How to Avoid a Bad Lawyer

How to Avoid a Bad LawyerHow to Avoid a Bad LawyerCases are won and lost based on the quality of your legal team. Not all lawyers are equally skilled, competent or ethical. Knowing how to find a good lawyer, and how to avoid a bad one, is elend always easy. Trust your instincts and watch for the red flags below. Work Habits An attorneys work habits are one of the largest indicators of competence. The following red flags may indicate that its time to find new legal representation. Unreturned phone calls A lawyer who fails to return phone calls promptly, or at all, does not place a premium on client service. He may be too busy with other cases, uncertain with how to proceed with your case or ignoring your matter altogether.Unanswered e-mails Like unanswered phone calls, unanswered emails can indicate that the lawyer is too busy, ?stressed or overwhelmed to handle your case or is not making your matter a priority.Missed deadlines Missing deadlines, especially court filing deadlin es, can seriously damage your case. If a lawyer consistently misses deadlines, it is best to terminate the relationship and move on. Poor attitude A lawyer who displays a condescending, uncommunicative, rude, impatient or otherwise poor attitude may be difficult to work with. A poor attorney-client relationship may create conflict, tension, and ill-will.Lack of proper calendaring system A reliable, organized calendaring system is critical to meeting deadlines and prioritizing multiple obligations. A lack of a proper calendaring system can lead to missed deadlines and other disasters.A promise of a court victory or successful outcome An attorney should never promise his client a specific outcome, no matter how likely that outcome may be. Be wary of promises of a sure-fire victory. Refusal to provide references A refusal to provide references or let you talk with past clients indicates that the lawyer had problems with past clients that he does not want you to know about. Work Premises A lawyers work premises, from the building location and exterior to the reception room, conference room and offices, can speak volumes about a lawyers work practices and clientele. Below are a few signs that all is not well. Office space in a state of disrepair Office space or property in poor disrepair can signal financial problems on the part of the lawyer.A large number of empty offices A high number of empty offices can signal significant employee turnover, too-rapid growth or financial problems.Unkempt, disorderly office A messy, cluttered office is a red flag for disorganization and inefficiency. Perhaps the lawyer thrives in chaos but do you want to risk losing important paperwork or missing a deadline? Stacks of unfiled papers or unopened mail A backlog of filing or unopened mail may indicate that the lawyer lacks proper support staff or is disorganized, unmotivated or overwhelmed. Lawyers Staff A look at the lawyers staff members and how he interacts with personnel can provide clues to his effectiveness, competence, reliability, and ethics. Unhappy staff members Disgruntled employees or low workplace morale can signal poor lawyer-staff communication, strained relationships and a lack of caring. A lawyer who treats staff poorly- through bullying, verbal abuse, rudeness, and other behavior- can fuel conflict, tension, and ill-will. If the lawyer fails to treat his employees well, will he treat clients well?High turnover rate High employee attrition can signal dissatisfaction with the law firm in general or the lawyer specifically. Committedand satisfied employees are more likely to remain with a firm, regardless of pay or benefits. Lack of staff - A lawyer who lacks adequate support staff may be difficult to work with or may be experiencing financial difficulties. Billing Practices A lawyers billing practices can also raise red flags. Below are a few billing practices to watch. Overbilling or excessive billing Overbilling is a s ign that a lawyer or paralegal is inflating the time it took to perform a task (known as padding time).Vague billing Your legal bill should explain in detail the tasks performed, who is performing them and when. For example, a phone call should include information as to who made the call, what party they were calling, the nature of the matter and the duration of the call.Surcharge on legal expenses Some law firms add a surcharge to routine expenses such as copying or postage fees as a way to boost profit levels. In most cases, such charges are inappropriate and unethical. Hidden expenses Watch for hidden expenses that were not disclosed at the outset or in the fee agreement or retention agreement.

