11 Habits That Make You Stressed Unproductive

11 Habits That Make You Stressed Unproductive Stress is no stranger to most of us. Between having a career, a social life and a family or relationship, it can seem like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. The burden can grow even larger when there’s particularly heavy pressure in one area of your life. Unfortunately, the more stressed we become, the lower our productivity goes. When we’re unable to focus and get things done, the work on our plate grows, and we become even more stressed. This unhealthy cycle only drives us deeper into our bad habits. Letting go of your stress and becoming more productive needs to start somewhere. The best way to begin is to identify which habits may be contributing to the problem, then eliminating them. To help you get started, we’ve identified 11 bad habits that may be stressing you out and making you unproductive. 1. Not Getting Enough Sleep When you’re trying to squeeze in just a few more hours of work or me time, you’re probably taking time away from sleep. While you may be able to function short-term on fewer sleep hours, not getting enough sleep is likely to come back to bite you. Sleep deprivation is linked to a whole mess of conditions and disorders, including obesity and anxiety. To ensure you’re getting proper sleep, shut down your technology an hour or two before bed. Develop a nighttime routine that helps you unwind and prepares your body for sleep. This may include reading a book, writing in a journal, or doing another calming activity that can help you sleep better. Try to stick to a similar sleep schedule each night and get to bed early enough that you can get a full eight hours before work. 2. Skipping Meals If you’re overly stressed, eating a well-balanced meal might be the last thing you’re thinking about. Instead of having a healthy breakfast or lunch, you grab a granola bar â€" or skip the meal altogether. While this may give you a few extra minutes in your day, it’s usually costing you. To keep your body going, you need to give it fuel. If you’re not properly hydrated or you’re not eating appropriate meals, you may become tired, dizzy and confused. To ensure you’re properly nourished, always keep snacks and a water bottle with you. 3. Drinking Too Much Caffeine Many of us rely on caffeine to get us through the day. Whether it’s energy drinks or coffee, caffeinated beverages can help keep you functioning if you’ve had a poor night’s sleep. But while one cup of coffee can be a great way to jumpstart the day, too much caffeine can actually contribute to your stress. Because coffee is a stimulant, it speeds up your heartbeat. If your heartbeat becomes too fast, you may experience jitters or shakes. It can be difficult to calm down and focus, as well as make it difficult to fall asleep at night. Instead of drinking coffee throughout the day, look for more natural ways to improve your energy level. 4. Not Getting Exercise If you have a desk job, finding time to work out can be a struggle. You’re left sitting at your desk all day, but you’re still exhausted when it’s finally time to leave work. The last thing you want to do is go to the gym or head out for a run. Exercising allows us to work off excess energy, emotions and stress. Even something as simple as getting up and going for a walk can help us relieve some of the tension we’ve been building up. At the very least, try to schedule some short walks throughout your work day. 5. Never Taking a Screen Break These days, we do just about everything on a phone or a computer. Whether it’s working, browsing the web, or checking our favorite social media apps, we just about always have our faces buried in a screen. Unfortunately, this can be damaging to our health. Allow yourself to disconnect from the world by taking a screen break. When you’re able to shut off your phone and head out for a walk without the anxiety of being connected, you can start to calm down. Begin with taking one screen break every week, where you spend a few hours without any technology. As you become more used to it, try to schedule a screen break every day. 6. Binge-Watching TV Many of us come home from a long day at work and plop down on the couch in front of the TV. We binge-watch our favorite shows and may even spend hours in front of the TV at once. While we think this is helping us relax, it could actually be contributing to our stress levels. Watching TV once in a while can be relaxing, but if you’re spending too much time in front of the TV, you may be making your anxiety worse. Pick up some other hobbies you can do when you get out of work. Spending time with friends and family members or taking a creative class are all great ways to blow off some steam without hurting your health. 7. Bringing Work Home Smartphones and laptops allow us to stay connected all the time. Sometimes, the advancements in technology are awesome. But being able to access your work email when you leave the office can leave many people feeling obligated to respond to messages that come in after hours. When you bring your work home, it can feel like you’re never getting a break. You may occasionally need to give work a few hours of your personal time, but don’t make it a habit. If you can avoid adding your work email to your personal devices, do so. When you clock out of the office, recognize that it is now your time and you’re not required to do any additional work. 8. Not Letting Go Once in a while, a mistake, embarrassing moment or cringe-worthy situation will get trapped in our head. Instead of acknowledging that it’s in the past and moving on, we scrutinize each and every detail, worrying about what we could have done differently or if it was really as bad as we remember. Unfortunately, dwelling on these situations will do nothing except increase your stress level. Letting go of things can be difficult, but it’s necessary if you want to stop stressing so much. If you find yourself fixating on a previous situation, think of the things you’d do differently if it happens again and release the thought from your mind. 9. Waiting Until the Last Minute Procrastination is real. When we have a million things on our plate, it’s too easy to let something go until the last minute â€" especially when we’re feeling unproductive. Unfortunately, that means we’re left rushing through the job, stressed about whether or not we’ll reach the deadline. When you’re always procrastinating, it can feel like you never have time to really breathe. There are a few ways you can get over your procrastination. First, if there are tasks you frequently put off until the end of your day, move them to the top of your to-do list and knock them out early. You can also try setting timers to help keep you focused. If you’re unable to stop procrastinating, write the due date down a day earlier. You may still be waiting until the last minute to get it done, but at least you’ll be able to finish it an entire day in advance. 10. Frequently Checking Social Media Social media can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it allows us to stay connected with friends and family, but on the other, it typically only shows the best parts of their lives. When you’re constantly checking social media, it can be easy to compare yourself to others. You begin stressing about why you’re not married, having kids, buying a house or getting that big promotion. If you’re not willing to completely cut out social media, try to limit your use. Spend just a few minutes during the day browsing through your timeline, or set up alerts to get notifications for the people you really care about. This ensures you’ll never miss a post from an important friend or family member, while eliminating the hours of your day spent obsessively scrolling through your newsfeed. 11. Forgetting “Me” Time When you’re trying to juggle a million different things, it can be a real struggle to find time for yourself. But when you’re constantly putting the needs of other people in front of your own, you’re the one who suffers. You become stressed and unproductive, and your mental health can take a bit of a dip. Schedule at least an hour of “me” time a week. If you’re able to carve out time for yourself each day, don’t feel guilty doing so. During this time, do whatever you want. Read a book, watch your favorite TV show or take a bubble bath. You’ll end your time feeling recharged and ready to take on your tasks. Unfortunately, many of us won’t be able to completely eliminate stress from our lives, but knowing how to take care of it is crucial. If you’re guilty of any of these stress-inducing habits, take the necessary steps to eliminate them. How many of these habits are you guilty of? Tell us how you plan to beat them in the comments! For more advice on productivity and getting ahead at work, subscribe to Punched Clocks. Get everything you need to build a career you love by signing up for the newsletter.

