Berkshires' Best Employers 2020

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Proofreading in the dig ital age

Proofreading is essential whether one is writing a term paper, marketing statement or tex t message to friends.

Many people recognize the importance of proofreading important assignments or business proposals But what about proofreading in less formal circumstances? Who hasn't blamed a typo or another er ror on autocor rect or "fat fingers "

Taking the extra time to reread an email, text or social media post can help people appear more professional in various instances Proofreading can help people avoid embarrassing mistakes and may even help people keep their jobs

It is all too easy to fire of f a text or email without giving it a reread All it takes is one misspelled word to dramatically alter the message a sender was trying to convey Autocor rect also can give the false impression that someone is unprofessional and hasty Before you find yourself in a position where you need to backtrack to save face, it may help to pause and proofread

Turn off autocorrect functions. Find the settings for your particular device or prog ram and opt out of autocor rect or autofill options. This can cut down on the number of errors made by rushing.

Reread everything you plan to send, no matter how minor you believe it to be Never assume that something is perfect the first time around Reread things several times before sending to make sure you're sending the right message

Proofread by reading things aloud. Your brain may gloss over typos, particularly in documents you write Reading something aloud may reveal mistakes you previously missed.

Ask a friend to serve as your editor. Enlist a second party to look at what you've written and serve as a second set of eyes, particularly for important messages

Slow down. Multitasking and writing while in a rush can increase the likelihood of making mistakes Do not write when short on time Instead, wait to send important messages until you can devote your full attention to the task

The right way to leave a job

When leaving a job, professionals should always be cour teous and considerate toward their current employers.

According to a 2018 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person changes jobs between 10 and 15 times during his or her career. In addition, many workers spend five years or less in each job.

When leaving a job, it is important that professionals exhibit a certain measure of g race and etiquette Leaving a job with dignity and mutual respect can benefit professionals in the short- and long-term.

Speak with a super visor first.

Make sure your boss or immediate supervisor learns of your plans to leave the job first Do not gossip or suggest to coworkers that you re ready to leave It's unprofessional if a supervisor hears of your impending departure from others.

Provide ample notice.

Even if it is time to move on, ensure that your cur rent employer has plenty of time to interview potential replacements and train someone to take your place This ensures an easy transition for all involved, and can show your employer that you

have the company's best interests in mind. While two weeks' notice is the standard, if you have held a professional position for some time, extend the courtesy to three.

Check company policy.

The employment firm AG Careers suggests reviewing company policy if you will be leaving to work for a direct competitor. There may be strict rules in place and protocol to follow.

Don' t shirk responsibilities.

It can be tempting to slack of f when another job awaits The popular job-hunting site Monster.com

says it can be human nature to do less when long-term accountability is removed. However, you never know when you might need a referral or even a new job. Leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of your employer at the end of your work history can put a black mark on your employee record.

Take coworkers' feelings into consideration.

Be open and honest with coworkers, but do not gloat that you are leaving the company and they are not. And if anyone has strong feelings about your departure, accept their point of view and do not react outwardly Take things in stride as much as possible

Avoid financial peril after a job loss

A job loss can come as a shock. However, with level-headedness and smar t planning, many people can avoid dire financial situations in the wake of a layo .

Losing a job can be devastating Even in a strong market, companies can go out of business or reduce payroll. Being let go can initially tug at one's pride, and after a layof f sets in, it may cause individuals to start

wor rying for their financial futures. While many people can survive and may even enjoy a few weeks of rest and relaxation after a job loss, financial concerns may surface soon thereafter A 2017 GOBankingRates survey found that more than half of American adults have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts. Financial planners typically advise people to have at least three month's worth of earnings socked away for emergency situations, like a medical issue or a job loss Even though the survey also found more than a quarter (27 percent) of respondents have

$10,000 or more saved, that might not be enough to survive a job loss for six months or more.

These strate gies can help professionals who recently found themselves out of work avoid financial dif ficulties.

Get references. Leave on amicable terms and ask your former employer for a reference You should not burn any bridges, as a good reference can be invaluable as you look for your next opportunity

Assess your budget carefully. You naturally will have to make concessions that impact finances, particularly as it pertains to spending Cut back on non-necessities like dining out, g ym memberships, streaming subscriptions, and other luxuries. Avoid adding other new debt

Live off of cash reserves first. Before cashing in investments or retirement accounts, tap your emergency fund first If you have any tangible assets, like an unused car or a boat sitting idle, sell these items for cash to tide you over.

