Power outages cause nightmare commute, snarl three big US cities

Power outages cause nightmare commute, snarl three big US citiesPower outages cause nightmare commute, snarl three big US citiesThe morning of Friday, April 21st, was one that many people in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco wished they had spent working at home. In all three cities, major power outages took out subway lines or even stoplights.The odd coincidence had some asking if there was a connection between the rush-hour difficulties.PGE says it cant confirm or deny the SF-LA-NYC poweroutage is the result of a cyber incident. Experts say they have no clue. More coming.- Nicole Perlroth (nicoleperlroth) April 21, 2017Los Angeles airport power outageIn Los Angeles, electricity went out at the areas central airport, LAX, at around 830 am local time. Travelers, used to difficulties at the infamously unreliable travel hub, werent surprised.https//twitter.com/jonsteinberg/status/855446748130451456New York subway delaysIn New York, 12 of the major subway lines suffered long dela ys from electricity problems at 53rd Street in the citys Midtown area, resulting in packed platforms and trains full of frustrated, wet commuters (and their elbows) for the entirety of the morning rush hour. The extensive delays and problems, which affected millions of people, prompted some to complain that the whole alphabet was down. Another line, the 7 train, was also delayed later due to fire department activity.Again, here, there was no surprise except in the scale of the problem. The core issue, to many people sighing and complaining in cars, was the proven unreliability of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the state-city agency that manages subways and trains in the New York City area. Delays in the New York subway system have doubled in the past five years, reported the New York Times, even as fares rise to a stratospheric $2.75 per ride that places a heavy burden on middle-class and lower-middle-class riders.Adding to the misery is worsening mechanical performance - a troubling sign that the train fleet is not being adequately replaced or maintained and a problem that has contributed to the spike in delays, the New York Times noted.The states governor, Andrew Cuomo, tweeted that the issue related to a Con Edison power problem, however, and called for an investigation.Because it was a rainy day, New Yorkers found it difficult to find alternative transportation to work, and Uber surge pricing was brutal.https//twitter.com/digitalhen/status/855401833178812417Drivers didnt get off easy. Later, in time for the evening commute, a giant truck burst into flames on one of the citys main highways, the Brooklyn-Queens expressway.San Francisco power outageOn the West Coast, San Francisco suffered an even worse power outage, which took out not only the BART public transportation system, but also cable cars, bus lines, lights in major buildings, and stoplights.Pacific Gas Electric connected part of the power outage to a fire at a substation, but couldnt give more details until it had investigated.The electricity problems caused traffic jams in nearly every street in the citys grid downtown.Still, the citys residents found plenty of humor in the terrible commuting situation. They used the opportunity to poke light fun at their fellow citizens, or even bragged about benefits including kale-packed lunches.