How to Get Your Best From Professional Resume Writing Services

How to Get Your Best From Professional Resume Writing ServicesWhether you are looking for a job in Boston or not, professional resume writing services will make your job easier and less time consuming. In fact, hiring these services is a great idea because of their quality work and experience.There are various resume writing services available in the Boston MA area. Some of them will be able to give you personalized services that will make your job easier and more efficient. Not only do they have experience, but they have excellent writing skills that will help you save a lot of time and effort in getting the right job.Since this article will discuss resume writing services, let us first start with getting the right resume. As a matter of fact, getting the right resume is the most important step as it will determine whether you are going to get hired or not.The job you are applying for is the first thing that should be considered. You have to analyze all the options available so that you will be able to make a decision. There are different ways to get this done but there are a few points that you need to look at.Let us now talk about the different resume service that you can use. You can choose from an online submission service or a paper based one. As a matter of fact, the online submission service is faster but the paper based one is more reliable.It is recommended that you apply to more than one job first so that you can get a better chance of getting the job. If possible, try to have your resume submitted by a resume writing service that has a track record of giving quality services. This will ensure that you get the job even if the resume is not in your favor.When applying for any job, professional resume writing services are the best solution. They will guide you to the right way of getting the job and they will also increase your chances of getting hired.

How to List Multiple Positions with Same Company on a Resume (Examples)

How to List Multiple Positions with Same Company on a Resume (Examples) Spread the loveThere are few things more satisfying than earning a promotion from your employer. If you’ve ever been elevated to a new position in a company, then you know that feeling all too well. You know that feeling of pride that comes from seeing your hard work recognized and rewarded. However, that in-house career advancement can sometimes pose a unique challenge when you’re preparing to look for a new job. You may find yourself confused about how to list multiple positions and promotions on your resume. In this post, we’ll show you your best options for presenting that information in the most effective way.Multiple Positions and Promotions: Why Resume Formatting MattersYour resume has one main purpose: to help convince an employer that you’d be an asset to his company. To accomplish that goal, you need to properly leverage information about your skills and achievements. Obviously, that requires you to effectively document your previous job experiences and accomplishme nts â€" and promotions are an important part of that experience. The fact is that hiring managers will always be impressed by candidates who have earned promotions in the past.When you get promoted, it is evidence that your employer has faith in your abilities. It is recognition of your proven ability to get the right kinds of results. More importantly, it shows that your employer recognizes your commitment and loyalty to his mission. Hiring managers appreciate details that demonstrate that commitment, and may be more likely to consider you for an interview.Formatting a Resume with Multiple Positions and PromotionsOf course, it’s one thing to know that you need to properly format multiple positions and promotions on a resume. Figuring out how to write a resume with multiple jobs for the same company is another thing entirely. Before you can properly include those details, it’s important to consider the positions you held, and the job duties. Why? Well, the type of positions, pro motions, and duties will ultimately determine how you should include those details. For example,The company may have promoted you, but left you with similar job duties to perform; orYou may have been given an entirely different job in the company, with dramatically different duties.Those are two very different scenarios, of course, and there isn’t always a single-best way to present that information. As a rule, most resume experts agree that there are two real options for formatting these details. The first option is to simply group the different positions and responsibilities under the company’s resume listing. This “stacking” method has the advantage of keeping relevant employment information together, and can highlight your advancement within the firm.The second option is for job candidates who want to ensure that a promotion really stands out on the resume. To use this option, you list each position separately, using the same format you would apply if they were jobs at d ifferent companies. Using this format for a resume for promotion within the same company can make it easier for hiring managers to quickly understand your career advancement trajectory.This second option is especially beneficial for many online applications. Those systems often ask you to describe your duties with each position. If you’ve been promoted multiple times by the same company, it can be difficult to convey that fact in that online format. This separate listing technique can help to bring greater clarity to that process.Sample Resume: Multiple Positions, Same Company -StackedThe stacked approach is the most commonly-used option, and for good reason. It avoids any possibility that hiring managers might think you’re a job-hopper, and neatly charts your progression at those previous jobs. You should use a format similar to the one shown below, and make sure to include dates, job descriptions, and achievements.Example:COMPANY NAME, City, State • [Start Date] to [End Date ]Position [Most Recent] [Start Date] to [End Date]Job DescriptionAchievementAchievementAchievementPosition [Before Most Recent] [Start Date] to [End Date]Job DescriptionAchievementAchievementAchievementIf there were more positions or promotions during your employ at a given company, list those as well. Remember, though, to list them in reverse chronological order, and include action verbs and power words in your descriptions.Sample Resume: Multiple Positions, Same Company â€" Separate ListingsIf you decide to use the separate listing option, you should pay careful attention to the dates and other details about the company. Sometimes, hiring managers may get confused by this type of job listing approach, so try to be as clear as possible in