Philadelphia Schools See Tough Times Ahead

"Through these tough times and all the difficult decisions that lie ahead, we will keep the best interests of our children as a priority," Superintendent of Schools Dr. Arlene Ackerman offered this statement to the School District of Philadelphia as encouragement in light of the loss of funding and jobs in the immediate future.

"Like members of a family, everyone in the school district will feel affected in some way," she said at the School Commission meeting in response to the announcement of Governor Tom Corbett’s proposed cuts totaling more than $1 billion in funding to public schools statewide. Philadelphia would be directly affected by a loss of $292 million to its $3.2 billion budget that serves 200,000 public school students.

The school district is being beaten when it’s already down $400 million for the 2011-2012 school year. Corbett’s cuts would bring them to more than $600 million in debt and despite the debate they feel there is little that can be done.

Michael Masch, the school district's Chief Financial Officer was quoted at the meeting saying, "Unless we get some relief from the funding reductions received today, there is no way the School District of Philadelphia next year can look exactly like the School District of Philadelphia today."

The first steps are going to be reducing staff at the central office by 30%. Currently 1,000 people are employed there but at least 240 will be laid off when the grant money is gone that is funding their positions. 9 members of Ackerman’s executive staff and the superintendant herself are decreasing their number of furlough days which will save the district over $600,000.

With the loss of two $55 million grants that had been funding full day kindergarten and summer school, the programs are in jeopardy as well as afterschool tutoring and gifted studies curriculums. Other areas the district are having to consider cutting corners include increased class size, less time for teachers to collaborate, no new textbooks, athletics, student transportation, art and music cuts.

The last thing on the list is teacher layoffs. The district is unsure if this will be necessary depending on the number of teachers that retire or relocate.

Want to comment on the planned education cuts? The district will hold two sessions where you can: March 17, 6-8 p.m. Benjamin Franklin High School, 550 North Broad St. 2101 South Broad St.; March 19, 10 a.m. to noon at South Philadelphia High School on South Broad St.

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, 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.

What Job Seekers and Employees Can Learn from Ed Rendell

Employees and job seekers who feel they have been done wrong have a natural impulse to want to give the wrongdoer a piece of their minds. Maybe this has even happened to you in the past. Chances are it will happen again. If it does, you might want to consider the example set by former Gov. Ed Rendell in a similar situation.

The former governor is not known for keeping quiet. In fact, he is better known for speaking his mind, sometimes to the dismay of his political friends and allies. And yet even he knew when to keep his mouth shut.

In 1995, when Rendell was mayor of Philadelphia, an effort to keep the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard alive by having a German shipbuilder set up operations there failed when negotiations between the city, the state and the shipbuilder collapsed. Democratic politicians across the city loudly criticized Republican Gov. Tom Ridge for handling negotiations so ineptly that the shipbuilder walked out of the talks in a huff. Notably absent from the chorus of criticism, however, was Mayor Rendell.

Two years later, Mayor Rendell and Gov. Ridge signed an agreement with Norwegian shipbuilder Kvaerner ASA that brought shipbuilding back to the Naval Shipyard.

What Rendell knew in 1995 was this: Even though Ridge had indeed handled the negotiations ineptly, his assistance would still be needed to land a shipbuilder for the shipyard. Had Rendell joined his fellow Democrats in blasting Gov. Ridge, his chances of getting that assistance would fall to somewhere near zero. So the mayor held his fire and reaped the rewards later.

Similarly, sending a boss a nastygram on one's way out the door, however defensible, may and likely will come back to bite the sender down the road. If you can imagine what that boss might say when a would-be employer asks for a reference, you should be able to grasp the value of keeping your mouth shut when things go wrong.

Make things go right with your job search! Broadcast your talents to employers by refreshing your profile 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.

Life as a Flight Nurse

by Alex A. Kecskes

Flight nurses are highly trained registered nurses who possess a number of skills, including that of an intensive care nurse, emergency nurse and critical care nurse. They typically respond to a variety of emergencies under varying conditions.

Some flight nurses are assigned to medical emergency teams that treat critically injured or ill patients in remote areas while airlifting them to a healthcare facility. Other flight nurses are sent to disaster sites like car accidents, tornados and earthquakes, treating seriously injured patients while they are rushed to hospital trauma centers. Working for the most part in helicopters or other aircraft, flight nurses perform specialized intensive care during transport.