Email Tips for Communicating Benefits Open Enrollment

Email Tips for Communicating Benefits Open EnrollmentEmail Tips for Communicating Benefits Open EnrollmentEach year, open enrollment allows employers to offer group benefits to their employees for a brief time, generally around 30 to 45 days. During this critical window, employees must be informed about the employee benefits they may sign up for, when to do this, and where to enroll. Unfortunately, many human resource teams struggle to communicate the necessary information to employees so they may miss out. Email can be a powerful communication tool for educating employees during open enrollment periods when used right. Because its widely accepted and accessible as a communication tool, this can be a good way to reach all of employees. Learn expert tips for communicating benefits during open enrollment, so your employees take full advantage of your group benefit offerings this year. Have a Plan to Communicate Benefits Before, During, and After Open Enrollment Months ahead of the open enrollment date, its important to have a solid communication plan for delivering the pertinent information to employees before enrollment, during the active enrollment, and once enrollment wraps up. This can be a series of emails that encourage employees to take specific actions, with links to the enrollment site and benefit information. Assign a Central Benefits Communication Representative Responsiveness is critical during open enrollment because employees will have countless questions during this time. Make sure to assign at least one person who will serve as the point of contact for all incoming emails from employees who have questions and concerns. It should be someone highly familiar with plan details, rates, and deadlines. Use an Internal System for Gathering Benefit Related Information and Analytics Does your company actively track sign-ups, partial sign-ups, and other aspects of the enrollment process? If not, then an internal system can be helpful for staying on top of enrollment management across the entire organization. Use a free email server like Outlook to set up email alerts for data changes. Create a Series of Messaging for Weekly Touchpoints With Employees Open enrollment can be made easier and more productive when there is a constant exchange between the HR team and employees. As part of your email communication strategy, create a series of messages that talk about health and wellness topics, the features of benefit programs, and other related matters. Send out in weekly touch point emails to all. Give Managers a Weekly Account of Benefit Enrollment Efforts Its always a good thing to get full buy-in from managers during benefits enrollment efforts. Why? Managers can help employees to prioritize getting enrolled in their benefits for the upcoming plan year, and they can share how benefits support employee goals. Use a focused email campaign for managers during OE periods to keep them abreast of important tasks and dates. Make Benefits Emails Fun The open enrollment period doesnt have to be stressful. In fact, it can be an opportunity to have a little fun. Develop emails that include some fun games like trivia questions, interesting facts about the company, and free healthy snack giveaways. Ensure Correct Grammar and Spelling in Emails Before sending out any benefits emails, make sure that grammar and spelling are checked thoroughly. It can ensure that no typos make their way to readers and that the emails make good sense. Typos can confuse employees, and they look unprofessional. Use a Standard Email Template and Leave out the hypertext markup language When developing emails for benefits communication, experts say that its best to stick with the standard email template and keep it simple. Stray HTML can interfere with some email reading programs, especially on mobile devices. Write Powerful Subject Lines Emails will only be read once they are opened. And this wont happen if the subje ct line doesnt compel recipients. When writing emails, keep a focus on creating an email subject line that will intrigue recipients to open the email with power words like urgent, time-sensitive, and attention can help accomplish this goal. Use Total Reward Statements in Seasonal Emails To help employees understand the full value of their employee benefits, use total rewards statements at least once during this quarter. It can be attached as a PDF to individual emails, or a hyperlink can be included in the email to run a total rewards statement at the employees convenience.

