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Yolanda Javellana on being a PolSci major: “I’ve always been interested in analyzing power and relationships between individuals and groups”

We meet some interesting — and inspiring — young students when we hold CareerCamp events in colleges around the metro. Now we start letting them talk about their career plans.

Yolanda Javellana is a Political Science major at UP Diliman. She was one of the organizers of CareerCamp at UP.

Why did you choose to major in political science? “I honestly don’t know why, but I always thought PolSci was the right course for me. I’ve always been interested in analyzing power and relationships between individuals and groups so it turned out to be the right choice.”

What’s been the best thing about it? “It really gives you different perspectives on things and it really pushes you to think critically about topics and issues. I love how there is never one right answer and it all depends on the models, paradigms, and theories you use.”

Read the full article on EdgeWise.PH.

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Get that Job: Translating and Understanding a Job Ad

Applying for a job? Job advertisements seemingly have their own language that needs to be translated into something that relates to you. Understanding what “job ad speak” really means can help you in getting hired and prevent “job mismatching.”

We break it down for you here:

Company Background. Job ads from companies typically have a background of the company’s goals, mission/vision, and other related info posted on top. Its main purpose is to inform the candidate of their priorities or end-goals, and they may check if an applicant has read this or has similar goals. (I applied once as a Retail Manager Trainee without knowing what the clothing brand was. I ended up not with a job but with a scolding from the HR. I should have read that part of the job ad.)

Job Description. Indicated here are the main responsibilities of the job. Sometimes these responsibilities sound “larger than life,” or more work than any candidate can fulfil. But usually the functions indicated can be translated into simple words. For example, “Responsible for coordinating with department heads every week” may simply mean organizing a weekly meeting. Remember that many functions are taught to the new employee by a co-worker or a senior employee, if it is an entry-level position. Read up on this section and if you can fulfil the duties or most of the indicated, go on to the next section.

Read the full article on EdgeWise.PH.

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Do You Want To Have A Part-Time Job?

Are you a student planning on having a part-time job? Have you narrowed down the jobs you are willing to take? Have you weighed the pros and cons of being a part-time employee?

Part-time work while studying is no walk in the park. A number of factors need to be considered before taking that leap of faith.

Have a Self-Assessment

A self-assessment is regarded as the most critical step at trying your hand at a part-time job. Identify the reasons why you want to work while studying. Is it because you would like to have extra money to spend? Or because you would like to immerse yourself in the real world while still in college?

Know your Priorities

Identify your short and long-term goals. These will help you stay focused on your objective. Ask yourself, are you willing to fulfill your short-term goals? Or would you rather focus on your studies and work your way to a degree, instead?

Read the full article on EdgeWise.PH.

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The Smartphone: a modern-day study aid

These days, being connected to the Internet has become essential to getting work done. Therefore, choosing the best gadgets to help you keep up with your school work and social life should be given much thought and consideration.

A bevy of smartphones have now flooded the market, all with varying selling points from being hip, up-to-date with the latest technologies, multi-faceted or simply functional. The three most popular smartphones in the digital world today are the iPhone, Android and the Blackberry.

iPhone Accounting for much of the iPhone’s appeal is its minimalist, easy-to-use interface and a vibrant, crisp touch screen display. The touch screen is its main point of interaction and is basically used to make calls, send text messages, write emails, browse the web and even take photos. iPhone users have nearly 500,000 apps to choose from, spanning a wide range of categories which include gaming, reference, productivity, photography, news, sports and lifestyle. That alone is a big draw for most smartphone buyers, especially students like yourself.

Read the full article on EdgeWise.PH.

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Tip for Freelancers: Don’t be a flake

If you’ve decided to do freelance work, remember that the freedom and control over your time comes with one big responsibility: that you not be a flake.

“Flake” is a slang term for an unreliable person, someone who agrees to do something but doesn’t deliver results. That is one of the worst things for you as a freelancer to be known as. Why?

