Study Suggests Breastfed Babies Grow Up Stronger

by Alex A. Kecskes

Medical researchers at the University of Granada recently revealed a number of benefits babies receive when they are breastfed.

For example, adolescents who were breastfed as babies had stronger leg muscles than those who were not breastfed. In addition, muscular leg strength rose in direct correlation to the length of time a baby was breastfed. Researchers also noted that breastfed boys and girls outperformed their non-breastfed counterparts in horizontal jumping, regardless of such factors as fat mass, height or the amount of muscle.

Adolescents who were breastfed from three to five months, or for more than six months had outperformed by nearly double those who had never been breastfed. Researchers noted that if all children were exclusively breastfed from birth, it might be possible to save nearly 1.5 million lives. This was reiterated by UNICEF, which noted that breastmilk is the "perfect feed" exclusively during the first six months of life and additionally over two years.

The advantages of breastfeeding newborns include immunological protection against allergies, skin diseases, obesity and diabetes, as well as a guarantee of the growth, development and intelligence of the baby. Women who breastfeed also enjoy a number of benefits, including reduction of post-birth haemorrhage, anaemia, maternity mortality, and a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding also strengthens the affective link between mother and child.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Beyond.com.

Bifocal Wearers Rejoice! New Technology Changes The Face Of Eyeglasses

Bifocal lens haven't changed much since Ben Franklin invented them, but now they are getting a long overdue makeover

The medical profession and healthcare industry is always innovating and coming up with new solutions and treatments. However, for people who wear corrective lenses, bifocals in particular, there hasn't been much change in the design and function of these dual prescription lenses.

When Ben Franklin invented the bifocal lens in 1784, it was an answer to a problem he had and one that is shared by many. He needed a lens for reading and working with things close up, but still needed a different lens for doing other things. The solution was to put the reading lens on the bottom of the standard lens, allowing the wearer to change the lenses by looking through different parts of the glasses.

The problem is that when you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, it is difficult to look at things lower than your head without it being distorted. But, a company called PixelOptics has used technology to come up with a new solution to this age old problem.

The company, based in Roanoke, Va, has plans to introduce a new line of electronic eyeglasses called emPower. The high tech glasses allow wearers to toggle between the close up prescription and the distance prescription with just a touch.

The glasses need to charge on a special docking station for about eight hours, and after that, they can run for about three days. The electrical lenses were manufactured by Panasonic and they contain a layer of liquid crystal between layers of plastic. When the glasses are turned on, the electrical charge reaches the liquid crystal and realign the molecules to form the prescription.

To make things even easier for wearers, they can program the eyeglasses to trigger the lens change by either tilting their head downward or by pressing a fingertip to the temple of the eyeglass frame.

When the glasses are triggered, a zone in the bottom portion of the lens activates, providing a close up reading lens. When they are triggered again, the zone disappears. The change takes just a split second.

This way, wearers can control when they need the close-up lens, and this solves the biggest problem of bifocals. With traditional bifocals, wearers can't look down at things without having to deal with distortion. In the 1950's, progressive lenses were introduced to make the transition from the regular lens to the reading lens less noticeable, but they weren't able to completely solve the problem.

PixelOptics plans to release the new glasses on June 1^st in Virginia and North Carolina. From there, they will begin to enter into new areas. For now they will only be available from select eyewear professionals, not large chains or online. The lenses are predicted to sell for around $1,000 to $1,250.

Do you wear bifocals or progressive lenses? What do you think about this new innovation? Let me know in the comments.

If you are looking for a new job in Healthcare, visit HealthcareJobsite for the best Healthcare job listings.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for HealthcareJobsiteBlog. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

The Career History of Kate Middleton

Without a doubt, in recent times, the Royal Wedding is definitely on both the public’s and the media’s minds. Kate Middleton, as a commoner, is definitely in the spotlight as well. As such, it may be interesting to learn about the careers that Kate has explored in recent times.

Kate’s University Education

As a graduate with an Art History Degree from St. Andrews in 2005, Kate does have a good educational background. However, it can be difficult to pursue an Art History related career with a graduate degree, which may have been the reason why Kate was not able to pursue this type of career upon graduating.

Career at Jigsaw

Instead, Kate worked as a fashion accessories buyer for the company, Jigsaw. Jigsaw is a UK-based company that has been designing, manufacturing and retailing clothes and accessories since 1972. Today, Jigsaw boasts of over forty stores throughout the United Kingdom.

Career at Party Pieces

From that position, Kate decided that she wanted to embark on a career in professional photography. Soon afterwards, she began working for her parents company, Party Pieces, as a photographer. Other duties at this position included magazine layout duties, editorial work and other duties as required. However, early on in 2011, Kate resigned from this position – in order to focus her attention on the planning of the elaborate wedding and to prepare for life as a Royal.

