Showing posts with label Career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Career. Show all posts

Warren Buffett’s 5/25 Rule


Warren Edward Buffett is one of the richest persons in the world. He is an  American businessman and is famous for his way of wealth generation through investment. He owns Berkshire Hathaway, one of the most admired and richest companies. Buffet has a net worth of $104 billion as of March 2023, making him the fifth-richest person in the world.

Often he shares his financial wisdom publicly. He is a generous philanthropist and never hides his philosophy for success. One of his famously known wisdom for success is the  5/25 Rule.

Warren Buffet’s 5/25 rule is a productivity strategy based on three simple steps:
  1. Make a list of your top 25 goals.
  2. Circle the 5 most important goals that truly speak to you. These are your most urgent goals and the highest priorities to focus on.
  3. Cross off the other 20 goals you have listed that hold less importance. 
It is easy to do the Step 1. The Step 2 is the most difficult part. It prompts you to be strategic and serious about your priorities. Remember that your time is non-renewable and it will never be. You cannot spend your life chasing too many different things and being mediocre at them. The 5/25 principle starts with the understanding that your time is limited and must be used wisely. 

The 5/25 rule helps you to focus on the most important accomplishments that are most meaningful to them. The 5/25 rule can be applied to personal or professional goals, family time, or career aspirations, making it an effective, simple technique for prioritizing all aspects of life. 

It’s humanly impossible to give all your time and energy to many things at once. It will only make you fail at everything and accomplish nothing. It is said that Warren Buffett’s 5/25 rule came out of advice he gave to his airline pilot Mike Flint. Supposedly, Flint asked Buffett for life advice and how to find time to get everything in his life done. Buffett replied with a three-step approach to solving the problem. 

The 5/25 rule is a reminder that it’s not what you do but what you don’t do that drives your productivity and performance. The 5/25 rule works because you’re acknowledging that you can’t focus on lots of things at once, which we humans tend to do all the time.

Buffet has famously quoted:

“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.” 

The 5/25 rule allows you to split time and energy resources across a smaller number of goals, increasing the chances you’ll achieve them. By adopting the 5/25 rule, you’re one step closer to truly spending time on what matters most to you and becoming more productive, whether in your workplace or at home.

Career as a Corporate Trainer



A corporate trainer is a professional who specializes in the training and development of employees. It's their job to help others do their own jobs better. Corporate trainers may hold an in-house position at a large corporation, where they exclusively train that company's employees. Finally, some corporate trainers work independently as freelancers. Corporate trainers are often experts both in their field and in education and training practices.

Corporate trainers satisfy an increasing demand for skill development in India. Plus, fields such as corporate trainer that are in their beginner stages have good opportunities for experimentation and provide a unique opportunity for professionals to carve out their own career pathway.

Corporate trainers might have a variety of responsibilities depending on the specifics of their position and for whom they work. Common corporate training tasks include:
  • Developing curriculums
  • Teaching content and skills
  • Working with leadership to develop course work
  • Providing professional development courses
  • Monitoring the efficacy of the training
  • Finding additional professional development opportunities for interested employees
  • Leading orientations
  • Identifying and procuring effective training software
  • Reporting on the efficacy of the training to leadership and stakeholders
Corporate trainers make, on average Rs.12 lakhs per year in salary. Most corporate trainers receive additional perks and benefits as a part of their compensation package, including health and dental insurance, paid time off, stock options and cell phone reimbursement.

How to become a Corporate Trainer

There are several ways to enter the field of corporate training. Some people know they want to work as corporate trainers before beginning their careers and take the appropriate educational steps to immediately begin work in the field. Others transition into corporate training after time in other jobs. If you're interested in becoming a corporate trainer, follow these steps:
  1. Identify your ideal industry: Before you make any educational or career decisions, consider what skills and qualifications you have or would like to develop. This will help you identify the ideal industry in which you could work as a corporate trainer. Some trainers work in a variety of business fields, like finance, compliance and human resources, while others focus on one specific area.
  2. Perform research on the position: Learn all you can about the field and industry in which you would like to work as a corporate trainer. Since the job responsibilities of a corporate trainer extend beyond providing instruction and also include tasks like developing curriculum, collaborating with stakeholders and reviewing training sessions for efficacy, it can be helpful for prospective corporate trainers to work on building up all the necessary skills for the job before looking for positions.
  3. Earn a bachelor's degree: Almost all corporate trainers have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, while some have advanced graduate degrees. Consider earning a bachelor's degree in a field related to education and training or the area of business in which you hope to become a trainer. Common bachelor's degrees for corporate trainers include human resources, business administration, organizational management, educational psychology and education.
  4. Work in human resources or education: If you're interested in transitioning to a role as a corporate trainer from a different field, you'll want to ensure you have or can develop the skills necessary to perform the job. It's easiest for people who already work in education or human resources to transition into the corporate training field, since there's a considerable amount of overlap between those roles, but anyone with experience in a business field can find training and make that career move.
  5. Develop public speaking skills: One of the most important skills for a corporate trainer is public speaking. Most trainers work with sizable groups and must be able to communicate clearly to multiple people at once. Consider taking courses in public speaking, volunteering your time for an organization in a role that requires public speaking or joining a club dedicated to practicing and refining public speaking skills.
  6. Select a work environment: Consider the environment in which you'd most like to work. Some companies, particularly large corporations, hire in-house trainers who manage orientations, professional development and other training sessions for all employees. Other corporate trainers work for consulting firms that companies hire to perform training for their employees. Finally, some corporate trainers work for themselves as freelancers. Companies hire freelance corporate trainers in much the same way they do consulting firms.
  7. Complete certification: Consider earning a certificate in corporate training. While it's not a requirement for the field, it can help set you apart from other applicants. Three of the major certifying agencies include the American Society for Training and Development, the International Society for Performance Improvement and the Association for Talent Development.
  8. Apply for jobs: Apply for jobs in your chosen industry and work environment. Consider reaching out directly to companies in addition to looking for job postings online or seeking open position information from your professional network.
  9. Seek professional development: Once you've secured a position as a corporate trainer, you should strive to continue your own professional development. Seek out training opportunities to stay abreast of developments in the field of education and training besides your specific industry.
Work environment for corporate trainers
Most corporate trainers work in business headquarters or other office-like environments. In-house trainers that work for one specific company usually go to the same office every day to perform their work. Consultant trainers and freelance trainers might work locally for various businesses in their city or area, or they might travel extensively to visit companies all over the country or world.

