Cave Health

Do you work with a tornado? You know the kind of person who always seems surrounded by drama in their personal and professional lives?  Any attempt by their colleagues to get them to change their ways falls on deaf ears.  Can you see them heading for burnout in a couple of year’s time? 

Research from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales found that 45 per cent of people questioned say they have suffered from stress, citing unattainable targets, poor management and bad work-life balance as the causes.  Employees claim their work stress levels also affecting their home life, with half saying it impacted on their health and 41 per cent reporting it was detrimental to their social life.  The expert highlights those in the financial sector as being renowned for being stressed.

Therefore employers have a duty of care to protect their staff.  Staff who perform well become an asset not a burden. 

Believe it or not some people actually love a crisis.  In fact when things get too predictable they get bored!  But how do you tackle someone who thrives under stress, but for whom this habit is beginning to damage their health and effectiveness? 

 Here are 10 Top Tips on how to recognise and cope with stress

Performance management and stress could be discussed at an annual Appraisal.  An employee may not realise the impact stress could have on their performance.  If their needs lie at the heart of their behaviour, this may subconsciously drive their choices and decisions.  These needs may include a need to be in control, a need to be liked or a strong need for perfection, all of which could create scenarios with stressful outcomes.  Offer them one2One coaching or mentoring support, this will help them identify what behaviour or habits they need to change and what new approaches they can adopt.  This could then be progressed through an action plan, reviewed periodically.  A Personal Coach or Mentor will hold them accountable to take some action. Recommend that they have a health check with their GP, and to start taking responsibility for their own stress management.  Stress related illnesses are avoidable, and therefore a complete lifestyle assessment would be beneficial with the emphasis on reducing alcohol intake, eating a sensible diet, and avoidance of junk food. Encourage them to delegate, prioritise and become personally more organised, e.g. by using a task list, setting realistic deadlines, proper diary and time management Provide some opportunities for them to do some strategic planning and to allocate time for this in their schedule Encourage them to learn some relaxation techniques, e.g. by taking up a relaxing hobby like fishing or Tai Chi.  These will have a beneficial effect on their health by reducing stress hormones, lowering blood pressure, creating a happier state of mind leading to better sleep, more energy and resilience to stress. Provide options for them to look into their own work-life balance, i.e. by not taking work home/on holiday and using technology to make this easier for them with remote working for instance Discuss setting realistic goals and not to over commit themselves Introduce some coaching techniques to help them pause and  reflect on the consequences of their behaviour.  They should be encouraged to adopt new ways of handling stressful situations, handling themselves in a crisis, and conflict management – perhaps by attending workshops focussed on emotional intelligence. Help them to identify the warning signs of stress, i.e. binge eating or drinking, poor sleep patterns, aggressive behaviour, or stress related illnesses, e.g. migraine, eczema, IBS. The overall recommendation being that sensible stress management is a long term solution, which although it requires commitment provides a viable solution much more effective than the short-term solution, i.e. going sick and being put on medication.

Setting realistic expectations and identifying if your staff are under stress will save money and improve staff retention and morale in the longer term.  

The hottest careers in the United States today draw on a broad spectrum of skills and interests. Whether you’re into numbers, people, nature, sports, or computers, there’s a way to parlay your natural abilities into a lucrative career.

Do what you love, and the money will follow. This may be true, but it helps if what you love coincides with a high-demand career path.

The hottest careers in the United States today draw on a broad spectrum of skills and interests. Whether you’re into numbers, people, nature, sports, or computers, there’s a way to parlay your natural abilities into a lucrative career.

10 Pathways to a Better Salary

The following ten careers are in demand–and they have big paychecks to prove it. They are among the highest-paying jobs on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ list of the fastest-growing careers through 2014. With the right training, you could upgrade into these jobs and start earning what you’re worth.

If you’re interested in HEALTH:

Physician Assistant–$69,250

Physician assistants perform many of the same functions as a doctor: They examine patients, diagnose illness, and even prescribe medication. Although doctors must supervise treatment, physician assistants enjoy a good deal of autonomy and more face time with patients.