Your client was secretly afraid of this when they hired you.

When a client hires a freelancer for a job, it’s usually because no one in their staff can do it, or they need an extra pair of hands. That means they are entrusting to you something they need but cannot do in-house. You are not bound by the same contracts and expectations as their employees, so even if you sign an agreement, they know — and secretly fear — that there’s a possibility that you will not deliver as expected.

Be a better freelancer by promising only what you can deliver, and by compiling a list of satisfied clients who can serve as references.

Read the full article on EdgeWise.PH.

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5 Resume Writing “Don’ts”

What you put in your resume can either make or break your chances of getting the job you want. Especially if it is your first time venturing into the world of job hunting, you might find yourself hell bent on producing a resume that can catch the eye of your potential employers.

But zeroing in on putting your desirable qualifications in your resume is just as important as contemplating on the things that it can do without. So here are the five things you can do away with when composing a resume that can help you land that dream job.

Don’t # 1: Include your picture

Unless you’re applying for a modeling or acting job, you don’t need a photo in your resume. Remember that your main goal is to sell your capabilities to your possible bosses through your work experience and qualifications, not your physical features. Putting a picture in your resume (especially if they didn’t ask for it) can possibly avert your hirer’s attention from reading what you can contribute to the company.

And if they do require a photo, make sure you have yours professionally taken, with you wearing appropriate attire. Don’t paste a photo of you cropped from a group shot taken at the last party you attended!

Read the full article on EdgeWise.PH.

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Maximizing your Means (stretching your weekly/monthly college allowance)

As a student, you live on an allowance. This can be a challenge as, more often than not, you find yourself spending the last penny just to pay for those lecture materials. Stretching one’s allowance becomes even more of a challenge for students living away on their own.

If you want to find ways to maximize your allowance, EdgeWise.PH is here to help.

Do some budget allocation

Budget allocation is the most important step in stretching your allowance. This means setting aside a certain amount of money towards an expense. Allocating your budget can be tedious but doing so helps you visualize where your money should go, thus, you learn how to prioritize things.

Only spend on your basic needs as a student. It helps to make a list of what those “basic” needs are. Learn to let go of unnecessary expenses (i.e.shopping), that may leave you broke by the end of the month.

Keep track of your daily expenses

Stretching your allowance does not end in living on your allocated budget. In order for you to fully maximize your allowance, you need to keep track of where every single peso goes. You may find this task boring but, monitoring your day-to-day expenses teaches you how to spend wisely and helps you save yourself from unnecessary spending.

Read the full article on EdgeWise.PH.

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Pam Santos, flight attendant: “You will always be representing the company in a customer service role”

Pamela Santos has been a flight attendant for nearly a decade. The work can be tiring, and she often has to sacrifice her weekends and holidays, but having to travel for work contributes to her genuine love for her job.

Pam shares some advice for those who would like to try this career path.

What’s the best thing about being a flight attendant?

“The best thing? The interesting people you meet every flight, and being able to travel anywhere in the world for free, not only for me but also for my family. Getting to visit (via layovers) places where you know people, and you get more days off than most jobs. But be prepared to work long hours, with some journeys involving staying overnight in a hotel somewhere.”

What skill has been unexpectedly useful at your job?

“Being able to keep your emotions and feelings in control at all times. This can be done with a smile. Passengers can be wonderful people, and at times be very difficult. During all these times you need to keep calm, and be understanding and compassionate. I have been faced with a few emergencies during my career, and keeping my composure has always helped both my passengers and myself.”

Read the full article on EdgeWise.PH.

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A Healthy Night’s Sleep for the New Employee

Sleep is one of the most essential sources of energy. However, as we age, the number of hours and the quality of sleep gets compromised due to a variety of factors such as work and study, resulting in poor academic or work performance. With the fast-paced lifestyle of today, many people tend to underestimate the power of sleep.