How to Create a News Website That Makes Money

How to Create a nachrichtensendung Website That Makes MoneyHow to Create a News Website That Makes MoneyMaking a news website starts with finding content. But thats only the first step. Chances are, you want to make money. While it can be difficult to generate dollars in addition to traffic, you can boost your chances with four easy steps. Decide if You Need a Paywall It is the easiest decision to make, but also the most dangerous. A paywall requires people to pay you to get your content. But it could also drastically cut your number of visitors. To make your paywall successful, you must have a rationale for why your site is worth money to your visitors. How much of your news content is unique? If the answer is not much, then your visitors will simply go where they can get the same information without paying. If you deutsche bundespost content faster than your competitors, you could position yourself as the first source for news. But what you offer has to be so compelling that peop le wont be willing to wait to get it somewhere else. There are also complexities in setting up a paywall that you should consider, which can cost money up front. If you cant recoup that investment easily, you may want to look elsewhere for revenue. Earn Money by deutsche post dhling Google Ads Youve likely seen Google ads on many websites. Its easy to set up these advertisements on your media site and customize them to reflect your content. If you target these ads to your audience, its much more likely youll get clicks and compensation. The design of the ad space will not take away from your content or graphics, so readers will still focus on your information. But realize that the key to making money with Google ads is to have a lot of site visitors. If you have a niche site, you wont make a fortune with these types of ads. You will have to work to get your site as much attention and clicks as possible. Post Traditional Ads to Boost Website Revenue Banner ads are nearly as o ld as the web itself. They are the most traditional way of making money from a news site because they arent much different than ads youd find in a newspaper or on the radio or TV. Ideally, an advertiser would pay you a flat rate to place an ad. That way, you wouldnt have to worry about how many people visit your site or click on the ad to receive payment. The advertiser will likely want to know your site stats before paying for ad space and will base their payment on how many eyeballs view the ad or click it. Be prepared to offer accurate numbers and accept that the payment will probably be less than what youd like. That makes it tempting to put banners, buttons and other ad links everywhere on your site so that these small amounts of money add up. But you risk turning off your readers. Too many ads diminish the professionalism of your site, so design the areas that youll reserve for advertisers and save the rest for content. Also, remember youll have to design a trafficking and inv oice system to organize the ads. You may spend most of your time posting and removing ads and tracking payments instead of on your content. Beware Adding an Affiliate Program to a News Site An affiliate program is a popular website revenue generator for many sites but should be approached with caution for any media website. People make money by producing content about a product, then linking to a place where readers can buy it. For a media pro, this probably sounds like an infomercial. If youre a journalist, that presents a problem for adding an affiliate program to your news site. It could easily appear that the reason you posted a story on this years most popular political novel was solely to provide a link for people to buy it. The reputation you have built for yourself and your site isnt worth tarnishing it in this way. But if your news site is less journalism-oriented, an affiliate program may work well. A radio station could link its list of the weeks Top 10 hits to a plac e where listeners could purchase the music, provided it doesnt break the rules on payola. A magazine could highlight spring fashions and link to stores where the items can be found. A media website can be a moneymaker. By planning carefully, avoiding overselling and being patient with the results, you will lay a foundation for revenue. Then you can fine-tune your efforts, possibly to include several methods, to maximize your return.

Tips for the Young and Jobless

Tips for the Young and JoblessTips for the Young and JoblessMany victims of layoffs this year were young, entry-levelor near entry-level- employees. And if you were one of those perhaps-now-not-so-newly laid off youngsters, youve probably considering going back to school to make yourself more marketable. But if youre on the fence about spending thousands of dollars on a JD/MBA/MA/MFA/MD/PhD, consider some other things you can do to make your resume fresh and relevant. Volunteering is a big one. Learning a new skilleither by reading up, taking a continuing ed course or earning a certificateis another. On his blog, Seth Godin recommends the followingSpend twenty hours a week running a project for a non-profit. Teach yourself Java, HTML, Flash, PHP and SQL. Not a little, but mastery. Clarification I know you cant become a master programmer of all these in a year. I used the word mastery to distinguish it from familiarity which is what you get from one of those Dummies type books. I would hope you could write code that solves problems, works and is reasonably clear, not that you can program well enough to work for Joel Spolsky. Sorry if I ruffled feathers. Volunteer to coach or assistant coach a kids sports team. Start, run and grow an online community. Give a speech a week to local organizations. Write a regular newsletter or blog about an industry you care about. Learn a foreign language fluently. Write three detailed business plans for projects in the industry you care about. Self-publish a book. andrang a marathon.While successfully completing everything on Godins list may take the same amount of time as an MBA program, youll still come out on the other end with a great resumeand no new student loans. Posted by Carolyn Wise, Vault Senior Education Editor

