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HOW TO BECOME A CIVIL ENGINEER

Lewis Robinson

Use These 7 Tips To Organize Your Computer

If you run a company, you understand how important it is to be organized. The more organized your company is, the more efficiently your company will operate, and the more revenues you bring in. Everything is calmer when a business is organized, and your employees have less stress.

Industrial companies have understood this for years and have everything organized down to using an OSHA pipe color chart to ensure their employees work in an organized and safe work environment. While having a disorganized computer might not seem as hazardous as disorganized pipes, it can lead to stress and irritation as well as long-range health consequences. Here are some tips for organizing your computer for better efficiency.

1. Get in the Habit of Deleting Unnecessary Files

Too many files can fill up your computer's memory and cause your computer to run more slowly. Also, having too much personal information on your computer could leave you vulnerable to cyber-attacks and threaten your privacy when it's time to upgrade to a new computer.

Make it a habit to delete unnecessary and duplicate files every day. When it's part of your daily routine, it will be much easier to remember to do this simple but vital task every day.

2. Get Rid of Unnecessary Software

The software you never use can also make your computer run more slowly. Every few months remove those programs you no longer need. You'll know you have the software you don't use anymore when you get that annoying pop-up saying it's time for an update.

3. Get an External Hard Drive

An external hard drive can store a lot of extra data without slowing down your computer. They're inexpensive and are easy to carry with you. It's a good way to protect personal data you don't want falling into the wrong hands. These drives have enough storage that you can use them for an emergency backup should you wind up with a virus on your computer.

4. Get More RAM

In addition to investing in an external hard drive, also think about adding more RAM to your computer. RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and the more RAM you have, the more programs you can run at the same time. Having extra RAM will enable you to work faster and more easily.

Keep in mind, however, that it's easier to add more RAM to a desktop computer. You may not be able to increase the RAM in your laptop.

5. Get Your Bookmarks Organized

Scrolling through hundreds of bookmarks on your web browser can be frustrating. Organize those bookmarks instead. Depending on the type of computer you have, you can organize your bookmarks alphabetically or arrange them in files depending on the subject matter. By organizing your bookmarks you'll be able to find those web pages easily and save time.

6. Change Your Web Browser

If your computer acts sluggish whenever you load a web page, your browser may be the culprit. Change to a different browser and see if there is a difference in loading speeds. Your computer also stores cookies every time you visit a web page. Over time, as your computer accumulates these cookies, it can slow down. Delete these cookies and your loading speed may increase.

7. Get Virus Protection

Spyware or malware can also slow down your computer. Protect your data by investing in a good virus protection program. Run it regularly to make sure your computer is safe.

By organizing your computer, you'll be working more quickly and efficiently with less stress. Your company will be producing increased revenues, and you'll have happier employees.

How to Relieve Anxiety At Home

Millions of Americans struggle with anxiety and depression. While these conditions often require treatment by a mental health professional, there are ways you can minimize them from home. Reducing the symptoms of your anxiety can help you support your mental health. With the following tips, you can start to manage your anxiety symptoms from home. 

Evaluate Your Coping Skills

The first step in managing your anxiety from home is evaluating your coping skills. Without healthy coping mechanisms, it's easy to get lost in the swarm of emotions your mind supplies. However, when you have a distraction, you can diminish the overwhelming symptoms of your anxiety. When you feel stressed, what do you turn to? Do you do something self-destructive, such as binge eating? If your normal coping skill is unhealthy, it might be time to swap it for a more constructive option. 

One of the best coping mechanisms you can have is to take a break from the stressor. Whether it's work, school, or family issues causing your anxiety, taking some time to yourself can help you manage your stress. Once you're on your own, you can work to reduce your tension through your chosen method. While there's nothing wrong with things like nicotine or heavy hitters such as cannabis or alcohol, it's vital to practice moderation. If you plan on using these substances as part of your coping mechanisms, make sure you don't become dependent on them. By forming healthy coping strategies, you can start managing your anxiety from home. 

Pick Up a Calming Hobby

Another way you can manage your anxiety from home is by picking up a hobby. Similar to having set coping mechanisms, having relaxing hobbies can help you manage the outward symptoms of your stress. Activities like painting, sculpting, or gardening can all distract your mind from its tension and help you relax. Working with your hands is especially helpful, as it tends to use more of the brain. Something as simple as listening to your favorite music while you tidy up the house can help reduce your stress. 

Along similar lines, it's essential to learn how to regulate your breathing. Unfortunately, anxiety doesn't always wait until you're alone to strike. In many cases, you'll begin feeling the symptoms of your condition at work or school. By learning a skill such as meditation or breathwork, you can have access to a calm mind wherever you are. Incorporating a few minutes of deep breathing into your work routine or hobby can help relax you and reduce your anxiety. Picking up a fun hobby can improve your mental well-being by giving you a creative outlet.

