5 Ways to Successfully Deal With Family Issues at Work

5 Ways to Successfully Deal With Family Issues at Work5 Ways to Successfully Deal With Family Issues at Work Life is full of surprise family issues that can throw a wrench in your workday. Nothing blows up an afternoon of meetings quite like a call from the school nurse or your dads doctor.Its part of doing business in the modern work world. Most employees will admit having to leave work for family reasons and doing errands during the workday. You can probably think of a few examples from around your office just this week.Youll never know when unexpected family issues will arise. But if you plan ahead, you can minimize disruptions when they do. With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you tackle those unplanned family situations.Employers have become increasingly inclined to provide employee benefits that supportparents and other caregivers, but oftentimes it makes sense to connect with your manager about establishing some off-the-books flexibility. Make sure to remember that accountability comes with flexibility, so you should be ready with a solution. For example, explain that if you have to leave work early, youll pick up where you left off from home.You dont know when disaster is going to strike, but its a safe bet that it will at some point. Keep an in-case-of-emergency handbook ready and up-to-date for your nanny and your spouse, so they can handle minor flare-ups on their own. Run through your plans with your children, so they know what to expect. And create a list of secondary phone numbers in case you cant be reached right away while youre at work. Having a plan in place ensures everyone knows what to do. It may even have the effect of showing your nanny and family how much they can handle on their own, decreasing the likelihood that youll get called home from work because your little ones running a slight fever.Its natural for feelings to bubble up when your workday is interrupted by family issues, be it a call from your daugh ters principal or your dads cardiologist. When these situations arise, allow yourself to take a beat and identify the most effective way to move forward. Being annoyed will just add more stress to the situation .Having a backup care plan in place is super important for working families. This means having a plan for when an unexpected situation arises. In some cases this is a family member or close friend you can lean on in a pinch. Sometimes dual-income partners will alternate which one will miss work to deal with the situation. Lucky ones have employer-provided backup care a reliable solution to fill care gaps that could otherwise force working moms, dads or caregivers to call out of work, miss a deadline or reschedule an important meeting. If youre unsure, ask your manager or HR if your employee benefits programs include backup care or other family care assistance benefits.Ninety percent of employees have left work for family reasons, according to Care.coms recent Better Bene fits survey . It happens. But just because absenteeism is an expected part of doing business doesnt mean you shouldnt be grateful and gracious when your coworkers cover for you when you need to dip out to deal with a family situation. Especially if someone goes above and beyond, like leading a meeting or giving a presentation for you, be sure to send a small thank you and consider giving them a shout out at a team or company meeting. A little thanks and recognition goes a long way when it comes to building team and boosting morale.This article was originally published on Care.com .