Top Management Mistakes

Top Management MistakesTop Management MistakesTop Management Mistakes1. Not making the transition from worker to managerAs a worker, you were held accountable solely for your own job and responsibilities. Now, all of a sudden, you are responsible for the results of a group of people not just for yourself. As a result, you must tap into a new tischset of business skills people skills. Some of the best employees become the worst managers because they fail to make this transition.2. Not setting clear goals and expectationsThe fastest way to derail your employees engine is to leave them in the dark without goals and directives. Your employees will have few challenges and even less motivation. You must meet with your employees to develop attainable goals, to help them understand what is expected of them, and to give them a vision to work toward. Not only should you work with them to set the goals, but also to achieve the goals.3. Failing to delegateYou simply cant do everything by yours elf. But, even if you could, it would not be an effective use of your time or your talent. Besides, when you delegate, you create more opportunities for your employees, and projects that at first seem overwhelming become totally manageable once assigned to a team.4. Not recognizing employee achievementDo not get so caught up in your workload and the delegation of work that you overlook opportunities to acknowledge your employees successes. In the midst of downsizing, uncertainty, and constant change, employee recognition, is more essential than ever, improving morale, performance, and loyalty. Most times the most effective reward is personal and written recognition.5. Failing to communicateThe health of companies depends on widespread dissemination of information. Poor managers use the control of information as power, to ensure they are the most knowledgeable, and therefore, the most valuable employees to an organization. However, employees have the right to know what is going on, s o that they are able to make the best decisions for themselves as well as the organization. In this way, managers should be approachable.6. Not making time for employeesAs a manager, you must make and take time for people. Managing is a people job. You must assess your employees individual needs and address them. When employees talk, be sure youre there to listen.7. Going for the quick fix over the lasting solutionMany managers dispense painkillers when they should be finding the tumor and performing major surgery. As a manager, you will not last long just treating symptoms you need to take the time to seek out long-term solutions to problems.8. Starting your day without a plan of actionvTime management plays a large role in your day-to-day and long-term success. This entails doing the right things efficiently. Other people will take all your time if you let them, so you must begin each day with a clear idea of allotted personal time and employee time.9. Working with a messy desk or work areaStudies show that the person with a messy desk spends, on average, one and a half hours per day trying to find things or being distracted by things. This adds up to seven and a half hours a week in lost productivity, not to mention appearing very unprofessional.10. Not taking a lunch breakAfter several hours without eating, studies prove, that you start to dull out. Thus, a lunch break, even if its just a short 15 minute break, helps to recharge your batteries, and more effectively handle afternoon tasks. Consistently skipping lunch to save time will only cost you in lost productivity.11. Getting out of balance with your lifeAttention workaholics theres more to life than work. You have health, family, financial, spiritual, intellectual, and social pursuits and aspects in your life. If you spend a sufficient quantity and quality of time in each area, you should feel happy and productive at work. Its when you neglect one or more areas in your life that other areas, especiall y your work life starts to show signs of suffering.12. Resisting changeThe best managers around the world are positive and forward-looking. They proactively anticipate changes coming their way and make plans to address them before they hit their organization. Resisting change will get you nowhere.13. Taking it all too seriously Watch your egoA manager with a big ego will most likely alienate his/her employees. Pride is never justified as the basis for a business decision. Above all, you have to maintain a sense of humour. Make a fun environment for your employees and for yourself. When you retire you wont be remembered for your fantastic budget or discipline, people will remember someone who brightened their days.

A New Tool is Helping Californians Clear Criminal Records for Employment

A New Tool is Helping Californians Clear Criminal Records for EmploymentA New Tool is Helping Californians Clear Criminal Records for EmploymentHaving a checkered past can be problematic for job seekers, since it can prevent them from applying for jobs that they really want. In fact, one in four people in the U.S. has an arrest history or conviction that could penalize them from getting gainful employment or being eligible for student loans or housing. Thankfully, theres a new tool that can help low-level convictions be eliminated or reclassified as a lesser charge for California residents.Clear My Record allows users to clear criminal records in multiple counties across their state. This is critical, since an estimated 43% of people who have used Clear My Record have multiple convictions in various counties. With this free tool, applicants can fill out a quick application that is then sent to the counties where they have convictions. Theyll then receive position updates via email an d text regarding their eligibility to have their convictions overturned.The tool has been useful for people to clear various convictions (such as marijuana convictions, for example) to be cleared or reclassified as a lesser charge.Similarly, states including Colorado, Maryland, New Hampshire, and Oregon, for example, have also passed legislation that allows people convicted of things like misdemeanor marijuana possession to petition to have their convictions sealed or dismissed.If youre job hunting, you may want to find out if you can clear criminal records. Heres whyIt can give you peace of mind.If you have a criminal record, you might be worried every time you submit a job application that your background will be discovered. Making an effort to clear your record means that you can breathe a sigh of relief each time you apply for a job, knowing that a potential employer wont find anything errant in your application.Your charge might not be valid anymore.Much like the marijuana conv ictions cited above, some charges are no longer considered criminal. So why should your record reflect as much? Laws change all the time, so doing a little investigative digging into what counts as a charge- and what doesnt- might allow you to wipe your record clean, once and for all.It can allow you to apply for more jobs.The vast majority of employers will perform a background check on job candidates that theyre interested in. While employers arent technically allowed to discriminate against applicants who have a record, some still do. (If you feel that youve been discriminated against, you can always contact the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to find out what your next steps should be.) And unfortunately, having a criminal record might mean that you could lose out on jobs that youre interested in, and not be able to apply for other positions or licenses, either.So if youre a job seeker who has a criminal record, make it a priority to inform yourself of the latest la ws concerning your conviction. You might be surprised that you can clear criminal records and apply for the jobs you really want.

