Open-Access Meta-Search

After working with universities in Zimbabwe and Suriname, I came to realize that one of the biggest hurdles to education and training is the cost of commercial  study material. This problem exists not only in developing nations but also in nations such as the United States. With the encouragement of many in the developing world I have undertaken to identify means of gathering quality study material from the open-access world. Both computer science courses I taught in Zimbabwe during 2014-2015 were developed using fully-cited open-access material. I began developing this approach to course design in 2011. One result is a prototype Open-Access Meta-Search Engine that has been a great aid to me in my own work, http://informationanthology.net/Open-Access-Search.html. Expanding this tool to others’ use is the next step. Would you please take the time to review this prototype and send comments to me? I dearly need input from professionals on the design of the site and suggestions for new features that would make your searches easier. Thank you all very much for taking the time to provide comments. (An earlier posting on this topic talks about the thinking that led to this prototype (http://career-winner.blogspot.com/2013/05/openaccess-for-world-wide-education-and.html).

Surviving as a Ph.D. in Industry

Within the career development forums in which I participate, there is a growing realization amongst those soon to earn their Ph.D. that there is a severe shortage of teaching and research assignments in academia. This group is also realizing that their academic programs have fallen far short of preparing them for careers outside academia. This is especially true for those who have gone from Nursery through Ph.D. without getting any life or career experience. In this piece I offer my thoughts on the realities of surviving and functioning as a Ph.D. in industry based on 35 years experience.

An Experienced Engineer on Character Traits

Joseph Dabon is a retired engineer who has taken up writing to share with the world his experience in personal improvement during long years in the industrial world. He offers five character traits that lead to career success:

• Professionalism
• Enthusiastic and Energetic
• Self-Confidence
• Self-Starter
• Thirst for Learning

From my own travels in industry, I have to agree with Joseph's assessment. See what more he has to say in this article that expands on his thoughts.

God's Word on Careers

Recently, a forum in which I participate put forth a discussion on a common theme, belief in one’s ability to succeed. My put on the matter was that more than 2000 years ago a very wise person remarked on the possibilities if we were to have faith the size of a mustard seed. For thousands of years before that our elders have spoken and written about what it takes to have a happy life and solid career. We have only to know their teachings and put them into practice. Their words are collected in the Bible, God’s gift of eternal unchanging truth. “The Book of Life” it is called for good reason. He shows us how to live to best effect. If we chose to live otherwise, we should not expect our lives to take a happy route. This is not a punishment from God. Rather, it is our own choice to be unhappy and unsuccessful. It is rather like the fish who leaves the water. The fish dies not because he is being punished but because he has departed the life for which he was made.

A PDF on this topic is available on my website.

Career Discovery Toolkit

The intention of the 3-DVD set Career Discovery Toolkit is to make career assessments and supporting material available to counselors whose centers do not have internet access. The idea is that copies of various documents could be downloaded and printed by a press that can do so inexpensively. Entire assessment kits could be assembled from the material in the set. The contents of such a kit is up to the career counselor who should apply knowledge and experience in the assembly of materials to fit their intended audience. The kit also includes a library of videos, slides, and reading material related to career development.

This toolkit now available online for those with internet access. The collection originated with a request from the Greatness Factory Trust to support tours of schools, job fairs, conferences, and other events in Zimbabwe on career development. Comments were gratefully received from Rabison Shumba and Emily Gurupira.

You are more than welcome to access this toolkit. If you have suggestions for inclusion, please add them to this posting's comments section.

OpenAccess for World-Wide Education and Training

The number of people with the desire, focus, and energy to learn skills that require considerable rigor far exceeds the resources that would be required to educate and train those people. By this I mean that the capacity is there (both in the person and the institutions) but the funding is not. This is especially the case with people in less wealthy countries.

One of the cost issues lies in access to the literature. Many authors and others concerned with education and training have recognized the problems that come about when commercial publishers (for-profit and non-profit) get control of the world's intellectual output. Thus, those who produce that output are increasingly turning to OpenSource, CreativeCommons, OpenAcess, GeneralPublic, and PublicDomain styles of licensing. The internet has created a connected world. Within that world, it is relatively easy to produce, store, and index books, articles, seminars, and even entire courses. Additionally, print-on-demand presents a cost-effective means of producing a physical product when that is desired.

I was asked by the University of Zimbabwe, Department of Computer Science, to design a course that would retain rigor and quality study material while not depending on a traditional textbook. You are welcome to read what I found out about freely-accessible material that maintains quality while controlling costs.

Book Review: Share or Die

Share or Die has the goal of talking about sharing as a means of survival in today's economy. The book presents stories collected from young liberal arts graduates and their post-graduation efforts to establish themselves. The stories are most revealing. There are 26 stories. These come from a broad spectrum of situations involving many types of people. I found that these groups of people include: the totally clueless, the totally rebellious, the achievers, and the survivors. Along the way you will find inspiring stories from people who made something meaningful happen in their lives and careers. They tell about what they did and how they got through the down times. These stories offer a lot to think about and many ways to look at difficult situations. You will benefit from the stories offered in this book, even if some of them are an example of what not to do. A detailed review is posted on my website.