Survey Your Physical Health

Finally, managing your anxiety from home should include a survey of your physical health. While this may seem counterproductive, mental and physical health go hand-in-hand. For instance, if you aren't sleeping enough, your brain won't be able to produce the serotonin and dopamine needed to regulate emotions. As much as possible, make sure you're resting enough. Set aside time to take naps if you need to, but do your best to get the necessary amount of sleep for your age group. 

Another necessary component of physical health is nutrition. It can certainly be tempting to turn to junk food when you're stressed, but that can make your anxiety worse. While there's nothing wrong with eating a bowl of ice cream when you're sad, that shouldn't be your entire diet. Many unhealthy foods cause inflammation in your GI tract, which slows down the production of neurotransmitters that help regulate emotions. By eating healthy foods, you can support your brain development and help reduce some of your stress.  Effectively managing your physical health will help manage your anxiety. 

Overall, having a mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. While you may need to seek professional treatment to regulate the disorder itself, it's possible to handle the smaller issues yourself. With these tips, you can reduce some of the worse symptoms and improve your overall well-being. 

4 Things To Consider Before You Move To Florida

Moving to Florida can be a big change, especially if you're a Northerner. So, it's important to think this through before making the leap. Here are four things to consider before you move to Florida.

1. Affordability

Affordability is an important consideration in any move. If Florida is on your mind, you may be worried about the high cost. After all, Florida is a dream home for many people. Fortunately, the Sunshine State isn't as expensive as it seems. In fact, it's close to the median in terms of mortgage rates. If you're still worried, you can always use a mortgage loan calculator. In order to avoid spending too much, you'll need to factor in your desired location. Living by or on the beach can be extremely expensive. On the other hand, suburban towns near the beach are often very affordable. Smaller towns like Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor, Dunedin and Clearwater and great options to check out. If you're looking to live in a busier area, you'll definitely want to look at Tampa and Orlando. These cities allow you to live in a bustling area without paying New York prices.

2. Weather

If you're considering moving to Florida, you must consider the weather. Most people move to the Sunshine State (or move away) primarily due to this factor. One of the most important things to weigh is heat. If you crave sunshine and warm days, you might have a great time in Florida. However, the summers can be brutal. Even residents find it difficult to go outside in July and August. The humidity is particularly awful. On the other hand, Florida doesn't have an intense winter. While it isn't hot every month, the state rarely gets close to snow. This is why the elderly often travel down in the winter. 

Another important factor to consider is storms. Specifically, hurricanes. Floridians are exposed to hurricanes often. While many never make it past the tropical storm level, some have gotten very large and impactful. Hurricane Irma is a recent and intense example of this. In order to live safely in Florida, you must be able to hurricane-proof your house. This involves getting window shutters, sandbags and canned food. If this sounds worrisome or time-consuming, then Florida may not be for you. However, you may want to check out hurricanes lesson plans before making a decision.

3. Entertainment

One of the main reasons for Florida's popularity is its entertainment. The Sunshine State has a wide variety of entertainment options, making it a great option for vacationers everywhere. If you move to Florida, you can have a mini-vacation at any time! For one thing, Florida has some amazing theme parks. Families and Disney lovers everywhere adore the Walt Disney World Resort, particularly its wide array of parks and activities. While living near Disney can be hectic, especially during the summer months, having easy access may be worth it for you. Also, Floridian beaches are some of the highest-ranking in the world! Clearwater Beach in particular has beautiful water, tons of shops and a versatile atmosphere for kids and adults. While you may not want to party all the time, living in Florida makes a spontaneous vacation easy to pull off!

4. Residents

Residents are an extremely important factor to consider when moving to Florida, specifically when it comes to choosing an area. Unlike many other states, Florida has a large variety of residents in terms of age and lifestyle. Elderly citizens tend to flock to the Sunshine State. While some "snowbirds" come only in winter, others move completely after retirement. These residents tend to live in more suburban areas, such as Clearwater and Dunedin. On the other hand, a large number of young people enjoy living in Florida. The nightlife and beaches offer a lot of social opportunities for this group. Younger crowds are more likely to live in large cities, such as Tampa, Orlando and Miami. If you're planning to move down, be sure to consider who you want to live near.

Moving to Florida requires a lot of forethought. However, it may be worth it in the end. Weigh these considerations and see what you think!

6 Useful Tips for Buying a Pool

A pool is one of the social highlights of summer for many people. Public pools are common and can be great places for community gatherings, but having a pool on your property can be hugely advantageous. Here are six useful tips for buying a pool.

1. Work Closely With Contractors

Putting in a pool is not something you should do on your own if you're working with anything more complicated than a collapsible pool. You need to work closely with an experienced, qualified contractor to ensure the pool is installed professionally and safely. Research potential contractors carefully and seek out quotes and references. Make sure you draw up a contract that includes the entirety of the process from beginning to end and includes a payment schedule and documentation of permits and insurance coverage.

2. Check Your Legal And Location Requirements

Before you begin the process of purchasing and installing a pool, you need to make sure you follow all location requirements and abide by all legal processes involved. For example, zoning laws for pool construction Mobile, AL may be different from those in Tulsa, OK. No matter where you live, best practices for pool installation include notifying your jurisdiction's housing authority so someone can come out and make sure your contractors don't accidentally hit any power lines. If your neighborhood has a homeowner's association, you'll also need to notify that authority.