Seven Tactics for Successful STEM Diversity Recruiting

Seven Tactics for Successful STEM Diversity RecruitingSeven Tactics for Successful STEM Diversity RecruitingSeven Tactics for Successful STEM Diversity RecruitingIn recognition of the value that a diverse workforce brings to business today, asked Harris Interactive a leading market research firm to conduct research that examines the importance of diversity recruiting in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematical (STEM) professions.The survey, Diversity Recruiting in STEM Occupations, found that the national imbalance of supply and demand in diversity STEM recruiting is real, long-term, and driven by many interacting factors.While individual companies can promote greater participation in STEM careers for underrepresented groups, they will compete for diverse candidates for years to come.The surveys quantitative results and qualitative interviews consistently reveal that successful diversity recruiting depends on an array of tactics, working together in a strategic context tha t values diversity and inclusion as a key competitive advantage.STEM Diversity TacticsNo single action dominates the list of effective tactics. Every tactic, properly executed, strengthens the effort, similar to the way links in a value chain strengthen each other.Regarding internal and external best practices, these tactics can be brought to bear in the near term and will improve competitive advantage in STEM diversity recruitingThe best diversity recruiting takes distribution policy at organizations that embrace and promote diversity as a competitive advantage, in companies where the business case is made to prove it.Excellent diversity recruiting includes an understanding of the communities in which the company does business, and ways in which its relationship with those communities benefits from a diverse workforce.Diverse candidates believe inclusion is just as important as diversity, and look for it throughout the organization.The language of diversity and inclusion should be woven through all business practices, spoken by management at all levels, and woven into the values expressed in the company culture.Diverse employees identify with a large number of racial, gender, ethnic, psychographic, age, ability and circumstantial (e.g. veterans) groups. They identify with others based on life experience, culture and point of view. These employees are key to recruiting efforts, as they speak to their communities and validate the promise of inclusion.Smaller companies can and should adopt common big-company tactics such as creating benchmarks for measuring results of recruiting efforts, tracking where to find a diverse pool of candidates, and partnering with local schools, colleges and STEM education organizations.Similar to large companies, they should train and support all employees as employer brand ambassadors, including messages about the importance of diversity.Outreach, in all its forms recruiting messages, media, search and sourcing, within a local and national presence requires consistent language and a long-term commitment to diversity to be most effective.Download the Full Report Diversity Recruiting in STEM Occupations Download the Executive Summary Diversity Recruiting in STEM Occupations Findings from the studyInfographic Effective Diversity Recruiting in STEM OccupationsThe Competitive Benefits of STEMDiversityHow Companies Cultivate a Diverse STEM WorkforceRecruiting STEM Talent for your Small CompanyRecruiters The Crucial Link in STEM Diversity HiringSeven Tactics for Successful STEM Diversity RecruitingSurvey Methodologyand Harris Interactive conducted an online survey in August 2011 in which more than 400 Chief Diversity Officers or SVPs of Human Resources participated from a representative group of companies involved with architecture and engineering, computer and mathematics or life, physical and social science disciplines. Additionally, we conducted in-depth interviews with diversity and human resources executives.

