Reuse Your Stuff and Revamp Your Mindset

Can’t bring yourself to toss that ultra-soft, threadbare T-shirt you’ve had since the early 80s? Does your throat catch when it comes time to check out at the grocery store and you’ve forgotten your cloth bags? Do you feel a sense of dread that teeters on compulsion when faced with having to buy retail? Then just relax, because you’re in some pretty awesome company with Alex Eaves. The mastermind behind Stay Vocal’s principle has been inspiring people to reuse and regenerate since he was a kid; if he could influence folks to pay attention at that age, it’s no wonder how he’s become a go-to guy for the growing reclaim movement, collecting awards and accolades along the way.

"Every day, I live and breathe reuse. It's how I dress: from vintage USA made Chuck Taylors to used jeans to the shirts that I sell. It's how I cut my hair: I donate it to charities who reuse it, like Matter of Trust. It's how I shop: I never leave home without my reusable bag and mug (which is good, because I drink A LOT of coffee)."

Alex’s long-time obsession with sports, music, skateboards and T-shirts created an amalgam of reuse potential that eventually spawned the popular Green America certified ReUse apparel company known as Stay Vocal, whose mission has recently spread to redirecting young minds toward embracing this philosophy. His soon-to-be kids workshop will seek to change how children think about product regeneration (not so much toward recycling since that’s still the act of throwing things away). The “Reuse Pro” will drive home his message by having his young audience craft reusables like toilet paper tubes into animals, puppets, presents, etc. they can easily make with or without their parents.

Homeless dogs have also firmly planted themselves on Alex’s radar as he incorporates animal adoption in his mission to reach and teach about giving products and pets a second chance.  I guess you can say Alex is somewhat of a magician the way he breathes new life into what others throw away. But he’ll be the first to tell you that what he does has nothing to do with illusion and everything to do with awareness. Some immediate campaigns Alex is undertaking include encouraging Dunkin’ Donuts to offer discounts to patrons who bring their own reusable cups to reduce ever-increasing environmental damage from polystyrene foam cups; and marketing his “Water Saver” T-shirts as a way to offset the 400 gallons of water it takes to grow the amount of cotton used for a single new T-shirt.

All this only scratches the surface of Alex’s penchant for pioneering the reuse concept until it becomes commonplace rather than innovative. See what else he has up his reproduced sleeve on Stay Vocal’s Facebook page (where there’s a 10% off purchase coupon waiting for you), Alex’s Facebook page (where you can see him make more amusing faces) and Twitter.

Telltale Behaviors Your Dog Needs His Anal Glands Expressed

What some vets declare to be quite useless and utterly unpleasant, canine anal sacs can be the bane of many a dog's life, as well as his family's. When working properly, these tiny glandular pouches -- found just beyond the opening of your dog's bottom -- capture a foul-smelling substance that is typically excreted along with his fecal matter; however, they can become impacted and quite uncomfortable for your dog, who communicates this distress in a number of different ways.

Behavioral Indicators
If your dog has ever boot scooted across the floor, it's likely he's alerting you to his impacted anal sacs. While an occasional back end drag can just be to satisfy an itch, repeated scoots indicate his anal gland discomfort. Constant licking under his tail is another sign that it's time to empty those sacs, a quick procedure you can have your vet perform or learn to do yourself. An irritated rear end may swell and make it difficult for your dog to sit, which he'll demonstrate by attempting to but not actually sit. Just the smell alone, especially with the presence of a bloody discharge, is enough indication the sacs need to be drained.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media.
Photo credit: Chris Amaral/Photodisc/Getty Images

Improving Workplace Productivity With Physical Fitness

Coffee and energy drinks may help get the brain cells firing, but they're mostly a quick, temporary fix. Staying mentally sharp in the work-place is an ongoing challenge for many who reach for these artificial stimulants; however, employees can gain greater clarity by engaging body and mind. Implementing a regular physical fitness routine -- even for as little as 15 minutes each day -- can create a synergistic payoff for the fuzzy-brained worker.

Body-Mind Connection
Whether you're a long-distance trekker who regularly experiences runner's high or someone whose elevated mental outlook comes from boogying to the radio, you're following the same path toward greater productivity in the workplace. Job output reflects variables that, when out of balance, get in the way of giving your all. Myriad studies have illustrated the clear connection between exercise and better mood, a more tolerant attitude and higher collaborative tendencies, all of which play an integral role in your personal productivity.