3. Choose Between Above-ground And In-ground Types

There are two main types of permanent pools available: above-ground and in-ground. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so you should carefully compare the two options when deciding what kind of pool you want. An above-ground pool can actually be dismantled later if you so choose, and it can be safer because it's more difficult to fall in accidentally. However, an in-ground pool offers more room and you may find it more aesthetically pleasing. The type of pool you're able to install may also depend on zoning laws and HOA requirements.

4. Consider the Shape And Size You Want

Once you choose a type of pool, you can turn to the shape and size you want. Above-ground pools are generally circular, but in-ground pools come in several shapes, including rectangular, circular and ovular. You'll also need to consider the depth and whether you want the pool to have a deep end and a shallow end or be a single depth. Remember that the larger and deeper your pool is, the more expensive it will be to install and maintain. Even if you have a specific shape or size in mind, you may be limited by the available land and your budget. For example, while an oval pool may work best if you have a long, thin backyard, this shape is typically the most expensive.

5. Stick To Your Budget

Because of the expense involved in installing and maintaining a pool, you must choose a budget and avoid exceeding it. Knowing your budget from the beginning will help you make sound choices about the pool's style, size, shape and accessories. It will also help you develop a suitable payment plan and avoid purchases that are too expensive or extravagent.

6. Know What Accessories You Must Have

Pools require many accessories, tools and other supplies in order to be well-maintained and safe for use. If you have an in-ground pool, you must fence it off and have a cover that can be placed over the surface when the pool isn't in use. You must also purchase the right chemicals to properly treat your pool, whether it's chlorine or saltwater, and other tools, such as skimmers and vacuums, to keep it clean and sanitary. Think about other important accessories, such as pumps and heaters.

A pool can be an expensive investment, but it tends to be a useful and enjoyable one. You can choose from many different styles and types. No matter what kind of pool you get, it will last you a lifetime.

4 Ways To Think More Positively

Thinking positively is an essential key to mental health. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to focus on happier thoughts. Many people with depression and anxiety become trapped in destructive mental loops. If you're looking to battle this tendency, here are four ways to think more positively.

1. Think of Others

When you're stuck in a pessimistic mental loop, your thoughts probably revolve around yourself. This can lead to unnecessary and undeserved self-hatred. Therefore, one of the best remedies to try is to focus your thoughts on others. Consider how everyone else you know might be doing. If you haven't talked to an old friend for a while, reach out! Ask your friends to have an outing. You could even check in with your family. If you don't want to invest energy in talking to friends and family, you can focus on strangers. Try joining charities and learning more about the world. For instance, you could learn more about global warming through climate change hands on activities. This isn't to say that thinking about yourself is inherently selfish. It's important to invest time and energy into your well-being. However, if your personal thoughts become inherently negative, it may be best to focus your mind elsewhere.

2. Avoid Negative Subjects

While this may seem obvious, it's essential to avoid negative subjects when working on your mental health. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. Negative thoughts can get intrusive, especially if you have depression or OCD. Your first response to these thoughts is probably to analyze each one. Ripping the inaccurate logic apart may seem like an effective method. However, negative thoughts rarely respond to logic. Because of this, it's generally pointless to focus any energy on debunking these beliefs. The best thing you can do is to avoid the thoughts altogether. When something bad comes up, particularly something that's self-loathing and useless, find another activity to do. 

3. Remember Happy Moments

When trying to keep your thoughts positive, it's often helpful to remember happy moments. Sure, this may sound cheesy. However, thinking of a genuinely heartwarming memory can be a lifesaver. In order to be prepared, gather a mental collection of your most treasured recollections. You'll want a variety that can address numerous insecurities. One of the best types of memories to prepare is ones involving your family. These can be as simple as watching a movie or going to the beach. You may also want to prepare a memory involving an accomplishment. Whenever you feel unworthy or untalented, you can remember how much you've achieved in your life. Finally, it's extremely beneficial to remember times when you helped others. Try to think of summer memories like pool builders in San Diego. Self-hatred, especially when fueled by depression, is very difficult to shake. However, remembering moments when your existence benefited someone else may be the key.

4. Stop Thinking!

The most effective way to think more positively, particularly if you have OCD or depression, is to stop thinking entirely. Obviously, you can't turn your thoughts off completely. However, stopping yourself from entering a mental spiral is an extremely healthy practice. A great way to avoid thinking is by doing an activity. Do something that you truly enjoy. You could knit, read, watch television, go for a walk or even browse social media. If this doesn't seem to be working, don't worry. Less all-consuming activities may not be what you need. When you're truly stuck in a rut, try doing something physical. Go for a run, take a dance class, play a sport or go swimming. While physical activities don't require much thought, the battle to keep going will probably occupy your brain. Doing a physical activity can also produce endorphins! These chemicals often make people happier and more energized.

