As a professional, it’s important to maintain your knowledge and skills by frequently pursuing Continuing Professional Development opportunities. Benefits include: 1.    Developing new skills and gaining a competitive edge It’s never a good idea to become complacent about your professional development.  Employers value those who strive to keep their skills current with workforce needs. 2.    Keeping up-to-date with your industry Staying current with new developments in your industry is invaluable.  From new regulations to techniques and methodologies, it’s important to stay abreast of the newest information. 3.    Refreshing your memory and relearning old techniques and theories It’s easy to fall into a habit of doing things "just because".  Refresh your memory of WHY things are done the way they are and explore the latest advances that might show a better way to get the job done. 4.    Networking with peers Networking and sharing information with others may open up new ideas and experiences. 5.    Re-energizing and sparking creativity Pursing Professional Development opportunities outside of your regular workplace can re-ignite the passion that drew you to your field originally.  Learning new things can energize you and bring new life to your position. Pursue your Professional Development with us! Ed4Online offers over 700 courses in 4 distinct areas of online education: 1) Career Training, 2) Information Technology (IT), 3) Professional Development, and 4) Behavioral Health Training.  Learn more here: https://ed4online.com/.       

Many businesses that rely on skilled workers report difficulty finding qualified individuals to fill open jobs. In fact, skilled trades have been the hardest segment of the workforce for employers to staff for the last three years, according to Manpower Group. Skills for America's Future reports that "our economy, in fact our very way of life, depends on skilled countrymen working at every stage of business: designing, testing, producing, transporting, selling, and servicing. These include those working in American energy, creating the electricity and fuel to power our offices, stores, plants, vehicles; and in telecommunications, ensuring that we can transmit and access vital data across distances. They also include technicians who operate equipment in our production and distribution centers, mechanics who keep engines and plant equipment humming, transportation drivers and operators who bring products to market, and skilled construction workers and trade specialists who build and maintain roads and buildings in every community across America." Use your skills and talents to obtain training in a skilled trade that will help to pave the way to a fulfilling career and bright financial future.  Ed4Online offers the following Skilled Trades Programs and Courses: Course Programs Automotive Technician Associate Program HVAC/R Technician Associate Program HVAC/R Technician Specialist Program Medium/Heavy Diesel Automotive Technician Associate Program Professional Gunsmithing Single Courses Automotive Service Management Automotive Technician (ASE) Gunsmithing: Course 1 Gunsmithing: Course 2 Gunsmithing: Course 3 HVAC Customer Service HVAC/R Technician Medium / Heavy Diesel Automotive Technician Motorcycle Technician It’s time to reach out to a new generation of tradesmen and women and encourage them to use their skills and talents to find careers within a skilled trade. Ed4Online is proud to support this effort by offering many courses in the Skilled Trades category.  Please visit our Skilled Trades Career Course Catalog to peruse courses in Medium/Heavy Diesel, Automotive and Motorcycle Technician, HVAC/R Technician, Gunsmithing and more!       

September is suicide awareness month. Recent events in the news including the loss of beloved actor and comedian Robin Williams to suicide has brought this issue to the forefront. The psychological pain that leads individuals to take their lives is unimaginable. Their deaths leave families and friends heartbroken. Surviving family members not only suffer the trauma of losing a loved one to suicide, but are also themselves at higher risk of suicide and emotional problems. Suicide is complex with emotional, psychological, social, biological, cultural and environmental factors all playing a role in both increasing and moderating the risk for suicide. Mental disorders (particularly depression and alcohol use disorders) are a major risk factor for suicide. Mental illness, substance abuse, previous suicide attempts, hopelessness, access to lethal means, recent loss of loved ones, unemployment and vulnerability to self-harm are just a few examples of risk factors. High self-esteem, social connectedness, problem-solving skills, supportive family and friends are all examples of factors that buffer against suicide and suicidal behaviors. Suicide occurs across ethnic, economic, social and age boundaries. The statistics are grim. Every year, worldwide over 800,000 people die from suicide; this roughly corresponds to one death every 40 seconds. The number of lives lost each year through suicide exceeds the number of deaths due to homicide and war combined. In 2011, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming 39,518 lives. Suicide rates among youth (ages 15-24) have increased more than 200% in the last fifty years. The suicide rate is also very high for the elderly (age 85+). The good news is that suicide is preventable. Most suicidal people desperately want to live; they are just unable to see alternatives to their problems. Most suicidal people give definite warning signals of their suicidal intentions, but others are often unaware of the significances of these warnings or unsure what to do about them. Connectedness is crucial to individuals who may be vulnerable to suicide.  Studies have shown that social isolation can increase the risk of suicide and, conversely, that having strong human bonds can be protective against it. Reaching out to those who have become disconnected from others and offering them support and friendship may be a life-saving act. Connect and save a life. Ed4online supports awareness of mental illness and improved treatments to prevent suicide. Please visit our website at Ed4Online to learn more about courses that can help you work with those who suffer from mental illness, depression and those who are at risk for suicide. The course Suicide: What therapists need to know addresses issues about suicide and its prevention. Where to seek help: A community mental health agency A private therapist A school counselor or psychologist A family physician A suicide prevention/crisis intervention center A religious spiritual leader By calling 1-800-273-8255(TALK) for a referral 9-1-1 if it is an emergency SAVE THE DATE: World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10, 2014 - One World Connected World Suicide Prevention Day is an opportunity for all sectors of the community to join with the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote awareness and understanding about suicide. Efforts to prevent suicide have been celebrated on World Suicide Prevention Day - September 10th - each year since 2003. In 2014, the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day is 'Suicide Prevention: One World Connected.' The theme reflects the fact that connections are important at several levels if we are to combat suicide.  Be part of the connectedness of World Suicide Prevention Day this year. On September 10th, join with others around the globe who are working towards the common goal of preventing suicide. Together, we can shine a spotlight on this major public health problem and ensure that it receives the policy attention that it warrants.         