Questions to ask your future manager before joining the team

Questions to ask your future manager before joining the teamQuestions to ask your future manager before joining the teamThe fish rots from the head, they say. Dont hesitate to use job interviews as a two-way street. Ask your interviewer these pressing questions to reveal the character of the team you are considering joining as well as that of its leaders.On our quest to find the best possible job with the coolest benefits, we often end up overlooking one of the most important aspects of any job. One that will ultimately define our experience in a new company a great manager.Dont just look for a great job, look for a great bossThe people you work with will influence your career, aspirations, your health and even self-image in a profound way. A great manager makes even tedious jobs exciting, while a toxic manager will make you feel horrible even in the best of companies.Before you go to your next interview, ask yourself What am I looking for in my future employer?First things first, do they even let you ask questions of your own? If its all about asking you those tricky questions and never letting you have a word in, be ready for an authoritative and no-feedback-welcome environment.Good with questions? Great, then move on and try to learn as much as you can about both the partal and professional qualities of your potential boss.Personal Qualities Emotional IntelligenceIn his book Emotional Intelligence 2.0, Dr. Travis Bradberry summarized his learnings from a study of 1 million professional profiles. The research included everyone from workers from the frontlines to the C-suite. What he discovered was that for every job title in the study, the top performers are those with the highest EQ scores.CEOs and managers with higher EQ have led their teams and companies to measurably better results than what businesses with low-EQ management reach in the same environment. The teams with a high-EQ boss have also reported higher levels of both motivation and productivity .For a quick EQ check, here are the questions to ask your potential managerQuestion 1 What do you love about your job? What keeps you going every day?If this person is bedrngnis afraid to share their motivation or, even better, inspires you with their answer, they understand the value of personal connection and the power of being vulnerable. However, if a manager sounds like they feel burdened by their job, thats a red flag.Related articlesWhat stops us from changing careers?Robert scored a point against autism and found a job thanks to The 3 types of colleagues you wish werent at your Christmas partyQuestion 2 Could you tell me about a time when the team experienced failure? What about success?Questions like these will show you how the interviewer handles difficulties and victories. Do they expect one person to carry the full responsibility for a flop? How does this team usually deal with obstacles? Is it a culture of fear or one of mutual support? Are visibility and growth impede d by laying blame?Also, this is a good moment to look for clues on how they manage personal stress and whether they let it influence their professional relationships.Question 3 Would your team describe you as fair?Posing a question this way seems to effectively bring out the honesty in people and make them steer away from the pre-packaged polished answers. If the answer is dishonest or manipulative, you will notice it too. An honest answer should take them a few moments to think about and would probably not end up being pure self-praise (unless they have 100% employee approval score).Professional QualitiesWorking with a manager who has strong interpersonal skills is great. However, unless they know what theyre doing professionally, youll end up with a well-liked leader who doesnt know where they are going. These are the questions to ask your future manager in bestellung to get a glimpse into their professional qualities.Question 4 Experience Is this your dream job?Asking you future manager this question should help you tell if they are passionate about what they do. Did they grow into this position or simply got the right diploma? Are they following their dream or just aiming for a big paycheck?You want your boss to know what they are doing and have a deep understanding of their own role as well as the one for which you are applying. It is even better if theyve had a long career in the field and are excited to share their experience with you.Question 5 Vision Where do you see your team in 2 years?In other words, are they a proactive strategic thinker or someone who follows the inertia? A humble strategist will often recognize the challenges associated with the team goal and mention how you will help the organization achieve its vision.Question 6 Leadership How do you measure success?The definition of team success becomes the definition of your personal success as soon as you join the company. How will you know if you are doing good? KPIs and metrics will eithe r empower you or cut your motivation at its root. Measuring success should be about quantifying the value you bring with your work. Think of questions to ask the manager about the metrics that are specifically relevant to your position. Make sure they measure the value of your contribution towards reaching teams goals and not just counting the hours you stayed in the office.The Choice Is YoursWe spend over half of the time we are awake at work. Wouldnt you want to spend that much time around people who inspire you to do more and be better? To spend that time actually enjoying your work?A survey by Paychex shows that out of top 15 reasons why people leave their jobs only 3 dont directly depend on or couldnt have been solved by a great boss. Working with bad leaders can make or break your career. Dont be shy to ask your manager what your future at their company would actually look like.To secure your next interview, use the platform and upgrade to a more human-centric and performance -based resume.

