COMPARED GLOBALLY: AMERICAN STUDENTS ARE FAILURES

I'm going to graduate college and have never taken a chemistry class in the US, and while I probably would never have needed it anyway, it says something about our educational system. The summer between my 10^th and 11^th grade year I went to school in Panama, and while they have nowhere near the amount of funding as the US in education, I took chemistry there. I also took physics, biology and theory, and they weren't optional.

For the past four decades, OECD has been one of the world's largest supplier of data on global issues. They've created a snazzy little test, the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) which tests world-wide students' scholastic performance. Its purpose is to test and compare their performance globally, an excerpt from their website describes what the PISA assesses, "In all cycles, the domains of reading, mathematical and scientific literacy are covered not merely in terms of mastery of the school curriculum, but in terms of important knowledge and skills needed in adult life."

The test assures us that American students will not be able to compete on the same level globally with other countries in the future. According to this, we lack the important knowledge and skills needed in adult life. In 2006, we weren't even in the top 20 of any of the subjects (mathematics, science, and reading). In 2003, we ranked 24 out of the 29 countries compared. It also shows that we have a higher percentage of people with degrees, so in essence, we are graduating more people with less knowledge. We are a nation of "educated" dumb people.

The first PISA came as a huge shock to many nations that perhaps they thought they were doing better than they actually were, and while many countries have taken on the challenge to improve their school systems, the United States was not one of them.

Evaluations of results from the year 2003 showed that the amount spent on education and the ranking of PISA scores were not necessarily correlated either. Countries that spent less such as Finland, Japan, Korea, Czech Republic and Australia did a lot better than countries like the United States, that despite its greater monetary investment in education, scored below the OECD average. The Czech Republic, who spent a third of that of the United States, scored in the top ten, while the US ranked 24 out of 29.

Recently, I traveled throughout Europe with a friend and we felt dumber than ever. It's common, a thing of normality to know how to speak 3 languages, if not more. In the US if you know two you're super smart, three, you're a genius. So, if during the rest of my travels, someone calls us dumb Americans, I can't really argue because they're kind of right. How are we slacking so bad on something so fundamental?

For a PowerPoint on U.S. results compared with everyone else, provided by the OECD, visit this link:

http://www.pisa.oecd.org/dataoecd/10/1/39773685.ppt

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Leyda Hernadez

leyda.h.v@gmail.com

www.makingmovesincollege.blogspot.com

WOULD YOU LIKE SOME SUPPLEMENTS WITH THAT?

When you're not getting all the vitamins you need through the food you eat, you take vitamins, well after writing Compared Globally: American Students are Failures, it looks like we're all going to need some supplements for our education. In college, you don't pay for knowledge; you pay for time, time in class, time in labs, not necessarily knowledge. The greatest gift is not to attend an educational institution, but something you already have…the ability to read and become accessible to infinite knowledge. You're probably thinking reading books, are you serious? And yes, I really am.

Words and books are what make civilized men, what founds great leaders and philosophers. The ability to read is unappreciated by those that do not realize its worth. It is not fair to fall from greatness because we remain ignorant to the fact that the greatest power is not money or assets, the greatest power and the greatest nation will be an educated one.

The institutionalized system of education is not free, but the ability and availability to acquire knowledge is free to whoever is willing to seek it. I have learned more from readings than from the hours I have spent in a college classroom.

I am not advocating that books replace institutionalized education... just that people are ignorant to the fact that the system teaches you what is required to pass tests, which is minimal, and for the most part, people remain satisfied with what little they know, while a world of knowledge is available to them that they never bother to discover.

Look in your wallet and I can tell you there is one flashy card that is missing. It's your library card! So get one of those bad boys and overdraft all you want. This is one card that will give you gains instead of debt, I swear. Let the supplementing begin!

Another good place to go is the Itunes Store on your Itunes, search a topic and when the results come up, click price, so that the free options are on top. Their resources include lectures, tutorials and subscriptions.

The Major Advantages to Reading More Books and Why 3 in 4 people are Being Shut Out of Success gives you plenty of reasons to pick up a book, included are: you learn at your own pace, it improves your vocabulary, and it builds your expertise.

I would love to hear your comments and feel free to subscribe to be kept posted on new articles.