Future Career Prospects

Additionally, sources such as US Weekly claimed that she is also taking advantage of this time to meet with charities that she plans to endorse and support when she is officially married to Prince William. One of the charities that she is rumoured to be working with is a non-profit called Beatbullying.org – a charity dedicated to raising awareness and eradicating the effects of bullying on children.

Overall, while Kate will definitely lead a more privileged existence when she marries into the Royal Family, she definitely will also be under quite a bit of pressure from the media. What about you? Would you want to lead life as a Royal?

Larisa Redins is a full time writer and editor with degrees in both Arts and Biological Science. She writes about career issues for PhillyJobsBlog.com and other topics for a variety of international websites and magazines. Please visit her other blogs at PhillyJobsBlog.com and view job posting at Beyond.com.

Outlook Good for Surgical Technologists

by Alex A. Kecskes

Despite the bad economy, the job outlook for Surgical Technologists, popularized in the TV series SCRUBS will be pretty good.

Surgical Techs assist RNs, anesthesiologists and surgeons are part of the OR team. They prep the OR, patient and equipment for surgery. They also monitor the patient’s vital signs and records, and help doctors and nurses put on their gloves and gowns. During an operation, they hand tools and supplies to the surgeons and count supplies (like needles and sponges) to ensure that nothing is left inside the patient.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for Surgical Techs are expected to grow 25 percent between 2008 and 2018, with the best opportunities going to those who are certified and willing to relocate.

Surgical procedures will increase as the U.S. population ages and baby boomers fill the ranks of those requiring operations. Adding to this need will be advances in technology—like fiber optics and laser technology—which will add to the number and type of surgical procedures to be performed.

Most job opportunities for surgical techs will come from hospitals, where surgical techs may begin to replace nurses as hospitals try to cut OR costs. Employment growth is also expected in physician offices and in outpatient care centers, including ambulatory surgical centers. Those who wish to advance in this field will need to specialize and work in such areas as open-heart surgery or gastrointestinal procedures.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Beyond.com.

Region's businesses optimistic, but...

The Federal Reserve has released its April Beige Book - the periodic informal survey of business conditions in the 12 Federal Reserve districts - and the news from the Philadelphia Fed is good news for the economy, but guarded for the region's job market. Businesses in the region are optimistic that the recovery now under way will continue and strengthen - optimistic enough that demand for workers has risen, but not so optimistic that they are ready to hire on a large scale yet.

As in much of the rest of the country, manufacturing has rebounded in the Philadelphia district, which includes eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. More than half the manufacturers the Philly Fed contacted said shipments and new orders increased in March, an increase in activity from February. Retail sales also improved, but not as strongly, and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan has disrupted shipments of electronics, autos and auto parts, also affecting sales.

On the construction front, activity remains depressed thanks to weak home sales and a languid commercial real estate market. But home sales are showing signs of picking up, and some builders told the Fed that they are seeing an uptick in remodeling jobs.

Service firms also reported increased business in March, but again, gains are modest. The Beige Book cited one respondent's response as emblematic of the sector: "The cycle has turned up, but our customers are being very cautious about increases in spending."

In sum, the economic recovery continues to gain steam in Greater Philadelphia and its surrounding hinterlands, but not enough steam to produce an explosion in hiring. Job seekers should expect continued stiff competition for available openings in their fields.

Gird yourself for battle. Use the educational and support resources on PhillyJobs.com to maximize your marketability.

By Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is a veteran freelance writer, editor and public relations professional who lives in Philadelphia. Besides blogging for PhillyJobs.com, he has written for numerous publications and websites, would be happy to do your resume, and is himself actively seeking career opportunities on Beyond.com. Check out his LinkedIn profile and read his other posts on PhillyJobsBlog.com.

In The Hot Seat: EZ

Be careful not to sabotage your stamina when you’re In The Hot Seat. Rejuvenate your job search at PhillyJobs.com.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a multimedia developer with experience in web, film, photography and animation as well as traditional fine arts like painting and sculpting. In addition to writing for PhillyJobsBlog.com, she is co-founder of design and promotion company, BlackChip Solutions with fellow Beyond.com blogger, Staci Dennis. Heather’s spare time consists of making puppets, teaching Sunday School, building Legos and doing science experiments with her children.

It's All In The Hands

Massage Therapist uses the practice of touch to manipulate the soft tissue muscles of the body. Massage therapists use the art of pressure to relieve stress and promote health. There are 80 different types of massages. Massages can be as long as 2 hours or as short as 20 minutes. Different techniques are used on elderly clients then would be used on athletics.

