DEMAND Now Available as a Digital App

DEMAND Now Available as a Digital App DEMAND Now Available as a Digital App A digital edition of the new Society publication, DEMAND ASME Global Development Review, is now available as a free app on Apple and Android tablets and through on the ASME website.The new magazine, which was distributed to ASME members in print last month, features case studies, field reports, and original articles that showcase effective strategies and innovative solutions at the intersection of technology and global development. DEMAND was created and published by ASME Engineering for Global Development (EGD) in collaboration with Mechanical Engineering magazine with reports from Engineering for Change (E4C) and untersttzungsangebot from the ASME Foundation.You can download Apple app from iTunes or the Android app from Google Play, or visit ASME.org at go.asme.org/demand. EGD is currently working with Mechanical Engineering magazine on the second issue of DEMAND, which is expected to be published in the s pring. For more information on DEMAND, visit the magazines page on ASME.org at go.asme.org/demand.

6 ways to use music to increase your productivity

6 ways to use music to increase yur productivity6 ways to use music to increase your productivityWhether youre using it to pump you up towork out when youre tiredor to unwind for abetter nights sleep, music is a powerful motivator in many different situations. According to the kollektiv atBrain.fm, functional music - which has specific characteristics - can also be ultra-helpful when you want tostay focused at work. But what exactly makes music functional?The team explains that it comes down to a combo of qualities that affect the brain. It could be the right density of sound texture, high energy yet low salience (distracting sounds), and many other acoustic characteristics, notesBrain.fmCEO Dan Clark. By understanding how the brain is affected by sound, we can make functional music directly and effectively, instead of relying on music that accidentally fulfills some of these criteria some of the time.If youve ever felt like the playlists you pick can truly affect your productivity , youre onto something the team backs up with science. Many of us already listen to music when we work, they affirm. The wrong music can put us at a disadvantage by distracting us and interfering with our ability to think. For example, pop music is designed to grab your attention. While listening to your favorite song while working can be fun, its not ideal for getting stuff done if youre distracted by it.On the other hand, music specifically designed for focus can help you work without totally stealing your attention. Ready to crank it up a notch? Keep reading for six science-backed tips thatll help you make the most of your playlists.1. Opt for songs without vocals or lyricsMusic with vocals/lyrics is generally more distracting, especially when reading, the team shares.2. Save distracting music for a workout.Distraction is your friend when working out, the team confirms. Save your favorite jams to see if they fit the rhythmic cycle of your exercise, which is also bright and attent ion-grabbing. Play it loud3. Know how music affects you.Studies suggest that different personalities respond differently to background music while working, clarifies Brain.fm director of science Kevin Woods. Not sure how music affects you at work? Consider trying one of the 12 difference focus categories at Brain.fm to find your perfect fit.4. Stick to uplifting tunes.We love Adeles slow songs as much as the next gal, but the Brain.fm team cautions against streaming your favorite blues and ballads when you need energy to do great work.5. Search for seamless transitions.Short tracks can possess a lot of the qualities that make music good for focus, but choppy transitions can throw you off course. Try to find playlists that weave tracks together seamlessly, or use music providers that offer long-form tracks, the team recommends.6. Tune in to music made using science.In the last few years, through scientific research and technology, music has been designed to have all of the characteri stics needed to be maximally effective, the Brain.fm team reminds. Weve been doing this for more than a decade, and love creating music thatll help you live a productive life.This article was originally posted on Brit + Co.

