Dealing with Superiors

Learning how to talk to your boss is probably the hardest thing to learn as an employee. Bosses' almost always believe they are right, even when they are in fact, wrong. My advice is to approach them with an objective viewpoint, calmly, and only talk about things that are personally effecting YOU as an employee. Managers do not often like being told wrong, so always try to state how you are feeling, and make your accusations seem more like suggestions and questions, that way the boss doesn't feel threatened. They hold the power, and often times, they don't like to have their power questioned by a subordinate.

On-Campus Jobs Vs. Off-Campus Jobs

One of the nicest aspects of going to a four-year university is having the ability to get an on-campus job. However, there are a few drawbacks. First, you tend to get less hours per week. This is good for someone who really just needs a job to pay for the occasional movie or such but not so good for the person who is paying for their entire tuition.

My suggestion for people in the latter group is to stick to an off-campus job. They may be a little bit harder to get but if you have the right personality and have a connection; you will be able to work much more. Most off- campus jobs will work you as much as 32 hours per week.

Also, some on-campus jobs only pay $8 an hour but an off-campus job can pay more. For example, a job at In-N-Out starts at $10 an hour. This is significantly more per hour. An on-campus job also allows you the option to be a part of the work-study program. This is when the state pays half of your pay and the employer pays the other half, making you more marketable to employers on-campus because they are spending less money.

Lastly, some on-campus jobs allow you to work while having the benefit of seeing your friends.

Off-campus jobs do not tolerate visits from friends or employees working on anything other than what you are being paid to do.

Usually these activities can only be accomplished on breaks and lunches.

The Importance of Multi-tasking

As an employee in retail, you learn the importance of being able to multi-task. At the registered you are required to be friendly, ask questions, as well as insure that the customer isn’t using counterfeit payment, something that has been occurring more and more with the current economy. As a child, multi-tasking isn’t something parents instill in you. It is a trait you acquire in school, especially for those who take the dreaded AP classes, or listen to a lecture as well as take notes. Multi-tasking is difficult to learn, but it is well worth the exasperation whether you are a student, teacher or employee.

Grades for Parents: An Innovative or Erroneous Idea?

Grades are a part of the everyday life of a typical student. However, grades are not a part of a parent’s life. A Florida lawmaker thinks that grades should become a part of a parent’s everyday life, or at least while their child is in Kindergarten through Third Grade.

I think that this, in theory, is a good idea. We have all seen those parents who just do not care about their child’s life. These are the same parents who are more concerned about appearance and their own personal happiness. By adding this grading system, this may possibly help increase the amount of time these types of parents spend with their child. School is vital to a child’s survival in the real world. Without a basic understanding of the principles taught in school, there is a very low chance this child will succeed in life.

However, what about the teachers? It is a well-known fact that teachers are not paid enough for the amount of work they put into the job. Would adding this burden increase their pay rate? Or does the state expect them to take this extra responsibility with stride and without complaints? I highly doubt any teacher will be truly thrilled with the idea.

So, in theory, I think that this is a good idea on paper, but is possibly flawed. For more information, check out the original article featured on CNN.com.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/01/26/florida.grading.parents/index.html?hpt=Sbin

The Importance of Time Management

Throughout my childhood my parents were always emphasizing how important it was for me to be on time. Whether it was to school, softball practice or dinner, we were never late. I didn’t know then, but they were instilling in me important tools I use in my daily life now. Being able to manage a job and school is a difficult task. I am always on the go, and very rarely do I have a significant break to just “stop and smell the roses.” With the skills my parents instill in me at a young age, I have been able to successfully time manage my life. School is a demanding aspect of my life. It requires a small amount of time in the classroom listening to various lectures, but what makes it hard are the countless hours outside of the classroom reading and immersing myself in the information I need to know. My work, however, is the complete opposite. I spend anywhere from 20-30 hours a week working with customers doing easy tasks such as single copies and faxes, to complicated design jobs. My work has been a learning experience, and in some way, has shaped my ideas for where I want to end up 10 years from now. Being able to balance the demands of school and a job are difficult, and sometimes possibly more than I can handle, but I know that without it, I would not be who I am.

Journalism 170 Post: Full Time Student, Part Time Employee

Choosing to go to college is probably one of the best decisions any high school student could make. However, the question of how to pay for college ALWAYS pops up. With me, it was a 7 month long argument with my dad. Of course it ended up with me, here, at CBU, but not without its drawbacks. I am a full time student, and a part time Office Depot Associate, as I have been for the past two years of my life. It has been hard learning to balance school and work, but it has its rewards. Throughout this semester, I will be blogging about my experiences as a full time student and an employee of a large corporation.

The First Amendment: Where is the Line and the Government Protection?

The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The Bill of Rights clearly states in the first amendment that the Church and State are separate, and that all citizens have the freedom of religion as well as the freedom of speech. However, when speaking about religion, when is it too much, and when has the line been crossed?

               In a recent article published on Yahoo, it was discovered that two billboards where recently purchased by the Catholic League and the American Atheists in New York City by the Lincoln Tunnel.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20101202/ts_yblog_thelookout/atheists-slick-ad-campaigns-sometimes-meet-with-resistance

               The Catholic League had posted on their billboard, “You know its real; This season, celebrate Jesus.” In response, the American Atheists posted on their billboard, “You know it’s a myth; This season, celebrate reason.”

               These two contradictory billboards are just a recent example of how the freedom of speech is mixing with the freedom of religion and causing a lot of controversy.

               One of the many reasons for America’s success is because we are able to believe what we want to believe. On one corner you can find a Christian church, and within a mile of it, you can find a Mormon temple and as well as a Mosque.

               Americans also rejoice in the fact that they can say what they want, hold public demonstrations to bring awareness to their fellow citizens. However, is it fair for those who want to believe in Jesus Christ as their one and only savior to be publicly attacked for their beliefs by those who don’t believe in the existence of Jesus?

               Or, is it fair for those who aren’t religious to be persecuted for their lack of faith?

               In these instances, many would agree that it is not. However, what is being done for those who are being persecuted? And what is being done about these billboards, who offend so many?

               Religious tolerance and freedom of speech need their limits and boundaries, and it is up to the American government to establish those. These billboards are not just an example of persecution because of faith, but of the inexcusable lack of enforcement this country has over those who are intolerable.

               With many becoming more and more frustrated with the Government and its inability to effectively govern during this economic crisis, maybe those who represent us in Congress and other positions with power need to listen to the people, rather than try and abuse their positions.

               So I think it’s time for the American people to make a stand for what we believe in, and demand the American Government what we want: an established line for the First Amendment and action for the failing economy, as well as the many other aspects of the government that are failing to meet the American citizens’ standard of living.