Breaking down barriers: Who says women can’t excel in math and science?

(ARA) – Millions of jobs will become available in science-, technology-, engineering- and math-related (STEM) fields by 2018, yet the next generation of employees in America will be unprepared and unqualified to take advantage of these positions. According to recent data from the Information Industry Technology Council, our nation’s children are falling behind their international peers in almost every area of STEM education.

In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that although women currently make up more than half the American workforce, they hold only 14 percent of engineering positions and 25 percent of mathematics positions – meaning that there is a pressing need to break down gender barriers in STEM industries.

New research shows there is no difference in ability between men and women. The differences in achievement only appear when lower expectations and distorted perceptions of what is achievable affect motivation levels and confidence.

Some institutions are doing their part to dismantle the social stigmas that keep young women from pursuing math and science. In response to this pressing need to educate tomorrow’s workforce and dissolve stereotypes, DeVry University and Danica McKellar, well-known for her roles on “The Wonder Years” and “The West Wing” and now also a mathematician and best-selling author, are teaming up for National HerWorld month to inspire young women across the country to explore careers in STEM-related fields.

Now in its 13th year, the HerWorld program provides an opportunity for high school girls to explore fast-growing careers of the 21st century in science, technology, engineering and math. National HerWorld month is an initiative hosted by educators that will introduce young girls to women who have excelled in these fields.

“Our society still promotes outdated, negative stereotypes that lead girls from a young age to believe that math is too hard and that it’s only for boys,” says McKellar. “For several years, it’s been my mission to reverse these damaging messages by giving girls the tools they need to improve their math skills and self-esteem, and showing them that intelligence is key to becoming a fabulous young woman someday. I’m thrilled to be partnering with DeVry University’s HerWorld program to further this mission. During National HerWorld month, we’ll be introducing high school girls to powerful female role models and opening the door to exciting STEM career opportunities that they may never have imagined possible. We’ll show them: ‘You can do this!’”

More than 7,200 high school girls from hundreds of high schools across the country will participate at nearly 50 local HerWorld events where, in addition to participating in education seminars, confidence building and robotics workshops, they will listen to local female leaders discuss their career journeys and gain inspiration toward their future endeavors. DeVry University’s corporate partners will also take part to support the program’s powerful message. Every participating HerWorld high school across the country will receive a copy of McKellar’s latest book, “Hot X: Algebra Exposed,” for their library.

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by Richard L. Trumka

(NAPSI)-Every night, 15 million people in this great country go to sleep hoping that tomorrow will be the day they find a job. Hundreds of thousands of employees of our states and cities wake up hoping this won’t be their last day on the job. Five million people wake up trying to save their homes from foreclosure by the big banks. And nearly 17 million children go to bed hungry. This isn’t the America I dreamed of.

It’s time for all Americans to remember that patriotism is about more than fighting abroad. It’s also about fighting for ourselves, our neighbors and our communities here in the United States. It’s time for economic patriotism. How can we be patriotic?

First, I call on every American to make a choice to be patriotic in our everyday lives. That means demanding to know which products are made in America and then choosing them. We can buy products made in countries where workers make a few pennies an hour with few if any protections on the job, or we can support products made here where our neighbors and community members make a living from what they create. It’s time we buy American and buy on Main Street. And when we do that, we’ll invest in our communities and ensure that our jobs are good jobs and our children have a thriving future.

We need policies that allow corporations to be economic patriots without being penalized. Over time, corporations made choices that put short-term profits over humanity, and the world market over American communities, and it hollowed out our great nation.

Currently, our policies favor companies that ship our good jobs overseas to countries where there are few laws in place to protect workers’ safety, their rights and the environment. We must stop rewarding outsourcing and promote manufacturing in the United States instead. Our leaders must also hold China accountable for manipulating its currency, which hurts America’s workers and creates a massive trade imbalance. We must invest in our crumbling roads, schools and bridges, which will create good jobs and create a solid foundation for the next generation. And we must elect leaders who share these goals.

Every one of us has a choice. As patriots, let’s choose the path forward to create good jobs, jobs that can’t be shipped overseas, jobs that can support a family. It’s about time to invest in the country we love.