7 Small Gestures Managers Can Make That Will Go a Long Way

7 Small Gestures Managers Can Make That Will Go a Long Way7 Small Gestures Managers Can Make That Will Go a Long Way Being a manager means taking on a world of responsibility and juggling people, projects, and deadlines. But if you really want to be a great boss , here are a few effortless moves that can really pay off.Most workers are used to being thanked for going above and beyond on the job, whether its staying late to finish a project or jumping in to tackle an emergency that pops up over the weekend. But sometimes, it helps to acknowledge the effort your workers put in on a daily basis, even when all they really are doing is tackling their basic responsibilities. Saying thank you here and there sends the katechese that you value your workers and appreciate their contributions - even those who are fairly run-of-the-mill.As a boss, its natural to want to maintain a certain workflow and uphold a certain schedule. But a little flexibility with your workers is a gre at way to attain their respect and gratitude. The next time an employee asks to leave early for an appointment or to work remotely for a day to oversee a home repair, say yes, and do so graciously. This shows people that you trust them and respect the fact that they have lives outside the office.Speaking of lives outside the office, its always nice occasionally to ask your workers about the things that are important to them in their personal lives. If you know an employees son has been applying to colleges, ask how the process is going. If you have a worker whose daughter broke her leg at soccer practice, follow up on her recovery. These simple inquiries wont take up more than 30 seconds of your time, but theyll show your team members that youre thinking of them.4. Offer feedback in person, not over emailAs a manager, its your job to provide constructive criticism so that your employees can learn from their mistakes and boost their performance. But if youre going to take the time to offer that feedback, do so face to face rather than over email. Though email might be quicker, it doesnt convey tone, and therefore, your words might seem harsher on screen than in person. Youre better off taking 15 minutes out of your day, having a brief sit-down, and talking things out.Meetings are a part of life in most office environments. An easy way to sweeten the deal is to provide refreshments on occasion, whether its a jug of coffee or a box of fresh cookies from the downstairs bakery. You dont need to get fancy, spend a fortune, or do it all the time - but sporadic treats give workers a little something to look forward to.In todays job-hopping age, its not unusual for workers to jump ship frequently. So if you have employees who have been with the company for a notable amount of time, it never hurts to send a group email acknowledging those milestones. Those whose anniversaries are recognized will feel important and appreciated, which will help motivate them to stay on b oard.Most bosses are busy people. But if you make it clear that youre willing to carve out time for your employees, theyre going to appreciate the gesture. Encouraging your workers to come to you with issues or suggestions will not only make them feel more at ease, but help you earn their trust. And thats certainly a winning formula.Sometimes, all it takes is a low-key gesture to boost employee morale. Incorporate these suggestions and your workers no doubt will come to reciprocate in other ways.Something big just happened I dont know about you, but I always pay attention when one of the best growth investors in the world gives me a stock tip. Motley Fool co-founder David Gardner and his brother, Motley Fool CEO Tom Gardner, just revealed two brand new stock recommendations. Together, theyve tripled the stock markets return over the last 13 years.* And while timing isnt everything, the history of Tom and Davids stock picks shows that it pays to get in early on their ideas.This art icle was originally published on The Motley Fool . Reprinted with permission.

