For finance and business majors, one of the most coveted offers to have at graduation is an analyst position at an investment bank. Business students are attracted by the pay, the prestige and the fast-pace lifestyle that these twenty-something analysts live. But before collecting that (rather large) signing bonus, prospective analysts should make sure they understand what they’re getting themselves into.

Though many will seek investment banking careers, few will succeed. There are only so many IPOs, mergers and leveraged buyouts that take place each year, therefore the industry can only support so many jobs. Furthermore, there are many peaks and troughs in this market, so even if you have a job one year, you may not have it the next.

Despite the high degree of competition and the job insecurity, the résumé drop box for analyst positions is always full at the business school’s career office. So what kind of person are these firms looking for?

Getting in the Door

Yes, corporate finance looks for bright minds who can clearly articulate business insights. But investment banks are also looking for students who are driven and disciplined. Athletes often have the ideal personality type for investment banking. They work with a team and practice every day to win. That’s the type of mentality that succeeds in the corporate finance world.

In terms of education and experience, bankers are generally looking for candidates with business and finance backgrounds. Good majors include finance, accounting, business administration and economics, but even math and engineering majors can make their way into an interview if they can demonstrate that they are bright and understand the industry that they’re getting themselves into.

Internships and other work experience that relate to finance are also very important. If a candidate can demonstrate that they’re comfortable with financial modeling and analysis, they are likely to get an interview. But the interview process is where the fun begins.

Once selected for an interview, it is time for analyst candidates to start sweating. These interviews are often the toughest in the business world, and potential candidates should think twice before entering an interview without several hours of practice interviews as well as a few interview study books under their belts.

In these interviews, bankers are looking to verify that the aptitude that they perceived on a résumé is actually there. They may do so with brain teaser questions, rigorous financial analysis exercises or strange questions that are meant to throw the candidate off and test how they react to pressure.

Interviews may involve several rounds — on campus, off-site at a hotel or at the firm. The interview process usually culminates in a “super Saturday” round in which the top candidates meet with all the bankers at the firm and socialize — perhaps taking in a sporting event.

Super Saturday helps the firm to make a final decision on which candidates are the best cultural fit. Offers are extended, signing bonuses are accepted, and the newly-minted analysts enter the crazy world of investment banking.

What do Analysts Do?

So why does someone who is fresh out of college get paid such a large salary? In short, analysts have to constantly work their rear off. They may start their day at 8 am and not finish it until 1 or 2am — and sometimes they don’t go home at all. They usually plan to come in on the weekend to stay on top of projects. When all is said and done, analysts regularly put in 80 to 100 hours a week at New York firms and perhaps 60 to 80 hours at firms off of Wall Street.

To understand what it is that analysts do, it’s important to understand the deal cycle of the corporate finance department. Investment bankers — the vice presidents and managing directors — will either approach or be approached by companies with ideas for potential transactions. These deals may include IPOs, follow-on offerings, private placements, mergers and acquisitions.

Bankers will set up a meeting with the company called a pitch, in which they pitch the services of the firm to the company and present their analysis of the feasibility of the potential transaction. At the pitch, the bankers will present the potential client with a pitch book — usually a hard-copy PowerPoint presentation that describes the credentials of the bank along with a detailed analysis of the market in which the company operates and often a valuation of the company itself.

If the company is impressed with the firm and interested in pursuing a deal, then it will engage the firm to execute the transaction. Depending on the type of transaction and the conditions of the market, these transactions can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to complete. At any point in time, bankers can be working on several pitches and deals all at once.

Investment banking analysts rarely get to work on anything more than the pitch books for the bankers. Depending on the firm or the level of confidence that senior bankers have in an analyst, they may get to accompany the senior bankers on a pitch and might also assist in some of the deal execution.

As simple as it sounds, though, preparing pitch books is no easy task. The bread and butter of the analyst position is the comparable companies analysis — or “comps.” Comps are a valuation methodology in which public companies that are similar to the company in question are used to create multiples from which the value of the company can be extrapolated.

Comps are a great way to learn the intricate details of financial statements and develop a fundamental understanding of how value is created in a particular industry or market niche. But after a few months of doing one comp analysis after another, they get extremely tedious.

In addition to comps, analysts might be called upon to prepare a discounted cash flow analysis (DCF) for a pitch book. A DCF model is a bit more involved and requires putting together financial projections for a company, calculating its weighted average cost of capital (WACC) and using it to discount the cash flows to determine its value.

Other forms of analysis that investment banking analysts may be called upon to prepare include leveraged buyout models (LBOs) and precedent transactions analyses (similar to comps). Analysts are also under a lot of pressure to triple check their work to ensure that no errors make it into the pitch book — otherwise, they are likely to get an earful from embarrassed senior bankers returning from a failed pitch.