Timing Is Everything
Reducing stress and improving productivity are as easy as stepping out of the office for an early afternoon bike ride or spending 30 minutes of your lunch hour limbering and toning in yoga class. Using noontime to engage in physical activity is not just a pleasurable experience but also one that handsomely rewards you. Forbes notes how midday exercise is especially invigorating when thought processes slip into low gear; breaking up the workday with a simple yet steady exercise program spikes energy and productivity throughout the afternoon.

Strength in Numbers
The idea of low to moderate exercise during the workday may really appeal to you, but lack of motivation might threaten to zap your enthusiasm. Since some of your co-workers likely feel the same way, the solution is to gather a group with similar objectives and unapologetically use one another for inspiration. Peer pressure alone, according to the Brookings Institution, is enough to drive you toward your goals.

Physiology Behind Productivity
Brain boost occurs at a cellular level where mitochondria -- known as the "power plant" component -- create the energy chemical called ATP. Mitochondria reproduce when you exercise, which in turn generates additional ATP, a domino effect that not only enables you to physically maintain your workout routine but also heightens mental capacity and productivity.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media
Photo credit: David Woolley/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Jobs Where You Can Take Your Dog to Work

The dogs-at-work movement began in earnest with the first Take Your Dog to Work Day in 1999 and has gained considerable momentum with companies steadily jumping on the bandwagon. Studies have played a helpful role in this transition by showing how workplace canines give a positive boost to morale, teamwork and productivity.

How It All Began
Pet Sitters International, the largest association for in-home pet care providers, started the ball rolling by designating one day a year as workplace dog-friendly to spotlight the homeless pet population and encourage more adoptions. Three hundred businesses participated in that 1999 event, serving as a springboard for thousands more to follow suit, many even to the point of implementing policy that makes everyday dog friendly.

High-Profile Companies
Such corporate giants as Google, Amazon, Ben & Jerry's and Clif Bar actually encourage employees to bring their canine kids into the office; they even tout their dog-friendly policies as perks for attracting new talent. Not only do these employers recognize staff performance benefits of having dogs in the workplace, but workers also get more exercise by having to take their canine companions on potty breaks.

Assistance Dogs
Service dogs -- who are the eyes, ears and mobility of people with special needs -- are permitted in the workplace under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) even when the company doesn't have a dog-friendly policy. The single most determining factor is whether the canine's presence constitutes a reasonable accommodation for the employee, such as a blind worker who needs her guide dog to maneuver in and around the workplace.

Bring Your Boss Onboard
Large or small, your workplace can be an inviting, dog-friendly environment as long as everyone follows a few ground rules. While many people are enthusiastic dog lovers, others may not share that affinity and instead consider their presence an annoyance or even be fearful of them; a staff survey will find out who's allergic or afraid. All dogs should be well-behaved and friendly when in the company of others, both human and canine; baby gates are great for keeping them contained yet still allowing them to interact with passers-by.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media
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Just Cause for Turning Down a Job Interview While on Unemployment

Obtaining unemployment benefits may be a standard next step to bridging the financial gap when you're jobless through no fault of your own, but those subsidized paychecks are not automatically tendered without some serious effort on your part. Unemployment compensation is granted to those job seekers who, once deemed "able and available" for suitable work, do not turn down an interview for any job without "good cause."

Proving "Able and Available"
Being able and available means you possess marketable skills. While it's not your responsibility to identify available jobs, you do have to demonstrate there is a market for your specific experience. For example, creating matchstick animals may be an entertaining talent, but there is no demand for it within the labor sector. Able and available also speaks to your physical capacity to actually carry out the work, as well as having a dependable means of transportation to get to and from the job.

Imposing Job Restrictions
Job seekers are allowed to establish certain boundaries when it comes to the type of jobs they'll accept and still be considered able and available. Health issues, for instance, can dictate whether a position is suitable where there is heavy lifting or unhealthful environmental factors, such as allergens. You may also cite lack of transportation as the reason for only seeking jobs within walking distance, but the onus is on you to demonstrate reasonable attempts to rectify the situation prior to requesting a restriction.

Suitable Work
Suitable work is determined by courts and unemployment compensation referees after considering various factors of your specific situation. These can include work experience and training; proximity of home to job; why and how long job seeker is out of work; plausibility of securing a job close to home in skilled profession; previous wages; job market climate; normal occupational pay rate; and residence permanency.

