The Ultimate Guide to a Career in Accounting

The Ultimate Guide to a Career in Accounting Gone are the days of following in your parents’ footsteps or choosing the career they think is right for you. Thanks to the Internet and evermore sophisticated job search techniques, you have the ability to access an almost endless amount of information about any career you’re interested in pursuing. And if a career in  accounting  is the one that makes sense to you, it stands to reason that you would want to refer to the Internet’s most up-to-date, relevant and easy to understand accounting career guide. Well here it is … the last web page you’ll have to visit to determine whether or not what you are feeling in your heart about assets, liabilities and balance sheets also makes sense in your head. This accounting career guide will help you familiarise yourself with the actual numbers behind the field of accounting. Thanks to Rasmussen College for putting this together. RELATED: Have You Ever Thought of a Career in Finances?

Six Steps To Choosing the Right Grad School

Six Steps To Choosing the Right Grad School Todays post is written by  Carrie Wynne, the author of  10 Ways to be Deliriously Happy  â€"  How to Live an Inspired Life.   She conducts personal development workshops based on the principles in her book showing others how to connect to the power within themselves and develop mental strategies to create an incredible life.   As a professional sales consultant she also offers training, coaching, and sales seminars.   Connect with Carrie on  Twitter  and  LinkedIn. Visiting prospective grad schools can be fun, but its also a lot of hard work. There are critical pieces of information you need to know before you decide which universities to consider attending and the answers arent always as obvious as location, school and program reputation. I believe strongly in the vibration and energy of people and experiences. Intuition is something that lives inside of us and gives us clues as to whether we’re on the right path. Spending time really digesting your options will help you notice which one “feels” the best. Here are 6 Steps to choosing the right grad school for you: 1) List priorities. What are your values?   What’s most important to you about this grad school experience?   Once you decide what you value the most and what your commitments are, write them down.   These are your guidelines. This is your criteria for making your decisions. 2) Listen to your intuition. Try getting a feel for the school so you can get a taste of what life on campus is actually like. Can you see yourself there? Attend an open house and get a firsthand look at the different buildings and departments. Be sure and visit during a week when classes are in session.   Could you sit in on a class or two in a discipline youd consider studying? Walk the grounds or sit down on a bench and observe the students at lunch or hustling to the different buildings between classes. Would you feel comfortable in that learning environment? 3) Try Informational interviews.  Setting up an informational interview can be very helpful when determining which grad school to attend.   Set up the meeting in advance and keep it brief.   Be prepared and ready.   Write down the top 5-7 questions that will benefit you the most when making your decision.  If you’re friendly and respect their time, people will genuinely want to help you and tell you anything you want to hear. 4) Meet faculty. Many graduate students will visit their prospective campuses and meet with faculty members. A formal interview with one of the faculty members can be a big advantage because graduate-level professors have a say in admissions to their programs. If you can afford the trip, arrange for interviews at all of your first-choice schools.   For example, if you’re pursuing a masters in nursing degree, try and meet with the professors in the nursing school in advance to ensure a good connection. How do the professors and students interact with one another? How many students are in the classes? What kind of teaching style are the professors employing? 5) Find flexibility. Consider all the aspects of your grad school experience.  Picking the right college is about more than just academics. Location is an obvious factor. Youre an adult now, so everything from the courses you take to the food you eat is all up to you. You need to be sure that your university of choice has everything you need to learn and survive, from stimulating coursework to proper housing. Your search should include everything from commute time and public transit to family considerations. 6) Manage your time.  Don’t procrastinate. Plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to do the research and prepare your applications. Following these steps will help you ensure that the choice you make about which grad school to attend will be a valuable life experience. Good luck! Have you applied to grad school? What are your tips?

