Right Hobbies to Boost Your Career Prospects

It’s no secret that more companies are now hiring for cultural fit in an effort to capitulate higher performing candidates. As one study from the prominent University of Atlanta’s analysis and research centre discovered that, many employers are now bringing focus to a candidate’s hobbies and analyze their personality accordingly. In fact, many employers indicated that these hobbies and benefits candidates more than experience and qualification when selecting an individual for a job.

You might think that having skills is what really attracts an employer, and hobbies carry no credibility, but if you’re a job seeker, this means that you may want to take up a hobby or two in order to make yourself more attractive to prospective employers and boost your employability –Pick hobbies that would add up to your strength, It all depends on what type of personal strengths you’re looking to showcase!  University of Atlanta experts in career counselling have short listed a few hobbies that would elevate your strength and benefit your standing in the industry.

Outdoor Sports

Hobbies like cycling, running or swimming would suggest that the person has strength and power. It would be the exact quality that would be required for a person who is looking for a career in sales or business development.

Adrenaline Rush

Mountain climbing, scuba diving, skydiving and mountain cycling are high risk taking activities, this clearly states that the person has a risk taking personality and he is not afraid to experience new and exciting things. These people are leaders that will give a major impact in their resume and personality.

The Creativity in You

Hobbies such as painting, photography and cooking, these hobbies clearly brings out the creative side of you. This kind of people is the perfect for social media, marketing, design and Public relations. Your hobbies truly reflect your characteristics.

Group Sports

Team sports such as hockey, cricket, football or dodge ball shows off that you are a team player and your can very well work with the people around you. And this quality is useful in every team based environment and people having such qualities are desirable and well appreciated in every organization.

Mind Bending Strategic Games

Games like Chess,  Sudoku and Backgammon classifies that you enjoy thinking strategically,  these kind of people are a best-fit in industries where policy makers, developers, and strategic formulation is the key factor for the required  vacancy for e.g. planning based role.

Creative writing

 If you own a personal blog where you share information such as blogging, poetry and short stories you are the best fit for in places such as content writing, communications or writing editors. This type of skill is extremely appreciated for editorial arrangements, public relations positions with a prominence on communications, or social media-type roles. 

Important Note – Don’t Fake a Hobby!

It’s significant to note that if a hobby makes you miserable, you probably shouldn’t do it – even if it will amaze employers. The same goes for constructing an interest in certain hobbies. If you fake an interest in team sports despite being the type that runs away from the ball, it might not work out so well for you, what if you’re hired and asked to join the company’s volleyball team it will be embarrassing right?

University of Atlanta Career Center and student council makes sure that graduates of UofA are not lagging behind and are always up-to-date with what happens around them. At present, UofA student are working in reputed firms all around the world. To stay connected and learn more follow us on Facebook , Googleplus, Pinterest and Twitter.

5 Essential Career Secrets You Can Steal From Mad Men

All time American television favorite ‘Mad Men’ has entered in its final chapter. The television series widely known as one of the best television series of all time is about a prestigious New York’s ad agency at the beginning of the 1960s and is widely regarded for its writing and historical authenticity.

The show is set to end on May 17th forever and we at the University of Atlanta believe that there is no other television drama that portrays business acumen, career navigation, professional challenges rather the American professional life in whole in a way that Mad Men does and that’s why we have brought together these important career secrets that you can steal from it.

Personal branding is the key to being recognized.

Personal branding is the key to being recognized

Brand yourself in such a way that would make everyone recognize you as an indicator of success. In the show, this is done by Don Draper who wraps up every business opportunity through his undeniable charisma, brilliant techniques, marketing reality and confidence. All these factors packaged together make the ‘Don Draper brand’ that not only big client’s like Coke and GM desire but top ad agencies look for. It would be your personal branding that would let others know the moment you walk in a room that you want business. Your confidence, sincerity and your attire play a big part in it.

Networking plays a big role in your career

It’s good if you have a thousand plus connections on LinkedIn or you are out on every Saturday meeting industry personnel’s but what’s important is keeping in mind that the next person you are about to meet is always as important as your first and that’s the key to networking. Mad Men has shown some great networking ideas including when Draper got hired at the agency after he met Sterling, engineering a daytime bender and came up to him the next day and convinced Sterling that he had offered Don a job but he was too drunk to remember doing that. Similarly Roger Sterling used a fling with an airline stewardess to tip him about the executives that were flying to New York looking for ad agencies and he got on the same plane, befriended them and won their business. For effective networking, you need to be ready to do everything to build rapport and keep people happy in your presence.