AFSC 2P0X1 - Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory

AFSC 2P0X1 - Precision Measurement Equipment LaboratoryAFSC 2P0X1 - Precision Measurement Equipment LaboratoryThe specialist in this career field is responsible for sophisticated equipment and the testing of technologically advanced systems. The Specialty Code 2P0X1 is reserved for Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) Specialist. The PMEL does the following tasks Performs and manages repair, calibration, and modification of test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment (TMDE),Also, precision measurement equipment laboratory (PMEL) standards and automatic test equipment.Supervises the process and use of TMDE to perform voltage, current, power, impedance, frequency, microwave, temperature, physical-dimensional, and optical measurements.The ability to weigh or measure anything is the pride of the PMEL. The devices used in the PMEL can measure equipment to the nearest 1000th of an inch. It can also measure the weight of the ink on a piece of paper. A working piece of machiner y is the difference between mission success or failure and even more important life or death for the Airmen using the machinery or equipment. There are an infinite number of things that need to work perfectly. For instance, how the metal changes under pressure or heat must be known and this is discovered in the PMEL. The PMEL is responsible for calibrating radiowave frequencies and every machine in every phase of testing and maintenance. Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory specialists ensure that every piece of equipment used by the Air Force is in precise working reservierung. The Following list are some of the many duties and responsibilities of the PMEL Specialist in the Air Force Inspects, aligns, troubleshoots, and repairs PMEL standards, common and weapon system peculiar TMDE.Inspects TMDE for preventive maintenance, cleanliness, and safety requirements.Performs equipment maintenance using theories of operation, block diagrams, schematics, logic trees, and software dia gnostics.Isolates malfunctions to component level. The PMEL also is responsible for calibrating and certifying TMDE to technical data specifications ensuring traceability to Air Force Reference Standards. Some of the details of this task are listed below Records and reports maintenance data prepares technical order improvement reports, special training requests, training quality reports, and modification proposals.Tracks equipment warranties.Provides training and manages technical order distributions.Handles, labels, and disposes of hazardous materials and waste according to environmental standards. The PMEL also focuses on mission essential equipment and supports the Air Force Mission in the following ways Plans, organizes, and coordinates mission support requirements.Collects and analyzes maintenance data and performs trend analysis.Identifies mission essential TMDE and its impact on workload.Coordinates lateral support, command certification, or contract services.Evaluates proced ures for storage, inventory, and inspection of property.Provides training and assistance to TMDE users.Maintains PMEL automated management systems (PAMS). The PMEL also save lives. By meticulously making sure equipment works properly, the PMEL also develops and evaluates workload plans, budget, and support agreements. Manages PMEL quality program (QP).Submits reports to higher headquarters, maintains a safe working environmentEnsures laboratory certification Specialty Qualifications Knowledge is mandatory of electrical, mechanical, physics, optics, and thermal principles, mathematics, and number systems. Being about to understand operating principles, use, care, and repair of TMDE and laboratory standards is critical work required of the PMEL. Understanding the analysis and interpretation of technical data, including block, schematic, wiring, and logic diagrams, troubleshooting techniques, metrology program, calibration traceability, metrology techniques, and laboratory practice s. Thorough computer knowledge in software,computer operations principles, as well as the use of hand tools is required. Thorough training to learn the procedures for training, supply, maintenance data collection, QP, command certification, equipment scheduling, production, and materiel control as well as facility requirements, and support equipment management is part of the job as well. Education for entry into this specialty, completion of high school or General Education Development equivalency is mandatory. Courses in electronics, physics, trigonometry, algebra, and technical or vocational training in electronics and instrumentation are desirable.Training For award of AFSC 2P031, completion of a basic PMEL course is mandatory and is six months long with advanced training to maintain qualifications throughout the career of the Airman. Experience