Working Mums in the UK
Working Mums in the UK

It can be a challenge to land a prime spot on a race car pit crew. Yet vehicle dealerships across the country are scrambling to find qualified automotive technicians for their own “pit crews”-even with salaries of £30,000 to £70,000 or more, depending on the market and the technician’s level of training.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the auto industry will need 35,000 new technicians every year through 2010.

Lucrative But Overlooked Careers

With that in mind, an unusual contest is getting into gear with the purpose of increasing awareness about this lucrative and rewarding yet often-overlooked career, and support training opportunities for future technicians. It’s called the No. 29 Goodwrench Expertise Challenge. And it is a challenge. “Historically, being an automotive technician has been depicted as a dirty, dead-end kind of job,” said Peter Lord, executive director, GM Service Operations. “That old stereotype could not be further from the truth. Today’s cars and trucks are very sophisticated-the computer technology in them alone, for example, is nearly 1,000 times more powerful than what took the Apollo mission to the moon.”

“Dealerships need trained, qualified technicians because they know that satisfaction with vehicle service and repair work is closely tied to how customers view their vehicles and the dealership.”

The Challenge benefits automotive technician training like this: If driver Kevin Harvick’s No. 29 car wins two out of 12 selected NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races beginning May 28 with the Coca-Cola 600, GM Goodwrench will set up a £200,000 scholarship fund to encourage Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) high school students to continue their automotive technical education by attending GM Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) colleges. AYES is a nonprofit business and education partnership that creates automotive technology career opportunities for promising young men and women at automotive dealerships. It was founded in 1995 by former GM Chairman Jack Smith as a way to address the growing need for technicians.

Spreading The Word

“There are thousands of NASCAR fans-and others-who are ideal candidates for a career as an automotive technician,” said Larry Cummings, CEO of AYES. “The Expertise Challenge is a fun and engaging way to help spread the word about these great career opportunities.”

Students enrolled in GM ASEP two-year programs earn while they learn, rotating their time between classes and interning at GM dealerships and other GM service centers. There are 66 GM ASEP participating schools in 38 U.S. states, 15 in Canada and one in the People’s Republic of China. Successful students graduate with an associate’s degree, and either are ready for or have passed their National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification test. More than 2,000 students are currently enrolled in the program, and there are more than 14,000 graduates.

If Harvick and the team meet the Expertise Challenge by winning two of the 12 select races, GM Goodwrench will award 29 Grand Prizes, which consist of an all-new 2007 Chevy Avalanche, a £1,000 GM vehicle maintenance certificate and a trunk full of Reese’s products.

Program Rules Available

If only one race is won during the promotion, two lucky winners will be awarded an all-new 2007 Chevy Avalanche, a £1,000 GM vehicle maintenance certificate, and a trunk full of Reese’s products. They will also donate £25,000 to the GM Goodwrench Scholarship Fund. If no races are won during the promotion, the promotion will still give away an all-new 2007 Chevy Avalanche, a £1,000 GM vehicle maintenance certificate, and a trunk full of Reese’s products to one lucky winner, and provide a £25,000 donation to the GM Goodwrench Scholarship fund.

If I have learned anything in my thirty years of being a career counselor, it is that spending your life doing a career that you do not love is a waste of time. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that choosing the wrong career for you could be one of the most serious mistakes a person can ever make. Getting accurate career information is hugely important because of this.

Think about it. You will spend thirty or more years of your life working full time. That is a really long time to spend doing something that you do not absolutely love. The thing I hate seeing most is people who feel like they are tied in to a profession that they hate. I became a career counselor to help solve this problem. I love working with college students giving them proper career information that helps them to make informed decisions about career choices.

One of the most important ways to enter a career wisely is to inform yourself with accurate career information. I cannot stress enough how important it is that you discover the truth about any profession you are thinking of entering. The worst thing you can do is enter a career blindly. So take time and find ways to get career information about the careers you are considering.

One of the quickest ways to get career information is to make a meeting with a career counselor like myself. Meet with someone who is knowledgeable about many careers and who will help you find a career that fits well with who you are and with what you value. Whatever career you choose, it must be connected to something you value. It is a terrible thing to get up for work in the morning and realize that you could care less about your job and that it has no real value to the rest of the world.

You can also find great career information by doing an internship or by visiting different careers that interest you. For example, if becoming a teacher interests you, try helping out in a teacher’s classroom for a few weeks and see if it is something you’d really enjoy. You will be so glad that you took time to try something before you made a commitment to it. After all, you cannot afford to keep changing your mind about careers and end up unhappy in the process.

Get career information and be one step closer to having a career that excites you and that fits your dreams and values. There is nothing better than that.

Forensic nursing combines clinical nursing practice with the law enforcement arena. It involves the investigation and treatment of victims of sexual assault, elder, child and spousal abuse, unexplained or accidental death, trauma and assault. It also involves the investigation of perpetrators of these crimes.