5 life lessons I learned from Beth Comstocks Imagine It Forward

5 life lessons I learned from Beth Comstocks Imagine It Forward5 life lessons I learned from Beth Comstocks Imagine It ForwardHow often have you been at work and wondered why you were tzu siche, where the work you are currently putting in will land you, or ultimately what your next move is career-wise? Answering this question for myself, I have these thoughts in my mind at least once per week. When I have these thoughts, I tend to find articles or books that can help me figure out how to navigate where I need to go and thats one of the best parts of reading Beth Comstocks new book,Imagine It Forward. Beth worked for nearly three decades at GE and served as President of Integrated Media at NBC Universal.In addition to being an author, she is currently thedirector at Nikeand a trustee of The National Geographic Society- in short, shes a total badass.The book- which welches released September 18th - is different from many career-related books, because although it does provide practica l tips that you could use towards your career, it reads almost as a career autobiography. Beth takes readers into a journey using her extensive career as a guide making it a great book for Millennial women at any point of their career. I wanted to chronicle the journey as a creative innovator, the struggle and the triumph of what that is, the author, Beth Comstock, said.With that being said, here are five takeaways fromImagine It Forwardand why you should read it nowYou can have a family and a thriving careerOften in our culture, theres a misconception that women cant have a family and a flourishing career unless your finances are hefty. Ive had conversations with friends who reiterate this thought, saying that they fear they couldnt have both kids and a career. Beths goes into this concept - she never let having a family stop her.In the book, Beth speaks about having her daughter, Katie, with her first husband and ultimately getting divorced. I came to see that - while incredibly hard - there was nothing shameful about endings or mistakes. It can be a wise decision to leave on path and choose another. The divorce left her as a single mother, but she didnt let that stop her and she even had more kids, got remarried, and continued her career journey.My career and motherhood started at the saatkorn time. I wanted to move forward in my career and I had chosen this path and put us on a path and I had to make it work, Beth told me. She also explained that often she gets asked questions from working women who want to start their family, but question when is the right time to do so. I didnt plan. I think you can overplan. I see women who wait for it to be the perfect time in their career, but theres no perfect time. You just figure it out.Learn to trust your doubts and whats meant for you is meant for youIn the book, something that stood out to me was to learn to trust your doubts. Its a very powerful idea, and something that we so often ignore.That pit in your st omach or you not being able to sleep when attempting to make a big decision are your gut speaking to you, and its your job to figure out what the issue is.For Beth, a pivotal point in her career came while she was working at NBC and was given an opportunity to work with Steve Jobs at Apple. For her, it just didnt feel right, and although she questioned her choice for years to come, she followed her doubt which made for an interesting career trajectory. We cant make uncertainty go away, but we can change the way we react to it.Every uncertainty is a new potential future, Beth said.Conversely, while its important to trust your doubts, you also need to trust your instincts and realize whats meant for you is for you. While working at CBS, Beth was offered a job at NBC. Everyone in her world thought it was not the best move because she would be leaving a top network to go to what was a struggling network at the time. Beth however, followed her intuition and took the role, in my gut, I kn ew this was the job I was meant to take. Well-meaning colleagues will try to stop you from making these bravely instinctive choices. Thats just how it is. Change-making creates resistance. It is against the roles. Change is seen as loss. It is scary, said Beth. But you have to learn not to stop yourself. You have to learn to give yourself permission to imagine a better way, to envision opportunity where others see risk.Naysayers, also known as Gatekeepers are all around, but dont let them hold you backWhenever Beth mentioned gatekeepers inImagine It Forward, the song Stronger by Christina Aguilera ran through my head. Beth explains exactly what a gatekeeper is by saying, Gatekeepers are those looking to keep hold of the little power they have. They see divergent thinking and action as threatening.They bank on our desire for approval. The worst thing they do is to create and police standards that the rest of us accept and internalize. You will find gatekeepers everywhere, in every jo b, in every classroom, in every family. And sometimes, I discovered, we invite them in our own minds.We all have gatekeepers in our lives, but reading this book - for me at least - will make me more conscious of the opinions I do take. So often, I know something feels right for me but sometimes ask the opinions of others to confirm what I know and sometimes, the feedback I get is not the answer that I want. Perhaps, these people could be gatekeepers and not people who genuinely care.Change is inevitableIn the same way brands have to think about change whether its implementing new tools, technologies or leadership to their pipelines, change is something that we must keep at top of our mind as we grow and navigate throughout our careers. On change, Beth says In change, people have to find their own path. You cant mandate how that happens. But you can create the right conditions.Throughout the book, Beth shows the changes she made in her career, as well as the changes that have happe ned at companies that she has worked for. Change is inevitable, and realistically a necessary agent to grow. Beth said that one of the things she wanted to show with the book is the evolution of change,the nature of change is changing and we all need to get ready by being more adaptable and we need to be that regardless of where you are in your career,she said. You need to give yourself permission to try things before you take on something huge, you need to take small steps to work towards that. With the book, Beth shows that in order to grow, you need to change stuff up, and to expand your expertise you have to both be willing to accept change.The journey although sometimes rocky, is beautifulAlthough Beths resume is full, lengthy, and inspirational, there have been some disappointments along the way.Despite everything not panning out the way we may hope, the journey is always worth acknowledging.WithImagine It Forward, Beth writes about her journey in a way that in part gives her time to revel in all the change making she has done (and it definitely deserves a round of applause). In the ending of the book, Beth talks about some of the opportunities and lessons that have made her career journey feel whole, and she summed it up with a few notesTransformation is a never-ending journey, for your company, your team, for you.Story is the glue that binds us. We need stories to give our work, and our lives, meaning. Strategy is a story well told. Vision and courageous leadership never go out of style.Believe in possibility. Get comfortable with not knowing. With living in the in-between of what was and what will be.This article first appeared on The EveryGirl.

Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Information

Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) InformationOverseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) InformationWhen considering military service, one realization you must be aware of is that you could be stationed anywhere on the planet to support the mission of the Department of Defense. While no military deployment or overseas duty station or any duty station, for that matter is permanent, it can be expensive to live far from home. The higher cost of living that can accompany an overseas military deployment is compensated monetarily through the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA). This is different from the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), which accounts for a significant part of the rent or mortgage of the military member when at a permanent duty station. In addition to salary and bonuses,the military provides several allowances to offset the cost of living and housing for service members. For instance, soldiers who live on an Army base in the barracks receive military housing and meals for free. However, if your duty situation requires you to live off base, the military provides allowances for such things as housing, meals, clothing, travel, moving, and family separation. Overseas COLA The Overseas Cost of Living Allowance is the militarys answer to its members being stationed in various places throughout the world where the cost of living is higher. The COLA is a non-taxable supplement based on average pay and the cost of housing for the local population. Depending upon where you are stationed, how many years youve been in the service, your rank, and if you have dependents or not, the COLA will vary greatly. The average supplement is $300 per month. The basic measurement is a comparison of continental United States (CONUS) shopping behavior and the aggregate shopping behavior at each overseas location. Military members are stationed at more than 600 different locations overseas, and this variable cost of living allowance helps monetarily when the military mem ber and family have to live among the population where the military presence is located.(This includes Alaska and Hawaii.) Overseas COLA is calculated by a complex economic database that takes into account the spending habits of Americans at home in comparison to prices for similar goods and services overseas. The result of this comparison is an index that reflects the cost of living. If prices at home or abroad fluctuate, it may affect the cost of living allowance. Therefore, the COLA is not a fixed amount. Currency values can also affect the COLA.As the dollar strengthens or weakens worldwide compared to the currency of the military members duty station, the COLA can also change. These COLA adjustments are either immediate or made incrementally, depending on whether the payment will increase or decrease. For COLA changes based on data, increases are made immediately, but COLA reductions based on data are phased in per month to help minimize the impact. COLA changes based on curren cy are effective immediately for both increases and decreases. The Cost of Living Allowance does not reimburse expenses but rather increases the paycheck of the military member every two weeks this will offset higher overseas prices of goods and services. It does not compensate for remoteness, hardship, or non-availability of goods and services at remote duty stations. Other Military Payments and Allowances Military members may receive other payments and allowances in addition to military pay The Basic Allowance for Subsistence is used to pay for food its typically a few hundred dollars a month.The Basic Allowance for Housing offsets the cost of housing when members live off-base it varies from city to city.A Clothing Allowance pays forthe replacement of uniforms and uniform decorations. For jobs that require civilian clothes, the military provides a civilian clothing allowance.The Moving Allowance pays for the transportation of household goods during a permanent change-of-stati on (PCS) move. Temporary Lodging Allowance covers the cost of temporary housing during a PCS move.Soldiers assigned or deployed to locations where the military will not move families will receive a Family staffelung Allowance.

