ASME Career Education Video Ioannis Miaoulis Medal Winner

ASME Career Education Video Ioannis Miaoulis Medal Winner ASME Career Education Video Ioannis Miaoulis Medal Winner Video Ioannis Miaoulis Ralph Coats Roe Medal WinnerIoannis N. Miaoulis is president and director of the Museum of Science in Boston, MA. He led efforts to create the museums National Center for Technological Literacy, which plans to introduce engineering as a new discipline in schools. As dean of the School of Engineering at Tufts University, he championed the introduction of engineering into the Massachusetts science and technology public school curriculum. At Tufts, he founded the Thermal Analysis of Materials Processing and Comparative Biomechanics laboratories.He is a fellow of the Massachusetts Academy of Sciences and a member of the American Society for Engineering Education. He earned a Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from Tufts University and a Masters degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He earned a M asters degree in economics and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Tufts.Learn more about Ioannis N. Miaoulis and the ASME Ralph Coats Roe Medal. The copyright of this program is owned by ASME.

Compensation Trends for Forward Thinking Organizations

Compensation Trends for Forward Thinking OrganizationsCompensation Trends for Forward Thinking OrganizationsHow to research salary, salary calculators, salary surveys, salary comparisons, basically, all things salary, online, is one of the fruchtwein frequent requests for information received by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). It makes sense when you consider the importance of salary to attract talented people, retain key employees, and maintain an excited, motivated workforce. Given the shifts occurring in attitudes and practices about salary and compensation, this is not surprising. Organizations are struggling to keep up with changes in salary and compensation thinking. Gone are the days when organizations gave equivalent increases to all organization members. These salary increases, in the one percent to five percent range, sent the wrong message to underperformers. They left organizations with too small of a budget to adequately reward their top performers. Whi le many companies still use this as their salary criteria, forward-thinking organizations are thinking about salary and compensation in a very different way. According to an article on the SHRM website, to get the attention of your better performing staff members, you must offer a vernderliche pay rate of seven to eight percent, in plus-rechnen to their base pay. A system that rewards better performers cannot reward all staff members alike. In addition to sending the wrong message, your pool of money is not unlimited. You must use your compensation as one of your most important communication tools, to send a message about your organizations expectations and goal achievement rewards. According to Kiplinger, for 2017, Companies are forecasting 3% increases, similar to years past. But how that budget is spent may vary by person. Employees with the highest possible rating could see increases in the range of 4.5% to 5%, while low performers get an increase between 0.7% and 1%. Bonuses fo r salaried employees are projected to be 11.6% of pay, on average, with rewards for special projects or onetime achievements set at 5.6%, on average. Current Compensation Thinking Current thinking about salary and compensation includes the following components. Organizations need to develop a compensation philosophy and direction in writing that is reviewed by the Board of Directors and agreed to by your managers. According to SHRM, a typical compensation philosophy might state that the organization sets target pay rates at the 50th percentile of the competitive market, provides incentives for meeting stretch goals that result in pay delivery at the 75th percentile, and provides long-term incentives in the form of full-value stock options to senior professionals and managers to align objectives with those of shareholders. Particularly in an entrepreneurial, market-driven company, the compensation philosophy needs to include a method for grouping similar jobs for purposes of broa d banding, since promotional opportunities are limited.It should include a responsible, measurement system for awarding variable pay. Place less emphasis on increasing base pay, and more emphasis on distributing gains via bonuses that reward actual goal attainment.Goal attainment should be rewarded for both individual and organizational goal achievement to foster teamwork and eliminate the lone ranger mentality. Real goal achievement is attached to outcomes or deliverables that are measurable or offer a shared picture of what success looks like. They should not reward checking items off on a to-do list.As the cost of benefits has increased, their place in a total compensation package has increased in importance. Benefits are a major factor in your ability to attract and retain superior employees. Shifting the costs of some benefits to employees is a last-option scenario. Quality of Work Life Rewards The budget for salary, compensation, and benefits is not unlimited in most organ izations. Thus, in addition to traditionalincreases to base pay, and variable rewards,such as bonuses,profit-sharing, and gain-sharing, it isrecommended that youpay attention to the quality of work life rewards. These can include the following. Payment of a one-time,lump-sumpayment for a result or outcome that deserves recognition.Payment of smaller rewards withthankyou notes for above the call of duty contributions. These are not necessarily tied to an achieved result, but they are contributions, that when emphasized, increase the probability of results.Increased emphasis on additional benefits such as prepaid legal assistance, educational assistance, and vision insurance.Increased opportunity for flexible work arrangements and job-sharing. An organizational emphasis on the training anddevelopment of employees.Clear career paths, so employees see opportunities within your organization. In this last category, quality of work life rewards, your imagination is your only limitation. Th e key is to ensure fairness and consistency for similarly performing and contributing people, whenever possible. I encourage you to do even more for those employees who measurably contribute more to your organizations success. (Of course, this opens up a second philosophical debate fodder for a later article about how and whether your organization provides an equal opportunity for all employees to excel.) In summary, organizations are moving toward salary and compensation systems that emphasize flexibility, goal achievement, and variable pay based on performance, and less emphasis on increases to base pay. They are using bonuses based on profit and accomplishment to add toemployee compensation. The rising cost of benefits is causing a rethinking of their place in the compensation system.Forward-thinkingorganizations are emphasizing thequality of work liferewards and recognition to add to the value of the total compensation package. Researching Salary and Worker Compensation Onl ine Online salary information is often unreliable. It frequently averages too many variables into one range. Thesalary rangescover too many industries, nationally or internationally, and lump all of the data into one range. You may find the following websites useful. Payscale.comSalary.comJob Star CentralSalaryExpert.comU.S. and Canadian Salary Surveys Online You will also find salary information at professional associations such as the Society for Human Resource Management and others, but usually available only to members.