Whether you are a recent high school graduate, or you are taking courses while in the workforce, there are steps you can take to make your learning experience more successful. 1. Take care of yourself. While in college or taking college courses, there is no one to stand over you and tell you what to do. Eating properly, getting enough rest, going to class, studying, turning in assignments -all of these are things you're going to have to do without a teacher to remind you. It is up to you to take control and take responsibility! 2. Research your professors. Take the time to find the best professors on campus or online and sign up for their classes. A good professor can turn a neutral subject area into something fun; a poor professor may turn you off on a subject area you might have loved. Talk to your advisor, other students or use your school's faculty review resources to locate faculty members of interest. 3. Participate.  Skipping class is the best way to fail. Missing even one or two classes can cause you to miss out on important lectures and content.  Attend each and every class and be an active participant. The same is true with online courses; don't let too much time go by before logging in and completing your next assignment. Participate in group discussion boards and contact your mentor with any questions you may have. 4. Focus. Focus on what you are doing this very moment. Students today have so many distractions; smart-phones and devices can constantly interrupt your learning process by alerting you to the fact that there is a new text message, email or Facebook post. Turn off all outside interruptions until your lesson or coursework is complete. Your grades will thank you for it! 5. Study.  It can be difficult to juggle classes, study time as well as extracurricular activities. That's why it's important to block out a few times a week to find a quiet place to study the material presented. Put those times on your calendar - it's an appointment with yourself! 6. Take a pre-exam. Before an exam, it's a good idea to construct a pre-test using questions from the study guide and take it a few times to familiarize yourself with the material.  Re-read lecture notes, watch power-points, study with another student.  Establish a study routine that works for you and stick with it! 7. Prioritize. Your college education is your number one priority right now and every single decision you make needs to feed back to that being your priority. That might mean prioritizing homework before play and leisure time. Or re-thinking that late night concert the evening before your 9:00 a.m. class. It also means logging in, each and every day, to your online course to do assignments, check for updates, etc. 8. Connect and get support. Get to know your professor or mentor. These visits can be done in person, email, IM or even Skype. You will have an opportunity to better understand the course material, and you will also begin establishing professional and academic resources for future use. Students should be familiar with the academic support center and the career services center, either on campus or online. 9. Don't declare your major right away. Students are often asked to declare a major early in their freshman year.  It's a much better idea to take a few courses in a field of interest and see if it's something you might like to do.  Conduct a "reality check" every semester to make sure that you are on the right track and still interested in your major. 10. Feed your passion. Each semester, take at least one course in a topic you are passionate about. You might learn a skill that you have always wanted to learn, or delve deeper into a topic that has always interested you. The satisfaction you'll feel from studying something that you enjoy will brighten your semester! Sources: http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/professors-guide/2010/08/17/top-10-secrets-of-college-success https://www.scholarshipexperts.com/resources/campus-life/how-to-be-a-successful-student-in-college#.VBDpRsJdXTo       

A true entrepreneur identifies a need or problem area and sets out to solve it. At one time or another we all may have had ideas of how we might make something better; a product or a process.  What is it that sets entrepreneurs apart?  Entrepreneurs are willing to take the leap to put their ideas into action. The entrepreneurial spirit encompasses many things, including; passion, positivity, ambition, adaptability, organization, leadership and the desire for continuous investment in oneself.   Passion Embracing the role of the entrepreneur requires commitment and dedication.  If you don’t have passion for what you are doing, you may not be able to weather the highs and lows that come along with launching a new product or service.  If you find something you love enough to want to share it with others, that love will fuel your efforts and give you purpose. The bottom line? If you don’t enjoy what you are doing, chances are that you won’t succeed.   Positivity Having a positive approach and a belief that you will be successful are key. The most successful entrepreneurs are forward-looking. That, coupled with the belief that they will be successful in their endeavors is a powerful combination. Visualize your goals, the steps necessary to reach them and your ultimate success.   Ambition The definition of ambition is, "a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work." Quite honestly, you have to have tremendous drive and ambition in order to launch a new business. There will be long hours and plenty of emotional (and possibly financial) highs and lows.  If you are ambitious enough to ride out the storm, you have a true chance at success.     Adaptability The ability to adapt is one of the greatest strengths an entrepreneur can have. You may start out with a road map, but understanding that you might need to deviate from your course is necessary.  Along the entrepreneurial journey, you must be willing to learn and grow. Listen to your consumers, ask for advice, explore new avenues, and refine your plan as necessary.    Organization   Entrepreneurs must have the ability to manage time effectively.  There are many tasks to be done and it is important to develop systems and routines for just about every business activity.  Find a calendar system that works for you and your team, a filing system that is easy to maintain, etc. Organization can help you prioritize your time and effort.  The ability to distinguish between urgent tasks and less important tasks will help prevent burnout.     Leadership Good leaders know how to engage their employees and challenge them to do their best. It’s important to build a top notch business team. No one person can build a successful business alone. Pull together a business team that is as committed to your business as you are. The next important step? Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to a team member. It can be hard to let go of this control, but if you’ve assembled a team of quality employees, you have to step back and have faith that they will get the job done. Determine what jobs you want to remain hands-on with, and put the right people in place to handle the tasks you want to delegate to others.   Investment Always seek to learn. There are plenty of magazines, journals, websites, books and online courses that can provide the latest information on business, consumer service or marketing.  Clubs and business organizations allow you network with other professionals in your industry. Remember that education is an ongoing process. Top entrepreneurs never stop investing in themselves!    Ed4Online offers hundreds of courses designed to help you reach your goals.  From four-week instructor led courses, to more in-depth mentor supported career and professional development courses - we have just what you need!  Please check out our Career, Professional Development, Personal Enrichment and Behavioral Health course catalogs today!   Sources: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/190986 http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/227776           

We've got the perfect course for you! Ed4Online’s personal enrichment courses are tailored to meet the needs of those seeking to fulfill a desire for life-long learning. Our new expanded range of courses features an exceptional variety of core subjects, allowing for enrichment of important personal and professional skills. Structured as four-week seminars and led by Ed4Online's expert instructors, each personal enrichment course focuses on a key topic that's applicable to both personal growth and professional development. Students are able to directly connect and interact with others taking the course, similar to a physical classroom, but with the convenience of being able to access the course from anywhere offering an Internet connection. Ed4Online's expanded catalog will offer courses in the following disciplines: Accounting and Finance, Business and Management, Coaching, College Readiness, Computer Applications, Entrepreneurship, Fitness and Health, Healthcare and Medical, Law and Legal, Marketing, Personal Development, Teaching and Education, Test Preparation, Vocational Skills and Writing and Publishing. Pursue lifelong learning through convenient and affordable online courses you can take anytime, anywhere. Experience the Ed4Online difference!  https://ed4online.com/personal-enrichment         

