it worth the risk? YES! When it’s bad, it’s bad...but when it’s right and it is real, it is the greatest thing humanly possible. Just about anything in this world that is worth having will require a risk. It has to be worth fighting for in order to be worth having. The same can be said of a house.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to be irresponsible and purchase a home when you know your job isn’t stable. Just as with love, be responsible and be sure you are making the right choice. Don’t marry someone you can’t stand, or that you know isn’t right for you! Be responsible with your investments, whether it be love, a car, a boat, or a house. Make sure your investment pays off as well. If you buy a boat, use it! If you buy a house, take care of it, and update it so that the value will remain high.
What does any of this have to do with student loans? Well, I think you may have already guessed. Let’s go over a few things before I really delve into it. In this age, it is extremely rare to find a student who doesn’t need student loans. I’m not talking about your private college and university students either. I’m talking about your average FIU or FSU student! Consider that every year, FIU’s tuition goes up. Also consider that the family income level for Pell Grant recipients is not based on a state per state or a family per family basis. It’s a general figure for all states. So, if it’s $15,000 per household member, and you live in New York City, chances are you won’t get much in the way of federal grants. The days of fully covered college are all but gone. Next year, my wife will not qualify for Pell Grants because we make too much for our two person household. That means she will have to finish her last semester at FIU with a student loan. She also had to take out loans at Miami Dade College when she was an out of state student. Many factors will impact your aid, and your needs for student loans.
All that being said, let’s get right down to dispelling the old time notion that student loans are evil. At this point, they are a necessary evil for most students. Obviously, if you don’t need them, you shouldn’t take them. That would go against the whole “be responsible” thing I mentioned earlier. If you can afford to fund your college education through grants and scholarships, then that is great for you, and you should take advantage of that. If you don’t qualify for grants, or scholarships, does that mean you should forget about college and just try to get by for the rest of your life with bottom of the barrel jobs? By no means! If there is one risk, one investment you absolutely have to pursue in our world today, it’s that of a college education. Believe me, without it you will not reach your maximum potential in life. It will be very difficult to make a career for yourself. Forget about a job. A job is a place you go to get paid. Most people hate their “jobs”. You need to find a career; a position and a field that gets you excited and will allow you to wake up in the morning and be happy about what you are going to be doing for the next 8-9 hours.
Again, I have to stress the whole responsibility thing here. Be wise, and very careful as you select a major. Unless you are 100% planning on attending graduate school, find a major and a career field that you will not only enjoy, but that will provide you with opportunities and monetary success. No one wants to shell out $30,000 in student debt to be making $8.50 per hour. Pick the right career for you! Do some research, be informed, be prepared to work hard, and try as hard as possible to be certain you are entering the right field.
Finally, back to the subject of the loan….Student loans are not the same as auto, or home loans. If you fail to pay your home loan, they take the house away from you. The same is true of an auto loan, a motorcycle, or a boat. It’s not the same with a student loan. Why? Well, with a student loan, the bank can’t get anything in return for it. If you don’t pay that home loan, and they take it away from you, they can just sell it to someone else and at least recover some of the value. It’s not so with a student loan. They can’t take your Bachelor’s degree away from you and sell it to the highest bidder. You earned it, that title and degree belongs to you, regardless of who financed it. For this reason, lenders are very flexible and willing to work with you on payment schedules and deferment. Of course, you have to have good reason to have your loans deferred, such as loss of employment, low income, or continued education. They work with you, because it’s better to get paid less over a longer period, then to get nothing at all. You really have to work hard and avoid every possible avenue of communication in order to fall into default!
If getting student loans is the make or break decision for you in regards to a college education, take that risk, make that investment! Without a college education, chances are you will be stuck in dead end situation after dead end situation! Don’t limit yourself and your potential! As John Connor once said, “The future's not set. There's no fate but what we make for ourselves.”
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Accouting: A Smart Choice?
Heck yes it is!
Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014. An increase in the number of businesses, changing financial laws and regulations, and increased scrutiny of company finances will drive growth. In addition to openings resulting from growth, the need to replace accountants and auditors who retire or transfer to other occupations will produce numerous job openings in this large occupation.
As the economy grows, the number of business establishments will increase, requiring more accountants and auditors to set up books, prepare taxes, and provide management advice. As these businesses grow, the volume and complexity of information developed by accountants and auditors regarding costs, expenditures, and taxes will increase as well. An increased need for accountants and auditors will arise from changes in legislation related to taxes, financial reporting standards, business investments, mergers, and other financial events. The growth of international business also has led to more demand for accounting expertise and services related to international trade and accounting rules, as well as to international mergers and acquisitions. These trends should create more jobs for accountants and auditors.
As a result of accounting scandals at several large corporate companies, Congress passed legislation in an effort to curb corporate accounting fraud. This legislation requires public companies to maintain well-functioning internal controls to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their financial reporting. It also holds the company’s chief executive personally responsible for falsely reporting financial information.
