How to leave your work at work

Robert Half International

As the world becomes more interconnected, separating one's professional and personal lives is harder than ever. Many people still aspire to "leave their jobs at work," but not everyone is successful.

While some jobs explicitly demand around-the-clock availability and others come to a full stop when the workday ends, many of us have a hard time knowing where, when -- and even whether -- to draw the line.

Here are three questions that can help you achieve a work-life balance that's right for you.

1. What are you doing?
A close look at your day-to-day habits can yield surprising results. You might be spending much more time in a marginally productive "half-work" state than you realize.

For a week, keep track of all your work-related activities, including seemingly negligible tasks. Be inclusive and honest. Do you check your phone in the locker room at the gym just in case there are messages from colleagues? Do you keep your laptop on the bedroom nightstand so you can get a head start on the next day?

Any time you spend talking or even thinking about work problems isn't downtime -- and therefore isn't truly restful. The resulting tiredness of being perpetually in work mode can create a snowball effect, making you less productive during business hours and necessitating further catch-up work after hours.

2. Why are you doing it?
Remaining at least partially available before or after the standard workday may be an understood aspect of your job. But in many cases, the extra duty is self-imposed, driven not by business necessity but by pride in being considered a go-to person. Another common motivator, justified or not, is fear about falling behind "more committed" colleagues.

Keep in mind that your habits can influence others' behavior. Answering an early morning text from a co-worker may make him more likely to text you in the future instead of asking someone else or holding his question until business hours.

If you're unsure what's expected of you, or of how accessible you need to be after hours, discuss the matter with your boss. You might learn that she'd rather have you fully recharge between workdays than stay within reach around the clock.

3. What's your top priority?
Just about everyone wants to enjoy a relaxing personal life and a rewarding career. It's entirely possible to have both. But in order to achieve the balance that works best for you, it's helpful to ask yourself which, ultimately, is most important. The answer may change throughout your lifetime as your career and personal life evolve. Your priorities may shift as you start a family or embark on a career that has a sharper learning curve, for instance.  

If you're passionate about your work, don't dismiss the possibility that it may become all-encompassing. For you, the work may be its own reward. If you do maintain a highly permeable work-life border, taking real (no-laptop-allowed) vacations becomes even more important as a way to prevent burnout.

Once you've reviewed your habits, discussed expectations with your boss and clarified your priorities, start adjusting the borders that surround your work. Doing so can take some practice, and you may have to endure some feelings of guilt or even boredom when you first disconnect.

Establishing the simplest rules possible can help you stick with your plan. For example, you might avoid checking your work email after 7 p.m. or go completely offline on weekends. Be sure to discuss changes with your boss before making them, emphasizing that you're looking to protect your performance, not to unload responsibilities.  

If your job requires you to be on call, make sure people know how to reach you in the event of a crisis. That way, you can be more secure knowing that if they need to reach you, they will. You don't have to check every email. 

Ideally, protecting your time off in a sensible way will help you not only start enjoying downtime more but also start having more fun at work. Before long, you might even find that your career and personal life begin to nourish each other, rather than just competing for your time.

Associate's Degrees With the Most Bang For Your Buck

Source: Yahoo

Your investment in these associate's degrees could mean a good salary in just two years or more.

By Terri Williams

You've heard the saying: "You have to spend money to make money." Well, investing in your education could be what you need for pursuing a better-paying career.
But your investment doesn't necessarily need to be long-term; there are plenty of great associate's degrees you could earn in as few as two years.
Not only that, but earning an associate's could make sense financially. Nearly 30 percent of Americans with an associate's degree actually earn more than those who hold a bachelor's, says the Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce.
Plus, many of these degrees could prepare you to pursue careers that the U.S. Department of Labor reports have a median salary of at least $45K per year.
Looking for a good return on your investment? Keep reading to discover five associate's degrees that deliver the biggest bang for your buck.

Associate's Degree #1: Information Science

Are you the type of person who helps your friends and family members when they have problems with their laptops and smartphones? By earning your associate's degree in information science in as little as two years, you could prepare yourself to seek compensation for all of your technological tinkering.
The Value Factor: "As more organizations upgrade their computer equipment and software, there is an increased need for support services to perform installation, repair, and maintenance, which, in turn, creates a flood of new jobs," says La-Dana Jenkins of Career Calling, a career development firm in New York City. "An associate's degree in this discipline can quickly provide the educational background to enter this well-paying and rapidly-growing profession," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Information Science Program.
Potential Career: Computer Support Specialist
Computer support specialists provide computer help and advice to companies and other organizations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. And the pay isn't bad either. The median salary for a computer support specialist is $46,420, the Department of Labor says.
According to the Department, while an associate's degree is sufficient for some computer support specialist positions, a bachelor's degree may also be required for certain jobs. More technical roles are likely to require a degree in areas like computer science, engineering, or information science, the Department says.