Untold Stories on Indeed Login Resume You Really Need to Read

Untold Stories on Indeed zugang Resume You Really Need to Read How to Find Indeed Login Resume on the Web You need to be now logging in If there is an issue logging into the account, then your password isnt accurate. It will request username and password. Two password cant be same. What Does Indeed Login Resume Mean? You just have to browse to the individual details section at which you could modify the get in contact with info. The details entered by youll be shown within a page. Lets create Home and Me first since they dont demand much explanation. A Secret Weapon for Indeed Login Resume After following the instructions linked above, you ought to be prepared to start. Its possible to have a look at the code here. So youve got to just following change on such file. Adhere to the upcoming onscreen instructions to do your login approach. What Everybody Dislikes About Indeed Login Resume and Why Now, the fruchtwein significant portion of the connection starts. If so, then youve landed at the appropriate location. There are a couple things that you need to be conscious of while creating an account your internet connection ought to be working in a flawless method. Once you have visited, you are now able to access your snapchat account without having to set up anything on your PC. As you become older your probability of needing long-term care companies increase. Its possible to search by job title to acquire an awareness of what other men and women in your field include in their resumes. Uploading a resume ansprechbar can be an excellent way for job applicants to raise their exposure, and so increase their odds of landing a desirable job. Studying resumes of individuals who hold, or have held the sort of job that youre pursuing, is also beneficial. Its possible to also add several descriptions together with tags. When you do so, MAKE SURE the file name is the very same as the one that youve previously declared. The routes supply a fine o verview of how everything works together. The user schema is composed of pre-save hook. Facebook sessions become invalidated all of the moment. With the assistance of the online connection, you can send and get the email in the Hotmail. The Hotmail is just one of the popular free on-line e-mail services. If you must log in the Hotmail on the cell phone then you may install the MS office tools. Its very easy and quick to establish an email account with ymail login. The next thing to do is to decide on a password for the ymail login. Without keystore file you wont see your login page, its a security process before you put in your account. Eighth, you then will understand your login page. It is crucial to consider that the WPS buttons on all the devices want to get pressed almost at precisely the same time. If you plan to download and install Snapchat for COMPUTER, after that you have to look at on exactly ways to set up Bluestacks androide Emulator. Because a COMPUTER ve rsion isnt available, you must mount an Android emulator. ENS Login gives an easy widget and SDK which can be added to any dapp. Details of Indeed Login Resume The authentication procedure for the user is comparable to the simple procedure for token authentication. Specifically, how to go for an authentication scheme is dependent on your actual needs. Authentication part is the subsequent one. Also for the majority of the time youll also require a fallback solution, e.g. when authentication must be performed without another screen. The main reason why OAuth is made in this method is to pass through the user agent (browser) during the procedure for redirecting to the customers Callback URL. When routers begin to fail, there are times when you may find that yourself constantly unplugging and plugging the routers power to receive it to get the job done. Some third-party applications will need to access data from various users, or integrate data from several users. Its possible to decide on a number of security options too, which can help you retrieve your password. The procedure is pretty much the exact same. Apart from that, the accompanying methods are simple to comprehend by every worker. All one must do is to follow along with the below guide for a fast and effortless solution Thus, click on this to start the procedure. The subject of cybersecurity has plenty of tools for all kinds of tasks. At this time you are going to be able to make your credentials. For instance, the visa and immigration method is managed by means of a variety of departments and bureaus. The Indeed Login Resume Game By abiding By the below-given steps that you can log in the Hotmail from the internet browser. To begin with Hotmail email, you have to create Microsoft Account. Are you on the lookout for AOL Mail Login, its quite less demanding until the point which you have a PC with an internet association. 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How to Improve Your Recruiting Success at Networking Events - Spark Hire