Massage therapists typically work on an appointment basis. They interview the client to learn about the person’s medical history and what they hope to achieve from the massage. A client with injuries would be massaged differently than one who just wanted to relax. Massage therapist use massage oil, cream or lotions to rub into the client’s muscles. Some offer candles, relaxing music and incense to help put the client at ease.

If proper techniques aren’t used, massage therapists can injure themselves. Repetitive motion problems and fatigue from standing are the most common complaints. They are taught to use body weight, to apply pressure instead of muscular strength. They learn the proper way to stand, lean, and use their hands when working. Other qualifications a therapist should have include strong communications skills and a friendly personality. Massage is a personal issue with a lot of people and making them comfortable is an important skill. It’s common for massage therapist to divide their time among different settings, depending on clients and locations. Massage therapist typically work less than 40 hours per week actually massaging. However, when taking into consideration travel, setting up equipment, billing and the massage therapy itself, it’s actually over 40 hours.

So who gets massages and why? Massages help relieve muscle tension and pain. It increases flexibility, mobility and helps clear lactic acid waste which can help reduce pain and stiffness. People with back pain, arthritis, tendentious, and muscle related condition would benefit from a massage. Also people who need stress relief benefit from massages. It will help with headaches, migraines, circulatory problems, and respiratory problems. Massage helps the body’s stress response by lowering the levels of cortisol in the system.

There is schooling to learn how to be a massage therapist. It can take anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on the level you want to reach. The average is about two years. Look for a program that leads to certification and satisfies your jurisdiction’s licensing requirements. Many states require 500 to 600 hours of training. Depending on the program that you choose, you will graduate either with certification in a certain specialty or with a degree. No matter what your schedule or where you are, you can find a massage school to fit your needs, even online.

So if you like to help people feel good about themselves and help relieve pain, this may be the career for you.

By Linda Lee Ruzicka

Linda Lee Ruzicka lives in the mountains of Western PA , happily married and with her 8 cats and three dogs. She has been published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Writing Village, June Cotner anthology, The Grit, Reminisce , the book, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family. She also does freelances work for Beyond andHealthcarejobsite. You can read more of her blogs on Healthcarejobsite blog.

10 Tips To Make Your Interview a Success

Interviews can be stressful. Here are 10 tips to be at the top of your game.

So, you finally got the interview for the job of your dreams. Congrats! Now the pressure is on. With the large pool of applicants, just being invited to interview is a huge accomplishment, but making sure that you don't blow the interview can pack on so much additional pressure that you might start to feel your composure slip.

If you are feeling nervous about your interview, keep these 10 tips in mind:

1. 
   
   Be professional and kind to everyone – From the time you leave to go to your interview, be kind and professional to everyone you come across. This means no “road-raging” at the driver who cut you off. Holding the door for the person behind you when entering the building and being nice to the receptionist. You never know, the person you just screamed at from your car might be your interviewer. Plus, it puts you in a professional mindset which makes it easier when you get to the interview.
   
   
   
   


2. 
   
   Eat before your interview – If the interview is going to occur during your usual lunch time or late in the afternoon, go ahead and eat a light meal ahead of time. You don't want to be in a food coma, but at the same time, it's hard to think when you are hungry. Also, having a silence broken by your loud tummy rumble is embarrassing.
   
   
   
   


3. 
   
   Make eye contact – Look everyone in the eye. The receptionist, other applicants and the interviewer. Making eye contact will demonstrate your confidence and professionalism.
   
   
   
   


4. 
   
   Overdress – There is nothing worse than showing up under dressed. Even if you know that the company is a causal workplace, your interview clothes should be nicer than what you would typically wear to work.
   
   
   
   


5. 
   
   Be sure to answer the questions – When interviewers ask open ended questions, it is easy to stammer your way through them because of nerves. The bigger problem comes when you realize after the fact that you never actually answered the question.
   
   
   
   


6. 
   
   Never lie on a resume – It's one thing to spin your information to show yourself in the best light, but never outright lie. It's way too easy for an employer to check and you don't want to ruin your professional reputation and compromise your integrity over something that may not even give you an advantage.
   
   
   
   


7. 
   
   Always ask questions – Asking questions shows that you are interested in finding out more about the job and that you are looking for ways that your skills can be useful to the company.
   
   
   
   


8. 
   
   Ask when they are planning to make a decision – It is perfectly acceptable to ask the interviewer when they are planning to make a hiring decision. This information is important, as it will let you know when you can expect to hear something. Many people say that they think this question is a little pushy, but I think that showing that you are eager for the job is never a bad thing, so long as it's done in moderation.
   