Associate's Degree #2: Paralegal Studies

If Perry Mason, Matlock, and Law & Order's Jack McCoy are your role models - and you enjoy investigating facts and researching laws - you probably should consider a legal career. But before you sign up for seven years earning your bachelor's and then your J.D., you might consider an associate's in paralegal studies, which could be obtained in as little as two years.
The Value Factor: How do you get bang for your buck with this degree? While a law degree can run upwards of $100,000 over a three- or four-year period, Jenkins says, an associate's program in paralegal studies is normally two years with a much lower average cost. "If someone is interested in the field of law, but is not seeking to become an attorney, obtaining an associate's degree in paralegal studies is another avenue to pursue and it is more cost effective," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Paralegal Studies Program.
Potential Career: Paralegal
Paralegals support lawyers and could find themselves maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. They could also be rewarded with a good salary for this support: The Department of Labor says the median salary for a paralegal is $46,990.
Most paralegals either have an associate's degree in paralegal studies, or a certificate in paralegal studies and a bachelor's degree in another field, reports the Department.

Associate's Degree #3: Nursing

If you have a compassionate heart combined with a passion for the medical field, you may have the perfect combination for a career as a nurse. And you don't have to spend four or more years in school to prepare for this career, either.
The Value Factor: "[G]iven the salary that can be earned with an associate's degree, nursing has a good return on investment," Jenkins says. "This is a field that is continuously growing, so the earning potential will always be great for individuals seeking a career in nursing," she adds.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
Potential Career: Registered Nurse
Registered nurses coordinate and give care to patients, set up plans for patient care, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. And nurses can receive handsome compensation for their work. The Department of Labor reports that the median annual salary for a registered nurse is $65,950.
An associate's degree in nursing is one of three educational paths toward the career, the Department says. The other two are a bachelor's degree in nursing or a diploma from an approved nursing program. The Department also adds that registered nurses must be licensed.

Associate's Degree #4: Industrial Engineering Technology

If you're analytical and detail-oriented with a gift for effectively organizing people and processes, you could consider earning a degree in industrial engineering. How long will it take to earn this degree? You guessed it - as few as two years.
The Value Factor: "Because a person with this degree can work in so many different industries, including green occupations, and in public, private, and non-profit arenas, this is a beneficial and cost-effective educational investment," says Jenkins.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Technical Trade and Engineering Program.
Potential Career: Industrial Engineering Technician
Industrial engineering technicians plan ways to use personnel, materials, and machines in factories, stores, health care organizations, and other areas, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. And as assistants to industrial engineers, they can earn a pretty decent wage. The Department says that these technicians earn a median of $50,980 annually.
According to the Department, industrial engineering techs usually need an associate's degree or certificate. It notes that prospective technicians should study applied science, industrial technology, or industrial engineering technology. The Department also says courses that help students develop computer skills are helpful for learning computer-aided design or computer-aided manufacturing software on the job.

Associate's Degree #5: Dental Hygiene

If you want to help others keep their chompers sparkly and white, you might find fulfillment in a career improving the dental health of others. In as few as two years, you could earn your degree in dental hygiene - which could prep you to pursue the field.
The Value Factor: Jenkins says that earning this degree could not only give you a good ROI for your education, but you also don't need a bachelor's to pursue a career as a dental hygienist. "A dental hygiene degree is a win-win situation for a person interested in dentistry because this two-year degree can provide a median salary that exceeds $70,000 a year," Jenkins says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Dental Hygiene Program.
Potential Career: Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists do things like clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases, and provide other preventative dental care, says the U.S. Department of Labor. And the Department of Labor median annual salary figure is on par with Jenkins' estimate: $70,210.
The Department of Labor states that an associate's degree in dental hygiene is typically needed for dental hygiene positions. Dental hygienists are also required to have a license, the Department says.

Five Careers That Aren't Going Away

Source: Yahoo

Looking for a career that will be around till your retirement - and then some? Check these five out.

By Terence Loose

Unless you've got a rich uncle or plan on winning the Lottery, you need your career to last a while. Decades would be nice. And for that to happen you have to find a career that will actually be needed decades from now. But what types of careers are those?
For staying power, think careers that are ingrained in our society's infrastructure, says Deb Hornell, a business and management consultant with 25 years of experience.
"These are jobs that are needed for society to function and thrive," she says. Jobs like nurse, police officer, and even software developer make the list.
Wondering what other careers will likely be around for your lifetime, and your kids'? Keep reading to learn about five jobs that aren't going away.