With and Without "Good Cause"
Refusing a job for "good cause" may include a mismatch of skills to position; physical inability to complete required tasks of that particular job; conflict between religious beliefs and job requirements; lack of transportation; and inability to secure quality childcare during work hours. You must make reasonable effort to rectify the latter two before refusing a job. Suitable jobs refused without good cause can cost job seekers their unemployment compensation when, for example, full-time employment is offered yet only part-time is wanted or vice versa, and refusing to accept a lower pay rate than previously earned.

Photo Credit: Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
Originally written for and published by Demand Media

The Best Jobs for Your Personality

Many people tend to enjoy their jobs much more and achieve greater productivity when their personalities are matched to the tasks. In fact, career suitability and interest tests are based on the idea that certain individual characteristics are more likely to bring about greater success and job satisfaction. Heading down a particular career path based on prominent personality traits is an approach that can demystify the whole "What do I want to be when I grow up?" quandary.

Learn About Yourself
Finding the right vocational fit begins with identifying who you are by assessing factors such as interests, talents, hobbies, achievements and desired lifestyle. Pinpointing these traits can be somewhat challenging to achieve, given how people are not always aware of all their unique personality facets. Enlisting the input of friends, family and even school counselors can be one strategy for learning about and recognizing your personality characteristics.

Gauging Your Forte
Whether you're extroverted and spontaneous, or calm and calculated, any number of vocations can complement your abilities. Finding your forte comes from pairing personality traits with career paths that highlight those characteristics. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, long considered the gold standard of personality assessments, not only provides a finely-tuned psychological insight, but it also identifies the most relevant career options that can steer you toward a satisfying livelihood.

Career Compatibility
Dr. John Holland's career-choice theory is based on the idea that six different personality types gravitate toward different work environments: realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising and conventional. People rarely fall into just one work-related personality type, and are often drawn to and suitable for a combination of categories. Consider your options in more than just one area to find your niche.

Holland's Hexagon
Holland's Hexagon, a model that outlines relationships between personalities and work environments, shows conventional personalities are orderly, systematic and like set plans, making them suited for occupations like bank teller, bookkeeper or court clerk. The dynamic, ambitious, "take charge" enterprising personality is well-suited for positions such as bank president, lawyer or customs inspector. Having a social personality lends itself to the nurturing, helpful and principled approaches seen in nursing, social work, teaching, counseling and physical therapy. Artistic dispositions thrive in independent and expressive environments where they are free to create in such careers as dancing, designing, writing, comedy or composing. The rigorous and intellectual nature of investigative personalities works best in such careers as lawyer, architect, veterinarian or chemist. Practicality and mechanical abilities represent the realistic personality, which include law enforcement, firefighters, pilots and carpenters.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media
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Careers for Hearing People Using ASL

American Sign Language (ASL), which provides a window of communication between the hearing and hearing-impaired communities, is the conduit for many different career opportunities. Hearing people fluent in ASL are poised for jobs in such industries as education, social services, health care, law and linguistics on local, state and national levels.

Interpreter
As the country's fourth most commonly used language according to the University of Rochester, ASL bridges the comprehension gap for several deaf and hearing-impaired populations. Students from kindergarten to university further their studies with the assistance of lecture hall and classroom interpreters, while social events such as theatrical performances and political rallies are more fully perceived when translated into sign language. Courtroom trials and depositions are two of many legal areas where ASL interpreters provide definitive understanding of often complicated processes and subject matter.

Instructor
Interest in learning ASL has grown considerably over the recent past, leading to an increased need for educators. Sign language instructors can have quite an eclectic group of students, ranging from those who are curious about the language, those in a deaf studies curriculum, deaf or hard-of-hearing students, or students who have a hearing-impaired friend/family member with whom they want to communicate. Whether at the beginner level where basic technique is taught, or at the graduate tier where students are ready to embark upon a career, instructors diligently guide students through every facet of ASL and deaf studies.

Tutor
Deaf or hard-of-hearing students who may not have classroom interpreters, or simply require more specialized academic attention, gain considerable benefit from ASL tutors. People who want to brush up on their sign language skills can call upon a tutor's expertise to enhance sign expression and finger spelling dexterity. One of the best aspects of this career choice is that tutors can meet online with students, which allows much more schedule flexibility for both.