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Leyda Hernadez

leyda.h.v@gmail.com

www.makingmovesincollege.blogspot.com

MOVING UP THE LADDER WITH WORDS

The need to develop marketable skills for the working world is imperative, and speech writing and public speaking is definitely a good one to look into. According to the Book of Lists, public speaking ranked as the number one biggest fear. Yup, it scored higher than death. Pretty serious, huh? So with so many people scared of public speaking, great speakers are pretty well esteemed.

Susan B. Anthony is a great example of the power of speech:

"Susan was very self-conscious of her looks and her speaking ability in her youth. She resisted public speaking, fearing she would not be eloquent enough. Despite these insecurities, she became a renowned and outspoken public presence." "…was a prominent American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the 19th century women's rights movement to introduce women's suffrage into the United States. She traveled the United States and Europe, and gave 75 to 100 speeches per year on women's rights for 45 years."* Mind you, there were other women that supported woman suffrage, but it was Anthony's speaking ability that landed her a place in our history books.

So stop fearing it and embrace it, public speaking has many benefits that can help you zip up the ladder in your organization and career.

1. Broadens your abilities. When it comes to your career, you have to promote the product you have: you. And what makes your product so special? All the wonderful skills you have to offer, but with all the skills in the world, if the one skill you lack is to be able to tell people how wonderful you are, that's a big negative for you. Speaking eloquently helps to improve all communicative skills as well as gives you confidence.
2. Stand out. "Oh, pick him for the presentation, he speaks the best." It made sense at school and certainly makes sense in the workplace and it allows for opportunities for advancement down the road. Being able to speak eloquently and interestingly about something will certainly put you higher up than someone who stutters or fumbles their words during presentations. You'll be picked to give presentations, an activity that is reserved usually for management positions, and pretty soon management will notice. Plus, writing and even executing an impressive speech for your stage frightened CEO or boss, will definitely gain you respect throughout management and the workplace. A speech puts you in the public eye, the more you speak, they more people pay attention, not only to you but to your abilities.
3. Opportunities Galore. It expands your networking possibilities as you become more visible and exposed to persons of note and you'll meet a ton of more people than if you were only sitting in the audience. Speaking on a topic or issue brings not only to light the issue, but if you speak well you'll be linked as having an expertise in that realm, and there will always be plenty of speaking opportunities to continue your quest to the top.

So like Susan B. Anthony, stand up and speak up, and start making your way up...to the top.

Here's an example of really bad speaking abilities to give an idea of what you wouldn't want to sound like:

Miss South Carolina, Lauren Caitlin Upton, may not be that dumb after all, she was an honor student in high school, managed to get signed to a modeling contract, but thanks to her poor speaking abilities, she certainly won't ever land any kind of management job or a job that requires talking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUElcQoPToY

* Quoted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_B._Anthony

Related articles:

Benefits of Public Speaking

Public Speaking Benefits: How Public Speaking Skills can Help Your Career

Don't Sabotage Your Speaking Skills

I would love to hear your comments and feel free to subscribe to be kept posted on new articles.

--
Leyda Hernandez

leyda.h.v@gmail.com

www.makingmovesincollege.blogspot.com

"YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO MAKE IT"

Everyone has a story, you just haven't heard it. I'm 20 years old but hardly think of myself as a baby, and I consider that I am far ahead in my accomplishments for my age. Some people say success will come, but I say if it doesn't come, you have to look for it and when opportunity doesn't knock, start building another door.

This is my story: I was born in the countryside side of Panama. I am the daughter of immigrants and an immigrant myself. I was born to parents escaping a communist dictatorship in Cuba and drug and corruption in Panama. I came to the U.S. with my sister who was 3 and my mother who was pregnant with my little brother. We had no place to live of our own. We moved to a one room apartment infested with cockroaches, where I shared with my two siblings the living room which was our bedroom and the sofa-bed that was our bed. I started school and they put me in special classes to help me learn English. My dad was an engineer but he only found work mowing lawns, my mother had been a college professor, she knew Russian and Spanish but no English, so instead she dedicated her time to raising us.

Sometimes someone will tell you that you're not supposed to make it, and some of us in fact didn't.

