Friends,
We always hear "the rules" from the female side. Now here are the rules
from the male side. These are our rules! Please note ... these are
all numbered '1' ON PURPOSE!
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put
it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us
complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of
it that way.
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints
do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!
1. Yes, and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it.
That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor.
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days.
1. If you won't dress like the 'Queen of Sheba', don't expect
us to act like soap opera guys.
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the
ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.
1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it
done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say
during commercials.
1. David Livingstone did not need directions and neither do we.
1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach,
for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have
no idea what mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act
like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth
the hassle.
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an
answer you don't want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine.
Really.
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared
to discuss such topics as Soccer, Cars, or foods in Indian Restaurants(Khana Khazana).
1. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape. Round is a shape.
1. Thank you for reading this; Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the
couch tonight, but did you know men really don't mind that, it's like
camping.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Monday, October 25, 2010
5 WAYS TO RECYCLE OR RE-USE YOUR OLD LAPTOP by Olumide Idowu Emmanuel
via Friends of the Environments Nigeria FoTENigeria +2348133451818
If you have recently purchased a new laptop, what do you plan to do with the old one?
The simplest thing for many people may be to throw it in the bin. This however is far from being the best option; both environmentally and financially.
Laptops contain lots of toxic materials and heavy metals that can cause long term environmental damage if not disposed of correctly.
There are also several ways you can make some money from your old laptop even if it no longer works!
Here are some better alternatives for your old laptop:
1. Local Government recycling centre
Most local government recycling centre’s have the correct facilities to ensure that your old equipment is disposed of correctly. This will ensure that none of the environmental problems mentioned earlier will occur. E-waste is an ever growing problem due to the rate of technological changes nowadays.
2. Sell it online
Online auction sites, such as eBay, can be the first step for many people. This will not only earn your some money but takes away with any environmental problems of disposing your laptop the conventional way.
3. Sell the parts online
Even your laptop is no longer working you can still make some money selling the parts online. Items such as the screen, keyboard, memory sticks or processors can all be sold online. This will obviously not make you as much money as a full working laptop. But will still earn you more than it collecting dust in your cupboard.
4. Donate it to charity
Even if your laptop is too old and out of date for you there still may be someone willing to pay money for it. Donating this to your favourite charity is another alternative. There may also be local charities or community groups that may find a working use for your laptop rather than selling it.
5. Recycle your laptop for cash using a recycling website
This is certainly the simplest and possibly the most financially rewarding method. There are many recycling sites available online that will pay you for your old equipment. This is in many ways a lot easier than using an online auction site. You can receive an instant quote online and they will even pay your postage costs.
Even if your laptop no longer works you can still earn some money. The parts inside are still considerably valuable to recycling companies.
If you have recently purchased a new laptop, what do you plan to do with the old one?
The simplest thing for many people may be to throw it in the bin. This however is far from being the best option; both environmentally and financially.
Laptops contain lots of toxic materials and heavy metals that can cause long term environmental damage if not disposed of correctly.
There are also several ways you can make some money from your old laptop even if it no longer works!
Here are some better alternatives for your old laptop:
1. Local Government recycling centre
Most local government recycling centre’s have the correct facilities to ensure that your old equipment is disposed of correctly. This will ensure that none of the environmental problems mentioned earlier will occur. E-waste is an ever growing problem due to the rate of technological changes nowadays.
2. Sell it online
Online auction sites, such as eBay, can be the first step for many people. This will not only earn your some money but takes away with any environmental problems of disposing your laptop the conventional way.
3. Sell the parts online
Even your laptop is no longer working you can still make some money selling the parts online. Items such as the screen, keyboard, memory sticks or processors can all be sold online. This will obviously not make you as much money as a full working laptop. But will still earn you more than it collecting dust in your cupboard.
4. Donate it to charity
Even if your laptop is too old and out of date for you there still may be someone willing to pay money for it. Donating this to your favourite charity is another alternative. There may also be local charities or community groups that may find a working use for your laptop rather than selling it.
5. Recycle your laptop for cash using a recycling website
This is certainly the simplest and possibly the most financially rewarding method. There are many recycling sites available online that will pay you for your old equipment. This is in many ways a lot easier than using an online auction site. You can receive an instant quote online and they will even pay your postage costs.
Even if your laptop no longer works you can still earn some money. The parts inside are still considerably valuable to recycling companies.
A Vision For Youth Ministry: A Case Study for Association of Adventist Young Professionals
Changing times demand new approaches. What worked in one generation does not necessarily guarantee success in the next generation. This is especially true in ministry with youth. Every generation of leaders in ministry with youth is confronted with the same challenge: to discern the changing needs and life situations of youth and their families and reinvent their vision and strategies. Given the speed of change in our time, the need to reinvent our approach to ministry with youth is particularly pressing.
Research on adolescent developmental needs and assets, so necessary for healthy growth, and the social changes affecting young people give us a basis for developing new approaches and strategies. Consider this brief list of the social changes affecting young people today:
1. Changing Family Life: the increase in diversity of family structures including blended families and single-parent families; the reality of dual career families; the busyness and stress of contemporary family life
2. Changing Economics: the rapidly changing economic scene causing unemployment, career dislocation, and financial stress; the growing number of families living in poverty
3. Changing communities: the concern for the quality of schooling; the concern for safe communities, especially in the face of violence and gangs; fragmentation and competition among community organizations designed to serve youth (schools, religious organizations, youth organizations); diminished funding for community organizations serving youth.
4. Changing Culture: the multicultural nature of our society; the increasing diversity of value systems and lifestyles; the increasing impact of all forms of media and the images and messages they communicate
We need a model to guide our thinking and planning for this new generation of youth and their families. What essential characteristics should a model of youth ministry include?
1. It must promote holistic growth. We need a model of youth ministry that corresponds to a contemporary understanding of adolescent development and faith growth. Specifically one that promotes the internal assets and faith life of youth, while strengthening the external, community supports for positive youth development. We need a model that attends to a wide spectrum of youth needs and that is also attuned to the distinct developmental and social needs of young and older adolescents.
2. It must be family and community centered. We need a model of youth ministry that moves beyond traditional youth-only programming to include ministry with families, incorporation of young people into all aspects of church life, and partnerships with other churches/synagogues, schools, and community agencies in a common effort to promote positive youth development. Youth ministry needs to situate itself within this broader context.
3. It must be flexible and inclusive. We need a model of youth ministry which responds creatively and flexibly to all the youth of the parish, not just the ones who attend programs. We need a model which is designed to enlarge the number of approaches and
methods, used to minister with youth so that all youth can be reached through a parish’s youth ministry.