Some large commercial airlines employ flight nurses to accompany patients who have specific medical conditions. These nurses fly fully prepared with a patient's medical history, specific needs, and medical supplies and equipment to ensure that they can address any emergencies that may occur during the flight.

Patients with medical conditions that once restricted their travel can now fly thanks to flight nurses who monitor them in flight. Flight nursing can be exciting but it does have its share of stresses. Flight nurses are usually employed by private or community hospitals, airlines, medical emergency disaster teams, and private individuals.

Flight nursing requirements vary from state to state. Nationally, all flight nursing programs require RNs to have two to three years of critical care experience, advanced cardiac life support, and pediatric advanced life support certificates. Some states require flight nurses to be trained paramedics or EMTs, and might require certification in neonatal resuscitation, critical care, and as a certified flight RN.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

For more information on health careers, visit http://www.healthcarejobsite.com/

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.

Should You Pursue a Career in the Skilled Trades?

Today, it seems that there are a number of opportunities available in the skilled trades area. However, jobs in the skilled trades are avoided by many people as they have incorrect beliefs about these types of jobs. For instance, many people believe that “intelligent” people attend university, while the “less intelligent” individuals choose a career in the skilled trade area.

However, this negative belief is not true; in fact, people in the skilled trades area need to exhibit important traits that include creativity, analytic skills, mathematical aptitude, general problem solving skills and more. More specifically, individuals must complete complex tasks that include analyzing mathematical figures and other data, reading complicated blueprints, utilizing the latest technology and many other complex tasks on a regular basis.

Skilled trades occupations can be found in a number of different sectors that include:

Construction Sector: some of the skilled trade occupations within this sector include electricians, carpenters, painters, heavy equipment operators, welders and related occupations.

Transportation Sector: skilled trade occupations in the transportation sector include automotive painter, aviation technician, automotive service technician and related occupations.

Service Sector: skilled trade occupations include horticulturists, chefs, florists, and other related occupations.

Manufacturing Sector: skilled trade occupations within the manufacturing sector include tool and die makers, industrial electrician, drillers, and related occupations.

Most of these skilled trades occupations include above average salaries, challenging work, ability to work almost anywhere and above average job opportunities.

In order to become a skilled trade professional, candidates often are required to undertake an apprenticeship. From a financial point of view, an apprenticeship is more cost-effective than a university degree; an apprenticeship allows people to work (and get paid) while they learn. Specifically, an apprentice will utilize the latest technology to learn the techniques required to be successful in their chosen trade. Of course, there is also a classroom component to the learning process as well – but by far, the skilled trade learning process is a much more hands-on process. As in all other professions though, in order to successful, you must be determined, focused and prepared to put in the required work.

Overall then, there are a number of challenging and well-paying skilled trade jobs available today for interested parties.

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.

5 Things You Should Say At Every Interview

Preparing for your interview isn't just about preparing for the question they will ask. Here are some things you should say at each interview.

Interviews can be complex and stressful, but preparing for them doesn't have to be. When you are looking for a job, the interview process can be the door to a great opportunity. While that is exciting, it adds more pressure on making sure that you present yourself in your best light. In addition to preparing for the questions an interviewer will ask, here are some of the things you should always say during your next interview:

• “Thank you” and “please” – Never underestimate the power of good manners. It isn't enough to act polite, you have to actually say the words.
  
  
• “I can make a difference in your company by...” - Show them that you have not only done some research, but you have given thought to how you can contribute to the company.
  
  
• “I really like the way your company ...” - Giving a genuine compliment is always appreciated. Just remember to always be sincere to avoid coming off as someone who is just sucking up to score brownie points.
  
  
• “When can I start?” - Of course, they aren't going to say yes right away. The purpose of this statement is to let them know that you are very interested in the job. It may seem a bit forward, but it is better to be a little over eager than to appear disinterested.
  
  
• “What are the next steps?” - Don't be afraid to ask what their process is and review it before you leave to be sure that you have the details right. Sometimes the interviewer will ask you to send in work samples, to fax over your reference or contact someone else in the company. If you are given these instructions, make sure you follow them exactly.

What other things do you think are important to say at every interview? Let me know in the comments.

