My New Part-Time Job

Jun 18, 2011 by

I have been transcribing again ever since my blogger friend, Mai, invited me on a very tempting offer. What I like about my new part time job is that I can decide to get an audio at my convenience. The audio is very manageable too because it is spliced up in bits and the deadlines are longer compared to my previous transcription job. Back then, I was assigned mostly 60 minute audio files in the morning which I have to transcribe no matter what (unless I’m sick or something) and finish by the end of the day. So now I have time to breathe and admire the outdoor fireplaces while transcribing on the side. I was even able to go have my manicure and pedicure at a nearby salon, would you believe? Most important of all, I have time to update my blogs too.

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Careers in Mechanical Engineering

Feb 9, 2011 by

Many students nowadays would balk at the idea of studying Mechanical Engineering in College, considering that the course deals with the complex and highly specialized industrial applications of physics and mechanics in the production of tools and machinery.

Those students, however, who have a keen interest in science, physics and mechanics, know that a bright future awaits them if they pursue mechanical engineering careers.

Mechanical engineers are in high demand in the automotive and transport industries. Because of the current trend for eco-friendly vehicles, mechanical engineers are tasked to design cars that are either more fuel-efficient or would not require the use of diesel, gasoline and other fossil fuels. They also design the equipment and machineries that are being used in factories and industries, and come up with ways for these machineries to be more productive while utilizing less power and fuel.

Mechanical engineers have the option to go into specialized engineering fields, such as industrial engineering (which deal with the logistics and the movement of vital resources in various industries), instrumentation engineering (which incorporates the principles of both mechanical and electrical engineering, especially when it comes to computers and electronics), or aerodynamics.

If you are academically-inclined toward physics and mechanics, you might want to consider taking up a mechanical engineering course.

Writing for Publications

Jan 2, 2011 by

Many budding writers dream of seeing their names in the bylines of their articles that get published in newspapers and magazines. However, writing for publications is not all that it is cracked up to be.

For one, majority of publications do not accept unsolicited materials. Unless they are well-written and informative, these articles usually end up being rejected. It is also a known fact that publications are notorious for paying late. Even with regular contributors, you don’t get paid upon submission. You have to wait for the article to get published AND for the advertisers to pay them for ad space before they could pay you. Some unscrupulous editors either solicit so many articles and, later, don’t publish them or they don’t pay you at all even if they do get printed. It is because of these questionable standards that writers should take the necessary steps to protect their interests.

First of all, never go into a commitment with a publication without a contract. Discuss rates, including transportation and food expenses. Some magazines who send out their contributors to cover events or interview certain people do not reimburse expenses for taxi and food. Negotiate for a reasonable time of payment. If you are in need of money, you may need to specify that payments to you be made “on submission”. Include a “Kill Fee” in your contract. This fee covers an amount in the event that the article solicited by the editor ends up not getting published. The “Kill Fee” is 50% of the rate of the published article. For example, if you are paid P1,500 for a 1-page article, the “kill fee” would be P750.

Newbie writers need not be taken advantage of by the questionable practices of publications. By taking the above necessary steps, you can ensure that your interests are protected and that your hard work will not go to waste.

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Online Degrees: Rewarding Employees for a Job Well Done

Sep 23, 2010 by

One of the best ways to get a raise on your job is to show your employer just how valuable your skills are. You can do this by taking on extra projects, turning in stellar work and constantly improving on your skill set as an employee. It also helps to work on your personal characteristics, since they have a part to play on your job, as well. For instance, if you work with the public in any capacity, improving your people skills can be a huge plus for you as it shows your employer how well you work with customers and clients.

Employees who are seeking raises or recognitions of any kind at work also realize that their educational status is very important in their pursuit of their career goals. Since many employers encourage their employees to further their education, they offer incentives to their employees to pursue higher degrees and will often pay a portion of their tuition if it is to traditional, campus-based colleges. Employers will often even pay for online degrees that employees pursue at their convenience.

So, how can the employee who’s doing all of the right things get noticed? They can start by keeping their manager abreast of all the changes they’re making towards their goals. This means telling them what school they’re planning to attend, what subject they’re planning to take, etc.

The employee can also further his win goal interests by finding and pursuing other opportunities within the company that will bring them exposure. For instance, is there an incentive for employees with great, cost-saving ideas for the company? Are there award systems in place for employees who meet their monthly or quarterly financial goals? Once an employee is rewarded for their efforts, their production levels increase, as does their confidence and interest in performing well on their jobs.

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Cramming Late at Night

Aug 5, 2010 by

It’s now midnight but I still can’t sleep because I have to finish 8 articles by tomorrow.  No thanks to PLDT we keep on losing our internet every couple of days or so.  Sometimes it will just take an hour but other times – like yesterday – it would take 24 hours before the connection is restored.  I thought I don’t have to worry about cramming to finish something when I quit my other job but as it turned out I’m back to cramming mode.

Good thing some articles are easy to do but some are harder to write.  I still have to research about ford mustang accessories which I know nothing about.  We have a Mazda as our vehicle and not a Ford.

Thankfully, hubby understands my situation and let me stay up late.  He knew how important internet is in my work and without it I’m really helpless.  That’s why I was not able to finish these articles beforehand.  Maybe it was a mistake to stay with our current provider.  I miss how reliable Smartbro was and if this continues we might ditch PLDT for good and sign up with Smartbro even though it’s not bundled with a telephone.  The only thing stopping us is the disconnection fee we have to pay.

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Business Credit Reports

Jul 28, 2010 by

My FIL works in a bank and has worked there for more than 20 years. I admire him because holding the same job for more than 20 years is surely a feat. He does business credit reports for the bank he works at. His duty is to do a background check on the different businesses that are applying to get a loan from the bank he’s working at. It’s his job to interview the owner and check their credit standing. After that, he will have to write a report to his boss endorsing the company or not.  His job is really crucial because if he makes a mistake and endorses a client that doesn’t pay the loan then the bank loses money.

In a few years my FIL is going to retire.  He looks forward to his retirement which he really deserves.  I’m sure he’s going to spend his retirement days with his four grandsons and enjoy the rest of his years living a carefree life.

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