your presentation.Example:COMPANY NAME, City, State • [Start Date] to [End Date]Position [Most Recent] [Start Date] to [End Date]Job DescriptionAchievementAchievementAchievementCOMPANY NAME, City, State • [Start Date] to [End Date]Position [Be fore Most Recent] [Start Date] to [End Date]Job DescriptionAchievementAchievementAchievementIn this instance, the company name for both position listings would be the same. Try to limit your usage of the separate listing option to promotions that involved a major change in job duties or focus   or if you were away from the company for a time.Multiple Positions and Promotions Don’t Need to be Confusing!The good news here is that you don’t have to get confused about how to list multiple positions and promotions in your resume. Just decide which option works best for your needs, and rely on the basic template we provided here. That will help you to better showcase your career advancement within the same company, and leave the right impression with hiring managers. How to List Multiple Positions with Same Company on a Resume (Examples) Spread the loveThere are few things more satisfying than earning a promotion from your employer. If you’ve ever been elevated to a new position in a company, then you know that feeling all too well. You know that feeling of pride that comes from seeing your hard work recognized and rewarded. However, that in-house career advancement can sometimes pose a unique challenge when you’re preparing to look for a new job. You may find yourself confused about how to list multiple positions and promotions on your resume. In this post, we’ll show you your best options for presenting that information in the most effective way.Multiple Positions and Promotions: Why Resume Formatting MattersYour resume has one main purpose: to help convince an employer that you’d be an asset to his company. To accomplish that goal, you need to properly leverage information about your skills and achievements. Obviously, that requires you to effectively document your previous job experiences and accomplishme nts â€" and promotions are an important part of that experience. The fact is that hiring managers will always be impressed by candidates who have earned promotions in the past.When you get promoted, it is evidence that your employer has faith in your abilities. It is recognition of your proven ability to get the right kinds of results. More importantly, it shows that your employer recognizes your commitment and loyalty to his mission. Hiring managers appreciate details that demonstrate that commitment, and may be more likely to consider you for an interview.Formatting a Resume with Multiple Positions and PromotionsOf course, it’s one thing to know that you need to properly format multiple positions and promotions on a resume. Figuring out how to write a resume with multiple jobs for the same company is another thing entirely. Before you can properly include those details, it’s important to consider the positions you held, and the job duties. Why? Well, the type of positions, pro motions, and duties will ultimately determine how you should include those details. For example,The company may have promoted you, but left you with similar job duties to perform; orYou may have been given an entirely different job in the company, with dramatically different duties.Those are two very different scenarios, of course, and there isn’t always a single-best way to present that information. As a rule, most resume experts agree that there are two real options for formatting these details. The first option is to simply group the different positions and responsibilities under the company’s resume listing. This “stacking” method has the advantage of keeping relevant employment information together, and can highlight your advancement within the firm.The second option is for job candidates who want to ensure that a promotion really stands out on the resume. To use this option, you list each position separately, using the same format you would apply if they were jobs at d ifferent companies. Using this format for a resume for promotion within the same company can make it easier for hiring managers to quickly understand your career advancement trajectory.This second option is especially beneficial for many online applications. Those systems often ask you to describe your duties with each position. If you’ve been promoted multiple times by the same company, it can be difficult to convey that fact in that online format. This separate listing technique can help to bring greater clarity to that process.Sample Resume: Multiple Positions, Same Company -StackedThe stacked approach is the most commonly-used option, and for good reason. It avoids any possibility that hiring managers might think you’re a job-hopper, and neatly charts your progression at those previous jobs. You should use a format similar to the one shown below, and make sure to include dates, job descriptions, and achievements.Example:COMPANY NAME, City, State • [Start Date] to [End Date ]Position [Most Recent] [Start Date] to [End Date]Job DescriptionAchievementAchievementAchievementPosition [Before Most Recent] [Start Date] to [End Date]Job DescriptionAchievementAchievementAchievementIf there were more positions or promotions during your employ at a given company, list those as well. Remember, though, to list them in reverse chronological order, and include action verbs and power words in your descriptions.Sample Resume: Multiple Positions, Same Company â€" Separate ListingsIf you decide to use the separate listing option, you should pay careful attention to the dates and other details about the company. Sometimes, hiring managers may get confused by this type of job listing approach, so try to be as clear as possible in your presentation.Example:COMPANY NAME, City, State • [Start Date] to [End Date]Position [Most Recent] [Start Date] to [End Date]Job DescriptionAchievementAchievementAchievementCOMPANY NAME, City, State • [Start Date] to [End Date]Position [Be fore Most Recent] [Start Date] to [End Date]Job DescriptionAchievementAchievementAchievementIn this instance, the company name for both position listings would be the same. Try to limit your usage of the separate listing option to promotions that involved a major change in job duties or focus   or if you were away from the company for a time.Multiple Positions and Promotions Don’t Need to be Confusing!The good news here is that you don’t have to get confused about how to list multiple positions and promotions in your resume. Just decide which option works best for your needs, and rely on the basic template we provided here. That will help you to better showcase your career advancement within the same company, and leave the right impression with hiring managers.