These changes should lead to increased scrutiny of company finances and accounting procedures and should create opportunities for accountants and auditors, particularly CPAs, to audit financial records more thoroughly. In order to ensure that finances comply with the law before public accountants conduct audits, management accountants and internal auditors increasingly will be needed to discover and eliminate fraud. Also, in an effort to make government agencies more efficient and accountable, demand for government accountants should increase.
Increased awareness of financial crimes such as embezzlement, bribery, and securities fraud will increase the demand for forensic accountants, to detect illegal financial activity by individuals, companies, and organized crime rings. Computer technology has made these crimes easier to commit, and they are on the rise. At the same time, the development of new computer software and electronic surveillance technology has made tracking down financial criminals easier, thus increasing the ease with which, and likelihood that, forensic accountants will discover their crimes. As success rates of investigations grow, demand also will grow for forensic accountants.
The changing role of accountants and auditors also will spur job growth, although this growth will be limited as a result of financial scandals. In response to demand, some accountants were offering more financial management and consulting services as they assumed a greater advisory role and developed more sophisticated accounting systems. Because Federal legislation now prohibits accountants from providing nontraditional services to clients whose books they audit, opportunities for accountants to offer such services could be limited. However, accountants will still be able to advise on other financial matters for clients that are not publicly traded companies and for nonaudit clients, but growth in these areas will be slower than in the past. Also, due to the increasing popularity of tax preparation firms and computer software, accountants will shift away from tax preparation. As computer programs continue to simplify some accounting-related tasks, clerical staff will increasingly handle many routine calculations.
Overall, job opportunities for accountants and auditors should be favorable. After most States instituted the 150-hour rule for CPAs, enrollment in accounting programs declined; however, enrollment is slowly beginning to grow again as more students become attracted to the profession because of the attention from the accounting scandals. Those who earn a CPA should have excellent job prospects. However, many accounting graduates are instead pursuing other certifications, such as the CMA and CIA, so job prospects may not be as favorable in management accounting and internal auditing as in public accounting. Regardless of specialty, accountants and auditors who have earned professional recognition through certification or licensure should have the best job prospects. Applicants with a master’s degree in accounting, or a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting, also will have an advantage. In the aftermath of the accounting scandals, professional certification is even more important in order to ensure that accountants’ credentials and ethics are sound.
Proficiency in accounting and auditing computer software, or expertise in specialized areas such as international business, specific industries, or current legislation, may be helpful in landing certain accounting and auditing jobs. In addition, employers increasingly are seeking applicants with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Because many accountants work on teams with others from different backgrounds, they must be able to communicate accounting and financial information clearly and concisely. Regardless of one’s qualifications, however, competition will remain keen for the most prestigious jobs in major accounting and business firms.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014. An increase in the number of businesses, changing financial laws and regulations, and increased scrutiny of company finances will drive growth. In addition to openings resulting from growth, the need to replace accountants and auditors who retire or transfer to other occupations will produce numerous job openings in this large occupation.
As the economy grows, the number of business establishments will increase, requiring more accountants and auditors to set up books, prepare taxes, and provide management advice. As these businesses grow, the volume and complexity of information developed by accountants and auditors regarding costs, expenditures, and taxes will increase as well. An increased need for accountants and auditors will arise from changes in legislation related to taxes, financial reporting standards, business investments, mergers, and other financial events. The growth of international business also has led to more demand for accounting expertise and services related to international trade and accounting rules, as well as to international mergers and acquisitions. These trends should create more jobs for accountants and auditors.
As a result of accounting scandals at several large corporate companies, Congress passed legislation in an effort to curb corporate accounting fraud. This legislation requires public companies to maintain well-functioning internal controls to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their financial reporting. It also holds the company’s chief executive personally responsible for falsely reporting financial information.
These changes should lead to increased scrutiny of company finances and accounting procedures and should create opportunities for accountants and auditors, particularly CPAs, to audit financial records more thoroughly. In order to ensure that finances comply with the law before public accountants conduct audits, management accountants and internal auditors increasingly will be needed to discover and eliminate fraud. Also, in an effort to make government agencies more efficient and accountable, demand for government accountants should increase.
Increased awareness of financial crimes such as embezzlement, bribery, and securities fraud will increase the demand for forensic accountants, to detect illegal financial activity by individuals, companies, and organized crime rings. Computer technology has made these crimes easier to commit, and they are on the rise. At the same time, the development of new computer software and electronic surveillance technology has made tracking down financial criminals easier, thus increasing the ease with which, and likelihood that, forensic accountants will discover their crimes. As success rates of investigations grow, demand also will grow for forensic accountants.