Many firms offer excellent training programs and have developed several model templates to help analysts up a very steep learning curve and to perform at a high level. The pressure, however, can still be quite intimidating and many of an analyst’s all-nighters occur during the first months as they spend extra time trying to learn their trade.

What are the Perks?

So with all the pressure and long hours, there’s got to be some incentives for analysts to stick around, right? Certainly. Depending on the firm, starting salaries for analysts can range from k to k, but when you add in bonuses that are often north of 50 percent, total compensation can range from 0k to 0k.

But wait, there’s more. Many firms have a policy that when analysts have to stay at work past 7pm (basically every night), they get their dinner paid for. Given the expense of the restaurants located in the financial districts, this perk can quickly add up to a lot of money, and many analysts quickly become dining connoisseurs.

Other perks often include reimbursement for cell phone or blackberry bills, free cab rides for late trips home and the occasional opportunity to celebrate with other bankers at a lavish closing dinner. With all these opportunities to save money and the long hours, analysts often have a hard time finding ways to spend their money.

Career Progression

After about three years of the investment banking grind, many analysts decide to go back to school for their MBA. If they haven’t been turned off by the late nights and long hours, they may decide to continue their career in the industry by taking an associate position in corporate finance. Associate positions are usually geared toward recent MBA grads, but depending on the firm, some analyst may be promoted to the associate level without an MBA.

Should an analyst choose to leave investment banking altogether — and many do — their experience can often be leveraged to move into positions that would normally require more experience. After all, many analysts wrack up double the hours of the average worker and have to perform their work at an intensity level that is among the highest in the business world.

Although many people are attracted to investment banking because of the high pay, the intense lifestyle causes many to leave after just a few years. The real windfall of investment banking for most people is the boost it gives to their career because of the experience they gain.

Before jumping headlong into the corporate finance world, a potential analyst should carefully weigh the realities of the position and ask whether this is really something he or she is looking for — or ready for.

Recently Lviv oblast has been characterized by development and renovation of industrial production – companies with both Ukrainian and foreign capital (Leoni Waering Systems UA GmbH Ltd., Kabelwerk GmbH, Bader GmbH, HNG Metal and many others) have operated successfully here. Ukrainian banking market has also borned some significant changes – the investments have been made in OJSC Bank Universalnyy (”Eurobank Ergasias SA”), JSCPPB Aval (”Raiffeisen Zentralbank Osterreich AG”), JSCK?B “UkrSibBank” (BNP Paribas), OJSC KREDOBANK (PKO Bank Polski), JSC Index-Bank (”Credit Agricole S.A.”).

It means the level of grounding and experience of the managerial and production specialists has been growing. If some years ago the supply of production specialists exceeded the demand, and there was a lack of financial analysts, lawyers, and commercial directors, today the situation is different as the demand for engineers, production specialists and workers is going up. There are good outlooks for the development of food industry, since at the moment there are the corresponding qualified specialists and production premises both in Lviv and Lviv oblast. In particular, mineral water productions have been opened in Lviv oblast, CJSC Enzym, Nestle, Coffee Factory Galka and OJSC Halychyna also operate successfully in Lviv oblast.

For the January 1, 2008 it is reported that 33.3 thousand unemployed were stocktaken by State Employment Service in Lviv oblast, this figure decreased by or 21,7% (9.2 thousand people) comparing with the January 1, 2007. Within rural area the number of unemployed for January 1, 2007 shortened by 5.8 thousand and accounted to 18.4 thousand people (56.0%). The number of unemployed population in rural regions exceedes the number of unemployed in cities (14,4 thousand.

Since January 1, 2008 the minimal official monthly salary in Ukraine is UAH 515 (USD 100). The official average salary in Lviv oblast is 1204 UAH (approximately USD 240).
The growth in wages is connected to the increase of number and profitability of companies, cost of living and inflation level, as well as our specialists’ professional skills improvement. Ukrainian companies on the basis of foreign companies’ experience are implementing bonus systems, motivation and compensation payments. Some examples of average wages: financial director – UAH 6000 (USD 1200), chief accountant – UAH 3500 (USD 700), commercial director – UAH 5000 (USD 1000). Most Ukrainian and foreign companies introduce bonus systems (bonuses amount to 10-100% of annual salaries). The salaries of top-managers to great extent depend on the industry and size of the enterprise, as well as the requirements to their qualifications and duties.

The situation with managerial resources in Lviv oblast is the following: there is a number of advanced managers, who are able to think systematically and analyse, have good managerial experience and speak foreign languages (there is a growing demand for German-speaking specialists). Many higher educational establishments in Lviv introduce modern methods and training technologies into the educational process. There is a growing demand for engineers and production specialists. They are employed by our big enterprises – Svitoch Confectionery, Lviv East Plant CJSC Enzym, Lviv Liqueur and Alcohol Plant, CJSC Lviv Brewery, JSC Lviv Insulatore Company, JSC Iskra, JSC Halychpharm and others.

