Ask an MBA Admissions Expert Chioma Isiadinso

Ask an MBA Admissions Expert Chioma Isiadinso Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Chioma Isiadinso is a former HarvardBusiness School Admissions Board member as well as the former Director of Admissions at Carnegie Mellon University. She is the CEO of EXPARTUS, a worldwide MBA admissions consulting service, and has also written a book of insights on the MBA admissions process called The Best Business Schools Admissions Secrets. VT: How much time should be set aside to adequately prepare for and complete the application for an MBA program? Chioma: Ideally you want to start to seriously think of the MBA a couple of years before you actually apply. By having such a long lead time you can invest time identifying any weaknesses in your profile and can address them long before you apply. An early start in preparing for your MBA will enable you to be strategic in the types of projects you pursue and will allow you to cultivate the strong relationships with your superiors who will eventually write recommendation letters for you. When it comes to applying, you should budget about five months. Two months to prepare and take the GMAT or GRE and three months to work on the application. VT:What would you say is the single most important thing to focus on for this kind of application? Chioma: While each part of the application is important, not having a strong academic profile will ensure that the application will be rejected. For the highly selective MBA programs, candidates who have very low test scores will be eliminated early in the evaluation process. It is important to adequately prepare for the GMAT/GRE to ensure that you have a strong test score. While a strong test score alone does not guarantee admission to a top school, not having them will make it easy for the admissions board to deny you admission. VT: What do MBA admissions officers look for most in the essay questions? Chioma: They look for depth of character. The essays provide a canvass through which a candidate can showcase their strengths, accomplishments and motivations. They explain what is driving you and why you have made the choices you have made in your life. Because of the variations in MBA essay questions, they offer a chance for candidates to speak about their personal and professional lives and achievements. The essays, when written well, can be the main differentiator and can endear you to the admissions board. There are so many talented candidates applying and it is hard to separate strong candidates who have similar work profile, test scores etc. However, the essays can be the deal breaker when they are poorly written or the deal maker when they reveal really insightful things about you that makes you come alive to the admissions board. VT: What are the biggest mistakes one can make on this application? Chioma: The biggest mistake applicants make is to underestimate how much work is involved in putting together a successful application. This often leads them to submit application essays that are weak and riddled with errors. Another mistake that applicants make is selecting the wrong people to write recommendations for them. Recommendations are quite important in the evaluation of MBA applicants and it is critical to select recommenders who know you very well. Avoid choosing recommenders based on simply their seniority at your firm (eg. The CEO of your firm who barely knows your name); you are better off choosing a recommender with a less impressive title who knows your work very well and can provide detailed examples to support your candidacy. VT: What aspects of the MBA admissions process make it most different from undergraduate admissions process? Chioma: The main difference between college and MBA applications is that the latter group of applicants are older and have more years working in the real world. The average MBA candidate has worked for 3 or more years before applying to business school. Therefore, the quality of work experience and impact in a professional setting is weighed quite highly in the business school application assessment. Outside of the work experience difference there are a lot of similarities between the college and MBA admissions (both programs are looking for smart, accomplished individuals who will add to the diversity/richness of their schools). VT: Is there anything that automatically disqualifies an applicant from being considered for an MBA program (i.e. low GPA, lack of particular work experience, etc.)? Chioma: This varies from school to school and is important for applicants to understand the nuances of different MBA programs. For instance, while international experience is important to all top MBA programs, it is particularly of high importance for a MBA program like INSEAD. Failure to show international experience or exposure will relegate your INSEAD application to the reject pile. The same applies to language fluency: not having another language under the belt disqualifies a candidate from being admitted to a program like INSEAD. Work experience is valued at most top MBA programs. Yet there are some programs that are more open to candidates who are early in their career and have less work experience. A program such as Stanford GSB admits a few exceptional candidates with little to no work experience. Very low GPA or GMAT can undermine a candidates application as well. The further away