Top Tips to Get Started

When designing your website, http://www.internetproviders.com recommends you:

• Make the site accessible to those who are using smartphone, tablets and laptops. Mobile device-users make up 15 percent of all people who browse the Web, and they need to be able to access your site. This is called “responsive design,” and you can find free step-by-step directions on how to do it at http://www.dudamobile.com or http://mashable.com/2012/06/10/make-site-mobile-ready.

• Use social media to market your site. This can be as simple as establishing a Facebook page for your business or hiring a company that will take charge of marketing your website for you on all social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Google Plus. See https://www.hootsuite.com and http://www.tweetdeck.com for details about how this service works.

• Read the free publication by college professor and author Rohit Bhargava entitled, “How to Launch a Successful Blog in 90 Days.” This guide takes you through the entire process, from choosing your niche and securing your URL to how to have your website listed with all search engines. He also tells you how to get your blog syndicated in order to increase revenue and how to make connections with other professionals who can help advance your website.

Legal Considerations

Before you launch your website, be sure you take into account important legal issues that may be involved.

• Copyright infringement: If you post any copyrighted material on your site without permission, including images, photos, drawings or stories, you may have legal problems with the holder of the copyright. Search the Web for copyright-free images on sites like www.CreativeCommons.org or http://www.freedigitalphotos.net.

• Protection against libel lawsuits which can arise when someone feels you have allowed them to be defamed on your website. If your site has a place for comments, you need to specifically state that any views posted do not represent your views. Monitor the comments and delete any that disparage another person or company. Have a complete disclaimer in your Terms of Service confirming that opinions expressed in any comment are not yours. You can find a standard template for your Terms of Service that will cover all the legal issues. For examples, see http://www.freewebsitetemplates.com/about/terms.

• If your website has links to other websites, you need to have a disclaimer that each linked website has its own Terms of Service and you are not responsible for any content on any linked site. Although a basic link in your text to the source of your material is generally not a legal problem, if you plan on linking to photos, cartoons, art work or literary material, you need to check with legal sources to determine how to do this without incurring any legal liability. For an overview of what you need to know legally before providing links to other websites, go to http://www.bitlaw.com/internet/webpage.html#linking. For more detailed information, check http://www.bitlaw.com/internet/linking.html.

• All quotes must be properly attributed to the person you are quoting. Beware of plagiarism, which is passing off someone else’s work as though it is your own. A helpful website is www.Copyscape.com. You upload your written material before you publish it. In a matter of seconds, Copyscape will provide you an information sheet that tells you if your copy matches any other copy that has been published on the Internet. If there are matches, you can revise your article in order to avoid any plagiarism implications.

A critical shortage of advanced nursing professionals has hospitals scrambling to provide quality health care to an ever-expanding, aging population. By 2020, there will be a shortage of more than one million nurses nationwide, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers. In addition to fewer available nurses, technology and regulations – such as the Affordable Care Act and new legislation that mandates patient-nurse ratios – demand new skills and support non-traditional nursing roles, such as travel nurses.

Physicians and hospitals have shifted toward hiring nurses with advanced training to respond to the challenges. Many hospitals are actually only hiring nurses with BSN or higher credentials. Hospitals are embracing creative staffing solutions. Some facilities boost ratio numbers and fill vacancies by hiring contract nurses through travel nursing jobs agencies. Temporary staffing agencies allow employers to take more time finding best-fit personnel for their facilities.

While there is a need for staff to fill traditional nursing roles in the ICU, operating rooms, NIC units, and emergency rooms, there are new roles travel nurses might consider. Gaining experience in these non-traditional roles could lead to higher future salaries if nurses decide to return to full-time employment in one location.

Nurse Navigator

These professional nurses act as a guide for patients and families, especially during health management situations that involve surgery. For example, navigators working with cancer patients provide education about treatments, surgical procedures, nutritional guidelines and what to expect as the patients moves through various treatments. Patients are typically assigned a navigator after initial diagnosis. Training and implementation are emerging in hospitals nationwide.

Transitional Nurse Provider

Patients go home more quickly today than they did in past decades. Transitional nurses provide services similar to home health services. However, they are an extension of the hospital care unit today. Patient care is shifting toward a more inclusive package that includes pre-admission and post-admission care. Follow-up care lasts from one to three months in most cases.

Electronic ICU Nurse Roles

Nurses with a passion for patient care who cannot handle the 12-hour shifts on their feet might consider a role that can be performed from anywhere, including a remote location. With electronic monitoring equipment and telecommunications software, nurses monitor patients visually and via computerized equipment.