West Point Majors and Fields of Study

West Point Majors and Fields of StudyWest Point Majors and Fields of StudyThe United States Military Academy (West Point) offers more than 40 academic majors. While they will all complete a degree as a Bachelor of Science, the fields of study are not limited to technical areas of knowledge. West Point wants graduates to have a well-rounded education in the humanities as well as science and technology. They want to stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving. West Point says that they strive to bring together a diversity of students, so cadets learn from each other as well as from the instructors. The learning experience is often team-based.Seniors also engage in a Senior Capstone experience to solve real-world problems and present their findings. Below are degrees you can earn. Academic Majors at the United States Military Academy (West Point) Cadets choose their major in the punkt term of their sophomore year. Until the end of their sophomore year, all cadets are taking the same basic core classes. These 31 courses give a balanced education in the arts,sciences, and the humanities. Majors in the Social Sciences Department Comparative Politics Major ProgramEconomics Major Program Can also pursue a major with honors.International Relations Programs Can also pursue a major with honors. English and Philosophy Department Art, Philosophy and Literature Major The ideal is from Achilles, To be a speaker of words and a doer of deeds. Majors in the Department of Chemistry and Life Sciences Chemical Engineering Major ProgramChemistry This major offers an American Chemical Society Certified Degree Program in addition to the baseline major.Life Science Major Program Majors in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering Civil Engineering MajorMechanical Engineering Major Majors in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Computer Science Major ProgramElectrical Engineering Major ProgramInformation Technology Major Prog ram an additional degree is offered for Bachelor of Science in Electronic and Information Technology Systems. Majors in the Department of Foreign Languages ArabicChineseFrenchGermanPersianPortugueseRussianSpanish Majors in the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering Environmental EngineeringEnvironmental GeographyEnvironmental ScienceGeospatial Information Science MajorHuman Geography Major in the Department of History History Major in the Department of Law Law and Legal Studies Majors in the Department of Mathematical Sciences Mathematical ScienceOperations ResearchMinors in Applied Statistics and Network Science Majors in the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering Advanced PhysicsNuclear EngineeringInterdisciplinary Science Majors in the Department of Systems Engineering Engineering ManagementSystems EngineeringOperations Research Studies Major Majors in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Applied General Psycho logyOrganizational Psychology and LeadershipEngineering PsychologyLeader Development ScienceManagement Department of Physical Education Kinesiology Department of Military Instruction Defense and Strategic Studies The United States Military Academy Accreditation The United States Military Academy at West Point has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1949. It is reaccredited every 10 years. Programs in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Management, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, and Nuclear Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. United States Military Academy programs in computer science and information technology are accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The Hidden Facts About Resume Examplers

