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Sweet Things to Do as an OJT

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

Your OJT program may just be a phase in your life. But regardless of how short your time may be at your chosen company or firm, it’s best to make the most out of it. After all, you may learn some of the best skills needed to survive the workplace in here! So, it’ll not only mean good, but appropriate, to pay the right respect and dues to your employers. Check out these sweet suggestions, so that you can have a sweet OJT life:

Greet your Work Colleagues!
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A simple hello can lead to a whole lot of good. Always remember that! Even if you have a slob for an office colleague, or if everyday seems to be a holiday for stress at your workplace, always make sure to greet your colleagues. Not only will greeting people lighten an entire office’s workplace, it’ll also leave a positive impression on yourself. Plus, it takes more muscles to frown, so smile and say hello instead!

Don’t Flaunt, Share your Talents!
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Never – and I mean never – brag about your talents in your workplace. Chances are, you’ll pay for what your big mouth did. If you do think you can do things in a better, faster and more efficient manner than what your office is currently practicing, it’ll be better to share your ideas than flaunt it all around. You’ll no only help on getting the work load done in a faster way, you’ll help each other have a stress-free outlook as well.

Go for Ice Cream!
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Spend some time with your work colleagues. This can be as simple as eating lunch together, or having some ice cream together. Creating a bond with your work colleagues effectively helps on creating a network, which can help you land actual jobs in the future. Plus, it won’t hurt to win a friend – it’s free, fun and can introduce you to a bigger and more beautiful world!

Having a sweet OJT program can lead into better and brighter opportunities for you. Greeting people from work will effectively lighten up the mood, whether it’s needed or not. Sharing your talents lets you show that you’re an asset, and not a show-off. And spending some time to bond with your work colleagues can help you create a career network, which can prove to be a big thing for you in your life. Have a sweet day at work, you OJT star!

Posted in Blog, Coping with Stress, OJT Tips, Office Life 101, Student Advice | No Comments »

Gear Up: 4 OJT Essentials

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

So, you’re up and ready for your OJT program. Now that’s a great way on having a good view on the real corporate world. But how sure are you that you’re ready? Check out these essentials, just so you won’t mess up your OJT experience.

Proper Attire
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This should be a given! Depending on the company you’ve applied form, there may be a dress conduct you’d need to follow. Don’t be a rebel and wear something that would stand out. It’ll be better to keep things safe, than be noticed for the wrong kind of attention.

Writing Material (Pen & Paper)
pen-and-paper
What? You may ask that question – it’s normal, after all. But never underestimate the humble pen and paper. Aside from listening to your superiors tell you your designated tasks and responsibilities, it will never hurt to write down what they said. It is always good practice to have something to refer to, just so you won’t make the higher management repeat themselves. Also, it shows good and sincere appreciation on taking work seriously – after all, you do want to work in the future, right?

Water Bottle
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Again, what? Just because you’re all grown up doesn’t mean you don’t need to drink water. Simply drinking water can help your body’s system circulate properly, making you move and do things in a much more proper manner. Plus, carrying your own bottle assures you that you’ll be saving time – no matter standing out to drink out at the water fountain to have a sip of water.

Yourself (Your head, that is!)
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Not more whats! Think about it – bringing yourself (being conscious of your thoughts and actions) will not only let you pass your OJT program in a hassle-free manner, it’ll help you develop an even more responsible manner as well. Most OJTs take their programs for granted, that some just drift by in work. Don’t be dazed during this crucial period of your life, so that you won’t end up confused when you’re looking for an actual job.

Having the right tools for your OJT program can help you pass in flying colors. Wearing the proper attire shows that you respect the company. Having writing material ready shows that you’re interested in learning. A water bottle will always do the trick, and focusing on the matters at hand will help you get things done. Make sure to have everything listed in this article, to assure you of a hassle-free OJT. Thank you for reading, and hope you enjoy a productive day!

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OJT Songs: Because you need to Rock through the Day!