The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated2P051 Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2P031. Also, experie nce in functions such as troubleshooting, repairing, modifying, aligning, calibrating, and or certifying TMDE.2P071 Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2P051. Also, experience in laboratory supervision and planning advanced troubleshooting, repairing, modifying, and certifying complex TMDE.2P091 Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2P071. Also, experience in establishing training programs and requirements planning supply, facility, and budget requirements managing the QP establishing support agreements and reimbursement procedures. It is rare you will deploy as your job is in a laboratory. Video of the PMEL Job and Airmen who work there. Civilian Job Marketability With a high marketability, the PMEL that is a Military trained calibration technician will be able to find high paying work. Many people retire from the Air Force PMEL and become civilian contractors doing the same job for more money and retirement benefits.Nearly every military base has a PMEL. Typically, there is a shortage of qualified PMEL specialists and labs often are looking for trained people or will invest in them to become trained. Training the next crop of PMEL in the civilian world is high paying work.

Meet Katie Bouman, the MIT grad who helped create the black hole image

Meet Katie Bouman, the MIT grad who helped create the black hole imageMeet Katie Bouman, the MIT grad who helped create the black hole imageIts widely known that Millennials enjoy taking pictures, whether it be of their food or of their pets, but one 29-year-old just took the practice of image capturing to a whole new level.On April 10, news feeds and timelines were flooded with the first ever black hole image, which welches made possible with the implementation of a formula created by a woman namedKatie Bouman, according to CNN.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreBouman began working with the auffhrung Horizon Telescope Collaboration as a Massachusetts Institute of Technologygraduate student. In 2016, Bouman led the creation of the imaging algorithm, which she titled Continuous High-resolution Image Reconstruction using Patch priors.How the black hole image algorithm workedEHT Coll aborationThe black hole, which exists at the center of a galaxy known as M87, is 26,000 light years away from Earth, meaning you would need a massive telescope to capture an image of it. In fact, youd need one the size of the entire Earth.Instead, thecollaboration of scientists used the combined power of eight telescopes located around the world to capture data about the bright ring that formed as light bent around the black hole. Though the telescopes collected millions of gigabytes of data, there were still gaps that needed to be filled in. Using Boumans formula, the team took images from the separate telescopes and merged them by stitching the data together.(Bouman) was a major part of one of the imaging subteams, Vincent Fish, a research scientist at MITs Haystack Observatory, told CNN. One of the insights Katie brought to our imaging group is that there are natural images. Just think about the photos you take with your camera phone - they have certain properties If you know w hat one pixel is, you have a good guess as to what the pixel is next to it.The team consisted of senior and junior scientists, Fish said, but the imaging portion was mostly led by junior researchers, like Bouman.About Katie BoumanBouman, who earned masters degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT in 2013, stayed with the university for her Ph.D., which she obtained in 2017. She is a Visiting Associate in Computing and Mathematical Sciences at the California Institute of Technology for the 2018-19 school year and will start as an Assistant Professor next fall.Charles Bouman, Katies father, told USA Todaythat his daughter was participating in research at Purdue University, which happens to be in her hometown of West Lafayette, Indiana, while she was still in high school. Her father added that Katie warned the family of a big announcement, but gave no specific details.She kept it absolutely secret, even from her parents, Charles told USA Today.Bouman will not be dubbed as the star of the show. While she currently shares the spotlight with the black hole image itself, she credits the success to the efforts of the entire team, writing on Facebook, No one algorithm or person made this image, it required the amazing talent of a team of scientists from around the globe and years of hard work to develop the instrument, data processing, imaging methods, and analysis techniques that were necessary to pull off this seemingly impossible feat.It has been truly an honor, and I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with you all.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