The Hidden Facts About Resume Examplers Remember that the resume is your principal marketing and advertising tool. If youre seeking to customize professional, pre-formatted resumes, have a look at our totally free downloadable templates. Consider what youll be putting on your resume, and select your template accordingly. Our big variety of downloadable resume templates is totally free for all to use and an excellent resource to kick off the writing process. What You Can Do About Resume Examplers Starting in the Next 4 Minutes Our professional resume examples can help you stay in front of the competition. Because you will probably have little if any expert experience, dont hesitate to fill your education section with a plethora of information. Companies and clients who wish to employ youll want to understand how you verstndigung im strafverfahren with people and at exactly the same time whether you had the ability to get effects. There are variety of examples and various var ieties of Free Resume Templates which can be found that may be downloaded free. The Resume Examplers Trap Its not quite as difficult as you may think. Resume examples will be able to help you impress the recruiter with your abilities and qualifications. Notice how the example resumes are extremely specific when it has to do with technical skills. You may also read more on the ideal approach to use our resume samples here. Its high-quality PSD file is totally customizable. The upcoming free resume template is made in the shape of a brochure. Utilizing a resume template is getting an acceptable and smart practice for several factors. By customizing your resume for the job which you want, you can show employers youve got the abilities and experience theyre searching for. Your jobs might be varied, your experience and techniques vast, and it can be challenging getting it all on paper. Due to the technical nature of the job, it is necessary that you highlight skills and experien ce. Everyone has desirable abilities and experiences to provide employers including you If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Resume Examplers Employers understand that youre young and looking to enhance your experience, so give them as much as you can that shows youre be an important employee. Transportation jobs involve a lot of responsibility and your resume will want to reflect you can deal with that. You may also leave off any jobs that are entirely unrelated to the job that you desire. Jobs in the hospitality profession require those who are good working with different men and women. Although career summaries are somewhat more common nowadays, a resume objective could be convenient in order that will help you stick out from the crowd. When youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to know how to vary using action verbs and receive a feel for what makes a potent accomplishment statement. Resume Examplers at a Glance Read resume articles focused on specific features of job searching and the way to use your resume. Possessing a crystal clear and professional resume is essential in the medical field. Highly relevant expertise in a field is the very first thing employers search for. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously provide you an advantage. Please get in touch with us if you would like us to add sample resumes for any particular category or whether you want to submit an example for certain category. You always ought to make certain your resume is no more than 1 page and feature a selection of information. Your resume will be split into sections. Then you are able to go through the several examples of resumes readily available on our website for your references. Resume Examplers Fundamentals Explained Everyone knows that when looking for work, the very first task youll need to complete for an expected employer is, Send a copy of your resume. In the event the colleges youre applyin g to permit you to submit a resume, dont miss the opportunity. Although you might think that the procedure is tedious but having a proper resume for admission will be able to help you get through easily. The procedure for requesting a job is stressful and time consuming. Essentially, you would like to quickly portray that youre a perfect candidate for those kinds of jobs youre pursuing. If youre attempting to acquire work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. For students that are new to the work market, interests and activities are a great means to show employers you have skills they are searching for. The challenge of being a true student searching for a job tends to be a deficiency of prior job experience.

Study Finds Women Who Work Remotely Are More Likely to Get Promoted

Study Finds Women Who Work Remotely Are More Likely to Get Promoted A recent survey conducted by Ultimate Software found that 57% of women working remotely were promoted in the last year, compared to only 35% of women who worked in-office. They were also more likely than their in-office counterparts to report that they felt there was room for growth in their roles.Remote work has long been championed as a way to help women excel in their careers because of the flexibility it offers. Whether less emphasis on seat-time and more emphasis on results is actually a key driver of these positive results is unclear, but this study certainly supports the notion that remote work is good for women.Read on for highlights of the studys results, and check out the full report and methodology here.For Women, Remote Work Offers AdvantagesWomen who work in-office were the most likely of all groups to report feeling guilty for taking time offWomen who work in-office are the least likely compared to all groups to believe that HR understands their concerns/needsWomen who work remotely are twice as likely as women who dont to leverage HR to resolve issuesCompared to all groups, women who work in-office were the least likely to report that they felt there was an opportunity for growth in their current roleMen who worked in-office were much more likely to report feeling their current roles offered opportunities for growth than women who worked in-office, while there was hardly any difference between women and men who worked remotely. Percentage of Women Men Who Reported That Their Current Roles Offered Opportunities for Growth Credit Ultimate Software Remote Workforce 2019 Survey Compared to all groups surveyed, women working remotely had the highest percentage of promotions in the last year. Women working in-office had the lowest.Percentage of Women Men Who Reported Promotions in the Past Year Credit Ultimate Soft ware Remote Workforce 2019 Survey Compared to In-Office Workers, Remote Workers were...40% more likely to have been promoted in the past yearMore likely to report that their company was invested in their growthMore likely to say that their working location contributed to decreased stress (50% of remote workers vs. 19% of in-office)But they were also more likely than their in-office counterparts to work beyond their set hours each day. Which, when youre technically at the office 24/7, makes some sense.-------Already work remotely? Tell us why you think it gives women an edge in the comments.Looking to join the movement? Check out our open remote jobs here and be sure to freshen up your interview skills before you apply RISE UP THROUGH OUR FREE COMMUNITY Network with top executives even if you arent looking for a new role First look at flexible, work-from-home, in-office roles Join live chats led by expert women in your field and beyond Sign Up One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 mio construction employees are women. pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel neuerung/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending pro jected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more a ttractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentierung technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