What are the most important skills for corporate trainers to have?
Corporate trainers should have certain skills to best perform their jobs. A few of the most sought after skills for corporate trainers include:
  1. Public speaking
  2. Organization
  3. Collaboration
  4. Analytical skills
  5. Patience
  6. Flexibility
  7. Instructional design
  8. Observation
  9. Problem-solving
What are the most common industries for corporate trainers to work in?
Every industry, though not every company, uses trainers to develop the skills and knowledge of its employees. Aside from job-specific training, the most sought after types of general training include:
  1. Business ethics
  2. Leadership development
  3. Customer service
  4. Communication
  5. Persuasion or influence
  6. Conflict resolution
  7. Time management
  8. Productivity
  9. Emotional intelligence
  10. Group psychology
  11. Presentation skills
Consider developing your knowledge of these specific skills to better prepare for a role as a corporate trainer.

Source: Indeed.com
#Training

Career in International Relations


International Relations (IR) is the scientific study of interactions between sovereign states. It examines all activities between states—such as war, diplomacy, trade, and foreign policy as well as relations with  intergovernmental organisations (IGOs), international nongovernmental organisations (INGOs), international legal bodies, and multinational corporations (MNCs).

International relations is widely considered as one of the major subdisciplines of political science, along with comparative politics and political theory. However, in addition to political science, it draws considerably from international economics, law, and world history.

Here are various career options for those interested in International Relations field.

  1.  Diplomat - Maintaining good relations between countries. As a diplomat, you will represent and protect a nation's interests abroad in terms of politics, trade and consular services. You’ll spend usually around three years in a foreign country. Some of your responsibilities will be:
    • Act as a link between the country you represent and the country where you are stationed.
    • Collect and report on all the information that would affect your nation’s interests. 
    • Discuss, negotiate and mediate with the local government issues about peace and war, trade, commerce, economics, as well as social and cultural aspects. 
    • Check out a selection of international Master's degrees in Diplomacy.
  2. Intelligence Specialist - Gathering state-critical information - As an intelligence specialist, you can work in the military, the navy, national security departments, or almost any state department of one of the national government agencies. Your main duties will include: 
    • Collect and analyse operational intelligence data 
    • Create mission reports, using data, maps and charts 
    • Evaluate results and prepare reports, statistics and graphics 
    • Maintain intelligence databases, libraries, and files
  3. Political Analyst - Explaining the political climate, Generally, you’ll be employed by the government, but you can also find work opportunities within media companies or research institutes. Your tasks will be to:
    •  Inform about and interpret various political developments 
    • Analyse laws, public policies, and government decisions 
    • Advise government officials, political parties, or the media 
    • Forecast political trends and election results 
    • Put events into historical context
  4. Lobbyist - Promoting ideas to those who can make them a reality. Lobbyists are usually hired by an association, corporation, or non-profit organisation to convince government members to make a decision that would benefit the organisation or company they are representing. As a lobbyist you will perform tasks like: 
    • Monitor, research and analyse legislation 
    • Attend congressional hearings 
    • Reach out to government policymakers
    • Use communication tools to promote ideas to the public
  5. Communication Specialist in a non-profit body: A degree in International Relations can land you a job in a non-profit organisation that operates at an international level. As a Communications Specialist, you’ll have the chance to develop your career in a local office that has a global reach. Non-profit agencies like World Vision and Red Cross provide such global service, but there are many other options, too. Your main duties will be: 
    • Creating effective communication strategies
    • Handling internal communications
    • Writing content for media and social networks
  6. Journalist: With social media creating alternative options to consuming news, there is a growing need for citizens to be able to make informed decisions about politics, travel and current affairs. IR majors are particularly knowledgeable about the world, making them ideal candidates for any correspondent or journalist post. Skills marketable in this field include having a global awareness and how to effectively communicate news to the world.
To qualify for becoming IR, one must do a Masters in International Relations from a reputed University.

A graduate degree is a prerequisite in the sphere of international affairs. Recruiters expect their new hires to have not only cross-cultural experience but also cross-disciplinary skills. Among different graduate programs, a Masters in International Relations would be the most relevant, helping give students both the skills and experience necessary.

Due to the multidisciplinary nature of the program, a master’s in international relations will open the doors to a wide range of international relations careers. It not only allows students to gain expertise across a wide set of disciplines including languages, humanities, economics, politics and business, among others, but also to gain transferable professional skills including writing, quantitative and qualitative analysis, planning and organization and cross-cultural awareness. Joint degrees in business or law can also serve you well in such positions. Along with the soft and hard skills developed on a master’s program, you will also be able to draw upon your undergraduate major, your previous field experience, and personal interests in a specific functional topic in order to develop expertise which will serve you well in the international affairs arena. In addition to Masters degree, following the below will help substantially.
  1. Do some international relations career research: Due to the differing focuses and specializations of international relations programs offered by universities, it is necessary to do in-depth research before sending out an application. Career research needs to be done even earlier than program research, as choosing a program which resonates with your interests and career goals should form a crucial part of your career strategy. One useful resource for conducting program research into international relations careers would be the website of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA.org).
  2. Find international relations internships: If you are a first time job seeker in the international affairs sector or a career switcher, then international relations internships or volunteering work with an organization could be a good place to start. Internships offer several advantages: you can get insights into and an understanding of a particular career field, form a network for your future job search, raise your visibility and get access to unadvertised job opportunities. Organizations like the UN, the European Union, international NGOs, and multinational corporations all have annual internship programs for graduate students or recent graduates.
  3. Gain international experience and learn a foreign language: In addition to technical skills, recruiters in the international relations arena look at candidates’ international experience, cross-cultural awareness and language skills. A proven ability to work well in cross-cultural teams, evidence of an international mind-set, field experience in developing countries, and fluency in a foreign language will definitely help you in your search for international relations careers.
  4.  Use your business networking skills: One of the best platforms to apply your business networking skills would be relevant events or conferences. If you decide to pursue a Masters in International Relations, then remember to network with your professors; the best practitioners in the sector who can help you land your first job and send you along your way to your perfect international relations career.