The changing role of accountants and auditors also will spur job growth, although this growth will be limited as a result of financial scandals. In response to demand, some accountants were offering more financial management and consulting services as they assumed a greater advisory role and developed more sophisticated accounting systems. Because Federal legislation now prohibits accountants from providing nontraditional services to clients whose books they audit, opportunities for accountants to offer such services could be limited. However, accountants will still be able to advise on other financial matters for clients that are not publicly traded companies and for nonaudit clients, but growth in these areas will be slower than in the past. Also, due to the increasing popularity of tax preparation firms and computer software, accountants will shift away from tax preparation. As computer programs continue to simplify some accounting-related tasks, clerical staff will increasingly handle many routine calculations.
Overall, job opportunities for accountants and auditors should be favorable. After most States instituted the 150-hour rule for CPAs, enrollment in accounting programs declined; however, enrollment is slowly beginning to grow again as more students become attracted to the profession because of the attention from the accounting scandals. Those who earn a CPA should have excellent job prospects. However, many accounting graduates are instead pursuing other certifications, such as the CMA and CIA, so job prospects may not be as favorable in management accounting and internal auditing as in public accounting. Regardless of specialty, accountants and auditors who have earned professional recognition through certification or licensure should have the best job prospects. Applicants with a master’s degree in accounting, or a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting, also will have an advantage. In the aftermath of the accounting scandals, professional certification is even more important in order to ensure that accountants’ credentials and ethics are sound.
Proficiency in accounting and auditing computer software, or expertise in specialized areas such as international business, specific industries, or current legislation, may be helpful in landing certain accounting and auditing jobs. In addition, employers increasingly are seeking applicants with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Because many accountants work on teams with others from different backgrounds, they must be able to communicate accounting and financial information clearly and concisely. Regardless of one’s qualifications, however, competition will remain keen for the most prestigious jobs in major accounting and business firms.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Madden 11 Results!
Hello all!
So as you may or may not know, I had been heavily promoting the Madden Tournament hosted by CBT, Game On, and 790 the Ticket! The event was this past Friday evening, and let me tell you, it was insane. So, to fully explain the insanity, I obviously have to give you some back story on it. Here we go...
A great event usually takes anywhere between three months to two years (weddings) to plan. What are some of the essentials? Well, there is the main attraction, structure, the itinerary, the goal, the food, "what if" scenarios, guest lists, the motivation for attending, amenities, sponsors, and the marketing/promotions. So many things go into it!
How much time did I have to put together the whole event? About 5 weeks from the date the event was given the green light. Obviously, this left me with no time! Just getting sponsors alone is quite an ordeal. Most companies require that you give them between 2 and 6 months of notice to approve your event for sponsorship. This made it impossible to secure powerhouses such as Gatorade, Best Buy, Game Stop, Red Bull, or Champs Sports. SO what can you do at that point? Look for alternatives to the big companies. In the short time I was given, I secured Game On Videogames, Sports Grill, 790 the Ticket, Smoothie King, and AT&T! Quite the group of great companies! Game On and 790 the Ticket were especially wonderful companies to work with.
Even though we had 790 the Ticket on board and did some great radio and internet promotion through them, we only had their resources for a week! The reason for this is because 5 weeks was not enough time for radio spots to be secured and worked into the event. Therefore we did with what we had. Our previous event had 6 weeks of radio spots on various stations from Y100 to Mega 94.9. Instead, we threw out a few email blasts, direct mail drops, heavy street promotion, and even heavier social media promotion. It was a "grassroots" campaign. The social media marketing really did the trick for this one, yielding over 57% of the traffic for the event! This includes, Facebook, Twitter, this very blog, and some gaming forums (even some forums I was not on).
Next up: Food! With only a few weeks, I was given the green light to look for the caterer, and was rejected on several companies due the cost. So I was tasked to find an inexpensive caterer who could pull it all off. I contacted a company and was finally given confirmation to book them with 2 days remaining before the event. Not much time, right? Well, they ended up doing a decent job with the burgers and hot dogs, though they were placed in a bad location, where they were rained on. Not a very strategic placement, if you ask me. I digress, though. The point is that we booked a caterer that managed to cook all the food we needed, to the point that we had leftovers. That's the way it should be! You never want to be short on food. Always over prepare, because people always remember food at events. You should also never go cheap on your food. You can sacrifice in other areas....never food! That's event planning 101. The caterers didn't bring plates, and that was an issue for some, but I had asked them not to bring the plates because they (like ALL other caterers) charge extra for plates, cups, silver or plastic ware, and any other item they bring to the event. I simply purchased the plates at an affordable rate at a wholesaler. I guess the bottom line with catering is that if you want Texas De Brazil, you have to pay Texas De Brazil prices.
Alright, we covered sponsors, food, and radio promo. What else? The prizes were an XBOX 360 Slim and a copy of Madden 11 for the winner, a $75 gift card to Game On for the second place, and a gift card with a lap top bag for third place. Each gamer was given a "goodie bag" with coupons, marketing materials, and promotional information. We also raffled off Marlins tickets and Boomers gift cards that were donated by 790 the Ticket. For a free tournament, these were top notch prizes!!