There are an estimated 7,500 nurses who recurrently fill forensic-nursing roles, which includes those who work full-time investigating deaths or treating violent offenders at psychiatric facilities. With a continuous rise in crime rates, forensic nursing is quickly becoming a regular part of the American judicial system. Forensic nursing is one of the newest forms of forensic sciences recognized by the American Nurses Association . This relatively new field combines the health care profession with the judicial system.

Nurses trained in forensic nursing are required to quickly and correctly collect evidence that can be used in a court of law. Not only do they gather forensic information, they also testify in trials of their jurisdictions. Forensic nurses may also serve as legal nurse consultants or attorneys. The employers of forensic nursing specialists include acute healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, county prosecutors, coroners offices, medical examiners offices, insurance companies, and psychiatric facilities.

Degree programs are available in forensic nursing. There are online nursing degree programs as well as campus based nursing schools. A nursing degree, however, is not required for entry into profession. Online nursing degree programs and nursing schools regularly offer various courses in forensic nursing. Certification courses are generally required for forensic pediatricgeriatric nurses, and to be a forensic psychiatric nurse, you are required to have a MS with counseling certification.

Not only is forensic nursing an exciting and rewarding career, there is also a growing demand for nurses with these specialized skills. The industry of forensic nursing is only getting more and more attractive to nurses that really want to make a difference in the community around them. Today we are finding out that the more expertise a nurse has in knowing exactly what should be collected, the better the evidence turned over to the detectives will be. And that can help lead to a better outcome in catching the perpetrator. It’s an opportunity for them to help victims of violence and helping the perpetrators of violence to get help.

Melissa Steele, <a target=”_new” href=”http:www.EducationGuys.comCollege Degrees @ EducationGuys.com Writer.

Anyone who is talented in design, imagining how a house or building could be constructed or who likes to draw may have the talent to find a successful career in architecture.  An architect is responsible for designing and planning the interior workings and foundation of a home or building.  Architects are responsible for drawing up plans and blueprints for towering city buildings, small country homes and luxurious mansions.  A successful architect must be versatile and imaginative while maintaining respect for the customer’s wishes.

There are a number of jobs available in the world of architecture and designing homes may be a career in itself.  A qualified individual may produce a blueprint, which consists of both interior and exterior elevations, foundation and floor plans, roof details, electrical layouts, cross sections and other general instructions.

In order to find a career in architecture, an individual must become licensed through an accrediting agency.  In addition, an architect must become familiar with building codes, local laws and regulations and must be skilled in their craft.  In order to learn this information, architectural hopefuls must pursue a college degree and learn firsthand how the process works.

In addition to designing a home or building, architecture also includes making adjustments to already developed plans.  This may include altering blueprints for a home or business in order to be customized to the individual’s needs.  Many individuals hire an architect to design their construction, but others decide to enlist a professional later.  If problems arise in the construction or they simply need a helping hand, many individuals and companies turn to the world of architecture for a professional evaluation and redesign.

Concerns surrounding both energy costs and safety have, in recent years, prompted many areas to require an architect’s seal be placed on a blueprint prior to construction.  In addition to the actual design process, many architects review plans and offer consultation services on independent creations.

While many architects find great success within a firm or working directly with homebuilders, many find that they are happy working on a freelance or consultant basis.  This means that they work directly with the company or individual, own and operate their own business and handle every decision within the company.  The freedom of self employment in the world of architecture can be very fulfilling, both financially and emotionally.  Much like a doctor, lawyer or accountant who branches out into their own private practice, an architect may also enjoy that same freedom.

In the current climate, many people are looking away from the traditional job market towards working for themselves. The massive redundancies and job-insecurity has caused many people to radically rethink their career plans. With the ever rising cost of living, many would be happy just earning extra money to support their family and to pay the bills.

In this article, you will discover what you really enjoy in life and how to turn it into a money making opportunity, and perhaps even a full-time career. Your only limitations are those you impose upon yourself! At the very least, what you learn will help you to be happier with your current job.

First of all, a little exercise to get you started. Make a list of everything and anything you really enjoy and are passionate about. This can be anything at all, from playing with Lego through to planning projects or programming in Cobol. Write down everything you think of, no matter how silly or pointless you think it may be. They are all important and must be included on your list.

Go through the list and ask yourself whether you truly are passionate about each one. Ask the question, “If someone offered to pay me to do this, would I be happy?” If you would not, then cross it off your list.

Look at each item on your list and ask yourself what you enjoy about it. You may enjoy the peace and tranquillity of gardening, or the fast paced life style of project management. Write this down too by each item.

The why you enjoy it is very important because it gives you an insight into your inner workings. When you understand what it is that you enjoy about something, you can look at applying that quality specifically to your life and current job to improve your happiness. If you like peace and tranquillity but your job is hectic, you could take time out for a walk in a park or to meditate to bring into your job peace and tranquillity. You could make sure you take a lunch break and switch off your phone.