2018 college graduates will earn an average salary of $50K

2018 college graduates will earn an average salary of $50K 2018 college graduates will earn an average salary of $50K While previous research has found that more than a third of college graduates expect to have a salary of $60,000 in their first job, new data shows what this year’s grads are likely to pull in.A new analysis by global organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry shows that members of the Class of 2018 will rack up $50,390 a year on average - up from $49,000 last year. The company “analyzed salaries of 310,000 entry-level positions from nearly 1,000 organizations across the United States” to come up with the data points.What different entry-level jobs payKorn Ferry’s analysis took a look at the entry-level jobs and what they pay on average - here are the top five with the highest salaries: Software Developer: $67,236 Engineer: $64,066 Scientist/Researcher: $60,177 Registered Nurse: $54,454 Insurance Underwriter: $51,578 San Francisco has the highest salary for college gradsThe research showed what college graduates could make on average in 10 major cities. Korn Ferry Senior Client Partner Maryam Morse commented on the findings:“Of course the cost of living in some cities, like San Francisco and New York, is much higher than other parts of the nation, so it stands to reason that salaries would be higher, but regardless of location, it’s imperative that organizations start the recruiting process early to ensure they win top talent,” Morse said.Here are the cities, arranged from the highest salary to the least. San Francisco: $63,995 New York: $60,972 Boston: $59,460 Los Angeles: $56,386 Chicago: $55,177 Philadelphia: $54,169 Minneapolis: $53,766 Denver: $53,010 Dallas: $50,743 Atlanta: $49,584

