Culture Shock : Adapting to a New World!

Canada could have enjoyed: English government, French culture, And American know-how. Instead it ended up with: English know-how, French government, And American culture

John Robert Colombo

It was my sister’s dream to get admission in one of USA’s premier colleges and do Phd. In 1991, she got this opportunity. Having been brought with the staple diet of everything India is dirty and behind times and everything in the USA squeaking clean and very progressive, quiet a few things shocked her. She found the practice of students calling their profs by first names a little unacceptable. And some of the toilets were really dirty and stinking. Not to speak of the dress culture that did not leave much to our imaginations.

But there were quite a few positive surprises as well. The dignity of labour. She found a few of her classmates working at the local McDonalds and at gas stations earning their pocket money. Then of course the work culture. And the respect they show to each other’s lifestyles and culture. It was really unbelieavable.

This is culture shock at the individual level. This phenomena is prevalent at the organizational level as well.

Starting with how to address your seniors to arrving on time to receiving your salaries in weekly instalments and flexi timings, all of which are essentially American contributions to the way we work and conduct our businesses, all require tremendous adjustments and adaptability at least in the initial stages. More than anyting else, what probably sets apart the American approach to their professional lives is the fact that they are keen to quantify everything. For a nation, who are not known that much for their ability with Mathematics, they have this inherent ability to put down in simple numbers all aspects of work. Otherwise, they find it difficult to do anything work wise. Culture Shock then occurs in their eating habits wherein it is not considered necessary to share whatever you are having with your colleagues and friends. Instead, you finish up as much of the chips as you want, and then ask your friends. The American culture also means paying for each penny that you and friends spend and also returning whatver cents your friend has spent on you the previous day.

There are in fact whole segments in HR departments whose sole responsibility is to orient people with the host country’s lifestyles and cultures including the organizaional dos and don’ts. It normally takes anyting from a month to three months for any average foreigner to settle down comforatbly in the alien atmosphere and begin behaving like the cititzens there.

But the study does not end here. These people soon have merged with the new culture, ideology and mindset. They then return to their home country after say a year or so and find what they get to witness back home even more shocking. This is called reverse Culture Shock.

Culture Shcok is simply a natural phenomena whereby our minds and heart take their time to adjust to foreign lifestyles and customs. You only need to allow yourselves that much time and not get unduly upset with yourselves at the slightest indiscretion on your part in a foreign land.

Career in Medical : Choose the Best Suited Job Options

Medical is the largest industry, showing the highest amount of growth of any other field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (USA). There are different types of medical jobs.

Many people enter the field of medicine as most of the people who have medical careers are in their current positions simply because of the innate desire to help other people live healthier and comfortable lives. Studying to become a medical professional involves a lot of hard work. There are tons of books to read and countless hours to spend studying for tests and exams. A high IQ, patience, determination and the desire to succeed to get you through the tough challenges of medical school. Many people have had dreams of becoming a doctor when they grow up. However, many people decide to pursue a alternative career in medicine as they believe that it is extremely difficult and time-consuming to be a doctor. Instead, they opt for other medical courses, such as  nursing or physical therapy. If you are the type of person who thrives under pressure and loves excitement, you might want to consider becoming an emergency medical technician. These are the people who rush to scenes of accidents and they have the job of securing the patient’s condition and keeping them stable until they reach the emergency room. There are other medical career options, such as studying drugs to be a pharmacist. Pharmacists have very important roles because they provide the people with the right medicine for their ailments. At times, they also inform doctors of the recommended dosage for new drugs, as well as the adverse reactions people might experience with these medications. If lab work is your forte, you can try becoming a lab technician or medical technician. They are in charge of performing analysis and tests of various bodily fluids that are submitted by patients. A couple of decades ago, a lab technician’s job took a while to finish, but with the introduction of advanced scientific equipments in the lab, the technician’s job has been made not only easier but also faster and more accurate. If you prefer not to get involved with the more intensive medical procedures, but still want to serve others as a medical professional, you can take a job as a medical assistant. You will be in charge of keeping all documents updated and helping the doctor keep the clinic organized.