Battling your own mind isn't easy. Luckily, you don't need to address negative thoughts directly. Simply find another train of thought or action to focus on. If this seems impossible to you. it may be best to find a therapist. Above all else, be sure to prioritize your mental health.

5 Road Trip Tips To Get You There Safe and Sound

Road trips are a great way to see different parts of the country without the hassle and expense of boarding a plane. However, they can also be stressful. No matter where you are going, these five road trip tips will help you get there safe, sound, and sane. 

1. Double Check Directions

In this age of onboard navigation systems, it is easy to skip this step. however, there may be times when you are unable to get a signal or a system goes down. You want to be sure you have some idea of where to go if that happens. 

Additionally, although it may seem redundant, it is also a good idea to keep a map in your car — just in case. This is even more important if you routinely travel to remote or mountainous areas where connections can be spotty and you may not run into another traveler if you find yourself lost.   

2. Take In Local Sights  

Resist the urge to rush to your final destination on a road trip. Stopping along the way has several advantages that you should consider. First, it makes the ride more fun. Let everyone pick an activity and then search out places that match along your route. There's a pretty good chance you won't have to detour too far to find some great places. 

Additionally, instead of making the trip feel longer, stopping to take in the local sights can make the time fly by. Sure, it may take you longer to get to your final destination, but that stopover at the embassy suites Charleston SC will be something you'll be talking about for years. Finally, it gives you a chance to see small local attractions that you might otherwise have gone right past. 

3. Stop Frequently To Stretch

Don't just stop when you get somewhere interesting. Make it a point to ask everyone if they want to stretch when you see a rest area coming up. This helps you stay comfortable so you aren't stiff and achy once you get where you are going. 

If you don't want to use rest areas, there are plenty of other options. Many city and state parks offer walking trails that give you a chance to walk around a bit, and you might even find a place to enjoy a picnic lunch while you are there. 

4. Keep an Emergency Kit Handy

In a perfect world, there would never be an accident or breakdown on a road trip, but this is reality. That's why it is better to be prepared with an emergency kit. Include a first aid kit, any medications family members stake, a backup power pack for cell phones and a few roadside flares. Put some snacks and water in it, too, just in case you have to wait for help to arrive. 

Remember, an accident where no one gets hurt is not the end of the world, and it doesn't have to ruin the rest of your road trip. Try to find a way to make the best of the bad situation so you can salvage the trip. When you get home, check with your insurance agent about accident forgiveness policies.

5. Pack Games and Things To Do

While stopping along the way is great, it isn't always possible. There may be long stretches of highway where you just have to keep going. Having games, toys and electronics for those ties can help everyone stay occupied and out of each other's hair. Aim for things that are quiet or include noise-canceling headphones so everyone can do their own thing in peace.

Make your next road trip great by double-checking directions, stopping frequently to stretch and check out local sights, packing toys and games for the kids and having some basic emergency supplies handy.

Owning Your Own Healthcare Business

When you take the leap to work for yourself and start your own business, there are a few things that you will need to take into consideration. Even if you are working under or being monitored by someone else, it is likely that the number of sales you get will be up to you. Read this article if you want tips on how to sell healthcare products. You may have thought of some of these items, but some may be things you have not thought of. 

Quality Products

If you want to be taken seriously in the sales industry, you must make sure that you research the products that you are trying to sell. This may include purchasing and trying the product yourself so that you know its worth and how well it will work. It will also make it easier for you to sell it if you can describe how it is used and the benefits it gave you. 

It may not feel good selling something to your loved ones and friends that you know is not worth what it costs. Also, consider the reviews that other consumers have said about the product. Something like red light therapy can sell well because there are medical professionals who attest to the many benefits it can bring. 

Wants and Needs

If you want to be successful you should take into consideration what people actually need in their day-to-day life. Most people genuinely want to be healthy and live as long as possible. So selling healthcare products should not be too hard to do. You just need to be able to demonstrate or relate to people why the items you are selling are necessary. 

Many people, especially women, want their outer beauty to shine. The good thing is that many healthcare products not only benefit your physical health but also improve your outer appearance. Items like collagen and certain vitamins have so many benefits that they should be fairly easy to sell.

Your Market

When you set out to start a small business, part of creating your business plan is to determine who your target market is and how you plan to reach them. If the stay-at-home moms or working women are who you are trying to reach, you will need to participate in social media. You can try instant messaging potential customers and post about your products using hashtags and tagging your company. 

It would be wise for you to participate in agile market research so that you track your progress and send release marketing campaigns easily. You should always use the internet to your advantage as it can make a lot of bookkeeping and documenting much easier for you. Consider buying bookkeeping software on your computer to really simplify things. 

Set Yourself Up

There are so many ways and so many places that you can market yourself and your business. Besides social media, there is also the option to start your own website. There are videos you can watch and get advice on how to best set up your site so that it is user-friendly. It would be great if you could set things up where payments can be taken on the website. 