Career in Biomechatronics

Career in Biomechatronics - Jupiter Knowledge

Biomechatronics is the merging of man with machine. It is an interdisciplinary field encompassing biology, neurosciences, mechanics, electronics and robotics. Biomechatronic scientists attempt to make devices that interact with human muscle, skeleton, and nervous systems with the goals of assisting or enhancing human motor control that can be lost or impaired by trauma, disease or birth defects.  Biomechatronic devices encompass a wide range of applications from the development of prosthetic limbs to engineering solutions concerning respiration, vision, and the cardiovascular system. Biomechatronics mimics how the human body works. Any biomechatronic system has four types of components which are as following:
  • Biosensor:  It detects the user's "intentions". This information can come from the user's nervous and/or muscle system.
  • Mechanical Sensor: It measures information about the device (such as limb position, applied force and load) and relate to the biosensor and/or the controller. These are mechanical devices such as force meters and accelerometers.
  • Controller: It interfaces the user's nerve or muscle system and the device. It relays and/or interprets intention commands from the user to the actuators of the device . It also relays and/or interprets feedback information from the mechanical and biosensors to the user. The controller also monitors and controls the movements of the biomechatronic device.
  • Actuator: It is an artificial muscle that produces force or movement. The actuator can be a motor that aids or replaces the user's native muscle depending upon whether the device is orthotic or prosthetic.
The demand for biomechatronic devices are at an all-time high and show no signs of slowing down. With increasing technological advancement in recent years, biomechatronic researchers have been able to construct prosthetic limbs that are capable of replicating the functionality of human appendages. Despite the demand, however, biomechatronic technologies struggle within the healthcare market due to high costs and lack of implementation into insurance policies.

There are very few Universities in the world that offer courses in Biomechatronics. Students aspiring to specialize in this field do many courses in the following fields:
  • Mechatronics Engineering ( Degree and Masters Level)
  • Biomedical Engineering ( Degree and Masters Level)
  • Robotics Engineering ( Degree and Masters Level)
There are many prestigious Universities such as MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) that have groups dedicated to academics and research in the field of Biomechatronics.


Biomechatronics professionals can work in various areas such as medical device design and manufacturing,  research and development, patient rehabilitation centres, geriatric care, specialized hospitals and prosthetic providers for people with physical and mental disabilities. There is a good scope of seeking employment in above areas and one can find immense satisfaction in helping an individual to lead a normal life.


The Holland Occupational Themes (RIASEC)



Have you often wished that you were into some other profession as per your liking ? It is very normal to feel so. It is no doubt very important to choose a vocation or profession as per your passion. However, it is more important to know how fit are you for that occupation. Now the question is how exactly would you know this ?

John Holland, an American psychologist, developed a model to gauge the vocational fitness of people. It is called the RIASEC model. It is also referred to as "The Holland Codes". This model is extensively used in the fields of Career Counselling, Research and Practice. One can choose a career or vocation based on this understanding of RIASEC model applied to himself.

Basically every individual has following 6 six attributes within him namely Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. The combined abbreviation of each attribute is nothing but the RIASEC model. We all have these 6 attributes in varied degrees. This is the reason why we are different from each other. So let us look at each of these 6 attributes.

Realistic
A Realistic person likes to work with animals, tools, or machines; generally avoids social activities like teaching, healing, and informing others. He has good skills in working with tools, mechanical or electrical drawings, machines, or plants and animals. He values practical things you can see, touch, and use like plants and animals, tools, equipment, or machines; and see himself as practical, mechanical, and realistic.

Social
He likes to do things to help people -- like, teaching, nursing, or giving first aid, providing information; generally avoids using machines, tools, or animals to achieve a goal. He is  good at teaching, counseling, nursing, or giving information. He values helping people and solving social problems; and sees self as helpful, friendly, and trustworthy.

Investigative
He likes to study and solve math or science problems; generally avoids leading, selling, or persuading people. He is  good at understanding and solving science and math problems, values science and sees himself as precise, scientific, and intellectual.

Enterprising
He likes to lead and persuade people, and to sell things and ideas; generally avoids activities that require careful observation and scientific, analytical thinking. He is good at leading people and selling things or ideas. He values success in politics, leadership, or business; and sees himself as energetic, ambitious, and sociable.

Artistic
He likes to do creative activities like art, drama, crafts, dance, music, or creative writing; generally avoids highly ordered or repetitive activities. He has good artistic abilities -- in creative writing, drama, crafts, music, or art. He values the creative arts -- like drama, music, art, or the works of creative writers; and sees himself as expressive, original, and independent.

Conventional
He likes to work with numbers, records, or machines in a set, orderly way; generally avoids ambiguous, unstructured activities. He is good at working with written records and numbers in a systematic, orderly way. He values success in business; and sees himself as orderly, and good at following a set plan.

Using a psychometric test one, can know which are topmost strongest attributes in him. Accordingly, we would find the best occupational fitment for him. Here are the various scenarios.

Realistic (R) Career Ideas: Carpenter, Construction Worker ,Robotics Engineer, Landscaper, Chef / Baker, Delivery Driver, Medical Technician

Investigative (I) Career Ideas: Scientist, Researcher, Private Investigator, Data Analyst, Software Developer, Forensic Scientist, Journalist, 

Artistic (A) Career ideas: Creative Writer, Visual Artist, Digital Designer, Songwriter, Data Visualizer, Video Producer, Actor

Social (S) Career ideas: Teacher, Counsellor, Marketing Specialist, Public Relations (PR) Specialist
Communications Coordinator, Brand Ambassador, Dancer / Performer, Sales Manager

Enterprising (E) Career ideas: Entrepreneur, Market Researcher, Small Business Owner, Managing Editor, Real Estate Agent, Travel Agent, Consultant

Conventional (C) Career ideas: Accountant, Land Surveyor, Medical Coder, Court Reporter, Receptionist, Claims Adjuster, Pharmacist

Your career choice should be done based on the first 3 strongest attributes. For example, if you have RIC ( Realistic, Investigative, Conventional) attributes with R being the highest then choose being an engineer who works in analysis and quality aspects of a product.

If you have ISE (Investigative, Social, Enterprising) attributes, then choose being a doctor as you need to probe the causes of health of a patient and help him accordingly.

Remember that the above model is just a pointer or a tool to understand yourself better to take a carrier choice. It has its own limitations. Ideally your career choice should be done based on this model with guidance from a professional career counselor. Nevertheless, the basic knowledge about RIASEC model gives confidence in the process of Career Counseling.


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Education and The Significance of Life (Book)



J.Krishnamurti (11 May 1895 – 17 February 1986) was a philosopher, speaker and writer. His interests included psychological revolution, the nature of mind, meditation, inquiry, human relationships, and bringing about radical change in society. He stressed the need for a revolution in the psyche of every human being and emphasized that such revolution cannot be brought about by any external entity, be it religious, political, or social.