Questions for Aspiring Veterinarians

Questions for Aspiring VeterinariansQuestions for Aspiring VeterinariansThe decision to pursue veterinary medicine is a major commitment- one that should be carefully considered. There are certainly many great reasons to become a vet, but it is important to realistically consider all aspects of the career before making a final decision. Here are seven questions that an aspiring veterinarian should consider before embarking on this challenging career path. Can You Handle Taking on Significant Student Debt? The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that over 90 percent of veterinary students must borrow to fund their veterinary education. A veterinary student generally takes on an average educational debt of $162,113 during the course of their studies. It is important to know that you might be responsible for mortgage-sized payments after graduation. Are You Being Realistic about Your Starting Salary? The AVMA Market Research Statistics report (2013) indicated that ne w veterinary graduates could expect to earn an average starting salary of $67,136. The debt to income ratio has unfortunately become quite high (31) in recent years due to the rapidly rising cost of veterinary education. While veterinary medicine is one of the top paying animal career paths, it can take several years for the salary to climb to a level where you will be comfortable. Can You Focus on Your Career When Time with Friends and Family May Be Limited? It is difficult to launch a career in veterinary medicine, and it may cost you valuable time with friends and family (particularly in the early years when long hours are often necessary and expected). It can be a real challenge to balance work and home life for individuals hoping to raise a family. Do You Plan to Pursue a Specialty? Becoming a hauptplatine-certified veterinary diplomate requires a great deal of additional training after the basic DVM degree is achieved (often three more years of study and clinical pract ice). There are more than a dozen specialty areas that a vet can choose from including dermatology, surgery, radiology, pathology, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, and more. Specialists can earn much higher salaries than the average veterinarian, but there are additional educational costs incurred during their residencies. Residents do, however, earn a small salary while pursuing their board certification (reportedly an average of $30,916 in 2014). Do You Plan to Become a Practice Owner? The earlier you can decide that you want to pursue practice ownership, the better. It can be a significant expense to start your own practice (or buy into an established practice), but it can lead to significantly higher earnings in the long run. In a 2009 AVMA study, partners earned an average of $40,000 more per year than associates. If you plan to pursue this path start saving early, and make the investment as soon as possible. Have You Identified a Particular State or Area where You Would Like to Practice? It is important to be realistic about where you will feel comfortable practicing. There are many programs that reward veterinarians for working in underserved areas for a few years (often compensating them for up to $75,000 in student debt), but if you cant reconcile yourself to working in such an area this wont be a good fit for you. Be sure to make connections in the areas where you would like to work if at all possible. Also research the cost of living, area amenities, and economic prospects for success in that specific veterinary market. Can You Handle the Emotional and Physical Stress that Is a Part of this Job? Veterinary medicine can take a lot out of a practitioner both mentally and physically. The hours are long, some procedures are unpleasant, and there is the stress of having to give schwimmbad news to owners. Some vets report in surveys that they can suffer from depression and a variety of other symptoms related to stress. This can be a very rewarding job, but you have to anticipate that there will be some tough things to get through from time to time.

Harvard Laws Therapy Liger

Harvard Laws Therapy LigerHarvard Laws Therapy LigerHarvard Law isnt all about gazing at ivy, rowing boats while reading your torts casebook or calculating ways in which you and your fellow law students will rule the legal world. That crimson bunch likes to laugh too. And whats more humorous than polking fun at your biggest law school rival?Last week, Yale Law offered a unique opportunity to destress reserving time with a therapy dog named Monty. Students could hang out with the pup for thirty-minute sessions at Yale Laws library. According to the law school, It is well documented that visits from therapy dogs have resulted in increased happiness, calmness, and overall emotional well-being.Inspired by Yale Laws new perk, Harvard Law has decided to offer some therapy of its own Harry the Harvard Law School Library Therapy Liger. According to Calvin A. Tompkins, a research librarian at Harvard LawWe were excited to hear about Yales wonderful program that allows students to rent a dog t o relieve stress. We knew that Harvard had to get in on the action. But we thought that dogs were a bit pass, you know, twentieth century, so we thought that we should do something different. We decided to go big and exotic.Well played, Harvard Law. Im sure playing fetch with Monty is great stress relief, but nothing eases the nerves better than a good laugh.Read more about Harvard Laws Liger Above the Laws post on Yales therapy dogFOLLOW VAULT LAW ON TWITTER VaultLaw