4. It must put people first. We need a model of youth ministry that recognizes the changing needs and life situations of young people and their families and places this reality ahead of program structures. Programs are made for people; people are not made for programs. We need a flexible, adaptable model of youth ministry that can be tailored to address the real needs and life situation of today’s young people and their families in our particular community setting.
5. It must be theologically sound. We need a model of youth ministry that is well-grounded in the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ and his Church. We need a model which will provide a clear understanding of youth ministry as integral to the life of the church.
Research on adolescent developmental needs and assets, so necessary for healthy growth, and the social changes affecting young people give us a basis for developing new approaches and strategies. Consider this brief list of the social changes affecting young people today:
1. Changing Family Life: the increase in diversity of family structures including blended families and single-parent families; the reality of dual career families; the busyness and stress of contemporary family life
2. Changing Economics: the rapidly changing economic scene causing unemployment, career dislocation, and financial stress; the growing number of families living in poverty
3. Changing communities: the concern for the quality of schooling; the concern for safe communities, especially in the face of violence and gangs; fragmentation and competition among community organizations designed to serve youth (schools, religious organizations, youth organizations); diminished funding for community organizations serving youth.
4. Changing Culture: the multicultural nature of our society; the increasing diversity of value systems and lifestyles; the increasing impact of all forms of media and the images and messages they communicate
We need a model to guide our thinking and planning for this new generation of youth and their families. What essential characteristics should a model of youth ministry include?
1. It must promote holistic growth. We need a model of youth ministry that corresponds to a contemporary understanding of adolescent development and faith growth. Specifically one that promotes the internal assets and faith life of youth, while strengthening the external, community supports for positive youth development. We need a model that attends to a wide spectrum of youth needs and that is also attuned to the distinct developmental and social needs of young and older adolescents.
2. It must be family and community centered. We need a model of youth ministry that moves beyond traditional youth-only programming to include ministry with families, incorporation of young people into all aspects of church life, and partnerships with other churches/synagogues, schools, and community agencies in a common effort to promote positive youth development. Youth ministry needs to situate itself within this broader context.
3. It must be flexible and inclusive. We need a model of youth ministry which responds creatively and flexibly to all the youth of the parish, not just the ones who attend programs. We need a model which is designed to enlarge the number of approaches and
methods, used to minister with youth so that all youth can be reached through a parish’s youth ministry.
4. It must put people first. We need a model of youth ministry that recognizes the changing needs and life situations of young people and their families and places this reality ahead of program structures. Programs are made for people; people are not made for programs. We need a flexible, adaptable model of youth ministry that can be tailored to address the real needs and life situation of today’s young people and their families in our particular community setting.
5. It must be theologically sound. We need a model of youth ministry that is well-grounded in the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ and his Church. We need a model which will provide a clear understanding of youth ministry as integral to the life of the church.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
My Words To You!
I might not be the best person to write to encourage or motivate you but I have been there… I am only a youth and I am not a saint myself. There comes a time in our lives that we have to be truthful if not to others but to ourselves.
Today 25th of January 2010, I realized how much I have disappointed a number of people not because I deliberately want to; it just came that way and I had no control over it.
I am only challenged to gain clarity on what I am hungry to create in my life. I am only dreaming and imagining again. I am beginning to put my ideas into actions. It is one great starting point for me.
I am overcoming my fears people; let me explain a little about fears to you… Fears are overwhelming. They seem like impossible blocks to move beyond. Fear causes us to feel frantic: our hearts beat faster, we feel so tensed and overwhelmed. Most times, our fears even cause us to become immobile and depressed. We sit in misery and sorrow thinking that we just can’t achieve what we are aiming for.
I took my fears and invited them into reality. I also started learning about the cycle – the belief, thought, emotion, physical response, and resultant action. Ultimately, I asked God for help and he did it.
Beloved, my prayer today is that you will face your fears and dissect them and show them that you are in control because It is easy to get paralyzed and lose hope when these fears howl. Panic sets in and speaks, “Am I crazy to think that I could create my dream?” Most of us become frightened and sprint at top speed away from the monsters. What we fail to realize is that running from the fear monsters is exactly what they want us to do. What if we tried a new approach with our fears?
I encourage you to dream big and get a clear picture of what you want to create in each aspect of your life. I want to be real with you – the path to your dreams has potential pitfalls. Is it easy to create the life of your dreams? Yes, it is – that is, it is easy if you have the courage to look your fears in the eye. It is easy if you will replace your draining, limiting thoughts one at a time with positive, powerful beliefs and thoughts.
I have come to see fear monsters as beautiful learning partners. They gave me the opportunity to become more conscious, to stretch my mind and heart, to expand myself and see the breadth and depth of my eternal spirit.
You are not your fear. You are much greater, much grander than any fear you feel. You only begin to know this as you sit and lovingly interact with your fears. Please not that - When we shine the light of love and brilliance on our fears, they transform. They surely transform!
So my people, I am a brand new me! Nothing really changed just a few…how ironic!
I have just harnessed my personal power to become fully aware of what is happening in my mind. This is an easy task; you just need to observer yourself. Personal transformation takes a high level of awareness. By growing in your awareness of your thoughts, you begin to see the moment-by-moment choices you have been making. You begin to see how the thoughts you have focused on have created the life you are living. The exciting news is that through your new found awareness of your thoughts you can decide if you want to keep choosing these thoughts or if you'd like to begin replacing the old thinking with some new thinking.
What we focus our thoughts on is what we attract into our lives. If we focus on our fears, we experience fear. If we focus on gratitude, we see things to be grateful for. This is true at the individual level. It’s also true in the world at large. We have to remember as we clarify our dreams that we are connected to everyone: our families, our community and our world. As we continue to develop our vision, let’s pause to consider our thoughts and our feelings towards “the others.”
We humans often focus on what separates us –the shape of our nose, our clothing, financial status, education, cars and houses. From a broader perspective we see ourselves separated by oceans, country borders, language, disparate economic condition, skin color, religious expression, and national holidays. We are more similar, more connected to one another as citizens of the Earth than we have even begun to realize. Consider these ideas: Your well-being impacts mine. My emotional state feeds into the global disposition. Our inner strife (or inner peace) feeds the vibrations of turmoil (or peace) that ripple across the planet.
Let me ask you a question… What is your vision of a brand new Earth? What are the goodies you expect to see in the new earth? Personally, I want a New Earth full of great personalities, honesty, a new earth that will give everyone whatever they desire that is good.
A writer was asked this same question and she focused her energy, thoughts and words on expressing what she WANTED each person across the globe to experience. As she expressed her vision aloud, she felt excitement, joy, and inner peace. In those moments she could feel that massive change is possible. She saw clearly that what must happen for this to occur is for each and every person to begin focusing energy, thoughts, words and actions on what they DESIRE for our world, rather than on what they DISLIKE about the current state of the globe.