So, the day of the event, there was a commercial being filmed in our gaming hall that didn't wrap up until about 45 minutes before the event, which left us way too pressed for time to set everything up. This is the kind of hiccup that is difficult to prepare for and just has to be worked around. I was not informed that a film crew would be using my gaming hall up until the last possible second, leaving me with no time time to set up. Therefore, we started about a half hour late, which always upsets me, considering how punctual I am. It was only a minor set back, and we adjusted and worked very quickly to set all the consoles and televisions up, as well as decorate and make sure everything was ready to go.
So, we fought the elements (rain, massively backed up traffic, and an impossible building to find) to bring in over 40 some odd gamers, and over 120 overall guests to our event! Everything went off without major issues. People had lots of fun, the event was impressive to most in attendance, and we crowned an ultimate Madden champion! So, for having less than a month and a half to put it all together, we brought in over 120 people, and impressed everyone who walked through our doors.
Lessons I learned from my first solo event:
1. Do NOT let anyone dictate where and how things will go down.
2. Be ready for bumps and hiccups.
3. Be assertive on what is needed, especially when it comes to food (lol)
4. Do NOT take "no" for an answer. Just readjust your strategy.
5. HAVE FUN!!!
So as you may or may not know, I had been heavily promoting the Madden Tournament hosted by CBT, Game On, and 790 the Ticket! The event was this past Friday evening, and let me tell you, it was insane. So, to fully explain the insanity, I obviously have to give you some back story on it. Here we go...
A great event usually takes anywhere between three months to two years (weddings) to plan. What are some of the essentials? Well, there is the main attraction, structure, the itinerary, the goal, the food, "what if" scenarios, guest lists, the motivation for attending, amenities, sponsors, and the marketing/promotions. So many things go into it!
How much time did I have to put together the whole event? About 5 weeks from the date the event was given the green light. Obviously, this left me with no time! Just getting sponsors alone is quite an ordeal. Most companies require that you give them between 2 and 6 months of notice to approve your event for sponsorship. This made it impossible to secure powerhouses such as Gatorade, Best Buy, Game Stop, Red Bull, or Champs Sports. SO what can you do at that point? Look for alternatives to the big companies. In the short time I was given, I secured Game On Videogames, Sports Grill, 790 the Ticket, Smoothie King, and AT&T! Quite the group of great companies! Game On and 790 the Ticket were especially wonderful companies to work with.
Even though we had 790 the Ticket on board and did some great radio and internet promotion through them, we only had their resources for a week! The reason for this is because 5 weeks was not enough time for radio spots to be secured and worked into the event. Therefore we did with what we had. Our previous event had 6 weeks of radio spots on various stations from Y100 to Mega 94.9. Instead, we threw out a few email blasts, direct mail drops, heavy street promotion, and even heavier social media promotion. It was a "grassroots" campaign. The social media marketing really did the trick for this one, yielding over 57% of the traffic for the event! This includes, Facebook, Twitter, this very blog, and some gaming forums (even some forums I was not on).
Next up: Food! With only a few weeks, I was given the green light to look for the caterer, and was rejected on several companies due the cost. So I was tasked to find an inexpensive caterer who could pull it all off. I contacted a company and was finally given confirmation to book them with 2 days remaining before the event. Not much time, right? Well, they ended up doing a decent job with the burgers and hot dogs, though they were placed in a bad location, where they were rained on. Not a very strategic placement, if you ask me. I digress, though. The point is that we booked a caterer that managed to cook all the food we needed, to the point that we had leftovers. That's the way it should be! You never want to be short on food. Always over prepare, because people always remember food at events. You should also never go cheap on your food. You can sacrifice in other areas....never food! That's event planning 101. The caterers didn't bring plates, and that was an issue for some, but I had asked them not to bring the plates because they (like ALL other caterers) charge extra for plates, cups, silver or plastic ware, and any other item they bring to the event. I simply purchased the plates at an affordable rate at a wholesaler. I guess the bottom line with catering is that if you want Texas De Brazil, you have to pay Texas De Brazil prices.
Alright, we covered sponsors, food, and radio promo. What else? The prizes were an XBOX 360 Slim and a copy of Madden 11 for the winner, a $75 gift card to Game On for the second place, and a gift card with a lap top bag for third place. Each gamer was given a "goodie bag" with coupons, marketing materials, and promotional information. We also raffled off Marlins tickets and Boomers gift cards that were donated by 790 the Ticket. For a free tournament, these were top notch prizes!!
So, the day of the event, there was a commercial being filmed in our gaming hall that didn't wrap up until about 45 minutes before the event, which left us way too pressed for time to set everything up. This is the kind of hiccup that is difficult to prepare for and just has to be worked around. I was not informed that a film crew would be using my gaming hall up until the last possible second, leaving me with no time time to set up. Therefore, we started about a half hour late, which always upsets me, considering how punctual I am. It was only a minor set back, and we adjusted and worked very quickly to set all the consoles and televisions up, as well as decorate and make sure everything was ready to go.