Some of us never finished high school, some of us got pregnant and left it at that, some of us got caught up in drugs, some of us stayed victims and some of us victimized others. Some of us had parents that didn't care about us, some of us grew up with fists. Some of them were my friends. And though some of us weren't supposed to make it, my parents told us we would. After all my parents weren't supposed to make it but they did, their stories are far more remarkable than mine. When I had the opportunity to complete high school and get my AA at the same time, I did it with honors.

I started at 18 as a junior at the university and this year (my third at the institution) I will graduate with two Bachelor's, one in Studio Art and one in Public Relations. I have interned with a Florida school district and the Valencia City Hall in Spain.

In the 20 years that I have lived, I have lived in 3 countries, I will hold two degrees, I speak two languages, I have read countless books, I am the author of a blog that encourages students and young professionals to invest in themselves; I am a young professional and the future of America. I wasn't supposed to make it, but I am and I will continue to because I am nowhere near the end of my list of goals.

I have never felt that my background should be regarded as a hindrance, but rather as an incentive to succeed. Whether you weren't supposed to make it, or someone told you you wouldn't, whether something got in your way making it more difficult, or maybe in your case, you were expected to make it, whatever your story... there is always a time when you can give up. So maybe you weren't supposed to make it... but the truth is, you certainly can.

Check out the remarkable stories of some famous successful entrepreneurs who were told they wouldn't make it, including the originators of I Love Lucy and FedEx. And They Said It Couldn't Be Done

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Leyda Hernandez

leyda.h.v@gmail.com

www.makingmovesincollege.blogspot.com

HOW TO JOB SEARCH IN A RECESSION

Elaborating from the article "Generation Y is not Ready for the Recession" a recession will affect job seekers when in comes to available job options, cuts in benefits, raises, and salaries. It's time to buckle down, prepare for impact and survive the recession by adapting your job search tactics to the occasion.

According to the Labor Department, we are in the midst of the highest unemployment rate since 1994 and the competition is fierce. I know that some people might have gone into shock after reading that first article but it was just intended to wake you up so that you may realize that it's time to change. Don't automatically get discouraged thinking you won't find a job, but rather use this extra obstacle to push yourself further to expand your career and stay positive. It's cliche but it works, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." You will survive this recession, it's not the end of the world but you shouldn't downplay the situation either. Realize the circumstances and act. Expect and act to succeed and you will.

Roberta Chinksy Matuson of Human Resource Solutions said it so well, "During a recession it is best to move forward with force, while your competition is moving slowly. It is easy to use the economy as an excuse. Successful job seekers know that even in tough economic times, there are opportunities. You just have to dig a bit deeper."

• Not everyone is going in a downwards spiral, some industries are expanding as some are not. Find information on the industries you should target and those that you should avoid.



• "I am looking for a job" simply isn't enough. Look for something specific, arming yourself with a job title and a detailed plan that identifies what you want will help you find a specific job in your specific job search.

• It is hard to find employment in regular seasons but with a recession it is much harder. Find the time and the effort to put your job search plan into effect.



• Realize that there will not be as many job options available as companies will be cutting down on training and recruiting costs. Unless you have better options, if there is a job available to you, even though it's not the job of your dreams, the pay isn't quite what you expected and it's only part-time instead of full, do it anyway. It will be better to have a job, than none at all. If you can't find a job, consider doing a paid internship that will give you experience and compensation.



• Network as much as possible, this is a key element as the best jobs (Fortune 500) are usually not advertised outside the company, which means knowing someone that is in, is key. Network, Network, Network... can never be said or done too many times.



• On your resume focus more on results than skills. For example, "Effective in group environments" says you work well in groups (which most people already do), while "active group involvement in a project that helped raise $3,000 in donations for abused families" says that you not only work effectively in groups but you have the results to prove it (which most people might not have). Find out what skills companies are looking for and customize to that, be exactly what they are looking for. Same thing goes for work samples and portfolio, you have the proof, so show them instead of just telling them what your abilities are.



• Make use of every available option for job searching and market yourself whenever and wherever possible.



• Distinguish yourself in the interview by being well prepared. Practice interview questions and ask questions yourself about something that you read about the company that maybe they didn't mention, they'll be impressed that you took the time to research. Be sure to follow up with phone calls and e-mails to let them know you are interested. The attention will pay off because even though you might not be the most qualified, they will want to hire you versus someone more fit for the position that never bothered to call once.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter, and if you found the article helpful, consider subscribing to be kept posted on new articles.