Working Hard may not always get you noticed

Working hard is crucial but sometimes only your hard work may not get you the attention and reward that you desired but being consistent with a can-do attitude can finally get you what you want. Peggy Olsen, had to wait a long time for her efforts to pay off as she had to break a boys only club at the work place, her preservance, love for the job and never taking no for an answer eventually paid off as she got the role she loved surpassing several others in her league.

Romance and office just can’t go along.

Romance and office just can’t go along

Over the seven seasons we have seen write a lot of office romance in this TV series be it Pete and Peggy, Joan and Roger, Don and Megan or any other, though these office romances make a great television show but in real life they turn ugly pretty quickly and it doesn’t take long for things to get complicated. It is perfectly fine to go out with a fellow co-worker but you need to keep it out of the working hours or your credibility and professionalism would be at risk.

Perception is as important as reality itself

Mad Men reveals one of the greatest marketing laws of all that is marketing is largely about managing perception. Well, this is not just limited to marketing as your career too is all about what other perceive of you and largely depends upon you managing your perception. The commercial that Don Draper came up with showing a farmer’s wife spreading margarine on her toast rather than her home made dairy cow fresh butter reveals a fine point that people will believe what you tell them and their perception would turn into a reality.

You can tell us what career lessons you have learned from Mad Men on either of our social channels Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus or Pinterest.

Read this before you make a Donation to the Victims of Nepal Earthquake – University of Atlanta Explore, Educate & Evolve Campaign

This is the right time if you have been thinking of making a donation to help the victims of the Nepal Earthquake. The University of Atlanta Explore, Educate & Evolve Campaign has put together the following important things that you need to do before making a donation to the Nepal Earthquake victims.

The spokesperson from the Center of Global Development has said that the victims of the Nepal Earthquake need your help right now as the first few weeks are the best time to make a donation. The aid that reaches the victims in the first few weeks is life-saving in nature since the local aid capacity at this time is near to zero.

It is a common practice that after every disaster there are a sheer number of organizations that come around asking for charity, but you need to select the right organization so that your donation reaches the victims. Here is what you need to do!

First of all you need to look at the organizations web presence. Check if it has a designated web page for Nepal Earthquake, check if there is some information available online about their previous relief campaigns and if the organization is allowed to spend money for the Nepal victims.

You also need to ensure that the organization you are making a donation to has a presence in Nepal and it is preferable that the organization has a ground presence along with good relations with the government and community as well as it should have some prior experience of disaster relief management.

If you are still confused you can pick out any organization from this list originally published by the New York Times about the groups that are seeking donations for relief efforts in Nepal:

• American Jewish World Service
• AmeriCares
• The Salvation Army
• International Medical Corps
• Handicap International
• Unicef
• PayPal
• Mercy Corps
• Catholic Relief Services
• Habitat for Humanity International
• Global Giving
• The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
• Oxfam
• World Vision
• Red Cross
• United Nations World Food Program
• Samaritan’s Purse
• CARE
• Save the Children
• Lutheran World Relief
• The Jewish Federations of North America
• SOS: Children’s Villages International
• MAP International
• International Relief Teams
• Project Concern International
• Operation Blessing International

Moreover, It is advised that you avoid making any direct payments to personal bank account numbers and always ask questions if there is not enough information available on the organization’s website because it is your right to know where your money is going, how it is going to be spent and whether it is reaching the victims or not.

Lastly, we will advise you to be patient as the situation in Nepal is quite chaotic. On media it may feel like nothing is being done but it doesn’t mean that donations are not reaching the victims because the destruction is massive and it will take years not months to have things come close to normal.

The University of Atlanta wants you to keep these things in mind before making a donation to help the victims of the Nepal Earthquake. You can follow us on Facebook, Google Plus , Pinterest and Twitter to stay updated.

What Can You Do To Save The Earth? - University of Atlanta Explore, Educate & Evolve Campaign

Every year there are some specific days in our lives that call for reflection. Those days may include your birthday, a certain holiday, an anniversary, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s day or any other. It is at such days that we think about how had we celebrated, what had we done and what we could had done. The University of Atlanta Explore, Educate & Evolve Campaign similarly wants you to reflect what you have done about protecting your environment on the Earth Day. So here are some things that you can start doing today as an individual to save the Earth.

Carpooling

The extra room in your car can be put to good use by ride-sharing or car pooling. If you are carpooling just twice a week you are keeping out 1,600 pounds of greenhouse gases of the air each year. Carpooling not only reduces the carbon dioxide emissions but it can save you big bucks too.