So, we fought the elements (rain, massively backed up traffic, and an impossible building to find) to bring in over 40 some odd gamers, and over 120 overall guests to our event! Everything went off without major issues. People had lots of fun, the event was impressive to most in attendance, and we crowned an ultimate Madden champion! So, for having less than a month and a half to put it all together, we brought in over 120 people, and impressed everyone who walked through our doors.
Lessons I learned from my first solo event:
1. Do NOT let anyone dictate where and how things will go down.
2. Be ready for bumps and hiccups.
3. Be assertive on what is needed, especially when it comes to food (lol)
4. Do NOT take "no" for an answer. Just readjust your strategy.
5. HAVE FUN!!!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Why Should We Stay "Linked In"....
So, there are quite a lot of Social Media websites out there. What's the big deal with social media, right? I mean, we all know that social media is only good for talking to your friends, posting crazy pictures from Space, and Nikki Beach, and adding famous people like Kim Kardashian and LeBron James. It also makes my iPhone look cool when I have all these awesome apps! That's all social media is supposed to be used for, right? WRONG! It's about time we throw that kind of thinking out the door. Here are some facts for you, friends....
Over 96% of millennials have joined a Social Network.
Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic in the U.S.
Social Media has overtaken porn as the top activity on the web.
1 out of 8 married couples in the U.S. met via Social Media
It took 38 years for the radio to reach 50 million users...
13 years for TV....
4 years for the internet...
3 years for the iPod....
Facebook added over 200 MILLION users in less than 1 year!
iPod app downloads of Facebook hit 1 BILLION in 9 MONTHS!!!!!
If Facebook were a country, it would be the 3rd largest...
I realize I haven't given you much in the way of reasons why social media is more than just a friend adding and crazy picture posting machine.... SO here goes...
80% of companies use social media for recruitment, almost all of it through LINKED IN!
That's right, more and more companies in the U.S. are shying away from Craigslist, CareerBuilder and Monster. Barely any companies are using staffing agencies. No, no, no my friends, the best jobs are found on Linked In. Why? Because social media gives a company all the tools to truly know a potential employee. Linked In allows you to create a fully interactive resume, with recommendations letters and all! It allows you to network with major companies and connect with others who may be the doorway to your career! Linked In is a social network for professionals to make the connections needed for success in this, the Application Age. Find people you have met through professional settings, create a network of your coworkers, employers, and fellow professionals in your field of expertise. For those who are still college students, or even those who have never held a job, this site allows you to make the connections necessary to set yourself up for the career you want once you graduate. Finding a job in this economic climate is no easy task. Even less easy....is finding the job you actually want. Chances are you won't find it on Craigslist, CareerBuilder, Monster. Why? When you apply for a job or submit your resume through any of those sites, you are just one of possibly 500 other people. Not so with Linked In. On Linked In, it may be you and 19 others who are submitting their resume. There is a much higher probability that your resume will get noticed if you are applying with 20 people, as opposed to 100, 300, or 500, right? So, do yourself a favor, and get a Linked In people!
Now, here's the kicker....
While Linked In could be very beneficial to you in terms of your professional career, your other social media profiles will play a role in this as well. If you are on Linked In, chances are you can also be found Tweeting, and updating your status on Facebook. In the world we live in, nothing is private anymore. You can try to keep your professional life and your social life separate, but the internet has made that difficult. Lying on a resume is nearly impossible today, because employers can simply research you on Google, You Tube, and social media sites. So, your Linked In may paint a picture of you that your Facebook pictures at Mardi Gras completely discredit. In other words: Your Linked In may be writing a check that your Facebook can't cash. And believe me when I tell you this: If they received your resume on Linked In, they WILL research you on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. A potential employer doesn't want to see pictures of you fist pumping in the club. Employers like quality employees who will not embarrass their company, and social media is an easy way to make sure who you are hiring. Everyone knows people are mostly putting on a facade at their interviews, but social media usually tells them all they need to know about your character....so just be very careful what you put on the internet. Just like a tattoo, think clearly about your decision to brand yourself a certain way. People are watching!
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Over 96% of millennials have joined a Social Network.
Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic in the U.S.
Social Media has overtaken porn as the top activity on the web.
1 out of 8 married couples in the U.S. met via Social Media
It took 38 years for the radio to reach 50 million users...
13 years for TV....
4 years for the internet...
3 years for the iPod....
Facebook added over 200 MILLION users in less than 1 year!
iPod app downloads of Facebook hit 1 BILLION in 9 MONTHS!!!!!
If Facebook were a country, it would be the 3rd largest...
I realize I haven't given you much in the way of reasons why social media is more than just a friend adding and crazy picture posting machine.... SO here goes...