The Number One Question You Must Ask for Call Center Resume

The Number One Question You Must Ask for Call Center Resume The Basics of Call Center Resume That You Will be Able to Benefit From Beginning Right Away Once you find openings, you can submit yur resume together with your application so you can fill the vacancy. Call center jobs need specific things to make sure that you get both the interview and find the job in the long run. Anyone who wanted to submit an application for a job for a call center agent in a business can do so. Possessing a particular call center resume is the real key to getting the appropriate job for your area. In conclusion, when applying for work at a call center, obtaining the appropriate set of skills is crucial. If youre applying for work, any answer you give will be kept private and wont be used against you in any manner. Read the work description like your life is dependent on it. A superb job description is the gist of the info that inspires job seekers with an interest in working for your business and ultimately helps them make the option to apply. Landing a Federal job can be exceedingly difficult since there is so much competition. Its fast and simple to use. Details of Call Center Resume The customer service manager resume template is the secret to create the great basic resume. Your call center CV should reflect the needs of the specific position you are searching for. It resume sample will provide you a format you can use to distribution policy your application ahead of the competition. Review our call center resume templates for continuing aid and real-world examples from some other professionals in the area. Want to Know More About Call Center Resume? Our resume builder will provide you with tips and examples on the best way to compose your resume summary. The subject matter experts resume will not merely allow you to organise your data in a sophisticated way but in addition will let you customize it. If you are bewildered about how much and what things to include in a work description, consider breaking it down into small sections. Have a look at the examples below to acquire some more knowledge of what an expert summary can look like. Call Center Resume Fundamentals Explained Contact centres can typically be spotted by the variety of cars parked on the street and on verges close to the offices. Working in a call center can be more challenging than you could think. If you want to begin a career for a Call Center agent, you require a resume that should stick out from the rest. PrideStaff North Dallas would like to assist you locate a rewarding call center job. Superior customer service skills are indispensable for several different kinds of jobs. If youre going after a job at a particular call center, do some research about the merchandise and services youll be potentially selling. You would like to describe why your company is a superb place to work and what your perfect candidate would do. Call center representatives a re a firms very first point of contact with several clients and clients. A hiring manager trying to find a Call Center Agent is trying to find a well-spoken individual with a strong understanding of the company mission, and superior communication abilities. Call center professionals are usually the very first contact a customer has with a provider. Phone representatives should be friendly and communicative. Call Center Agents can be liable for a number of tasks depending on the company they work for. Working at a call center can be quite rewarding, as you are able to help customers solve problems and delight in an excellent working culture at the exact same moment. In case the call center receives calls from Spanish-speaking clients, make sure to point out that youre bi-lingual. Over the past few years, it has evolved into a primary customer service channel. When youre writing your call center resume, think about the metrics which are fruchtwein important in your industry. Based on the particular position, you might be working in billing, retention, or basic customer support. For starters, theres several forms of call centers together with multiple roles you might have within them. A customer service skills list is somewhat different. The time it requires to finish your new contact centre will also be based on the sheer size of the operation you are working to build. The Fundamentals of Call Center Resume Revealed One of the absolute most important skills you can need to be successful as a call center agent is strong communication abilities. A call center resume ought to be described able all vital information regarding your abilities and experiences that is helpful for the business or organization. The call center resumes have a selection of benefits.