   
   
   


9. 
   
   Send a thank you note every time – Even if you realized during the interview that you don't want the job, or you think that you blew it completely, always send a note to thank the interviewer for their time. It is a professional courtesy, and one that seems to becoming rare these days.
   
   
   
   


10. 
    
    Follow up (but not too much) – During the interview, you should ask when it's appropriate to follow up. Then, after the interview, call and check on the job status. Because you asked about it during the interview, it shouldn't feel too awkward. Just be careful not to be too pushy. Calling other employees from the directory or calling every day will make the interviewer dislike you. If the hiring manager asks you to stop calling or suggest another day that you should call, follow their instruction to the letter.

Interviewing doesn't have to be nerve-wracking. Just remember to relax and let your best self shine through. This is the interviewer's chance to see how you behave in a professional environment and to find out more about what sort of employee you would be. Even if you don't get the job, don't take it personally, consider it practice and keep on with your job search.

What other things do you think should be on this list? Let me know in the comments.

If you are looking for a job in the Philadelphia area, visit PhillyJobs for the best Philadelphia are job listings.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for PhillyJobsBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

In The Hot Seat: Rock

Looking for a job in Philly? Explain where you’re coming from when you’re In The Hot Seat.

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Be sure to visit PhillyJobs.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a multimedia developer with experience in web, film, photography and animation as well as traditional fine arts like painting and sculpting. In addition to writing for PhillyJobsBlog.com, she is co-founder of design and promotion company, BlackChip Solutions with fellow Beyond.com blogger, Staci Dennis. Heather’s spare time consists of making puppets, teaching Sunday School, building Legos and doing science experiments with her children.

Healthcare Jobs Outlook Improving…Slowly

by Alex A. Kecskes

For healthcare professionals and those about to enter the field, 2011 should be a better year. After several years of sluggish growth, healthcare hiring is expected to pick up slightly. Unfortunately, a number of factors will continue to limit job growth.

Long-term unemployment continues to influence healthcare consumers, many of whom are now without "cushy" company paid policies. These people have simply dropped out of the market due to exorbitantly high individual plans whose rates have gone up, in some cases, by 56 percent. Some have "bitten the bullet" and opted for extremely high deductible, catastrophic coverage plans. These brave souls have elected to forgo everything but emergency and catastrophic healthcare. Many of these underinsured, especially those nearing retirement age, are delaying elective procedures until their Medicare coverage kicks in. Less demand for healthcare translates into reduced hiring for nurses and other healthcare professionals.

The good news is that healthcare hiring will improve slightly in 2011. Down the line, healthcare is expected to be an engine of job growth. According BLS projections, healthcare and social-assistance employment will expand by nearly 4 million jobs, to 19.8 million, from 2008 to 2018.

That said, if you're considering going into the healthcare field, the job picture will be lean, even in areas where shortages were the norm. Employment in specialties areas like pediatrics, perinatal or ICU will present a challenge to all but the most qualified and experienced job seekers. On the optimistic side, a survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing noted that 65 percent of new BSN grads received a job offer after graduation in 2010. And 89 percent had secured offers within 6 months of graduation.

The competition for healthcare jobs is tough and you'll need more education to stay in the game. Some physical therapy and rehabilitation jobs now require a doctorate. And nurses will fare better with a B.S. degree than and A.S. degree.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Beyond.com.

Job creation on the campaign radar screen

Some months back, I wrote a post on this blog about how the city needed to make it easy for new small businesses to get off the ground and grow in order to create more good jobs in Philadelphia.

Thus I am happy to report that, with the May 17 city primary just around the corner, several City Council candidates from both parties have made job creation a key plank in their campaign platforms.

Two of them, Democrat Andy Toy and Republican David Oh, are seeking their respective parties' nominations for at-large Council seats. In the last Council election, Oh nearly won an at-large seat, buoyed by Democratic crossover votes, and with Jack Kelly retiring, has a good shot at one of the two at-large seats reserved for the minority party. While Toy faces a harder fight, since all five Democratic incumbents are running for re-election, voter dissatisfaction with elected officials continuing to serve after claiming DROP early retirement payments may create an opportunity for Toy to grab a nomination.

A third, Jeff Hornstein, is running in a four-way race for the Democratic nomination for the First District Council seat being vacated by Frank DiCicco. As no Republican is seeking this seat, the winner of the primary will represent the district that includes eastern South Philly, eastern Center City, Northern Liberties, Fishtown, Port Richmond and most of the Delaware waterfront come next January.