Saturday, January 14th, 2012

Most OJTs treat their program as such a chore, that they can’t perform at their best and optimal performance. It’s such a shame, actually, considering that some fail an otherwise-simple program. Worst, others create a negative impression on the general workplace, that it’ll be hard for them to look for an actual job in the future. Don’t let this be the case for you – simply rock on! Listen to these choice tracks to make you get through your OJT grind:

Another Brick in the Wall (Pink Floyd)
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Yes, you can listen to this – we don’t need no education – as a way to fight the system you’re currently in (ironic, isn’t it?). It’s a healthy exercise, listening to Pink Floyd that is. You wouldn’t need to dwell into negative activities just to show you are against your current situation. Besides, the song’s beat is mesmerizing – making you get into the flow, and get things done. You wouldn’t notice that time flies by with this song!

Welcome to the Jungle (Guns N’ Roses)
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As a welcome entry into the corporate world, listen to this hard-hitting song. As cheesy as it may sound, Guns N’ Roses can actually help you conquer you OJT woes. It’s a must as well, since that song’s so catchy – you and probably your work colleagues may soon be screaming your lungs out with this one! And as an added stress-reliever, try to air guitar Slash’s guitar solo. You just know that you want to!

Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
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Sometimes, all it takes to get through your OJT sentence (I mean program!) is comedy. With a healthy dose of laughter, and a sprinkle of one of history’s best rock acts, you’ll be laughing and singing through the pain! Channel the Freddie Mercury out of yourself, and you’ll soon find yourself invincible against any OJT hurdle.

All it takes is some simple rock music to take your OJT pain away. Heck, it’ll help speed up your hours – you’ll be done in no time at all! Another Brick in the Wall introduces a healthy alternative on rebelling against a system. Welcome to the Jungle helps you psych yourself up to face the different problems that you may encounter. And the Bohemian Rhapsody will not only bring in the laughter, but let you sing – with the entire office – that you’re all champions. Rock on, young OJT! And have a productive day at work!

Posted in Blog, Coping with Stress, OJT Tips, Student Advice | 1 Comment »

3 Movies to Inspire Your OJT Life

Friday, January 6th, 2012

In a fret dealing with the OJT program you’re in? Don’t be – it’s temporary after all! But regardless of it being temporary, you need to make a good and able impression to pass it. So if you find yourself of some needed pick-me-ups during your OJT, try watching some movies to boost up your mood! Check out some of these choice flicks:

500 Days of Summer
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It’s a must, when you find yourself in a drag, to watch this movie. Tom, a young, under-accomplished postcard writer, fell in love with the vibrant Summer. Chaos – typical of any romantic relationship – ensues, leading into Tom to review his life’s stand. What makes this movie so appealing for OJTs is its approach – artsy, yet popular at the same time, just right for the young, underdog crowd. Also, OJTs can learn how to prioritize what they need in life, that they would need to separate the “real” from the “ideal”.

Almost Famous
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If you feel like being the new – or youngest – guy in a company is a curse, then watch this movie. William Miller, an accelerated student (at age 15, about to graduate from a University), feels the pain and struggles of being the youngest guy in a group. Age is such a matter for him, that most publishers (William’s a good – yet aspiring journalist) reject his work when they find out how old he is. Having to land a chance to write for Rolling Stone (by faking his age), he then gets an assignment to write about a rock band. What follows is a coming-to-age story, of has-beens and dreams. Almost Famous would resonate well with OJTs mainly because of William. Sometimes, age can be a factor. But that doesn’t mean you can’t live and love your dreams because of it.

300
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Yes, the epic movie! OJTs will get a thrill on relieving Leonidas fight with the Persians. It’s like work, actually – no matter the odds, if you plan and face problems head on, you can accomplish anything. No Persian magic, assassin or army will defy you in your work! Plus, the line, “THIS IS SPARTA” is a good way to boost one’s ego!