Resume Writing Group Affiliate Program Reviews & Guide

Resume Writing Group Affiliate Program Reviews & Guide Global companies want to find candidates that are loyal, hardworking, resilient, adaptable, they are searching for you. If youre open to different kinds of jobs, let us know. Pay attention when you subscribe, however, because most services provide a number of different plans and a few plans limit the characteristics or number of resumes youll be able to create. Details of Resume Writing Group Affiliate Program What it means is that youve got the capability to make an inclusive employment section, which is not only going to add value to your site but create another source of revenue. If youve attached your existing resume, you do not have to repeat whats already in it but you can definitely add more info. Place your order during the secure system and earn a payment. You dont have to have an account with PayPal to take part in our Affiliate program. Whether youre an affiliate sales professional, a satisfied customer, or simply someone with a site and an interest in making some extra cash from the services and products provided by Distinctive Career Services, LLC our affiliate program is just what you have been searching for. Affiliate programs are incredibly popular nowadays. ur affiliate tracking program helps to ensure that youre paid for each and every sale that you refer. The New Fuss About Resume Writing Group Affiliate Program Dont be concerned about whether any specific bit of information may be related to your objective. The site is a little difficult to navigate, unfortunately, but there is a lot of information to guide you and help you decide on the most suitable package. Their site could be made better related to usability. Keep reading to find out more about them. The Resume Writing Group Affiliate Program Trap Wherever youre in your career, were here to assist. Resume writing is the most significant step in presenting your abilities and receiving the job that you desire. Actually, if youre an attorney, you most likely already understand that there is 1 thing you ought to do in order to lessen stress and because you search for your next prospect. Essentially, anyone searching for a job. When you have placed an order, the degree of customer service seems to remain over the norm. Once payment is confirmed, youre going to be assigned a writer or coach based on what service or package youve ordered. The post-by-fax service is particularly common. Be aware that you could also pick individual services instead of a complete package. The Hidden Truth About Resume Writing Group Affiliate Program Theres a page on their website specializing in prospective problems like Im having trouble networking or I have to use social media better to find a job and comprehensive methods by which they may help you. The website also hosts a network for employers searching for new talent. The second method is to sign in to your private affiliate website and inspect t he stats. Tell us the address of your site and name a minumum of one reason you want to become our affiliate. Things You Wont Like About Resume Writing Group Affiliate Program and Things You Will Our goal as resume writers is to have the prospective employers interest. M. Santiago Group is among the best resume writing services Indianapolis offers. Youd be amazed at how many resume writing services dont permit this sort of direct communication with writers, perhaps since they outsource the writing to low-quality writers from some other nations.