Toy has spent his entire career focusing on economic development, both in City Hall and in the nonprofit sector. Hornstein had his consciousness raised on the issue when one of the janitors in the union where he worked as an organizer complained that children couldn't find jobs, among other issues, and asked what the union could do about that. Oh, himself a small businessman once with a one-man law practice, has made encouraging entrepreneurship in Philadelphia a centerpiece of all three campaigns he has run for Council. Hornstein, the only one of the three who has taken to the airwaves with ads on cable TV, has punched hard on the issue in his ad, which criticizes what he calls "the laziest economic development strategy of any city I'm familiar with."

All three agree on one major point: The city's business tax structure needs major reform. Hornstein has called for elimination of the city's net profits tax, and the other two say that business taxes need to be reduced to encourage new businesses. Oh and Toy have also made streamlining the city's licensing, permitting, and other regulatory processes to make them less of an obstacle to business formation, and Toy is also calling for increased access to capital for startup businesses, especially in minority communities. Hornstein wants to make it easier for the city to put vacant land back in the hands of people who will develop it as well.

While their philosophies and emphases may differ, it is encouraging to see three very viable Council candidates stressing the need to make Philadelphia more hospitable to new and small businesses. If all three manage to make it onto Council come November, we may stand a chance of seeing real progress on this issue at long last.

Whether your career is a startup or a mature enterprise, you should invest in it by looking for career growth opportunities on PhillyJobs.com.

By Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is a veteran freelance writer, editor and public relations professional who lives in Philadelphia. Besides blogging for PhillyJobs.com, he has written for numerous publications and websites, would be happy to do your resume, and is himself actively seeking career opportunities on Beyond.com. Check out his LinkedIn profile and read his other posts on PhillyJobsBlog.com.

3-D Picture Reveals Attack Mechanism of Herpes Virus

by Alex A. Kecskes

About one out of six people 14 to 49 years of age have genital herpes. The infection is more common in women than in men and transmission typically occurs from an infected male to a female partner.

The herpes virus can result in everything from mild cold sores to serious illnesses like shingles or even cancer. The good news is that medical researchers are moving closer to understanding how the virus attacks the human body.

Using NMR (similar to an MRI), researchers have developed a 3-D model of a herpes virus protein interacting with human protein. Viruses can't survive or replicate on their own, so they attack a human cell to do so. The goal, say researchers is to outmaneuver the virus when it moves in for the attack.

The 3-D model reveals how the viral protein borrows the molecular components inside human cells, allowing the virus to replicate itself and spread the infection throughout the body. The enhanced imagery has allowed researchers to understand how viral and cellular proteins work together to coax the viral genetic material out of the cell's nucleus. The genetic material is then used to create the protein building blocks for new viruses.

The new imagery provides a greater understanding of how a particular viral infection works on a molecular level. Armed with this information, researchers hope to develop successful strategies to minimize the impact of infection.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Beyond.com.

Protect Your Facebook Image Quickly and Easily

By now, you probably know that is very important to keep your Facebook profile looking professional. After all, whether you are looking for a job or you are gainfully employed, you must ensure that your Facebook profile is projecting a proper image. However, as keeping your Facebook profile can be difficult to do, there fortunately now is a free Facebook app available that can help you with this very task. Called Reppler and created by a former Vice-President of Cloud Services at AVG, this Facebook app can help manage your Facebook image.

According to Reppler, this Facebook app offers a social media monitoring service that keeps your “social reputation clean and safe”. Reppler monitors your profiles continuously to ensure that the image that you present to your friends and associates is a professional and positive one.

For instance, Reppler will inform you of any inappropriate content that is posted to your Facebook Wall or listed on your newsfeed. By inappropriate, Reppler refers to adult, alcohol and drug content – as well as any inappropriate language. Moreover, you can choose exactly what subject areas you would like to monitor - and how you would like to be notified - if inappropriate content is flagged.

Reppler also boasts of other helpful features that include:

• The ability to analyze content on your Facebook Wall to determine if the overall comments are neutral negative or positive. Reppler also monitors recent topic trends on your Wall - and where most of these posts are coming from. This app also analyzes the categories of Facebook pages that you “like” and analyzes when you use Facebook the most.

• ·The ability to notify you of any potential security and/or privacy risks on your Facebook account. For instance, the app will let you know what – if any – of your information can be viewed by the general public. Moreover, Reppler will notify you if any links on your Facebook profile are harmful; for instance, the app will let inform you if you have spam, malware, phishing and other scams on your profile. Once again, you can customize Reppler to determine what exactly the app should monitor - and how you should be contacted if something is amiss.

Overall, Reppler looks like a helpful tool for people with both privacy and security concerns on Facebook. What about you? Do you have Facebook image and/or security concerns?