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

6 Ways To Feeling Better

Sometimes the best way to feel better is to do very simple things. Check out the following six ways to make yourself feel better:

1. Granting yourself permission to take a “mental health” day. Why is it when we’re sick, we go to the doctor, get medication, take a sick day and think nothing of it? But when we’re mentally exhausted, we don’t take a mental health day? When you give yourself permission to take a day to do just what you want to do, you end up feeling refreshed. Take a nap in the middle of the day, read one of those romantic novels, sit and listen to the birds while drinking your morning tea. When you free your mind from the daily responsibilities, you replenish mind, body and soul.

2. Getting more sleep. I know, easier said then done. If you get enough sleep, however, it gives you energy, kick starts your immune system, increases your memory and helps keep your weight down. When you don’t get enough sleep, it can increase the risk for anxiety and depression. It can also increase the risk of heart disease. 7 to 8 hours of sleep is ideal for most people. If you can’t fall asleep or have trouble staying asleep talk to your doctor, there could be an underlying medical reason.

3. Seeing you friends and family regularly. Talking, laughing, sharing worries and concerns is a big stress reliever. Laughing releases “feel good” hormones, sharing worries and concerns helps you to deal with them better. Sometimes you get solutions to problems that you never thought of. This can bring down blood pressure and anxiety levels.

4. Nibbling on dark chocolate. This is great news for chocolate lovers! Eating a square or two of dark chocolate can bring lower blood pressure. It’s also shown to reduce the risk of stroke and reduce stress hormones. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants called flavonoids that can improve flexibility of blood vessels. The chocolate has to have 75% cocoa content for full effectiveness.

5. Sitting in the sun. Sunshine is the ultimate mood lifter. Exposing your skin to the sun triggers production of Vitamin D. Vitamin D can reduce your risk for cancer, heart disease, fragile bones and other problems. However, do remember to wear sun screen. You also can take a supplement of Vitamin D if your levels are low, check with your doctor.

6. You can have your full fat dressing and eat it too! Full fat dressings do serve a real purpose as long as you eat the right kinds. Try for at least 10% of your daily fat intake from monounsaturated fats. These fats can reduce your risks of heart disease and stroke, plus they just plain taste better. Omego-3 fatty acids also lower heart disease and also help decrease depression and rheumatoid arthritis. However no more than 30% of your daily calories should come from fat, even the kind that’s good for you.

So these six simple steps can bring about a happier, healthier you. Try a couple and see how YOU feel!

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.

What To Help You Friend Get a Job? Some Things You Should Consider Before Referring Them to Your Employer

Should you refer your friend for a job at your company? Here are some things to consider.

If you go through your social network of friends, odds are good that at least a few of them are actively looking for a job. Odds are also good that, at one time or another, they have asked you if you know of any job openings, and while you want to help your friend out, you are also taking some personal and professional risks. Before you recommend your friend, there are a two things you should consider first.

1. If your friend is hired, based on your recommendation, and it doesn't work out, it will make you look bad – When you tell your employer about your friend and personally vouch for them, you are putting your reputation on the line. While this is not a problem, if you are fairly certain about your friend's ability to do the job, if they end up being a bad employee, your boss may place the blame on you. This can become a problem when you refer a friend that you know, and think highly of, socially, but whom you have never seen in a professional setting. Sometimes, friends that seem to be competent and dependable can be a completely different person in an office setting. In order to avoid this, make sure that you know the person well.
   
   
2. Working with a friend can hurt your friendship – Even people who are best friends can have a hard time working together. We all show a different side of ourselves at work than we do at home, and after seeing your friend as a co-worker, you may find that you don't like them as much anymore. If one of your closest friends started working in your office, you run the risk of talking about work all the time when you spend time together outside of the office. Even if you are able to work well with your friend, what if you or they get promoted? Would you be able to deal with having this person as your boss or potentially becoming their boss?

Keep in mind that these aren't reasons not to refer a friend to a job opening at your company. They are just things that you should consider and plan for ahead of time. Working with a friends you respect can be be fun and rewarding as long as you are prepared for the possible bumps.

On a side note, if you refer a friend to your employer and they get the job, accept their thanks and let it go. Sometimes, when one friend helps the other friend land a job, they will hold it over the friend's head forever. So, don't have the attitude that you gave them the job. All you did was help open the door to the opportunity. They had to prove themselves and do the job. The only thing they owe you is a thank you, not undying gratitude.

Have you ever worked with a friend? How did it go? Let me know in the comments.

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