Did Becoming a Mom Affect Your Career? While working moms aren't competing with Scarlett Johansson, they are up against coworkers who stay at the office late, arrive early and don't have dependents. Running off to your daughter's recital, son's soccer game or getting caught in carpool doesn't exactly garner boardroom kudos in business environments. Even going on maternity leave can take its toll on a career.
Recognizing that gas bills are causing a strain on employees who don't have another option but to drive to work, some employers have introduced initiatives to help workers cut down on their monthly gas expenditures. These have included tacking on an extra $50 to paychecks, subsidizing a portion of commuting costs, and providing employer sponsored buses and vans to drive employees to and from work. Some companies are finding that more employees are taking advantage of existing options like telecommuting or turning their cars into advertisement vehicles in exchange for free gas.
Wayne Hochwarter, a management professor at the College of Business at Florida State University, found that 33 percent of more than 800 full-time workers who drive themselves to work would take a job opportunity closer to home because of high gas prices. Is your commute taking enough of a toll that you would consider taking a comparable job that's closer to home?
According to a recent study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average starting salary offer is 4 percent higher for 2008 graduates than offers received by the class of 2007. Whatever you received your bachelor's degree in doesn't necessarily point to what type of job you'll end up working as your first, but some majors lend themselves to a more direct path than others.
If you regret choosing your major, don't feel like you must pursue a job in a related field — consider using your first job as a stepping stone and a way to get your foot in the door with an industry that interests you, even though you may not have the educational background to support it. Transitioning is always an option at any point in your career, but you're better off taking those chances now instead of in a couple of years when your salary needs and life demands may not be so flexible. Careerbuilder rounded up some of expected salaries for common majors that new grads can look forward to, along with some of the job opportunities that you could possibly pursue with your degree.
Economics - $52,926: Career options for economics majors vary from private consulting for businesses to working for government agencies.
Nursing - $52,129: Nursing majors can find job opportunities in hospitals, clinics, doctor offices and other medical facilities.
Chemistry - $52,125: Chemists can find work in laboratories, pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing or research and development, and more.
Political science/government - $43,594: Political science and government graduates have the option of working in the state, local or federal governments, as well as in the private sector or nonprofit organizations.
Human resources - $40,250: Human resources majors work as assistants and payroll or benefits coordinators, and in diversity training.
I like to think that I'm pretty conscientious about what I choose to spend my money on, but I'm also not someone who will deprive myself of every little thing. My birthday is still two weeks away, but this weekend when I was out shopping with a girlfriend I bought myself an early birthday gift. It was something I hadn't planned on buying but could afford, and I would have found something else in its place if I hadn't come across this particular item. Because I'm usually a practical spender, buying something out-of-the ordinary for my birthday feels special.
Same-Size Bucks Discriminate Against the Seeing-Impaired United States currency discriminates against the blind, according to a federal appeals court ruling handed down today. Because the dollar amounts of same-size skrilla are not distinguishable by touch, the visually impaired suffer unreasonably.
Dear Savvy,
I am in the post-grad school job search process and am wondering if it is appropriate to apply for more than one position within the same organization? I'm worried that it may show a lack of commitment, but they are all positions I'd be interested in and mostly qualified for.
Emporio Armani
Dwell
Nuovegioie