Using public transportation

You can completely cut down emissions from your car by using public transportation for commuting. Moreover, by using public transit you would not have to waste time and energy looking for a parking spot and can save your parking money plus the time spent driving can also be put to good use.

Get a bike

You can get yourself a bike to run nearby errands without any emissions. With a bike, you would also get a quick exercise and you would easily avoid the traffic too.

Conserve energy

The main reason of our environmental problems is our need of energy. The population of the United States is about 5 percent of the population of the world, but the U.S. alone is responsible to consume 25 percent of the energy of the world. You can conserve energy by turning off unused electronic devices.

Conserve water

According to recent news some places in the United States including California are running out of water. Keeping in mind that only 1 percent of the water of the world can be used because 97 percent is sea water and 2 percent is frozen you should use it wisely and should protect your water environment.

One more "R"

You should start to use another ‘R’ of 'repair' to reduce, reuse and recycle when you think of the environment. If something is broken most of the times it can be repaired thus cutting down on waste.

Stop wasting paper

Though everything is going digital these days but paper is still extensively used. Every day only the businesses in America are generating enough paper to circle the Earth 20 times. So next time just think before you print something and cut down excessive paper use to help save trees and contribute in protecting your environment.

We at University of Atlanta believe that the Earth Day is not just about saving the Earth but it is about saving yourself. Follow our campaign on Facebook, Google Plus , Pinterest and Twitter to stay updated and keep protecting your environment.

Saving the Earth with Solar Energy - University of Atlanta Explore, Educate & Evolve Campaign

Our Planet has been suffering from our own neglect and with every passing day the condition is becoming severe. Today the sea levels are quickly rising, we are experiencing intense storms, frequent droughts as well as several other unpredictable climatic changes. These climatic changes have exposed our economy, health, safety as well as the safety of our future generations to a great risk.

Since the first Earth Day in 1970 consistent efforts have been made resulting in several important environmental laws to be ruled out to protect our environment. Today, we have found better and more efficient sources of energy which have proved more environment-friendly and their use is now instrumental in protecting our Planet’s environment.

Solar energy is obtained from the radiation from the sun. It is used to generate electricity with the help of solar panels and it can be used to save our planet from increasing environmental pollution and disasters. Moreover, it is a clean and reliable source of energy which should be used to replace other energy sources that produce high carbon emissions.

Today in America, a solar panel is installed every 2.5 minute of every passing hour according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and with each installation clean energy is provided to us which is direly needed by our Planet’s environment. There was no solar energy panel on the first Earth Day but 45 years later the solar energy produced only in America can be used to power 4 million homes and this number is expected to double by the end of 2016. This increased solar energy produced by the end of 2016 would be equivalent to removing approximately 10 million carbon emitting vehicles from the U.S. roads or shutting down 10 coal powered energy plants that are a major source of carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S.

The solar powered energy has huge potential and we at the University of Atlanta believe that solar energy will be instrumental in providing clean and emission-free energy in the future. Start contributing in saving the Earth by following the University of Atlanta Explore, Educate & Evolve Campaign on Facebook, Google plus , Pinterest and Twitter.

Climatic Change is the Biggest Threat We Face Today - University of Atlanta Explore, Educate & Evolve Campaign

This year’s Earth Day was an important point in the history of our Earth’s environment. The increasingly changing Earth’s environment has led the authorities to focus on this issue and this year led to an unprecedented decision by the members of the U.S. Congress who recognized that the climate change is real and the United States President Barack Obama also announced goals that would reduce overall emissions by one-third in the next 10 years.

Today, the biggest threat is ‘climatic change’ which we face not as a nation or as an economy but as humanity. The climatic changes pose a great threat not only to our lives, our economies, our public health but also to the lives of our future generations as well. On this Earth Day, the United States President recognized this great threat stating:

“The effects of climate change can no longer be denied or ignored – 2014 was the planet’s warmest year recorded, and 14 of the 15 hottest years on record have happened this century.”

The rapidly changing climate has serious consequences. It is changing the way we live. Today we are experiencing more droughts, stronger storms, deadly earthquakes, frequent Tsunamis and hurricanes. Even the air we breathe is by getting polluted because of our own actions.

We ourselves are making our planet warmer and warmer and are increasing the risk of dangerous climatic changes. According to scientists, we are crossing serious tipping points in the Earth’s ecosystem which is leading to dramatic and irreversible climate and environmental changes.

The University of Atlanta believes in preserving natural and God-given environment. We at University of Atlanta love our planet and work to keep it safe for our families. Follow the University of Atlanta Explore, Educate & Evolve Campaign on Facebook, Google plus , Pinterest and Twitter to get all the information regarding keeping our planet safe because it is only Earth which we all have in common and it is the only planet we have got.