How Travel Nursing Serves the Medical Community

Freelance travel nurses may respond to a call to fill one of these emerging roles or to fill a void left as staff members move into new roles, leaving gaps in the traditional hospital setting. In either case, a temporary professional fills a crucial role in providing quality care to patients.

Healthcare is changing drastically. Nurses looking to expand their professional horizons have options today that have never been available before. Nurses have options to see first-hand what working in the 21st-century medical environment looks like, options to learn new skills, and put current skills into practice and options to increase wages and have more flexibility in scheduling.

For nurses with experience and advanced education credentials, becoming a traveling nurse provides almost limitless opportunities.

What are your thoughts of the nursing industry? Tell us in the comments.

Identity theft is on the rise—a 2013 Javelin Strategy & Research report shows there were 12.6 million victims of identity fraud in the U.S. in 2012, up 1 million cases from the previous year. One side effect of this is an increase in job opportunities in the identity theft protection field. The industry is one of the few that has increased over the last four years, according to IBISWorld. Those interested in getting into the identity theft protection field have a variety of positions to choose from, such as sales, call center operators and data security technicians.

Work at Home

Many companies handle customer service, sales and technical support through independent contractors. This can be an excellent opportunity for a working mother or someone who simply desires flexibility in scheduling. Work-at-home positions are usually available through identity theft protection services, though some protection services require workers to be physically present at their call centers. Job seekers who are interested in positions such as these should check the websites of each protection service and go to the careers section. Here you can check the current job openings at LifeLock.com and similar companies.

Technical Positions

Job seekers who have a more technical background may want to work for companies that need to secure data against potential breaches and threats. This job path includes those who have networking security experience. Many companies that need to take in a large amount of consumer data are bolstering their security systems to prevent a data breach. This means security is one of the largest focuses for many technology departments, and job seekers who have experience in security will usually find it easy to secure employment.

Many of these companies also require multiple internal audit teams, because inside threats are common. Data security professionals can become highly paid, especially those with many years of experience.

Banking Sector

Many banks and credit card companies also have an identity theft protection department. The positions in these departments range from call center work to managing the 24-hour hotline and helping victims take appropriate steps to restore security and protect their identities from further harm. Online banking systems also hire a great deal of programmers and data security analysts to develop, maintain and improve their secured computer systems. This is especially true of banks that operate entirely online.

Sales

Sales positions require the employee become knowledgeable about the threats of identity theft and the level of protection that an identity protection service can provide. Some of these positions operate on a commission basis, which can be profitable to those who are skilled at sales.

Have you considered a career related to identity theft? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Imagine walking into the principal’s office of a school you want to teach at, straight off of a cross-country PCS. This clearly means the “PCS ponytail” is resting atop your head, and you are rocking your favorite, worn-out, but-oh-so-comfy T-shirt and shorts…

Now imagine that after this meeting you get a job offer before even getting home.

It happened to one military spouse I know. And I’m wondering if after sharing this resource, I’m going to start hearing more of these awesome stories!

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Amanda Trimillos, the milspouse in the story above, had no intention of interviewing that day. She was just seeking information. What she got was a personal interview—not the kind that’s intimidating and overwhelming, but a come-as-you-are, casual conversation—and an immediate job offer.

What is the magic she has? Well, aside from being articulate, knowledgeable and passionate about teaching, she has something that only 3% of all teachers in the United States possess, but that many school districts want:

A National Board Certification.

Amanda asks her employers now what encouraged them to hire her.

Their response?

“Your resume did have some red flags because you’ve moved a lot, but we would rather hire someone 2-3 years who is dynamic than a dud for 20.”

Being a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) is essentially like being a Board certified doctor. It’s the stuff of excellence and increases your credibility among your peers and in your community.

Like so many military spouses, Amanda PCSd with her service member a variety of times. After 4 relocations and 4 different processes to transfer her individual state certifications to each new state, Amanda grew tired of jumping through hoops to do what she loved. Every day that passed while trying to transfer her certification was a day less she was teaching.

The Job Search With and the Job Search Without NBCT

Though much progress is being made on the legislative front to lessen the certification barriers spouses face

every time we move, there are still some major flaws in the system that it seems NBCT can address.

Essentially, legislation is currently in the works to allow military spouses to begin teaching if they hold a valid teaching certification and a military ID, even if the state they move to does not have reciprocity with the state the license is from. Spouses will still have to go through the new state’s required steps, but it doesn’t stop them from being able to at least start teaching.