Tech Culture is in CTCs DNA - Work It Daily

Tech Culture is in CTCs DNA - Work It Daily Chase Technology Consultants (CTC) has a tech-centric culture that makes it easy for them to understand the needs of the talent they recruit. A niche focus (web, mobile, and software developers and engineers), a lot of IT recruiting expertise and market knowledge, plus an expansive network (1,000+ area employers), enable them to give candidates a competitive edge in the tech job market. The CTC recruiting team loves to have fun, is laid-back (like the tech stars they recruit - a/k/a YOU), and really proud of how they help the best tech talent find job opportunities on contract, temp-to-perm, and full-time basis with the finest companies in New England. Top skills CTC always recruits for include: • Microsoft: C# / .NET / ASP.NET / VB.NET, SharePoint • UI/UX / Web: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery • Mobile: iOS / Android • Java • Open Source: Ruby on Rails / LAMP (PHP, Python) / Drupal • Database Development / SQL DBA NOTE: Be sure to watch the video above to learn more about the company and why it can help you find better gigs in Boston! WANT TO CONNECT WITH CTC? CLICK HERE to meet one of their recruiters, Caressa Moy. Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

The No. 1 Thing You Need to Do If You Want to Revolutionize Your Long-Standing Career

The No. 1 Thing You Need to Do If You Want to Revolutionize Your Long-Standing Career Proving yourself at work can feel challenging for anyone whos given an intimidating task or responsibility. Theres the pressure to perform well and exceed expectations, deadlines tick-tocking over our heads, and an endless amount of eintrag from the worst critic of them all ourselves.But its under this kind of pressure that PMO Director Laura Klinck achieves her utfruchtwein success. At We spoke to Klinck about her 15-year-long career track at Siemens and her secrets to success throughout her evolution heres what she had to say.How long have you been in your current role, and what were you doing previously?Ive been in my current role for three years and with Siemens for 15. Prior to this role, I held positions at the company as a program manager, a technical services manager and an implementation consultant. I was also an engineer in the automotive industry, before I started working at Siemens, us ing Siemens tools to design and engineer vehicle interiors and seating.Whats the fruchtwein unique or interesting aspect of your job or company?The diverse clients and team members that I get to collaborate with are what make my role interesting. In my role, I have a chance to work with people from many different backgrounds, experiences, industries, unique customers like NASA, Disney and General Motors, for example. I enjoy traveling, and at Siemens I have the opportunity to travel both domestically and internationally to rckendeckung our teams and clients around the world.Whats something you think most people (perhaps even current employees) dont know about your company that you think they should?We really care about our people and our customers So much so that our team feels like a second family we lean on each other to ensure the success of the business and we work to achieve milestones together.What about outside of work?Im passionate about the need to have more women in busin ess leadership, especially in tech. To support this passion, I volunteer at schools to bring STEM closer to young people. At Siemens, we have company programs that support the community allow us to bring our experiences to students.I also like to golf, garden and create works of art. When Im not enjoying any of those hobbies, you can probably find me planning and hosting events (parties, charities, etc.) since I enjoy bringing people together to have fun, learn from one another and make lifetime memories.Whats the one career move youve made that youre most proud of?I once volunteered to take on a bigger assignment than I had ever worked on in the past. My leader trusted me and supported me taking the role on. The project posed a great challenge to me, both personally and professionally, but it was also a big success for the company. So much so that it allowed me to move into a leadership position. Whats your 1 piece of advice for women who are looking for jobs right now?Think of yo urself as the lead sales person for your career regardless of your current role or experience. Identify your strengths (including your soft skills, like communication and organization or planning) and communicate them with confidence.Whats the most memorable piece of career advice youve received?Be brave and take on additional challenges, assignments and roles that are uncomfortable to you those are the moments when you can grow the most. No one is thinking more about your career than you and honestly, no one should be.--Fairygodboss is proud to partner with Siemens.Find a job there today

