Careers in Renewable Energy - Book Review

I just finished reading "Careers In Renewable Energy: Get A Green Energy Job" by Gregory McNamee. I've read almost every book that comes out on the topic of green jobs. I can say with conviction, that this is one of the best books available in the green career genre.

We all hear about green jobs, but most people have no idea how to go about getting one. In this book the author will provide you with a roadmap to get involved in a career that makes a difference. All of the major components of renewable energy are covered, from solar, wind, and hydrogen. I really like this because a lot of other books that I read just focus on solar power.

The best part of the book for me is the focus on college students and how they can begin preparing for a green career. The author outlines specific courses to take and different ways that students can strengthen their skill sets to be prepared to land a job in the renewable energy sector. The author also dives into many of the available resources on the Internet that can help, including the best jobsites to search for green jobs. This was very helpful because most students use the Internet these days to search for jobs.

My one criticism of the book is that the author almost completely ignores current workers. I think it would have been helpful if he had a chapter devoted to career changers and how one can transition into a career in renewable energy.
In closing, I would recommend this book to every college student that is looking to obtain a meaningful career upon graduation.

Dan Keller is the CEO of the popular Green Jobs [http://www.greenjobscene.com/] site. He also runs a Teen Jobs site.

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The Complete Guide to Environmental Careers - Book Review

I just finished reading "The Complete Guide to Environmental Careers in the 21st Century." As an author and consultant in the green work field, I try to read everything I can get my hands on that is related to green issues. I would rate this book as average at best, it is a good book, but it does not stand out among the many books on this topic.

The book highlights 10 major fields that are in the environmental realm. The authors provide very helpful information like salary ranges, what a "day in the life" looks like and what educational paths you should take to prepare yourself for these careers. The book also offers some really good advice on interviewing and writing your resume and other things that will help you during the job search phase.

The book is a bit dated, as it was written over 5 years ago. It was interesting though to read the predictions and trends and see where they were right and see where they were wrong. They severely underestimated the growth of the green collar industry and hardly touched on the subject of alternative energy and sustainable energy.

In closing, I think this book was average and I would rate it a 6 out of 10. I would not recommend it at all and the reason is because it does not talk about what is relevant right now. I would suggest you look for a book that specifically focuses on the green collar industry or the growing green jobs movement

Dan Keller is the CEO of the popular Green Jobs [http://www.greenjobscene.com/] site and also runs a site that focuses on jobs for teens

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Book Reviews - Careers - Title - Job Strategies For the 21st Century

"Job Strategies for the 21 Century: How to Assist Today's College Students during Economic Turbulence" written by Dr. Daryl D. Green and William Bailey, MBA, have combined their forces offering insightful, concise and invaluable information to any student or recent graduate. Transitioning from college life to the work world can be a daunting task, especially in this current economy. Many college students struggle to find work after graduation. Even with a perfect resume, a lot of college graduates and students find they need to further their education to seek their dream job. As quoted by President Barack Obama, "... first and foremost, your education can fortify you against the uncertainties of a 21st century economy."

The economy in the United States is causing great concern for ordinary citizens both here and around the world. It's even more challenging for new college graduates who are trying to compete for jobs with over 15 million people unemployed. These days' graduates find themselves competing with people who are more qualified. It used to be only the privileged were able to attend college and get an education. Now everyone has this opportunity, this too is a contributing factor in the difficulty of finding employment. Both Dr. Daryl D. Green and Mr. Bailey understand the challenges that graduates are faced with in today's world and offer not only support but provide numerous strategies throughout this easy to read guide.

Here is the bottom line information this book imparts:
1. Make sure to have strong communications skills.
2. Be a critical thinker and problem solver.
3. Be able to adapt to any situation.
4. Make sure to do your research - job homework.
5. Social networking.
6. Always look for an opportunity.
7. Build your corporate experience and consider internship.
8. Have leadership skills.
9. Always be up-to-date about news, and trends of the marketplace.
10. Always have passion.

"Job Strategies for the 21 Century: How to Assist Today's College Students during Economic Turbulence" is every job seeker's "one-stop shopping" guide to finding a great job - even in uncertain times. Both Dr. Daryl D. Green and Mr. Bailey don't miss a beat! They acknowledge the reality of the present time, and yet offer optimism; great ideas to help you become the standout job candidate; appendices, recommended websites and books that will help you get clarity about your next opportunity; and excellent samples of job search tools to customize for your search.