October is National Depression Awareness and National Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Month. Organizations and communities across the United States will use this time to educate the public about the various signs and symptoms of depression and domestic violence. For those who suffer, there is help. Depression Awareness According to the National Institute of Mental Health website at www.nimh.nih.gov, depression can strike anyone at any time and has no single cause. "Depression can be the result of a combination of genetic, biochemical, environmental and psychological factors". [1] The National Institute of Mental Health lists the following as common signs of depression: Loss of interest including withdrawal from friends and family Overeating or loss of appetite Oversleeping or insomnia Loss of energy and difficulty concentrating Low self-esteem Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts If you, or someone you know, are experiencing depression or thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK to speak with an experienced counselor. As always, in case of emergency, always dial 911. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness The statistics are staggering: "On average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year." [2] "1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime."[3] Domestic abuse, also known as "battering", is a pattern of abuse by one partner against the other for the purpose of exerting and maintaining power and control over the other person.  According to East Texas Crisis Center [4], common signs of domestic violence include the following behaviors being inflicted on a person: Destructive Criticism/Verbal Abuse Manipulation Abusing Authority Disrespect Jealousy and possessiveness Stalking or monitoring of behavior Abusing trust and breaking promises Emotional Withholding Minimizing, Denying & Blaming Economic Control Self-Destructive Behavior Isolation or restriction from friends and family Harassment Destruction of property Threats and intimidation Sexual and Physical Violence If you, or someone you know, is suffering from domestic abuse, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). They offer support, resources and safety advice 24/7, 365 days a year. As always, in case of emergency, always dial 911. Ed4Online offers a multitude of Behavioral Health and Human Services courses in addition to our Career Courses in Counseling and Coaching. If you are interested in learning more, please visit our website at https://ed4online.com/.  Sources: [1] http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml [2] http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/ipv_factsheet2012-a.pdf [3] http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/consequences.html [4] http://www.txmf.us/depression-and-domestic-violence-prevention-and-awareness         

What is Web 3.0? Web 3.0 is the next step in the evolution of the Internet and Web applications. Technology entrepreneur, Nova Spivack defines Web 3.0 as "connective intelligence; connecting data, concepts, applications and ultimately people". The website, HowStuffWorks.com offers the following suggestion: "Think of Web 1.0 as a library. You can use it as a source of information, but you can't contribute to or change the information in any way. Web 2.0 is more like a big group of friends and acquaintances. You can still use it to receive information, but you also contribute to the conversation and make it a richer experience." What about Web 3.0? Some experts believe the next generation of the Web will provide users with richer and more relevant browsing experiences; making searching the internet and sifting through the available myriad of information faster and easier. They envision the Web 3.0 browser will able to make multiple search tasks easier than ever. Examples given include a user typing in a complex multi-step request ("find the closest bowling alley and nearby pizza parlor") and the Web 3.0 browser establishing location, conducting the complex search of local establishments, including researching ratings and reviews, and then analyzing and organizing the results - making succinct recommendations on both the bowling alley as well as a where to get the best pizza pie in town.   Many of these same experts believe that with Web 3.0, the browser will also have the capability to remember user preferences and the types of information typically searched; and will offer results and information based on the history of the user’s past likes and dislikes. In essence, Web 3.0 will tailor the browsing experience to each and every individual. How great would it be if that is true? Searches tailored more to the individual; putting the best and most applicable information in front of the user. StatisticBrain.com reports that in 2013, the number of Google searches equaled 2,161,530,000,000. That equals approximately 5,922,000,000 searches per day! Edudemic recently shared the table below created by Dr. John Moravec that provides insight into the way technology impacts education and the community as a whole. On his website, Dr. Moravec states that "Technological change drives social change, and the impact of these changes is accelerating exponentially. Our schools, universities, and other knowledge-based institutions must leap ahead of this curve for all people to compete in highly globalized, knowledge- and innovation-based societies." While I, for one, am not the most tech savvy individual, I find the correlation between technology and individuals fascinating, particularly with regard to education. If we look at the evolution of technology and the impact it has had on education thus far; it stand to reason that the advances in Web 3.0 will only further enhance the use of technology in education as well as expanding education’s reach to many. Image from: http://www.edudemic.com/what-is-web-3-0-and-how-will-it-change-education/ Sources: http://www.novaspivack.com/about http://computer.howstuffworks.com/web-30.htm http://www.statisticbrain.com/google-searches/ http://www.edudemic.com/what-is-web-3-0-and-how-will-it-change-education/ http://john.moravec.us/about/         

Every student has unique abilities and a distinct learning style. We’ve talked in past blogs about why online education is such a good fit for busy adults, who may be trying to fit their learning in around family and work commitments. Special needs children can also benefit greatly from online education. According to the website, Learning Lift Off, "Special needs children often struggle in traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Whether they have autism, dyslexia, or ADHD, children with learning disabilities often need an education that suits their unique needs." A student with learning disabilities might need to spend more time on assignments, and review material many times before moving onto the next lesson. Children with ADD or ADHD may need to take frequent breaks to reduce anxiety as well as to work within their attention span.  And children with physical disabilities need the freedom to adjust their day based upon their physical limitations. The use of visual aids, hands-on projects, or videos allows students to choose the style of learning that works best for them. Even better - online teachers can customize their lessons to make sure every child learns with the tools that are best for them. In some cases, online education opens the possibility for providing alternative resources and courses for students when school districts might not be able to. Companies such as Presence Learning are assisting school districts by providing therapists and courses for students in areas where they might be understaffed.  Offering speech therapy online, said Vice President of Marketing Katie Povejsil, met a real need. "There were a lot of students who were not being served and were being underserved, especially with speech therapy," she said. Presence Learning provides speech therapists and online interactive activities for children with special needs so they can excel in school. Providing speech therapy in an alternative mode of delivery - online - allows schools to serve many students at one time. These are just a few of the many advantages of taking online classes. Students in online programs are often able to find a program that meets their specific needs; allowing them the opportunity to learn at their own pace while using methods geared towards their personal learning style. Sources: http://www.learningliftoff.com/online-education-can-help-special-needs-children/#.VE7dg_ldVwg http://presencelearning.com/ http://news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2014/09/29/new-program-makes-online-education-work-special-needs-children         