Survival Tips for Moms Returning to Work

Survival Tips for Moms Returning to WorkSurvival Tips for Moms Returning to WorkSurvival Tips for Moms Returning to WorkStay-at-home-moms (SAHMs) and work-at-home-moms (WAHMs) have a lot of obstacles to overcome when they want to or have to transition back into the workplace. As a former WAHM for 10 years, Ive lived with those powerful fears that seem insurmountable and keep us from going back to the office, hospital, school, factory, restaurant, or shipping dock. No matter how much you want or need to make the transition, it requires a major cognitive switcheroo and thats never easy.After X number of years convincing yourself that being home is the best choice for you and your family, you have to start reversing the rationalization process, persuading yourself that being away from the kids and the pets and the house all day will be just fine. And rest assured, it will be fine. There are many, many right ways to be a good parent, and whats right at one stage may be wrong at another a nd vice versa. So lets address some of the common concerns that are probably floating around in your headWho will take care of the kids before and after school? And OMG, summer? What happens when theyre sick? What about dental appointments, snow days, teacher conferences, holidays, or when the Maytag repairman is due between noon and 400? How can I be in two places at once?Every family finds its own combination of babysitters, family members, nannies, flexible work schedules, professional daycare, summer camp, and so on. And most of todays employers are flexible when you need time off (if theyre not, dont take a job with them). Somehow, it usually works. And occasionally, it doesnt. I guarantee there will be days when the wheels fall off the cart. Thats when you call in crazed (not sick), and you stay home and cry it out. Or, you show up at work with a kid in tow and two different shoes on your feet.When will there be time to do the grocery shopping, laundry, house cleaning, cooking ? Things may not be pretty at first. Assigning chores to your kids is an awesome idea They wont do them, but its still an awesome idea. Youll quickly learn to run errands on your way to or from work or at lunchtime, and use evenings and weekends to get caught up. Crockpot meals, cooking in bulk, having scrambled eggs for dinner, and other creative ideas can get you through the annoying fact that your family members still expect food every damn dayAnd when things get completely out of control which they will youll be glad to know there are angels out there who (for a worth-every-penny fee) will wash, dry, and fold your mountainous backlog of dirty laundry deliver your online grocery order or (wonder of wonders) clean your house. Bless their hearts. And rest assured Although you might feel like a failure if dinner comes from a drive-through window, the kids will love you for it.Will I have to start back at square one in my career? Do I even know how to do my job anymore? Its unlikely youll have to go back to entry-level if you were well-established in your profession. But frankly, many of us find it easier to aim a rung or two lower on the ladder, until our skills and confidence get back up to speed. A temp or transitional job can also be a great way to cross that bridge. And yes, silly, you still know how to do your job. As a matter of fact, you still know how to learn, too. I promise It all comes back very quickly.The web can offer you lots more help surviving the transition, including organizations dedicated to helping women get back on the career track. Women for Hire and Back to Business are two excellent places to start. Use all the tools and resources you can find to push yourself through the quicksand of fear. The commuting world, with its adult conversations and regular paychecks, awaits your arrival

Yvonne Brill Rocketry Pioneer and ASME Honoree Dies

Yvonne Brill Rocketry Pioneer and ASME Honoree Dies Yvonne Brill Rocketry Pioneer and ASME Honoree Dies Yvonne Brill, Rocketry Pioneer and ASME Honoree, DiesPresident Barack Obama (right) presented Yvonne Brill with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2011.Yvonne C. Brill, a world-renowned rocket scientist who invented a more efficient thruster to keep satellites in orbit, died in Princeton, N.J., from complications due to breast cancer on March 27. She was 88 years old. Brill contributed to the propulsion systems of NASA spacecraft ranging from the first weather satellite for the Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) program to the Mars Observer, and was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2011 by President Barack Obama. ASME paid tribute to Brills storied career later that year with the Societys inaugural Kate Gleason Award, which honors achievements by female engineering professionals. After earning a bachelors degree in mathematic s from the University of Manitoba in 1945, Brill joined Douglas Aircraft in California, where she embarked on her career in rocket science. She is believed to have been the only woman in the United States working as a rocket scientist at the time. Brill specialized in rocket propulsion, and took graduate classes in the evening at University of Southern California. She received a masters degree in chemistry from USC in 1951.After taking time off to raise three children in the 1950s, Brill was hired by RCA Astro Electronics in Princeton, N.J., where patented the hydrazine resistojet, also known as the electrothermal hydrazine thruster (EHT). The system, now an industry standard, allowed engineers to more efficiently mein herr the position of satellites in a geosynchronous orbit around Earth. Yvonne BrillShe left RCA to serve as director of the space shuttle solid rocket motor program at NASA headquarters from 1981-1983, then returned to RCA for three years before accepting the posi tion of space segment engineer with the International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT) in London from 1986. After retiring from INMARSAT in 1991, she served as a consultant and a member of many U.S. National Research Council committees providing science and technology policy advice to government agencies. A year after her 2010 induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for her invention of the EHT system, Brill was presented the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Obama. The award, established in in 1980 and administered for the White House by the U.S. Department of Commerces Patent and Trademark Office, recognizes those who have made lasting contributions to Americas competitiveness and quality of life and helped strengthen the Nations technological workforce. In November 2011, Brill was the first recipient of ASMEs Kate Gleason Award. The award honors the legacy of Kate Gleason, the first woman to become a full member of ASME, and recognizes a female engineer who is a highly successful entrepreneur in a field of engineering or who has had a lifetime of achievement in the engineering profession. Im excited to receive this inaugural award, Brill said after learning she had won the award. Kate Gleason was truly a pioneer. She just went about and did what she had to do. Ive always felt that way too. I think I have her spirit.Brill was the recipient of numerous honors during her 65-year career. She was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1987 and was the second woman in history to be named an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in 2008. She had been an AIAA Fellow since 1986. She was very active in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), was elected as an SWE Fellow in 1985, and received the organizations Resnik Challenger Medal in 1993. She also received the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Resnik Award in 2002.Please visit this page to watch a video profile of Brill and her distinguished career.