Trumka is president of the 11.5 million?member AFL-CIO, which represents firefighters, teachers, nurses, electricians, scientists and communications workers.

Photo credit: Andre Martenez

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(NAPSI)-One of the most common reasons people shy away from long-term care insurance is a perception that it is too expensive.

However, many financial experts say long-term care insurance is important for protecting retirement savings. And the cost of not having coverage can be devastating.

According to Steve Pike, brokerage sales director with Mutual of Omaha, people often have an unrealistic idea of the cost of long-term care services, which includes nursing home care, home health care and custodial services.

“A lot of people think they can just pay for long-term care services if or when they need it, but it doesn’t take long for the cost of care to exceed the cost of insurance,” Pike said. “The cost of just two or three years in a nursing home can wipe out the average American’s retirement savings.”

Some insurance companies offer policies that provide greater flexibility as to how benefits can be used. For example, according to longtermanswers.com, policies that offer cash benefits instead of traditional reimbursement can cover the indirect expenses associated with long-term care, such as travel expenses, lost income for a family member serving as a caregiver, housekeeping services or other out-of-pocket costs.

Pike said long-term care insurance is more affordable than many people think. It’s common for companies to offer a variety of preferred rates and discounts for good health, married couples and members of certain associations. Some policies also offer tax advantages that allow you to deduct eligible premium amounts as medical expenses. And, like life insurance, the earlier a person purchases long-term care insurance, the lower his or her rate will be.

Keep in mind these tips when shopping for a long-term care policy:

1. Purchase a policy from a company that is financially sound and experienced with long-term care insurance.

2. Consider a policy that offers a cash benefit as opposed to reimbursement. Cash benefits offer flexibility and can be used for the indirect expenses associated with long-term care.

3. Consider compound inflation protection, as the cost of care is expected to continue to increase.

For more information, visit www.longtermanswers.com.

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How to answer job interview questions and be prepared

(ARA) – Job interviews can be filled with anxiety if you are not prepared for the questions and the answers.

Preparing for your job interview is a lot more than updating your resume and getting a haircut. Doing your homework is critical to your success. In the current competitive job market, no amount of research is too extreme, says Jodi Berkshire, assistant director of Career Services at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. No one can anticipate every question an employer might ask, but you should be prepared to gracefully handle the most commonly asked questions. To prepare for the job interview, Berkshire says here are a few questions you should be expecting:

1. “Tell me about yourself.” Don’t mistake this one for an easy question. If you don’t carefully prepare your answer prior to the interview, it will show. The interviewer is not interested in where and when you were born, your childhood, your family or your hobbies. Craft a short response that gives a thumbnail sketch of you professionally. This is a great place to insert some of your sterling qualities and accomplishments and make sure that they dovetail with the requirements of the position for which you are interviewing. Be positive and enthusiastic and whatever you do, don’t ramble.

2. “What do you know about our company?” “How did you hear about us?” Or, “Why do you want to work for us?” These are all variations on the same theme. The real question is: Did you do your homework? Any interviewer will expect that you have researched the company. That means that you should know their website inside and out. Have you Googled the company? Have you read any recent articles about them? If the only information you have to offer is what any person off the street who isn’t applying for the position knows, it shows that you don’t care enough and you’re not very thorough.

3. “What are your strengths?” “Why should we hire you?” You can count on this question cropping up at some point during the interview. Here’s a simple way to prepare. Take a sheet of paper and fold it in half vertically. On one side list all the specific technical qualities that you possess. Look at the job description and consider each skill that is mentioned. For example, if the job description mentions software skills that are required and you have those skills, go ahead and list them. In the other column, list the personal qualities that you bring to the job. These could be things like punctuality, reliability, enthusiasm, work ethic, professionalism, etc. Again, take another look at the job description and anticipate what qualities that hiring manager would be looking for. Here is your chance to sell yourself. Don’t be afraid to let them know what a great addition you’d be to their company.