Larisa Redins is a full time writer and editor with degrees in both Arts and Biological Science. She writes about career issues for PhillyJobsBlog.com and other topics for a variety of international websites and magazines. Please visit her other blogs at PhillyJobsBlog.com and view job posting at Beyond.com.

Wii Helps Rehabilitate Kids

A small group of students from Rice University have designed a video game for Nintendo's Wii console that uses the Wii Balance Board (I pressure sensitive peripheral) to help Shiner's Hospital's children keep track of their overall progress in physical therapy. These engineers and computer scientists spent many hours working together to create a device that helps to line up the Wii Balance Board between two hand rails which tell the doctors how much their patient is relying on their arms for support. The game currently in development is being called Equilibrium and will have patients trying to rack up points as they defeat enemies. Too much use of the hand rails will dock the patient points which will work to add incentive for the patients to mind their posture! Would you like to be a part of a health care success story like this one? Then find your dream job today! Bambi Blue is a freelance writer, editor, and social butterfly living in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. When she's not blogging her little heart out for HealthCareJobsite.com, she moonlights as a jazz musician and most apparently a weisenheimer. Loves to cook, hates to clean, and can easily be found on Twitter. To read more of Bambi's posts, head toHealthCareJobsite.com and see additional job postings atBeyond.com.

20 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was 18 - Part Two

The school year is coming to an end, and for many high school seniors it's a time to think about the future. Here are 20 things I wish someone had told me when I was 18.

The end of the school year is in sight, and high school seniors are starting to think about their futures. Is college in the cards? Trade school? Finding a job? It can be confusing to know what the right choices are.

For me, my daughter will be turning 18 in a few months, and I have found myself thinking more and more about what advice I would want to give to her, or to any soon-to-be adult about planning for their future.

So, here are 20 things I wish someone had told me when I was 18, numbers 11-20:

• Play everyday – As we grow up, we stop being willing to just play. There is always room to be creative and silly.

• If you don't know what to say, don't say anything – Sticking your foot in your mouth is always worse than being shy. If someone says something you don't like, or you just don't know how to respond, just don't say anything at all. Let them break the silence.

• Be who you are – Being yourself always seems so overused to me, but it is still true. When you work hard at growing and being the person you were born to be, rather than the person you think you ought to be, you will have a very happy life. Not everyone was born to be in a cubicle. Just be careful to leave yourself room to grow.

• Use the resources you have, instead of waiting until you have more – It is easy to think that if only you had something, (a college degree, a better car, a different partner, a pile of cash) you could reach your goal. Instead of focusing on the things you don't have, look at the resources you have and put them to use furthering your cause.

• Never stop asking questions – We could all learn a lesson from 3 year olds. They want to know why and how come about everything. When you get into the habit of asking questions, you will come to realize that sometimes the search is more important than the answer.

• Try your best to never burn bridges – You may not think that it is worth the effort to treat everyone in your life with respect and integrity, but you never know what the future may hold. Sometimes a chance encounter can lead to something new and exciting.

• Most people can't read minds, so tell them what you are thinking – If you want something, tell everyone you can. You can't get upset with someone for not doing what you wanted them to do if you never asked them to do it.

• Just do it – Even if you don't have all the resources you think you need, or you aren't sure if it's the right time, just do it. Let the rest work itself out. If you think that an opportunity is right for you, don't second guess yourself. If later you find that you made a mistake, you can always fix it or move on. Either way, you'll be better off than if you never took a risk.

• Spend some time everyday being quiet with yourself – The most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself. Don't be afraid of being alone or just sitting quietly with yourself. Sometimes you greatest truths will come out in a whisper when you are being quiet.

• Assume love – We always seem to be so quick to assume that people are looking at us, that they are judging us, that they secretly don't like us. Why are we so quick to think the worst of ourselves? When you don't know the situation, assume that people are looking at us with love, that they are admiring our courage and that they think we are great until there is proof that proves otherwise.

What do you think about this list? What else should be on it? Let me know in the comments.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for PhillyJobsBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

Nursing Home Dilemma

The thought of having to put a loved one in a nursing home can be devastating. It effects both the person who is going in and also the lives of the family members that are involved in the decision. It can cause a sense of abandonment and depression to the loved one and a sense of guilt on the family members. Weighing the pro’s and con’s can weigh heavily and take it’s toll. How can this be made easier?