You can also research and set up yourself on Amazon to sell things. Be sure to familiarize yourself with laws and regulations when it comes to online selling. You will also want to make sure you are in compliance with the Federal Drug Administration. This is especially important if you are selling supplements. Do not be afraid to seek our more experienced people within your business and find mentorship when needed. 

5 Kitchen Organization Tips To Make the Best Use of Your Space

Your dream home may have a huge kitchen with an oversized working pantry to match, but most homes aren't designed with these features. If you find yourself with a less-than-spacious kitchen, you can still make it very functional. These tips will help you make the best use of the space you have to work with. 

1. Embrace the Space You Have

Don't sell your small kitchen short. In reality, some of the most efficient cooking areas are relatively small, since it helps you keep everything at hand. In addition to being efficient, small kitchens can also be very attractive if you don't let clutter take over.  

Before you go knocking down walls to create an open floor plan, ask yourself if you really need a bigger kitchen. Is there a way you can incorporate more storage into the current room by rearranging cabinets and appliances? Removing the eating area is another great way to make more space within the existing floorplan. 

2. Take Things to New Heights

Instead of trying to jam as many things as possible into your floor space, take a few minutes to look up. There are so many great ways you can use overhead space to expand kitchen storage. Hanging pot racks are an excellent example of using otherwise wasted space, but they are far from alone.

If you are installing new cabinets, order sizes that stretch up to the ceiling. Sure, you'll probably need a ladder to get things down from top shelves, but this is a great place to store seasonal or rarely used items. If you aren't buying new cabinets, consider moving your current ones up to the ceiling and adding open shelves underneath them to keep frequently used items within easy reach. 

3. Plan Your Work Space

This is one area where it can be helpful to work with a designer. They know the best layouts to use for cramped kitchens and how much space you need around typical appliances. However, you can plan out a great kitchen layout on your own if necessary. In fact, a properly designed kitchen will have you wondering why you ever thought "I have to sell my house."

Start by designing your work triangle. This includes the refrigerator, sink and cooking surface. Ideally, you'll be able to include a countertop or table space in this triangle for prep work. Having these areas grouped together eliminates wasted steps between them and makes cooking a more efficient process. 

4. Use Built-In Organizers

Another great tool for maximizing space in a small kitchen is the built-in organizer. There are several really great systems available now, and many are also very affordable. These include things like drawers for pots and pans, sliding, layered utensil trays and modular shelves that can be adjusted to your personal storage needs. 

A word of caution — you should not head to the nearest store and start buying organizers without a plan. Make a list of everything you want to keep organized and take measurements of larger items. If any of them are unusually heavy, like a large stand mixer, get an estimate of its weight, too. It is also helpful to draw a layout of your cabinets — including interior dimensions — to take shopping with you. Taking these steps will help ensure you get the right organization tools for the stuff you have.

5. Make a Mobile Prep Area

Finally, consider using a mobile island for prep work. Wheeled carts and tables add work surfaces that you can move wherever they are needed most. When you are working within a limited amount of space, items like this that serve multiple purposes are helpful. 

Small kitchens can be attractive and functional. Using your space creatively by going vertical, incorporating built-ins and using mobile islands can help you fall in love with the kitchen you have.

4 Ways to Get Valuable Customer Feedback

In business, it is common knowledge that customers are essential for success. Unsatisfied clients can leave bad reviews that deter potential clients from using your services or buying your products. On the other hand, a happy client can leave reviews that convince many others to come to your business. A satisfied customer is more likely to become a repeat customer. They are also more likely to recommend a service or company to their family and friends, too. For this reason, and many more, it is highly important to create a great customer experience and make improvements based on their feedback.

1. Easy

Feedback requires additional time and effort for the customer, so to get this feedback, you will want to make the process easy. A customer experience platform can help achieve this. Keep the questions simple and short and always thank the customers for their time. Focus on the entire customer experience, what improvements can be made and strive to implement the feasible changes that make sense for the company as a whole. You want to hear good feedback, not just the negative feedback and complaints, so by making access easy for all customers and by reminding customers to complete the feedback, you can increase your chances of getting quality feedback from your customers.

2. Emails
   
   A follow-up email for input can be one way to get feedback. An automated email blast can be set up to be sent out in a predetermined period of time after a purchase has been completed. A second email can be sent to those who did not respond to the first email with the hopes of increasing the response rate. The email can be open-ended questions for the customer or a link to a survey. Simple is best in these cases, as most people do not want to spend a lot of their time completing this answer. The longer or more demanding your response form is, the less likely people are to participate. Text links are a convenient and quick way to get input too, so if the customer has opted in to text notifications, the company may want to consider sending texts for feedback. Feedback surveys that are online with easily accessible links will increase the chances of receiving quality input from the customer base.
   
   
   
3. Incentives
   
   One way to increase response is to offer an incentive for those who participate. This can be a discount for future service, an included free gift or gift card. There are numerous possibilities depending on what your company offers. People love incentives and discounts, so this is a great way to get feedback from customers. You could, for example, gather feedback after a stay at Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale and then categorize responses to see what the popular answers are.
   