How to Improve Your Recruiting Success at Networking Events - Spark HireLove it or hate it, networking has become a cornerstone of the modern recruiting industry. Although its often awkward, those forced conversations and too-firm handshakes connect you with new talent and showcase your reliability to secure the best candidates for your organization.In order to keep your company competitive, you need to be able to communicate effectively with job seekers, interest them in your work, and weed out those who arent up to par. Therefore, its crucial to keep your skills honed and do your research before each vorstellung. Below are a few ways to improve your ability to recruit top-tier candidates at any networking event you attendDo Your HomeworkMake sure youre putting in the work to research each event you attend. You want to ensure you fully understand the requirements of each position youre trying to fill so you can work to identify key characteristics in the people you meet. Doing a lit tle prep work ahead of time is key to helping you prioritize the events that will be most beneficial to your organizations hiring goals. Most event invitations will have a summary of the night and a list of other companies attending the event use this to inform your research. Look into which industries will be represented, the events location, and the types of positions your organization is looking to fill.Researching will also give you a lot more insight into how you should dress and behave. For example, a gathering at a conference center will likely require a different dress code and communication style than one at a local bar. Be sure you professionally match the surroundings and mood, whether that means not wearing a tie or having a drink in hand, in order to remain approachable and partieable to others.Look Polished But ApproachableEveryone knows its critical to dress professionally in networking settings. You want to ensure youre representing your client or organization and yo ur own personal brand well. Its also important, however, to maintain a little personability with your appearance. Consider wearing a college pin on your lapel to strike conversation over your alma mater, or brightly-colored socks. These small bits of flash will give you some more personality and help attract candidates without compromising your professionalism.Your appearance also plays a large role in your overall confidence. If this is something you struggle with, try out some power poses or self-affirmations before walking into the event. If you have a few weeks to spare beforehand, you can also try some medications for hair loss, acne, or tooth discoloration to improve any insecurities that might hold you back from feeling confident at an event. Speak GenerallyAlthough it seems counterproductive, consider pushing dialogue about specific job positions to the back of the conversation. Instead, engage the other person by asking them questions about their interests and career trajec tory. Then, actively listen by maintaining eye contact, nodding and asking followup questions. This will set you fremd from other recruiters and create a more memorable human connection with potential candidates. It should also give you a better understanding of them as individuals and how they could fit into your organization. Take NotesAfter meeting dozens of eager professionals, it can be difficult to differentiate one face or interaction from another. Give yourself time right after the event to debrief. Once youre alone in your car or the subway, write out the most important candidates with whom you want to follow up. Along with each quality job seekers name, include distinguishing characteristics, any conversation topics you covered and goals or career advice you discussed. These small bits of personalization will help you maintain your connection with the potential candidate, and set your followup email apart from the others they may receive. It will also help you stay organiz ed if you pursue this candidate in the hiring process.Just be sure to do this immediately following the event. This will keep the information fresh in your mind and also avoid off-putting note-taking throughout the night. Keep your hands free and eyes up to invite people to speak with you and make you seem much more open and professional.Effective networking depends on your personability, passion, and persuasion. Give yourself the toolset you need to find success by preparing and prioritizing personal connections. Ultimately, these tips should help you find the best candidates for your organization and increase your recruiting success rates at events.

Applied Mechanics Reviews Podcast Features Engineering Design ...

Applied Mechanics Reviews Podcast Features Engineering konzept ... Applied Mechanics Reviews Podcast Features Engineering Design ... Applied Mechanics Reviews Podcast Features Engineering Design Expert Wei ChenApplied Mechanics Reviews recently posted the latest in its series of podcasts, featuring engineering design authority Prof. Wei Chen of Northwestern University, on The ASME Digital Collection website. The interview with Prof. Chen, who is a professor of mechanical engineering and the Wilson-Cook Professor in Engineering Design at Northwestern, is one of mora than 20 podcasts that are currently accessible on the AMR podcast page.During the course of the one-hour podcast, Prof. Chen looks back on her distinguished record of professional service, including her current role as editor of the ASME Journal of Mechanical Design, and offers her observations regarding the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in promoting advances in predictive science, the integration of design in u ndergraduate engineering curricula, and how consumer choice may be influenced by purposeful design.Prof. Chen, an ASME Fellow who served as chair of ASME Design Engineering Division in 2013-2014, has been the recipient of a number of honors during her career, including the Design Automation Award from the ASME Design Engineering Division, the ASME Pi Tau Sigma Gold Medal, the Ralph R. Teetor Education Award from the Society of Automotive Engineering, and the National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Award.ASME Fellow Harry Dankowicz, the editor of Applied Mechanics Reviews since 2012, conducted the interview with Prof. Chen for the podcast. Dankowicz, who is professor of mechanical science and engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, also served as chair of the ASME Technical Committee on Multibody Systems and Nonlinear Dynamics.Visit the Applied Mechanics Reviews podcast page now to hear the interview with Prof. Chen or listen to one of the other AMR po dcasts from the series.