Unfortunately, we’ve all been trained to concentrate on our fears, our disappointments and tragedies. Listen closely to the conversations you participate in or hear going on around you. Are people applauding the success of others or are they finding opportunities to criticize them?
Are people talking about the suffering of the Haiti earthquake victims and feeding their fears or are they extending thoughts of peace and healing towards them?
Look and listen to media news stories and take notice this week of what their reporting focuses on. How many headlines highlight good things happening? Aren’t most directed toward crime, tragedy and natural disasters? Why do the media do this? Because those are the headlines that get our attention!
Bad news is the hype; sensationalized fear is in vogue. I love CNN but CNN focuses on scandals and disasters. Carefully listen to the music they play behind the stories. It’s no mistake that it evokes sadness and anxiety within us. We keep coming back to their channel to see what else might make us afraid.
When is the last time you heard a media report about a person who is creating positive change? When did you see a story that inspired you and brought you pure joy? Why not begin to look for stories about people making a difference in their community?
Now consider again the idea: What we focus on is what we create and perpetuate. When will we finally comprehend this idea and realize the power we have as individuals, as communities and as nations to bring about massive, uplifting, positive change? We’ve gotten into unconscious patterns of thought. We buy into what we are fed by society as well as the dramas our friends and families offer us. We take this in without even considering what we are pouring into our minds. Then we feel depressed and uneasy.
It’s time to become conscious. It’s time to awaken from the sleep walk. It’s time to stop allowing ourselves to feel victimized. What is at stake if we don’t do this?
The Earth’s well-being is at stake.
Nigeria’s well-being is at stake.
Africa’s well-being is at stake.
Your personal well-being is at stake.
By changing the focus of our thoughts we can move the world towards constructive change.
When you find yourself involved in conversations that harp on what you dislike, stop. Be a leader. Change the discussion to something hopeful, helpful, full of possibility. When you listen to news with a negative focus, turn your thoughts towards what you would envision as a hopeful outcome for those involved. You might even want to whisper a prayer or picture some help or healing coming about.
You are powerful. You can share in the creation of a better world.
Today 25th of January 2010, I realized how much I have disappointed a number of people not because I deliberately want to; it just came that way and I had no control over it.
I am only challenged to gain clarity on what I am hungry to create in my life. I am only dreaming and imagining again. I am beginning to put my ideas into actions. It is one great starting point for me.
I am overcoming my fears people; let me explain a little about fears to you… Fears are overwhelming. They seem like impossible blocks to move beyond. Fear causes us to feel frantic: our hearts beat faster, we feel so tensed and overwhelmed. Most times, our fears even cause us to become immobile and depressed. We sit in misery and sorrow thinking that we just can’t achieve what we are aiming for.
I took my fears and invited them into reality. I also started learning about the cycle – the belief, thought, emotion, physical response, and resultant action. Ultimately, I asked God for help and he did it.
Beloved, my prayer today is that you will face your fears and dissect them and show them that you are in control because It is easy to get paralyzed and lose hope when these fears howl. Panic sets in and speaks, “Am I crazy to think that I could create my dream?” Most of us become frightened and sprint at top speed away from the monsters. What we fail to realize is that running from the fear monsters is exactly what they want us to do. What if we tried a new approach with our fears?
I encourage you to dream big and get a clear picture of what you want to create in each aspect of your life. I want to be real with you – the path to your dreams has potential pitfalls. Is it easy to create the life of your dreams? Yes, it is – that is, it is easy if you have the courage to look your fears in the eye. It is easy if you will replace your draining, limiting thoughts one at a time with positive, powerful beliefs and thoughts.
I have come to see fear monsters as beautiful learning partners. They gave me the opportunity to become more conscious, to stretch my mind and heart, to expand myself and see the breadth and depth of my eternal spirit.
You are not your fear. You are much greater, much grander than any fear you feel. You only begin to know this as you sit and lovingly interact with your fears. Please not that - When we shine the light of love and brilliance on our fears, they transform. They surely transform!
So my people, I am a brand new me! Nothing really changed just a few…how ironic!
I have just harnessed my personal power to become fully aware of what is happening in my mind. This is an easy task; you just need to observer yourself. Personal transformation takes a high level of awareness. By growing in your awareness of your thoughts, you begin to see the moment-by-moment choices you have been making. You begin to see how the thoughts you have focused on have created the life you are living. The exciting news is that through your new found awareness of your thoughts you can decide if you want to keep choosing these thoughts or if you'd like to begin replacing the old thinking with some new thinking.
What we focus our thoughts on is what we attract into our lives. If we focus on our fears, we experience fear. If we focus on gratitude, we see things to be grateful for. This is true at the individual level. It’s also true in the world at large. We have to remember as we clarify our dreams that we are connected to everyone: our families, our community and our world. As we continue to develop our vision, let’s pause to consider our thoughts and our feelings towards “the others.”
We humans often focus on what separates us –the shape of our nose, our clothing, financial status, education, cars and houses. From a broader perspective we see ourselves separated by oceans, country borders, language, disparate economic condition, skin color, religious expression, and national holidays. We are more similar, more connected to one another as citizens of the Earth than we have even begun to realize. Consider these ideas: Your well-being impacts mine. My emotional state feeds into the global disposition. Our inner strife (or inner peace) feeds the vibrations of turmoil (or peace) that ripple across the planet.
Let me ask you a question… What is your vision of a brand new Earth? What are the goodies you expect to see in the new earth? Personally, I want a New Earth full of great personalities, honesty, a new earth that will give everyone whatever they desire that is good.
A writer was asked this same question and she focused her energy, thoughts and words on expressing what she WANTED each person across the globe to experience. As she expressed her vision aloud, she felt excitement, joy, and inner peace. In those moments she could feel that massive change is possible. She saw clearly that what must happen for this to occur is for each and every person to begin focusing energy, thoughts, words and actions on what they DESIRE for our world, rather than on what they DISLIKE about the current state of the globe.
Unfortunately, we’ve all been trained to concentrate on our fears, our disappointments and tragedies. Listen closely to the conversations you participate in or hear going on around you. Are people applauding the success of others or are they finding opportunities to criticize them?
Are people talking about the suffering of the Haiti earthquake victims and feeding their fears or are they extending thoughts of peace and healing towards them?
Look and listen to media news stories and take notice this week of what their reporting focuses on. How many headlines highlight good things happening? Aren’t most directed toward crime, tragedy and natural disasters? Why do the media do this? Because those are the headlines that get our attention!
Bad news is the hype; sensationalized fear is in vogue. I love CNN but CNN focuses on scandals and disasters. Carefully listen to the music they play behind the stories. It’s no mistake that it evokes sadness and anxiety within us. We keep coming back to their channel to see what else might make us afraid.
When is the last time you heard a media report about a person who is creating positive change? When did you see a story that inspired you and brought you pure joy? Why not begin to look for stories about people making a difference in their community?