Social Services
The gamut of careers available to people fluent in ASL is rich and rewarding. Areas of social services alone offer multifaceted options to help the deaf and hearing-impaired community navigate through myriad health and personal development options, not the least of which includes speech pathology, psychology, counseling, medical, audiology, nursing and language development. Social workers with ASL skills can better aid their hearing-impaired clients.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media
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Dying of Boredom: Creative Teaching

The first image many think of when identifying a boring teacher is the droll, monotone instructor lulling his class to sleep in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." While that portrayal may be the iconic go-to example, it really isn't far off the mark when it comes to approaches some educators take to infuse knowledge. What's sorely lacking is any sort of entertainment value that grabs students' attention to keep eyes front and minds sharp.

Personality and Charisma
Often there is an instructor whose antics are so engaging and memorable that they create a buzz around campus, making his class the one not to be missed. Unlike the boring faculty member who dryly runs through the syllabus without a twinge of originality, this teacher brings a sense of flair that captures students' attention, keeps them interested in the subject, and encourages them to talk about it outside the classroom.

Interactivity
Lecture hall is a staple of college life, but that doesn't mean it must also be a boring, uninspired experience. Engaging students on more than just a superficial level is an important component for grasping lessons, according to the Creative Learning Site. Good college teachers mix it up to reach beyond the conventional classroom by assembling in a grassy park, scheduling a field trip or simply strolling with students around campus while they're immersed in stream-of-consciousness conversations and enjoying some hot chocolate.

Good Teaching Practices
Students are unique in how they absorb information, which means different learning styles require different teaching methods. The one-size-fits-all approach is not only a disservice to students in general, but can produce graduates who are ill-prepared. The NDT Resource Center points out how a curriculum rich in visual (diagrams, videos), auditory (group discussions, word association) and tactile (hands-on experiments, role playing) techniques hits the trifecta of good teaching.

Technology
Technology's interactive nature engages students far beyond conventional standards, thus challenging the status quo and taking education far beyond what teachers of the past could offer. Computer simulations and games, for example, take the focus off one-directional lectures and encourage group participation. If you ever walk past a classroom filled with loud outbursts and raucous laughter, find out who the teacher is and sign up for his next class.

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Criteria for Being a Grant Writer

Finding money for organiza-tions is a career choice that offers considerable satisfaction; whether private or public, the recipients of grant monies can further projects and endeavors that might otherwise never come to fruition. Along with possessing solid communication, research and writing skills, grant writers are also often required to have a college degree and experience in the industry.

Education
A key ingredient of good grant writing is the ability to persuade, which makes all the difference between mediocre and stellar proposals. According to The Education Portal, earning a degree in areas such as English, journalism, marketing or public relations provides the communication nuts and bolts, and fine-tunes additional techniques that aid in crafting eloquent, engaging proposals.

Specific Course Work
Once you have strong and detailed writing skills, it's time to cultivate a greater understanding of the proposal's specific nature. Knowing the proper format and expectations for each grant application is critical to the final outcome; submissions that do not conform to each funder's unique protocol are often dismissed without consideration. Moreover, The Education Portal points out that grant topics can be individualized to a particular organization, which requires an additional layer of knowledge to maneuver through those conditions. Joining professional grant writing groups provides opportunities to network with others for continued education and job prospects.

Cultivate Experience
Nothing speaks greater volumes about an individual's aptitude than having a track record; it's not unusual for employers to overlook your lack of a degree when your past experience is strong. If you are just starting out and need to build your portfolio, you'd do well to approach smaller organizations that cannot afford to pay a grant writer and offer services pro bono, according to The Grant Adviser website. Steadily continue to move up the ladder and demonstrate diversity in the size of grants you seek and the types of industries. Interning within a desired industry places grant writers directly in the cross-hairs of potentially permanent employers.

Industry Experience
If all of your previous grant writing experience has, for example, been securing monies for a family owned preschool and you're now seeking employment with a Fortune 500 company, it's likely the latter will not consider that level of procurement to be a transferable skill. By the same token, employers prefer to hire grant writers who have a working knowledge of the general industry, if not also specific understanding of how that particular company operates. Fund-raising for a small nonprofit that needs seed money to build a homeless shelter is quite different from securing multimillion-dollar funding for a groundbreaking technological prototype.

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Bartender Qualifications

Bartending is often looked upon as fun and glamorous, but it's a job that -- like most others -- requires specific qualifications to be considered for hire. While being legally old enough to serve alcohol and having knowledge of basic bar terminology are at the top of the list, there are other legal, personal and industry aspects that equate to a fully qualified job seeker.