Working in the field of medicine is definitely one of the most meaningful careers you can ever do. There are hundreds of different types of medical jobs. Medical is the largest industry, showing the highest amount of growth of any other field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (USA). According to the BLS, the medical industry is projected to add about three million more jobs by 2016.

Types of Career in Medical

The medical jobs on this list offer the highest degree of one of these factors, or a strong balance of several factors. All the included medical jobs are in very high demand and experiencing significant growth, due to the aging population, and advancements in health care. Below are a few top medical jobs based on projected percentage of job growth, as well as number of jobs, compensation, and quality of life:

Nurse:
Nursing makes up the largest portion of the medical workforce, at over 15%, with over 2.5 million nurses nationwide working in medical. Registered nursing is projected to grow by 25% for the ten year period ending in 2016. There are so many different types of nurses, and so many different places that nurses can work, making it a very hot medical job. There are nursing jobs for high school graduates, college graduates, and those with advanced degrees, each offering varying levels of responsibility and compensation.

Physician:
Despite experiencing a bit of a financial squeeze caused by managed care and insurance companies, doctors still continue to have the highest earning potential by far over all other health care professionals. In some areas, doctors have to work harder and see more patients to earn the highest pay, but they still are able to earn hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Surgeons and specialists earn the most money, sometimes well over half a million dollars. The number of physicians is projected to grow by 17% by the year 2016, according to the BLS.

Allied Health – Medical Technicians, Technologists and Assistants:
Many allied health careers are well-paid, and in high demand. Therefore, if you have an associate’s degree, or a four-year college degree, you can choose from a wide variety of nearly 100 allied health careers. Medical Assistants are projected to see a whopping 36.1% growth by the year 2016, according to the BLS. This extremely high growth, plus the flexibility and versatility of the medical assistant role makes it a great option for many. Additionally, medical assisting requires minimal educational prerequisites, making it a top allied profession.

Medical Office Administrative and Support Jobs:
As a whole, medical support roles and administrative roles make up a whopping 18% of all jobs in the medical industry, which is why these jobs are amongst the top medical jobs. Also, most of these jobs require little to no college coursework which is a big perk. Therefore, they don’t pay as high, but they are in great demand and many jobs continue to be available. Medical transcriptions are not the fastest growing of all the support roles, yet they are slated to experience a 10.5% growth, which is still very strong. Due to the great flexibility of medical transcription jobs, the work-from-home capabilities, and the relatively short training requirements, medical transcription is a hot administrative role.

Home Health and Hospice Care:
Home health, including in-home hospice care and home health aides for the elderly and disabled, are set to experience a whopping 50+% growth! According to the BLS, this is the single most rapidly growing segment of the medical industry, earning Home Health a spot amongst the top medical jobs.

Education and Career Resources : Why they are important for us

Education is one of the most important aspects of our lives, as without a sound foundation, building a stable future in any discipline is not possible at all. Hence, education and career resources play a very vital role in making an individual build a safe and secure future.

Without any doubt, education plays a crucial role in giving a perfect shape to our life. It is also responsible for getting a successful professional exposure. Schools are the medium through which we can impart education and can prepare for future jobs. Choosing the right career option also plays an important role to achieve success in our life. However, there are a large number of students who are not able to choose or decide the appropriate field for a successful life. When it comes to career education, it helps us to follow the right track by analyzing our skills, knowledge and area of interest. Some appropriate education and career resources help us to choose the appropriate career option and to get a satisfactory job.

If we get career education through the specialists, we will be able to increase our market value within a specific field. The career education specialists are able to provide us with a range of suitable programs that help us to get a favorable job. These programs will also help us to assess our behaviors, interests and aptitudes. Here the question arises that from where we can get useful education and career resources that help us to depict the right picture of our career.

Education and career resources can be taken in two ways:

Regular Education:

Regular education can be taken through schools and colleges. It plays a dramatic role in developing the skills, knowledge and understanding power of us. If we get an appropriate regular education, we can easily choose the right career option for us. It means it lessen the distance between an unsuccessful and successful person. The regular education teachers are expected to assist us with positive thoughts and appropriate perception.

Online Education:

Nowadays, online education is also supposed to be one of the best ways to impart the desired knowledge. It is known as one of the best education and career resources. There are many advantages of taking online education that are assisting the education seekers to fulfill their knowledge thrust.