Finding hope and grace on the landing strip

Finding hope and grace on the landing stripFinding hope and grace on the landing stripI dont like to fly. Theres just something unnatural about strapping yourself into an uncomfortable seat and hurtling across the sky at 35,000 feet. Each bump, turn, seatbelt prompt, and varied engine whir unsettles me.Illustrations by John P. WeissWhats worse, we are stuffed like sardines into those pressurized canisters of recirculated bad breath and stagnant air. And theres always a screaming kid.On one flight, as I tried not to envision a fiery nosedive, a nervous woman next to me asked, Are the engines supposed to sound like that? My perverse sense of humor considered, No, thats the sound engines make before they stall. But I took pity on my fellow aviophobe and reassured her the engines were fine.Travel means growthAir travel today is one of the safest ways to get around. Despite my trepidation, I force myself to fly so that I dont miss out on the opportunities of life.My wife, who is a mora ex perienced traveler than I, helped me a great deal. Whenever I try to talk myself out of a trip, she brings me back to reality. As a result, I have flown to study landscape painting several times in Idaho.I studied writing and blogging with the author Jeff Goins by flying to Franklin, Tennessee. Ive flown with my wife to New York, where I immersed myself in the endless artwork at the Met.My wife, son and I enjoyed vacations in Costa Rica and Ireland, all thanks to the convenience of modern air travel.If one wants to grow, one cannot live under a rock.Flying requires a good deal of waiting. Waiting at airports for connecting flights. Waiting for takeoff. Waiting for hours in the air until the flight is over. Waiting for landing and arrival.Once the flight reaches cruising altitude and I relax a bit, Im able to reflect about flying, airplanes, people, and life.I have studied the diverse people on planes and in airports. In fact, I love to sketch them in my small, leather sketchbook.Fin al sketch of the guy across from me at the airport.Here are a few other, quick sketches I did of people at the airport.Theres so much humanity of varied ages, sex, nationality, and personalities at airports. All with different destinations, dreams, families, jobs, and futures.I have also studied the many different planes at airports. Like their passengers, airplanes have their own destinations, body types, peculiarities, and stories.Planes are like peopleCan you imagine the stories that planes could tell? About nervous flyers, close calls, magnificent flights, and worldly experiences.Like people, airplanes sometimes have turbulence in their lives. They have schedules to keep, places to go and responsibilities. They must take their jobs seriously, for they carry precious cargo. Much like a mother carrying her baby, or a father driving his infant in a car seat. And like people, planes eventually retire and grow old.One of the worlds largest airplane boneyards is the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. It is there, where the dry climate limits corrosion, that over 4,200 military aircraft have retired.Photo by Tanja Zllner on UnsplashTheir parts are scavenged and engines stripped for reuse. They have become shells of what they once were. No longer airworthy, all they can do is sit with their memories. Not unlike old folks in retirement homes.Their maiden flights and distant travels are behind them now. The many souls lifted into the clouds to sunset horizons have long forgotten the reliable planes that carried them.The world moves on. Newer, upgraded and fancier jets have emerged. They continue to edge out their aging predecessors, like new employees who replace the senior and retired ones.The uncertainty of lifeOf course, some planes never made it to the boneyard. They were struck down in war, suffered mechanical failures or crashes. The same is true with people. Some are struck down on the battlefield. Others suffer medical events or accidents. Air travel, like life, can be uncertain.Comedian George Carlin once crackedIf black boxes survive air crashes, why dont they make the whole plane out of that stuff?Wouldnt it be interesting if people had their own black boxes? Recordings we could listen to after theyre gone, to better understand what went right and wrong. But then, maybe its better that we take our secrets with us.It would be nice if the world was completely safe. If there were no accidents, medical emergencies, pain or suffering. But perhaps the sweetness of life would be less without the comparison of loss?Perhaps the turbulence makes us appreciate the miracle of flight that much more? American journalist, Alexander Chase, wroteLovers of air travel find it exhilarating to hang poised between the illusion of immortality and the fact of death.Hope and graceEvery time I take a flight, my favorite part is the landing. Some people hate it, but with each descent, I feel the exhilaration of having overcome my fears. I also f eel the anticipation of reaching my destination and the journey ahead.My least favorite part of flying is the takeoff. But I grit my teeth, close my eyes and hurtle forward anyway. Because doing so moves me closer to my goals and a life well lived.With each landing I experience the hope I have for the future and the grace in knowing that I am alive, living an artful life and pursuing my dreams.Soon enough we all taxi to our final hangar or boneyard. The key is to soar skyward, for as long as our engines and wings allow, and journey ever higher, over the great landscape of our lives.Before you goIm John P. Weiss. I draw cartoons, paint landscapes and write about life. Thank you for reading.This article first appeared on Medium.

What Has to be Done About How to Format References on a Resume Before You Miss Your Chance

What Has to be Done About How to Format References on a Resume Before You Miss Your Chance The Number One Question You Must Ask for How to Format References on a Resume The References section on your CV is a crucial part which cannot be entirely omitted. You need to be able to list five or more references on a single page. The sample reference page provided here can readily be adapted to fulfill your wants. Be consistent with your formatting and make certain to include the exact same information for each reference. When it is not clear from your resume, you might also want to include info about your relationship with the reference. Below youll discover a sample reference list. You also ought to state the length of time you have known the reference. Your most important reference ought to be the initial one. As soon as youve gathered your information, youre ready to begin writing. When you ask a rolle to offer you a reference, its always a great idea to give them a chance to decline. For instance, if one of your references is a famous person at the organization youre applying at, go right ahead and include them on your resume. Beneath the references contact info, indicate what kind of reference he is and your relationship. Ruthless How to Format References on a Resume Strategies Exploited Resume formats ensure that your best achievements are right there on the top, prepared to be noticed. Quite often, a reference list is requested in the on-line application approach. Youll also discover a sample reference list. Keep reading for tips on developing a reference list. Whatever They Told You About How to Format References on a Resume Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why You might wind up getting a so-so recommendation if a person in your list receives a surprise background check call about you. Your references have agreed to allow you to give their contact information to a prospective employer. Every one of the references has to be supplied with detail ed contact info. Be certain to include complete contact information for every one of your references. Ruthless How to Format References on a Resume Strategies Exploited The variety of references you list is dependent upon your career level. If you have to understand how to list references for work, follow the tips above. In other words, a reference is an individual, possibly a former employer, teacher or just a co-worker or friend thats prepared to vouch for all the wonderful abilities and achievements you laid out so beautifully on your resume. If youre able to, select references that are ready to talk specifically about your qualifications for the job for which youre applying. References can boost your work application in a huge way. If your reference is someone renown in the business or industry. The 30-Second Trick for How to Format References on a Resume Prior to making a resume reference page or sending the contact information of anyone to a possible employer, its vital to ask permission from all the referencesyou would love to use. When you first consider somebody to use as a reference for a work program, you must ask their permission not just to use and give out their contact info but directly if theyd be able to supply a reference as some folks may prefer not to. In addition, this individual is then going to be in a punkt to provide a prepared answer when theyre contacted regarding your reference. Before providing someone for a reference, make certain to request permission. Its rare an employer will request references in a very first interview, but its possible that is why you need to get them with you. Also, state the essence of your relationship with each reference so it will be simpler for the employer to choose which ones they ought to contact first. Generally, employers are not going to ask for your references until theyve made the choice to hire you. When an employer doesnt ask by the conclusion of the interview, you should ask them if theyd like reference info.