Innovation Helps Process Baobab Fruit

Innovation Helps Process Baobab Fruit Innovation Helps Process Baobab Fruit Innovation Helps Process the Baobab FruitIn dahomey and elsewhere in Africa, rural villagers depend on the fruit of the giant baobab tree as a much-needed cash crop. But processing the large fruit, about the size of an American football with a shell as hard as a coconut, is laborious and time consuming, requiring workers to beat the fruit with large mortars and pestles. Now, working with a womens cooperative in Benin, a group of Penn State University engineering students has simplified the task by developing a machine that separates the pulp from the seeds.Working over the course of the 2010 2011 and 2011 2012 academic years, the students planed and fabricated three versions of the machine, tested it, and refabricated it in Africa using local tools and materials to ensure it could be repaired or replicated by local villagers. It welches an exercise in engineering, manufacturing, and cultural awareness.It wa s a lot of trial and error, says team leader Matt Zellers, a June graduate who earned his bachelors degree in mechanical engineering. We were able to create a entwurf that was effective for someone else.Students Collaborate with Co-OpAs designed, the machine is powered by a 120-V AC motor that rotates a milled grinder against a stationary mesh to grind the fruit pulp into powder and separate it from seeds and fibers. It can process about 100 kg per day of the fruit, which is high in many vitamins and is in demand in Europe as an ingredient in food products, including as a sweetener or a thickener for jams and jellies. It has a tart, tangy taste, and is used in drinks throughout Africa.PSU students have been investigating solutions to baobab processing since 2008, when engineering Professor Rick Schuhmann became aware of the situation. Schuhmann, director of PSUs Engineering Leadership Development Minor, Leadership Innovation and Global Resource Challenges, says it was an ideal way t o engage students in hands-on, problem-based learning.Students produced a website on the baobab project, and in 2010, a member of a baobab cooperative in the village of Natatingou, Benin, e-mailed Zellers looking for help. I was kind of blown away by that, says Zellers, who took the request to Schuhmann. He gave the go-ahead, but insisted the students work with the co-op to understand the local operation and how it fit into the community.Students at the Penn State College of Engineering assemble the baobab processing machine.We began by assessing what their needs were, Schuhmann says. We wanted to be careful. We could design a big machine and destroy the jobs of 30 workers, so we moved slowly through the process.The teams first design produced a large machine, fabricated on campus at PSUs machine shop, from student-produced CAD images. Zellers says it took the team eight weeks to develop the prototype. After on-campus testing, the students disassembled the machine and shipped it in five boxes to Benin, where they were to reassemble it over winter break in 2010.Unfortunately, one of the crates containing most of the key assembly parts was lost in transit. Although the students could not test or operate the machine, they used the time to work with the women of the co-op to further determine needs and conditions later used in tweaking the design.Seven thousand miles from home and we couldnt do anything, recalls Zellers. But it was a good lesson.Improving the DesignThe team went back again in December 2011, this time with a smaller machine but troubles came again. We didnt have the correct motor, says Zellers. The students used a 120-V motor, but We blew it out after plugging it in, he says.The team salvaged the 220-V motor from the original machine but still needed to fabricate new parts for those damaged in the mishap. Fortunately, one of the villagers found a machine shop with a lathe, drill press, and welding material. On the last day of their stay, the studen ts finally got the machine operating.Mechanical engineering senior Matt Zellers (left) discusses some issues with the baobab processing machine with Rick Schuhmann (center), Walter L. Robb Director of Engineering Leadership.The goal was to get them finished by December, says Zellers. The processing season goes from January to April.By the third iteration, the team had reduced the machines size by half, says Zellers. This time, however, they took it to Ecole Mohammadia dIngenueurs (EMI), a Moroccan university with which PSUs engineering leadership development minor program works to promote cross-cultural collaboration. Prior to the visit over spring break in March, the PSU student design team worked remotely with their Moroccan peers via computer hookup.At the campus in Rabat, students from both schools replicated the machine in four days using equipment and material available locally. The idea, says Zellers, was to build the machine with African parts on the African continent to con firm that it could be repaired and maintained by the co-op.It wasnt easy. The Moroccan equipment was not as advanced as PSUs computerized water jet and other tools. We had to do things by hand, and that obviously is not as accurate, says Zellers.In the end, the students produced two machines a processing operation in Togo bought one, and the Benin co-op the other. Although Zellers has graduated, another group of engineering students will plektrum up the project again when school begins in September.We began by assessing what their needs were. We wanted to be careful. We could design a big machine and destroy the jobs of 30 workers, so we moved slowly through the process.Prof. Rick Schuhmann, Penn State University