Advantages of Online Education:

Flexibility:

We can choose our own reading schedule. Through this advantage, we get the more time to work on our assignment. We can also work on reading at our own discretion.

Convenience:

There are no regular classes in online education. We can also take the benefits of online education sitting at home in front of the computer after selecting our desired course.

Availability:

Most online programs are usually accredited by reputed and renowned universities, so we don’t have to feel that we are being tricked.

Accessibility:

We can access these from anywhere so it is very easy to access these classes. For this purpose, we only need to have a computer with a fast Internet connectivity.

Cost factor:

These programs are usually cheaper than traditional school programs.

Therefore, there are various education and career resources available in the market today. If we want to be successful in our life, we only need to utilize these resources in a proper way.

What are the Possible Careers in Engineering

Engineers have multiple career options ranging from research and develop solutions to technical problems by applying the theories and principles of science and mathematics.

Engineering is not only an expertise,but an acquired skill that opens doors into a vast range of jobs. Engineers probably have a wider choice of the work environment and type of job,compared to other professions. This versatility is duly accredited to engineering today as it is not confined to the obvious spheres and has diversified its impact on all major industry sectors. Engineers repair, modify and construct efficient and economical products, by applying scientific principles to a variety of solutions. They have a hand in the creation of anything in use anywhere. Engineering has several branches, and often the knowledge in one branch can be applied to many fields. Moreover, in any organization or project, engineers from one field work with engineers and specialists of many other fields as well. The branches of engineering include:

  • Aerospace
  • Agricultural
  • Biomedical
  • Chemical
  • Civil
  • Computer Hardware
  • Electrical and Electronics
  • Environmental
  • Industrial
  • Materials
  • Mechanical
  • Mining and Geological
  • Nuclear
  • Petroleum

Engineers held 1.5 million jobs in 2006. The highest number of these jobs were in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, electrical engineering and electronic engineering.

Educational Requirements for Engineers
To get an entry-level engineering job, one usually needs a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Sometimes a bachelor’s degree in physical science or mathematics may be sufficient, especially in high-demand specialties. Generally engineering students specialize in a particular branch of engineering and eventually work in the same related branch.

Career in Engineering: Job Outlook
Engineers who offer their services directly to the public are known as licensed engineers. These licensed engineers are called Professional Engineers (PE). To become licensed one must have a degree from a program that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ACITE), four years of relevant work experience, and successful completion of a state examination.
The engineer follows the below mentioned pattern in job:

  • As entry level engineers gain experience and knowledge, they may work more independently, making decisions, developing designs, and solving problems.
  • With further experience, engineers may become technical specialists or supervisors over a staff or team of engineers or technicians.
  • Eventually, they may become engineering managers, or may move into other managerial or sales jobs.

It is assumed that engineering employment is expected to grow globally. This growth will happen faster than the average growth for all occupations through 2016. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that biomedical, industrial, civil engineering, environmental engineering, agricultural, aerospace, chemical, health and safety, marine, mining and geological and nuclear engineers are amongst the few segments that would see a faster average growth. Average starting salary offers vary branch-wise in engineering and examination scores. Annual average earnings for several branches of engineering according to a survey by Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S., 2006):

  • Electrical: $75,930
  • Civil: $68,600
  • Mechanical: $69,850
  • Computer Hardware: $88,470
  • Nuclear: $90,220
  • Biomedical: $73,930
  • Environmental: $69,940

Career in Engineering: Work Specification
Engineers work on diverse segments, ranging from design and development to testing, production and maintenance. The following are the common functions of an engineer in all fields of work:

  • Design, plan, and supervise the construction of buildings, highways, and transit systems
  • Develop and implement improved ways to extract, process, and use raw materials
  • Develop new materials that both improve the performance of products and take advantage of advances in technology
  • Analyze the impact of the products they develop or the systems they design on the environment and on people using them
  • Supervise production in factories
  • Determine the causes of breakdowns
  • Test manufactured products to maintain quality
  • Estimate the time and cost to complete projects

New Career Opportunity in Computers and IT

Every aspect of our day-to-day life is touched by computers. From home appliances to consumer goods, industry to the government, computers are essential. Technology continues to be pushed to farther limits, which requires new advancements and skills to keep up with the pace. The number of computer science majors has increased significantly for the first time since 2002.