   
   
4. Social Media
   
   Social media is very popular. The use of these platforms can help you to engage with customers in a quick, easy manner. Create business accounts on these platforms, post regularly and respond to comments from other users. Remember that not all posts will be positive, so remain professional and helpful no matter what some individuals may comment. This can be a great outlet to address concerns, receive praise and answer questions for potential customers who want to learn more about your products or services. Plus, it’s a useful tool for building brand awareness, engaging new clients or current ones and spreading the word to increase following.
   
   
   

Final Thoughts

Happy customers can drive new business to you. However, sometimes you can’t fix things you aren’t aware of, so feedback is essential for improvement and growth. In a business, it is helpful to know what customers like and dislike. There will always be mixed reviews, so take poor ones with a grain of salt, but remain professional and helpful in all replies, no matter if the feedback is positive or negative. Lastly, do not be afraid to ask for feedback, incentivize for complete feedback and use the feedback to improve the customer experience.

5 Tips for New Engineers

After you graduate with your engineering degree, you likely feel ready to face any challenges that come your way. However, once you start working, you may feel overwhelmed by all the things to learn. New engineers looking to make the most of work should consider these tips. Jumpstarting your career is never easy, especially in a technically challenging field. However, there are several things you can do to get ahead of the game. Willingness to learn and a positive attitude will take you far in your career. 

1. Utilize Others' Experience

When you start your new job, make the most of the instructions others give you. For example, your company may have a runbook for new engineers. Runbooks are sets of instructions for tasks, and with this information, you should be able to perform any job. Instead of trying to solve every problem on your own, you can depend on the experience of others. Engineers with years of expertise can be a valuable source of information for you. Allow others to mentor you, and you will be more successful. 

2. Stay Abreast of Current Trends

Although you have a diploma, your education is never complete; you should learn about advancements in your field. If you do not pursue knowledge in your career, you will never get far. Take advantage of the opportunities your company offers for continuing education courses. If a conference for a redesigned step ladder is nearby that you want to attend, ask your employer if you can have time off work for the event. Engineering is a rapidly expanding and developing field, and you must commit to staying informed. 

3. Network When Possible

As a new engineer, you may have opportunities to network with other professionals in your company or your geographic area. Take advantage of these opportunities. You never know when you may move to another department within your company or change jobs. When you have the contact information of other engineers, you have people to call when you need career advice or help with a project. Attending conferences or continuing education courses bulks up your resume, but it also provides an opportunity to meet others in your field. 

4. Ask Questions

In any field, many new employees are hesitant to ask questions. They may feel that they are bothering their superiors or that the questions make them sound inexperienced. However, you can not learn effectively without asking for help. Instead of struggling with a project on your own, ask others for their advice. If you are unsure about running a program for the first time, ask someone to walk you through it. Asking questions is also a way to show your coworkers that you are engaged in the project and taking it seriously. 

5. Stay in Touch With Classmates

While any new job can cause anxiety, you can rest assured that you are not the only one feeling this way. The other engineers in your graduating class are likely feeling overwhelmed as well. Reaching out to them after graduation can be helpful. Together, you can discuss the challenges and victories that you face. Sharing experiences about successes and mistakes can be beneficial for everyone. Keep a list of your contacts handy to check in with others to see how their careers are taking off. 

Biochemist Isaac Asimov said, “Science can amuse and fascinate us all, but it is engineering that changes the world.” Your career is important and meaningful. Commit to excellence in your field. Consider these tips to stand out in your job, and watch your career become more successful than you can imagine. The fulfillment you will have in your career will be unparalleled. 

Great Shortcuts for Gathering Marketing Data

Are you struggling to find a marketing strategy that works? Before you try anything and everything, consider a few ways to gather data quickly. That way, you can choose a strategy that will get you better results.

Follow Your Competitors

One of the best shortcuts to get marketing data is to do some competitive research. While you may not get detailed analytics, you can track their accounts over time. Then, you may notice some trends regarding what people seem to want from your competition.

If you can recognize those things before other businesses, you can jump on them. That can give you a leg up on other businesses in your industry. You can launch a new product or service before someone else, so you can start to get more customers. Then, you can set yourself up as the expert in that specific area to keep from losing customers.

Use the Right Tools

If you have the money, you can pay for certain tools, such as SEMRush. These tools let you spy on your competitors and gather more concrete data about those companies. For example, SEMRush tells you how you and other websites are doing in search results.

You may learn that a competitor is targeting a specific keyword that you aren't. Then, you can decide to target that keyword, and you can optimize your content so that it shows up first. Once that happens, you can start to get more traffic from those search results. That can then lead to more customers and sales.

Focus on the Cloud

As you gather data, you have to consider where you'll store that information. Sure, you could put everything in a spreadsheet that you store on your computer. However, you might want to review the data from another device, or a team member may want to look at it.

Instead of storing the data locally, use cloud storage. Cloud visibility can help you and your team gather and review data from anywhere. That way, you won't have to worry about accessing the same computer any time you want to look at the marketing data you have.