These are some other articles also dedicated to job searching in time of recession:

Recession-proof your job-search tactics

New and Recent Grads Will Be Hardest Hit by Looming Recession

Ten Tips To Finding A Job In The Recession

How to find a job during a recession

5 Job Search Tips to Survive the Recession


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Leyda Hernandez

leyda.h.v@gmail.com

www.makingmovesincollege.blogspot.com

GENERATION Y IS NOT READY FOR THE RECESSION!

I think we've all heard it before, Millenials/Generation Ys have never been through tough times, bla bla bla. Well we are about to, according to Beyond.com, Inc., the world's largest network of online niche career communities, with this looming economic recession we may be the hardest to get hit. And I agree that we are not taking steps to prepare ourselves.

But really what does it mean for us? What happens and what are we supposed to do? We own cars, we have jobs, we go to school, we are in debt, we eat out, and we have bank accounts so as far as I know, this talk that we won't be affected doesn't seem realistic, because clearly we are a substantial part of the economy. A friend and I have been joking about just staying in school until it's over because on a serious note, job searching is going to get significantly harder than it was a year ago. How are we supposed to find jobs in a time when no one wants to hire?

Geoffrey H. Moore, world renowned analyst of business cycles said about the Great Depression, "At the worst point of the Great Depression, in 1933, one in four Americans who wanted to work was unable to find a job. The high unemployment rates of the 1930s made those who had jobs thankful that they had jobs and fearful that they could lose them. Those who could not find jobs often took to the roads--thousands of men regularly rode the rails." Sure the concept of company loyalty is out the window and that certainly helps us a lot, so though it won't be as intense as the Great Depression, in part due to the government programs that have been created since, prepare for a hit, because it seems to be our turn now.

Check back tomorrow for an article on job searching through a recession. How to Job Search in a Recession It's time to rethink everything we do, because we simply have to. It's our reality.

Check out the links in the article, they are good sources to help you take the steps to preparing yourself and to help you get an idea of how this might affect you.

I would love to hear your comments and feel free to subscribe to be kept posted on new articles.

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Leyda Hernandez

leyda.h.v@gmail.com

www.makingmovesincollege.blogspot.com

DON'T WASTE TIME: WHEN TO GET READY FOR THE GRE!

UGGGHHH!!! I'm getting everything together now to get into grad school and am studying for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). You have several options when it comes to when to take the GRE that would quicken your transition, so when you graduate with your Bachelor's, you've gotten it out of the way and you're ready for the next step.

• Take it before you graduate College: You can study for the GRE and take it while you're still in college, that way when you graduate you don't waste a year or more studying and taking the test if it takes you several tries to pass it.



• If you won't be taking any more math: The GRE consists of a verbal, a writing portion (which isn't looked at too much) and MATH!!!! If your major like mine doesn't require a whole lot of math in your latter years, it's better to take it earlier when the material is fresher in your mind.



• You can even take the GRE in high school, the GRE SCORE IS VALID FOR 5 YEARS!!! So, your senior year you can pass the GRE, go to college, finish undergrad in four years, apply for grad school and you wouldn't have to worry about a silly GRE test.

I strongly recommend getting a hold of a GRE study book, you might not even have to buy one, just simply ask someone that has taken it recently. My older sister just passed it and there are about 3 books that are circulating around for those of us that are studying for it now.

I would love to hear your comments and feel free to subscribe to be kept posted on new articles.

--
Leyda Hernandez

leyda.h.v@gmail.com

www.makingmovesincollege.blogspot.com

10 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL FUTURE NOW

What's the biggest mistake of college students and graduates? Waiting until they've graduated to develop themselves professionally.

You're stuck, they won't hire you because you have no experience and you can't get experience because no one will hire you, and you didn't give professional development a thought until now.

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." -Ben Franklin

If you've waited until you graduated to start... you're at a big disadvantage, though whether you're a college freshman or graduated, it's never too late to start.