Educational and Scientific Resources

Lviv oblast is famous for its old academic traditions. The principles of classic education were settled by the School of the Assumption Brotherhood and the Jesuit Collegium that gave rise to Lviv University – the oldest university in Ukraine and one of the oldest in Eastern Europe (1661), and Lviv Polytechnic – the first technical high school in Ukraine. Nowadays Lviv is the biggest centre of education and science in Western Ukraine. The Western Centre of the Ukrainian National Academy of Science located here, coordinates scientific and research activity of scientific and educational institutions in Lviv, Zakarpattya, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Rivne and Volyn oblasts.

The education unification processes and adaptation of Ukrainian educational systems to the European ones are developing in Ukraine and Lviv oblast. Compulsory secondary education (11 years) is provided by the state educational establishments and is free of charge. 99.8% of pupils complete their schooling in Lviv oblast (the highest figure among other oblasts of Ukraine, exceeded only by the city of Kyiv). Lviv oblast is also a leader in the quantity of secondary educational establishments among other regions of Ukraine.

Higher education (5-6 years) is provided by the state educational establishments (with some charges and for free), as well as private ones, which offer a range of possibilities for selection of modern disciplines satisfying high state educational standards. Today the oblast has 61 higher educational establishment of I-VI accreditation level (universities, institutes, academies, technical schools, specialized schools and colleges), and 56 professional technical educational establishments. The number of students is increasing every year and reaches almost 150 thousand people.

There are many educational establishments and programmes, operating in the oblast and aiming at re-qualification and managerial skills improvement. Foreign language courses, general and specialized computer courses and different trainings in business and management disciplines are also popular.

Lviv oblast has a significant potential in the field of science and research, with over 90 scientific-research institutions, including 17 institutions of the Ukrainian National Academy of Science. By quantitative indicators of scientific and technical activity Lviv oblast rates the fifth place among other oblasts. 6% of all educational establishments are located here. About 11,000 people are engaged in scientific and research activities, including 600 Doctors of Science and about 3,300 Candidates of Science (6.9% of all Doctors of Science and Candidates of Science in Ukraine), more than 50 Academicians and 18 Corresponding Members of the National Academy of Science.

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TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Nov. 4, 2009) – Higher education institutions in Maryland are relying on innovative and cost-effective solutions from Nortel* [OTC: NRTLQ] to foster student success. These solutions support the increasingly complex, everyday demands placed on the school’s communications systems as they strive to educate and train the 21st century workforce, while ensuring academic sustainability in the event of an emergency.

Prince George’s Community College** (PGCC), a two-year post-secondary school with approximately 40,000 students, is using mobility and data technology from Nortel. With Nortel’s mobility solution, students and faculty gain freedom to communicate outside of the traditional classroom walls. At the same time, Nortel’s high-performance, resilient and energy-efficient network supports 5,000 data ports and all of the college’s communications needs including building security, video surveillance, electronic door entry and, energy management.

“We worked with our local supplier Presidio** to choose a Nortel solution because it was the most-cost effective option for meeting our current needs while providing a foundation to roll out even more advanced learning technologies such as lecture capture, streaming video, video on demand, video-based distance learning and closed caption Web video,” said Dr. Joseph Rossmeier, vice president, Technology Services, PGCC.

Construction is also underway on a new Center for Health Studies. This state-of-the art facility will house the PGCC data center and emergency command hub that will provide ongoing access to the college’s Web site, employee email system, and active directory even during an emergency scenario.

Situated just an hour North of PGCC is another Nortel customer, University of Baltimore** (UB), located in a city that ranks seventh in a study of large U.S. cities that are the best places to attend college. Like PGCC, UB tapped Nortel channel partner Presidio to deploy their advanced communications network. They implemented an IP-based Nortel call server and integrated it with contact center, to improve call agent responsiveness. The result has been more effective routing of calls and greater satisfaction among users, which range from students and prospects to faculty, parents, even suppliers. Future integration of solutions such as Interactive Voice Response and Contact Recording and Quality Monitoring is expected to further enhance these results.

UB is also deploying a Nortel unified communications solution, enabling its staff to leverage presence and other collaboration tools so that they can remain productive if they have to work away from campus for any reason such as in the case of a pandemic. UB similarly plans to leverage Nortel’s Notification Suite to automatically alert students, faculty and staff via email, SMS, or voice if a critical event occurs.

“Responsiveness to students is the primary focus at UB and Nortel helps us achieve that,” said Judith Wood, chief information officer, UB. “Nortel’s solution empowers our faculty and staff to be as productive as possible while driving down total cost of ownership.”

“Nortel is helping higher education customers solve their biggest challenge – preparing students for the 21st century workforce during very trying economic times. With Nortel’s solutions, colleges and universities can enable students to learn from any place at any time while realizing valuable cost savings,” said Net Payne, vice president, Global Services and Solutions Marketing, Nortel.