your score is from the average score of admitted students, the more of an issue it will be. Academic infractions such as suspensions, plagiarism, as well as criminal records are sure ways of disqualifying a candidate. VT: What kind of work experiences should be highlighted in the MBA application? Chioma: One of the things candidates should do when showcasing their work experience is to cut out jargon from their CVs and focus on the impact and contributions they have had in each of their jobs. Since many programs like to see short CVs of not more than 2 pages (one page resumes for most of the US MBA programs), candidates have to think carefully about all the details of their responsibilities within each role and at each firm. Anything that doesnt help reinforce their brand (how they are positioning themselves) should be cut out allowing them to connect the dots of their experiences in their resume/CV. Internships that are in the industry you are looking to enter are worth including in your MBA application especially when you have limited work experience. VT: What advice do you have regarding GMAT test prep? Chioma: My advice on test prep is to make the investment upfront before taking the GMAT. So many applicants take the GMAT without fully being prepared resulting in mediocre scores. Ideally it is best to take the GMAT once. So before embarking on the exam there are some practical things to do to give you the best chance of success:-Take a practice test to see what your benchmark score is. If it is lower than 700 you will be better off doing additional preparation before taking the test. Practice tests can be found on www.MBA.com.-Identify where you are weak in (verbal versus quantitative) and focus your efforts in strengthening this area. This may involve self-study or a class. Some applicants can get away with a few sessions with a tutor instead of an entire class.-There are many test prep companies out there so you should do your homework before deciding on the best one. VT: Is it absolutely necessary to have work experience prior to starting an MBA degree? Chioma: It isnt absolutely necessary to have work experience and there are several accelerated MBA programs that allow college seniors to go directly from undergraduate study to the MBA. However, I recommend getting some experience prior to the MBA. You can better contribute to the classroom by drawing on real experiences instead of relying solely on theoretical lessons from a previous course. If you are choosing to do a Masters degree in Management, you dont need to have work experience. VT: What are the characteristics of a great MBA program? Chioma: One of the main characteristics of a great MBA program is that it attracts a truly diverse set of candidates across industries, sectors, countries, etc. This diversity creates a stimulating environment where students can grow and learn from one another. Secondly, a successful MBA program must have committed faculty who are invested in teaching and developing their students. It is also important that the faculty have expertise across a wide variety of business subjects (finance, marketing, operations, management, etc.) to give students a firm foundation in business education. Finally, on the career side, a great MBA program has to have a track record of success preparing students to attain employment when they graduate. It is vital to look at employment statistics as well as the industries and companies that recruit at the school to ensure that there is a fit between you and the schools you are interested in applying to. Visit EXPARTUS for more information or follow Chioma on Twitter @EXPARTUS.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Become a Dance Teacher

How to Become a Dance Teacher How Can You Teach Dance as a Choreographer? ChaptersWhere Can You Teach Private Dance Tutorials?How Much Should You Charge Per Hour for Dance Tutorials?Qualifications for Dance TutorsPrepare Your First Dance TutorialBecoming a Ballet TeacherThe Best Tools for Teaching Dance TutorialsA lot of Brits dream of being able to live off their passion for dancing. Thousands of dancers in the UK could earn a living by becoming an educator and finding teacher jobs.  On Superprof, you can put together a profile in just a few clicks and start finding students who want to dance.Some tutors might struggle with putting together their first classes since they mightn’t have the same teaching techniques as a professional dancer.Before you dive in, you should make sure you have the right certification that employers are searching for. Whether you want to teach a jazz, hip hop, ballroom, or contemporary dance class, etc., here’s our advice for those wanting to start teaching private dance tutorials.Furthermore, self-employed dance instructors can also work towards opening their own dance academy, school, or dance company. Of course, this can come with more administrative tasks than your typical dance instructor is used to. You may have to hire dance studios if you don't have your own space as well as manage the finances of your new business (or find an accountant to do this for you).You could even go into a partnership with another enthusiastic dance tutor or administrator to make things easier.A private dance teacher could put together their own group of dancers and organise shows, performances, or workshops for their favourite dance styles. Rather than searching for a job and