Ask Your Followers

Another great way to gather marketing data is to go directly to the source. If you're active on social media, you can engage with your followers and ask them questions about their problems. A great way to do this is to use Instagram Stories and the available stickers.

If you have an active following, you may get a few responses. Then, you can use those responses to help market your business better. You might realize that one platform isn't as useful as you thought, or you may find you're targeting the wrong customers for your product or service.

Make Surveys Automatic

If you've ever gone to a restaurant and set up a loyalty account, you may have received an email after your visit. A lot of companies will send a link to a survey where you can give feedback. But you don't need a restaurant or even a brick-and-mortar store to send a survey.

Instead, set up a trigger in your email software to send a survey the day after someone makes a purchase. If you have clients, you can set this up after the offboarding process. Then, you can have the person answer questions about their experience with you and your business. You'll be able to use that information to improve your processes.

There are a lot of things you can do to gather marketing data. Unfortunately, most tactics take time for you to get a lot of information. But you can find shortcuts so that you can start improving your marketing strategies now.

5 Approaches for Getting New Employees into Healthcare

The healthcare field is expansive and diverse, offering millions of jobs in the United States. There is also an expected job growth of 15% by 2029. There are a wide variety of fields and specialties with differing levels of training and education, making this field a wonderful choice for a large population. High turnover, rapid growth or expansion and other events can leave a company looking for more healthcare workers. Here are some ways to encourage and expand the health care worker base.

1. Advertise
   
   Catch the attention of those looking for a change of employment by advertising for specific job openings. Highlight the perks of the job. If training is provided on the job or a set hourly rate is available, use these to make your opening look appealing. A simple commercial or billboard could help more people gravitate towards healthcare for employment, especially if they realize they do not need much additional training or education. Appropriate marketing strategies using technologies to enhance efficiency, such as versatile 5G core, can get your message in front of more potential candidates.
2. Outreach
   
   There are plenty of opportunities to get in front of young adults to speak about the importance of healthcare and the various jobs available in this growing field. High school students are beginning to think about college and career paths, making them a perfect target audience for informative talks about all healthcare jobs available. Provide pamphlets and other resources for the students interested in learning more about a potential career in healthcare, including education requirements, volunteer opportunities, shadowing experiences and any special events your healthcare facility may host.
   
   College students can also benefit from this outreach, as many students are undecided on their major. A helpful approach could be to spend some time each week discussing a new job path. There are so many medical occupations that many students may have never heard of, and by exposing them to multiple options, you could spark interest and get more students into healthcare-related fields.
   
   3. Social Media
   
   Social media apps are found on almost every cell phone Home Screen. With millions of users, these platforms are perfect for targeting specific audiences. Are you looking for young professionals who might be persuaded to take a new job? Are you looking for unsatisfied employees looking for a career switch? Are you looking for students who might be interested in pursuing a degree in the healthcare field? By posting quality content regularly, you can build a following, extend your outreach and promote the benefits of this exciting, diverse and growing field.
3. Highlight 

Healthcare is a rewarding career path in which you can make a difference in many people's lives. There are great reasons to consider this field. Highlight these reasons to ensure you enlighten more individuals about the fantastic benefits and strengths of working in healthcare, such as significant job growth, extensive employment opportunities, job satisfaction, ability to advance and more.

5. Accessibility

Some people may be interested in learning a health care job but are unsure how they could afford it. Evening programs, entirely online programs, scholarships and paid training are all excellent ways to encourage individuals to train or obtain education for the healthcare openings while allowing them to work part-time, full-time or care for their children while doing so. Suppose your program can offer to pay for education, training courses or other required prerequisites for the job in exchange for a contract of commitment from the future employee. In that case, you may enlarge your applicant pool and draw in the interest of those who might not have even considered it prior due to the perceived financial burden.

 Encouraging individuals to join the healthcare workforce can be as simple as educating, increasing awareness and providing incentives. A wide range of jobs can be filled just by getting the posting in front of the right eyes, with the right amount of information highlighting the benefits. Healthcare is one of the largest employment fields and will continue to grow as medical needs grow. Now is the time to start practicing these approaches to drawing in new members to the workforce.

Six Ways To Set the Stage For Your Child To Do Well in School

If you are like most parents, concerns about your child's future educational success are on your mind. Most parents would like to see their children be successful in school. You might be wondering if there is something you can do sooner to promote your child's classroom readiness. While foreign language classes and pricey preschools may or may not be in your future, there are some things you can do yourself at home right now to help your infant prepare for their future formal education. Here are six habits you can start instilling virtually at birth to help your child.

1. Read to Them Every Day

You might think that reading to a baby that doesn't even speak yet is a waste of time, but you would be wrong. Reading every day to your infant, from the day you come home from the hospital, is a good way to promote school readiness. Children who enter school having read (or having listened to) one thousand books before kindergarten outperform students that haven't. Reading one book a night for three years is already 1,095 books, so starting at birth gives you plenty of time to hit that milestone.