Over the past 10 years, since the inception of Facebook, the standard measure of time has not changed. A day still encompasses 24 hours, 1,440 minutes and 86,400 seconds. What has changed, at least for the 58 million Americans who self-identify as having the "social habit," a phenomenon categorized by social media usage five or more times a day, is individual interaction with time. Because of our internet driven lives, our society is inundated with information.  Social sharing has become an integral part of our day-to-day lives; news that would have previously taken days to access is available in seconds. Countrywide uprisings have sprung because of this; numerous benefits accompany social sharing, in many different facets of our lives, but, like anything, moderation is key. 74 percent of all adult American internet users use social networking sites according to a Pew Study. 60 percent of all Facebook users sign in daily and 22 percent of those sign in five or more times a day. Almost 90 percent of Millennials have social accounts. Americans, on average, spend more time on social media than any other internet activity. Roughly 63 minutes a day are spent on social sites by Americans. More shockingly, if you take into account any form of digital media that number increases to 11 hours a day, per a report from Nielsen. All of the time spent sifting through our social profiles as well as the profiles of others does not come without consequence. Although no psychological diagnosis has been definitively established in terms of social media -depression, many examples of research linking internet use with depression are accessible. Social withdrawal and the absence of face-to-face interactions are cornerstones of social media related depression. A recent study from Michigan State University following 319 people documented the correlation between social consumption and elevated rates of anxiety and depression. - Noah Perkins, CMS, VA Home Loan Centers "http://vahomeloancenters.org/"                   

Last week, we shared a blog on the correlation between social consumption and elevated rates of anxiety and depression.  A silver lining does exist in terms of social media over-usage for a specific segment of the population however; military veterans. As reported by IAVA, 22 veterans commit suicide daily on average.  Veteran suicides are exceeding 8,000 a year. Called an "epidemic" for post-9/11 service-members, a correlation seems to exist between these figures and the rate of veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Per the Department of Veterans Affairs, 30 percent of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have been diagnosed by the VA as suffering from PTSD. Surveys carried out by The Washington Post as well as by the Walter Reed Army Institute put the number at closer to 60 percent. PTSD is rampant among this group of veterans because intense trauma, such as military combat, is among the disorder’s most common causes. Characterized by suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression, PTSD is linked between unemployment, suicide, and substance abuse. A corollary between veteran PTSD and rates of unemployment, homelessness and suicide, has not been conclusively established, although Post Traumatic Stress Disorder seems like an obvious factor. With an estimated 50 percent of veteran PTSD sufferers going untreated, and treatment success rates at only 40 percent, the disorder has often been called "the silent killer." Often, those closest to the individual suffering from PTSD are unaware that they are in distress. Veterans with PTSD frequently leave a virtual trail of breadcrumbs, leading social media followers to conclude for themselves that the individual is suffering from the disorder. Social withdrawal is an indicator of the presence of the disorder. Social isolation can potentially be determined via spikes in social media activity between 11 P.M. and 5. A.M. Research has demonstrated that individuals more active on these sites late night have greater incidences of depressive episodes. Social media posting language can also function as an indicator for the presence of PTSD.  Anchor words such as "depression," "death," "pain," "life," and "suicide" can be construed as an indicator for the disorder. Similarly, a high volume of pictures demonstrating reckless behavior and an over consumption of drugs and alcohol should be viewed as a warning sign. Suicidal behavior witnessed on social sites should not be ignored. Facebook has protocols in place for the observance of this type of behavior. After content is reported by a user, a team at Facebook will verify the authenticity of the material. This will then prompt a message to the original message that states "someone on Facebook is worried about you." The user is then presented with an option to speak directly with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  The knowledge that someone is concerned about you can go a long way. Rates of suicide are too high among the veteran population, the status quo must be challenged; the first step is accurately identifying who has PTSD and ensuring that they receive the services they need. -Noah Perkins, CMS, VA Home Loan Centers "http://vahomeloancenters.org/"                   

As careers become more specialized and the business world grows more complex, the demand for individuals with industry approved credentials will continue to grow. Obtaining industry recognized certifications is one of the best ways for individuals to demonstrate their commitment to professional and personal growth. Companies value professionals who proactively seek opportunities to develop their skills and expertise. Earning certification not only positions you as a leader in your industry - it’s an investment in yourself and your long-term career. Certification can help by: Increasing your earning potential Providing opportunity for career advancement Helping you reach short and long term career goals Connecting you with peers in your industry As an online curriculum and content provider to colleges and universities, Ed4Online knows the importance of students being able to sit for and pass any National Exam that may be available in their career field. We are always researching and updating our content to ensure our programs offer all enrollees the ability to fulfill the training required to sit for and pass certification examinations whenever possible.  Please watch our video "Are Classes Mapped to National Certifications?" and visit https://ed4online.com/ to learn more!   Sources: http://www.grc-certifications.com/2014/04/02/is-there-value-in-getting-professional-certifications/         

Did you know that expressing gratitude can improve the quality of your health and even add years to your life expectancy? Robert Emmons a psychology professor at the University of California at Davis is a leading researcher in the field of "positive psychology". His research supports the theory that those who develop an "attitude of gratitude" can experience a wide variety of health benefits.   Emmons’ findings, along with those from other researchers such as Lisa Aspinwall, a professor at the University of Utah, and Dr. Lyubomirsky, from the University of California at Riverside, suggest that grateful people may be more likely to: better cope with stress and trauma get more regular exercise eat a healthier diet have improved mental alertness be able to diminish feelings of anger, bitterness or greed feel happier and more optimistic experience a higher level of self-esteem have stronger immune systems Learning how to express gratitude and feel happier is key.  Here are some tips to help you tap into health and happiness: 1. Keep a gratitude journal Give thanks on a daily basis by writing down 3 to 5 things that you are grateful for. If you can’t find the time to write daily; try recording your thoughts weekly. Or consider keeping a "gratitude jar" and write thankful thoughts on slips of paper all year long and place in there. 2. Develop an "attitude of gratitude" Your attitude helps determine how grateful you feel when facing life’s challenges. The next time you find yourself facing a challenge, flip your thinking from negative to positive to experience a higher level of gratitude and satisfaction. For example, if your flight is delayed, try to find the positives - perhaps you can settle in with a cup of coffee and a good book or maybe it’s the first time all day where you can sit down, relax and just people watch. 3. Be mindful of what you have At times, it’s easy to fall into the "if only" trap. The next time you find your thoughts wandering in that direction, hit the pause button. Stop and take stock of the things that you DO have to be grateful for. We can be thankful for family, a roof over our head, or even a warm winter coat. Gratefulness comes from learning to be thankful for the things that you do have - big and small. 4. Mix up your gratitude practice There are many ways to tap into and share your grateful feelings. Whether you journal, paint, sing or share to others to express gratitude - mix it up! Varying the ways in which we express thankfulness keeps it a constant and fresh practice.  What are you grateful for? Please share in our comments section! Ed4Online offers Ed4Online offers a wide variety of courses for your training needs. We offer Career Training, Professional Development, Health and Human Services as well as Personal Enrichment. Please view our catalog of online courses today at https://ed4online.com/courses.   Sources: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11819/scientific-proof-that-being-thankful-improves-your-health.html http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/giving-thanks       