The Importance of Professional Appearance

The Importance of Professional Appearance The Importance of Professional Appearance People still judge a book by its cover, and we judge other people by what we see on the outside. For salespeople, its vital to take this into account before you meet with potential customers. In a social situation you can show your trustworthiness over a long period of time, so if someone is put off by their first impressions, you have a chance to change his mind. In a sales situation youll meet with a given prospect only once or twice, so projecting the right appearance from the start is crucial â€" theres almost never a second chance. The Goal of Professional Appearances The goal is not necessarily to look as attractive as possible, although you will want to shoot for a pleasing “look.” If your appearance is attractive but not businesslike, you can end up making the wrong impression for a salesperson entirely. The idea is to gain your prospects trust by conveying the idea that you are giving them good advice when you suggest they buy your products. To that end, a businesslike appearance will get you farther than a superficially attractive one. Trustworthiness In a business situation, trustworthiness is based on several factors. People are inclined to trust businesspeople who are ethical, organized, knowledgeable, and reliable. These are the qualities most salespeople should strive to show in their overall appearance. The precise importance of each of these qualities will vary depending on your particular customer base. Selling to farmers and selling to bankers requires entirely different approaches to building your professional image. Business Attire Most customers will respond best to standard business attire. A basic suit, or a minimum of a tailored shirt and good-quality pants (for men) or a classic blouse and good pants or a skirt of moderate length (for women) is a good place to start. Clothes should be clean, free of stains and not wrinkled. Cologne or perfume is best used in moderation or skipped altogether, as many people suffer from allergies to these scents. Body Language Your body language also matters a great deal in sales situations. Simple things like sitting up straight, making regular but not excessive eye contact and shaking hands firmly can make a huge difference in how others perceive you. Ideally, you want to convey an impression of confidence and competence without coming across as being arrogant or overly assertive. Attention to Detail Attention to the details of appearance extends beyond your own body. If prospects and/or customers meet you at your place of business, then youll need to prepare your office to convey the same professional message. Your desk should be fairly clear with a few personal touches, such as photographs. Avoid excessive displays of your personal interests and hobbies, as these can detract from the overall impression. A framed certificate for first place in the golf tournament is fine, but covering your workspace with golfing memorabilia is a problem unless youre selling golf clubs. Organization You may be a somewhat disorganized person, but you dont want to shove that fact in your prospects faces. Keep any stacks of paperwork and other clutter discreetly out of sight. Better yet, train yourself to deal with tasks as they arise and then put them away in the appropriate places. Be sure to provide a chair for visitors at a comfortable conversational distance from your own chair. And have a supply of basic items such as pens, paper and business cards available at all times. Your Vehicle Your car should also reflect a professional appearance, as prospects may easily end up seeing it during the course of business â€" for example; a prospect might walk you to your car after a meeting. Keep your car squeaky clean and tidy outside and in, and tend to any dents or dings as promptly as possible.

3 reasons why you shouldnt abandon your job search in December

3 reasons why you shouldn't abandon your job search in December 3 reasons why you shouldn't abandon your job search in December You’re thinking about gracefully leaving your company soon in an effort to finally reinvent yourself for the new year, but doubt has set in.So after scouring job posting websites for weeks on end, the holidays come around and your hunt  comes to a screeching halt.Is December really the right time to look?While it would be much easier to sit back, relax, and worry about finding a new position once it’s officially 2018, here’s why that might not be the best approach.You can kill two birds with one stone at social eventsNetworking is always a good idea, so take advantage of holiday gatherings.Accounting Principals senior vice president Kathy Gans told Business Insider about how this can work in your favor.“The holiday season is filled with holiday parties and events, which makes it the perfect time of year to network… Fellow party-goers may be willing to put you in touch with potential connections,” she told the site.  There might be more openings than you thinkYou never kno w. Why stop now?Nancy Collamer, a career coach, speaker, author and blogger for NextAvenue.org, writes in Forbes that in December, “vacancies occur soon after some people receive year-end bonuses and quit.”“Employers are then often left scrambling to fill these openings,” she writes. “As a former HR manager, I can tell you that trying to bring on new staffers rather than taking time off for the holidays was a royal pain in the neck. I tended to fill those vacancies with more urgency (and a bit less caution) than at other times of the year.”You might just beat others to the chaseBree Silveira, sales recruiter at Glassdoor, told the site about this idea.“The job market notoriously slows down during the holidays because lots of people are planning family vacations and trips home and are not looking to make a move until after the New Year. By staying active during this time, you are staying ahead of the competition. December is the time to take advantage of and get in fron t of hiring in January when companies get their new hiring budgets,” she said.When you choose to apply is ultimately up to you, but keep in mind that just because it’s the end of the year, that doesn’t mean that you should stop your job search.