Contact your credit card company. Many companies have prog rams designed to help customers facing financial hardships Reach out promptly to let them know you may be anticipating missed payments. It is better if you initiate contact rather than going into default The same tactic can be used for mortgage or rent payments

Apply for aid benefits. There may be government benefits, such as low-cost healthcare or food subsidies, that can help you get through financial dif ficulties until you get back on your feet.

Involve the entire family It can be embarrassing to lose a job, but look to family for support Children may not need to know every detail, but they can have a cursory awareness of family finances and understand they may have to cut back until Mom or Dad is working again.

Prioritize saving Lightning may not strike twice, but plan ahead for another job loss by prioritizing savings in the future.

What is occupational wellness?

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Wellness is a broad term that can refer to various aspects of daily life Disciplines like yoga and meditation might be the first things to come to mind when people think of wellness, but focusing on wellness at work can have positive, lasting effects on overall well-being as well Occupational wellness is not necessarily a familiar term, but it's something that most professionals strive for According to the Student Health and Counseling Services at the University of California, Davis, occupational wellness inspires people to find work from which they will gain personal satisfaction and find enrichment. Occupational wellness promotes the exploration of various career options and the pursuit of those opportunities that most appeal to each individual. While it may seem like common sense to aspire for an engaging, enjoyable career, the ef fect that finding such a career can have on overall well-being might not be so apparent. In an analysis of a recent Gallup World Poll, a survey that asks hundreds of thousands of workers across the globe about their jobs and their job satisfaction, Harvard Business Review found there is a cor relation between job satisfaction and life evaluations People who report

being satisfied with their jobs seem to be happier overall

So how can one embrace the concept of occupational wellness? UC Davis of fers individuals the following suggestions as they be gin their journeys to occupational wellness.

Perform some self-reflection. Reflect on yourself and what you need out of a job. Are there certain occupational tasks you enjoy? Are there some you find burdensome? Identifying those you enjoy and those you feel are onerous can help you nar row down your options to careers you will find engaging and rewarding.

Consider unpaid work and volunteer opportunities. Even though they don't pay, unpaid work and volunteer opportunities can still enrich your life and provide personal satisfaction. Such opportunities should not be overlooked

Practice open communication and proper conflict management with colleagues. Ne gative working environments can be stressful, leading to dissatisfaction on the job Openly communicating with colleagues and resolving conflicts in a proper, professional way can foster a positive working environment, potentially contributing to g reater job satisfaction

How to be a better mentor

Mentors can have profound impacts on the lives of the people they mentor A mentor is often a source of wisdom and support over the course of months or even years The relationship between mentor and mentee can endure as long as each person desires Serving as a mentor can be rewarding Certain traits and practices set mentors apart. Those who want to be mentors can follow these tips.

Be a good and active listener

Mentors help mentees navigate the tricky waters of life but will not solve all problems Mentors need to listen to what mentees say, meaning good listening skills are an essential trait for prospective mentors After listening, mentors can provide a host of solutions, though ultimately it is up to the mentee to find his or her own path.

Meld with the mentee

Mentors and their mentees need to be close and compatible A good mentor will not try to manipulate or influence decisions, but realize that support and guidance are the best ways to get messages across Asking a lot of questions and truly getting to know the mentee can set a strong foundation for the relationship.

Emphasize learning

Mentors realize that continuing education is vital to success Good mentors tend to be lifelong learners who share the lessons they've learned with the people they mentor. Even though they may not always be experts, mentors try to be as informed as possible on topics that relate to the mentorship

Set expectations

It is one thing to provide support, but mentors also should inspire their mentees to work hard. Once mentees cite their goals, good mentors will share their own expectations and goals for their mentees, even going so far as to of fer advice as to how to achieve those goals

Deliver honest feedback

Good mentors will not sugarcoat feedback in order to stay in their mentees' good g races. A mentor should aspire to be both a critic and a coach Even though mentees may want to garner praise, mentors know it is important to say what others may not be willing to say With the right feedback, mentees can flourish.

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We arerecruiting driven and compassionateindividualstojoinour dynamic team of over 50 0 employees, includingResidential,Outreach, Nurses, Social WorkersandMental Health Clinicians.

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Visitourwebsiteat briencenter.org/careers formore informationonouropenpositionsandhowtoapplyto oneofBerkshireCounty’slargestnon-profitemployers.

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Tech careers continue to boom

No matter the position, working with tecnolog y involves finding creative solutions in a fastpaced, ever-growing environment.

Technolog y has changed the world in numerous ways, including creating entirely new industries and a vast ar ray of career options that didn't exist as recently as two decades ago

In its CyberstatesTM report, CompTIA, which publishes a steady stream of new research on IT topics, recently shared some key findings that's news for those who work in tech.