Once you have identified the things you are passionate about, write down next to each one how much time a month you currently spend doing them. You may love surfboarding but only manage to go once a month or you may be passionate about cooking yet have to live on fast food because of your lifestyle.

From now on, make a commitment to yourself to spend time doing the things you are passionate about every single month. You will find that not only does your level of happiness improves, but your energy increases and life feels so much better because you are doing things that you love.

Carry your list around with you for at least a fortnight, adding to it each time you think of something you are passionate about. Then repeat the process above for each new item, analysing it and understanding what it is you like about it.

Do you have what it takes?

Whatever your current job situation, working for yourself can be a very appealing option. But the question is, ‘do you have what it takes to work for yourself?’ Not everyone does, but the good news is that the necessary skills can be learnt by anyone.

To successfully work for yourself you need to have all of the following skills to some degree. The better you are at each skill, the more chance you have of being successful on your own.

Motivation: You must be able to motivate yourself and to not rely on others to push you along. When you work for yourself, there is no boss telling you what you need to do, when you need to do it by, and providing you support and guidance when you need it. You are the boss! Working for yourself, it is all your responsibility. If you cannot take the responsibility, then you are best off staying in employment.

Belief: You must believe in yourself and in your business and  or product. It is very difficult to do well at something you do not fully believe in. Your belief and passion about what you do comes across to your customers. This has a positive effect in building their confidence and in turn, your business. Before starting any business or selling any product ask yourself if you believe in the product and business.

Development Time: It is important to spend time developing yourself and increasing your skills. Many technical people forget to develop soft skills, and vice versa. Aim to attend at least two courses or workshops a year. Also regularly read relevant books to develop these skills. You have to stay one step ahead of the competition in order to be a phenomenal success.

Determination: You must be determined to succeed and not to give up. There are times when it will be tough, but you are the boss and the one solely responsible for making it good again. You may get knocked back on occasion, but a true success just keeps on going in the face of set-backs.

Inter-personal skills: Working for yourself does not mean you will be locked in a room alone. You will often have to interact with other people; your customers. Good inter-personal skills will make this experience more rewarding and help you get the best from people. They will help ensure you have a successful business.

Communication skills: Both written and spoken communication skills are important. Often in the market place today, words are the key to the success of your business. Therefore, spend time developing your skills in this area - it will pay you back many fold to do so.

How many of the above skills do you currently have? Do you feel you are weak in any of these areas? If so, then strengthen them by attending courses or reading some relevant books. Being strong in all the above areas is not necessary for personal success, but will help to make it much easier.

Look at the list of things you are passionate about, and think about how the above skills can be applied to and compliment these.

Finding your ideal career

Now, back to the list of things you are passionate about. Take a new sheet of paper and write the first item on your list at the top of this new paper. Underneath it, brainstorm all the jobs you can think of that involve your passion. Let your imagination run riot and be as creative as you can. Each item you have written down offers you many possibilities. Also use the reasons you enjoy the item to help in this exercise.

Using gardening as an example, you could write down: gardener, author, teacher, TV presenter, landscape designer, tree doctor, and farmer, park ranger, and so on, just to mention a few.

Still on the same item from your list, write down all the ways you can think of to make money from it.

With our gardening example this may be growing and selling plants or vegetables, or doing gardening for people in your neighbourhood. There are of course many other opportunities here. Be creative and imaginative and think outside of your normal box.

Look at all these ways of making money and note the ones you can start right now and ones that you would really like to do. Perhaps you could start on one or two of these now, whilst still working in your current job.

Repeat the above exercise for each item that is on your list. Over the next few weeks keep adding to these lists. This exercise stimulates your mind to be creative, which results in creating many more great ideas – often when you least expect it, so make sure you write them all down.

The results of these exercises will be a list of what you enjoy doing, why you enjoy doing and a list of possible careers and money making opportunities that you would gain pleasure from. You do not have to make a massive move and quit your job right now. You can take your time, and slowly begin building your own business, or just earn a bit of extra money to help pay the bills whilst keeping your current job. You can also use this list to determine what career is best for you and begin planning a move to this new career.

Ask yourself the question, “If I could do anything at all, what would it be?” The answer to this question will help you determine which of the items on your list to pursue first. It is important not to spread yourself too thinly otherwise you may find that nothing ever gets done. Once you have decided which way to go you must do a goal setting exercise and work out your route to your target. Goal setting workbooks and articles can be found at http:www.stateofhypnosis.com.

Pursuing your passion means living life to the full. It means waking up each morning and looking forward to working. It means more energy, more fun and feeling more alive. Sadly today many of us are working jobs we would rather not be doing. Perhaps it is time that you took advantage of the shifting economy and lived your passion instead of dreaming it?