What I like about NBCT, however, is that it can really help to overcome the unpredictable reciprocity between states, because it is so widely accepted by states as a valid license to immediately begin teaching without additional steps/classes/tests. Military ID or not, many states simply view NBCT as an indicator of excellence and a valuable addition to the state’s teaching force. Reports actually indicate that PreK-12 students in an NBCT’s classroom actually advance 1-2 months faster than their non-NBCT peers.

The Benefits?

I see a major advantage for becoming an NBCT:

1. Less chance of burnout from having to go through each state’s required classes/courses/assessments to teach in that state

2. It sets you way, way, way apart from the competition. In a tough economy you want as much of an advantage over the competition as possible. In a tough economy as a milspouse, it’s almost a requirement to land a job.

3. Amanda noted that there is the initial barrier of breaking in to a new school and being “the new teacher.” She found that since becoming an NBCT, she is instantly sought out for advice and feedback, even when she is the “newbie” around the school. The credibility this credential brings with it is phenomenal!

The Process to Obtain NBCT:

Becoming an NBCT is not easy—if it was, everyone would do it. But, it’s worth it. Here are some of the facts Amanda filled me in on:

- You must have 3 years of teaching experience
- It is a portfolio process – You will complete 4 portfolios and 6 assessment exercises
- The process can be completed in a year, but you are given up to 3 to complete it.
- If you are a new teacher with less than 3 years experience, you may submit your first portfolio in your 1^st or 2^nd  year of teaching, and then complete the remaining portions in your 3^rd year.
- NBCT is good for 10 years!
- You reapply starting in 8^th year, and the renewal process is a quarter of the work  as in the initial process
- The cost to obtain your National Board certification is $2500 to submit your portfolio, but keep in mind that does not necessarily mean you are accepted! The selection process is tough, so you have to put the work in up front.

Ask Amanda

One thing I was super impressed by was Amanda’s mission to share her knowledge and experience with other military spouses so they can also develop a portable teaching career. She now educates military spouses on the NBCT process through National University’s Professional Teaching Development Center.

She spearheaded the initiative to have National University partner with MyCAA to fund military spouses pursuing Board certification and holds informational meetings about becoming an NBCT monthly! For more information about National University’s information meeting, visit www.nuptdc.org/online-information-meetings.html.

Amanda is also willing to answer questions. You can email her at:

Additional Information:

Pre-Service and National Board Certification Support (FREE!!):- http://nbctwave.org  (Ride the Wave link)

Challenges Facing Military-Connected Students PreK-12 Education Discussion: www.nuptdc.org/military-connected-students.html

National University’s Information Meetings: http://www.nuptdc.org/online-information-meetings.html

March Portable Career Snapshot

Title: Health Educator

Why it’s a Good Fit For Military Spouses: According to Onetonline.org, Health Educator jobs are expected to grow at a rate that is much faster than the national average between now and 2020. Rapid growth is one one potential indicator of a portable career (other indicators include but are not limited to: most openings, state growth, and competition).

If this type of profession interests you, it is best to start any necessary training now so that you are qualified as soon as positions become available.

Typical Tasks (from OnetOnline.org):

• Develop and present health education and promotion programs, such as training workshops, conferences, and school or community presentations.
• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care.
• Develop educational materials and programs for community agencies, local government, and state government.
• Prepare and distribute health education materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids, to address smoking, vaccines, and other public health concerns.
• Supervise professional and technical staff in implementing health programs, objectives, and goals.
• Document activities and record information, such as the numbers of applications completed, presentations conducted, and persons assisted.
• Collaborate with health specialists and civic groups to determine community health needs and the availability of services and to develop goals for meeting needs.
• Provide guidance to agencies and organizations on assessment of health education needs and on development and delivery of health education programs.
• Maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs.
• Design and conduct evaluations and diagnostic studies to assess the quality and performance of health education programs.

Education Needed: Most of the jobs require a four-year degree, but some do not. A considerable amount of experience and work-related skills are needed for such an occupation.

National Average Income: $23.05 hourly, $47,940 annual

Top Industries for Health Educators: Health Care and Social Assistance / Government

Check Health Educator Growth in Your State

Important Factors to Remember:

Your personality, skills, interests and values all determine whether a career will be a good match. Portability is just one aspect of finding a job that will fulfill you. If you are feeling confused about how to find and create a career you love and that travels with you, try a Career Strategy Session for free by ! You will spend approximately 30-45 minutes discussing your situation and end the call with at least 3 action steps you can implement immediately to move closer to your goals.