Four Tips for a Greener Lifestyle- University of Atlanta Explore, Educate and Evolve

University of Atlanta not only teaches students to become more responsible but also help them discover hidden realities and make them become a polished individual. With University of Atlanta Explore, Educate and Evolve campaign we aim to explore more, educate more and evolve more.

Individual action in one’s community or region is key to reducing all kinds of air quality problems — from neighborhood smoke to global atmospheric degradation. Each one of us plays a part in polluting the air. Equally, there's so much we can do to become part of the environmental solution. Here are some suggestions

Hints for Green Lifestyle

Avoid garden tools that run on gasoline

 The engine in a gas-powered lawn mower produces eight times the pollution that a car engine does. The best option is human energy: push a hand mower, and use a rake instead of a leaf blower. Your neighbors will appreciate the peace and quiet, and your body will get a free workout!

Buy products with less packaging

 It takes a lot of energy to make packaging, and VOCs are generated during the printing process. More packaging also means more solid waste, putting an extra strain on our landfills. 

Screen savers use energy

Make sure your computer automatically switches to sleep mode and turn your monitors off if you can.

Check your walls for cracks

Check for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, lights and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home. Caulk and insulate everywhere.

Learn to become environmental friendly and use tips that would save the earth. University of Atlanta Evolve, Educate and Explore campaign wants to spread the message of education and humanity this campaign is an initiative towards a better and brighter tomorrow.
  

Stay connected with University of Atlanta and explore ways to make a difference join us and share your contributions. To get frequent updates don’t forget to follow UofA on Facebook , Google plus , Pinterest and Twitter

How Far Have We Gotten From The First Earth Day? - University of Atlanta Explore, Educate & Evolve Campaign

This year was the 45th Earth Day that we all celebrated on 22nd April. Yes! It has been 45 years of celebration of Earth Day so the main question is how far we have gotten from the first Earth Day? Have we achieved the mission we had established for the Earth Day? And most importantly are we doing any better?

Upon discussing the Earth Day we should remember the fact that although pollution and natural resources are important issues to focus on but these issues are the byproduct of our own need for energy that we require to power essential elements of our lifestyle. So we should remember the main issue is discovering and implementing efficient ways to produce this required energy that leads to impacts like pollution and depletion of natural resources.

Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the United States published its ‘annual energy outlook 2015‘ which is the primary source of energy information in the United States. According to the report, we are doing a little better as the reports say that there has been a decline in energy consumption in some sectors due to the adoption of energy-efficient methods.

Renewable energy production is also doing better and the energy-related carbon dioxide emission are stabilized because of using energy efficient methods and shifting to using renewable energy and natural gas thus decreasing carbon related emissions from energy generation. So overall there has been a reduction in the energy intensity which is the amount of energy an American uses per dollar of the United States gross domestic product and there has also been a decrease in carbon related emissions because of the decrease in energy intensity.

Looking forward to 2040, it is estimated that the carbon emission would further decline because of our new energy efficient lifestyle which would include using gasoline for transportation, using renewable energy for space heating and lighting purposes and other energy efficient ways. All these factors considered, Yes! we are on track and are moving in the right direction so the answer to the question is we are indeed doing better that the first Earth Day 45 years ago but we still have a long way to go to achieve the goals that we had established for the Earth Day.

Interested in knowing more about the Earth Day? Follow the University of Atlanta Explore, Educate & Evolve Campaign on Facebook , Google plus , Pinterest and Twitter and make a difference today.

Things You Can Do To Stop Global Warming – University of Atlanta Explore, Educate and Evolve Campaign

It’s our duty to take care of Mother Nature and play our part in making this world a better place. University of Atlanta Explore, Educate and Evolve Campaign is determined to bring a change by exploring causes behind Global Warming. We invite you to join this campaign by rightly committing to your duty. Every day we are doing things not knowing how badly it is damaging Mother Earth. We ask you to stand up for what’s right and join us for a noble cause.

What is Global Warming?

Global Warming is the increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to effect of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels or from deforestation, which trap heat that would otherwise escape from Earth. This is a type of greenhouse effect.

What Can We Do to Stop Global Warming?

Global Warming is an intensely urgent and serious problem. We don’t need to wait for governments to find a solution for this problem: each individual can bring a significant help adopting a more responsible lifestyle: starting from small, everyday things. It’s the only reasonable way to save our planet, before it is too late.