More than 10,000 education customers worldwide have installed communications solutions from Nortel. Nortel higher education customers include Coppin State University, University of Virginia , Georgia Perimeter College, Indiana University, China University of Petroleum,RMIT University of Australia , Accrington & Rossendale College in the United Kingdom , and many more.

Visit the Nortel Booth #1142 at the Educause Annual Conference** or get more information at www.nortel.com/education.

About Nortel
Nortel delivers communications capabilities that make the promise of Business Made Simple a reality for our customers. Our next-generation technologies, for both service provider and enterprise networks, support multimedia and business-critical applications. Nortel’s technologies are designed to help eliminate today’s barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying networks and connecting people to the information they need, when they need it. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news.

Certain statements in this press release may contain words such as “could”, “expects”, “may”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “targets”, “envisions”, “seeks” and other similar language and are considered forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities legislation. These statements are based on Nortel’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the operating environment, economies and markets in which Nortel operates. These statements are subject to important assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict and the actual outcome may be materially different from those contemplated in forward-looking statements. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see Nortel’s Annual Report on Form10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other securities filings with the SEC. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Nortel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

*Nortel, the Nortel logo and the Globemark are trademarks of Nortel Networks.

**This is a 3rd party link as described in our Web linking practices.

Use of the terms “partner” and “partnership” does not imply a legal partnership between Nortel and any other party.

Certificate and Training Programs

Many community and junior colleges, as well as some colleges and universities, are offering short-term biotechnology training and certificate programs, A. A. and B. A. degrees. Some universities are also offering graduate certification programs. The following include some of the institutions that are offering training and certificate programs:

California State University, Hayward (CSUH) –Biotechnology Certificate Program (BCP) — The Biotechnology Certificate Program (BCP) was established at CSUH in 1986 to meet the personnel requirements of the rapidly expanding Bay Area biotechnology industry. The program was among the first in California to offer an integrated series of courses in the molecular life sciences leading to a certificate. CSUH is presenting two new programs of study in Bioinformatics and Regulatory Affairs. The Bioinformatics program is offered in the evening and the Regulatory Affairs program is completely on-line and is offered in association with San Diego State University.

California State University, Los Angeles– Biotechnology (Post-baccalaureate) Certificate Program– This post-baccalaureate certificate program provides intensive theoretical and laboratory training in the techniques and application of genetic engineering and related technologies. It is meant for students who have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the biological or biochemical sciences but who have little or no experience in genetic engineering.

Columbia University Teachers College — Certificate in Health Disparities Reduction– This online or in-person certificate program in Health Disparities Reduction is offered jointly through the Department of Behavioral Studies Program in Health Education and the Center for Educational Outreach and Innovation at Teachers College, Columbia University, This program is for professionals with varied backgrounds who share an interest in being exposed to knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, and skills seen as central to the task of working to reduce disparities in health. Building upon their area-specific or pre-existing professional and academic preparation; those admitted will hold a minimum of a BA or BS degree. These professionals include but are not limited to allied healthcare professionals, social workers, health and related counseling professionals, researchers, teachers, doctors and health and school administrators working in an urban setting in particular, as well as others nationwide who are seeking distance learning opportunities.

Indiana University School of Medicine–The Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology is designed to train technicians for working in health-related industrial research laboratories, including those at the IU School of Medicine. Students also have access to IUSM core facilities in gene expression analysis, genotyping, protein expression, animal experimentation, proteomics, imaging and cell analysis research.

Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington– Biotechnology Program– Ivy Tech Community College’s Biotechnology degree program is designed to provide an educational opportunity to students who want to take career paths in Biotechnology as entry-level technicians.

Ohio State Agricultural Technical Institute, OH–Ohio State ATI has a broad range of programs in agriculture: horticulture, animal sciences, crop sciences, environmental sciences, and engineering technologies. They have the largest number of 2 year agricultural graduates in the nation.

Seattle Central Community College — Biotechnology Training Program– The Biotechnology Training Program prepares students for entry-level employment as biotechnicians and is approved by the college’s industry-based Biotechnology Advisory Committee and the State of Washington. Classes in the program include cell biology, microbiology, genetics, immunology, chemistry, computer science applications, technical writing, applied mathematics, and hands-on training in biotechnology laboratory techniques and media and solution preparation.

University of California, San Diego–UCSD Extension–Offers Professional & Specialized Certificates in Biotechnology–San Diego’s biotechnology, pharmaceutical and marine industries are important growth sectors in the California economy. UCSD Extension offers a broad array of courses and certificate programs to meet the continuing education needs of the life sciences community, support high-level skills development for industry professionals and career transition for those interested in entering the biotechnology field.