Inspiring yourself to finish your OJT program can be done by simply watching movies. Make sure to watch these movies to pull yourself up – if you’ve dug yourself a hole! Good luck with your OJT program, and hope you have a productive day!

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How to Appreciate Your OJT

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

It’s a part of life, a necessity in order for you to grow. Heck, it’s a requirement needed for you to graduate from college. I’m talking about your on-the-job-training! Depending on the course you’ve enrolled to, you’re bound to complete a certain amount of hours in a certain firm or company. And, if you’re as lazy as that rock you’re stepping on when you head out to school, you’d need to step up your game to get through the OJT program. Here are a few tips to help you out on just that:

Listen
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It’s as elementary as it gets, but having an open mind – and ears – will help you finish your OJT program in no time at all. This will help prevent your bosses from repeating the same instructions to you all over again, making you finish tasks needed to be done. Make sure to listen and follow all directions that were given to you. If needed, write them down – there’s no shame in having a handy sheet of paper and pen ready. You need all the help you can get to get through the program.

Help Where You Can
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Just because you weren’t asked to do something, doesn’t mean you can’t help out. If you do have a skill or talent needed to help out your work colleagues, then offer it. An extra pair of hands to finish a given task can help get things done in a much more faster way. It’ll also help you build rapport with your work colleagues, and hopefully get you a good word from your superiors.

New Friends
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It’s just work, nothing personal – wrong. Just because you’re working in a firm for a certain amount of hours only, doesn’t mean you can’t get to know the people working there. Creating and building up new friendships will give you a good idea on how working in the real world is. It’ll also help you to create a future career network, which can potentially help you out in looking for an actual job.

Appreciating your OJT can be easy, if you allow yourself to enjoy it. Make sure to listen to avoid wasting other people’s time. Help out when and where you can, to show how sincere you are in working. And make sure to create new friends, to lighten up your mood in work. Hope you have a successful and productive time in your OJT!

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Three Things You Need To Consider Before You Choose an MBA Degree for You

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

One of the most popular and in-demand degrees available today is the Master of Business Administration because more and more companies are in need for business experts and are most of the time looking for particular sets of technical skills. Salaries have also risen that’s why most students want to enroll in an MBA degree. Actually, there are a lot of MBA programs that are being offered today, so if you are planning to enroll in one, it is only essential for you to know which course is right for you according to your needs and skills.

SPECIALIZED vs. GENERAL

There are different subjects included in MBA programs that range from general courses to specialized ones. Some students opt to choose a degree without any specialization so that they can be able to change careers easily because of a broader knowledge that they can gain. Others prefer for a specialized MBA degree because this will give them a higher chance of getting hired for a specific job.

WORLDVIEW: INTERNATIONAL vs. NATIONAL

You should also consider where you want to work after you graduate for an MBA program. There are schools that train people to work in the home country while there are others who pay attention to going for the global economy. The differences in these two can be seen in the kinds of courses that are being offered as well as the approach being applied to them in school. That’s why you have to be sure that the program you will choose can meet the need of your prospective company in the future.

INTERACTIVITY: Low vs. High

Another factor that you should take into account is the level of interactivity that you would want to engage in when pursuing an MBA degree. Online degrees can be earned without actually going to school. You won’t have to read textbooks or take exams. But you should remember that students are expected to be online, on the phone or at meeting of local groups at least for a few hours a week. On the other hand, some people enjoy being with groups and sharing ideas and insights that’s why they prefer to attend a formal school. With this kind of set up, faculties can also be asked easily if ever a need arises. Keep in mind to choose a program with a model that matches your preferred learning style, level of interaction as well as preferring to set your own pace or have regularly scheduled meetings.

There a several important things that you need to consider if you decide to pursue an MBA degree. Choose whether you want a more specialized or general approach to your study; whether you prefer to work locally or abroad; and also take into account the level of interactivity that you might want to be in. Everything depends on you but just remember to carefully think about the decisions that you have to make before choosing the MBA degree that you think is best for you.