4 Tips for Using Video Interviewing to Avoid Hiring Bullies

4 Tips for Using Video Interviewing to Avoid Hiring BulliesWorkplace bullying is a serious problem which can undermine not only your company culture, but also your workers productivity. No one likes to be bullied, whether its in the schoolyard or the boardroom. One of the best ways to avoid workplace bullying is to start right from the hiring process. Video bewerbungsgesprching can help you avoid extending a job offer to a future workplace bully.Why is workplace bullying so harmful? After all, it sometimes can seem downright charming when Jim pulls pranks on stuffy coworker Dwight on NBCs hit sitcom The Office. In reality though, most workplace bullying is much worse than putting a stapler in jello. This negative behavior can be pervasive and harmful. Worst of all, it can even escalate into forms of bullying more dangerous than hiding office supplies.Unsurprisingly, this behavior can be extremely damaging to office morale. Its not just the bullied employees who are affected either. A new study from the University of British Columbia shows bullying has a harmful effect on even those workers not being directly bullied. The study found that non-bullied workers had similarly high turnover intentions. With the cost of employee turnover sometimes totaling 150 percent of a workers annual salary, this is an outcome your company should seek to avoid.Here are some ways to use video interviewing to avoid hiring bullies and keep your workspace a happier placeAnger Management?Confidence is one thing- aggressive behavior is another. It can sometimes be hard to tell a driven candidate from an aggressive one, but good hiring managers and recruiters can tell the difference. Look for telltale signs, including badmouthing former workplaces and coworkers. Whether your interview is live or a one way video interview, keep an eye out for subtle signs your candidate might have an angry personality.Ask about former pranksMost workers wouldnt admit to bullying in a video interview. Afte r all, they want to make a good impression on you and your company in buchen to secure the job. However, just because they wont admit to bullying doesnt mean they havent done it. Jim from The Office might not agree, but pranks are a stepping stone to bullying. In your video interview, ask your candidate about a prank theyve played on a coworker. These pranks could tell you a lot about your workers personality, and their predilection for bullying behavior.Watch the nonverbal cuesOne of the benefits of online video interviewing is the ability to watch nonverbal cues earlier in the hiring process. Use this to your advantage when looking for potential bullies. If nonverbal cues are aggressive, angry or negative take note of unterstellung behaviors. Nonverbal cues can tell you a lot about a potential employee and it can certainly tell you about their attitude. Their words might be rehearsed, but its likely their nonverbal communication will give them away.Funny or Mean?As we all know, hu mor is relative. Using humor in an interview setting can often break the tension and let you know more about the candidates personality in a more relaxed setting. This is doubly true when it comes to bullying behavior. Often times, bullies will shield their harmful behavior behind the excuse that they are just joking. So pay attention to the jokes your candidate is making during your live video interview. If any of these jokes seem inappropriate, even borderline so, this candidate might be a bully in disguise.Bullying in the workplace can cause your company to lose out on great employees and can foster an unhappy office environment. The best way to deal with bullies is to avoid hiring them in the first place. If you use video interviews carefully and watch behavior, you can skip dealing with these problem employees altogether.What are some ways you use video interviewing to avoid hiring workplace bullies? Sound off in the commentsSOURCE NBC, The University of British Columbia (WSJ), William G. Bliss (The Adivsor)