University of California, Irvine–The Medical Product Development Certificate Program is designed for engineers, scientists, regulatory professionals, managers, physicians, and marketing and sales professionals involved in the medical product industry (degreed professionals or those with an associate degree). The Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology (CLS/MT) Training Program is a full-time, one-year educational program that leads to a career in diagnostic laboratory medicine. UC Irvine Extension’s program is designed to fill the growing need for professional learning that ensures designing and implementing clinical trials for success. The Medical Product Development program is designed to meet the need for comprehensive professional learning in the successful design, development and delivery of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and other biomedical products.

University of Hawaii Community Colleges, Kapi’olani Community College– Programs of Study include Medical Assisiting, Medical Laboratory Technician, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Radiologic Technology, Physical Therapy Assistant, and Respiratory Care Technician. The Nursing program offerings include Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse Transition Program.

San Diego State University Department of Biology: Certificate in Biotechnology– San Diego State’s biotechnology training program is designed to introduce undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, and postdoctoral students and technicians to state-of-the-art techniques used in molecular biological research laboratories as well as to qualify certificate recipients for employment in various sectors of the biotechnological arena.

University of California, Santa Cruz — Certificate Program in Biotechnology, Applied and Natural Sciences Department– UCSC Extension’s highly regarded Biotechnology Certificate Program was developed to meet the industry’s need for professionals who are knowledgeable about core principles and up-to-date on the latest technologies. Whether you are a scientist or a motivated professional from another discipline (IT, engineering, business, legal, financial, project management, and regulatory), this program is designed to help you to develop the solid scientific foundation and industry savvy needed to advance your career in the biopharmaceutical arena.
Certificate Contact: Applied and Natural Sciences Department, (408) 861-3860, or e-mail program@ucsc-extension.edu.

University of Rhode Island Certificate Programs– Biotechnology Training Initiative Courses and Seminars– Short courses and seminars ranging from half day to four full days are offered in various areas of operations and management of biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and clinical trials as well as basic areas of related research. Courses vary each semester and have included offerings in Tangential Flow Filtration (lecture and laboratory workshops); Environmental Health & Safety Challenges in Biotechnology and Emerging Industries; Genomics and Proteomics; Tools of Biotechnology; Survey of Systems Biology; and various Good Practices Courses such as Good Clinical Practice, Investigator Clinical Practice Training Program course, SOP Writing Skills (Basic and Improve), and Technical Writing.

University of Virginia, Biotechnology Associate Degree Program– PVCC offers a two- year associate degree in biotechnology. This program provides PVCC students with the education and training needed to perform selected activities in a research laboratory. By successfully completing this biotechnology curriculum, students will develop the skills necessary to be competitive for laboratory specialist positions at the University of Virginia and for other lab research positions at biotech companies. This program was developed in response to a demonstrated need for additional laboratory specialists at UVA.

Workforce Alliance Biotechnology Training Grant — The regional workforce investment board for Palm Beach County, Florida has developed a Biotech career ladder with course curriculum for certificate programs and plans to continue the development of a BS to MS program in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology based on coursework in advanced lab techniques. The program is designed to create Biotech career opportunities for participants living in the Treasure Coast.

Online Training and Certificate Programs

Such websites as California Virtual Campus (http://www.cvc.edu/) are also offering training and certifcate programs. The California Virtual Campus site is designed for those who want to further their educational objectives by linking to online courses and other services offered by the Golden State’s colleges and universities. Many colleges and universities in other states are also offering Distance and Online E-Learning Certificate and Training Programs.

My submission to the Ivy Tech scholarship competition. Please share this video with all your friends so that I can have a chance at winning a scholarship! Thanks in advance! Contest ends March 25th!
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Have you ever thought of sending a thank you note following an interview? It may not seem like an obvious time to send one, but do it anyway.

Make sure to get a business card from the person who interviews you. If you cannot or do not, at least write down the name of the interviewer before you go to the interview. Also, make a mental note of his or her name as you introduce yourself at the start of the interview. And, keep a record of the address of the establishment you visited. If it is a branch office of a larger company, use the branch address, not the corporate headquarters.

Your thank you note is meant to be just that — a note. Don’t write a novel. You know how annoying it is to be held up on the phone by someone wanting your business, who is so verbose and long-winded it makes you want to just hang up, let alone deal with them? Well, don’t do that in note form, either. Keep it short and to the point.

What you want to accomplish with your note is first and foremost, that you are writing a note at all. Most applicants — and people in general — simply do not bother with thank you cards. Corporate interviewers and other human resources personnel are not expecting to receive them, so when one arrives, it will stand out. That’s also true of college interviewers, parents interviewing potential nannies, and homeowners reviewing possible contractors to remodel their houses. So, the fact that you are bothering to write and send one is even more important than what it says. Much like one decides within a few short seconds whether or not they’ve found “the” house they want to buy, so a card has made an impression within a few seconds of falling into the recipient’s hands.