Now consider again the idea: What we focus on is what we create and perpetuate. When will we finally comprehend this idea and realize the power we have as individuals, as communities and as nations to bring about massive, uplifting, positive change? We’ve gotten into unconscious patterns of thought. We buy into what we are fed by society as well as the dramas our friends and families offer us. We take this in without even considering what we are pouring into our minds. Then we feel depressed and uneasy.
It’s time to become conscious. It’s time to awaken from the sleep walk. It’s time to stop allowing ourselves to feel victimized. What is at stake if we don’t do this?
The Earth’s well-being is at stake.
Nigeria’s well-being is at stake.
Africa’s well-being is at stake.
Your personal well-being is at stake.
By changing the focus of our thoughts we can move the world towards constructive change.
When you find yourself involved in conversations that harp on what you dislike, stop. Be a leader. Change the discussion to something hopeful, helpful, full of possibility. When you listen to news with a negative focus, turn your thoughts towards what you would envision as a hopeful outcome for those involved. You might even want to whisper a prayer or picture some help or healing coming about.
You are powerful. You can share in the creation of a better world.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Let's Show love!
There comes a time
When we head a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can't go on
Pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of
God's great big family
And the truth, you know love is all we need
When we head a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can't go on
Pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of
God's great big family
And the truth, you know love is all we need
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Lessons in Life
#1 “UNDERSTAND YOU'RE LITTLE BUT NEVER BELITTLE YOURSLF. “ Success, everywhere, begins with a person who understands this simple principle. No matter how little you are or your talents, you are a vessel housing the infinite inventive n innovative spirit of the supreme! Start with this and you are on your way to success anywhere and everywhere.
#2 "TALENT AND SKILLS DON'T RUN A COMPANY...THEY DON'T EVEN START IT...DON'T EVER BANK ON THEM...VISION, PASSION AND COURAGE EMPLOY TALENT. IN SUCCESS, TALENT IS NEVER ENOUGH. WOMEN WHO HINGE THEIR DESTINIES ON TALENT LATER SERVE WOMEN WHO RIDE THE WINGS OF VISION."
#3 “HEY TALENT REALISATION ISN'T WEALTH...BUSINESSES ARE NOT STARTED THAT WAY..TALENT UTILISATION + VALUES = WEALTH ACTUALISATION."
#4 "ONLY INSECURED PEOPLE COMPETE IN LIFE AND IN BUSINESS, PEOPLE WHO ARE ASSURED OF THEIR GREATNESS SIMPLY RAISED THEIR STANDARDS AND FOLLOW THROUGH. IF YOU MUST BE SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS, YOU NEVER HAVE A COMPETITOR, BUT YOU HAVE A STANDARD TO ACHIEVE..." To be a success take...s a whole lot of high self-esteem...your skills or talents are never enough!
#5 "NOTHING APEALS TO SUCCESS MORE THAN FAITH AND NOT LOGIC; LOGIC SEES BEFORE IT BELIEVES, FAITH BELIEVES, THEN IT SEES. IN MANAGEMENT MUCH OF YOUR SUCCESS DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU CAN BELIEVE BEFORE YOU SEE AND NOT WHAT YOU SEE BEFORE YOU BELIEVE."
BONUS PRINCIPLE "YOU DON"T EXIST SIMPLY BY LIVING OR BECAUSE YOU WERE CREATED, YOU ONLY EXIST WHEN ...YOU CREATE SOMETHING THAT MANKIND BENEFITS FROM." What have you created?
# 6"THE GREATEST STRENGTH OF A SUCCESSFUL LEADER IS NOT FOUND IN HIS ABILITY TO DO EVERYTHING, OF COURSE HE WON'T BE ABLE TO DO EVERYTHING, BUT HIS SUCCESS DEPENDS ON HIS ABILITY TO RECOGNISE THE STRENGTHS OF OTHERS AND HARNESS THEM FOR THE GOOD OF HUMANITY." Your Success begins with others. Learn!
#7 "THERE ARE NO MENTORS BUT CELEBRANTS...NO ONE IS YOUR FRIEND OR TEACHER UNLESS HE IS SURE YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT CAN FURTHER HIS SELF-INTEREST...THEREFORE IF YOU NEED A MENTOR OR YOU WANT A FRIEND YOU MUST BE SOMEONE OF VALUE WHO IS WORTH CELEBRATING. LET'S FACE IT, WHOEVER W...ANTS TO MENTOR YOU ALSO WANT TO BE ABLE TO BASK IN THE GLORY OF YOUR SUCCESS."
# 8 "WHAT MAKES A GENIUS? HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT IT! IT'S NOT LUCK OR GENETICAL DISPOSITION, THOUGH THEY PLAY THEIR ROLES WHICH MIGHT BE LITTLE, BUT A GENIUS IS MADE BY EMPLOYING THE PRINCIPLES OF FOCUS AND SPECIFICITY. BEING A GENIUS IS FOCUSING ON YOUR GREATEST ABILITY AND USING IT, STAYING ON IT UNTIL YOU BECOME A GREAT SUCCESS IN IT."
#9 "DREAM CREATES NOTHING, BUT ACTION CREATES ALL. BUT ACTION WITHOUT A DREAM CREATES CHAOS. IF YOU MUST CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND ESTABLISH SUCCESS, YOU MUST BEGIN A JOURNEY BY DREAMING IT, STEP OUT BY ACTING IT, AND END IT WITH MORE DREAMS!"
#10 "THE ONLY WAY TO WIN PEOPLE'S RESPECT IS TO BE PRODUCTIVE WITH YOUR LIFE...WHEN YOU CREATE SOMETHING EXCEPTIONAL, THE SPOTLIGHT WILL BE DIRECTED AT YOU. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME SEEKING RESPECT FROM YOUR BOSS, YOU WON'T GET IT UNTIL YOU PROVE TO BE INDISPENSABLE." Respect... is a reward of a productive life, not a gift or right accorded to all men.
#11 "VISION GIVES DIRECTION TO A COMPANY, BUT IT'S DECISIONS THAT RUN IT. HOWEVER SMALL A DECISION IS, IT CAN EITHER KILL A GREAT VISION OR SUSTAIN IT. THE SUCCESS OF A BIG ENTERPRISE IS NOT IN A BIG VISION ALONE BUT IN SMALL, CONSISTENT AND GOOD DECISIONS."
#12 "YOU WON'T GET AHEAD UNTIL YOU HAVE A REASON MOTIVATED BY THE SINCERE LOVE FOR HUMANITY TO MOVE AHEAD." True success is built on this...
#13 "RESPECT ALL MEN BUT FEAR NONE."