All human beings seem to have similar nature – we want to find security and have a good time with as less effort as possible. We try to do this by earning more money, by becoming important persons and building other forms of security around ourselves. Current education system is built around the achievement of these goals. The right kind of education should offer individual freedom, letting love and goodness bloom. As parents and teachers, it is our responsibility to think differently from the traditional beliefs. “A true educator is concerned with right living, right education and right means of livelihood”. There should be a spirit of freedom and intelligence in a child’s studies. The students should be encouraged to ask questions rather than accept readymade formulas and conclusions. The right kind of education begins with the educator. If the educator is not free from his own patterns of thought, he cannot teach that to children. In the pursuit of losing the self, people take to art, drink, follow religious doctrines. When we try to do things to escape ourselves, we become addicted to them. The right kind of education should help the individual to face his problems rather than look for escape, eliminate conflict and then the individual can see his way to being creative.

Krishnamurti's  books are widely read by people all over the world. One of his great works is the book "Education and the Significance of Life". This book is about education, its significance to life and how education can help one find the significance of life. In this series of lectures, Krishnamurti explores and explains various aspects that influence education, and are influenced by education in turn. In the initial chapters, Krishnamurti presents a case for urgently thinking about education and its significance for life. He talks about how the current approach to education is superficial and does not address deeper questions about life. In the next few chapters, he dwells on the question of what the right kind of education is, asking the readers to question their ideas and explore their own thoughts. He states clearly that there is no one right method for providing the right kind of education. He lays out how the right kind of educators, parents and schools can bring about such an education of children. In the later chapters, he speaks about sex, marriage, art and creativity, how we relate to these ideas and how our relationship with these ideas creates conflict in us. He emphasizes that an educator should have clarity regarding sex, marriage, art and creativity so that he can help the children see them for what they are and understand how to relate to them, without getting conflicted about or addicted to them.

It is strongly recommended that parents, educators, teachers, counselors read this  wonderful book and help making the world a better place.


Career in Bioinformatics


Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field of science to interpret biological information. It is a combination of  computer science, mathematics, engineering and statistics. It is the application of computer technology to the management of biological data. The term "Bioinformatics" was coined in the year 1970.

Bioinformatics has become an important part of many areas of biology. It plays an important role in Biomedical Research. It deals with inter-relationship between medical science and human organs.

You can easily make career in this field after completing your degree. There are many levels of course  such as  Bachelors, Masters, Certificate, Advanced Diploma, , PG Diploma, PhD. Career scope of Bio-informatics is rapidly on the rise as there is an increasing need of medical science globally.  Bioinformatics career scope and job prospects have become widespread due to the merging of the information technology sector and molecular biology. Job prospects are in all sectors of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and biomedical sciences, research institutions, hospitals, and industry.

Bioinformaticians need a solid background in computer science and also a good understanding of biology. Since bioinformaticians work closely with biologists, they need the ability to communicate complex topics in an understandable way and keep up-to-date with new developments in biology.

Bioinformaticians are needed to perform tasks such as:
  • Modeling: Estimation of protein structures and simulation of molecular interactions
  • Data Processing: processing and analyzing sequencing data, for example, from next-generation sequencing or single-cell sequencing
  • Virtual Screening: discovery of leads (potential new drugs) using computational methods
  • Data Science: analysis and interpretation of data
Bioinformatics professionals work in various job roles such as Application Support Specialist, Bio-Analyst, Bioinformatics Programmer & Analyst, Bioinformatics Trainer, Clinical Pharmacologist, Computational Chemist, Territory Manager - Genomics Business Development, Research Associate in - vitro Biology, Assistant Research Analyst, Research Associate - Cancer Biology.

Bioinformatics is very research-oriented and many graduates join PhD programs. The ones joining industry usually work in non-bioinformatics positions, for example, as IT consultants, software developers, solutions architects, or data scientists. Bioinformatics graduates often have more practical experience writing software than computer-science graduates. They are keen learners. Their proficiency in multiple disciplines demonstrates that they can easily adapt to new situations. Note that bioinformatics is more related to computer science than biology. There are extremely few biologists who make the transition to bioinformatics.


Top Science Careers of Today


Science being a boundless field, concerns almost everything in the universe. Science offers multiple career options making it the most sought-after stream for parents and students alike. The study of the three majors of science, namely physics, chemistry and biology, opens up a whole new world of opportunities ranging from the study of space and nuclear particles to the study of sand and soil. Gone are the days when pursuing the conventional professions or becoming a doctor or an engineer used to be the only career options for science students and the new age professions were often shadowed or considered economically unreliable. Still a large number of students have yet to get out of this rut of the mad rat race. To make this task easier for them we have prepared a list of the top science career options of today. 

CLOUD COMPUTING 
Cloud Computing is a real buzzword nowadays and the most ubiquitous one also. Everyone browsing the Internet or its applications is using cloud computing. Cloud computing is an IT-based model that allows access to a shared collection of configurable system resources and higher-level services that can be readily supplied over the internet with fewer management efforts. 

Being a significant tool of Information Technology (IT), It has made people’s lives easier and simpler. 

Every business finds cloud computing beneficial in several ways. Cloud Computing simplifies accessibility, provides virtual storage space, and addresses backup issues. It also provides security against unauthorized access and loss of data. It helps organizations to save huge investments on services and infrastructure for data storage, software licenses, servers and hardware. Cloud computing services allow them to expand their customer base without having to invest in costly servers and maintenance costs 

To become a cloud computing professional, one need not to have specific educational eligibility. However, candidates with IT or computer related background are preferred due to having basic knowledge of computers and programming. Knowledge of cloud computing basics or any relevant experience could be a great add on. 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING 
Artificial intelligence is a technology using which we can create intelligent systems that can simulate human intelligence. Such systems do not require to be pre-programmed, instead of that, they use such algorithms which can work with their own intelligence. Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence, which enables a computer system to learn from past data or experiences without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning uses a massive amount of structured and semi-structured data so that a machine learning model can generate accurate result or give predictions based on that data. 

With rapid digitization creeping into almost every function of modern living, professionals who can understand these are going to be priceless.  Moreover, large corporations are also investing huge amounts of money in people who have expertise in these processes. Thus, making it an extremely commercially viable profession as well. A lot of universities in India are offering these courses as a degree program. To pursue practical AI and machine learning as a career, a degree in computer science with additional courses in AI and ML can suffice. One can also pursue a Masters in AI/ ML post one’s undergraduate degree. 