10 Healthy Careers in the New Year

Have you been sticking to your New Year’s resolution? Statistics show that “getting healthy” and career resolutions and are at the top of the list of commitments made starting January 1. By now, a staggering percentage of people have fallen a little short or simply given up altogether–but, that doesn’t mean we can’t get back on track. Though I hesitate to provide lists because I fear giving the impression I believe that a one-size-fits-all is the answer to our career portability epidemic, I provide these suggestions to help you jump back in to your career development should you need a little kick start! I want to emphasize that this is NOT an exhaustive list–just a way to get you thinking about careers other than the usual types of positions we hear of in popular media.

This list was compiled using a number of factors, including the relationship to a healthy lifestyle, the physically demanding nature of the job and/or the necessity of knowledge relating to health-related topics.

1. Aerobics Instructor
Over the past few years, the trend of Zumba® seems to have dominated the world of cardiovascular workouts! Though Zumba® instructors often must participate in specialized training to become certified, in many instances, the training is relatively short. Outside of Zumba®, most occupations in this field require some time and in-depth training—whether on-the-job or vocational. In large cities, Bikram yoga instructors are also becoming popular. Though training varies in intensity and cost, the demand increases especially in the new year.

Aerobics instructors may also teach classes that range from intense boot camps to yoga instruction. Some instructors choose to focus on one type of class or take on a variety. Instructors must be able to manage a room of people as well as effectively communicate concepts and body movements.

2. Personal Trainer
A personal trainer is on the list for obvious reasons. Personal trainers often have a natural affinity for exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle themselves. Perhaps you have even had your own personal trainer in the past. Some fitness centers offer one free consultation and body analysis with a personal trainer. These individuals are often employed within gyms, fitness centers and athletic clubs to ensure the overall health of members as well as provide expertise in proper utilization of equipment. Additionally, personal trainers can work one-on-one with clients to provide personalized fitness plans tailored to the individual’s health goals. Another great option is to start your own fitness business. Technology and busy schedules make the demand for on-the-go, non-gym training increasingly popular!

People attracted to this field tend to be social individuals who enjoy working with their hands and having the ability to take charge of situations. Training and education for this profession may vary based on the employer.

3. Nutritionist/Dietician
This type of profession often requires a higher-level degree, such as a Masters–and I know many of my clients keep asking me to help them find the jobs that require the use of their degrees. Nutritionists often assist individuals with food counseling and nutrition programs. Some of their responsibilities include listening to clients about their goals, desires and health concerns. Critical thinking is a huge component of this type of job in order to effectively develop nutrition plans that are catered to clients’ needs.

Nutritionists may develop community-training programs and engage in public speaking, work in physician’s offices and counsel individuals in a private practice. They may also deal with eating disorders, weight loss topics and general health concerns.

4. Recreation Aid/Worker
Often seasonal in nature, this profession is ideal for Army wives looking for temporary employment or part-time work. Typically, a recreation worker plans, organizes and implements activities at community centers, local parks, day camps or recreation areas. BLS.gov states that recreation workers hold a variety of positions at different levels, from camp counselors to directors of recreation and parks. Typical hours therefore range from full-time nine-to-five employment to irregular hours on nights and weekends.

Conventionally, recreation workers enjoy time outdoors, like working on their feet and particularly want to engage in physical activities. The required education for this type of profession varies greatly depending on the position desired.

5. Fitness and Wellness Coordinator
This profession combines managerial skills with knowledge of health and wellness. If you are an Army wife with a passion for leading others and managing large-scale operations, this profession may provide an outlet for your skill sets.

I’m a nerd for O-net Online, and found that Fitness and Wellness Coordinators often oversee entire wellness programs, create fitness schedules and deal with budgeting of facilities. This type of position also oversees fitness staff and health educators. The great news for military spouses is that this type of position is expected to grow quickly, which means it may become a high demand job with many opportunities!

6. Athletic Trainer
Do you love to travel? Do you love sports? Have you found that you have the inclination to assist others in need? If so, you may want to consider a profession as an athletic trainer. Though there are administrative requirements to this profession, the large part of this job entails assessing the injuries of athletes and developing a care plan to rehabilitate them. Some athletic trainers also speak publicly to the community about the prevention and care of athletic injuries.

Usually, a degree relating to sports medicine or similar field is necessary. Often, a four-year degree is a pre-requisite—but not always. Additionally, many potential employers desire to see a resume filled with relevant athletic training experience.

7. Health Educator
This particular title is somewhat of an all-encompassing term. Health educators may be Diabetes Educators, Community Health Educators, Child Development Specialists or a number of other specialists.

In general, health educators promote overall health within the community and to individuals. O-net Online outlines that health educators develop health marketing materials, create health education programs and deal with overall promotion of healthy living.