Everlasting Career #1: Registered Nurse

Projected Job Growth 2010 to 2020: 26 percent, with 711,900 new job opportunities.*
Let's face it, we humans aren't exactly perfect. Unlike the Man of Steel, we get sick, injured, old - and that's with routine check-ups. So the occupation of registered nurse is not only a noble calling, but one that will be needed for the foreseeable future, says Hornell.
And it's not all drawing blood and patching up wounds. Nurses also consult with doctors on patient care and management, help perform diagnostic tests, educate families and patients on health, and even provide emotional support in times of need, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It's Everlasting: "There will always be a need for personal care in medicine, no matter how sophisticated medicine gets," says Hornell. And nursing is a very hands-on profession, she says, one that no amount of technology will be able to replace in full.
No wonder the Department of Labor says that not only will registered nurses' job prospects be "excellent," but they are number one on the list of the Department's list of occupations with the largest numeric growth projected from 2010-2020. That's a healthy prognosis.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
Education Options: The Department of Labor says there are three educational paths prospective nurses follow: a bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN), an associate's in nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program. They must also be licensed.

Everlasting Career #2: Police Officer

Projected Job Growth 2010 to 2020: 8 percent, with 54,600 new job opportunities.*
Unfortunately, we do not live in Shangri-La; crime happens. So until human nature changes a whole lot and we all turn into Good Samaritans, Hornell says we'll need law enforcement and police officers.
But despite what you may see on TV, police work is not all high-speed chases and shootouts. Yes, they give tickets, patrol areas, and arrest bad guys, says the U.S. Department of Labor. They also write detailed reports (the infamous paperwork TV cops always complain about), prepare cases, testify in court, and even give first aid to accident victims.
Why It's Everlasting: "Being a police officer is a very tough job, so these are people for whom it's a calling. It's part of their moral fiber, and that's good, because we will always need them," says Hornell.
She says public safety is always high on the [government's] list of priorities, so this job will never be cut out of society.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Criminal Justice Program.
Education Options: Police officers must have a high school diploma and graduate from their department's training academy, the Department of Labor says. In addition, many agencies may require some college or a college degree. The Department also says that many colleges have programs in criminal justice.

Everlasting Career #3: Elementary School Teacher

Projected Job Growth 2010 to 2020: 17 percent, with 248,800 new job opportunities.*
As much as some of our dilapidated public schools might suggest it, as a society, we really don't want dumb kids. In fact, education will always be a primary - if underfunded - part of the American infrastructure, says Hornell. So we will always need teachers.
Elementary school teachers do everything from making lesson plans to preparing students for standardized tests to helping individual pupils challenge themselves to gain new skills, says the U.S. Department of Labor. There's also a bit of disciplinary action, as the Department says they enforce classroom rules to teach kids proper behavior. We all remember that.
Why It's Everlasting: "There is a correlation between success in reading in the early grade levels and high school graduation rates and college graduation rates," says Hornell. "So elementary teachers are vital to give kids a strong foundation in learning and success in the early grades. So teachers will always be needed."
And the U.S. Department of Labor says because of the significant number of older teachers reaching retirement age, between 2010 to 2020, the coming years will see new openings for the next generation of teachers.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Elementary Education Program.
Education Options: Elementary (and kindergarten) teachers must have a bachelor's degree in elementary education and be licensed if they want to teach in public schools, says the Department of Labor. Other requirements vary by state, some of which might require a bachelor's degree in the subject taught, such as math or science.

Everlasting Career #4: Accountant

Projected Job Growth 2010 to 2020: 16 percent, with 190,700 new job opportunities.*
As long as there's a monetary system, there will be a need to keep track of income and expenses. And you know what they say about death and taxes. So count on accountants being around for the duration, says Hornell.
Accountants do a variety of things to help individuals and organizations, such as examine financial records, prepare taxes, and recommend cost-reducing strategies, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It's Everlasting: "Accountant may not be the sexiest of jobs, but it's absolutely essential to business. And my sense is that, after some of the scandals that have happened over the last 10 or 15 years, and people being attuned to our businesses being ethical, the need for ethical accounting is very important to businesses," says Hornell.
She adds that the occupation of accountant is part of an essential "economic infrastructure," and therefore will always be needed in our society.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, most accountant jobs require applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field.

Everlasting Career #5: Software Developer

Projected Job Growth 2010 to 2020: 30 percent, with 270,900 new job opportunities.*
When was the last time you got through an entire day without interfacing with something that used computer software? In fact, how about a single hour? The fact is, computers are now key to just about every segment of society, from the register that rang up your morning Starbuck's to the smartphone you used to Tweet how good it was.
Software developers are the creative minds behind those programs and apps, says the U.S. Department of Labor. They analyze people's needs, then design and test computer software to meet them, says the Department of Labor. I guess that means we actually needed talking phones and the ability to know what Paris Hilton was up to every four minutes.
Why It's Everlasting: "This is another infrastructure job, from the standpoint of technology. It's part of the foundation of our society and so it will always be in demand." says Hornell.
The Department says that mobile technology, the health care industry, and concerns over cyber security will all result in the need for more programs to be developed. It all spells an increasing demand for software developers.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Education Options: The Department of Labor says that software developers usually have a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field. Mathematics is also acceptable, they say.