Why Learning To Program Can Help Your Career

Take advantage of a free weekly coding class.


With all the possible New Year's resolutions, there is one that you may not have thought about, but it can really help you in your career and in your life.


What is it? Learning computer programming. Even if you don't work in technology, learning programming can help you become a more effective employee, a better computer user and could even give you the inspiration to create small programs that make your work easier.


But what if you can't afford to take computer classes? No worries. There is a new program called Code Year, that is trying to teach those who are new to programming how to code. The class is free and they are promising to release one new lesson each week. The program was created by Code Academy, a new company that designs easy to use tutorials.


The classes are geared toward people with average technical skills and each weekly class should take about 5 hours to complete. That boils down to being about an hour a day. Which is a small investment in something that has the potential to make you more employable and more creative.


As I'm sure you already know, computers are everywhere. At almost any type of job, you'll be required to use a computer to do at least a portion of it. Computers make our work easier and they have even become a part of our daily lives. When I was in middle school, we all had to learn how to program in BASIC. Back then, computers were only useful if you could program them. Now, not so much. In fact, people who have little to no understanding of computers can use a smartphone or a tablet do do almost anything. However, once you understand coding, you'll be able to think in the same language as your computer. It might not sound like much, but the knowledge that every program is just lines of code is extremely empowering. Once you become familiar with how it's done, you can even create your own programs to make your life easier. You can come up with ways to streamline your work process and even automate some of it. You could create your own websites or help make your company's site better.


The uses for coding are many. Even if you don't think that you would have what it takes to be a computer programmer, you should still give this a try. After all, it's free and the only thing you have to lose is your own time. Not only will you understand the programs you use better, but you'll be able to add value to yourself as an employee. I for one, plan to make this one of my resolutions for the new year.


Would you sign up for one of these courses? Why or why not?


By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for PhillyJobsBlog and Beyond.com, 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.

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• Grad School or Get a Job? The Pro's and Con's (educationjobsiteblog.com)
• How To Make Your Resolutions Stick (administrativejobsblog.com)

The Keys To Making Resolution's Stick

At the start of every new year, I always make a whole bunch of resolutions. Wide-eyed and inspired by the idea of a fresh new year laid out in front of me, I can't seem to keep myself from thinking of all the things I wish I could achieve. I list them all, from the simple to the more complex.

But, by this time every year, I, invariably, have broken several resolutions and rationalized a few others away completely. Sometimes, I place the fault on the resolutions themselves. I figure that perhaps I was being a little overly zealous. That maybe I was aiming a bit too high, and so I end up marking that one off the list. But this year, I wanted to do something different. This time, I wanted to actually end up keeping a few of my resolutions.

To help with that task, I took a look at an article from PsychologyToday, that deals with learning to stop procrastinating on your New Year's resolutions. Their ideas were so great, I felt like I had to share. So, if you are like me, this information might help you stick out your resolutions.

Tips for sticking to your resolutions:

• Make your resolutions achievable, measurable and meaningful – Whatever you decide to work on this year, make sure that it is something that has a clear cut definition of success. This will make the goal more clear. For example, a resolution like “Be a better person”, is too vague and doesn't give you a clear, achievable goal, whereas “Be more compassionate towards my spouse” is a more well-defined goal. Of course, you would still need to narrow it down to determine what being more compassionate would look like.
  
  
• How strong is your commitment? – Often, we make resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking or get in shape. These sound easy to achieve, but real self-improvement is hard work and takes a lot time and effort. So, assess how strong your commitment is, because if you aren't committed to doing whatever it takes to achieve the goal, then you aren't ready to turn it into a resolution.
  
  
• Plan your success – Most resolutions fail because there was no clear plan to success. So, break down your big goal into smaller, more attainable goals as part of a success strategy. Take your goal and list the step necessary to achieve it. Make room in you plan for dealing with potential setbacks. If you have a plan of action ready ahead of time, they are easier to cope with.
  