Ideal candidates for this type of position enjoy public speaking, exhibit great focus and possess keen critical thinking abilities. It is also important for health educators to have excellent communication skills in order to effectively communicate high-level concepts about health to the general population.

8. Construction Laborer
Though this profession may not be related to health education as many of the others have been, its physically demanding nature landed it a spot on the list. According to O-net Online, tasks in this type of job may involve physical labor at building, highway, and heavy construction projects, tunnel and shaft excavations, and demolition sites.

Strength and stamina are at the forefront of this profession, and it is not for the faint of heart! If you enjoy working with your hands and with others on completing large-scale projects, this profession may fit your interests. This field is deemed high growth as well as “green” by O-net’s standards.

9. Physical Therapist
The nature of this job is physically demanding and requires a keen knowledge of the body and fitness. Physical therapists are a type of healthcare professional who help individuals of all ages with rehabilitation relating to functional problems.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that most physical therapists work a 40-hour week with some opportunity for part-time employment. Additionally, physical therapists may practice in hospitals, outpatient clinics or private offices.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also indicates that this field is likely to grow much faster than the average, making it an ideal profession for Army wives looking for a high demand position helping others; however, every state regulates required licensure, meaning that the requirements vary from state-to-state. Army wives must do research regarding individual state licensing requirements before pursing this field.

10. Green Technology
No one ever said that a healthy career had to be limited to individual health! In this profession, health simply relates to the creation of a healthier planet! According to O-net, Renewable Energy Generation covers activities related to developing and using energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. This field may also include traditional, non-renewable sources of energy that are undergoing significant green technological changes.

Growth for this field is expected to greatly increase, making it a great option for military spouses with an interest in green and sustainable energy and technology.

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Remember that each of these professions requires some form of education or training, and it is important that you research these requirements prior to making any drastic changes. Additionally, utilize resources such as O-net Online and BLS.gov to find out more about what professions are in demand right now. Though a profession may sound perfect initially, it is necessary to find out as much about the industry before you pursue it.

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is holding the 2013 Military Spouse Symposium aimed at helping military spouses keep a career on the move. With panelist discussions, appearances by local government officials, and insights from actual employers, military spouses in the Tacoma, Washington area are in for a valuable day of professional development.

Though the symposium is a great way to learn how to progress your career, you should go prepared with your professional game face on even prior to the event starting. To make the most of the experience—one where there is likely to be networking and key players in the milspouse employment world—you have to be strategic. Remember that the hundreds of other military spouses at the event are seeking employment and advice just like you. So, how will you stand apart from the crowd? Below are some quick tips to get your professional on, even before the symposium starts!

What Is Your Goal?

Ask yourself, “What do I want to get out of the event?” Get very specific and write it down. I am a huge advocate for Stephen Covey’s famous quote that you have to begin with the end in mind.

I always find that when I attend an event a little unsure of what I hope to get from it, I leave a just as uncertain about whether it was successful or not. The purpose of this type of goal is to provide yourself with a gauge for measuring the effectiveness of the event. If you are unsure what to expect, think about past career-related events you have attended. What did you enjoy? What did you leave wanting more of? Now, consider how your answers to those questions can relate to what you want to learn at the upcoming event. Also think about actions you can take to find what you are looking for.

Do Your Research

I know—you are probably rolling your eyes! You may be thinking that a symposium is an event where you learn HOW to research and what to do, but the real work starts now. You don’t have to spend hours, just a few minutes learning who the panelists are, what the speakers’ backgrounds are and whom you might like to meet personally.

Make a List

If there is someone attending or presenting at the event that you admire, follow, or just want to learn more about, write their name down and make it a point to reach out to that person. Introduce yourself and have your business card handy! Prepare what you want to say ahead of time, and be your natural, charming self. Being the authentic you is what will naturally make you memorable.

Do More Research

This is a little different than what you might be thinking, but it is becoming EXTREMELY crucial as we continue to become a more socially connected society. It’s time to get your online identity in shape. If you have no online identity, it’s kind of like having no credit score. Who wants to give you credit (or a job) if they don’t know what you will do with that responsibility?

You can easily set up a LinkedIn account to get started. Even easier, you can take a few minutes to start a Google+ account. Above all else, make sure everything online is professional. MOAA will be providing free professional photos—be sure to take advantage of this opportunity if you need one! Finally, if you are unsure what your online identity says about you, try http://www.onlineidcalculator.com/index.php.

Have fun and enjoy yourself! I look forward to hearing your success stories and remember to send me your questions about the event (or any career topic for that matter!) in the comment box below.