5 Careers for IT graduates

by Carl

IT or information technology is a growing field. There are many opportunities for graduates of this discipline. Many graduates work in high powered and well paying careers. One field which is particularly lucrative is game design. A game design course can result in many career opportunities. The initial expense of fees and educational supplies will soon be recovered after graduation from a course.

There are many job prospects for IT graduates. These include

  • Urban planning
  • Illustration and advertising
  • Game development
  • Film and TV
  • Architecture
  1. Urban planning

Urban planning is the skill of designing cities. The design includes consideration of facilities and environments for safe, healthy and efficient living. It involves transport planning, environmental planning and land use zoning. IT graduates can play a role in this field by modelling new developments digitally. 3D modelling can provide details about land use requirements. When population projections are considered it can provide urban models which can be implemented to become new towns or suburbs. The spatial skills of an IT graduate are greatly valued in the field of urban planning.

  1. Illustration and advertising

Most advertising and illustration for books and magazines is digital. Advertising relies on IT experts who have good visual design skills. IT graduates contribute to the fields of advertising and illustration by using their spatial and creative abilities to produce innovative logos and advertising campaigns. They also create attractive visuals for packaging of products such as educational supplies and toys.

  1. Game development

Many IT graduates specialise in game development. This specialty can be pursued by studying a game design course. Many of these courses provide real world experience in producing and marketing games. With the rise of applications for mobile phones and tablet computers, the market for games has expanded. This has also given game designers the opportunity to develop and sell games independently. Many IT graduates have become wealthy through exploiting these new opportunities.

  1. Film and TV

IT has become a major part of modern film making. Blockbuster movies with fantasy or action themes rely on IT experts to provide backgrounds, simulated sequences and 3D models. The field has become so advanced in the last decade that digital characters can interact freely with live action performers. The opportunities in this field for creative and innovative design are immense.

  1. Architecture

A practical use of IT skills is in the field of architecture. 3D modelling of buildings and interior design is now a required part of architectural design. 3D modelling can provide answers to seemingly insoluble design problems and can also provide plans and designs for new structures. IT graduates are very usefully employed in this field.

IT graduates are employed in diverse fields. These include TV and film, print media and game design. Graduates are employed in many areas including creative and artistic endeavours. IT graduates with game design specialisation can also become entrepreneurs who produce games for new mobile applications. Overall the prospects for IT graduates are very diverse and increasing rapidly.

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4 Tips for Making the Most out of your Performance Review

by Carl

In nearly every job that you’ll ever have, especially in a corporate environment, you’ll have to go through what’s typically called a performance review. Performance reviews are an assessment of what you’ve accomplished in the past and what you may bring to your company in the future. It’s a standard way of receiving feedback and discussing with your employers ways in which you can enhance your performance. While most employees will approach their performance review with the dread of receiving a report card, it’s best to think of it as a discussion that will improve the way you do your work. Here are a few tips:

1.     Make a list of goals.

Before your performance review, it’s absolutely essential to take notes so that you can ask questions throughout the meeting and discuss ways to maximize your performance. Even if you don’t have a specific set of goals yet, list some more general work goals that you hope to accomplish in the few months or the next year. This way, you’ll have a more clear path to discuss with your supervisor.

2.     Listen to your reviewer carefully and accept criticism.

While your performance reviewer will likely give you plenty of praise, expect to receive some criticism as well. Don’t take it personally—the whole point of a performance review is to underline your strengths while identifying your weaknesses. Don’t ever contest criticism. Rather, ask questions to be completely clear about what you’re doing wrong, and offer suggestions as to how you can improve.

3.     Don’t be afraid to bring up obstacles that are impeding your ability to work.

Always remember that performance reviews are a two-way street. Your employer wants to let you know how you’re doing, but your employer wants to know also how they’re doing as well. If there is something going at work that is stopping you from doing your best—a troublesome co-worker, the way that your work is managed, or anything else—always let your employer know. Don’t go about it in an overly critical way; just highlight the problem and offer possible solutions.