#14 "WHILE YOU WAIT, WORK AND WHILE YOU WORK, WAIT. SUCCESS ONLY COMES TO THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND THE PRINCIPLES OF 'PATIENCE' AND 'ACTION'." Do you think you are successful already?
#15 "HEAR FROM ALL MEN, BUT LISTEN TO TWO - GOD AND YOU. PEOPLE ADVICE YOU ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY THINK IS BEST FOR YOU BASED ON THEIR UNDERSTANDING, BUT GOD LEADS YOU INTO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU ACCORDING TO A PURPOSE THAT CAN'T FAIL AND HE INFORMS IT INTO YOUR MIND." This is a secret, learn!!!
#16 "PEOPLE WON'T ALLOW YOU INTO THEIR NETWORKS OR GIVE YOU CHANCE TO COME CLOSE UNTIL THEY ARE SURE YOU WON'T CONTAMINATE THEIR "DESTINY" OR THEY ARE SURE YOU WILL BE A GREAT CUSTODIAN OF THEIR VISIONS. HOW YOU HANDLE YOUR DREAMS OR DESTINY SPEAKS LOUD ABOUT HOW YOU WILL KE...EP OTHERS. WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR DESTINY?" This is important!
#17 "WHATEVER YOU CAN'T DO FOR FREE AND BE HAPPY DOING IT, YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE PAID FOR IT."
#18 "YOU CAN LOSE EVERYTHING, BUT YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE YOUR MIND BECAUSE THAT IS THE SEAT OF POWER. WITH YOUR MIND YOUR CREATIVITY IS UNSTOPPABLE"
#19 "YOU MUST LOVE GOD... SUCCESS IS HIS REFLECTION."
I Pray you never miss the purpose of your existence!
#2 "TALENT AND SKILLS DON'T RUN A COMPANY...THEY DON'T EVEN START IT...DON'T EVER BANK ON THEM...VISION, PASSION AND COURAGE EMPLOY TALENT. IN SUCCESS, TALENT IS NEVER ENOUGH. WOMEN WHO HINGE THEIR DESTINIES ON TALENT LATER SERVE WOMEN WHO RIDE THE WINGS OF VISION."
#3 “HEY TALENT REALISATION ISN'T WEALTH...BUSINESSES ARE NOT STARTED THAT WAY..TALENT UTILISATION + VALUES = WEALTH ACTUALISATION."
#4 "ONLY INSECURED PEOPLE COMPETE IN LIFE AND IN BUSINESS, PEOPLE WHO ARE ASSURED OF THEIR GREATNESS SIMPLY RAISED THEIR STANDARDS AND FOLLOW THROUGH. IF YOU MUST BE SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS, YOU NEVER HAVE A COMPETITOR, BUT YOU HAVE A STANDARD TO ACHIEVE..." To be a success take...s a whole lot of high self-esteem...your skills or talents are never enough!
#5 "NOTHING APEALS TO SUCCESS MORE THAN FAITH AND NOT LOGIC; LOGIC SEES BEFORE IT BELIEVES, FAITH BELIEVES, THEN IT SEES. IN MANAGEMENT MUCH OF YOUR SUCCESS DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU CAN BELIEVE BEFORE YOU SEE AND NOT WHAT YOU SEE BEFORE YOU BELIEVE."
BONUS PRINCIPLE "YOU DON"T EXIST SIMPLY BY LIVING OR BECAUSE YOU WERE CREATED, YOU ONLY EXIST WHEN ...YOU CREATE SOMETHING THAT MANKIND BENEFITS FROM." What have you created?
# 6"THE GREATEST STRENGTH OF A SUCCESSFUL LEADER IS NOT FOUND IN HIS ABILITY TO DO EVERYTHING, OF COURSE HE WON'T BE ABLE TO DO EVERYTHING, BUT HIS SUCCESS DEPENDS ON HIS ABILITY TO RECOGNISE THE STRENGTHS OF OTHERS AND HARNESS THEM FOR THE GOOD OF HUMANITY." Your Success begins with others. Learn!
#7 "THERE ARE NO MENTORS BUT CELEBRANTS...NO ONE IS YOUR FRIEND OR TEACHER UNLESS HE IS SURE YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT CAN FURTHER HIS SELF-INTEREST...THEREFORE IF YOU NEED A MENTOR OR YOU WANT A FRIEND YOU MUST BE SOMEONE OF VALUE WHO IS WORTH CELEBRATING. LET'S FACE IT, WHOEVER W...ANTS TO MENTOR YOU ALSO WANT TO BE ABLE TO BASK IN THE GLORY OF YOUR SUCCESS."
# 8 "WHAT MAKES A GENIUS? HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT IT! IT'S NOT LUCK OR GENETICAL DISPOSITION, THOUGH THEY PLAY THEIR ROLES WHICH MIGHT BE LITTLE, BUT A GENIUS IS MADE BY EMPLOYING THE PRINCIPLES OF FOCUS AND SPECIFICITY. BEING A GENIUS IS FOCUSING ON YOUR GREATEST ABILITY AND USING IT, STAYING ON IT UNTIL YOU BECOME A GREAT SUCCESS IN IT."
#9 "DREAM CREATES NOTHING, BUT ACTION CREATES ALL. BUT ACTION WITHOUT A DREAM CREATES CHAOS. IF YOU MUST CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND ESTABLISH SUCCESS, YOU MUST BEGIN A JOURNEY BY DREAMING IT, STEP OUT BY ACTING IT, AND END IT WITH MORE DREAMS!"
#10 "THE ONLY WAY TO WIN PEOPLE'S RESPECT IS TO BE PRODUCTIVE WITH YOUR LIFE...WHEN YOU CREATE SOMETHING EXCEPTIONAL, THE SPOTLIGHT WILL BE DIRECTED AT YOU. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME SEEKING RESPECT FROM YOUR BOSS, YOU WON'T GET IT UNTIL YOU PROVE TO BE INDISPENSABLE." Respect... is a reward of a productive life, not a gift or right accorded to all men.
#11 "VISION GIVES DIRECTION TO A COMPANY, BUT IT'S DECISIONS THAT RUN IT. HOWEVER SMALL A DECISION IS, IT CAN EITHER KILL A GREAT VISION OR SUSTAIN IT. THE SUCCESS OF A BIG ENTERPRISE IS NOT IN A BIG VISION ALONE BUT IN SMALL, CONSISTENT AND GOOD DECISIONS."
#12 "YOU WON'T GET AHEAD UNTIL YOU HAVE A REASON MOTIVATED BY THE SINCERE LOVE FOR HUMANITY TO MOVE AHEAD." True success is built on this...
#13 "RESPECT ALL MEN BUT FEAR NONE."