As far as content of the note, it helps to mention something special about the interviewer, the company, or the interview itself. This shows the recipient that you are thoughtful and pay attention. It also demonstrates some of your expertise in your field. Such as: “Thank you for the opportunity to apply for the teaching position at your preschool. Your facility is one of the best I have seen. The developmental appropriateness of your curriculum is truly commendable, and I hope to join the excellent staff in continuing to make it that way.”

See? Just a few sentences. Add another thank you in the closing, and remember to add a stamp. So few things are sent by snail mail these days, you might barely even keep stamps around! Be prompt, as well. The interview and its results are a top priority for you, not an afterthought. The prompt thank you card is evidence of this to those who receive it.

Don’t underestimate the importance of politeness and gratitude in business. Thank you cards may seem old-fashioned, especially in this age of emails and cell phones and blackberries, but therein lies their charm. Manners never go out of style!

Thank you cards are one of the most valuable business tools which your business simply cannot do without. Why would you want to? Business thank you cards are there to help recognize employees who are willing to go that extra mile, thank clients for their business or for their valuable referrals, will show your gratitude for loyalty, and express your appreciation to anyone who has helped to contribute to the success of your company.

Even though a thank you card may simply be a token of appreciation, to the person who receives a card it can make a world of difference in how he or she views your company. In order to help your business grow and thrive, you want to make a positive and professional impression. You will get a very good feeling if you just take a moment to recognize those people who have helped your company this year.

Occasions for Thank You Cards

Referral Thanks – The most driving factor in whether your sales do or do not increase are advertising that comes from referrals and word-of-mouth. You should ALWAYS remember to thank those clients who recommend your business to other people. Such a simple gesture as sending thank you cards will definitely reap great rewards for your business.

Employee Appreciation – You should make it a point to thank employees for giving an extra effort to your company. Their hard work and dedication can certainly be acknowledged with thoughtful thank you cards. Do not let great work go unnoticed or unrecognized – take a moment out of your busy schedule to say “Thanks”!

Business Gratitude – Your business associates and customers make your company what it is today as well as provide support for the future. It is in your best interest to foster returning business and loyalty by expressing your gratitude. A professionally done card that shows your appreciation is the most valuable tool when you send it to those people who are connected to your business.

General Thank You – There are a variety of reasons as to why a thank you card can be given. In order to have a greater impact, customize a general thank you card with a handwritten message. When your appreciation is expressed, you are helping your business stand out from the competition! Yes, but what if a customer complains? You should thank the customer for the chance to address the problem that had the complaint. By doing this, future business may be salvaged.

Contest information (from the website): – No larger than 50mb each We accept GIF, PNG, JPEG and PDF files Recommended size is 1039 x 697 pixels (300dpi) Minimum size is 332 x 223 pixels (96dpi) Email me them to kayleyhyde@gmail.com before May 15th! If you need pictures of me, you can email me or check facebook. More information on the cards here: youtube-global.blogspot.com www.vidcon2010.com HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! And have a great weekend

Online college education refers to courses where at least 80 percent of content is distributed online. There is often no face-to-face contact involved with these degree programs. The students can work in their study time on a schedule that best fits their own schedule.

Recent advances in online education has made college degrees obtained through online study as readily accepted as college degrees earned by on campus study. On average, online courses are far more writing intensive than traditional classes have ever been. Online education also involves access to databases in the form of text files or multimedia web pages, as well as the exchange of information (e.g., assignments, course materials) via file transfers. Online education is rapidly increasing, and online doctoral programs have even developed at leading research universities.

At most online colleges course selection and enrollment are limited each semester. Course materials are required as is participation in lectures, reports and exams. Course credit and graduation diplomas awarded are considered equivalent in standard and content to a face-to-face program. Classes may include any or all types of media and access technology, and are generally classified based on the predominant mode of delivery.

Journalism courses are a popular field of online study. Courses cover everything from writing and editing to reporting and ethics. Some leading online colleges offer newsletters, blogs and other great resources. Courses must be completed within the semester time frame, although students may proceed through a course at their own rate.

By limiting courses to one semester for completion, students have an automatic deadline for course completion. This practice addresses one of the major problems of online learning which is procrastination and the forfeiting of courses because no deadlines are set by the institution. Courses are structured so that attendees can gain credits for modules that give immediate benefit in the classroom.

Colleges offer courses over the Internet and thus provide courses with tuition fees for the international market. Some colleges and universities provide campus locations, online degree programs and flexible scheduling for working students. Their campus and online degree programs often cover fields such as business and management, communications, criminal justice and security, education, general studies, nursing and health care, human services, psychology, and technology.

There is another type of online college study program that teaches students real-world skills that they can apply on the job. Online graduates of these skill set learning programs have been hired by many companies ranging from small businesses to top Fortune 500 corporations. These online degree programs are designed for maximum flexibility. Study can be at the times and places that work best for the student.

Online college education is here to stay. With the cost of on campus study skyrocketing all across the nation for many students online study becomes an attractive alternative way to obtain a college degree.