Due to the recent global economic crisis, many students fear that choosing a career in computers may not be the wisest decision. But, that’s not true, as there has been a steady growth in the industry. Education in computers is sure to pay off in the longer run. Courses are geared to keep up with scientific and engineering advances and the demand for highly trained individuals remains undeterred. Students interested in a career in computers need to be updated with the latest skills and certifications to truly succeed. Students can easily opt for a career in Computer Science degrees, Computer Technology and Networking Degrees or Computer Programming Degrees.

Career in Computers and IT: Key Requirements for a Degree

The following details must be kept in mind to earn a worthy degree in computers and IT, which is essential to pursue a career in this field:

  • A degree in Computer Science will cover theory and programming along with the latest developments and computing solutions. A Computer Science degree creates the foundation for students to adapt to new technologies and new ideas.
  • Keep in mind that most computer science degrees need some level of proficiency in math. There are several career paths one can choose after graduating with a CS degree. These include designing and implementing software or software development. This is a popular career option for many graduates as its reach involves interface design, web development, and newer areas such as mobile computing. You could be employed by organizations of all kinds, from government and industry to finance and health care.
  • Computer technology degrees prepare students to meet the computer technology needs of businesses, governments, administrations and other types of organizations. A computer technology graduate will be trained to impart hands-on expertise and integrate the needs and infrastructure of an organization and the people who use it. Installing, maintaining and customizing these applications is also the domain of such professionals.
  • Individuals with Computer Networking Degrees are the ones in charge of the networks that support an organization. This includes designing and maintaining Local Area Networks and Wide Area Networks. Computer networking professionals also work in developing and implementing the information security plan and disaster recovery plan for their organization. Computer networking will also provide you with skills required for jobs in computer programming, systems analyzing, and database administration, to name a few.
  • And finally, Computer Programming Degrees deal with the instructions and languages that computers use to operate. Computer programmers solve problems and develop and carry out tests within the system. The responsibilities of such individuals will depend on the business or industry in which they work. Software development programmers, for example, often work with other specialists in developing customized or general-use software. This could include games, financial management packages, and even programs used for training and educational purposes.

Career in Computers and IT; Enhanced Opportunities

The field of computers is one of the fastest changing areas and to remain successful requires a constant commitment to educating yourself and updating your knowledge and skills. Practical experience, education, and training to stay in touch with the current technologies is the only way to make your mark in this dynamic career path. Network World reports that a study released this week by the Computing Research Association found that the number of undergraduates signed up as computer science majors rose 8.1 percent in 2008. Moreover, total enrollment in computer science classes, including majors and pre-majors, was up 6.2 percent.

There is an evident increase in enrollment in courses pertaining to computers and IT. This change has been noted and welcomed by Stanford University.

University of Maryland’s computer science department have also agreed that many students who once considered business and finance as subjects to major with have shown a shift of interest towards computers and IT. They are increasingly now focusing on computing. Employees without basic computing skills are at a severe disadvantage these days and it’s only going to get worse. The younger generations have grown up with technology all their lives; therefore operating a computer is second nature. Meanwhile older generations have been forced to adapt, some more successfully than others.

A career in computing earn excessively high paid wages. The average salary of an IT professional in the UK sums up approximately 34500 pounds. With technology advances including virtual private networks, email networking and the World Wide Web, working in the office can be a thing of the past. IT allows employees to work when they want and where they want, which gives work flexibility and opportunities to balance work and family life. The stereotypical view of the personnel in IT is as out of date. Today, IT has an opportunity to suit almost everyone, from designers to DJs, animators to architects, programmers to police officers; almost every possible industry sector has a demand for IT.

IT careers actually are not as complicated as they might seem, technology has made IT easier and easier over the years. To apply for a job in IT a little bit of experience is just as good as a degree, provided you have good communication skills, a keen mind and a willingness to learn, many companies will provide all the training required. Additionally if you want to start learning IT from scratch, or simply dont feel your IT skills are adequate there are hundreds of courses, magazine and tutors available and many more available on the net, all keen to help tell you the difference between an apple and cookies.