Do you often find yourself physically and mentally drained by mid-day, leaving you distracted and unable to focus on work or class lectures? One factor may be a lack of sleep. Not getting enough sleep is detrimental to your physical health and mental health. This is because your mind is not yet fully recuperated from catering to previous cognitive activities, thus, taking a toll on your performance.

Remedy this by catching up on some sleep or better yet, take a nap. Stress may last all day, or worse, you carry it to the following day. So, what better way to ward it off but sleep! Sleep effectively helps you clear those stressors, helping you be more focused yet relaxed in attending to the pressures of your day-to-day activities.

Read the full article on EdgeWise.PH.

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Destination: Education (or why the provinces could be your next Higher Education option)

Throughout school year 2010-2011, the consultancy company I work for has sent me to nine higher education institutions (HEIs). All but one are outside of Metro Manila. Sent to the colleges and universities of Nueva Vizcaya, La Union, Aklan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Negros Occidental, Quezon and Iloilo, I was impressed by the development of provincial HEIs, and how technology played a key role in leveling the playing field of education.

Many Filipinos underestimate the quality of higher education in this country, especially the provincial HEIs. But with technology and industry partnerships from the likes of Cisco Systems, Microsoft, and SAP—to name a few from the Western Hemisphere alone—being labeled a diploma mill by anyone has become an unfounded idea.

Investing in infrastructure

Almost all of the provincial colleges and universities I have visited seem to be bullish on one thing: infrastructure. Whatever the source of funding—increased student enrollment, tuition fee increase, alumni donations, or grants by government and non-government organizations—they know where to put their monies in.

I have seen the construction of new dormitories to welcome the influx of enrollees (including foreigners) and new college buildings as a result of spinning off from their mother units (such as IT breaking away from Business). Many of the investments seem to be going towards IT in the form of new laboratories, acquisitions, upgrades and partnerships.

Read the full article on EdgeWise.PH.

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A Tip on Minimum Wage Rates

People working in the service industry may be disappointed over their daily wage but it may come as a surprise to them that in the United States, most of the earnings of waiters and waitresses and other service employees come mostly from tips.

Under US law, or the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA), a tip is part of the worker’s wage. Generally, an employer only needs to pay his workers $2.13/hour in direct wages if the worker’s tips plus the $2.13 in direct wages equals at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour. If the tips don’t add up to that amount, then the employer must pay his workers more to make up the difference. How this works can differ across states which may have their own minimum wage laws. See this infographic for more information.

In the Philippines, wait staff don’t have to rely on tips to make up their minimum wage. Instead, because of Rep. Act No. 6727 (1988) or the Wage Rationalization Act, qualified workers are entitled to a minimum wage, notwithstanding what they receive in tips. 

Read the full article on EdgeWise.PH

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Isang Litrong Liwanag: Light Up Communities with Plastic Bottles and Bleach

Using only empty plastic bottles, water and bleach, Iliac Diaz and MyShelter Foundation is giving light to depressed communities through the Isang Litrong Liwanag project.

The concept is designed and developed by students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and is based on the principle of light refraction. Hung from a reinforced hole in the roof, the bottle disperses the light from the sun and gives out light equivalent to a 55- to 60-watt bulb. It is an ideal and inexpensive solution to densely-packed houses without provision for windows or electricity, or even for those trying to cut down on their power costs. It also helps people avoid fire-related incidents that put densely populated informal settlements at such high risk. Also, it helps manage the problem of consumer waste as the project recycles and repurposes used plastic bottles.

Read the full article at EdgeWise.PH

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Tips on Staying Awake and Alert during Graveyard Shifts

The boom in the multi-billion dollar Philippine business process outsourcing (BPO) industry has created a multitude of job opportunities for many Filipinos. Working in BPO companies can be lucrative but because it most certainly entails working the night shift, it has its challenges. If you’re considering a job in a BPO company, or in any industry that requires you to work throughout the night, here are some tips for staying awake from people who have spent years in the industry.