An education is important to any person. But for a single mom, a college education may be near to impossible. With the time constraints of raising a child, working a job, and running a household, it is almost impossible for a single mom to be able to take the time to get her education. Any online college education is one of the best ways for a mom to get an education and at the same time have time for her family. An online college education can save the mom not only time and effort, but also in these days of high gasoline prices, money.

Most online colleges are asynchronous. This means that the single mom can go to college or go to class any time of day or night. The single mom will be able to interact with the class on her own schedule by adding comments to those posted by the other students on the classroom chat board. The instructor will give out an assignment for the day or week and a mom can complete it at any time as long as she completes an assignment before deadline. If the baby is taking a nap, mom can jump on her computer and be able to type out her lessons or respond to other students or instructor without interruption.

Another benefit of online college classes for the single mom, is that your identity is anonymous. The people see your name in words, but they know nothing about you. You don’t have the social stigma of having a child or not going to class because your child is sick. You are equal in that classroom. Gender, race, or any physical appearance is a mute point within an online class. You are there to express yourself in words and those words are taken literally, because they cannot be judged by nonverbal interaction, your appearance or inclinations in your voice. What you say is what you say and you’re graded for what you say.

Not only time is saved when you take an online college course as a single mom, but money to saved too. Even though online courses are sometimes a little bit more expensive than traditional brick-and-mortar courses, the amount of time it takes you to drive to class, attend a class and drive back home, is also money that is being spent. Gas money and other expenses add up quickly. In the online college, a single mom may stay in her own home. If research needs to be done, it can be done on the University online library. There is no packing the kid up and taking them to daycare. Just find your seat and go to class. You can simply roll out of bed, get a cup of coffee, and sit in front of the computer and work toward getting an education.

Most online courses are offered in eight to ten week segments. This gives you a chance to go to school for eight to ten weeks and then take a week off. You will get the credits, you’ll earn your degree, and you’ll be on your way to setting up a better lifestyle, both financially and emotionally for both you and your child.

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If you’ve heard of Harvard University, M.I.T, Harvard Square, Julia Childs, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, then you’ve probably heard of Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Cambridge is a geographically small place with big things going on.  Here is some information about Cambridge:

Cambridge was founded in 1630 and incorporated as a city in 1846.  In 1630, the settlement was called Newtowne, and the name was changed to Cambridge in 1638. A person from Cambridge is called a Cantabrigian.  The oldest house in Cambridge is the Cooper-Frost-Austin house on Linnaean Street, with the wood used to construct it dating back to 1682.

Cambridge is separated from Boston by two bridges, the Longfellow Bridge and the Harvard Bridge.  Cambridge is approximately 6.4 square miles in size and has a population of about 106,000 people.

There are several squares in Cambridge: Harvard Square, Kendall Square, Central Square, Porter Square, Inman Square and Union Square.  Cambridge has been referred to as a “City of Square.”  Each of the squares has its own ambience and noteworthy restaurants and entertainment venues that make it unique.  Most people are partial to the one square that best suits their personality.

There is a varied architecture in Cambridge dating from the 1600s right up to the current day.  You can see apartment buildings from every decade, old Victorian homes, modern condominium complexes and brick turrets on homes covered in ivy next to a modern home just completed yesterday-all within a block of each other.  There are many beautiful little side streets paved in brick and lined with the most luscious gardens, and then when you walk five houses away you are on the bustling, modern and very busy Massachusetts Avenue.   Massachusetts Avenue is called Mass Ave. by the locals, and it begins in the Dorchester section of Boston and extends 16 miles through many cities and towns.

It is very easy to navigate around Cambridge by public transportation, which is called the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority).  The Red Line branch of the transit system has several stops in Cambridge: Kendall, Central, Harvard, Porter and Alewife.  There is also a stop for the Purple Line in Porter Square, and this is a commuter rail train that goes back into Boston or out to the western suburbs of Massachusetts.  Numerous busses can take you anywhere, and they are also a good alternative if you prefer to stay above ground and avoid the subway train.  The area is very good for walking and bicycling, too.

M.I.T and Harvard are the two largest employers in Cambridge, as you can well imagine.  The population also reflects their presence in the community.  There is a large and diverse student population here, as well as a large population of professors and other college staff living throughout the city.  This mix of people makes for an intellectually stimulating and young environment where there is always something exciting going on.

Cultures of all types are alive and well and living in Cambridge.  There are restaurants from just about any country you can think of.  There are theaters, live music venues, street performers, art galleries and many other types of artsy endeavors to suit every taste.

Cambridge is a great place to add to your vacation list, especially if you are planning a visit to Boston; it’s only a little over two miles away.  Cambridge is an interesting and very convenient place to live, too.  Maybe someday I will meet you in Cambridge, Massachusetts!