4.     Make your supervisor aware of what you’ve accomplished that she may not know about.

Most supervisors or managers are extremely busy people who spend lots of their time taking care of administrative duties. Especially if you work in a large office in which your supervisor manages a large group of people, everything that you accomplish may not come to your supervisor’s attention. Before meeting for your performance review, be sure to have mapped out everything that you’ve accomplished since your last performance review, including, if possible, the effects your accomplishments have had for the business or organization as a whole. Of course, don’t turn the review into a self-back-patting session, but do make your value known.

Performance reviews are perhaps one of the least liked aspects of working for a business. But it really doesn’t have to be that way. As long as you come in prepared, remember to take criticism constructively, and view it as, in the long-term, a positive experience for all, your review should be a career-enhancing breeze. Good luck!

By-line:

Alvina Lopez is a freelance writer and blog junkie, who blogs about accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez @gmail.com.

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5 Major Signs of Getting Burned Out on the Job

by Carl

You don’t get cuts and bruises when you get burned out on the job, do you? Of course, there are no physical signs that show you this. However, there are some signs that could instantly raise red flags. If you’re unable to notice burnout situations in time, you can easily do your career and yourself a lot of harm. To save you from those harms, given below are five major signs with which you can identify whether it’s a job burnout.

#1. Irritation with Co-workers

Getting along well with co-workers is essential for achieving success in the workplace and keeping your career growing. In job burnout situations, however, you can easily get irritated with your co-workers and colleagues. Sometimes, it reaches a point where you wouldn’t even want to spend a few minutes with co-workers (with whom you were on really good terms earlier). This is a good signal that you’re getting burnt out.

#2. No Sense of Accomplishment

One of the major signs with which you can identify such situations is a complete loss of enthusiasm and motivation on the job. It’s one of those circumstances where you don’t like taking on new challenges. You are so unmotivated that you even can’t feel the sense of achievement or accomplishment. Such signs should immediately raise red flags.

#3. You Arrive Late (and Want to Leave Earlier)

There are many employees or workers who come to office late. Whatever reason they may have for arriving late, they compensate for this time by working late hours. If you get late because you dread going to the office and want to leave as quickly as possible, it’s a major sign of burnout.

#4. You’re Depressed

When you don’t recognize the signs of a job burnout, it starts to take a toll on your health as well. If you continue with the same job that you dread going to, you will start to feel depressed. You’ll really need to act before this depression reaches a devastating level. Either you should try to improve the situation quickly or move on to a new job.

#5. You Dread Getting More Work

This is another potential sign of getting burned out on the job. If you are already overworked, you’ll begin to avoid people in the workplace. You’ll do this because you want to avoid being given more work. If you really dread getting more work from your boss, it signals a burnout situation.

Do you enjoy doing your job? Do you really feel happy while heading to the office? Evaluate your situation right away so that you know you are not facing a burnt out situation in your career.

James Tomerson writes regularly on career, education and latest job trends. To read more from him, you can visit Jobdiagnosis.com, which also offers jobseekers a free career test to choose a career which is in tune with their career, aptitude and skills.

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5 Things You Can Do Today to Take Your Career to the Next Level

by Carl

Whether you are looking to move up in your company or just get more respect and greater opportunities, there are immediate steps you can take to improve your standing. Instead of waiting for a game-changing event, start working on different aspects of your career so you stick out from the crowd. From going back to school for a masters degree to just going out to lunch, the steps below may help you get a promotion or a raise, but they will absolutely get you noticed.

Networking

Make connections with others in your field, professionals like Jennifer Tresh recommend this. Not only will this benefit you if you ever need to find a new job, building business partnerships can help you grow in your current company. Networking gives you an opportunity to pick up tips and tricks of the trade from others, and you can avoid costly mistakes by learning from their example.

Offering to take on extra work

In all work environments, tasks spring up that just don’t fall neatly into any one department. By agreeing to take these on, you’ll help out your colleagues and your supervisor, and you’ll improve your working relationship with coworkers you may not interact with on a daily basis. Bear in mind though, that you won’t impress your boss with a poorly done job, so don’t sign on for anything you can’t handle, and don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

Developing leadership skills

Work on your ability to manage others through volunteering, seminars or even a little light reading and research. When people see that you can handle the responsibility, you are more likely to receive the opportunity to manage a project or a team. Invest in a few business books on the subject, or ask to be put in charge of a small task force to get experience. Work specifically on communication skills; be grateful, respectful and precise in all of your work correspondence.