The Basics
Bartenders are a constant work-in-progress as patrons' palates change with new drinking trends. Maintaining a strong grasp of bar basics, such as terminology, standard recipes and garnishes, provides a solid springboard from which to apply for a job making drinks. Likewise, each establishment likely has its own selection of signature cocktails that management prefers you to suggestively sell. No matter your level of experience, always stay adaptable to the ever-changing nature of the business.

Guest Awareness
There is a high level of legal and ethical responsibility when it comes to how intoxicated bar guests become. Bartenders can be held legally accountable when theirs is the last establishment a patron visits before causing an accident due to having an illegal blood-alcohol level. Recognizing the signs -- such as dilated pupils, slurred speech and staggered gait -- is the first line of defense for knowing when to stop serving an individual.

Personality
When all other qualifications are equal, your personality can be the deciding factor over other applicants. Bartending is a socially interactive job where you're always on stage; embodying a fun, outgoing and confident demeanor, coupled with a friendly and welcoming smile, can set you far apart from those who only have the mechanical skills.

Physical Requirements
Watch a busy bartender, and you'll notice his is anything but a low-key job. Long periods on your feet, quick drink-making ability and multitasking with several customers at once are just a few of the physical demands associated with this fast-paced profession. Add to that the option of serving food at the bar, which many establishments do to increase their bottom line, and you'll also be making trips back and forth to the kitchen.

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Top 10 Dog Breeds With Bad Reps

Breed specific legislation in states and munici-palities across the country has targeted many types of dogs that, often through no fault of their own, are labeled as dangerous. Breeds classified under this law can cause an increase in insurance rates for homeowners or may face euthanasia.

Blackballed Breeds
Dogs of every breed respond to the stimuli presented to them, whether nurtured by love and trust or provoked by pain and fear. Certain breeds, however, are considered more dangerous than others, including the Akita, bulldog, bullmastiff, chow, Doberman, German shepherd, husky, Presa Canario, Rottweiler and pit bull, or any mix-breed combination thereof.

Size Matters?
Each of the dogs on this Top 10 list is considered large, extra-large or giant based upon breed size standards, which indicates that the bigger the dog, the more dangerous he is -- or is perceived to be. While dog breed statistics do reflect a higher number of incidents in association with the 10 breeds on this list, Dog Bite Law says that dogs of certain breeds are not born dangerous by default. "Any individual dog may be a good, loving pet, even though its breed is considered to be potentially dangerous."

Identifying a Pit Bull
The pit bull is branded as more dangerous than any other not only through misled perception but also because many people cannot identify the breed. Dogs with triangular jaws, muscular bodies and cropped ears are all lumped together as the generic "pit bull," when in fact the pit bull can be any of the following breeds: American Staffordshire terrier, English bull terrier, American bulldog, Presa Canario and Staffordshire bull terrier. The subtle differences of each one have cast them all into a much-debated single grouping based only upon how they look.

The Human Element
The common denominators among these 10 dog breeds are strength, size, independent attitude and intelligence, making them highly sought-after as guard and protection dogs, as well as combatants in the fighting ring. According to Dog Bite Law, any breed of dog is capable of biting when trained to do so; dogs whose physiques make them more popular sentries than their smaller, allegedly "non-dangerous" counterparts are often taught to attack, which brings more attention to incidents involving these particular breeds.

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Careers Without a College Degree

While a college degree has historically been the bridge to professional success, there are industries where basic training and hands-on experience are just as valuable as -- and sometimes more than -- higher education.

Hospitality
Many a teenager begins his career path at a fast-food outlet or local restaurant, actively participating in back-of-the-house operations -- dishwasher and food preparation -- or front-house customer service. This seemingly inconsequential experience can open many doors for future advancement throughout a worldwide industry that includes working as a Four Star hotel manager, restaurant owner or concierge.

Detectives and Criminal Investigators
If you have a keen eye for detail and a flair for sleuthing, the lack of a college degree won't stand in your way of a career in criminal law enforcement. Prerequisites for detectives and criminal investigators are more mental and physical than scholastic, calling for rigorous qualifications of sound mind and body. The most common path is entering the force as a police officer after successful completion of the academy program and then moving up the ranks with increased experience.

Real Estate Agent
Helping people buy and sell property can be a very rewarding and lucrative career choice. Indeed, there are few things as intimate as the place you call home, which brings a sense of personal satisfaction when clients are gratified. While real estate agents don't need a degree, they do need to be licensed and stay up-to-date on changing requirements, laws and forms through continuing education.