Not only is this a book for the graduate or student but also for the parent, teacher or anyone facing unemployment issues. The book is meticulously printed with an attractive galley text, easy to read font, graphic tables to summarize ideology, and beautiful photographs illustrating various human emotions a person normally will feel when traversing this process. This book helps the reader find his or her niche as you just need to roll up your sleeves, and put your passion to work.

Nicole Sorkin is the Managing Book Review Editor for Pacific Book Review. To learn more about Pacific Book Review visit us at:

http://www.pacificbookreview.com/

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Careers in Renewable Energy - Book Review

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Reinventing Retirement: Encore Careers for the 21st Century

It seems like only yesterday that everyone looked forward to retirement as the "golden years," a time of relaxing, playing golf, some travel and visiting grandkids. I remember leading an early retirement workshop at IBM 15 or so years ago when a 55 years old man, eagerly accepting the early retirement option, said he planned to sail around the world in his boat with his wife. When I asked him what he would do after that, he hadn't even thought of the future. The thought of freedom to pursue a dream was so appealing that life beyond was not even considered.

There has been a shift now. The longevity revolution, where many people are living active lives 20-30 years and more beyond retirement age is part of the reason. Boredom in Paradise! Life without structure, community, and a deep soul nurturing sense of purpose is not satisfying for most of us. Added to this, the economic downturn has caused many who were considering retiring at 65 or earlier to realize that they have to work to make ends meet.

In my career coaching practice, I hear many clients in later midlife and beyond questioning their future. Those who are still working often feel stymied and frustrated in their work. The exciting challenges have been met and they long to express more of themselves. Those who have retired or are unemployed realize that endless days of freedom and time is often not enough. Their careers provided a framework for their lives. When this is ripped away, they feel unsettled and disconnected.

If midlife is a time of self- reflection, this time of later and beyond midlife is even more so. It is time to ask the big questions: Who am I really? What is the unlived part of me? What is my legacy to the world? How can I serve and be connected to a larger purpose. As Carl Jung once said: " We cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life's morning-for what was great in the morning will be little at evening, and what in morning was true will at evening become a lie"

Jane Fonda, on a book tour for her new book "Prime Time" recently spoke in Berkeley about her life and observations at age 73. She left Ted Turner because with him life was great but "horizontal". She had the need to go deeper and examine the earlier stages of her life to fully live what she calls her "third stage". Fonda looks at the years beyond 60 not as a decline but as an "ascending staircase." She didn't mention God but spiritual as well as personal growth was strongly implied.

Marc Freedman in his newly published book "The Big Shift: Navigating the New Stage Beyond Midlife" really nails it. He calls for a new map of life and names the years between middle age and being elderly the "encore stage". We are beyond middle age and not yet old. We have energy, creativity, experience, time, and a desire to serve, to do something meaningful and to leave our legacy.

In this book and his previous one called "Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life" Freedman interviews scores of individuals leaving corporate and professional jobs and transitioning to work in the nonprofit, educational, and public service areas. This subject has long fascinated me and as I recently looked through my files I see that I have collected numerous ideas and articles related to it since 2003. Thank you Marc for naming it.

There has been some talk in the media recently of older people being a burden on society. This certainly doesn't have to be so. The need to connect, to be part of a community making a difference in the world, to leave a meaningful legacy calls us and is part of our human journey. It is time for more of us to do the inner work and then find our own individual path and direction for this important next stage of our lives.

Please join me Sunday September 18th at the New York Open Center in New York City where I will be leading my workshop "Encore Careers: Creativity, Work and Meaning in the Wisdom Years." I promise it will be a fulfilling and valuable experience. And who knows what we will be beginning here? Perhaps a future revolution!

Allie Roth is a career and life coach with 30 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies and in private practice helping people find more prosperity, fulfillment and meaning in their work and their lives. Featured in articles in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Denver Post and The Los Angeles Times, Allie integrates Jungian psychology, traditional career counseling, and Eastern and Western spiritual traditions with concrete strategies for today's job market. Her newest work focuses on careers for those over 55. http://www.allieroth.com/

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Practical Nursing Careers in New Jersey: At a Glance

New Jersey is in acutely short supply of health care professionals and employees just like all the other states in the Unites States. On the one hand, this is bad news for the state's elderly citizens and others in need of medical care. On the other hand, this is good news for individuals looking for practical nursing careers in New Jersey.