4. “What is your greatest weakness?” “How have you overcome it?” Be careful with this one. It is a potential minefield. This is not the time to bare your soul and reveal your deepest insecurities. Whatever you do, don’t say you procrastinate, have trouble meeting deadlines, arrive late or that you don’t get along well with others. You have two good choices here. You can either choose a weakness that is really a strength to an employer (you become so engrossed in your work that you find it hard to take a break until the project is completed), or choose something that you had to master at the beginning of your career that would be an expected learning curve for any entry-level recent college grad (you didn’t really grasp project management in your first job and you had to make a deliberate effort to learn about time lines and time management.). If you choose the second example, make sure that you stress how your performance increased once you mastered the missing skill.

5. “What would your past employer tell me about you?” Again, tread carefully. Do not, under any circumstances, say anything negative about any past employer. Settle on a few of your strongest qualities and concentrate on those that reflect your strong work ethic and professionalism. Here is another perfect opportunity to sell yourself, but once again, be careful not to ramble.

6. “Why did you leave your last position?” If you left because you relocated or were offered a better position, you can breathe a sigh of relief. But what if you were terminated by the company? It’s not the end of the world; it happens to everyone at some point in their career. Again, do not say anything bad about your last employer. If your position was eliminated due to budget cuts, say so and make it clear that you have nothing but fond memories and good feelings about the company. If you were let go because of something you did, try to take responsibility while making it clear that you would handle things differently today and that you learned a valuable lesson. Keep it short and sweet and don’t be tempted to go into long, complicated explanations.

7. “What kind of salary are you looking for?” You can be assured that the interviewer knows what they are willing to pay. Again, there is no substitute for doing your homework. You should research what similar positions are worth in your area. Be careful to compare apples to apples on this one. A copywriter in New York can expect a higher salary than one in Detroit. Also look closely at the amount of experience and the skills required. A recent college graduate will not command the same salary as someone with five to 10 years of experience. You might say something like, “My research tells me that graphic designers in this area are generally earning (average salary range). How does that fit with what your company is offering?” And make sure that you can justify why you should command that salary range you are expecting.

Once you’ve done your research, practiced answers to commonly asked questions and become comfortable with the idea of selling yourself, remember to smile. In most interview situations, the candidate who appears to be relaxed, confident (not arrogant) and enthusiastic, usually has the best chance of being hired.

To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Emerging careers in science and health care

(ARA) – Growth in technology is contributing to career options at an increasing rate. Many industries, from information technology to environmental science to health care, benefit from new and enriching career opportunities afforded by rapid advancements.

Ten of the 20 fastest-growing careers are health care-related, with 26 percent of all new jobs created falling into this category, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s “Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition.” New career possibilities are opening for individuals with vocational training, college diplomas and advanced degrees.

Growing demand for health care professionals

“In terms of health care, the speed of change is anywhere from two days to six weeks. Knowledge is doubling faster than in the 1990s when IT was producing software on average every few days,” says Micki Holliday, director of career services at Brown Mackie College – Kansas City, located in Lenexa, Kan. “In addition to knowledge expansion, research indicates that the aging population is pushing science and health care to the forefront in needs. New people, new habits and skills and new orientation to the world are bringing in new opportunities.”

The unique baby boomer population represents a large demographic that, despite growing older, is staying active longer. “It isn’t just young people jogging and exercising today. It permeates all generations. Technological advances in medicine are helping people stay active longer. We’re building bodies better,” she says, referring to the ability to replace hips, knees, and organs with more advanced technology. “The demand for a higher quality of life through technology drives innovation. Most things involving health care are considered a boom industry.”

While scientists and doctors are in demand, it is critical that health care facilities hire correctly trained support staff so that others can do what they do best. Doctors need others to provide care. Entry-level employment opportunities arise at hospitals, doctor and dentist offices, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes and home health care companies, says Holliday. “Industry can’t move forward without trained professionals. They want to hire workers with education, knowledge and certifications.” Health care positions in growing demand include all types of medical and lab technicians, as well as insurance, financial and administrative professionals.

Advancements in science spawn new opportunities

Growth in the science and engineering sectors feed the health care boom. The biotech industry is huge and growing in every area, from operations and manufacturing to clinical research and quality control. This opens the door for a myriad of trained professionals to find employment. To learn more about health care career opportunities, visit www.brownmackie.edu.