What Three Bullets Represent in Military Funerals

What Three Bullets Represent in Military Funerals What Three Bullets Represent in Military Funerals A standard part of any  military funeral is the ceremonial shooting of three volleys in honor  of the deceased. The  three spent shell casings are presented to his or her next of kin. Anyone who is entitled to a military funeral (generally anyone who dies on active duty, honorably discharged veterans and military retirees) are entitled to the three rifle volleys, subject to availability of honor guard teams. But where did this tradition come from?   Battlefield Custom of Three Volleys The tradition dates back to the European dynastic wars, which were between 1688 and 1748.  The volleys were shots fired on the field during a battle, signaling a pause in the fighting. It was intended to allow time for both sides to remove the bodies of their fallen soldiers from the battlefield. The two warring sides would cease hostilities until the firing of three volleys meant that the dead had been properly cared for and the side was ready to resume the battle. The three bullets represent the three volleys fired and the three words duty, honor, and country. Service Members Needed for Three Volleys The firing team in this ceremony can consist of any number of service members, but one usually sees a team of eight, with a non-commissioned officer (NCO) in charge of the firing detail. Whether the team consists of three, eight, or 10 service members, each member fires three times. Three Bullet Casings Slipped Into Folded Flag The military funeral honors also include a ceremony in which the honor guard removes the flag from the casket and carefully folds it, with the blue field of stars facing up. Then, the folded flag is presented to the deceased persons family as a token of gratitude for that persons service. The flag detail often slips three shell casings into the folded flag before presenting the flag to the family. Each casing represents one volley. This gesture provides a slightly different meaning for the symbolism of the three bullets in a military funeral. Some military  traditionalists argue that the shell casings should not be slipped into the flag as its being folded since doing so would require opening a flap of the flag. Instead, the shell casings should be retrieved and presented separately to the next of kin. Not a 21-Gun Salute This funeral salute often is mistaken by people who arent involved in the military as a 21-gun salute, although it is entirely different. The three volleys in the funeral salute are fired from rifles, not guns. Therefore, the three volleys arent any kind of gun salute. In the military, a gun is actually a large-caliber weapon, such as a cannon. The 21-gun salute stems from naval tradition, and it is used to mark certain anniversaries, salute heads of state, and reigning royalty and honor national flags. The number of  large-caliber guns used for the 21-gun salute varies depending on the protocol rank of the person being saluted. For example, if a president, former president, or president-elect dies, 50 guns will be fired at sunset at all military installations that are equipped for the salute depending on the protocol rank of the person being saluted.

Get Promoted with Tips Straight from your Boss

Get Promoted with Tips Straight from your Boss Get Promoted with Tips Straight from your Boss 1. Employers want to hire smart people, and an excellent way to show off your intellect and bring attention to potential missteps is to challenge your boss’ thinking when you know he or she is wrong. The idea here is not to be argumentative or seek to undermine authority, but to craft well-developed points to address shortcomings in your boss’ way of thinking. Bring the fact and figures that show just how your point is more correct or valid. 2. At the end of the day, all the screw ups, both small and large, wind up at the feet of your boss. So, keeping the boss informed of recurring and large-scale problems is a great way to give him or her time to work on a solution and to ensure that you are on top of the problem and have your own plan to fix it. 3. Navigating office politics is a slippery slope at the best of times, but we all have to work with a diverse set of personalities facing real-world problems that affect everyone around you. It is inevitable that problems are going to crop up and you are going to deal with feelings of resentment. But, unless there is a real problem, it is important to keep the drama out of your boss’ face. The less gossip and complaints you lob through your boss’ door, the more worthy you will show yourself to be for a bump up the ladder. 4. No one enjoys repeating themselves and most bosses have the expectation that they will not have to give directions more than once. For claritys sake, keep notes on all of your tasks and record everything you need to remember. And while you are writing down your notes take a few moments to think of any questions you may have about your work and bring them up right then. 5. One prerequisite of receiving a promotion is having your boss recognize your achievements. But that doesn’t mean being arrogant and condescending. Confidence is a great characteristic to have, but shoving your accomplishments down your boss’ throat won’t get you anywhere. It is best to just let your work speak for itself, but if you are concerned that you aren’t being noticed set up a meeting to give an overview of what you are working on and solicit feedback on ways to improve your strategy.