How to Get Mentally Fit for The New Year

How to Get Mentally Fit for The New Year With the start of a new year it is important to reflect back on the prior year, assess what went well, what didn’t and decide where you want to go next. It takes a lot of mental toughness, self-love, and discipline to create the life you want. Simply coasting along on cruise control reacting to life can lead to victim mentality and stagnation.  Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD,  a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services shares some key ways to get mentally fit for the new year so you can move forward successfully. Clear clutter. Look at your surroundings. If you have junk drawers galore, a messy car, countertops and cabinets that are full of stuff you don’t even use, it is time to clear the clutter. According to Dr. Hafeez, “cluttered spaces reflect a cluttered mind. If you want to wipe the slate clean to allow room for new people and circumstances that serve you, you must get your mind clear. Many of my patients who describe themselves as anxious, stressed or even depressed say they feel better when they start clearing up their physical space.” Exercise a little bit.   Dr. Hafeez who also helps people overcome body image issues encourages aiming for smaller attainable wins. “People set high fitness goals for the new year and then fall off after a month or less. This leaves their self esteem shot which is when self loathing and depression can sneak in.” She advises setting a reachable daily goal of perhaps walking 10,000 steps per day. There are step-counting apps available to measure how much you walk and they add up quickly. “When you see accomplishment on a daily basis you stick with it, this sets your mind in a positive direction,” says Dr. Hafeez. Eat mind-boosting foods. Mental fitness also has to do with how well our minds work. A loss of memory or the ability to concentrate or focus can easily shift with an improved diet. “Research finds that along with other benefits, foods rich in Omega-3, such as some fish and nuts, as well as those full of antioxidants can help protect the brain from memory decline.” So eating more fish such as salmon and add fruits such as blackberries and blueberries to your diet can help. The good news is that brain boosting foods include delicious options such as chocolate, guacamole (avacados) and sunflower seeds. Color!   The adult coloring book bandwagon is a good one to jump on. According to Dr. Hafeez coloring requires total focus on the present. The repetitive motion of coloring provides relief from stress and anxiety by entering a meditative state. “Not everyone can sit still and breathe for 15 minutes per day, but they certainly can color. It’s absolutely a fun way to achieve mindfulness and shake off the day,” explains Dr. Hafeez. Apologize and forgive. A fast way to mental fitness is forgiveness! “Carrying around resentments and guilt wears us down and can lead to serious illness such as cancer or stroke. If you experienced a tough break up, divorce or perhaps the 2016 political climate led to arguments and lost friends, reach out apologize and seek forgiveness and move on. Remember, forgiveness doesn’t mean you condone a hurtful behavior. Forgiveness frees you and the other person making it easier to move forward. Learn something new.   Challenge your brain by learning a new language, how to cook, paint, do Tai Chi. Pick something you think would be interesting or useful to learn and learn it. If you avoided cooking your whole life, learning the basics will serve your brain very well. According to Dr. Hafeez, “the more we can activate the cognitive functions of our brains the better our short and long-term memory and hand eye coordination will be.” About Dr. Sanam Hafeez Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens.  You can find out more about her at  http://comprehendthemind.com/about-us/ . Image credits. Berries.      Forgiveness.

Get Started In Freelancing How To Profit From Your Passions

Get Started In Freelancing How To Profit From Your Passions Make your own schedule. Set your own pay rate. Work as often as you like, with total creative freedom available to you. Be in charge of your own success. These are some of the benefits made possible by doing freelance work. What is freelancing, exactly? A freelancer is an individual who sells a skill or service for a contracted rate, rather than working for one employer on a regular basis. Freelancing can offer you a lot of professional freedom, and generate desirable extra income. It is a great way to pursue your passions without needing to quit your day job. Some people are so successful at freelancing, they turn it into a full-time opportunity! You can get started in freelancing with these easy tips: 1. Find Your Focus First things first, decide what kind of skill you want to sell. Writing? Design? Editing? Life or career coaching? Keep in mind that your future clients will desire a consistent product, so focus is important. Take your time to brainstorm, explore what you would truly love to do, then make a decision (and stick with it). 2. Become Active   Get into action and hone your skills. If your goal is to become a freelance writer, for example, you can work to gain experience through blogging, submitting your writing to a local newspaper, and/or attending writing seminars. Make a name for yourself in the community you wish to become a part of- reputation is important. 3. Promote Yourself It is important for you to gain a following and make a name for yourself. Develop your personal brand, and make sure it is consistent. If you need help developing your brand, check out this awesome workbook from PWC. Also, social media plays an incredibly important role- when becoming active on platforms such as Twitter, double check that it reflects the impression you want projected to the world. Remember, what goes on the internet stays on the internet, so make sure its positive. 4. Determine Your Goals Figure out what you want to get paid, how many hours you would like to dedicate to the project, and a final expiration date. Is this something you would like to dedicate a lot of time and head space to, or a minimal amount? The great thing about freelancing- its totally up to you. Give as much or as little to any project at any given time, you are your own boss! You can check out this Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator to figure out how much to charge your clients. 5. Get Hired Youve done the prep work, now its time to get paid for your efforts. There are thousands of freelance jobs available out there. Word of mouth is a great way to find new opportunity, or you can try a third party websites like Freelancer or Elance. On these sites, you can sign up as a freelancer, list the skills and projects you have for sale, or browse tons of job listings from people who are already looking for someone just like you. And after you earn all of that extra freelancer income, dont forget about the importance of tracking you income with bookkeeping or accounting software like [amazon template=productasin=B00MEUQ5S0]. Somewhere out there, Ms. Career Girl, the perfect freelance opportunity awaits. Go get it! Have any tips about freelancing? Tweet them to us @MsCareerGirl!  