DATA SCIENCE
Data Science is nothing but knowing the science about the data. It is the study of different kinds of data by the application of scientific methods, processes, and algorithms. As the data is growing very fast in the seconds of time, we will be in need of more data scientists to analyse the data. Data is considered the most important thing in an organization. Companies are relying on mining and decoding of high-quality data to plan their future operations. It has become a benchmark for driving growth for investors and corporates alike. 

A mixture of computer science, math, and analytics, data science helps a professional to forecast future business numbers and other technical data. 

Some industries where data science has key significance are risk management, farming, and forensics, and fraud management.  

One can become a data science professional by simply pursuing a degree in computer science at the undergraduate level and then pursuing a short term course or post-graduation in data science for additional expertise. 

BLOCKCHAIN DEVELOPER 
Blockchain is simply an offshoot of Data Science, where the data is organized in blocks and made interconnectible using cryptography. It is a system of recording information in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack, or cheat the system. Thus Blockchain developers enable secure digital transactions by creating systems to record and store blockchain data in a way that prevents changes or hacks. They design secure blockchain technologies, develop application features and interfaces, and maintain client and server-side applications. This is a very complex and new-age technology, famous for creating crypto-currencies and other important statistical documents. With the increasing awareness in cryptocurrencies and its trading, the demand for blockchain developers has grown exponentially. An interesting field, blockchain development requires a high level of understanding of complex computer software, mathematics, statistics, and algorithms. 

A degree in computer science and software with an advanced specialization in blockchain is a prerequisite to enter this field. 

SOFTWARE DESIGNING 
The software designer uses their knowledge of computer programs and language to design useful and innovative program, software and apps, answer questions such as how they will work, how they will fit alongside other software used by target users, how easy users will find them and how effective they will be at achieving the vision originally imagined by the designer. 

To become a software designer, a programming background is preferred. A bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field is usually required for this. A practical experience in software development is a good add-on. Finally, the ability to effectively communicate and express ideas is key to being a good software designer. 

Software designing is very easy to study and practice. One can pursue it even while he is studying for his undergraduate degree.   

SPACETECH 
While being a doctor, engineer, biologist, pharmacist, are some undisputed career options for science students, the interest in the sciences of space like cosmology, stellar science, astrophysics, planetary science, astronomy  is also gradually rising in the youngsters interested in decoding the mysteries of outer space. Space tech basically is the application of technology to study about what is beyond the earth and to create devices to be used in researching outer space better. 

Space Technology being a highly specialized field, ideally requires a degree like B.Tech in Space Technology or other relevant degree to practice it. National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), ISRO, DRDO are some of the most coveted recruiters for the Space Engineers. 

GEOLOGY 
Geology is a specialized type of Science to study the history of the earth regarding solid and liquid matter that it is composed of as well as factors leading to earthquakes, landslides, floods, and volcanic eruptions. This study is very useful in forecasting any potential threats associated with them. The data so collected by the geologist is extensively utilised to draw up plans for builders and construction companies for erecting structures.
To become a geologist, a four-year bachelor’s degree in geology can be pursued alongside a master or doctorate for advance specialization.  

FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST 
Forensic pathologists with their specialized knowledge to determine the cause of death of a person, help the lawmakers in finding criminals. They work with the government agencies to conduct the post mortem of a dead body to identify the causes of death and any other clues. They can work in Hospitals, Medical Labs, Clinics, Healthcare Centers, and Research Centers. 

A simple MBBS with a specialization in forensics can ensure one’s entry into this field.  

TECHNICAL WRITER 
With content slowly becoming the king for consumers, technical writing has grown more than ever. Technical writers are authors who have specialized knowledge in a field and create content and opinion pieces around that field. Technical writing has tremendous scope in India. Although no formal qualification is needed to enter this field yet a degree or a certification in technical communication can give one an edge over others. Continuous grooming of writing skills and creating portfolio of writing samples can land a job a lot easily. As regards salary, technical writers are paid for their knowledge on a per word basis. This amount can be anything from INR 5 to 10 per word. For more experienced and proficient writers, this can be even more.  

ASTROPHYSICIST
Astrophysics is a branch of space science that applies the laws of physics and chemistry to study matters in outer space. It is a field that one can excel in only if one has an in-depth interest in space, celestial bodies, stars, and so on as it involves the study and research on the birth, life, and death of stars, planets, galaxies, nebulae, and other objects in the universe. Astrophysicists with experience in sophisticated astronomical instrumentation and  possessing higher qualification in this discipline (doctorate/PG degree) are paid handsomely by the leading industries and research institutes in India. 

Discussed above are some of the best options for the aspirants of career in science. These options are not exhaustive. One’s interest should be at the center stage to prioritize them and to make the final choice. Science offers a wonderful and fulfilling career. So get set go, focus on your target, seek out knowledge, embrace experiences and excel in the revolutionary and specialized course of the future.

Choose your career wisely for success and happiness.


Tarot


Tarot cards are highly popular in making readings for future situations or events. In fact Tarot cards are used to assess current and past situations too. It is a very simple and inexpensive way to know the future. Tarot card reading is the practice of using tarot cards to gain insight into the past, present or future by formulating a question, then drawing and interpreting cards. There are many kinds of Tarot decks available. The best one is Rider-Waite tarot deck. It was originally published in 1909. While the images displayed in the cards  are simple, the details and backgrounds feature abundant symbolism.  There are total 78 cards out of which 22 are major arcana cards and remaining 56 are called minor arcana cards. The major arcana cards depict a principle whereas the minor arcana cards throw light on outcome or event. The minor arcana cards are of 4 types namely wands, swords, pentacles and cups. Each group represents an element. The power stands for fire, swords for air, cups for water and pentacles for earth. A querent has to shuffle the cards and then pull out cards with the intent to know the answer from cards. The cards pulled out from the deck give a fairly good indication of the answer. There are various types of card spreads depending upon the need. For short term predictions, there is a 3 card spread. For long term predictions there is Celtic Cross spread. One can also pull out just one card for knowing the day's prediction or for  a new project being undertaken. One interprets the cards as per generally understood meaning of the card as well as through his subjective intuitive ability.