80% of companies use social media for recruitment, almost all of it through LINKED IN!
That's right, more and more companies in the U.S. are shying away from Craigslist, CareerBuilder and Monster. Barely any companies are using staffing agencies. No, no, no my friends, the best jobs are found on Linked In. Why? Because social media gives a company all the tools to truly know a potential employee. Linked In allows you to create a fully interactive resume, with recommendations letters and all! It allows you to network with major companies and connect with others who may be the doorway to your career! Linked In is a social network for professionals to make the connections needed for success in this, the Application Age. Find people you have met through professional settings, create a network of your coworkers, employers, and fellow professionals in your field of expertise. For those who are still college students, or even those who have never held a job, this site allows you to make the connections necessary to set yourself up for the career you want once you graduate. Finding a job in this economic climate is no easy task. Even less easy....is finding the job you actually want. Chances are you won't find it on Craigslist, CareerBuilder, Monster. Why? When you apply for a job or submit your resume through any of those sites, you are just one of possibly 500 other people. Not so with Linked In. On Linked In, it may be you and 19 others who are submitting their resume. There is a much higher probability that your resume will get noticed if you are applying with 20 people, as opposed to 100, 300, or 500, right? So, do yourself a favor, and get a Linked In people!
Now, here's the kicker....
While Linked In could be very beneficial to you in terms of your professional career, your other social media profiles will play a role in this as well. If you are on Linked In, chances are you can also be found Tweeting, and updating your status on Facebook. In the world we live in, nothing is private anymore. You can try to keep your professional life and your social life separate, but the internet has made that difficult. Lying on a resume is nearly impossible today, because employers can simply research you on Google, You Tube, and social media sites. So, your Linked In may paint a picture of you that your Facebook pictures at Mardi Gras completely discredit. In other words: Your Linked In may be writing a check that your Facebook can't cash. And believe me when I tell you this: If they received your resume on Linked In, they WILL research you on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. A potential employer doesn't want to see pictures of you fist pumping in the club. Employers like quality employees who will not embarrass their company, and social media is an easy way to make sure who you are hiring. Everyone knows people are mostly putting on a facade at their interviews, but social media usually tells them all they need to know about your character....so just be very careful what you put on the internet. Just like a tattoo, think clearly about your decision to brand yourself a certain way. People are watching!
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Madden 11 Madness
So let's talk about this event.
As you all know, every year around the second week of August, EA Sports releases its most anticipated game: Madden NFL Football. This year is no different. On August 10th, Madden NFL 11 hit stores all over. Those of you who know me know that I am an avid sports fan, a dedicated gamer, and a loyal customer! Being that I am all those things, I buy Madden every year and find myself playing it until around February when the MLB: The Show baseball game is released.
As CBT College's Coordinator of Events, Online Activities, and New Media, I have been working very hard to make sure that CBT is not only a great place to educate yourself, but also a fun place that our students will enjoy attending. I know it sounds weird to say education and fun in the same sentence, but honestly they go hand in hand. Most, if not all people want to find a career that is not only lucrative, but fun. Why? Well, would you like to spend the next 40 or 60 years of your life doing something you don't enjoy? I didn't think so. Therefore, my job is to make sure our college is not only a top notch school in terms of education, but to make sure our students enjoy being here. CBT not only cares about their students, but wants to provide them with activities and amenities they won't find anywhere else! Events like LAN Bash, Halloween Havoc Carnival, or the Madden NFL 11 Football Madness Tournament are geared towards not only giving the community a taste of what CBT is all about, but also about showing our students how much we appreciate them.
That being said, let's talk about the Madden NFL 11 Football Madness Video Game Tournament!!!! Game On and CBT will be hosting the tournament on August 20, 2010 at
6PM. There will be free food, consisting of homemade burgers, hot dogs, Sports Grill wings, chips, smoothies, drinks, and other great things. There will be music, giveaways, prizes, t-shirts, and so many other goodies for our guests. The tournament itself is a 64 Player Single Elimination Tournament, and the Grand Prize Madness Champion will win an XBOX 360 Slim with a copy of Madden NFL 11! There will be prizes for the second and third place finalists. Best of all people...everything is FREE!!! Even if you are not a huge fan of Madden, football, or videogames, come down and enjoy some free food, some great music, get some gifts and giveaways, and meet some special guests. Yes, that's right, there will be special guests here on August 20th! I cannot reveal just yet who they are, but you will not be disappointed my friends! The event is being sponsored by Game On VideoGames, Sports Grill, AT&T, 790 the Ticket, Smoothie King, and Bawls Energy Drinks!
In order to enter the tournament, you have to register. Why should I register Danny? Well, like I said there are only 64 spots and they are going fast. Registering reserves you a spot, so you are guaranteed to play. If you don't register, you can't play. There are limited spots available already, so act quickly if you want to have a chance at winning a brand new XBOX 360 Slim with Madden 11.