Heres Why You Shouldnt Have 2 LinkedIn Profiles

Heres Why You Shouldnt Have 2 LinkedIn ProfilesHeres Why You Shouldnt Have 2 LinkedIn ProfilesAsk Amanda Can I Have 2 LinkedIn Profiles?Two LinkedIn profiles may seem like a good idea, but heres why it will trip you up.Q Do I need two LinkedIn profiles for two careers?My experience is diverse enough at this point that I could go in a couple different directions with my next career move. Should I create a LinkedIn profile for each of these paths while Im looking for work?While it may seem like a good idea to have two LinkedIn profiles if youre considering two very different career paths after all, we advise folks to create multiple versions of their resume if theyre interested in pursuing job opportunities in completely different fields the rules are a bit different when it comes to LinkedIn.LinkedIns platform welches designed to help professionals all around the world connect with one another, exchange valuable information, find new job opportunities, etc.But the true power of your LinkedIn profile is derived from the sheer size of your network. The more people with whom you connect on LinkedIn, the easier it will become to find and connect with others who can help you reach your career or job-search goals. If you create two separate LinkedIn accounts, then you are dividing your connections between two profiles and diluting the strength of your LinkedIn network.In addition, managing and maintaining your LinkedIn profile takes time and energy. Looking for a new job is already a full-time job do you really want to double your workload on LinkedIn?If this wasnt reason enough, it is against LinkedIns User Agreement to create two profiles. While youre allowed to publish your profile in more than one language, creating more than one profile for the saatkorn individual is against the rules. If another user notices you have multiple accounts and reports you, LinkedIn reserves the right to shut down all of your profiles without notice.If you have two careers, youll n eed to decide which one should take the lead on your LinkedIn profile. You can work in information that supports either career, but realistically, one of those careers will need to take the back seat on LinkedIn.Create a summary for your LinkedIn profile that marries both of your careers into one cohesive narrative. As youre brainstorming the content for this section of your LinkedIn profile, think about what led you to pursue both of these career paths. Are there aspects that both fields have in common that you find particularly interesting? Do they require you to rely on any of the same soft or hard skills?Not sure how to consolidate your two LinkedIn profiles or just feel a little overwhelmed when it comes to your LinkedIn profile in general? We can help Check out our LinkedIn-writing services today.Amanda Augustine is a certified professional career coach (CPCC) and resume writer (CPRW) and the resident career expert for Talent Inc.s suite of brands TopResume, TopCV, and TopInt erview. On a regular basis, she answers user questions like the one above. Have a question? Take a look at her career advice or ask a question on her Quora page.Recommended ReadingResume and LinkedIn Profile Writing How Different Should They Be?How Do You Contact Recruiters on LinkedIn?Heres How to Get Noticed on LinkedIn