Obtaining certification in the IT field can increase your earning potential as well as show both current and future employers dedication to your field. According to an article written by Robert Half Technology’s senior executive director, John Reed, entitled "Which IT Certifications Are Most Helpful in Getting Ahead?", "Whether you’re a tech pro looking to expand your skills or a job candidate aiming to impress a prospective employer, earning IT certifications could be one way to stand out in your career. In today’s specialist economy, certifying your skills quickly shows what you know — to recruiters and hiring managers — and can help you gain an edge when it comes to job promotions and salary negotiations." Below are a few of the more popular certifications in the IT field today: MOS:  Microsoft® Office (MOS) 2013 If you're looking for a way to get up to speed quickly on the newest version of Microsoft Office, this course offers step-by-step instructions to make it easy. Office 2013 has new features and tools to master, and whether you're upgrading from an earlier version or encountering the Office applications for the first time, you'll appreciate this simplified approach. MCSE:  MCSE: Data Platform Our Microsoft MCSE: Data Platform training covers all aspects of Microsoft's primary database system for all business sizes and types and is the globally recognized standard for IT professionals. An MCSE: Data Platform professional must first receive the MCSA: SQL Server 2012 Certification from Microsoft and then take their expertise to the next level with the MCSE: Data Platform designation. MCSE: Private Cloud Our Microsoft MCSE: Private Cloud training covers all aspects of Microsoft's primary database system for all business sizes and types and is the globally recognized standard for IT professionals. An MCSE: Private Cloud professional must first receive the MCSA: SQL Server 2012 Certification from Microsoft and then take their expertise to the next level with the MCSE: Private Cloud designation. MCSE: SharePoint Server 2013 Our Microsoft MCSE: SharePoint Server 2013 program is perfect for the IT professional who plans, implements, and maintains a multi-server deployment of Share Point 2013. Completion of Microsoft 70-331: Core solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 and Microsoft 70-332: Advanced Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 will confirm that a student is able to plan and maintain SharePoint and other core technologies on which SharePoint depends. Certifications in Cloud Computing: Cloud Computing Professional Program Cloud Computing professionals provide expertise, design, troubleshoot and engineer cloud environments. The Cloud Computing professional often collaborates with project managers and engineers to generate cloud computing best practices and ensure they are applied properly within the work  Project Management Certifications: Project Management for CAPM Learn to master the most proven methods in project management as well as exciting new techniques emerging from current industry and today's most recent research. This course introduces manual techniques perfected during the past 50 years and progressive automated techniques, all consistent with the latest PMBOK Guide. Up to date content covers measuring project management ROI, value to the organization and to customers, and much more. Project Management for PMP Learn to master the most proven methods in project management as well as exciting new techniques emerging from current industry and today's most recent research. This course introduces manual techniques perfected during the past 50 years and progressive automated techniques, all consistent with the latest PMBOK Guide. Up to date content covers measuring project management ROI, value to the organization and to customers, and much more. According to the Robert Half Technology 2014 Salary Guide, "employers prefer to hire certified professionals, especially those who also have college degrees and real-world experience. Those who put in the effort to obtain credentials can expect larger salaries and quicker movement up the career ladder, not to mention a healthy shot of self-confidence." Ed4Online offers an extensive IT course catalog containing courses in the above specialty areas and designed to prepare you to sit for the national certification exams.  View our course catalog and learn more today!   Sources: http://rht.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=533&item=59 http://blog.rht.com/certifications-valuable/         

During the month of December, Ed4Online will be offering 25% off of ALL our Personal Enrichment courses! Pick any course from our Personal Enrichment catalog and receive a 25% discount!   Our online Personal Enrichment courses cover a variety of topics - from Business to Teaching & Education, Healthcare to Legal --and everything in between. All of our Personal Enrichment Courses are 4 weeks long and instructor-led with open-enrollment. The New Year is always a time for resolutions....why not plan to begin 2015 with new skills and knowledge? This offer is only valid until December 30, 2014.  Click here to enroll or request more information and don't forget to use coupon code Ed4HOLIDAYS to save 25%!         

What with the fast pace of the holiday season (entertaining, shopping, parties, baking, etc.) it’s no wonder that stress and depression can invite themselves into your holiday festivities. With a little planning you can minimize the stress and anxiety that often accompany the holiday season. 1.    Plan ahead. Make a calendar and schedule days for shopping, baking, and activities you enjoy (including taking care of yourself!).  Think about what energizes you; is it a walk, a nap, curling up by the fire reading a good book? Schedule these on your calendar as you would any other appointment. Mealtimes get you stressed? Plan your menus and create your shopping list ahead of time. You’ll have all of the ingredients you need on hand to prepare your meals. 2.    Build a budget. Before you shop for groceries or gifts, realistically look at how much money you can spend. Make staying within your budget a game; you’ll feel great when you win (and when the credit card bills come in January!) 3.    Your feelings matter. If you find yourself missing loved ones during the holiday season, take time to express your feelings.  You can talk to a friend or reach out to support group.  If someone close to you has recently passed away, realize that the sadness and grief that you feel are part of the healing process.  4.    Join. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious, self help or other social groups. Offering a sympathetic ear, encouragement and companionship to others, in turn can bring us joy. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and develop friendships. 5.    Just say no. If you have a tendency to say "yes" to every invitation or request for help - you may end up feeling both overwhelmed and resentful this holiday season. The holiday season brings its own fair share of stress; agreeing to participate in every fundraiser or attend every social event will only lead to potential burnout. Pick a few things that bring you joy and peace and say "no" to the rest.  6.    Nobody is perfect. Seeking perfection can be overwhelming.  Think over your holiday traditions and determine which ones truly bring you and your family joy.  Let go of the rest; and be on the lookout for new traditions that might be even better! As children get older, the opportunities for volunteering increase - perhaps you and your family will find a new holiday tradition that will help you celebrate the season together. 7.    Family. Need I say more? With the blessings of family comes a certain amount of stress at family gatherings. Come up with an action plan before you head over to Uncle Jim’s. Perhaps a code word that your spouse or another relative knows that means "help me". Remember, it’s always okay to remove yourself from a stressful situation and take a breather. Go outside and get some fresh air or join the kids in a game of touch football. 8.    Include healthy habits. o    If you are tempted to overeat during holiday gatherings; have a healthy snack beforehand. And make sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after the event! o    The business of the season can interfere with your normal sleep routine.  Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. And make your bedroom a peaceful oasis designed for optimal rest. Invest in light blocking shades, or purchase an inexpensive eye mask and ear plugs.  Whatever it takes to get your "zzz’s" in. o    Exercise should remain a priority. Not only can a walk improve your mood, it can help burn off any extra calories you may have indulged in during last night’s pot luck! Also consider your exposure to daylight. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, can be treated by long walks during daylight hours or exposure to a light box for about 30 minutes a day. 9.    Take a break. Just 15 minutes alone can make all the difference. Go for a walk, lie down and listen to some music, take a bubble bath. Whatever it takes to calm your mind and instill inner peace - make time for it! 10. Seek professional help. If, despite your best efforts, you find yourself unable to shake the blues, are feeling lower than usual, unable to sleep, or feeling hopeless, it’s time to talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. Don’t put it off for another day! They are trained to look for signs of depression and anxiety and may have suggestions to help you greet each new day with renewed hope!     Sources:   http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544 http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20550695_last,00.html       