  
• Watch out for rationalization – One of the things you will have to be prepared for, anytime you make a change, is that silly voice in your head that gives you excuses. The voice will give you a reason why you shouldn't try to deprive yourself. That there is time to work on it later, it isn't a big deal. It will make promises you know it can't keep and assure you that you don't have to do it all right now. Most everyone breaks their resolutions and besides, wouldn't it be better to go to the gym in February or March when the other people have stopped going and it is less crowded?
  
  
• Reward yourself – Set up a series of rewards for reaching small goals. When you create multiple incentives, it can keep you from feeling overwhelmed. It is a good idea to tie these rewards into your daily activities so that you will start making them habit. For example, if you reward yourself by reading the newspaper after you exercise, the new fitness routine is more likely to become habit.
  
  
• Accept discomfort – Making changes isn't always easy. In fact, most of the time it is really, really hard. Accept that the new habits will feel strange and uncomfortable at first. When you go ahead and plan for the discomfort and make it part of your expectations, you will have a greater chance at success.
  
  
• Don't take on too much – It is tempting to make a whole bunch of resolutions, but dealing with change takes a lot of energy. Making multiple changes can make your brain overwhelmed. So, try to focus on just one at a time.

Making resolutions stick is certainly a challenge, but one I hope that I am strong enough this year to overcome. One of the best pieces of advice I have received is to look at what it is you want to change, and ask yourself why you have this problem to begin with. Often, you will find that the reason you haven't been able to make it stick is because of an underlying fear. Making the fear your resolution would give you a chance to experience real success. For example, if my resolution were to get my novel finished, and I never seemed able to get a good start, it might be that I have an underlying fear of success or criticism. If I made getting over the fear into my goal, the novel would get done faster, because I wouldn't be trying to get it done while fear is constantly undermining me.

Whatever your resolutions are this year, good luck! I hope you achieve all of your goals this year.

What is the best advice about sticking to your resolutions that you have been given? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, 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.

New Year Greeting!

Happy New Year from Philly Jobs, Beyond, and In the Hot Seat!

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.

~Abraham Lincoln

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

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a writer and blogger for Beyond.com. She researches and writes about job search tactics, training, and topics.

New Year Greeting!

Happy New Year from Health Care Jobsite, Beyond, and In the Hot Seat!

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.

~Abraham Lincoln

Are you looking for a job in Healthcare? Be sure to visit HealthcareJobsite.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a writer and blogger for Beyond.com. She researches and writes about job search tactics, training, and topics.

Just Another Reason Why Spending The Holidays in Philadelphia Rocks!

Recently, U.S. Airways Magazine announced the “15 Best Cities for Getting That Holiday Spirit”. And, while it should come as no surprise to those who know how much Philadelphia Rocks, the city of Philadelphia took the Number 1 spot this year.

According to the article, some of the must-see holiday events were the Wannamaker's Christmas lights show, the Santa Express Train, the Dickens Christmas Village and the pipe organ at Macy's. It seems that the tradition of gathering in the Grand Court of Macy's to hear the pipe organ and waiting for the arrival of the Santa Express Train is the best way to get in touch with your Holiday spirit.

Philadelphia beat out many other cities, who are also well known for their Holiday traditions. London, U.K came in second place. The article lauded the Santa at the Christmas Grotto at Harrods, along with enjoying tea at Hamleys. Of course, Harrod's is famous for their annual Christmas teddy bear, and this year's bear is exceptionally cute bear named Archie.

Coming in a strong third place, was our nation's capital, Washington, D.C.. Although everyone loves the Nutcracker Ballet, it seems that U.S. Airways was especially impressed with the D.C interpretation of the holiday classic. The opening Christmas party is set in a Georgetown mansion and, appropriately, George Washington plays the role of the Nutcracker. Instead of sugar plums, the ballet features cherry blossoms.

I found it surprising that New York City, home of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller center, Radio City Music Hall and the Rockettes, came in at number 7 on the list after Rome, Rio De Janeiro and San Francisco.

One of the interesting things about the listing, is that the judges give equal weight to all sorts of holiday traditions. Christmas tamales in Austin, TX made the list, as did the Blue Christmas at Graceland in Memphis, TN.

So, how ever you celebrate the holiday and ring in the New Year, enjoy spending it in the number one place to get into the holiday spirit. And, have a happy New Year!

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

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, 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.