1. Join a Job Search engine. They will send you updates of local job profiles available in your field. It'll help you figure out the demand and what skills employers are looking for.
2. Work with your school's career center. They have many resources available, from mock interviews; help with resumes to helping you find a job.
3. Read books and articles. Sure, you already go to school which means you're learning enough. I can't tell you just how wrong you are. Some classes cover such a broad spectrum that I can't say I have learned any one area in well enough detail and from internship experience I realize they doesn't cover some areas at all but yet I know it. And I know it because I've read it. Make use of your school's physical and online library, there is so much knowledge there and it's not taken advantage of.
4. Network. Take the steps to create an online professional network, once you leave college you will already have a list of professional contacts, recommendations and affiliations to professional groups. Make the effort to introduce yourself to interesting professionals, ask them for their card and chat with them. Attend workshops and luncheons; they are more likely to hire a familiar face.
5. Find a mentor. Find someone or several persons who are willing to give you advice, tell their own experiences, answer your questions, etc. Learning from the path that someone took helps you to avoid the same mistakes and all the knowledge they can offer will be indispensable.
6. Get Involved and Lead. Be an involved member of student organizations, whether they are social, professional, or Greek, they hone marketable skills and expose you to seminars, workshops and networking opportunities.
7. Keep a portfolio. Did you create a flyer for your band? Did you write a really good paper? If so, save it and archive it. When you're applying for a job, it's helpful to send in a sample for your work along with your resume, it gives your employer more information about you and your awesome skills.
8. Write up your resume. It might look pretty crappy with all that white space, but jotting down your accomplishments now helps form a foundation and makes it easier to add more as you go.
9. Do an internship. You want experience? Here you go. I recommend not taking all your hours at one place, rather doing several internships with lower hours. It gives you a broader experience, better appeal and more opportunities to network.
10. Learn to conduct yourself in a professional manner. Look and act the part. Don't talk with your mouth full. Make sure your clothes aren't wrinkly. Sit with your back straight. Don't repeat like and umm after every word. The list is endless and important, because failing to conduct yourself in a professional manner results in loss of credibility and respect.

Make use of as many tips as possible, they are sure to help you prepare for success after college.

I would love to hear your comments and feel free to subscribe to be kept posted on new articles.

Resourceful Links:

Job Search Engines:

Monster

CareerBuilder

Professional Networking Sites:

LinkedIn

Yorz

Xing


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Leyda Hernandez

leyda.h.v@gmail.com

www.makingmovesincollege.blogspot.com

FACEBOOK IS KEEPING YOU UNEMPLOYED

If someone came into your job poorly dressed, inebriated, and spewing profanity... would you hire them? That just might be the reason why no one is hiring you.

Facebook used to be for college students only, but now anyone can join; and they are. More and more curious recruiters are doing checks on candidates wanting to know more about you or looking for warnings. With a Facebook profile displaying drunken party pictures and curse words, you're digging a hole for yourself by exposing your own bad behavior.

Although these social networks are extremely helpful in keeping in touch, they also are extremely helpful in damaging your reputation. A company has to watch its image and as an employee you are a reflection of the company. If your Facebook profile is far from professional, then it's poison for your career.

So, assume that everyone can see what you post. All of this information is available on a glorious thing called the World Wide Web, which means anyone can access it, in some circumstances; you don't even have to have an account to see it. Think about what you may have on your profile, in photos of you and comments you have made, and now think about how much of that you wouldn't want your parents or your boss to see. Exactly. You'll see how much you want to stop reading this article, adjust your privacy settings and delete half your things.

If you've decided intelligently to go take a closer look at your account; while you're at it, you might want to check up on your MySpace and Google yourself too. You might be surprised with what you see.

I would love to hear your comments and feel free to subscribe to be kept posted on new articles.

New York Times: For Some, Online Persona Undermines a Resume

How to use Facebook without losing your job over it


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Leyda Hernandez

leyda.h.v@gmail.com

www.makingmovesincollege.blogspot.com

DID YOU KNOW? A Teacher's Apology for the Quality of my Education

My teacher apologized for having failed us as a teacher on the last day of class several semesters ago. Needless to say, we were all stunned.

He showed us this video.

Did You Know?

It shows us not only how fast the world is moving but also how far our educational system is causing us to fall behind.


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Leyda Hernandez

leyda.h.v@gmail.com

www.makingmovesincollege.blogspot.com