Holiday Billable Blues

Holiday Billable BluesHoliday Billable BluesThe clock is ticking down to sweet holiday freedom. You can practically smell your familys home-cooked feast from your office, and the thought of abandoning billable hours for a day is making you giddy. And then it happens- the most dreaded pre-holiday sound. Your office phone rings. Youve been assigned to an emergency matter and must drop everything to help, including your holiday plans.As many lawyers know, holiday work isnt just a plot line to escalate the drama in movies. When a client calls, lawyers answer, regardless of the date. But that doesnt make it any easier to miss out on time with friends and family. Below are some tips on navigating this tough situation.Dont Try to Rationalize ItIf youre experience is anything like mine, your non-lawyer family and friends just wont understand how you could possibly have work on a holiday (or weekend or after 6 p.m.). Its futile to try to explain the why to them, and your attempts will likely only be met with frustration and calls for you to quit or stand up to your boss. Instead, tell your loved ones that you are doing your best to complete the work so that you can be with them. And if youre unable to make it, schedule another time to celebrate with them.Its hard not to complain- missing a holiday is a huge bummer. If you need to get out a few gripes, go for it, and then move on with the hopes that you can get your work done quickly and still make it for some of the festivities.Weigh the SituationDepending on your personality, you may be quick to accept or reject a holiday assignment. Before doing either, consider your history with the firm and your goals. If youre somewhat of a newbie, still forging your path, and youve never been called upon in an emergency situation, saying no isnt the best idea. Its inevitable as a law firm associate that youll face an inconvenient assignment or two (or a hundred). If its your turn to take one for the team, its probably best to acce pt your fate. But if you are called on continuously while your peers arent, perhaps you could have a frank- but respectful- conversation with the assigning freund about other times that youve helped out and share your holiday plans with him or her. Of course, if youre planning your exit soon and have no aspirations of partnership, youre in a much better position to respectfully decline the work.Call in a FavorIf the assignment is an isolated one that doesnt require your specific expertise, and if this holiday is particularly important to you, consider calling in a favor. Perhaps you know that a fellow associate has zero holiday plans or doesnt celebrate the holiday. With that associates permission, ask the assigning partner if the other associate could fill in for you and explain how important the holiday is to you. Make sure you thank that associate for helping, and pay it forward in the future. Also, it would behoove you to jump in the next time the assigning partner needs a volun teer to show that youre a team player.Take the Opportunity to ShineIf you get saddled with holiday work, use it to your advantage. The partners may be expecting resistance and probably feel terrible about keeping you from your friends and family. Make a bad situation better by having a positive attitude and doing your best work. The partners on the case will remember your attitude and the great work you produced despite the unfortunate circumstances.Make the Best of ItYou may not be able to spend your holiday exactly as you had hoped, but that doesnt mean it has to be a total waste. If youre stuckverzierung in the office- or worse, traveling- build your camaraderie with the others staffed on your case. Take a break and order in a special meal, share some holiday traditions, or just chit chat to cheer each other up. For many, co-workers are like an extended family. So if you must be stuck at the firm, at least you can enjoy each others company. If youre not locked in the office and a re working remotely, enjoy the time that you do get with your friends and family. It may not be the exact day you had expected, but any time with them is better than nothing.Be EfficientIt probably goes without saying that you should focus and try to get your work done as quickly as possible. When I received an assignment on Christmas Eve as a junior associate, I put my head down and cranked it out with the goal of making it home in time for Christmas Eve dinner, and I succeeded. Resist the urge to sulk and complain about your misfortune- its a waste of time, and time is everything at this point. Figure out how to be as productive as possible with the goal of saving as much of your holiday as you can.Being on call 24/7 as an associate is never easy. And while holiday work isnt necessarily the norm, it can happen. Try to hold on to as much of that holiday spirit as you can, and do your best to stay positive and produce your best work in the most efficient way possible.