A lot of hospitals, clinics, and medical centers in the state of New Jersey have been sending ads about their intent to hire Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Although these opportunities are for everybody, certain qualifications need to be met by an individual wishing to apply. First, you need to pass the licensure exam for practical nurses. Passing a board exam in another state won't exempt you from this very basic rule. Since New Jersey is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) you cannot apply for licensure through reciprocity. The second step towards becoming an LPN is to complete a training program which includes classroom-based learning and hands-on clinical practice. The classroom learning consists of learning and memorizing a lot of medical terminology as well as basic nursing concepts and theories. The other part of the training is purely hands-on experience in an actual medical facility. You will be assigned to a clinic or hospital where you will practice actual nursing skills under the supervision of a nurse educator.

The content of the training basically consists of skills that need to be mastered by an LPN before entering the workforce. The core areas of study include nutrition, obstetrics, pharmacology, proper hygiene for the elderly, pediatrics, math and science. Sufficient and substantial trainings will not, of course, guarantee a permanent position. But it will definitely give you a greater chance of getting employed.

In the state of New Jersey, an LPN can find work in a variety of counties and cities, usually in a hospital or nursing facility. Current openings include a general LPN position offered by Senior Lifestyle Corporation in Jackson NJ. This company operates a skilled nursing facility for elderly patients and are currently hiring LPNs to care for their residents. Another opportunity exists in Teaneck through Starlight Pediatric Homecare Agency, a nurse staffing agency specializing in LPN placement throughout New Jersey. Sometimes, your job assignment will take you miles away from your home if you are a travel nurse. Traveling nurses enjoy the benefits of seeing the country but miss out on having a local life in a given city. Once you gain a few years of experience you will have greater control over the types of employment positions that you can obtain. Furthermore, a New Jersey LPN can expect to earn between $29,000 to $36,000 per year.

Lastly, and most importantly, landing an LPN position does not signify the end of the road in your professional career. In fact, a practical nursing post is a perfect stepping stone for more financially rewarding regular nursing careers. If you wish to become a clinical instructor you can pursue specialization courses to achieve this. You might also choose to pursue a post-graduate degree to become a nurse practitioner and specialize in one particular field within nursing.

Interested in pursuing a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse in New Jersey? View current list of approved LPN programs in New Jersey and contact individual schools for more information.

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The Top Careers of Today

Some of the top careers of today are high-end technical and office positions. This is because the age of computers has brought about a great deal of change in the way society thinks, acts and works. Earning a degree from a good school in business or computers is a good way to have a lucrative and satisfying career. This is because business and computers are synonymous in today's technological world.

Working with computers is extremely important to nearly every business person out there and even more so for people who use computers daily for personal use. Jobs have been created for individuals who write web content, create and manage websites, or complete their work via telecommunication through websites, computer programs and video conferencing. The earlier a person learns how to use a computer, the better. When it comes to using the computer, users should not just know how to turn it on via Computers 101. They must have all the knowledge about how to use the most popular business software and programs for there to be any success at all.

Many times, people will make a career out of fixing computers. Businesses depend on their computers to keep the office up and running. They depend on the quality of good programs and efficient users. A qualified applicant knows the entire list of standard computer programs used in business every day, such as Word and Excel, inside and out and figure out ways they can be used to benefit any company. Computer degrees allow people to excel in the technology industry, one of the most lucrative job industries available today.

Going through a Masters program for either the repair or programming of computers is an excellent method for reaching career goals. Both of these are very profitable industries to be in. Having this kind of expertise also gives an individual the ability to work for themselves if they so choose, allowing for both a lucrative and flexible schedule. Many people earn these types of degrees just so that they will never have to work directly for someone else.

People who want to have a good career have many choices in front of them. They even have the choice of working indoors or outdoors. They simply need to narrow down their options by researching and deciding well ahead of time what they want to be doing with their lives. It takes courage and sometimes a lot of time to get where you want to be. However, a determined and motivated person will stay on task and not stop until they are set in a satisfying, lucrative career in the technological and computer industry.

Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org/ ) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

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