Clean filters on your furnace and air conditioner

Did you know that cleaning a dirty air filter can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year?

Do not leave machines on standby

Use the “on/off” function on the machine itself. A TV set that’s switched on for 3 hours a day and in standby mode during the remaining 21 hours uses about 40% of its power in standby mode.

Cover your pots while cooking

Doing so can save a lot of the energy needed for preparing the dish. Even better are pressure cookers and steamers: they can save around 70%!

Take a shower instead of a bath

A shower takes up to four times less energy than a bath. To make the most of the energy saving, avoid power showers and use low-flow showerheads, which are less costly and provide the same comfort.

Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible

Do you know that you can actually save 700 pounds of carbon dioxide when you air dry your clothes for 6 months out of the year?

Plant a tree

A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15%.

Learn to become environmental friendly and use tips that would save the earth. University of Atlanta Evolve, Educate and Explore campaign wants to spread the message of education and humanity this campaign is an initiative towards a better and brighter tomorrow. 

Stay connected with University of Atlanta and explore ways to make a difference join us and share your contributions. To get frequent updates don’t forget to follow UofA on Facebook , Google plus , Pinterest and Twitter.

What Research Says About the Real Worth of a College Degree? - University of Atlanta Explore, Educate & Evolve Campaign

A college degree comes with much financial burden in the United States. Whether it is at a community college, at a public or a private institution, the cost of getting a college degree was never this much. More importantly when we examine higher education from an investment point of view the picture is not so good. The increasing financial burden along with a gloomy picture of return on investment has raised many reservations about the real worth of a college degree.

Recently a study was conducted in the United States that measured how much the U.S. college fees have increased since the recession. According to the research, the college fees have increased more than 1,225% in the last 36 years, this is more than the average increase in the biggest U.S. expenses that is medical which increased 634% and it has increased even more than the inflation measure consumer price index which increased 279% in the last 36 years. Moreover, the U.S. per student college cost has increased nearly five times the rate of inflation since 1983.

The United States Department of Education has named financial consideration as one of the big reasons for students failing to get a college degree and these students are about 33 percent of the U.S. middle-class students. Even Americans who borrow money for education in form of student debts are at a disadvantage as nearly $1 trillion student loans have been taken by the U.S students making student debt bigger than the credit card debt in America.

A more recent 2014 research from the Pew Research Center showed that not going to college is even worse and it proves to be much more costly in the later years. The research showed that students who successfully graduate from college earn US$17,500 more than their peers who are only high school graduates and when we start to compare graduates and non-graduate salaries the decision whether to get a college degree or not gets all clear.

The University of Atlanta strongly believes that it is extremely important to invest in a college degree today and the reason is quite obvious because who fail to do so are falling further and further behind. The University of Atlanta Explore, Educate & Evolve Campaign brings you most useful facts and information that prepare you for academic and professional success, you too can join the campaign by following us on Facebook , Google plus , Pinterest and Twitter. 

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle with University of Atlanta Explore, Educate and Evolve Campaign

Our land is our treasure and to save it from hazards is our social responsibility. We want you to make smart choices and save the mother earth. The message of Reduce, Reuse & Recycle, is to eliminate problems such as global warming and deforestation. With University of Atlanta Explore, Educate and Evolve Campaign, follow these 3R’s and help create a better world.  

Let’s learn how to make these three R’s work:

REDUCE

The best way to manage waste is to not produce it. This can be done by shopping carefully and being aware of a few guidelines:

Tips that can help you contribute.

-          Buy products in bulk, avoid over-packaged goods, especially ones packed with several materials such as foil, paper, and plastic.

-          Make sure that you always purchase durable goods - ones that are well-built or that which carry warranties.

REUSE

It makes economic and environmental sense to reuse products. Sometimes it takes creativity.

-          One can save paper and plastic bags, repair broken appliances, toys and furniture.

-          Use reseal-able containers rather than plastic wraps.  Use ceramic coffee mug instead of paper cups.

RECYCLE

The process of recycling means to make a new product out of an old product.

 You can contribute by:

-          Purchase goods made from recycled material. Look for the recycling symbol or ask store managers or salesmen.

-          Check collection centers and curbside pickup services to see what they accept, and begin collecting those materials.

Learn to become environmental friendly and use tips that would save the earth. University of Atlanta Evolve, Educate and Explore campaign wants to spread the message of education and humanity this campaign is an initiative towards a better and brighter tomorrow.  

Stay connected with University of Atlanta and explore ways to make a difference join us and share your contributions. To get frequent updates don’t forget to follow UofA on Facebook , Google plus , Pinterest and Twitter.