If at all possible, find a nursing home that is close to you and other family members. This way visiting will be easier. You can also keep an eye on the outlook of your loved one. You can see if she’s eating and if she’s being well taken care of. The good thing about nursing homes is that they do provide around the clock care and visits from the doctor when needed. Medication is given on a regular schedule. If your loved one is ill the comfort of knowing that medical care is right at hand is a relief. When the nursing facility is close to where the family members live, then you can provide emotional support that is more homelike than in a hospital setting.

Most of the nursing homes have activities for their residents and encourage socializing. Some nursing homes have therapeutic and indoor recreational facilities. Some even have swimming pools. They may have programs for entertainment and church services.

Dietitians and nutritionists oversee the diets of the residents to make sure your loved one gets what they need. This could be difficult if they would be living with you. Their diet could be something you may not be able to fix properly yourself. Sometimes taking care of aged people at home requires heavy lifting, something you may not be able to do. Nursing homes are better equipped to move residents that aren’t ambulatory.

Some of the concerns of placing your loved ones in a nursing home are legitimate. Perhaps you can’t find one that is near enough where you live to be able to visit every day. They may not understand why there are being taken from their home and “put away”. They may become depressed and it could worsen their health. There are concerns about various forms of abuse such as physical, verbal, sexual and financial. Unfortunately, many victims of abuse are afraid to say anything because of being threatened by abusive staff members which result in more abuse and injuries. If family members suspect their loved one is being abused, they should report it immediately to authorities.

So how do you know if you’re doing the right thing? You have to sit down and think of the cost and benefits of having your loved one is a nursing facility. Careful thought is required because you’re talking about the health and well being of someone you love which is your main concern. Investigating the nursing home you’re thinking about, talking to other residents relatives and getting referrals are some ways to make sure you’re making the right choice in nursing homes. Try to find the best one in your area that the budget will allow and you won’t have to be worried about whether your loved one is receiving quality care.

By Linda Lee Ruzicka

Linda Lee Ruzicka lives in the mountains of Western PA , happily married and with her 8 cats and three dogs. She has been published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Writing Village, June Cotner anthology, The Grit, Reminisce , the book, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family. She also does freelances work for Beyond and Healthcarejobsite. You can read more of her blogs on Healthcarejobsite blog.

20 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was 18 - Part One

The school year is coming to an end, and for many high school seniors it's a time to think about the future. Here are 20 things I wish someone had told me when I was 18.

The end of the school year is in sight, and high school seniors are starting to think about their futures. Is college in the cards? Trade school? Finding a job? It can be confusing to know what the right choices are.

For me, my daughter will be turning 18 in a few months, and I have found myself thinking more and more about what advice I would want to give to her, or to any soon-to-be adult about planning for their future.

So, here are 20 things I wish someone had told me when I was 18.

1. 
   
   Chase your dreams while you are able – Life is tricky, and if you aren't careful, you can find yourself with a family and a mortgage before you know it. Take some time now to think about what you are passionate about. Find out what your dream is and chase it while you are young and still have the time, enthusiasm and energy to do it.
   
   


2. 
   
   You will regret the opportunities you didn't take much more than the ones that didn't pan out – Of all the things I regret in my life, most of them are things I didn't do rather than mistakes I made. Many times in my early adulthood, I would find out about an opportunity and then talk myself out of going for it. The self doubt and worrying about all of the what-ifs can be crippling.
   
   


3. 
   
   Be prepared to make lots and lots of mistakes – When you make mistakes, you know that you are growing. And, as long as you are growing, you know that you are alive. If you never made a mistake, you wouldn't be challenged. What fun is that?
   
   


4. 
   
   Try on new ideas – When you hear of an idea or opportunity that sounds interesting, try it out. Don't let the fear of looking silly or being embarrassed prevent you from exploring new things. No one is really watching you as hard as you think, and there is no shame in being brave.
   
   


5. 
   
   Always be honest, with yourself and with others – Lying is just a waste of time. Be honest in your relationship, but most of all, be honest with yourself. Don't let other people tell you how you should feel or who you should be, and don't try to be the person you think you should be or beat yourself up for not feeling the way you think you should. If you make honesty a priority, you can just be the person you are.
   
   


6. 
   
   You don't have to go to college right away – If you don't know what your passion is, how on earth can you chase it? There is this assumption that after high school, you have to go to college. If you don't feel like you are ready to succeed in that environment, take a year off and figure out what it is that you love. There is absolutely nothing wrong with starting college a year late or even going to a trade school rather than opting to pursue a degree.
   
   


7. 
   
   Trust your instincts – In almost any situation, trust your gut. When you tune in to your intuition and your instincts, you are almost always right. If you feel like something is really important to do, do it. Don't try to second guess yourself over and over and don't do things that you feel aren't right just because you want to be “nice”.
   
   


8. 
   