STEM Education Websites

It has always been my opinion that the education and training of the next generation of professionals starts in the home. Society can assist though its educational systems but the beginning and foundation of a person’s upbringing has to be provided, fostered, and encouraged by the parents.

Others in the professional community can be called upon to assist in the educational pipeline. To that end, a committee was formed in our parish to develop input to the parish grade and middle school on STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Part of the committee’s task was to find websites that offer resources for teachers and students. These resources are just as well used by parents as they help their children explore their interests and talents.

Our committee published their results.

For Those Said to be "Over-Qualified"

Often, I hear of people being given the "over-qualified" brush-off. What I do about that is seek out jobs for which most people are under-qualified. I also do not put pearls before swine. What I mean by that is I seek out employers who need, and know they need, people of high skill and long experience. One has to know one's industry and maintain good networking but that does have advantages.

This mentality draws from my concept of a job/skills pyramid. The pyramid has three sections:

1. Bottom of the pyramid. This RED section has tons of jobs, so many that one is easily fooled into thinking that employment will always be available. However, these jobs are so easy that, regardless of the number of jobs available, there are tons more people than there are jobs. Generally, such jobs involve commodity skills. It is a good place to start but no place to stop one's development.

2. Middle of the pyramid. This YELLOW section has fewer jobs but a balance between the number of jobs and the number of people who can do those jobs. Getting to this level takes more personal and professional development than that required for the bottom RED section.

3. Top of the pyramid. This GREEN section has even fewer jobs than the middle YELLOW section but there are always fewer people who can do those jobs than the number of jobs available. Regardless of the economy, companies that need such skill and experience can never find and keep enough of this kind of person. The required skills are definitely not commodity.

To rise through the job/skills pyramid, one needs a strong performance ethic, an on-going cycle of study-learn-work-produce. From this perspective, work ethic is not sufficient, since work by itself will not yield the desired results. One also has to activate the entire performance-ethic cycle.

For more discussion, see: http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor/Winning-Careers.html.

Maintain Self-Confidence

There is a vast difference between one’s calling, career, and job. God equips us to carry out our calling by equipping us with a set of talents and gifts, and the passion to use them in his service.

JaNee' Yeates reminds us that we have to trust our talents, that we should never second guess our innate gift and passion. These are something that is specifically designed and earmarked just for each person by God Himself. They are tailor-made to suit a particular individual. When your critics speak, they base their opinions on their personal thoughts and opinions. However, just like a suit or dress, it will never make sense to them because they can not fit it.

Read more of what JaNee’ has to say:
http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor/Self-Confidence.html.

Encouraging Education and Training

Regardless of the economy, most companies have difficulty hiring and retaining quality personnel. One cause lies in the education and training of people that companies wish to employ. Historically, companies ran extensive laboratories and training programs. Some few even ran entire universities. As these companies increasingly focused on producing and selling commodity products, these laboratories, training programs, and universities dried up or were spun off. Companies’ expectation now is that people will arrive fully ready to be profitably engaged. While one should expect to have a background suitable for employment at a given company, it is clear that balance has been lost and that the current approach is not working. This short article I wrote posits means by which companies can encourage the education and training of potential employees while creating win-win circumstances that benefit all concerned.

Tips for your First Job

Narayani Karthik has some excellent advice for those beginning their first job. She says that as your first day begins, you realize it is fun primarily because the feel good factor is still sinking deep inside you. However, this very job will also decide a lot for you, career wise. Your most important learning from your first job experience will be to strike a balance between your personal and professional life. She discusses several tips:

·       Observe more, listen more and talk less

·       Do not get judgmental

·       Learn, Know your job

·       Expand your network

·       Work when you should and play when you are relaxed

Read more about what Narayani has to say at:
http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor/Advice-for-First-Job.html.

Personal Responsibility

Two authors came to my attention recently. The first author gave a straight story on personal responsibility. The other author gave specifics on how to go about carrying out one’s responsibility for one’s self relative to career building. I wanted to share their thoughts with you. Dr. Ron Haskins presents clear and objective statistics on what happens when basic life decisions are not made well. He tells us we have to take responsibility for ourselves and make those decisions wisely. Dr. Lagena Bradley gives crisp guidance on how we can carry our personal responsibility for building a productive career. Read more of their thoughts. They are quite good.

Avoid Burnout

If you think that Hell does not exist, put yourself through burnout. That is what happens to workaholics. With faith in God and self-discipline you can recover and find yourself on a firmer foundation with a much more effective and successful style. How do I know? I have been through burnout twice. Be Warned.

Elaine Bailey has also survived burnout. She lists five delusions workaholics suffer from:

1. I'm keeping the boss happy
2. I'm a hero
3. I'm better than others
4. I accomplish more
5. Successful people work long hours

Elaine does a good job of explaining each item in her full article.