“What type of people are needed to support biotech companies? Everyone from lab technicians and research associates to cabinet-makers who build lab-safety storage,” Holliday says. “One scientist I know of was about to culminate a two-year research project when a lab tech walked by with a test tube in hand and scratched his head. That single act negated the whole project. It is of the utmost importance for companies to hire people who are trained and certified in lab protocol.”

Biotech companies also need trained, entry-level people to fill positions in administration, billing and research. “You can contribute to this growing industry without becoming an engineer,” Holliday says. “The title isn’t new, but the work is new due to advances in technology.”

In all disciplines, health care and science industry employers need workers who are educated and are skilled in protocol. Schools provide the foundation for working in a specific environment. Companies and device manufacturers then provide additional training on the job. “That’s another career opportunity,” adds Holliday. “There is a growing need for trainers, too.”

Holliday’s father was a research assistant in the late 1940s. “Can you imagine what he’d think of today’s equipment? Tests taking minutes instead of weeks. Noninvasive surgery that enables patients to go home a few hours later,” she says. “Our students are contributing to these miracles of time and science by providing businesses with the manpower needed to run the experiments, provide the treatments and create the tools and remedies.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Gemini Energy Services, a division of Orion International, has been awarded a $200,000 Workforce Development grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, to create a tailored training curriculum for military veterans that will translate their military skill set into a Technical career within the Wind Industry. Orion International has committed an additional $154,000 to the grant award for training, tools and equipment costs, and will oversee the continuation of the program once the grant funding has been exhausted.

“Veterans are ideally suited for the Wind Industry due to their leadership experience, technical skill, and proven performance under the most difficult of situations, and yet a lack of wind-specific training can present a barrier to entry”

“Veterans are ideally suited for the Wind Industry due to their leadership experience, technical skill, and proven performance under the most difficult of situations, and yet a lack of wind-specific training can present a barrier to entry,” said Mike Starich, President of Orion International. “We are pleased to have been awarded this grant by the DOE, which will allow us to develop an industry leading military-specific training curriculum to eliminate this barrier.”

The program will create an intensive multi-phase training curriculum, combining OSHA, industry-specific, and OEM training segments, as well as on-the-job practical work experience. Participants will be hired as employees of Gemini Energy Services, and will be supplied with all tools and equipment necessary to begin their career as Wind Technicians.

Upon program completion, the Veterans will be fully trained and qualified Wind Technicians, with immediate career opportunities within the Wind Industry. They will have the option to continue their employment with Gemini Energy Services as contract service technicians, or use Orion’s military career placement services to seek permanent employment within the Wind Industry.

According to James Haley, Director of Operations for Gemini Energy Services, “We are thrilled with the opportunity to create a world-class training and employment program for Veterans in the Wind Industry, at no cost to them. It is an added bonus that we will not merely be training these Veterans, but will provide career placement as well, in turn increasing the level of expertise and professionalism within the Wind Industry as a whole.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire

Garner, N.C. – Butterball, LLC has appointed Steve Swan as complex manager at its Mt. Olive, N.C. plant. In his new role, he will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the plant, which processes and packages retail, food service, deli and ready-to-eat turkey products. Additionally, he will continue to maintain and strengthen the facility’s high safety standards.

“Butterball is looking forward to the positive leadership Steve will bring to the continued success of our Mt. Olive facility,” said Joe Nalley, COO of Butterball. “His extensive background in food processing and proven track record will benefit our employees and the satisfaction of our customers.”

The Mt. Olive facility is the largest of Butterball’s processing facilities and also operates as one of the biggest poultry processing plants in the world. To date, the facility has achieved some of the most notable safety standards within the industry. Most recently, the Mt. Olive facility was recognized as a Rising Star from the North Carolina OSHA. This distinction designates worksites that have implemented exemplary standards for workplace health and safety in 18 areas of occupational safety.

“Throughout every position Swan has held with Butterball, he goes above and beyond to ensure the safety of our employees and satisfy our customers,” said Joe Nalley, COO of Butterball. “I expect great things from him in his newest role as complex manager.”