Your career as a physician assistant begins with a bachelor’s degree and a 2-year physician assistant training program.

• Ranks fourth in the BLS Top 30 Fastest-Growing jobs, with 49.6% job growth expected through 2014.

Physical Therapist–$61,560

Physical therapists guide patients on the road to recovery from illness or injury. They have a profound effect on the people they work with, helping them improve mobility, relieve pain, and even overcome disabilities.

Physical therapists must complete a master’s-level Physical Therapy program and pass a licensure exam.

• Helps injured and ill patients improve their independence and quality of life.

• An active and interactive job.

Registered Nurse–$63,170

The shortage of registered nurses means unprecedented opportunities and rising salaries. Registered nurses are on the frontlines of medical care, examining and treating patients.

Prospective nurses have several options: a two-year associate’s degree, a three-year applied nursing diploma, or the four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). All culminate in a national licensing exam.

• People skills and compassion are crucial for this rewarding career.

• This job ranks second for projected job growth through 2014.

If you’re interested in TECHNOLOGY:

Computer Software Engineer–$76,310

Computer software engineers design and test applications software and operating systems for computers. They write programs using coding languages such as C++ and Java.

You can become a computer software engineer with a four-year bachelor’s degree in computer science.

• Ranks fifth in the BLS Top 30 Fastest-Growing jobs, with 48% job growth expected through 2014.

• An exciting, fast-paced industry that rewards innovation and creativity.

Network Systems Analyst–$61,250

Network Systems Analysts are responsible for keeping a company’s network–its file-sharing, voicemail, and email systems–in optimum condition. They evaluate new technology, implement changes to the system, and maintain the company’s local area network (LAN), wide area network (WLAN), and intranet.

You can become a network systems analyst in as little as two years: the minimum requirement is an associate’s degree. Some positions may require a bachelor’s in computer science. Liberal arts degree holders also perform well in this position, because systems analysis relies on out-of-the-box thinking.

• Systems analysts rank second in the BLS Top 30 Fastest-Growing jobs, with 54.6% job growth expected through 2014.

• A technical career for creative types.

Database Administrator–$61,950

Database administrators perform a crucial function in the information age–they set up computer databases and ensure efficient and reliable access to data. They maintain and upgrade a company’s computer systems, identifying user requirements and adding new users.

Educational requirements vary, but most entry-level jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in a technical field.

• Database Administration jobs are expected to increase 40% through 2014.

• A rewarding career for detail-oriented and computer savvy people.

If you’re interested in SCIENCE & NATURE:

Hydrologist–$60,880

Hydrologists study water. They recording the quantity, distribution, and circulation above ground and below, providing key data for public works and environmental preservation. Hydrologists are involved in flood control, anti-erosion, construction, and other projects.

Hydrologists need at least a bachelor’s degree in Hydrology or a related field. Many employers prefer to hire master’s degree holders, even for entry-level positions.

• More than half of work hours are spent outdoors, in the field.

Biomedical Engineer–$70,520

Biomedical engineers apply engineering and biological research techniques to medical care. They make profound contributions to the scientific community and to patients’ wellbeing, developing medical devices, diagnostic equipment, artificial organs, prostheses, and more.

Biomedical engineering is a challenging and rewarding career. Even entry-level jobs require a master’s degree in biomedical engineering, biotechnology, or a related field, and many biomedical engineers go on to Ph.D.s.

• Challenging and meaningful work that helps people.

Environmental Engineer–$67,620

Environmental engineers research and develop solutions to some of our most pressing environmental problems: pollution control, ozone depletion, and wildlife protection.

Environmental engineers hold at least a bachelor’s degree in the field–many go on to a master’s in Environmental Engineering.

• Help prevent environmental damage.

• Plenty of time outdoors, collecting field data.