Getting in face time

In today’s digital world, it’s easy to get everything done via email exchanges and phone calls. However, a little bit of time spent in the same room with other people can increase mutual respect and greatly diminish the chances of misunderstandings or misinterpretations. It will also help your supervisors and coworkers to get to know you as a person, meaning they may be more likely to think of you when opportunities arise. Go out to lunch, or just drop by someone’s office to confront a problem together instead of through a long string of emails.

Exploring further education options

No matter what your career is, a little extra expertise is sure to be beneficial. Technology is changing, and the implications touch the medical, publishing, business, education and marketing fields, among many others. Consider furthering your studies in your chosen field to let current and prospective employers know that you take your job seriously.

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15 Things You Should Do To Prepare Yourself for Retirement

by Carl

At some point in your life, you will have to retire.  Will you be prepared when this time comes? Listed below are 15 things you should do to prepare yourself for retirement. Make sure that you are ready for the many lifestyle changes that come with retiring.

  • Ask questions. One of the best ways to plan for retirement is to begin by asking questions. Ask your grandparents and other trusted individuals what they did to begin the saving process. They can provide insight into how much you need to save and how to go about doing it.
  • Planning is the key to successful retirement. Realize first and foremost that planning is the key to successful retirement.  Plan your retirement well in advance so that you aren’t bombarded with any surprised when the time arrives.
  • Do you wish to maintain the same lifestyle? How you prepare for retirement will depend on the type of lifestyle that you wish to live once you are retired.  Maintaining the same lifestyle will require investing a little more into your retirement.
  • Social security benefits. Realize that you will have social security benefits to rely on once you retire but that you aren’t likely going to be able to live of it. Have a plan B in place.
  • Realize your retirement needs.  Retirement needs are often different for everyone.  What will your retirement needs be? Do you plan on having your house paid off by then or will you be responsible for the note? This is just one example of the many things you need to take into consideration when planning for retirement.
  • Have goals. Have a goal in mind on how you would like to live when you retire. If you plan on traveling, you may need to put extra money back.  Having goals is an important part of planning retirement.
  • Start saving. Have a savings account deemed just for retirement and contribute to it regularly. Make sure a percentage of your check is deposited into the account each pay period. Saving is important in retirement.
  • Will you work outside of retirement? Some retirees choose to work part-time after retirement. Will you choose to work after retirement?  
  • Investing can be lucrative. Find ways to invest your money. This can be very rewarding during the time when you need the money.
  • Say “yes” to your employers saving plan. Invest in your employers savings plan so that you are saving for retirement from the get go. Working for federal or state agencies can be very rewarding when it comes to retirement.
  • Pay off your house. A house note can take a substantial part of your income.  Strive to get your house paid off early so that you won’t have this note when retirement comes.
  • Take health care into consideration.  Realize that you will also need to a lot for health care expenses during retirement. While you may have Medicaid, there will still be costs. Be prepared for these costs.
  • Avoid taking money out of your retirement.  Don’t borrow against your retirement. This can start a bad habit and you will have little or no money left once you actually need it. If you quit your job, leave your retirement alone so that you will have it in the future.
  • A financial advisor may help. A financial advisor who knows the ins and outs of retirement can be very helpful for you.  Seek the guidance of a financial advisor so that all your questions can be answered correctly and promptly.
  • Stay the course. Once you have decided on a plan, stick to it. Changing the plan up frequently will only hurt you in the long run. Stay the course and don’t waver from one plan to the other.  Planning is key and will get you where you want to be when the time for retirement comes.

Preparing yourself for retirement will be important.  The younger you are when you begin saving for retirement, the better off you will be when that time comes.  Use the 15 tips listed above to help guide you in preparing for retirement.

Marina is freelance writer and writes on lot of topics related to business, career opportunities and education. She also runs an artificial flowers  store located at 1001ArtificialFlowers.com

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