#14 "WHILE YOU WAIT, WORK AND WHILE YOU WORK, WAIT. SUCCESS ONLY COMES TO THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND THE PRINCIPLES OF 'PATIENCE' AND 'ACTION'." Do you think you are successful already?
#15 "HEAR FROM ALL MEN, BUT LISTEN TO TWO - GOD AND YOU. PEOPLE ADVICE YOU ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY THINK IS BEST FOR YOU BASED ON THEIR UNDERSTANDING, BUT GOD LEADS YOU INTO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU ACCORDING TO A PURPOSE THAT CAN'T FAIL AND HE INFORMS IT INTO YOUR MIND." This is a secret, learn!!!
#16 "PEOPLE WON'T ALLOW YOU INTO THEIR NETWORKS OR GIVE YOU CHANCE TO COME CLOSE UNTIL THEY ARE SURE YOU WON'T CONTAMINATE THEIR "DESTINY" OR THEY ARE SURE YOU WILL BE A GREAT CUSTODIAN OF THEIR VISIONS. HOW YOU HANDLE YOUR DREAMS OR DESTINY SPEAKS LOUD ABOUT HOW YOU WILL KE...EP OTHERS. WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR DESTINY?" This is important!
#17 "WHATEVER YOU CAN'T DO FOR FREE AND BE HAPPY DOING IT, YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE PAID FOR IT."
#18 "YOU CAN LOSE EVERYTHING, BUT YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE YOUR MIND BECAUSE THAT IS THE SEAT OF POWER. WITH YOUR MIND YOUR CREATIVITY IS UNSTOPPABLE"
#19 "YOU MUST LOVE GOD... SUCCESS IS HIS REFLECTION."
I Pray you never miss the purpose of your existence!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Internship - youths in Africa need it
Internship is a job offer in a temporary position with an emphasis on on-the-job training rather than merely employment, making it similar to an apprenticeship.
Interns are usually university students or post graduate adults seeking skills for a new career. Student internships provide opportunities for students to gain experience in their field, determine if they have an interest in a particular career, create a network of contacts, or gain school credit. Internships provide the employers with cheap or free labor for (typically) low-level tasks, and also the prospect of interns returning to the company after completing their education and requiring little or no training.
Internships may be part-time or full-time; typically they are part-time during the university year and full-time in the summer, and they typically last 6-12 weeks, but can be shorter or longer
Types of internships
An intern type means doing internship in an organization or in specific subject of study. Internships exist in various industries and settings. Here are two primary types of internships that exist.
Work experience internship: Most often this will be in the second or third year of the school period. The placement can be from 2 months to sometimes even one full school year. During this period the student is supposed to use the things he/she has learned in school and put it in practice. This way the student gets work experience in their field of study. The gained experience will be helpful to finish up the last year of the study.
Research internship (graduation) or dissertation internship: This is mostly done by students that are in their last year. With this kind of internship a student does research for a particular company. The company can have something that they feel like they need to improve, or the student can choose a topic within the company themselves. The results of the research study will be put in a report and often will have to be presented.
International student internships
Many students do internships in a different country to get international experience and learn an extra language.
Internships are validated work experienced opportunity as part of a degree program.
University staffs give students access to vacancies and students apply direct to employers. Some universities hold fairs and exhibitions to encourage students to consider the option and to enable students to meet potential employers. In the modern labor market graduates with work experience in the form of sandwich placements are not only deemed more desirable to employers but also research has demonstrated they attain higher level degree classifications than those graduates without such experience.
In these countries they have split the types of internship in unpaid or paid. The unpaid internship are mostly the ones that are chosen by students who are either still in school and doing an internship as part of the requirements of school or who have just left school. The purpose of these internships are to get understanding about how work is conducted in the English-speaking world and to improve one's English. Another plus is to learn about work ethic and to experience cultural diversity. The paid internship is mostly for people that want to come to these countries to improve their English. The job for them is not something that they are specialized in, but see it as something that will give them enough money to support their living in these countries.
Over the years, A Ray of Hope, UNESCO has been involved in the internship processes in several universities across Africa. It was noted years back that a typical African youth does not take the opportunity that comes with internship so a process was formed to make internship a reality for the African youth.
There have been kind and encouraging comments as youth found out that Internship is a sure way to develop and create opportunities for themselves. Direction and planning are critical for career management. This is particularly important for developing your career in any field of study.
It's important to have the right attitude towards knowledge and experience. Career progress requires a deep understanding of the importance of work experience. Though you can acquire knowledge and skills from training and other learning resources, in every field especially the technology field, work experience is key for relevant career growth. Getting work experience isn't exactly easy street for most newcomers. But it always helps to have a total picture that shows an understanding of the need and opportunities.
There are some suggestions while on your part you have to be creative in getting benefit.
You will need to understand the benefits and essence of internship as well as the nature of internships. How can you make the most out of your internship experience? And which areas should you consider for such opportunities?
• Understand Internship
Naturally, when you analyze the nature of work a person does, it is possible to divide up the course of study into two major areas of business support and academics/research. Business support refers professionals involved in the use of that course of study in all aspects of life – commercial, education, social and government while academics/research refers to individuals involved in the academic and research side of the field of study. Irrespective of the environment, distinction is expected in the nature of work carried out by the individual. For example an Information Technology professional providing operations, support and programming services in a university for student records is providing business support. The other person (working in a university or the lab of a software firm) that teaches and investigates vulnerabilities and secure programming is carrying out academics/research work.
Though many academic institutions provide qualifications and a solid grasp of the fundamentals in academics and research, business support is a major minus. Many students graduating with certifications or degrees are unprepared to deal with the needs of the environment. Qualifications aren't enough. What all sectors of society need are individuals who are ready to solve problems and create opportunities using their experience from day one. The labour market and society wants thinking contributors not just qualifications.
Educational institutions attempt to address this deficiency by building Industrial Training programs known as SIWES or SWEP and internships into their degree programs. Most academic programs relating to technology require students to perform internship at specific stages of their academic programs. Such academic programs incorporate work experience as an integral part of a student's core curriculum.
Graduates and certified individuals who wish to develop hands-on work experience can also take the initiative to secure internships. During such periods of internship, students get exposed to working life and experience, where they gain some hands-on skills.
• Benefits of Internship
One of the most important and obvious goals of an internship is the acquisition of actual real world experience. Industrial attachment and Internship across the world gives you a full and realistic view of workplace environment. This is not a storybook, fantasyland, feel-good activity. What is the workplace culture? What are the expectations? It means going through the highs and lows. You need to ask, is work experience for me? Is it an environment in which I can thrive?
Internships are known for giving students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real world environments. At the same time, they will also develop skills which will help them perform better at their jobs.
Internships are a great way to "try-out" career possibilities. Participating lifts the veil by allowing the student to learn more about the specific industry, field, technology, product or company. With a real feel of the nature of work you have more realistic judgment values that aren't coloured by fantasy.