So, I would say this event is going to be pretty huge! We are literally having everything you can think of at this event! Games, food, music, prizes, guests, and so much more... Like I said earlier, it's all free. Come and enjoy yourself, this event is going to be a blast.
The address is 8765 SW 165th Avenue
The event is August 20, 2010 at 6 PM
Madden NFL 11 on the XBOX 360
Grand Prize: XBOX 360 Slim with a copy of Madden NFL 11!!!
Madden NFL 11 Video Game, Review | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com
Madden NFL 11 Video Game, Review | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com
Game On and CBT will be hosting a Madden NFL 11 "Football
Madness Video Game Tournament"!!! The event is on August 20, 2010 at
6PM. There will be free food, music, giveaways, and the Grand Prize
winner will get an XBOX 360 SLIM with a copy of Madden NFL 11!!!! Best
of all, everything is FREE!!!! Just register at http://www.cbtlanparty....com/
...spots are filling up fast, so register now to save your spot for the
ultimate Madden Tournament!!! If you want more details, you can message
me or call at 786-693-8821. This event is going to be huge, and you do
NOT wanna miss it!
Game On and CBT will be hosting a Madden NFL 11 "Football
Madness Video Game Tournament"!!! The event is on August 20, 2010 at
6PM. There will be free food, music, giveaways, and the Grand Prize
winner will get an XBOX 360 SLIM with a copy of Madden NFL 11!!!! Best
of all, everything is FREE!!!! Just register at http://www.cbtlanparty....com/
...spots are filling up fast, so register now to save your spot for the
ultimate Madden Tournament!!! If you want more details, you can message
me or call at 786-693-8821. This event is going to be huge, and you do
NOT wanna miss it!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Madden NFL 11: My Final Impressions - PlayStation 3 Preview at IGN
Madden NFL 11: My Final Impressions - PlayStation 3 Preview at IGN
The release of Madden is a momentous occasion each and every year. Not just because it's the only NFL-branded game of pigskin available, but also because -- for many of us -- it signals the beginning of the NFL season. I've spent the last two weeks playing the finished review build of Madden NFL 11 and I can say that those looking for a great game of football needn't look any further once August 10th rolls around.
There's a lot to like in Madden NFL 11, especially if you skipped out on this year's NCAA Football game. The amount of gameplay changes is impressive and permeates just about every aspect of the game. From the new strategy pad that houses your hot routes, coverage audibles and other abilities to the new dual analog stick control that lets you pivot your player's upper body to glance off hits and gain extra yardage, there's a lot of nuances that weren't in Madden NFL 10.
I have no doubt that some gamers will complain about some of these changes (such as the aforementioned strategy pad, which requires an extra button press to change an assignment), but the bulk of these additions do a great job of adding extra layers of depth to the gameplay.
Madden Intro Video
Probably my favorite and most-used new feature is the improved blocking. It's great to be able to trust your pulling guard or surging fullback to lay the proper blocks when you expect them to do so. Talented defensive linemen are still going to be able to shed blocks every now and again, as they should, but all in all you're going to have a much easier time trusting your lead blockers than you have in the past.
Of course, according to EA Sports marketing, it isn't the blocking that should excite you. Instead, it's the new GameFlow playcalling feature. This enables the artificial intelligence (AI) to handle all of your playcalling on both sides of the ball. You can use a feature called Gameplanning to organize a set of plays that the AI will pull from, but at the end of the day GameFlow is going to be calling your plays unless you elect to go the full list of plays as you've done in past years.
Using GameFlow means that games essentially fly by. You can finish a game in 20 minutes where before it would've taken 40. I still found flaws in the default GameFlow settings as the AI routinely called long-bomb streak plays even when I was in the red zone, but all I had to do to fix it was organize my own playbook (and yes, you can have multiple playbooks) within the Gameplanning feature to remedy the situation.
The other big new addition is Online Team Play that's actually fun. This one I really love. I wrote a preview on it yesterday, so check that out for information and videos. Just know that it's great and works better than you could've imagined.
All that said, there are still moments of frustration that creep into Madden's design. First of all, ball physics could've been better. Watching the ball bounce around the field and on different parts of a player model looks very artificial. All too often the ball will get caught on a piece of a player's body and will bounce around unrealistically. Also, as I've experienced in just about every Madden game in history, defensive backs are pretty incompetent when it comes to making interceptions. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen (I've thrown plenty of picks myself), but there are certainly too many situations when one of my professional, NFL-quality defensive backs would have an interception right in his hands, only to have the ball drop to the ground. If I make a mistake in the passing game, I should be punished and the same goes for the CPU.
NFC Pro Bowl Offense Video
Another fact that's certainly going to enrage Madden diehards out there is that the Online Franchise, Offline Franchise, and Superstar modes are all untouched from last year's game. In fact, the Franchise Mode even had the NFL Network's weekly show and halftime presentation removed from this year's game (or at least I haven't been able to find how to turn them on). I understand that the main goal was to streamline the experience, but I think some will miss the presentation element.