• Around 11.8 million people are employed in tech in the Unites States, and 261,000 new jobs were

added in the past year.

• Software and web developers make up the largest and fastestg rowing se gment of tech jobs

• The estimated direct economic output of the tech industry equals $1.8 trillion.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts technolog y careers are on the rise, with expected g rowth of 12 percent between 2014 and 2024. Specific fields within the tech industry are expected to experience even stronger g rowth, as high as 27 percent. There's never been a better time to work in tech, particularly for those who have a knack or af finity for computer operations and networks. Here's a look at some of the promising tech careers, including some of the more lucrative, courtesy of U.S. News' "Best Technolog y Jobs of 2019" report These jobs boast low employment rates and high salaries.

5. Database administrator

A database administrator sets up databases These highly trained individuals use specialized software to store and organize data Some key roles include planning, installation, configuration, design, as well as mig ration. DBAs also will troubleshoot and enhance database security Median pay is $87,020.

4. Information securit y analyst

Concerns about security breaches continue to g row as criminals become ever more savvy Information security analysts find the best security solutions and carry out measures to protect a company's networks and systems The professionals maintain systems by updating software and recommending security updates to management Median pay is $95,510.

3. IT manager

IT managers are in high demand thanks to increasingly digital workplaces These individuals coordinate all computer-related activities for an organization. Some jobs include

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2 . Computer systems analyst

A computer systems analyst helps organizations utilize computer technolog y ef ficiently and ef fectively They make suggestions on new technolog y Sometimes called systems architects, computer systems analysts often study existing computer systems and design more ef ficient options Median salary is $88,270, lower than some other IT jobs, but there are 54,400 projected jobs in this area

1 . Sof t ware developer

A software developer has the highest rate of projected new jobs, and at a median salary of $101,790, it can be a secure career in the tech field. These developers write new code, fix software bugs, find solutions to outdated prog rams, and must be both creative and technical. Some developers may specialize in one area of computers or serve as generalists who write code for various types of software.

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The di erent fields of eng ineering

Engineering can be a rewarding and fulfilling career choice. With so many disciplines, there’s likely something for ever yone with an interest in and aptitude for engineering.

Engineering has many disciplines that can be an ideal fit for a career Engineering is an exciting profession that encompasses many dif ferent subfields Engineers are professionals who invent, analyze, design, test, and build anything from machines to structures to complex systems. They are often pushed to work within parameters of safety, cost, re gulations, and even practicality.

According to Southern New Hampshire University, engineering is divided into four main cate gories: chemical, civil, mechanical, and electrical. However, there are dozens of subtypes of engineering As problems are encountered, engineering disciplines are developed to train highly specialized individuals to solve issues As the U S Bureau of Labor Statistics points to strong job g rowth outlooks, and salaries starting in the high five-figures to low six-figures, engineering is a fine career to pursue.

The following is a breakdown of the various fields of engineering, courtesy of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, TypesOfEngineeringDe g rees org, and SNHU.

Aerospace

These engineers design, analyze, model, simulate, and test various aircraft, rockets, satellites, and other craft. Aerospace engineers may help develop space mission protocol or design aircraft for the military.

Agricultural

These engineers study science and biolog y to develop ef ficient measures to g row and maintain plant life Many ag ricultural engineers now focus on protecting resources and the environment.

Biomedical

These engineers combine knowledge of biolog y and medicine to develop technologies related to healthcare Diagnostic machines, artifical organs, joint replacement components, and medical instruments are just the tip of the iceberg.

Chemical

Chemical engineers discover and manufacture medicines, fertilizers, plastics, paints, and the various chemicals used at home and for commercial purposes.

Civil

Civil engineers study and design infrastructure. Projects span the design of bridges, roads, dams, water systems, earthquake-proof buildings, and much more

Computer hardware

Thanks to the digital age, computer hardware engineers are in high demand. These professionals research and develop components like memory devices, networks, routers, circuit boards, and other device-related hardware.

Electrical

The design, testing and manufacturing of electrical components is key to this field. Electrical engineers work on motors, navigation systems, communication technolog y, and much more.

Mechanical

This field involves the design of mechanical systems in industries like manufacturing, nuclear power production, HVAC, and nanotechnolog y There are many other applications as well, making mechanical engineering one of the broadest fields in engineering

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Hillcrest Educational Centers is a nationally accredited human service organization that has provided specialized services and care to youth and their families for 35 years We are one of the areas largest employers and have more than 550 dedicated staffworking together at our therapeutic residential and day school programs to positively impactfamilies and communities one child at a time.Join us for a purpose-drivencareer. Check us out on our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages

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