What to Know About a Career in Management

What to Know About a Career in ManagementWhat to Know About a Career in ManagementThe lure of management as a career path is strong. After all, its good to be the boss. Or, is it? In typical organizations, managerial positions range from front-line supervisory positions to the top manager in the firm, the CEO. In-between, therbeie are managers of managers, general managers, product and project managers (focused on initiatives and offerings) and a variety of other roles that regardless of the title are still management positions. Front-line supervisory roles are entry-level management positions. The supervisor is typically responsible for guiding a team of people responsible for a particular part of the firms operations. This role is predominantly focused on ensuring the work is completed in alignment with company standards and targets. The supervisor provides day-to-day guidance to her team and is involved in training, coaching, disciplining and hiring/firing activities. The supervis or reports to someone in a managerial role overseeing one or mora supervisors and functions. A functional manager is responsible for a broader range of people, process and business activities. He might have a number of supervisors or first-level managers reporting to him, and in addition to overseeing the work of those individuals and their teams, the functional manager is accountable to his boss for achieving goals and targets around productivity, quality, cost and sometimes revenue. This individual splits his time between operations and people-related issues and business reporting and planning activities. Senior managers and directors are typically responsible for a number of groups and departments, and they invest a great deal of their time supporting the development and translation of strategies and goals into programs and actions. They are directly accountable to senior executives, often reporting to a person with a vice-president title.Vice presidents are often the highest ran king individual in a particular function. From sales to marketing, to I.T. to finance and engineering, most firms identify the functional leader as a vice-president reporting to someone with a C-level title. These individuals are functional experts charged with working with other senior executives to form and implement strategy and then to ensure that their functional resources are aligned around the right initiatives and activities. A general manager is accountable for all resources and results for a line of business in the company. The general manager is a mini-CEO, responsible for strategy, structure, talent, key decisions and operating results including revenues and costs. The general manager is accountable to a corporate group, often the CEO, and her time is spent predominantly on overseeing large strategic initiatives, facilitating key decisions and coaching and developingdirect functional managerial reports.Product managers are focused on one or more offerings (products or se rvices) and are charged with working across the organization to bring new products to life and manage the marketing decisions around features, pricing, packaging, and promotion for their offerings. There are managers of product managers, however, this role is primarily offering and not people focused. Product managers work with all areas of the organization and must be outstanding communicators. Project managers are responsible for all of the work we do once in the form of projects in our organizations. In this difficult role, the individual is responsible for bringing together a team of individuals to create something new. Once the initiative is completed, the project manager focuses on a new initiative and a new team. Typically, project managers do not have direct managerial oversight of people although they spend their days working with, coaching, helping and developing people. The Work of the Manager The focus of the individual manager varies depending upon his or her relati ve level in the organization as described above. A broad range of activities for all managers includes Hiring and developing qualified employees for their teams.Guiding the work of the team in pursuit of key goals and objectives.Participating in the creation of strategies and goals.Managing costs and budgets,and for sales management roles, driving profitable revenues.Developing and coaching direct reports.Fostering a positive working environment for all participants.Developing reports, monitoring KPIs and sharing outcomes and actions.Working across functions in pursuit of new initiatives or problem-solving activities. Communicating and sharing new targets, programs, ideas, and results.Supporting team members as they navigate challenging issues.Resolving disagreements and resource-related issues.Interacting with customers or customer-facing team members to better understand how to meet customer needs. The Positives of a Career in Management There are most definitely great reasons to pursue a career in management. As one great engineer turned engineering manager once expressed to me As an engineer, I can help the company with my contributions. As a manager of engineers, I can help the company in a much larger way by supporting and developing a whole team of great engineers. The ability to impact your firm in a larger way as our engineering friend suggests is one great driver to pursue a career in management. Others include You have the ability to amplify your own ideas on strategy, direction and problem-solving through others.You gain the reward that comes from developing great professionals over time.You become involved in defining how the business improves and changes over time.You develop your own skills for leading and coaching.You have some autonomy over your own priorities, although less than you might imagine.Adding managerial responsibilities to your job function will result in increased compensation. However, many firms also offer compensation growt h options for their valued individual contributors, so moving to management is not the only way to grow your income. You are immersed in working with people of all levels, backgrounds and experience sets this can be exhilarating.Many managers, particularly those closer to the customer or front-line employees are involved in constant problem-solving and troubleshooting, which can be rewarding and certainly make the days fly by.As you grow as a manager, more of your work shifts to guiding others instead of doing the actual tasks. You grow your skills and diversify your experience by moving into management. Yes, there are certainly many good reasons to consider a career in management. However, there are some downsides as well. Ten Challenges of aManager While the positive aspects of moving into a management role are clear, the challenges are typically visible only after you have spent some time in the role. In the spirit of full disclosure, here are some of the more vexingchallenge s you will faceas a manager Your time is not your own. Most work days will be an endless barrage of issues and encounters, most of them focusing on problems.You will do less work and spend most of your time talking. If you love your daily work, be prepared to give much of it up in favor of working with and guiding others. The higher you rise through the ranks, the less your technical skills matter and the more the soft skills of leading, coaching, andcritical thinkingapply.You will have less autonomy indecisionsthan you might imagine. Every manager reports to someone and dependingonthe style of your own boss, you will invest a good deal of time seeking approval to make changes you know are essential to improving results. You will be caught between the needs of upper management for numbers and results and the realities your team faces including resource shortages, equipment needs and lack of broader organizational support. This can be an uncomfortable position.You may find yourself w ithout the time in your schedule to focus on coaching and developing employees.Problems become larger and more difficult to solve the higher you rise through the ranks. Most decision-choices at lower levels are based on policy and relatively easy yes/no issues. As you move up the ranks, the decision issues are more ambiguous and the risks larger from getting them wrong. Your peers in other functions are your potential competitors for future promotions.Managing others being responsible for the work of others is hard work. As one wise manager once said, this would be easy if it werent for the employees.Your ability to grow in your career is dependent upon others choosing you to be successful. As an individual contributor, your technical or functional skills/knowledge correlated to your success. As a manager, the choices are more political in nature and the competition fierce. While it is nice to believe someone will look out for your professional development, more often than not, its up to you to make certain you keep your skills fresh. Explore the Role Before Jumping In Career advisors suggest you take the time to learn about and even practice the role a bit before taking it on formally. Ideas to help you explore the realities of managing include Volunteerto lead initiatives or project teams to gain experience being responsible for the work of others.Workwith your manager to identify a set of increasingly difficult management-type tasks.Seek out input and guidance from experienced managers in your firm.As a mentor about the challenges and rewards that accrue from a role as manager.Read widely on the topic. Armed with either experience or additional context, you are better able to make an informed decision on this important career step. The Bottom Line The burnout rate for first-time managers is extraordinarily high.Instead of ending up on the wrong side of this statistic, take the time to learn more about the role and then make a careful choice. If you opt to go the management route, seek training early in your tenure and hold yourself accountable for developing the soft skills that great managers draw upon in their work. Updated byArt Petty.