There are various books and online courses to learn Tarot readings. Choose the same as per your inner voice. It takes at least 2 years of practicing Tarot to truly start understanding its power. It is like attuning yourself with the cards and then the cards will start talking with you. Always remember that the Tarot cards are not any magic. They are simply like words of a language. You just need to learn the language. Don't overtly depend on Tarot. These cards are meant to serve you and not vice-versa. Be practical in your approach to use. You cannot ask Tarot to tell you if you pass in your exams without studying or without appearing it for the same ! There has to be something being done by you and only then you should use Tarot to guide you. You should not do Tarot readings for another person without his permission. It is unethical and harmful for you. Tarot is a gift and should be used wisely and for right purpose only. You should not  gamble or buy lottery ticket and use Tarot readings to tell you the outcome. This is simply not right. Be industrious, moral and ethical in your life.

Buy your own Tarot cards deck and use it respectfully. Don't make Tarot readings a fun activity. It has to be used in the right spirit. Once you learn and start practicing Tarot readings, a whole new world will open to you.

A Beautiful Mind (2001 film)


How many of you have heard about Game theory ? I am sure very few know about it. Game theory has a wide range of applications, including psychology, evolutionary biology, war, politics, economics, and business. Despite its many advances, game theory is still a young and developing science. John Forbes Nash Jr. (June 13, 1928 – May 23, 2015) was an American mathematician who made fundamental contributions to game theory. John Nash is the only person to be awarded both the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences and the Abel Prize.


So most of you will wonder how is this relevant to you ? Well, you may not realize this but your life is influenced heavily by the concepts of Game Theory. John Nash, has therefore made a significant contribution to your daily life. If you want to know about John Nash, then simply watch the movie made in the year 2001, A Beautiful Mind. This movie grossed over $313 million worldwide and won four Academy Awards.

In 1947, John Nash arrives at Princeton University for studying mathematics. He meets fellow math and science graduate students. Determined to publish his own original idea, Nash is inspired when he and his classmates discuss how to approach a group of women at a bar. Nash argues that a cooperative approach would lead to better chances of success, and develops a new concept of governing dynamics. He publishes an article on his theory, earning him an appointment at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). 

In 1953, Nash is invited to the Pentagon to crack encrypted enemy telecommunications, which he manages to decipher mentally. Bored with his regular duties at MIT, including teaching, he is recruited by the mysterious William Parcher of the United States Department of Defense with a classified assignment: to look for hidden patterns in magazines and newspapers to thwart a Soviet plot. Nash becomes increasingly obsessive in his search for these patterns, delivering his results to a secret mailbox, and comes to believe he is being followed.

One of his students, Alicia Larde, asks him to dinner, and they fall in love. On a return visit to Princeton, Nash runs into Charles and his niece, Marcee. With Charles' encouragement, he proposes to Alicia and they marry. Nash fears for his life after surviving a shootout between Parcher and Soviet agents, and learns Alicia is pregnant, but Parcher forces him to continue his assignment. While delivering a guest lecture at Harvard University, Nash tries to flee from people he thinks are Soviet agents, led by psychiatrist Dr. Rosen, but is forcibly sedated and committed to a psychiatric facility.

Dr. Rosen tells Alicia that Nash has schizophrenia and that Charles, Marcee, and Parcher exist only in his imagination. Alicia backs up the doctor, telling Nash that no "William Parcher" is in the Defense Department and takes out the unopened documents he delivered to the secret mailbox. Nash is given a course of insulin shock therapy and eventually released. Frustrated with the side effects of his antipsychotic medication, he secretly stops taking it and starts seeing Parcher and Charles again.

In 1956, Alicia discovers Nash has resumed his "assignment" in a shed near their home. Realizing he has relapsed, Alicia rushes to the house to find Nash had left their infant son in the running bathtub, believing "Charles" was watching the baby. Alicia calls Dr. Rosen, but Nash accidentally knocks her and the baby to the ground, believing he's fighting Parcher. As Alicia flees with the baby, Nash stops her car and tells her he realizes that "Marcee" isn't real because she doesn't age, finally accepting that Parcher and other figures are hallucinations. Against Dr. Rosen's advice, Nash chooses not to restart his medication, believing he can deal with his symptoms himself, and Alicia decides to stay and support him.

Nash returns to Princeton, approaching his old rival Hansen, now head of the mathematics department, who allows him to work out of the library and audit classes. Over the next two decades, Nash learns to ignore his hallucinations and, by the late 1970s, is allowed to teach again. In 1994, Nash wins the Nobel Prize for his revolutionary work on game theory, and is honored by his fellow professors. At the ceremony, he dedicates the prize to his wife.

The movie is a marvel to watch as it depicts the life of a great mathematician struggling with his mental health and still managing to sustain his genius talent. There are moments where you feel that John Nash must simply wind up and retire permanently to live a peaceful life with his family. His problems due to schizophrenia are so immense that you feel sorry for him and his family. His wife stands by him determinedly and ultimately John Nash comes out of his mental illness. With some support from his colleague, he slowly crawls back to normal life and sees super success. He is awarded the Nobel Prize in the end. It is almost unbelievable to see him come out as winner in spite of the severe mental illness. The movie gives us hope and reassurance that nothing is impossible to achieve if one is determined for it.  The other dimension of the movie is that it shows you the world of research, academics in big universities and how professionals work in such areas. Focus and dedication is required to succeed in the field of research.

This movie is meant for family view and I encourage it to show it to your school and college going children.

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Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) as Career


ACCA or the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is a reputed and a large global accountancy body which offers the Chartered Certified Accounting professional qualification.


ACCA is the global body for professional accountants headquartered at London and has presence in 182 countries. ACCA qualification is based on international accounting standards. It offers courses in local law and tax options making the qualification locally relevant too. ACCA qualification is recognized by key regulatory and education authorities around the world. ACCA certified accountants are in huge demand by various employers around the world.

ACCA course is cost-effective, flexible and follows international standards. Moreover technical and management skills are covered in the course too which makes an accountant equipped with diversified skills.

ACCA qualification covers subject areas as below:

  • Management Decision Making

  • Financial Reporting

  • Financial Strategies


The ACCA Qualification is combination of theory and practical case studies.  It is equivalent to completing full University Degree.

ELIGIBILITY
Minimum Qualification Required: Pass Grade 12 from a recognized board. If the student does not have the required qualification, then the student can still start off with the ACCA Program by registering for the Foundation Level Program first. There are no minimum entry requirements for the Foundation Level-one can start at any level.