The Pain of Best Resume Writing Service for Military

The Pain of Best Resume Writing Service for Military Whats Actually Happening with Best Resume Writing Service for Military Mar 10, einstellungsgesprching skills in which bring a lengthy turnaround time to aid with a top rated military job is essential to top-tier executives. Congratulations, youve landed the job. There are many different expert tafelgeschirrs readily available on writing resumes. The interview is dependent on what you may bring to the corporation. The One Thing to Do for Best Resume Writing Service for Military If you would like to get a research paper, online writing service like ours is precisely what you will need. There are many collection of templates readily available online. Our site is just one of the most appropriate for essay help. You can rely on the ideal essay help online. Get career before its a service member will help to. Our military resume has to be exceptional to. Federal resume writer can change depending on paper. New Ideas Int o Best Resume Writing Service for Military Never Before Revealed Sometimes service men and women come house with a disability, and they ask if they ought to list they are disabled. Its critical that the service you select knows for sure theyre only choosing the very best essay writers. Whether you wish to civilian profession. Very best work, principal of the fact is that writing to provide help. Now that youre hired, you have to do the very best job possible to keep your position. If its so, then youll be having some difficult time for a student along with being a writer. Life After Best Resume Writing Service for Military Your early decisions could result in lifelong opportunities. Resume can aid you with a senior-level executive. Just do good research for reliable company, and you arent going to regret your choice. Ally you need to do is to correctly submit your order instructions and create the payment. There are a lot of reasons why you ought to prefer our services . How to discover the very best executive resume writing service may be as simple as picking up the telephone.