   If you are stuck worrying about something so much that you can't sleep, get up and write it out – When you are in a vicious cycle of doubt and worry, the best way to get it off your chest is to write it down. Once you have it out on paper, it doesn't have to be stuck in your head keeping you from getting a good night's sleep.
   
   


9. 
   
   It's more important to know where to find the answer – If you know how to research and find out the answer, then you don't need to try to remember every single fact. It is impossible to know everything, instead, just learn how to research.
   
   


10. 
    
    Live within your means – You don't have to have a lot of money to do the things you want and to have a great time. You can never win the game of who has the best, most expensive stuff. So, don't even bother. Lunch in the park can be just as much fun as a day at the mall, it just depends on your outlook.
    
    
    
    
    Stay tuned for Part Two in this series for numbers 11-20
    
    
    
    
    
    
    If you are looking for a job in the Philadelphia area, visit PhillyJobs for the best Philadelphia are job listings.
    
    
    
    
    By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for PhillyJobsBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

Demand for Ophthalmic Technicians Expected to Grow

by Alex A. Kecskes

An ophthalmic technician works with an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) to provide patient care by performing a variety of eye-related clinical functions. These techs take patient histories, perform various procedures and tests, and prepare patients to see the ophthalmologist.

Ophthalmic techs enjoy virtually unlimited job opportunities nationwide and even internationally due to their specialized skills. Experts predict the need for ophthalmic technicians in laboratory and clinical settings will surge as new technologies and techniques become available.

Ophthalmic technicians generally fall into two categories. There's the research tech who conducts lab animal experiments to advance our understanding of corneal transplantation, infectious diseases and cataract formation. These techs also work with living cells cultured in flasks and test tubes. Then there's the patient-care tech who interacts with people for eye care and treatment of ocular disorders. These techs measure eye pressure in glaucoma screenings and may apply drops before the ophthalmologist performs an exam.

Both careers require a bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline like biology, chemistry or microbiology. Dexterity and good hand-eye coordination are also a requirement, since techs are often called on to perform careful measurements and record observations with great accuracy.

New biotechnology and drug advancements will ensure a strong demand for ophthalmic lab techs. Entry-level salaries start at $30,000, and techs enjoy independence, responsibility and freedom in designing, performing and interpreting scientific experiments. Those involved in researching new cures and treatments for eye diseases can sometimes see the results of their work in new medications.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Beyond.com.

Make Mine a McJob

If you haven’t found the position that’s right for you in Philadelphia, maybe it’s time to consider a McJob. President of McDonald's U.S.A., Jan Fields said, "We're excited to offer 50,000 new jobs, all across America, all in one day."

On April 19th the fast food giant is going to add an influx of full and part time employees to its team. The new crew and management members manning McDonald’s 14,000 restaurants in the U.S. will raise Ronald’s roster to 700,000 employees across the country. It breaks down to about 4 new workers per store on top of the hiring McDonald’s does on a regular basis.

Across the board, McDonald’s is doing well and wants to take a leadership position to offering opportunities to people who want to work. The hiring spree is based around new jobs, not replacement positions. They are hoping to acquire talent that is open to advancement whether it is someone who has been unemployed for a while or just starting out in the working world.

Fields started out on fries in 1978 before advancing to her current position presiding over domestic operations. She is proud of her “McJob” and the career that came with it and she is not alone. About half of all McDonald’s franchise owners began behind the counter.

The average wage for new hires is just above minimum wage at $8.30 per hour but what individuals are offered depends on region, franchise and position. A part-time counter worker might not earn enough to cover what’s considered a “living-wage” of about $14 an hour but managers can bring home more than $50,000 a year. They cite the strength and continued growth of the company as additional security when considering a career with them.

According to their website other benefits (*subject to availability and certain eligibility requirements and restrictions) include:

• Competitive wages


• Free uniforms*


• Free or discounted meals


• Flexible hours


• Medical insurance*


• Prescription drug coverage*


• 24-hour nurse line access


• Vision discount*


• Available dental*


• Short-term disability*


• Term life insurance*


• 401(k)*


• Paid holidays*


• Vacation*


• Educational assistance*

Corporate staff can expect even more. Maybe it’s time to drop the stigma that has been attached to the Fry Guys and find your next career under the golden arches.

Fast food not your bag? Search for something more at PhillyJobs.com.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a multimedia developer with experience in web, film, photography and animation as well as traditional fine arts like painting and sculpting. In addition to writing for [name of site], she is co-founder of design and promotion company, Creative Kazoo with fellow Beyond.com blogger, Staci Dennis. Heather’s spare time consists of making puppets, teaching Sunday School, building Legos and doing science experiments with her children.