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Teach English in Spain – reasons on why you should pull off a Vicky Christina Barcelona

Saturday, November 26th, 2011

In the Woody Allen romance comedy, Vicky Christina Barcelona, the two titular characters spend a summer of art, culture and winding love in Barcelona. Vicky and Christina, in their topsy-turvy stay in Spain, discovered how flavorful Spanish food is, how colorful and vibrant Spanish artists are, how mesmerizing Spanish guitars are, and how passionate Spanish lovers can be. Now, isn’t that just wonderful?

Of course, we can’t all be in a Hollywood movie, or expect movie plotlines to actually happen in our lives. But you can do the next best thing – teach English in Spain.

Teaching English in Spain can be not only a very profitable career, but also a very passionate, culturally-rewarding one as well. Imagine teaching English to beautiful and handsome flamenco dancers, or having a matador as a student. It’s an exciting job, especially since the Spanish are known for the very welcome and friendly personalities.

Satisfying yourself on Spain’s cultural offerings can also help you bridge your English teaching. Using Spanish food as examples is not only easy to grasp, but can be gastronomical as well. Better yet, there are English translations of the best and well loved Spanish stories, to let you and your students learn from each other.

Spanish architecture, especially churches, help on building a link between the English and Spanish languages. A visit to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and if applicable, attending Spanish and English Masses, can bring about a sense of familiarity.

By now, you would have noticed that teaching English in Spain is just like having a long, drawn-out version of Vicky and Christina’s vacation. It’s like being a tourist lost in wondrous, amazing Spain. Except, you’re doing something beneficial.

Beneficial, not just for you, but for the Spanish students themselves. Helping them learn English can help them contribute on Spain being a top-player in the world market. With English being a primary business mode of communication, knowledge of this language can help the Spanish on letting their work force grow, spreading their culture even further out, or just simply, saying what they really want to say.

So, you may want to consider pulling a Vicky Christina Barcelona stint in warm and sunny Spain. Not just for the food, art, culture, music and people, but also for helping them speak out and break down the communication barrier in the international market. Try searching online for teaching English in Spain today!

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Standing Tall – 4 tips on dealing with school bullies

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

School bullies are a worldwide phenomenon. No matter the school or country, there’s always this mean kid who gets away with everything. These bullies either physically abuse other kids, or surprisingly even worse, taunt, tease and threaten others. That in effect results to the loss of self-esteem issues, moral rules are forgotten and social standings are shown to be just as bad and distorted for the victims.

Yet all is not lost. If you think you are being bullied, there is still hope for you. The common adage “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” may not ring true to you, but you can take a stand against these school monsters.

Here are a few tips to help you stand tall against school bullies:

Talk
If bullies taunt and tease you all the time, try to always consider talking. Don’t talk back to them though! School fights are commonly started by misunderstandings and misinterpretations. If a bully teases the way you wear your hair, explain to them why you wear it like that in the first place. Or if a bully talks you down every single time you meet, explain to them that you don’t appreciate him doing that. Sometimes, a simple explanation on how things work may show wonders.

Show
And in dealing with bullies, try to literally stand tall. Body language is a direct reflection of one’s personality, or what he or she is currently thinking. So it really wouldn’t help if you keep a slouched posture all the time. Standing tall will not only help you on standing up to bullies – it’ll help you to build up confidence needed in school, and most importantly in life.

Ignore
If the words – and worse, beatings – won’t stop, ignore them. Simply walk away from the bullies. They may not stop shouting hurtful words at you, but stand tall and walk away. Ignoring the words and running away from beatings may seem like you’ve lost a battle. Actually, it’s not. Always think that there’s more to life than what you’re currently in right now.

Share
Most importantly, share with a friend – preferably an adult – that you’re being bullied. This will help you relieve all the pent-up anger and frustration you’ve kept in your chest for so long. Talking and sharing the hurtful events in your life will prove to be one of the best things you’ll ever do.