Industry experience the value of work placements

Industry experience the value of work tischordnungs Industry experience the value of work placementsPosted October 13, 2011, by Josie ChunI have learnt an incredible amount about business, experiences that no monetary value could even come close to purchasing. Every challenge was a learning experience, every day is a lesson and you are never too young to strive to be the best you can be. Phil Watson, work placement student, ICMSIf youre itching to put all that classroom theory youve been learning into practice, theres no better way to do it than through a work placement.Work placement is any work experience, practicum, clinical or field placement that students undertake as part of their academic program. They can be optional but are often a requirement in order to complete a degree and usually include assessment. Sometimes youre even paid during yur work placement.Work placements are an integral component of many courses, especially when youre studying something with a strong practi cal glied such as teaching, nursing, natural therapies or community services. Even if youre studying by distance, work placement may still be a requirement for your course. The point of doing a work placement is to give you real-life, practical experience in the workplace. This kind of experience is invaluable it tests your skills, proves your competency, and gives you an opportunity to observe and receive feedback and supervision. Work placement experience will definitely help you when youre looking for a job youll have great contacts and have something concrete and relevant to put on your resume. If youre lucky, work placements can sometimes lead to permanent work with the same company. Margaret Ploskodniak, Clinical Placement Coordinator at the Jansen Newman Institute (JNI), explains We incorporate hands-on experience into every one of our programs, integrating academic knowledge with practical and clinical experience. JNI graduates are workplace-ready and placements and fie ld work are a vital part of the development of learners into practitioners.What happens during work placement?Every work placement is different, but they usually involve a combination of observation and supervised work at a relevant organisation. It might involve an external placement with a practitioner, observation, dispensing and treatment in our own multi-modality clinic or attendance at one of our community events, says Sam Jacobs, Head of Operations at the Southern School of Natural Therapies (SSNT). Some placements are managed through log books detailing observations, others are supervised on site as students begin to treat clients. All students undertaking placements required for their course are supported by experienced clinic supervisors and academic staff. Most external placements are unpaid, but students are covered by the schools insurance for all course-required activities, adds Jacobs. Pippa Sangster is studying a Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy a t JNI, where students must complete 50 hours of face-to-face clinical work in the second year of their course. For her work placement, Pippa provides free counselling sessions at the Green Point Community Centre, as well as bereavement counselling at the Central Coast Bereavement Service. All students must participate in individual and group supervision through JNI. We must attend at least seven out of eight group supervisions and 10 individual one-hour supervision sessions. Additionally, some placements may require you to undertake supervision with them for example, at the Central Coast Bereavement Service I attend regular supervision with the Coordinator of Bereavement Counselling.How do you get a work placement?Most course providers will assist students to find their placements. JNI provides information about possible work placements and introduces clients through the clinic, but students are also encouraged to look for their own placements. We have a database of organisations that take our students. Students are encouraged to initiate contact with an organisation that will facilitate them meeting their desired career outcomes. Students are well supported through the Clinical Coordinators Office to establish a placement relevant to their needs and their work/study balance, says JNIs Margaret Ploskodniak. The International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) operates in a similar fashion. Phil Watson is studying a Bachelor of Business Management specialising in Sports Management at ICMS, where a nine-month period of paid industry training is a requirement of his degree. ICMS has a careers and development department which assists all students in finding a placement if required, and every student has equal access to all college resources and industry placement opportunities to ensure everyone has the chance to receive the greatest experience possible. Alternatively students are able to find their own placement if they have the ability and contacts to do s o, says Watson. Students can also get creative with their work placement. Instead of finding a placement with another company, Watson created his own opportunity My work placement was slightly different in nature. I had the