Swan holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in biology from Northern Illinois University.

About Butterball, LLC:
Butterball, LLC is the largest producer of turkey products in the United States. Headquartered in Garner, N.C., Butterball produces more than 1 billion pounds of turkey each year, and the company supplies its products to more than 15 countries. Perhaps best known for its succulent whole bird products, the company also has a broad array of offerings for deli, retail and foodservice
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RALEIGH — Gov. Perdue last week called on the General Assembly to pass a legislative package designed to assist small businesses in creating and maintaining jobs. The package includes tax incentives, grants and an expansion of the small business preference for companies seeking contracts with state government. Gov. Perdue made the announcement as part of a three-stop JobsNOW tour of small businesses in Asheville, Lexington and Fayetteville.

“Small businesses are the backbone of North Carolina’s economy, and a major driver in our economic recovery,” said Perdue. “They put our friends, neighbors and family members to work. They anchor our communities. Supporting small businesses means supporting jobs for North Carolinians.”

The JobsNOW Small Business Package is focused on three areas of assistance:
1.Tax relief and tax incentives to boost the bottom line for small businesses
?Small Business Start-up Tax Relief – encourages investment in innovative small businesses by allowing favorable capital gains treatment of the founding interests in the business.
?Small Business Health Insurance Credit – provides a credit of $250 per employee to businesses that provide health insurance to employees making less than $45,000. Applies to businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The credit was previously enacted and expired this year.
?Qualified Business Venture Tax Credit – expands this credit by raising the cap from $7.5 million to $10 million to spur more investments in entrepreneurial businesses.
?State tax break for small business equipment purchases.
2.Statewide support for small businesses
?Community Colleges – restore funding to the statewide Small Business Assistance Network within the state’s 58 community colleges.
?“InSource NC” – helps North Carolina businesses find the goods and services they need from other North Carolina businesses, through web-based buyer-supplier networks.
?Help North Carolina businesses capitalize on federal Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer contracts by providing a matching state grant.
?Main Street Solutions – expanded grant funding for the revitalization of downtown districts in small towns, supporting small business growth.
?North Carolina Tourism Promotion – increased investment in marketing and advertising of North Carolina as a national tourism destination.
?Help small businesses get credit by funding the N.C. Small Business Assistance Fund that helps guarantee the remaining 5% on qualifying 95% SBA-backed small business loans.
?N.C. Farm Innovation Fund — provides direct assistance to small family farms to improve energy efficiency, develop new markets and cultivate new value-added products.
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It’s lonely at the top for small- to mid-sized business CEOs

(ARA) – It is no secret the economy took its toll on the nation’s businesses in 2009. Some businesses shut their doors, others made major sacrifices to stay afloat, while some lucky ones thrived through the turmoil. So what’s the secret to sustaining healthy revenue and profits?

Executive peer issue processing.

According to ChiefExecutive.net, “In the past few years, the failure rate of CEOs has increased significantly even as average tenure has dropped sharply . . . The resulting turnover has placed CEOs in difficult environments without much support.”

This was true for Vistage member Gus Cicala, president and CEO of Project Assistants, Inc., a project management consulting company based in Delaware. After losing clients, such as Freddie Mac, at the end of 2007, other clients began cutting their consulting budgets and Project Assistants saw their revenues drop more than 50 percent in just a year and a half. Facing a cruel reality, Cicala knew he needed to make some cuts, and struggled to make the hard, emotional decisions on his own. He turned to his executive coaching group for help.

Last March, revenues continued to fall, so Cicala’s executive coaching group helped him make one last cut. “It was that last Wednesday in March when things had gotten really rough and I knew I might have to do something drastic,” says Cicala. “When I walked into my Vistage meeting and informed my group I might have to shut down, one member said ‘not on my watch.’”

Sixteen heads are better than one

* Making cuts without cutting too deep. Cicala’s executive coaching group helped him reduce head count and cut salaries, and coached him on how to do this without damaging the morale and work ethic of those he kept. Project Assistants went from 30 to 15 employees and everyone, including Cicala, took a 25 to 35 percent pay cut. With strategized cutbacks, he didn’t have to shut his doors.