As you work your way through Foundation-level qualifications you can achieve the following awards:

  • ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2)

  • ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 3)

  • ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4)

  • ACCA Certificate in Audit (RQF Level 4)

  • ACCA Certificate in Taxation (RQF Level 4)

  • ACCA Certificate in Financial Management (RQF Level 4)


To qualify as an ACCA member, a candidate will be required to do the following:

  • Attempt and clear 13 exams that are divided into three levels:Knowledge, Skills & Professional. (ACCA does provide exemptions in some exams depending upon the candidate’s previous qualification)

  • Record 36 months’ experience in a relevant role. The candidate can acquire the experience before /during/ after completion of the qualification.

  • Complete the Ethics and Professional Skills module


ACCA has a flexible study approach and the students can take the computer based test at any of their ACCA’s Authorized Computer Based exam centers.

After ACCA:
After completing ACCA, one can become

  • Financial Auditor

  • Business Analyst

  • Financial Analyst

  • Risk Manager

  • Credit Control Manager

  • Insolvency Practitioner

  • Internal Auditor

  • Business Risk Consultant

  • IT Auditor

  • ERP or a Transaction Advisory.


ACCA is a course which not only opens up new career possibilities but also provides with new options to study. For example, if students submit a project, they will get a BSc. in applied accounting, awarded by Oxford Brooks University. The Big 4 Accounting firms ( KPMG, PWC, Deloitte, Ernst & Young) readily employ ACCA qualified professionals. Also most MNCs too provide a great career path for ACCA professionals. 

Click here to visit official website of ACC

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What are the Ivy League Universities ?


You must often heard of the term Ivy League College and wondered what it means. The term ‘Ivy League’ commonly refers to a group of 8 private, east-coast colleges and universities in USA. They are famous for providing best education and they have significant history associated with them.  Ivy League Colleges are considered the best colleges in US. The term "Ivy League" was born in the 1930s as a name for the fledgling football league that included eight prominent Northeastern colleges.

Ivy League schools strongly help students in their professional careers. Looking to several fields, extending from Law and Medicine, to Electrical Engineering and Business, the Ivy League universities truly dominate these categories. Getting a degree from these schools will open a lot of doors for you in the future.

Today, the lvy League is known more for its academic rigor, professional achievement and exclusivity rather than sports. Although an Ivy League education carries the benefits of looking great on CV and entry to a valuable alumni network, this sort of education comes at a price —both in the tuition costs you pay and the stress of the highly competitive admissions process. Therefore it’s important for students to consider carefully whether an Ivy League education is befitting for them.

The 8 institutions which come under the Ivy League banner are:

  1. Harvard University

  2. Columbia University

  3. Princeton University

  4. Cornell University

  5. Yale University

  6. University of Pennsylvania

  7. Dartmouth College

  8. Brown University

Ivy League schools are highly selective, often selecting under 10% of the total applicants! They are also very expensive to attend, with only tuition fees averaging $50,000 a year. The student would have to account for other expenses such as living, food, travel, etc. in addition to the tuition fees. The Ivy League institutions are heavily endowed, with Harvard being the wealthiest university in the world, Yale the second wealthiest, and Princeton the fourth wealthiest.

The Ivy League colleges regularly appear in the top 15 college rankings in the United States and pride themselves on having very rigorous academics. A number of famous political and social figures in the United States have graduated from the Ivy League.  Since education in Ivy League colleges is expensive and admission process is challenging, it is therefore important for students to consider carefully whether an lvy League education is befitting for them. It depends on what they want to get out of their degree, and whilst Ivy League universities generally deserve their excellent reputations, some of their courses are stronger than others.

It is highly recommended to look at other institutions outside the Ivy League, as they may have aspects which may appeal more to specific students.

Facts that students should consider before applying to Ivy leagues:

  1. Costs Involved: Their course fees are quite expensive when compared to others and the East coast is not a cheap place to live, eat, and sleep.

  2. Grades Required: Then there are the grades, qualifications and extra curriculum requirements students will have to consider. The simple point to understand here is that only the best of best gets selected.

  3. Acceptance Rate: Their admission acceptances are on average under 10%. This means 90% of students who apply don’t get a place. So students should make sure they also apply to other colleges as well.

  4. Application: A student can apply to any of the 8 Ivy League institutions with the Common Application but only Cornell, Harvard and Princeton Universities accept the Universal College Application.

If you dream of running a major corporation, holding public office in government, or gaining a strong advantage in research and innovation, the Ivy League is probably the best option. These schools have historically been a breeding-ground for high achievers, with many Nobel Prize winners being former Ivy League graduates. But it is equally OK to attend another school in the USA – public or private.

What is Soft Power ?


John is a 8 years old boy. Being a single child, he is the centre of attention of his parents. His mother Sally is concerned about the multiple demands John makes everyday. She knows that directly telling him about his wrong demands won't work. So she devises a strategy. She buys a pack of CDs of movies which convey how bad or unacceptable is the habit of constantly seeking new things for self gratification.  The movies show what is the right way to live and how to value people and material things in life. Sally actually watched the movies together with John. After some days, she started seeing change in John's behaviour. He has become less demanding and asks only for what is really required. So what did Sally do ? She used soft power. Instead of being strict and forcing John to change his behaviour, she actually influenced his way of thinking through enjoyable movies. This worked well both for John and Sally. Sally in a relaxed way managed to change John's behaviour while John too had a smooth and conflict-free transition of his mindset.

So what do you think if any country instead of waging a war against other country, wins it by changing the mindset of that country ? Yes, this is a nice way of winning a nation without any warfare, killing, violence or destruction.  This is using "Soft Power" to win the country instead of the "Hard Power". In politics, soft power is the ability to attract and co-opt, rather than coerce. It involves shaping the preferences of others through appeal and attraction.

It was in 1990 that Joseph Nye first introduced and explained this concept in his book. Soft power  works on the principle that "the best propaganda is not propaganda". In today's world of social media, one can easily build up a narrative and bias minds of masses to incline in the desired direction. Soft power can be wielded not just by countries but also by actors, NGOs or international institutions. With dish TV, internet, OTT and social media, there are so many narratives being propagated through movies, web series, documentaries,  Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter.

A politician now doesn't directly tell people to vote for him. He rather uses narratives on social media to influence their minds such that they automatically start identifying him as the best leader for whom they should vote. One will often find Christian missionaries using soft power to convert people to Christianity. The missionaries go on expounding the virtues of Jesus as the ultimate saviour of humanity and also dole out many goodies to the poor masses.  Eventually they manage to bring many people to the fold of Christianity. An increase in Christian population directly means more control over them by the European nations through the institution of Church.