Computer Technology
The future is strong for those who immerse themselves in technology. With many elementary and secondary schools incorporating computer education in their curricula, young people have opportunities to develop skills that set them on the path toward a solid career without having a degree. Successful computer programmers, for example, are often self-taught. Courses in continuing education do offer advanced certification to further knowledge but in most cases, all you need is raw talent, experience and competence to land a position.


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Job Description: Foster Care Coordinator for Shelter Animals

Pairing foster families with a pet in need of care is rewarding on several levels. The process is important because it moves one more animal from the shelter system into a loving, temporary home. While you don't need a license, degree or formal education to become a foster care coordinator, you have to possess certain communication skills to make and maintain the right matches.

Assessment
The individual's desire to foster a shelter animal is an important first step, but there are a number of other factors you must also take into consideration before approving an applicant. Because shelter animals can harbor residual fears from past trauma, it's essential to determine a potential carer's lifestyle and commitment level. A casual interview with open-ended questions gives you a clear understanding of the applicant's expectations, experience and boundaries, while references and a background check help to corroborate those claims.

Training
The success of any foster pairing rests upon the level of training each individual receives once being accepted into the program. Consistency of daily care protocols and adherence to shelter policies must be maintained by all foster families to guarantee a positive experience for animals and humans alike. As such, coordinators meet and evaluate all family members who will have a hand in caring for the animal, from children to grandparents, so everyone understands and appropriately executes their specific roles.

Foster Responsibility
Fostering is a free venture for those who can temporarily give their time and love in exchange. As coordinator, it's up to you to make sure foster families follow established guidelines such as feeding only shelter-provided food (some animals require special dietary formulas); seeking medical attention only through in-house veterinarians or approved external clinics (shelters often negotiate special rates); and refraining from making any changes to the animal's schedule without first consulting you for coaching and moral support.

Intrinsic Qualities
Foster care coordinators embody several personal qualities not typically required of other jobs. Three essential traits include having compassion and empathy when interacting with the foster families, harboring respect for both animals and people, as well as having an intrinsic concern and affection for animals.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media

The Benefits of Teenage Jobs

Parenting, much like an artist's blank canvas, is the opportunity to create something spectacular from scratch. Nurturing a child's development entails myriad facets that work together to form a well-rounded individual. Teens who are ready to step outside the family circle and get a job continue learning responsibility and gain independence as they take their first few steps out into the real world.


Fiscal Management
Teens are often eager to get their first job because they'll earn considerably more money than they get from a standard allowance. Many will also begin to appreciate the value of saving over spending when they've had to work for the money. When handed to them without having earned it other than mowing the grass or taking out the garbage, they may not associate much worth until they've invested a lot of time and effort to acquire it.

Punctuality
Showing up late is not an option in the workplace, so teens quickly learn the relationship between being punctual and receiving a paycheck. This also drives home the potential for losing a job when their time cards are consistently stamped late.

Wean Off Parental Support
Shifting away from mom and dad's wallet can be a painful transition. For example, parents who give their adolescents a car before they have a job may foot the monthly payment, insurance and gas bills with the understanding that once gainfully employed, the teen takes over these financial responsibilities. He will likely experience sticker shock when the fiscal burden shifts and every paycheck must be carefully budgeted to meet these new monthly responsibilities before allowing any personal spending.

Test the Waters
Teens are often pressed to decide on a career path without benefit of industry familiarity. One particular advantage of taking a job or two while still in high school is getting a hands-on feel for that business and its operational format, determining if it's interesting and challenging enough to be a future fit. Teens who click with a certain industry can then work toward upward mobility within the company.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media.

Disadvantages of Professionalism

It may be hard to imagine how professional-ism is a disadvantage in any capacity, but there are times when adhering to such high standards can work against an intended objective. While the tenets of professionalism -- which include behavior, integrity and accountability -- remain intact, the stringency associated with such a demanding combination may need some adjustment in order to realize a more positive outcome. The key is to remember that professionalism does not always equate to quality standards.


The Price of Professionalism
Maintaining professional standards is a costly venture when, for example, companies are compelled to provide their workers with continuing education to maintain the desired level of professionalism. Moreover, recruiting new talent may cost the company more in its ongoing quest to uphold such a strict standard; hiring an established professional can be a smarter financial decision than molding a newcomer.