Working while trying to stay awake at night can be very challenging, especially for those new to the job, says Andrei, 32. Andrei began working as a customer service representative in 2004 and has hopped from one company to the next in the years since. Fighting sleepiness for those who aren’t used to sleeping in the daytime and staying awake and alert throughout the night can be difficult. For Andrei and many like him, caffeine does the job. Some companies even help their employees out. Andrei recounts that he once worked for a multinational telecommunications firm that subsidizes sodas and energy drinks. Others also provide free coffee.

But Pamela, a 26-year old Quality Analyst, says caffeine does her more harm than good. She started working in a call center several months after she graduated from college. “Having coffee or anything with caffeine while working at night is a sure fire way to keep me awake during the day when I need to be asleep,” she says. “The only thing that works for me is being in motion once in a while. I stand up, move around or close the door and do some stretching.” This way, Pamela says, she can enjoy a good day’s sleep and be alert during the evening.

Another trick graveyard shift workers use to stay awake is eating while working. 

Read the full article on EdgeWise.PH

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Pelicula’s David Hontiveros: “If I can affect even one person by something I write, that’s a victory all in itself.”

Thanks to the encouragement of many of his earliest English teachers, David Hontiveros has cultivated a lifelong love affair with language. Though he had already started writing in grade school, it was only after winning 2nd and 3rd places in a Halloween Horror Writing Contest and being asked to write a superhero comic book by a group of his friends (both incidents occurring during college) that he decided to make a serious attempt at some kind of career as a writer.

Since then he has written several comic books, pieces of short fiction, and numerous film and book reviews. He was a finalist for a National Book Award in 1997 for Best Comic Book (Dhampyr, art by Oliver Pulumbarit) and won the Palanca Award in 2002 for his short story “Kaming Mga Seroks”.

He has also edited comic books like One Night in Purgatory (Best Comic Book, 2001 Sanghaya Yearbook, National Commission for Culture and Arts; 2001 National Book Award Finalist, Best Comic Book) and was co-editor of Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni ZsaZsa Zaturnnah (2002 National Book Award Winner, Best Comic Book), both written and drawn by Carl Vergara.

What motivated you to write this book?  I’ve always been fascinated and intrigued by the idea of live superheroics, of the myriad possibilities of having superheroes in the real, physical world. Somehow, that fascination mashed-up against a very particular bit of Hollywood gossip that a friend mentioned in passing during a birthday dinner back in 2005. The curious and bizarre alchemy between those two elements produced the seed that eventually grew into Pelicula.

What is your research process? On any given day, chances are, I’m in the middle of reading something, and sometimes, what I’m reading is a bit of non-fiction. Occasionally, whatever title I’m reading will spark an idea that will turn out to be some kind of story, and that particular title is the start of my research process.

Read the full article at EdgeWise.PH.

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Writing Skill + Business Knowledge = Editor at Business Magazine

Communication majors, or anyone with an eye for detail and skill in fixing a grammatically-incorrect sentence, can try out a career as an editor. Not all publications are alike, so if you have an interest in business or international trade, that kind of newspaper (or magazine, or website) may be the right one for you.

What’s the future for a copy editor? Good ones move on from correcting typos to managing entire publications. Amanda Ocampo is an editor for a group of magazines that cover international trade and business. She was witness to the industry’s shift from print to online, and had to be an editorial expert for both.

So you’re a managing editor now. What exactly do you do? “Online content. I (and my team) write industry articles about issues affecting different aspects of China’s export manufacturing industries, and how these developments impact buyers. I am also responsible for syndicating content to third-party websites.”

What kinds of personalities do you deal because of your work? How did you learn to deal with them? “I’ve had to deal with micro, and results- and process-oriented managers. I’ve also dealt with people from other departments telling me how to do my job, as well as junior staff refusing to do theirs.

Read the full article on EdgeWise.PH.