Never stop learning. What a great resolution for 2015! With the widespread use of internet technologies, students of any age can take advantage of learning anytime, anywhere. Whether you wish to acquire a new skill or hobby, or take classes to explore an exciting new career, Ed4Online has the course or program for you. Below are five tips for success for those interested in continuing their learning: 1.    Don’t expect smooth sailing. Expect that there will be issues - conflicts in work, school or family schedules, distractions, etc. Anticipate the hurdles you might have to cross and develop a plan to deal with them. Create a master calendar to keep track of all appointments. Build school work into your schedule and stay true to that time commitment. Log out of all other websites but your classroom to minimize online disctractions. 2.    Believe that you can. Surround yourself with positive affirmations and erase self doubt. Keep the end goal in sight and create a daily mantra such as "I will succeed". 3.    Do some type of work every day. Log into your classroom, check out discussion boards, utilize additional resources provided by your classroom mentor or listed in the textbook, conduct additional research online on a topic of interest. 4.    Enlist the support of others. Tell friends, coworkers and family about your coursework and goals and ask them to help you stay on track and hold you accountable. 5.    Cut yourself some slack. Oftentimes, it’s difficult to put our own needs first. Understand that the hard work you are putting in today will benefit others tomorrow. What do you think? Do you have any tips for success for online students? Please share below!   "My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose - somehow we always win out." ~ Ronald Reagan           

When considering health, we have to think of not only the physical, but the mental and emotional components that all work together and make us who we are.  What we think, what we eat and what we do are all integral to our state of health.  While "health" may mean different things to different people, feeling better is most likely a common goal among us all.  Below are some fun facts about food, exercise and stress relief! Cut Out One Cookie a Day If you cut out one cookie a day, by this time next year, you will have eliminated 21,170 calories. That’s enough to drop six pounds.  That’s just by cutting one cookie a day! Take a Lap Around Your Local Big-Box Store If, once a week, you take a lap around the inside of your local big-box store before you begin shopping, you’ll walk an approximate 12 miles over the course of a year. Laugh to Burn Calories and Relieve Stress Laughing raises both your energy expenditure and heart rate by about 10 percent to 20 percent. This means you could burn about 10-40 calories by laughing for 10 to 15 minutes. Eat More Chocolate Cocoa and chocolate, which are rich in antioxidants, have been are known to reduce stress. This is one my favorite ways to reduce stress (in moderation of course!) Want to get a little more serious about reducing stress, eating right or working out? Ed4Online offers many courses on nutrition, health, fitness as well as stress management. Obtain the knowledge you need to help live a better life AND coach others in how to do so also! https://ed4online.com. Sources: http://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/healthy-lifestyle http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/11/13/10-fascinating-facts-laughter.aspx http://examinedexistence.com/20-interesting-facts-about-stress-2/         

In 2012, 62 percent of American households included at least one pet. Studies have shown that health benefits for those living or working with pets include emotional, psychological and physical benefits. These benefits may translate to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduced stress levels, and better mental health. In addition, research has also shown that humans respond in a unique way to animals in a wide variety of therapy and care settings. According to the AVMA, "The veterinarian’s role in the human-animal bond is to maximize the potential of this relationship between people and animals and specifically to promote the health and well-being of both." We feel that this role is also the responsbility of all members of the veterinary staff, from the front desk to those working side by side with the doctors. Interested in working with animals? Perhaps you might find a career as a Veterinary Assistant or Veterinary Office Assistant rewarding.  Ed4Online offers individual career courses in these fields and is also pleased to announce our NEW Veterinary Assistant Professional Complete Career Training Program.   Sources: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/The-Human-Animal-Bond.aspx http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/consumer-health/in-depth/pet-therapy/art-20046342         