 A 19th Century American author, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote the Gothic romance The Scarlet Letter in 1850, a novel that achieved much critical acclaim. Hawthorne set many of his works in New England, specifically in a Puritanical 17th century town. The novel deals with psychological exploration of such themes as sin, repentance, and morality, with his previously written short story “The Custom House” forming the prologue. Three other major Romantic novels–The House of Seven Gables (1851), The Blithedale Romance (1852) and The Marble Faun (1860)—round out his fiction output.

During the part of his life lived in Concord, Massachusetts, Hawthorne befriended many of New England’s finest intellectuals including Amos Bronson Alcott and his daughter Louisa May Alcott, Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson.  After meeting President Abraham Lincoln in Washington D.C. and touring battlefields, Hawthorne then wrote the essay “Chiefly About War Matters,” under the pen name A Peaceable Man and published in the Atlantic Monthly, July 1862.

Because of his works, Hawthorne became one of the leading writers of his time, one who explored ideas of individual responsibility, the importance of creative expression and man’s relationship to the natural world. In addition, he wrote many stories about the mysterious and the disturbing.

Hawthorne read the works of others as well, enjoying especially the short stories of James Fenimore Cooper and Sir Walter Scott. Many of his own short stories however were not so well-received, at least at first. Nonetheless, whether it be Prynne’s indomitable spirit, the moral dilemma of “Young Goodman Brown” (1835), the disastrous side of vanity in “The Birth Mark” (1843) or “Ethan Brand’s Unpardonable Sin,” (1850), many of Hawthorne’s works gained popularity over the years and so that today they  live on, inspiring numerous other authors’ works as well adaptations to film.

Born on July 4, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts, Hawthorne was the son of Elizabeth Clarke Manning and Nathaniel Hathorne (without the “w”), a captain in the U. S. Navy who died when Nathaniel was four years old. William Hathorne, the author’s great-great-great-grandfather, a Puritan, was the first of the family to emigrate from England, initially settling in Dorchester, Massachusetts before moving to Salem. There he became an important member of the Massachusetts Bay Colony where he held many political positions including magistrate and judge. He in fact became quite infamous for his consistently harsh sentencing.

William’s son and the author’s great-great-grandfather, John Hathorne, was one of the judges who oversaw the Salem Witch Trials. Having learned about this, Nathaniel may have then added the “w” to his surname in his early twenties, shortly after graduating from Bowdoin College, in an effort to dissociate himself from his notorious forebears. The Salem Witch Trials however provided a theme for many of his stories including his most famous The House of Seven Gables.

Hawthorne attended Bowdoin along with poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and future American President Franklin Pierce, of whom he wrote a biography in 1852. Hawthorne himself however was not interested in entering any of the traditional professions, concentrating instead  on writing short stories, many of which were soon published in leading magazines. His first novel Fanshawe was published anonymously in 1828 and some years later his collection of short stories Twice Told Tales was published in 1837. Writing was not a profitable pursuit however, so Hawthorne worked at the Salem Custom-House for a while to augment his income. He also lived at the experimental transcendentalist community “Brook Farm,” but stayed only a year.

In Boston on July 9, 1842, Hawthorne married painter and fellow transcendentalist Sophia Peabody with whom he would have three children:  daughters Una (1844-1877) and Rose (1851-1926) and future author Julian Hawthorne (1846-1934). Hawthorne’s adolescent humor was on display when he wrote to his sister Louisa with the news of becoming a father to Julian. “A small troglodyte made his appearance here at ten minutes to six o’clock this morning,” he enthused. “(It) claimed to be your nephew.” Soon after, the Hawthorne and his young family settled in Concord, Massachusetts, in the heart of transcendentalist territory, living in a house known as “The Old Manse,” Scottish for “mansion.”  Hawthorne’s collection of short stories Mosses from an Old Manse (1846) soon followed.

In 1851, Herman Melville dedicated Moby Dick to Hawthorne. In 1852 Hawthorne bought a home called “The Wayside” where the Alcott family had once lived. There he created The Blithedale Romance (1852) and the re-telling of ancient Greek Myths in Tanglewood Tales for Girls and Boys (1853). The same year, with Franklin Pierce’s election as President, the Hawthorne family set sail for Liverpool, England where Nathaniel had been appointed to serve as U.S. Consul. Durign this period, they traveled throughout Europe, living for a time in France and Italy where they met fellow authors Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her husband Robert Browning. While in Italy, Hawthorne wrote The Marble Faun (1860).

Back home at “The Wayside,” Hawthorne continued to write of his travels in Passages From Notebooks. Our Old Home (1863) was his last publication, a year before his death. Nathaniel Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864. Franklin Pierce, James Russell Lowell, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes were among the many who mourned the loss of their beloved friend who lies buried on Author’s Ridge in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts, resting peacefully among such eternal friends as the Alcott family, Emerson and Thoreau.

In this video, we will explore ways to choose a topic for a research paper
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