* Create variable costs. His executive coaching group helped him see and create variable costs and now Project Assistants is making more profit than when they were double the size. Losing five percent in the first quarter, Cicala made some adjustments with the advice from his Vistage colleagues. While revenue continued to drop throughout 2009, they were able to make a two to four percent net margin for Q2 and Q3 and a seven percent margin for Q4, ending the year with increased profit.

“We survived because my Vistage colleagues insisted I keep trying,” says Cicala. “It was painful advice, but I did it. We are a stronger company because of the employees who stayed with us, and I am a stronger CEO because my executive coaching group taught me how to run a more profitable company.”

Executive coaching groups not only provide the support CEOs need make emotional decisions, but they also help companies remain proactive and ahead of competition.

CEO Dave Dastur, of Chicago’s oldest architectural firm, Jensen & Halstead Ltd., says his company never felt the recession like most of his industry did. According to the American Institute of Architects, January of 2009 was the worst month ever recorded in the 15 plus years they’ve been tracking the industry revenue, jobs, and leads … and they have yet to see an upturn.

“One hundred percent of our work is repeat and referral,” says Dastur. “So, for me, it was about hiring the A players and focusing more on keeping the current clients happier by being engaged.”

While Dastur’s executive coaching group is extremely helpful, Dastur says the monthly speakers were a big help early on.

Expert speakers

* Brian Beaulieu, on macro economics. In the fall of 2007, Dastur thought seriously about a macroeconomics speaker who predicted the downturn. Following the speech, Dastur decided to be proactive in protecting his 141-year-old company, in case the predictions were true by making sure he had cash in hand.

* Jeff Vogelsang, “Lessons Learned on the Turn-Around Trail.” Jeff talks about the things to do to help a failing company. After Jeff’s speech, Dastur took a hard look at his gains and losses and cut a lot of non-essential items that wouldn’t affect the business. This not only helped Dastur cut expenses but helped build cash in case business slowed down enough to need it.

* Kraig Kramers on “CEO Tools.” Kraig has turned around a number of companies and several of his management techniques, as well as ways of tracking numbers and “what gets done,” are helpful in tracking the trends of Dastur’s business and making sure they are moving in the right direction.

Dastur’s Vistage group helped him realize that it was OK to let some clients go. He started off with 20 percent of clients producing 80 percent of the revenue. Now, they have 45 percent of clients producing 80 percent of their revenue.Through December of 2009, 23 percent of architectural jobs have been lost through the recession, according to the American Institute of Architects. While most of the industry had to lay off large numbers of employees, Jensen & Halstead was able to maintain stability.

Executive coaching groups make the top less lonely, and provide sounding boards for companies without a board of directors.

Vistage International is one example of a handful of CEO executive coaching organizations. The organization is represented in 15 countries with nearly 14,500 members. Collectively, members run companies with an estimated $300 billion in revenues and employ two million people. In addition to their executive coaching groups, CEO members have access to expert resources speakers and receive monthly one-to-one coaching from a mentor called a Vistage Chair. The sharing of information in a group is completely confidential, allowing for the open exchange of issues, ideas and solutions. For more information go to www.vistage.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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GARNER — Local and state officials have asked ConAgra Foods for more time to put together a financial incentives proposal that they hope will persuade the company to keep its damaged Slim Jim plant open in Garner.

Officials plan to present ConAgra with an incentives plan by Friday, said Ken Atkins, director of Wake County Economic Development. The company had originally wanted to see a proposal by Jan. 15, he said.

“We’re working on trying to get the details nailed down,” Atkins said

He said an incentives package, which could include state and local grants and tax breaks, could climb into the millions of dollars.

The Garner Town Council held a closed-door meeting Thursday to talk about wooing ConAgra. About half of the company’s plant off Jones Sausage Road was destroyed in an explosion June 9 that killed four and injured dozens 

Mayor Ronnie Williams said a preliminary proposal discussed Thursday includes $450,000 from the One North Carolina Fund through the state Department of Commerce. Garner could match that amount in the form of tax breaks, Williams said.

Atkins declined to comment about the fund and what the state might be willing to offer

Read More:News & Observer