America successfully raised its brand value by selling the " The Great American Dream" to the world. It resulted in large influx of talented people from all over the world to America. Such a pool of talented people contributed exponentially towards the progress of America. Do you think America could have forcefully brought these people to America and made to work for them ? Never. The United States can dominate others, but it has also excelled in projecting soft power, with the help of its companies, foundations, universities, churches, and other institutions of civil society; U.S. culture, ideals, and values have been extraordinarily important in helping Washington attract partners and supporters.

The three pillars of soft power are: political values, culture, and foreign policy. Influencing nations through these areas will surely have a transforming effect on the nation's basic thought and ideals. This doesn't mean that hard power is not important at all. Hard power has  its own role too. But it is a costly affair. It is much easier and economical to use soft  power.  In fact a combination of hard and soft power should be used as "smart power". 

Soft power is based on the ability to alter the preferences of others. In the business world, leaders know that leadership is not just a matter of issuing commands, but also involves leading by example and attracting others to do what you want. Similarly when policy is being made for community, it should be made sufficiently friendly and attractive that a community wants to help the policy formulators to achieve shared objectives.

Political leaders are beginning to understand that the hard power is not much effective every time. They are relying more  on their own ability to develop intangible assets such as an attractive personality, culture, political values and institutions, and policies that are seen as legitimate or having moral authority. If a leader represents values that others want to follow, it will cost less to lead.

All said and done, soft power too has its own limitations. For example, it is impossible to change the mindsets of vast population in the Islamic world who believe in the supremacy of their own faith. Terrorist outfits are the result of such extremist thought process. In this scenario, exercising hard power is the better option.

Soft power has always been a key element of leadership.  Great leaders have always understood that attractiveness springs from credibility and legitimacy. Power is not exercised through arms and ammunition. The most evil dictators have relied on attraction equally as fear. Leadership and power are inseparable. Leaders have to make crucial choices about the types of power that they use. Leaders simply cannot ignore or devalue the significance of soft power.

Who are the US Marines ?


The US Marines (United States Marine Corps), is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations with the US Navy and Air Force. It traces its roots to the American Revolutionary War and was formed by a resolution on 10 November 1775. 

US Marines undergo training that makes them almost like a super hero in capability. The spirit of the dare-devil that gets instilled in them is every man's dream. Being a Marine is like challenging normal human limits and discovering how powerful you are as a human being and through this power, how you can help the world by bringing peace and order.

The Marine Corps is one of the most elite fighting forces in the world. The Marine Corps' mission is unique among the services. Marines serve on U.S. Navy ships, protect naval bases, guard U.S. embassies, and provide an ever-ready quick strike force to protect U.S. interests anywhere in the world. To perform the many duties of the Marine Corps, approximately 174,000 officers and enlisted Marines fly planes and helicopters; operate radar equipment; drive armored vehicles; gather intelligence; survey and map territory; maintain and repair radios, computers, jeeps, trucks, tanks, and aircraft; and perform hundreds of other challenging jobs.

The three primary areas of responsibility for the Marine Corps are:
  1. Seizure or defense of advanced naval bases and other land operations to support naval campaigns

  2. Development of tactics, technique, and equipment used by amphibious landing forces in coordination with the Army and Air Force

  3. Such other duties as the President or Department of Defense may direct.

 The Marine Corps fulfills a critical military role as an amphibious warfare force. It can rapidly deploy a combined-arms task force to almost anywhere in the world within days.

Their major achievements so far are as below:

  1. They played a small role in the  American Civil War (1861–1865) with their prominent task as blockade duty.

  2. During World War I Marines served as a part of the American Expeditionary Force. 

  3. In World War II , they performed a central role in the Pacific War, along with the U.S. Army. They took the lead in a massive campaign of amphibious warfare, advancing from island to island.

  4. The Korean War (1950–1953)  saw the Corps expand from 75,000 regulars to a force of 261,000 Marines, mostly reservists. 30,544 Marines were killed or wounded during the war and 42 were awarded the Medal of Honor.

  5. The Marine Corps served in the Vietnam War taking part in such battles as the Battle of Hue and the Battle of Khe Sanh in 1968.

  6. Following the attacks on 11 September 2001, President George W. Bush announced the Global War on Terrorism. Since then, the Marine Corps, alongside the other military services, has engaged in global operations around the world in support of that mission. Throughout the Global War on Terrorism, the U.S. Marines have supported operations in Africa to counter Islamic extremism and piracy in the Red Sea. 

  7. Marines and other American forces began staging in Pakistan and Uzbekistan on the border of Afghanistan as early as October 2001 in preparation for Operation Enduring Freedom.

  8. U.S. Marines served in the Iraq War, along with its sister services.

The Marine Corps is the America's 911 force. Thousands of Marines are always deployed aboard naval amphibious ships ready to respond to an international crises. This ability to mobilize quickly has allowed the Marines to become the United States' ready-reaction force. The Marines also consider themselves to be a self-sustaining force bringing with it to battle its own air power, artillery and logistics support. Of course, Marines have to travel on Navy vessels in order to to get to its destination.

Marines also are proud to say that 'every Marine is a rifleman.' In other words, regardless if you are in the infantry, the air wing or a computer technician, you will given the proper training so that, if need be, you can perform as an infantryman if called upon. Although the Marine Corps says that "every Marine is a rifleman," infantry units comprise no more than 15% of the service's total force. You will be able to work in one of 35 career fields which offer over 300 different jobs.  The Marine Corps accepts prior-service people. Some specialty fields available to you:

  • Aircraft Defense

  • Aircraft Maintenance

  • Armor

  • Broadcasting

  • Combat Engineer

  • Communications

  • Computer Operator/Technician

  • Electronics

  • Intelligence

  • Supply

Only US citizens can join the US Marines. All Marines have to undergo a training in 13 week Boot Camp. Recruit training is rigorous, demanding, and challenging. The overall goal of recruit training is to instill in the recruits the military skills, knowledge, discipline, pride and self-confidence necessary to be a United States Marine.

In the first several days at the recruit depot, a recruit is assigned to a platoon, receives a basic issue of uniforms and equipment, is given an additional physical, and takes further assignment classification tests. Each platoon is led by a team of three Marine drill instructors. A typical training day for recruits begins with reveille at 0500 (5:00 a.m.), continues with drill, physical training, and several classes in weapons and conduct, and ends with taps at 2100 (9:00 p.m.).