The importance of having a better picture of what is really going on can't be overstressed. Lack of direction and unrealistic expectations, and not lack of intelligence, are some of the major reasons why many careers don't take off. You can and love to calculate and excel in theoretical work but how much do you know about other things a worker must perform - like nature of work? Is the area of specialization you have in mind the still your choice? Your internship experience should aid you in analyzing your options and your situation.
But it's not just to gain a sense of the work environment. Internship makes it possible to link the academic environment with workplace and professional realities in terms of opportunities and challenges. Internship is an opportunity to learn firsthand about valued requirements that can't be taught or experienced in the classroom.
One problem commonly cited by employers is that many graduates do not have the practical skills necessary to excel in the job market. They also feel that the professionalism of students is less than it should be. Even though there are a large number of theories on how to encourage employees and increase profits, it is apparent that enhanced levels of education are not enough to prepare students for a real world environment. Being able to improve these weaknesses will make graduates much more effective in their careers.
Furthermore your educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments that expose you to the work of the employer (the internship provider). By participating in an internship, you gain hands-on experience and enhance your knowledge in a career field. The opportunity to develop professional competence is a major plus - learning and contributing in the workplace. You should invest in internship to develop new skills and gain professional experience in the IT profession. Competence is particularly important in today's world, as industry requires competence not just qualifications. Having quality work experience increases your marketability. Qualifications and certifications may open the door but they can't keep the door open. It's beyond passing exams. Qualifications will not provide an umbrella for incompetence.
Seeking an internship is a brilliant way to acquire job search and interviewing skills. You use the internship search to learn how to market yourself for opportunity. You gain experience in job-seeking skills such as resume and cover letter preparation and interviewing. The self-evaluation you go through when developing your resume and other job search helps you better define what you want in your future. Usually students with two to three internship experiences during formal education are often the most productive in securing full time employment quickly upon graduation. These are the important guidelines that the Youth One-Stop Centre will be giving you.
Working in industry is about working with people. "No man is an island" - John Donne. You might be a strong academic performer with the best results or grade in your class but please experience is not about one-woman-or-one-man-riot-squads". It's important to know how to learn and work with people to get results. People aren't machines or zombies.
A study was conducted which included about 20 universities in Africa and a total of 100 students were included in this study. Before they could start their internship, the students were required to take a career development program. In this program the students learned how to conduct an interview and how to enhance their careers. The results of the study demonstrated that using a variety of different teaching methods is effective in giving graduates the traits which are desired by employers. The students gained skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and computer skills.
The vast majority of students in this study had high to above average scores. The students also demonstrated enhanced abilities in the areas of oral communication and leadership skills. The goals of the study were largely successful. The role of the Youth One=Stop Center is to get Universities and educational programs can encourage their students to take internships, it is likely that many of their graduates would have the skills necessary to succeed. Setting up the right program for employees can be a challenging process. The students who participated in internships performed much better than students who graduated from the program without going into internships.
Internship is therefore useful for learning and improving soft skills such as communication, problem solving, analytical, decision-making, leadership, presentation, teamwork, networking and interpersonal skills (empathy, sensitivity, and friendship). Internships will also allow students to learn about time management, discipline, and effective communication skills. In the business world, critical thinking skills are very important. Graduates must be able to make quick decisions which are based on logic. In addition to this, their work ethic will increase, and they will be confident in their abilities.
Internship helps students build professional networks. Your interaction with working professionals during your internship can lead to career opportunities. Deepen and expand your network. It is easier to succeed when you build your own personal network of individuals that you can rely on for advice, job leads, technical assistance and other helpful support.
To cap this up, there is the need to know that when you build network with other students from over the world at your internship place; this is one network that you will need and hold on to forever.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR.
Temmylade Ayo Aladeokin is UNESCO Youth Ambassador for the Culture of Peace. He has been involved in youth empowerment programmes for 5years. He is the initiator of Youth One-Stop Centres in Africa with the support of A Ray of Hope, UNESCO Youth Ambassador for the Culture of Peace – an organization that is involved in educating African youths.
Temmylade is a graduate of the Africa Leadership Forum and holds a lot of certifications from Institutions in East and West Africa.
Currently works as the advisor, liaison and promotions person for A Ray of Hope, UNESCO.
Interns are usually university students or post graduate adults seeking skills for a new career. Student internships provide opportunities for students to gain experience in their field, determine if they have an interest in a particular career, create a network of contacts, or gain school credit. Internships provide the employers with cheap or free labor for (typically) low-level tasks, and also the prospect of interns returning to the company after completing their education and requiring little or no training.
Internships may be part-time or full-time; typically they are part-time during the university year and full-time in the summer, and they typically last 6-12 weeks, but can be shorter or longer
Types of internships
An intern type means doing internship in an organization or in specific subject of study. Internships exist in various industries and settings. Here are two primary types of internships that exist.
Work experience internship: Most often this will be in the second or third year of the school period. The placement can be from 2 months to sometimes even one full school year. During this period the student is supposed to use the things he/she has learned in school and put it in practice. This way the student gets work experience in their field of study. The gained experience will be helpful to finish up the last year of the study.
Research internship (graduation) or dissertation internship: This is mostly done by students that are in their last year. With this kind of internship a student does research for a particular company. The company can have something that they feel like they need to improve, or the student can choose a topic within the company themselves. The results of the research study will be put in a report and often will have to be presented.
International student internships
Many students do internships in a different country to get international experience and learn an extra language.
Internships are validated work experienced opportunity as part of a degree program.
University staffs give students access to vacancies and students apply direct to employers. Some universities hold fairs and exhibitions to encourage students to consider the option and to enable students to meet potential employers. In the modern labor market graduates with work experience in the form of sandwich placements are not only deemed more desirable to employers but also research has demonstrated they attain higher level degree classifications than those graduates without such experience.
In these countries they have split the types of internship in unpaid or paid. The unpaid internship are mostly the ones that are chosen by students who are either still in school and doing an internship as part of the requirements of school or who have just left school. The purpose of these internships are to get understanding about how work is conducted in the English-speaking world and to improve one's English. Another plus is to learn about work ethic and to experience cultural diversity. The paid internship is mostly for people that want to come to these countries to improve their English. The job for them is not something that they are specialized in, but see it as something that will give them enough money to support their living in these countries.
Over the years, A Ray of Hope, UNESCO has been involved in the internship processes in several universities across Africa. It was noted years back that a typical African youth does not take the opportunity that comes with internship so a process was formed to make internship a reality for the African youth.
There have been kind and encouraging comments as youth found out that Internship is a sure way to develop and create opportunities for themselves. Direction and planning are critical for career management. This is particularly important for developing your career in any field of study.