Rajasthan Pre Engineering Test – 2009

The Rajasthan Pre-Engineering Test (RPET) is conducted by Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur for admission to BE/ B Tech/ B Arch courses in various engineering colleges in Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Pre Entrance Test, also known as RPET, is conducted by the Rajasthan Technical University, on behalf of the Board of Technical Education in Rajasthan. The admission into first semester of various undergraduate courses, such as engineering, architecture and pharmacy is based on a student’s score in this exam across the state of Rajasthan. This test is officially abbreviated as “RPETEAP” which stands for “Rajasthan Pre Entrance Test for Engineering, Architecture and Pharmacy”. The Rajasthan Pre Engineering Test is accepted and recognized by government aided and private technical institutes of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Pre Engineering Test – 2009: Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for Rajasthan Pre Engineering Test is as follows:

  • Passing degree in the final examination of 10+2 (XII) of Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan or any equivalent examination recognized by Universities in Rajasthan.

  • The age of the candidate appearing for RPET must be between 17 to 23 years of age as on 1st October.

  • Students must be physically and mentally fit. Medical fitness is a very important eligibility criteria.

  • There are some subject combination requirements in the qualifying RPET examination for admission to B.E., B. Arch courses:

  • B.E. Compulsory Subject: Physics & Mathematics anyone of the optional subjects: Chemistry, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Biology.

  • B. Arch. Compulsory Subject: Physics & Mathematics anyone of the optional subjects: Chemistry, Engineering Drawing, Computer Science and Biology.

Why to appear for Rajasthan Pre Engineering Test – 2009

For residents of the state of Rajasthan, RPET is the entrance test for all engineering courses except BITS Pilani. The benefits of becoming an engineer are:

  • Job Satisfaction: The most important cause of dissatisfaction among the working people is the job dissatisfaction. Thus, it is important to find a career that provides job satisfaction. Job satisfaction comes in with job aptitude. One has to spend a good part of his or her life at work station and if there is an aptitude for engineering then you are bound to grow in a better way.

  • Variety of Career Opportunities: Neil Armstrong, Jimmy Carter, and Alfred Hitchcock, an astronaut, a president, and one a filmmaker – from different streams of occupation all together but a commonality, they all started with an engineering education. Engineering as a profession offers a wide range of career possibilities. From the design of fighter planes to that of pacemakers for hearts from boring holes deep in the earth for the petrochemicals to steeping at mars, engineers play the pivotal role.

  • Challenging Work: Engineering is all about fixing things so as to make the object serve its purpose in the best possible and efficient way. From the flying machine of the Wright brothers to the stealth bombers the range of improvement and development is enormous. Here lies the challenge. Challenge is not only about visualizing the development and improvement but also in performing it.

  • Intellectual Development: Engineering as a profession is function of creativity and ingenuity. It’s more about developing the best possible option. This in turn involves a great utilization of your mental faculties as compared to the professions where practice and pattern aid a lot in performing the job.

  • Contribute to Society: No one can deny the contribution of society in one’s own development but few bother to contribute for the same. Engineering as a carrier provides lots of opportunity to this end too. A civil engineer can design models for easing out traffic congestion. A software engineer can develop cheap and user friendly software for the disabled, an electrical engineer can devise ways and means for optimum utilization of electricity. All in the interest of the society and ones own career.

  • Financial Security: While financial security should not be the only reason for choosing a career in engineering, if you decide to become an engineer you will be well paid. Engineering graduates receive one of the highest starting salaries among all disciplines.

  • Prestige: Engineers play an important role in the development of the nation and add to its international stature in a big way. And in this pursuit, one also earns a reputed place in the society.

  • Professional Environment: As an engineer, you will work in a professional environment where creativity and intellect are on the top priority. Working in such an environment with creative and intellectual colleagues is rewarding in itself.

Candidates interested in Engineering may fill the application form and information booklet for RPET prospectus. The Prospectus may be obtained from the Engineering colleges on payment of the requisite amount. Completed applications with the test fee should be reach the Coordinator, RPET, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur 302017 by the scheduled date in March.