People to Avoid

One component of success is avoiding those who will ultimately avoid success. Benjamin Franklin described that kind of person very pointedly. He gave four things to look for in the person's behavior. Mark Bowser first brought these to my attention.

1.  Whenever possible, they engross the whole discourse; and when other matter fails, they talk much of themselves, and their Education, Knowledge, Circumstances, Successes in Business, Victories in Disputes, their own wise Sayings and Observations on particular Occasions. It goes on and on.

2.  If anyone tries to seize the opportunity of saying something, they watch that person's words carefully. If possible, they find something either in that person's sentiment or expression, immediately to contradict and raise a dispute upon. Rather than fail, they criticize even the person's grammar.

3.  If another should be saying an indisputably good thing; they either give no attention to it; or interrupt him; or draw away the attention of others. If they can guess what he would say, they are quick to say it before him; or, if he gets it said, and they perceive the company is pleased with it, they quote Locke, Bayle, or some other eminent writer. Thus they deprive him of the reputation he might have gained by it, and gain some for themselves, as they thereby show their great reading and memory.

4.  When modest men have been thus treated by them a few times, they will chase ever after them to be silent in your company. They thus seek to shine on without fear of a rival; pressing modest people at the same time for their dullness, which will be to them a new fund of wit.

Read Mark's discussion of these four points: http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor/Rules-For-Failure.html.

Becoming Happens Before Having, Doing, or Being

The title's insight is provided to us by Andrew Horton. He has found that career success happens when we invest our time into becoming, rather than acquiring. Experience has shown him that anything we pursue will elude us, whereas, as we grow and become, everything needed for achievement tends to be attracted to us. The people, resources and everything needed tend to gravitate toward us. He finds also that the real reward for setting goals and getting clarity about what we want in our future, is that we have the information necessary to finally develop a clear picture in our minds, about who and what we need to become, in order to attract success into our lives. The success, results, and outcomes we get to enjoy are merely the by-product of our becoming.

Read more of Andrew's remarks on this topic: http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor/Become-Someone.html.

Micro-Tasking – A Productive Use of the Internet

Shopping areas, restaurants, colleges, libraries, and even governments strive to make internet connectivity available to the public. Along with connectivity, these entities also tend to provide space for people and their access devices. Once connectivity and working space are established, the possibilities for their use are unlimited to someone with suitable (yet inexpensive) equipment, imagination, and energy. (Some libraries even operate complete internet cafes that are free to the public.)

Micro-tasking is one way of bringing extra cash to the unemployed, students, retirees, and others seeking supplemental income. It is also a way of learning meaningful work habits and entrepreneurial engagement while one is in training for secure life-supporting jobs, a stepping stone on the way to a good career.

 

Micro-tasks are components of a larger project. They are small and short-duration activities, conducted by numerous people, that add up to a larger result. Such tasks expand on ideas such as day-labor, cargo load boards, and contracted professional effort. Taken in the broad sense, micro-tasks do not necessarily require internet access.

 

It is said that dreams come true when preparation, opportunity, decision, and action meet. Micro-tasking is an opportunity. My article helps you to engage. The decision and action are now up to you. Take responsibility for yourself and move forward to your future success. You can read more information at my website. A 5200-word electronic-format article on the topic can be purchased for $0.99. A free reader for your computer, laptop, or other device can be downloaded. Nook format is also available. None of these opportunities require a membership or registration fee.

No Substitute for Hard Work

There is no easy way to have a successful career. One can not just float down the river. Usiere Uko has recognized this. He says that, many take “work smarter, not harder” to mean that there is a lazy way to achieve success. If you tried short cuts before, you know that nothing could be further from the truth. There is no lazy route to the top. For sure, effort can be wasted if not applied intelligently. Working smart should be the norm. Hard work comes into play within the context of working smart. Without hard work, you cannot go far.

Read more of Usiere’s thoughts at http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor/Success-Takes-Work.html.

Success Through Action

If a person is not worth their word, then what is their worth? If their actions do not match their words, then what? We all know someone like that; all talk, no action. To earn success, focus on what you can do to ensure that all the things you say you are going to do get done.

This advice from Elliot Zovighian comes with four categories of effort:

Conviction

Perseverance

Action

Documenting Goals

Read more of Elliot's thoughts on this matter: http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor/Success-Through-Action.html.

Dealing with Numerous Career Choices

As I offer input on peoples’ career choices, an oft-encountered dilemma they face is a confusion of possibilities. While there is no perfection on this earth, it is possible to objectively consider many alternatives so that reasonable choices are made. That means you should use an approach that helps you systematically eliminate alternatives.

One technique is to employ a decision table. This gives you a chance to carefully consider career options relative to your personal values and your needs in a career. By using an objective method to evaluate career choices, you can come to very good conclusions. More information on this approach can be found in an article I wrote: http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor/Evaluating-Career-Choices.html.