If you’re interested in ART:

Video Game Design–$65,000

Video game designers are responsible for creating the animation, storyboarding, and programming that go into producing video games. Video game design combines artistic vision and technical skill. It is a software development career that requires imagination.

Video game designers can start out with a certificate or associate’s degree, but they can progress more quickly with a bachelor’s degree in game design and development. Top designers enjoy more creative control and command higher salaries.

• Software publishing will be the third-fastest growing industry through 2014.

• Video game industry jobs expected to double between 2004 and 2009.

• Video games produce more revenue than movie theater box office receipts–worldwide revenue is expected to hit $66 billion by 2011.

No matter what your innate talents and interests are, chances are there’s a need for them somewhere in the marketplace. With the right training, you can develop your natural abilities into valuable job skills. If you identify hot industries and high demand careers that draw on those skills, you’ll be well on your way to earning what you’re worth. Remember, it’s just as easy to fall in love with a high-paying job as an underpaid one.

Most of us remember a day in our teens when our high school guidance counselor called us in for career counseling. She scrutinized and evaluated us, gave us tests with cryptic questions, and in the end proclaimed with some certainty that our career destiny was to become a fireman–or a stonemason, or a math teacher, or something equally mysterious. As baffling as this process was, if you’re the parent to teenagers, you probably find yourself wishing you could give them such definite career advice.

With so many career options in the modern workplace, it can be difficult for parents and teens to narrow down the choices. The good news is, those career tests your guidance counselor gave you have come a long way. Today’s career assessments provide an accurate, sophisticated, and time-effective way to help your child discover their career aptitude. Tests of your child’s personality, preferences, talents, and interests provide you and your teen with essential information as you make choices for college and beyond.

Do you know whether your child is a structured traditionalist, or a sensitive artist? Do they do their best work in solitude or on teams? One of the most widely used career assessments for teens, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®), assesses your child’s personality type on four scales: Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving. Based on these measures, the test results provide information on careers, industries, and work environments that are good choices for your child’s personality type. Knowing your child’s personality type is crucial to choosing a career path that will motivate, challenge, and satisfy them.

Extensive research has been done using the MBTI to correlate personality type with career success, so that once your child knows their type, they can benefit from the career experience of thousands of similar types. The test results will help them to understand the key factors for their job satisfaction, crucial stressors to avoid when choosing a career, and some common pitfalls they may encounter as they start on their career path. Although your child’s interests may change over time, their personality type will remain constant, and preparing your child with an awareness of their personality type will benefit them for the rest of their life.

To discover the best career for your child, it is also important to understand how their interests, hobbies, and favorite activities can inform their career choice. The Strong Interest Inventory®, a well-researched and widely used career test, assesses your teen’s interest level in six major career categories: Conventional, Investigative, Realistic, Artistic, Enterprising, and Social. Then, it matches your teen’s test scores with the interest profiles of successful professionals to rate the careers that are the best match for them. The Strong Interest Inventory results can help your child to understand the day-to-day tasks that certain jobs require, and how their interests match up with possible careers.

Both the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator can be taken with the assistance of a qualified career counselor. You may choose to visit a counselor in your area, or you can have your teen take these tests online. If you feel your teen may need ongoing coaching, it may be best to visit a counselor in person. However, many families find that it is most convenient to access these career tests for kids online.

However you decide to take the tests, you can ensure you get the most out of the assessment by reviewing and verifying the results with a qualified counselor or coach. Both the MBTI and the Strong are designed to be interpreted and explained by a professional with training in the use of the assessments. Your counselor or coach will help you to make sense of the results and apply them to your teen’s individual situation, and will assist you in planning the next steps for your child’s career exploration.

The sheer variety of career options today is astounding. Your teen has a dazzling, and sometimes overwhelming, array of choices. With so many options, teens and parents will benefit from using the excellent personality and career tests that have been developed to help students choose a rewarding career. Not only can these assessments provide much-needed direction, but they can help steer your child towards a career that will challenge and satisfy them for many years to come.

©2007 by Molly Owens