Considerations To Make When Using A NJ Resume Writer

Considerations To Make When Using A NJ Resume WriterIf you're thinking about using a NJ resume writer to help you craft your perfect resume, you have a few options available to you. One of the advantages of working with an agency in New Jersey is that they are members of the Association of Independent Resume Writers, which means they have taken the time to build up their memberships, making it easier for other companies to work with them. In addition, a NJ resume writer can provide you with some useful advice when it comes to preparing a resume for a new job or position.For most people, the best way to use a resume writer is to use the services of one they know and trust. Working with a person who has built up a professional reputation for helping other people is always the best idea. One company I am aware of is offered by Joe Pizzo, a long-time resume writer based in New Jersey.One of the reasons that people hire a NJ resume writer is because they want to be certain they are receiv ing a professional service. If you have never heard of a company before, you will want to double check their credentials. There are several companies online, and there are many of them listed in the phone book or other sources, but you should be able to get some helpful information about them through the New Jersey State Bar Association website.The good thing about working with a company that has received accreditation is that you will be assured that they are up to par with the standards expected. This is something that you need to make sure of if you are looking for an agency to help you write your resume. Most professional agencies will have done so, so you can feel comfortable about their integrity.Another important factor to keep in mind when it comes to hiring a NJ resume writer is the length of time that he or she has been working in this field. While experience is a huge benefit, the quality of their work can vary widely. Some people are pleased with the services of a profes sional who has only been in business for a short period of time, while others enjoy the work of a long-time professional.When looking for a professional agency, it is good to know that many of them offer their services online as well. You can look at a resume on their website and then print it out for submission, or just give them the resume for their printer. Of course, having the resume on hand when it is needed is a very useful service, and this is why many companies choose to offer this service.Some people may not think it is necessary to hire a NJ resume writer, but many employers prefer them to more traditional means of preparing resumes. Any company that can provide you with a great resume is likely to also have a few more tools they can use in the way of tips. This is another reason why many people choose to work with a professional agency.While there are many different advantages to using a NJ resume writer, the most important consideration is making sure the person you hir e is a good fit for your needs. Finding a company that is experienced in this area is something that can be done, but you should also be aware of what your rights are as a client. Remember, these companies are hired by many employers, so you can be sure that they will have the ability to handle your situation properly.