Reading every night has additional benefits. Reading with a parent encourages bonding and emphasizes to your child the importance you place on books. The closeness you share while reading teaches your child to equate books and reading with love and affection, encouraging a love for books that can last a lifetime. Reading only 20 minutes a day has proven benefits like acquiring vocabulary (over 1.8 million words a year) and statistically scoring at the 80th percentile or above on standardized testing. 

2. Incorporate Math Into Everyday Life

Incorporating math with your infant is another way to ensure school readiness and improve test scores once children start school. Begin simply by counting with your baby whenever you can. Encourage your baby to count for themselves, and once they can recite the numbers, to begin to understand quantity and the meaning of numbers. Acquiring this skill before entering school would already give them a leg up.

If your child enjoys numbers, you can continue learning at home by using math words involving fractions, ratios or percentages. Even if they are not ready to understand the full meaning of those concepts, introducing math language as early as possible can give your child the confidence they need to succeed in the classroom. 

3. Encourage New Skill Sets

The classroom rewards children who are willing to take on challenges and stretch themselves to learn new things. Encouraging your baby to do things for themselves can help build the internal fortitude children need to take academic risks in the classroom. 

Often new parents jump in to correct a baby or teach them how to do something. Allowing your child to struggle a bit to master a new skill supports the idea that they are capable of learning if they are willing to try hard.

4. Good Nutrition

Healthy brains need good nutrition to grow. Try to offer your baby lots of different kinds of food and limit the amounts of sugar and empty calories they consume. Remember that babies have small bellies and take in far less food than bigger children, so it is even more important to make sure that every calorie consumed offers nutritional value.

Of course, there is a time and place for treats. Perhaps a cookie delivery Salt Lake City moms can count on to mark a special occasion, or sweet treats like ice cream and candy can be an infrequent way to share special moments with your child instead of an everyday occurrence. 

5. Healthy Sleep Habits

Overtired children do not perform well in school. Begin now to create healthy sleeping habits with your baby so that when they start school, you can be sure that they will be well-rested and ready to learn.

6. Love, Love, Love

The biggest factor for children to achieve success in school is having a loving and supportive home. The best thing you can do to support your child's academic success is to make sure they know how much you love them.

6 Tips To Becoming a Successful Programmer in 2022

2022 continues to be a good year for software programming. These specialists work with code to create applications for others to use. The field remains vast, offering opportunities in various concepts, from helping with educational lessons to bolstering business operations. If you're looking to break into the industry, it's possible. Begin by trying the following six tips to gear up for the job.

1. Research the Field

Precisely what would you like to do? Like other occupations, this arena remains vast. You could become a database developer, create online webpages, focus on analyzing content or even be a network administrator. Spend time reading about programmer job responsibilities and learning about the unique opportunities available. This information should guide you in knowing how to proceed with your next few steps.

2. Get to Know the Language

Remember all of those years in high school when you had to study a foreign language? Guess what? It's time to do that again. Coding involves comprehending a specific language, which changes based on which field you opted to learn. So, use your early decision to determine which terms and processes you should start to read up on.

Familiarize yourself with the equipment, and jargon coworkers might use. You don't want to get caught off guard, so write out a list from your reading, and set a goal to understand common phrases like DevOps and converged charging.

3. Play With the Code

Explore some coding applications such as Hello World and Coding.org. Set some minor goals at first, trying to turn your code into reality. Use those successes to push yourself into larger objectives. You may want to research Cloud Migration. Like most things, practice helps develop your skills and allows you to become comfortable within a new setting.

Depending on how you do, this stage could take weeks to months. However, it's laying the groundwork for what is to come.

4. Get Your Head Ready

You're trying something new. That means you must accept ups and downs. Programmers, especially, require patience, determination and forgiveness. Sometimes what you create works. Other times you break things and have to start again. So, if you tend to give yourself a hard time making mistakes, stop it. Read up on practices like acceptance, gratitude and growth mindset where you adopt the mentality of seeing errors as a learning curve rather than a blemish.

5. Enroll in Some Online Courses

Do you need a four-year degree to become a programmer? Probably not. While some companies may like a bachelor's degree, most operations care more about your abilities. Sharpen these by taking several online classes that teach you the language and skills mentioned in your research. This decision shows your potential employers several things: you're serious and know the content. Print out the certificates and hold on to them. Put it on your resume so others can see what you have done.

In addition, have a portfolio of your accomplishments to reference or demonstrate when you interview for a job. Have you helped with an application's creation? Did you code something on your own? Demonstrate your talent, and people are likely to give you a chance.

6. Don't Neglect Networking

People in the computer world know each other. This philosophy is essential. Get to know others who work within your preferred field. Ask questions. Share insights. Develop these connections, and ask about jobs when you're ready to apply. 

Programming may sound technical and obscure, but with hard work and passion, you too could learn the language and field, opening up a vast world of possibilities. Careers in this area continue to grow, and it offers you a chance to make a difference in how others live their lives. So, whether you want to build a new video game or help kids learn their math better, programming is a viable career. Set some goals, research the industry and study up. Within the next couple of months, your efforts could lead you to a new and rewarding path.

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