Undue Tension
Leniency allows for certain situations to be addressed more suitably for the circumstances; adhering to a strict professional policy for the sake of compliance can create tension where it doesn't have to exist. Whether mandated to follow rigid dress codes, interpersonal relations or decorum, employees may feel so constrained by such stringency that the work environment becomes staid and dispiriting.

Tempered Talent
The steadfast attributes typically associated with professionalism can restrict environments that have a more creative atmosphere. The greater ingenuity and inspiration required in the workplace, the less need for unnatural restrictions in order to cultivate creativity. Advertising companies, for example, do well to employ a more casual, free-flowing approach to their professional standards, one that still emphasizes appropriate business behavior, integrity and accountability but with more flexibility.

Subjectivity
The notion of professionalism means different things to different people, which may lead one department's policy to significantly deviate from another. This lack of consistency can create an undercurrent of confusion and mixed signals when employees within the same company are not outfitted with a corresponding standard. Moreover, efforts to maintain a specific level of professionalism via micromanaging can stymie employee ingenuity and overall productivity.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media.

The Best Career Options After 55

Careers, like relationships, can play out for a number of reasons, and often when we least expect it. This reality can be particularly challenging for people 55 years and older who have known only one, maybe two occupations throughout their entire lives. When starting over in the same field is not an option, the focus then turns to applying your transferable skills to other careers that can be financially secure and emotionally satisfying.

Entrepreneurial
If you've had a life-long dream to open a flower shop, operate a doggy day care, or sell fish tacos from a sandy beach shack, this may be just the right opportunity to realize that desire. According to the Missouri-based entrepreneurship institute Kauffman Foundation, you'll be in excellent company by committing to your passion, because those between the ages of 55 and 64 have held the top spot for entrepreneurial activity since 1996.

Get Paid to Drive
Unlike many industries where youthfulness is a company's unspoken desire, the trucking business opens its arms to the mature population, and even encourages the career to be a family affair. Earn your commercial driver's license within just a few months, and set out on the road, either local or long distance, driving solo, with your pet, or teamed with your spouse. This career choice, a key component in national commerce, is backed by a solid foundation of 3 million people who, according to AARP, make trucking one of the largest occupations.

Degree-Free Careers
Those who graduated from the school of hard knocks are often overlooked for jobs that require a degree. While the lack of higher education in no way means you're an unqualified applicant, it does mean you'll do best to set your sights on industries that look more for life experience or trade school, and even offer on-the-job training. Retail sales manager, tutor, administrative generalist, customer service representative, real estate agent, security officer, and forest fire fighter are just a handful of potential opportunities where previous experience can be viewed as transferable skill.

Feed Your Soul
If finances are solid and you seek more socially valuable career options, volunteering may be the perfect countermeasure. A joint survey by the MetLife Foundation and Civic Ventures found that approximately 31 million people between 44 and 70 want to make a career change into something that benefits the greater good. From walking dogs or brushing cats at the local humane society to tutoring at-risk kids and from serving meals at the community soup kitchen to building low-income housing, the opportunities to engage in more meaningful work are plentiful.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media.

Nursing a Starved Dog Back to Health

It takes only 24 hours for the effects of mal-nutrition to begin wearing on the body's organs, but it requires days and often weeks to reverse the harm and regain health. The amount and type of food an emaciated dog is fed during the recover period means the difference between survival and further complications, even death. Monitoring how much and how fast he eats gives his traumatized body time to slowly get used to having food once again.

Visit the Vet
Have your vet give the emaciated dog a thorough once-over to determine if there's another reason why he's so malnourished other than not having access to food. Fractured teeth, an injured tongue, infections, worms, parasites and intestinal blockage are just some of the potential problems that can encourage starvation. The vet's exam should include checking for gum color (which might indicate poison), abdomen distention or pain, and the level of hydration. A rudimentary dehydration test involves pinching the skin and watching how fast it springs back.

Resist the Urge to Overfeed

Malnourished dogs don't realize the dangers involved with eating too much too soon; all they're concerned with is consuming whatever is in front of them. Bodies that have struggled to function without food are able to tolerate only small rations until the organs and digestive system have recovered from the shock of starvation. Letting an emaciated dog eat as much as he wants overloads his system with nutrients that cannot be processed, because his metabolism rate has become very slow during survival mode.

Keep a Chart

Closely monitor a regimen of feeding several meals per day so the dog isn't given too much or not enough. Track changes in the quantity and type of food, as well as how the dog responds after each meal. Even the most minute weight and temperature changes are critical to recovery, so keep a thermometer and baby scale nearby as part of each post-meal check. Give your vet a daily progress report.