privilege of being the first ever student at ICMS to start my own fully operational, viable and registered company for industry training. I started a company called 360 Sports Pty Ltd, a sports consultancy company which is still fully operational.Are you assessed during your work placement?Assessment is almost always a component of work placements so that students can receive formal feedback as they hone their skills, as well as reflect on their own performance and this is one of the most valuable aspects of the experience. I was assessed during my placement and was required to write a report on my experience. The key areas of the report included things such as major milestones, best and worst experiences, self and peer evaluations. I also had to relate it to key issues and subjects studied at ICMS, says Watson. Students are also assessed, as well as receive supervision, at JNI. All students receive supervision in a variety of formats such as weekly debriefings as well as individual and clinical supervision. Students must hand in relevant assignments and learning contracts and portfolios during their practicum, says Margaret Ploskodniak.Why do a work placement?It ensures that you have the experience, skills and confidence required to succeed in your chosen career. Placements link classroom learning with real-life situations, explains Ploskodniak. The students get to experience work with a variety of clients in different settings in the community, interact with skilled clinicians and practitioners, and explore career options. We follow the training standards of the relevant professional bodies. From the students perspectives, work placements provide some of the most valuable learning during their studies. This is one of the most valuab le experiences I have ever had. Without this real world experience I would be entering the workforce once I schliff my degree well behind the eight ball, but this has put me ahead of the game, says Phil Watson. Nothing beats real world industry training experience is unbeatable. Pippa Sangster heartily agrees. My work placements are proving to be absolutely invaluable. When I began my placement I realised very quickly that this was the place where I was really going to learn how to be a counsellor. However much I may have learnt through lectures, role plays and group therapy at college, this is where I was going to be able to put my learning into action. Abstract ideas I thought I had understood suddenly became crystal clear to me once I was undertaking counselling with real clients. In addition to the specific skills you learn on the job, there are many additional benefits you gain insight into the industry and how its run, as well as invaluable networking opportunities. My pla cements give me the opportunity to learn about the practical side of the counselling business. Working within community organisations is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the way organisations function and provides opportunities to network with other people in the counselling and community field, says Sangster. For those who excel during their work placement, there is always the chance that the placement could lead to permanent work. Linda McCarthy, a naturopathy student at SSNT, was given such a chance. One of the placements resulted in being offered casual work after the completion of placement and on graduation a role was offered as the practising naturopath in a very busy dispensary. This was invaluable and I do not think this would have been offered had it not been for the third-year observation placement. Phil Watson sums up his work placement experience with characteristic enthusiasm. I have learnt life skills that I can apply everywhere in both day-to-day life and al so particular social situations. I have also learnt an incredible amount about business, experiences that no monetary value could even come close to purchasing. Every challenge was a learning experience that I ensured I took with both hands. Every day is a lesson and you are never too young to strive to be the best you can be and achieve your dreams, goals and desires. Life is what you make it and with will power and determination anything is possible. Many of our distance courses offer a work placement component. Browse almost 500 courses to gain valuable skills and get ahead in your career.Health ResourcesOccupational therapist sample resumeOccupational therapist sample cover letterCareer Insider StoriesSarah Key - Physiotherapist to the QueenInterested in becoming a?Business ManagerOffice AdministratorHuman Resources ManagerPractice ManagerOccupational Health and Safety (OHS) OfficerPopular Career Searchescareer opportunities after a masters in public healthbachelor of physiothe rapy onlinehow to become a Ward Clerkhow to become a holistic wellness coach in australiaaccredited iridology courses australiaHealth CoursesCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Di...Enquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Exercise)Enquire Online Enquire OnlineJosie ChunRelated ArticlesBrowse moreCAREER INSPIRATIONCareer progressionHow To Future Proof Your CareerWill your job as you know it exist in a decade from now? 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