When planning and preparing for a new career, it’s important to consider all of the skills and knowledge you will need to be the most successful. Employers look for two different skill sets in applicants: hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are teachable abilities or easily quantified: a degree or certificate, computer skills, writing ability, etc. Soft skills are more difficult to quantify. These are also known as "interpersonal skills" and relate to the way you present yourself as well as how you interact with others.  Examples might include: communication, workplace professionalism, and time management. Techtarget.com offers the following definition of soft skills, "Soft skills …are also defined by abilities that can be practiced, such as leadership, empathy, communication and sociability." Ed4Online’s goal is to offer courses and training to help you to be as prepared as possible for your new career. Therefore, we’ve created a new line of Complete Career Training Programs (CCTPs). These programs are comprised of Career Training, Professional Development and Personal Enrichment courses - all bundled together into one program to provide a diversified learning experience. Our mentor-supported Career Training Courses focus on the industry standards that prepare you for your chosen career or certification. You will also get our smaller, self-study Professional Development courses to fine tune some of the softer skills needed in your chosen career, and our four-week long, instructor-led Personal Enrichment courses to further your employment training. We currently offer the following Complete Career Training Programs: CCTP-Administrative Assistant Professional Program CCTP-Administrative Bookkeeper Professional Program CCTP-Administrative Medical Office Professional Program CCTP-Business Management Professional Program CCTP-Child Day Care Manager Professional Program CCTP-Computer Technician Professional Program CCTP-Cooking & Catering Professional Program CCTP-Cyber-Security Professional Program CCTP-Dental Office Assistant Professional Program CCTP-Event Planner Professional Program CCTP-Green Energy Consultant Professional Program CCTP-Gunsmithing Specialist Professional Program CCTP-Human Resource Management Professional Program CCTP-Legal Secretary Professional Program CCTP-Life Skills Coaching Professional Program CCTP-Marketing and Business Manager Professional Program CCTP-Medical Billing & Coding Professional Program CCTP-Mental Health Technician Professional Program CCTP-Network Administrator Professional Program CCTP-Paralegal Professional Program CCTP-Personal Fitness Instructor Professional Program CCTP-Pharmacy Technician Professional Program CCTP-Photography Professional Program CCTP-Solar Installation Professional Program CCTP-Teacher’s Aide Professional Program CCTP-Travel Agent Professional Program CCTP-Veterinary Assistant Professional Program We have taken online career programs to a whole new level by bundling our Career Training with Professional Development and Personal Enrichment courses.  Please visit https://ed4online.com/ to learn about these exciting new programs as well as view our complete course catalog!         

Jennifer Morrison, a blogger at Military Career Education, recently compiled and released a list of iOS and Andriod apps for students to utilize and optimize their time. We've taken her list and added a couple suggestions of our own. If your favorite education app isn't on this list, please share it in the comments below. We are always interested in learning what new tools are available!  My Homework Student Planner This app allows you to track your course schedules and assignments, and organize them by due date and class. You can also sync your syllabus and resource materials.  Amazon Student Textbooks and learning materials are expensive. Using this app, all you need to do is scan the barcode on the textbook and the app will tell you where you can buy it for the cheapest price. This app also works in reverse when you’re ready to sell back your books and materials. StudyHabits In a recent product review, Edudemic reports that Study Habits is intended to be an app that "teaches effective study strategies, empowering [students] to learn how to manage their time." The app syncs with the student's calendar and the planning feature allows students to input due dates and set assignment completion goals to help them stay on track. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the app aims to help students become "self-regulated learners". Dropbox Using Dropbox allows you to save assignments and projects and open up the documents whenever and wherever you are. Evernote Evernote allows you to easily take notes, save articles, link to websites, dictate and organize with as little or as much detail as you want. You can also take pictures, create to-do lists, and some versions will even help create practice tests for you to use as a study aid. Dictionary.com Dictionary.com is a fun interactive site that allows you to save favorite words (or your most commonly misspelled ones), search for spellings and definitions offline, and even gives you a word of the day to help broaden your vocabulary. Grammerly Grammerly is more than a dictionary; it also works as a plagiarism tool, checking your text against over 8 billion web pages. This app also makes vocabulary suggestions based on the context of your writing. Even more, Grammerly runs it's "contextural spellchecker" function to spot commonly confused words (i.e. loose, lose). Finally, Grammarly "scans your text for proper use of more than 250 advanced grammar rules." Your writing, only better! What are some of your favorite education apps?  Please share them below! Disclosure: We are not affiliated with these products and have not received any compensation to mention these products.  Ed4Online offers hundreds of courses in Career Training, Health and Human Services, Professional Development and Personal Enrichment. Interested in learning more? Check out Ed4Online today! Source: Jennifer M. Morrison http://milcareered.com/           

What is a Personal Learning Network (PLN)?  A Personal Learning Network (PLN) is an informal learning network of professionals, industry thought-leaders or organizations. Building a PLN allows one to connect with others who create, curate and/or share valuable information with the intent to educate others in their community. PLNs allow two or more people, who might not know one another personally, to come together to exchange information. "The Personal Learning Network fosters connections and can be a rich source of professional development and learning." (Online Learning Insights) Anyone, including educators and students, can benefit from expanding their personal learning network online. Doing so allows them to go beyond the physical confines of their offices, schools and perhaps most importantly, beyond their own personal knowledge base. Creating an online learning network enables professionals to share global perspectives, techniques, resources, technology, and so much more. How do you build a PLN? Connect. The key to developing a PLN is to connect. To build your online PLN; research thought leaders in your industry or area of interest and begin following their posts. See where they hang out online and do the same. Make sure you are active on all social channels and begin commenting and reposting other’s articles. Generate conversation on boards and get people involved and connected with one another, fostering idea sharing as well as a sense of community. o   Tweet information you think your followers would find interesting o   Stay active on Facebook and Google Plus o   Start a discussion or participate in one on a message board o   Join groups on LinkedIn o   Follow boards on Pinterest o   Attend Webinars and connect with other participants for later follow-up o   Subscribe to blogs of interest o   Create your own blog o   Join Social networks such as Classroom 2.0 Share. Be a part of the conversation. If you have information that you feel could be useful, share it.  This might be a helpful article you’ve found on a specific topic. Or a new technology that you’d like to expose your community to. Or it might even be a new methodology that you’ve developed that you feel would be useful to others in your industry and that you might like feedback on. Communicate.  Stay active in your PLN; frequently comment or post on group or individual pages. The trading of thoughts and ideas both industry-related and personal makes you more approachable and increases the chances that your connections will become deeper and more meaningful. Developing connections also improves the odds that someone will always be there to share information and help when needed. Ed4Online is active on all social media channels. We aim to provide the most current, up to date and trending information on Online Education, Higher Education and Career Training as a whole. Please connect with us on Facebook, GooglePlus, LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest as well as sign up to receive our weekly Newsletters! Sources: https://www.schoolkeep.com/blog/online-education-trends/take-personal-learning-network-next-level-2015 https://onlinelearninginsights.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/how-to-create-a-robust-and-meaningful-personal-learning-network-pln/ http://gettingsmart.com/2012/01/personal-learning-networks-for-educators-10-tips/         