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Visit Your Dream Destination in Korea

Your chance to visit your dream destination in Korea is here!

Tell us three places you wish to visit in Korea and why. Based on your entry, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) will select winners to receive fantastic prices.

This contest is open to residents of the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Israel, and Kazakhstan.

Winners must be able to visit Korea within the period from July 2011 to October 2011 and be able to obtain a Korean visa, if necessary. After their trip, winners will submit 10 photos and a single page travel review (A4, 12 pt. font) to the KTO.

Prizes

First Place (7 winners): 2 roundtrip plane tickets to Korea and voucher for 3 nights hotel stay (4-star hotel, double occupancy)

Each winner will choose one city that he or she wishes to visit. KTO will then select a hotel in the chosen city, and present a voucher for 3 nights stay at the hotel. The destination may change if rooms are not available at the hotel in the chosen city.

KTO will pay for the roundtrip airline tickets to Korea. Any other transportation costs (eg. airport transfer, domestic flight to cities outside of Seoul) will not be covered by KTO.

Read the full article at EdgeWise.PH.

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Sam Go of MSNBC.com: “Eager learners and creative thinkers are always welcome in any company”

At a young age, Jesamyn “Sam” Go knew she wanted a career in journalism. A two-day visit to New York when she was 14 years old was enough for her to dream of someday making it in the city that never sleeps. After graduating from the Ateneo de Manila University with a Communication Arts degree, Sam made a beeline for New York and took up a graduate program in Magazine Journalism from New York University, figuring that since the city is a major media capital, it was the place for her to be. Sam has been living her dream for the past 11 years in the Big Apple and enjoys being in the midst of the action.

As a web producer for msnbc.com, she manages a small team that publishes web content for different news and opinion shows for the network. Getting her dream job was not easy, especially because she finished her NYU program in December of 2001, post 9/11, when the job market was really tough. Fortunately for her, Sam did several internships while in NYU, including one at msnbc.com.

When an entry-level position opened up, her old bosses encouraged her to apply. She got the job, and the experience of working in “30 Rock.” Though Sam hasn’t yet run into Tina Fey, she has ridden the elevator (silently and star struck) with Alec Baldwin.

What would you consider is the biggest project you’ve handled so far in your career? “It’s tough to say: Working in news around the 2004 and 2008 elections was big. Every big news story feels like a big project – whether it was covering the Iraq war or the recent quakes in Haiti, Chile and Japan. Being in the newsroom and doing your small part during breaking news situations always feels important.

“It was also big and exciting to be part of the team producing ‘Inside the Obama White House,‘ a 2009 NBC documentary on a day in the life in the White House, filmed a few months after President Obama took office. I worked on putting the documentary online. While we were filming, we also let the day unveil in real time in Twitter, giving our audience tidbits of what we were seeing. I also produced segments for the Web that were longer and interesting but didn’t make it on air for one reason or another.

“As for projects, being involved with the development of our first iPad apps was exciting because it was so different. The portability and interface of the tablet feels like a game-changer, and seeing journalism in a new medium was amazing.”

What kinds of personalities do you deal with because of your work? Are they more within the company or external? How did you learn to deal with these personalities? “There are a lot of different personalities – it’s that way in any big company, I think. Most of my relationships are internal. Effective relationships are a critical part of any job, particularly here when we’re dealing with different mediums, teams, and cultures. TV and Web people sometimes think and react differently. A lot of folks I work with are in Redmond, Washington (msnbc.com’s headquarters), or bureaus of NBC News like in Burbank, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and London, so it’s also important to be able manage remote relationships.

“The great thing is that most people I work with are very smart, dedicated and hard-working. So I think being diplomatic and helpful is always welcome (and I think I am generally that way). Also if you approach everyone thinking that you have something to learn from them, you’ll find that most people are nice and will respect you. And you will learn things from them.”

Read the full article at EdgeWise.PH.