It’s a hard phase and place in life when you need to deal with a rock such as a school bully. But by standing tall and never giving up, you’ll soon get past this stage in life.

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How to help yourself earn an MBA degree

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

If you’re having a hard time earning an MBA degree, don’t worry. An MBA degree is a heavy investment that people tackle to accomplish and achieve a better standing in life. It’s normal to face some road bumps in the way of this investment. To help you out, here are a few tips that you may want to consider looking up to.

It’s for your own good
Yes, it is. The stress involved in earning an MBA degree will help you tackle even more strenuous responsibilities and tasks in the future. The hardships and even failures you’ll encounter on the many classes you’ll be studying in your MBA program will help you shape up into a good and capable leader. So if you’re thinking that you can’t do it, don’t. You actually can.

I see it differently
Having a positive outlook in life can help you accomplish earning an MBA degree. Instead of saying how hard life is, say how challenging life is. Instead of dreading the fact that you’ll have to churn in a lot of paper work for an assignment, welcome it instead by thinking of all the new things you’ll learn. Thinking positive will help you move forward in your MBA program.

Get the ball rolling
In dealing with an MBA degree program, it’s best to think like a business leader. After all, that’s what you’re aiming to be, right? Now, take what you’ve learned – or in this case, currently learning – into action. What’s that about resource management? Make the most out of your available resources to finish that paper. Or remember the class on setting a timeline? Create your own so you’ll see which and what tasks need to be prioritized. Using your MBA degree skills while studying will effectively lead you an even more efficient business leader in the field.

Earning an MBA degree may, at times, seem an impossible feat to accomplish. But all you need to do is to believe in yourself. Understanding that all the effort and stress you’ll be encountering in the program is for your own benefit, will let you realize how lucky you are to be in such a situation as yours. Seeing things in a different light will let you push yourself in accomplishing your program tasks. Applying what you’ve learned as early as now will not only train yourself to be a good leader, it’ll also prove that what you’ve invested so much in actually works to your benefit. By following these simple tips in accomplishing your MBA program, you’ll soon be the business leader you’ve always aspired to be.

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How to get through the university years alive

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Do you think you have what it takes to survive the university life? It’s a battlefield out there! All the new people you’ll meet, the new things you’ll learn – it can all be overwhelming. You don’t need to worry though. Here are some tips to help you get through school.

Smile like there’s no tomorrow
Having a positive mindset can make a big difference on surviving the university life. Just a single smile can lead to a whole lot of good things. Motivate yourself each day so that you can get through any kind of trouble or situation. This will help you boost your self-esteem, which can not only help you conquer your academic problems, but help you shape up your personality as well.

Eat your Veggies
Sounds boring right? But mom may actually be right. Having veggies included in your daily diet will provide you with all the necessary nutrients for you to get through a university warzone. These veggies may taste really bad, but then again, their benefits far outweigh their taste. To help you out, try including vegetable side-dishes in your meals. This will let you enjoy a delicious – not to mention, nutritious – dish each day.

Be kind, compile
Aside from having a positive mindset, having an organized personality will let you get through university life in a breeze. It may sound hard at first, but think of the benefits. You’ll be more conscious of your daily routine, and you’ll soon stick to your schedules. A sense of urgency will be created, making sure to stick and finish at whatever task or activity you’ll be doing. You won’t be cramming anytime soon by setting things in order. It’ll also help you organize your documents, which will prove to be beneficial in submitting school papers on time.

These university tips may sound simple, but they’re actually effective. Setting a positive outlook on life will allow you to face each day with the confidence befitting of a university student. Having a balanced diet which includes green leafy vegetables will give you the energy to accomplish whatever task that needs to be done. Also, having an organized, just-do-it mindset will help you tackle and finish work in no time at all. And, doing these simple tips will not only help you get through university life, but can train you to be an efficient employee in the near future as well.

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