What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you still searching for the answer? Are you where you want to be in your professional life or is something missing? Developing a career vision statement will help bring your ideal career into focus. Unlike a career "mission statement", which puts the focus on where you are currently; a career "vision statement" helps you to create a mental image of yourself in the career you really want - the career that will bring you fulfillment and joy.  Your vision is a "picture" of what you aspire to, and what inspires you, in your work life. The following steps, adapted from Randall S. Hansen of Quintessential Careers, will put you well on your way to creating a career vision statement that will inspire and motivate you. 1. Carve out a chunk of time. Career visioning cannot be rushed. The practice of visioning is something that may take several efforts before things begin to align and you start getting a grasp of your ideal future.   2. Review your mission statement and core values. While you can certainly create a vision for your future without reviewing these career planning tools, it helps to examine who you are now and what drives you today. [Learn more about creating a mission statement and about understanding your core values.] 3. Suspend logic and pragmatic thinking. With a career vision, anything should be possible. Turn off any negative feelings or logic filters that might block you from thinking "big" and outside of the box. Open your mind to envisioning future possibilities outside of today’s reality.   4. Try visioning exercises to help get your creative juices flowing. Think deeply about the following question(s) and answer each as authentically as you can: How do you define career success? Are you achieving some level of success in your current job? What type of job will help you achieve complete career success? What would you want to do today if all your bills were paid and you had relatively unlimited cash reserves? What would your career be like if you had the power to make it any way you wanted? What you would like your obituary to say about your career accomplishments and the types of impacts you left with the people you worked with? If absolutely no obstacles stood in the way of your achieving it, what would you most like to attain in your career? Who are the people you most admire? What is it about them or their careers that attract you to them? Imagine yourself in the future at a point in which you have achieved great career success. What is it that you have accomplished? What does your life look like? Do you feel as though you have a gift or calling? How can you share this gift or best answer the call in a way that will fulfill you? What's the one activity you most love? Is it part of your career? If not, how can you make it part of your career -- part of your career passion? Where would you like to be in your career in 5 years? In 10 years? In 15 years? What makes you distinctive in your current work -- and can you leverage that uniqueness to achieve a future you desire? 5. Assemble the pieces and put it all together. Write your career vision using one sentence or a concise paragraph. Consider writing a short vision statement along with a short description of how you currently see yourself accomplishing your vision.  What are the steps you might need to take to reach your goal? 6. Keep your vision visible. Once you've created your career vision statement, copy it and place it in various locations.  Read it and say it aloud often. Imagine yourself achieving the vision you have for your career. 7.  Review your Career Vision Statement periodically. Take into account that your vision can, and most likely will, change as you move closer to it. You should periodically review your career vision statement and make any adjustments that you feel are necessary. Ed4Online has hundreds of Career Training, Professional Development, Personal Enrichment and Behavioral Health and Human Services courses to help bring you closer to reaching your Career Vision. Visit our website today! https://ed4online.com/ Sources: http://www.quintcareers.com/career_vision.html http://hrweb.berkeley.edu/learning/career-development/goal-setting/career-plan-vision       

What do a nurse, an electrician and a security guard all have in common? The answer is that at the end of the day they all need to have well-developed writing skills to do their jobs correctly. In fact, you could really say this about any job—from a nuclear physicist to a custodian—and it would remain true, because even if a job doesn’t focus on writing, there’s almost a certain guarantee that an important aspect of doing the job right includes being able to communicate well through writing.  "But I can’t write very well!" Most people realize their dislike, love or indifference to writing in a high school English classroom and unfortunately, it’s usually determined by the grade they got on their first big essay. Sadly, many people’s confidence (or lack thereof) when it comes to writing is deeply engrained in the grades they got in school—but this isn’t a good benchmark for writing in the real world. Those people who say, "I can’t write well" or "writing was never my thing," are often convinced of this after struggling with one type of writing and, thankfully, writing essays is rarely going to be part of your job in the real world. There are more types of writing than just researched-based writing: learning about something and regurgitating it back for a grade. In fact, the writing you did in school can be some of the hardest writing you ever do! Writing for a job By this point, you’re probably wondering how writing for a job is any different than any other writing you’ve had to do over the years. A fair question and one that’s easily answered with three important points: First and foremost, you’re probably going to be writing about something that’s interesting to you or something you like, and it’s much easier to do if you’re engaged in your topic. For example, if you love your job as an electrician, it means two things: you know exactly what you’re doing and you can explain it to someone else. When you’re writing out a work estimate, that’s exactly what you’re doing: talking about what you love and explaining it to someone else! The same holds true for any job. Next, something to always keep in mind when writing for a job: there’s a good chance that you’re going to be writing for the benefit of other professionals who understand you and what you’re trying to say. As a nurse, for example, if you’re monitoring a patient and you record in their chart that their CRIT levels were slightly higher than normal at 2:30pm, you’re communicating something important to fellow medical professionals, who understand what you’re trying to say—you don’t have to worry about going into a lot of depth because the basic concept is already understood by everyone who will read your writing. Finally, writing in the real world is often a lot easier to comprehend topically—in most cases, you’re writing about what you see or what happened. Unlike school where you need to pick a topic, research the topic, create a hypothesis and find data to support or refute your ideas, real world writing is often an explanation of what’s already known. As a security guard writing up an incident report for example, all you’re going to need to do is explain the facts—facts you already know! The importance of good writing skills All of this is to say that any job you have will involve writing to some degree, but more than that, it will require that you have the abilities needed to write properly, descriptively and thoroughly. Writing is one of the best ways to communicate, but it can also be one of the most misunderstood if your objective or information isn’t clear. A grammatical error in a patient’s chart can compromise nurses’ ability to tend to that person; a component of an electrical estimate that’s missing could result in you doing the work for free; and not filling in a security incident report thoroughly could result in missing facts that cause a case to be thrown out. Writing shouldn’t be something you’re scared of, it should be something you accept and practice. Embracing your writing abilities and improving them or polishing them as needed will put you ahead of the curve when it comes to being successful in your career and make you a more qualified candidate for any position you’re looking to pursue! Find the skills and the words will come So now the only question that remains is "how?" How do you practice or gain the skills needed to be a better writer? The best answer for this comes in the form of learning and knowing the concepts you’ll be talking about first. If you understand what you’re talking about and know what needs to be said, you’ll already have the words you need to say it in the right way. Writing will come second nature, just like talking. In fact, compare the two: which did you learn to do first, talk or write? If you can talk about something, you can write about it because all you’re doing is putting words on paper! At the end of the day, your ability to write about something is a product of understanding it—it’s a key facet of professional development and it fits consistently with any other skill you’ll learn about your intended career.   This is a guest blog post written by Kyle Danowski, Senior Editor of ProPRcopy. ProPRcopy delivers high-quality press releases, blog content, articles and website content.