6 Reflection Questions To Ask Yourself Before The New Year Hits - Kathy Caprino

6 Reflection Questions To Ask Yourself Before The New Year Hits Most of us know from experience that New Years resolutions and the huge, hairy goals we dream up for our lives are created with great gusto and high hopes, but all too frequently they die on the vine very soon after weve written them down. Today, I’m excited to share what Ive found to be a helpful year-end strategy of reflection the process of reflecting back on the past year in an in-depth, careful and probing way, exploring all that you’ve learned and experienced, created, and also “failed” at. This is a very effective step to become clearer on what you really want in your life and to commit to new habits and behaviors that will pave the way for building what you long for. This reflection process helps you connect in a powerful, juicy way with your ultimate dreams and desires, and it highlights where you’ve been living “off course” far away from what your most authentic self really wants. In my Finding Brave podcast today, I explore what Ive found to be six essential reflection questions that are perfect for this time of year, to help us take stock, grow in our appreciation, and set the wheels in motion for an amazing new year and new chapter of our lives. Heres that episode: To get moving on this process of reflection, Id suggest listening to the podcast, then taking some time before the new year or immediately after to answer as deeply and thoughtfully as you can (and write down or journal your answers to) these six questions: Reflection Question #1: Celebrating your progress What progress have I made this year toward my juiciest, most thrilling goals and visions that I want to make sure to celebrate and appreciate? As you answer this question, its important to understand a few aspects of the inner workings of celebrating your progress: Acknowledging your growth First, we humans often fail to acknowledge what weve done and achieved, for a number of key reasons. When things come very easy to us, we dont to recognize the natural talents involved in making this achievement possible. So we undervalue the accomplishment, feeling like its nothing important or valuable, or that anyone can do it. Secondly, many people (particular women) are perfectionistic overfunctioners constantly doing more than is healthy, appropriate, and necessary, and desperately try to get an A+ in all of it. This is an exhausting and disempowering way to live, as the process of trying to reach an impossibly high bar means youll never allow yourself to get there. Celebrating all the wins â€" from tiny to huge All steps towards growth are worthy of being appreciated and recognized, not just the huge things. Its so important to your self-esteem and confidence to appreciate the things that come easily to you that have made a difference in your life and the lives of others, as well as those actions that were hard and required a great stretch beyond your comfort zone. Reflection Question #2: Lessons What are the top lessons of this year, and how have they impacted how I think, speak and engage going forward? Think about the biggest learnings that have come to you from whats transpired this year â€" what you gained from the hard knocks, from the accomplishments and wins, from the challenges and heartbreak in your relationships, to the beautiful moments that took your breathe away, and more. Its important to remember that failure isnt negative in and of itself. When we fail or fall down, its not meaningless or wasted if we can learn something powerful and helpful that will support us to continue to grow. Reflection Question #3: Highest goals What are my three highest goals for next year, for myself personally and for my business? To help you explore this question fully, here are other ways to think about it: What are the outcomes that you most want to create? Where can you turn your mess into a message to help others thrive and bypass the specific challenges youve faced? Rather than agonizing about the specific hows and steps towards getting where you want to go, focus on the feeling youll have when you create, achieve, or live into something that calls to you. Just dimensionalize those feelings, thoughts and sensations of that and see with your minds eye what will be different once you become that exciting new version of yourself. Then ask your higher self to help you identify and say yes! to all the doors that will open for you as you move forward in your life towards that juicy goal. Reflection Question #4: Finding Brave In what new ways can I find brave next year that will help me grow, learn and stretch beyond my comfort zone? Take a look at where you dont feel brave today in your life, and where youve remained locked in your comfort zone when in fact, its not comfortable at all. Where can you stretch beyond that next year? What project, cause, volunteer effort, hobby, or other endeavor can you engage in that will help you feel more alive and more connected to your creative and other talents and gifts? Remember that you dont have to chuck out your current career in order to bring more meaning and purpose in your life today. Reflection Question #5: New Habits What new habits do I want to commit to, to build a healthier, happier, more balanced approach to my work and life? Ive seen in working with thousands of people that when we try to incorporate an important new behavior that stretches us, theres almost always some degree of resistance to it thats challenging. And that resistance simply wont go away unless and until you develop and commit to a new, constructive habit that supports this behavior. What habit, with some form of ongoing accountability and structure that fits your style, can you build that will help you to get where you want to go? Reflection Question #6: Closing Your Power Gaps What power gaps do I need to close, in order to be able to reach those goals Im most excited about? My current work is focused heavily on helping professionals close the 7 damaging power gaps that keep them from thriving in life and work. Heres a quick look at the 7 power gaps: Infographic created by Ivette Caballero A beneficial step for your life is to identify where you have one or more power gaps, and take just one brave, bold step to address your most oppressive gap. When you get (and stay) on the path to becoming more powerful in how you operate in the world, and use that new power and authority for good â€" for the benefit of yourself and others â€" your life with change and improve dramatically. I hope these 6 reflection questions move your forward to doing what it takes to build a thrilling New Year that matches what your hearts and soul desires. Happy New Year to you! For hands-on help to build 2019 as you want it in life and work, work with Kathy privately, join her Amazing Career Project online course, and tune into her podcast Finding Brave.

The Easiest Ways to Set Yourself Apart

The Easiest Ways to Set Yourself Apart We all know the job market is extremely competitive. I keep hearing that the majority of job seekers arent doing it well.   That comes as no surprise.   Harry Urshal stated in a post on CareerRocketeer: Don’t ignore the posted ads and job boards, however, that should be a small part of your job search efforts and not how you’re spending a majority of your time. If you only do the same thing 90% of other job seekers are doing (responding to ads and waiting for a call), you will always be competing with that same crowd of other candidates. In order to reduce the competition, you must be considered at an earlier stage of a job opening! Moral:   Be Proactive This means you will be doing a ton of networking (aka, meeting people to exchange information and nurture relationships).   Once you have met someone, you will want to show your gratitude and appreciation.   Thank you goes a long way.   Make it formal, send a note.   Handwritten or typed isnt as important as actually doing it.   So few people actually take the time to write a Thank You that this one step could possibly be the best and easiest way to set yourself apart.   It wont qualify you for an opportunity you arent qualified for but it will distinguish you from the others in the pool. Moral:   Be Polite When writing your Thank You note, youll want to make sure it is unique, memorable, not trite. If you are looking for samples and ideas of what to say in your Thank You notes, check out QuintCareers samples. Your Thank You message should be appropriate for your industry or line of work.   A card with a kitten on the front probably isnt wise for an IT professional, however, if you are a Vet Tech, maybe. Also keep in mind how many emails people receive.   Do you want someone to read your Thank You?   If you send it in the mail, it will be hard to overlook it. Being polite is sadly not as common as it may once have been.    Set  yourself apart!