Thankfully there are quite a few new presentation touches to talk about. Close-up shots of enthused crowd members are great to see and Gus Johnson brings a lot of excitement to the commentary, even if it technically is as fragmented as ever. I'd really like to see EA Sports develop some new technology to deliver commentary, as this has been a problem for some time. You still get enthused remarks coupled with subdued statements that just don't fit together properly.
I think those people concerned with a better gameplay experience above all else will be pleased with what Madden NFL 11 brings to the table. GameFlow coupled with all of the gameplay refinements that NCAA Football enjoyed make this year's title a real treat to play, but if you want a bunch of added features to Online or Offline Franchise mode, you're going to be sorely disappointed.
Keep an eye out for our review on IGN.com as we inch closer to Madden NFL 11's August 10th release date on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP and iPhone.
The release of Madden is a momentous occasion each and every year. Not just because it's the only NFL-branded game of pigskin available, but also because -- for many of us -- it signals the beginning of the NFL season. I've spent the last two weeks playing the finished review build of Madden NFL 11 and I can say that those looking for a great game of football needn't look any further once August 10th rolls around.
There's a lot to like in Madden NFL 11, especially if you skipped out on this year's NCAA Football game. The amount of gameplay changes is impressive and permeates just about every aspect of the game. From the new strategy pad that houses your hot routes, coverage audibles and other abilities to the new dual analog stick control that lets you pivot your player's upper body to glance off hits and gain extra yardage, there's a lot of nuances that weren't in Madden NFL 10.
I have no doubt that some gamers will complain about some of these changes (such as the aforementioned strategy pad, which requires an extra button press to change an assignment), but the bulk of these additions do a great job of adding extra layers of depth to the gameplay.
Madden Intro Video
Probably my favorite and most-used new feature is the improved blocking. It's great to be able to trust your pulling guard or surging fullback to lay the proper blocks when you expect them to do so. Talented defensive linemen are still going to be able to shed blocks every now and again, as they should, but all in all you're going to have a much easier time trusting your lead blockers than you have in the past.
Of course, according to EA Sports marketing, it isn't the blocking that should excite you. Instead, it's the new GameFlow playcalling feature. This enables the artificial intelligence (AI) to handle all of your playcalling on both sides of the ball. You can use a feature called Gameplanning to organize a set of plays that the AI will pull from, but at the end of the day GameFlow is going to be calling your plays unless you elect to go the full list of plays as you've done in past years.
Using GameFlow means that games essentially fly by. You can finish a game in 20 minutes where before it would've taken 40. I still found flaws in the default GameFlow settings as the AI routinely called long-bomb streak plays even when I was in the red zone, but all I had to do to fix it was organize my own playbook (and yes, you can have multiple playbooks) within the Gameplanning feature to remedy the situation.
The other big new addition is Online Team Play that's actually fun. This one I really love. I wrote a preview on it yesterday, so check that out for information and videos. Just know that it's great and works better than you could've imagined.
All that said, there are still moments of frustration that creep into Madden's design. First of all, ball physics could've been better. Watching the ball bounce around the field and on different parts of a player model looks very artificial. All too often the ball will get caught on a piece of a player's body and will bounce around unrealistically. Also, as I've experienced in just about every Madden game in history, defensive backs are pretty incompetent when it comes to making interceptions. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen (I've thrown plenty of picks myself), but there are certainly too many situations when one of my professional, NFL-quality defensive backs would have an interception right in his hands, only to have the ball drop to the ground. If I make a mistake in the passing game, I should be punished and the same goes for the CPU.
NFC Pro Bowl Offense Video
Another fact that's certainly going to enrage Madden diehards out there is that the Online Franchise, Offline Franchise, and Superstar modes are all untouched from last year's game. In fact, the Franchise Mode even had the NFL Network's weekly show and halftime presentation removed from this year's game (or at least I haven't been able to find how to turn them on). I understand that the main goal was to streamline the experience, but I think some will miss the presentation element.
Thankfully there are quite a few new presentation touches to talk about. Close-up shots of enthused crowd members are great to see and Gus Johnson brings a lot of excitement to the commentary, even if it technically is as fragmented as ever. I'd really like to see EA Sports develop some new technology to deliver commentary, as this has been a problem for some time. You still get enthused remarks coupled with subdued statements that just don't fit together properly.
I think those people concerned with a better gameplay experience above all else will be pleased with what Madden NFL 11 brings to the table. GameFlow coupled with all of the gameplay refinements that NCAA Football enjoyed make this year's title a real treat to play, but if you want a bunch of added features to Online or Offline Franchise mode, you're going to be sorely disappointed.
Keep an eye out for our review on IGN.com as we inch closer to Madden NFL 11's August 10th release date on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP and iPhone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)