Refeeding Syndrome

Even when all the right steps are taken, the dog may still have a difficult time with the food reintroduction process. Muscle weakness or cramps, heart rhythm irregularities, seizures and respiratory distress are symptoms of Refeeding Syndrome, and they must be immediately addressed by your vet. Following a standard recovery diet gives you better control over all the vitamins, minerals, fats, calories and limited carbohydrates the dog needs during this precarious time. Shelter dogs have a better chance for survival if they can be moved to a temporary foster home where they are constantly monitored.

Originally written for and published by eHow

Nurture Your Dog's Behavior, Don't Dominate It

Instinct. Emotion. Feelings. Your dog has all of these traits and more but often displays them in what seems like uncon-trolled be-havior. To him it's natural; to you it's frustrating. Help him become a happier, more confident and better behaved family member with the motivation and enthusiasm of relationship-based training.

Positive reinforcement is important for training any species – even humans! – by creating an upbeat, constructive environment rather than one that elicits fear and shame. Lynette Seekatz from Dancing With Dogz says the key is to ignore incorrect behavior and praise/reward your dog when he performs the right one. The first time you see your dog have that light bulb moment as he's figuring out the desired behavior, you'll appreciate how relationship-based training taps into a dog's natural abilities. Their joy of accomplishment is contagious. Set them up for success from the beginning and you'll see results almost immediately.

Be confident when choosing the right dog trainer by following these tips from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Phoenix folks have the proven track record of Dancing With Dogz LLC, which offers in-home lessons for puppies and adults on such issues as housebreaking, biting, jumping and pulling. Call 602-391-8333 or email seedogz007@hotmail.com for day/evening appointments.

"Lots of people talk to animals. Not that many listen though. That's the problem." - Piglet in The Tao of Pooh

Decisions, Decisions

As kids, we're forever thinking about what we want to be when we grow up, never quite committing to any one idea as we waffle back and forth with such vocations as firefighter, ballerina and veterinarian. The thing with these more popular choices, though, is there is rarely a time when we, as children, can test drive potential careers before pledging our undying loyalty to a single calling.

Sure, we can shadow adult professionals to get a better feel for the work they do, but the honest-to-goodness chance to fight a fire, dance in a professional company or perform surgery on the family dog just isn't feasible for a youngster.

Then we begin the mental, emotional and hormonal under-taking of high school where we have 36-48 months to decide on and plan for a career that's supposed to engage us for the next 50 years. Since we're barely at the point in our maturity to decide if we want fries or onion rings with our burger, it seems sort of backwards to expect teens to be fully aware of the path they want to take.

In reality, the first few years out of school are spent in the service industry just to garner a paycheck. So if we haven't yet experienced life beyond 12 years of classroom education, how can we possibly know what direction to choose?

This question is especially valuable now at a time when, as Jennifer Lee of The New York Times points out, "highly educated 20-somethings, whose careers are stuck in neutral, [are] coping with dead-end jobs and listless prospects."

Sooner or later, says Nona Willis Aronowitz, "we're going to have to accept that not every-one going to college will be using their degree to get a job. In a way, this is depressing. But in another, it's Utopian." Given this new reality of a broken economy, it's becoming apparent how "on-the-job" life lessons can prove more relevant for making important life decisions than aimlessly wandering through the academic maze.

Career Choices graphic from "What Color Is Your Parachute?"

Deciding to Drop Out of College

College preparation begins at a very young age as parents instill the importance of higher education. Yet, while a degree has long been the springboard to solid career placement, this conventional mindset has come under scrutiny of late. The advent of new technology has restruc-tured the prerequisites for good-paying jobs to focus more upon life experience, making the standard college education a less likely mandate for success. The decision to quit college, therefore, encompasses more than just the academic aspect.

Turn your passion into a secure livelihood. Recognize that you do not need a college degree to start your own company, according to entrepreneur Nathan Lee. Take a few community college courses to provide you with the right business foundation.

Gauge whether your earning potential justifies paying skyrocketing tuition fees as administrators struggle to offset declining attendance with increased costs. Consider how much of an impact a $30,000 to $50,000 degree will have upon your ability to pay off student loans, advises Lee.

Assess if you're attending college because of social conditioning or because you see higher education as a stepping stone to a desired career. Re-evaluate your perspective if more time is spent struggling than achieving, especially when it comes to meeting financial needs.

Originally written for and published on eHow