It's important to have the right attitude towards knowledge and experience. Career progress requires a deep understanding of the importance of work experience. Though you can acquire knowledge and skills from training and other learning resources, in every field especially the technology field, work experience is key for relevant career growth. Getting work experience isn't exactly easy street for most newcomers. But it always helps to have a total picture that shows an understanding of the need and opportunities.
There are some suggestions while on your part you have to be creative in getting benefit.
You will need to understand the benefits and essence of internship as well as the nature of internships. How can you make the most out of your internship experience? And which areas should you consider for such opportunities?
• Understand Internship
Naturally, when you analyze the nature of work a person does, it is possible to divide up the course of study into two major areas of business support and academics/research. Business support refers professionals involved in the use of that course of study in all aspects of life – commercial, education, social and government while academics/research refers to individuals involved in the academic and research side of the field of study. Irrespective of the environment, distinction is expected in the nature of work carried out by the individual. For example an Information Technology professional providing operations, support and programming services in a university for student records is providing business support. The other person (working in a university or the lab of a software firm) that teaches and investigates vulnerabilities and secure programming is carrying out academics/research work.
Though many academic institutions provide qualifications and a solid grasp of the fundamentals in academics and research, business support is a major minus. Many students graduating with certifications or degrees are unprepared to deal with the needs of the environment. Qualifications aren't enough. What all sectors of society need are individuals who are ready to solve problems and create opportunities using their experience from day one. The labour market and society wants thinking contributors not just qualifications.
Educational institutions attempt to address this deficiency by building Industrial Training programs known as SIWES or SWEP and internships into their degree programs. Most academic programs relating to technology require students to perform internship at specific stages of their academic programs. Such academic programs incorporate work experience as an integral part of a student's core curriculum.
Graduates and certified individuals who wish to develop hands-on work experience can also take the initiative to secure internships. During such periods of internship, students get exposed to working life and experience, where they gain some hands-on skills.
• Benefits of Internship
One of the most important and obvious goals of an internship is the acquisition of actual real world experience. Industrial attachment and Internship across the world gives you a full and realistic view of workplace environment. This is not a storybook, fantasyland, feel-good activity. What is the workplace culture? What are the expectations? It means going through the highs and lows. You need to ask, is work experience for me? Is it an environment in which I can thrive?
Internships are known for giving students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real world environments. At the same time, they will also develop skills which will help them perform better at their jobs.
Internships are a great way to "try-out" career possibilities. Participating lifts the veil by allowing the student to learn more about the specific industry, field, technology, product or company. With a real feel of the nature of work you have more realistic judgment values that aren't coloured by fantasy.
The importance of having a better picture of what is really going on can't be overstressed. Lack of direction and unrealistic expectations, and not lack of intelligence, are some of the major reasons why many careers don't take off. You can and love to calculate and excel in theoretical work but how much do you know about other things a worker must perform - like nature of work? Is the area of specialization you have in mind the still your choice? Your internship experience should aid you in analyzing your options and your situation.
But it's not just to gain a sense of the work environment. Internship makes it possible to link the academic environment with workplace and professional realities in terms of opportunities and challenges. Internship is an opportunity to learn firsthand about valued requirements that can't be taught or experienced in the classroom.
One problem commonly cited by employers is that many graduates do not have the practical skills necessary to excel in the job market. They also feel that the professionalism of students is less than it should be. Even though there are a large number of theories on how to encourage employees and increase profits, it is apparent that enhanced levels of education are not enough to prepare students for a real world environment. Being able to improve these weaknesses will make graduates much more effective in their careers.
Furthermore your educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments that expose you to the work of the employer (the internship provider). By participating in an internship, you gain hands-on experience and enhance your knowledge in a career field. The opportunity to develop professional competence is a major plus - learning and contributing in the workplace. You should invest in internship to develop new skills and gain professional experience in the IT profession. Competence is particularly important in today's world, as industry requires competence not just qualifications. Having quality work experience increases your marketability. Qualifications and certifications may open the door but they can't keep the door open. It's beyond passing exams. Qualifications will not provide an umbrella for incompetence.
Seeking an internship is a brilliant way to acquire job search and interviewing skills. You use the internship search to learn how to market yourself for opportunity. You gain experience in job-seeking skills such as resume and cover letter preparation and interviewing. The self-evaluation you go through when developing your resume and other job search helps you better define what you want in your future. Usually students with two to three internship experiences during formal education are often the most productive in securing full time employment quickly upon graduation. These are the important guidelines that the Youth One-Stop Centre will be giving you.
Working in industry is about working with people. "No man is an island" - John Donne. You might be a strong academic performer with the best results or grade in your class but please experience is not about one-woman-or-one-man-riot-squads". It's important to know how to learn and work with people to get results. People aren't machines or zombies.
A study was conducted which included about 20 universities in Africa and a total of 100 students were included in this study. Before they could start their internship, the students were required to take a career development program. In this program the students learned how to conduct an interview and how to enhance their careers. The results of the study demonstrated that using a variety of different teaching methods is effective in giving graduates the traits which are desired by employers. The students gained skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and computer skills.
The vast majority of students in this study had high to above average scores. The students also demonstrated enhanced abilities in the areas of oral communication and leadership skills. The goals of the study were largely successful. The role of the Youth One=Stop Center is to get Universities and educational programs can encourage their students to take internships, it is likely that many of their graduates would have the skills necessary to succeed. Setting up the right program for employees can be a challenging process. The students who participated in internships performed much better than students who graduated from the program without going into internships.
Internship is therefore useful for learning and improving soft skills such as communication, problem solving, analytical, decision-making, leadership, presentation, teamwork, networking and interpersonal skills (empathy, sensitivity, and friendship). Internships will also allow students to learn about time management, discipline, and effective communication skills. In the business world, critical thinking skills are very important. Graduates must be able to make quick decisions which are based on logic. In addition to this, their work ethic will increase, and they will be confident in their abilities.
Internship helps students build professional networks. Your interaction with working professionals during your internship can lead to career opportunities. Deepen and expand your network. It is easier to succeed when you build your own personal network of individuals that you can rely on for advice, job leads, technical assistance and other helpful support.
To cap this up, there is the need to know that when you build network with other students from over the world at your internship place; this is one network that you will need and hold on to forever.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR.
Temmylade Ayo Aladeokin is UNESCO Youth Ambassador for the Culture of Peace. He has been involved in youth empowerment programmes for 5years. He is the initiator of Youth One-Stop Centres in Africa with the support of A Ray of Hope, UNESCO Youth Ambassador for the Culture of Peace – an organization that is involved in educating African youths.
Temmylade is a graduate of the Africa Leadership Forum and holds a lot of certifications from Institutions in East and West Africa.
Currently works as the advisor, liaison and promotions person for A Ray of Hope, UNESCO.
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