doing an audition, you get to be recruiter.There are plenty of ways to teach dancing in a professional capacity, it just depends on how you want to do it and what your expectations are. If you have a lot of free time, you can do this part time alongside another teacher job.Qualifications, experience, the style of dance... There are many different factors to consider when it comes to teaching dance. By offering private tutorials on Superprof, anyone can get their dance classes on the market, regardless of the aforementioned factors. Start creating your profile today!How Much Should You Charge Per Hour for Dance Tutorials?This is a common issue faced by dance tutors: working out how much they should charge for an hour of dance tutorials.If you're offering a unique style of dance, you can look to charge more for your tutorials. (Source: sasint)You need to work out a fair rate for what you’re offering as an instructor. Low rates tends to put students off  who might believe that you’re inexperienced or unskilled, regardless of whether you actually are or not.High rates will also put off beginners who mightn’t be willing to pay such an amount for their new hobby or aren’t yet sure whether or not this is something they’ll commit to in the long term. You need to therefore find the right balance while earning enough money a nd remaining competitive.  Private dance tutorials generally cost between £15 and £30 per hour.A private dance tutor could earn the same hourly rate as someone at a music school with their weekly dance tutorials. In some cases, they might even earn as much as double if their students keep coming back. The most important thing is to get regular and loyal students who keep coming back for more lessons because they find them fun and educational.Here are some of the things you need to take into account when deciding upon your hourly rates:Where the lessons take placeYour qualifications as a teacherYour experience and the student’s experienceYour experience as a tutor and the type of instruction and choreographyThe average rates of the style of dance you’re teachingThe equipment you provide to your studentsThe type of facility where the lessons take place (dance hall, gym, classroom, etc.)Loyalty bonusesStudent feedback and testimonialsYour reputation as a dance tutorIt’s very ea sy to find the average rates of dance classes on Superprof: you just need to do a quick search for the type of dancing discipline you want to teach and where you’re going to teach it.You don’t necessarily have to teach students from where you live, either. Dance tutors can also offer online dance tutorials via Skype to students all over the country and the world. In order to set your rates for online teaching jobs, you should take into account both the content of your lessons as well as your experience as a tutor.  You should also consider teaching what you’re passionate about to budding dancers! CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson fr ee!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tut orsQualifications for Dance TutorsShould you get a qualification or not? That is the question!You can still teach private dance tutorials without qualifications if you have the necessary teaching skills to effectively transfer your knowledge of the craft to aspiring dancers.On Superprof, you don’t necessarily need to have any dance qualifications to create your own tutor profile. Plenty of students say they prefer tutors with experience over tutors with qualifications!Nevertheless, if you want to teach in a dance academy, you’ll probably need official or recognised qualifications. In fact, these types of qualifications will act as proof of both your experience as well as your teaching skills and knowledge of the history of dance.Here are some of the different dance qualifications you’ll need to be dance academy, conservatoire, or school teacher:You’ll need at least a level 3 qualification (A Level) in dance or performing arts.It doesn’t hurt to have qualified teacher statu s (QTS) if you want to teach students about dance as part of a secondary school curriculum.You’ll need a postgraduate qualification in dance or performing arts if you want to teach at universities and/or conservatoires.As you can see, you may have to study an awful lot if you want to become a lecturer in a famous dance academy or school of dance.Additionally, you won’t just walk into one of these institutions the second you have your qualifications, you’ll be expected to have a lot of experience, too.Furthermore, obtaining these qualifications can take a lot of time. An undergraduate degree generally takes 3 years to complete and a postgraduate degree is 1 year. The PGCE (for those who are also considering teaching in state schools) also takes a year to complete.Once you’ve done all that, you’re ready to go (once you’ve got some experience!).Prepare Your First Dance TutorialIf you want to offer quality dance tutorials, you’re going to have to carry out an appraisal of your professional goals.You need to make sure that your classes are both fun and educational. (Source: habanera)Some tutors fall into the trap of offering the most popular types of dance classes. For example, contemporary dance classes, modern jazz classes, and ballet classes are popping up everywhere due to just how popular they are. This means it’s also very difficult to stand out from the crowd of other teachers offering exactly the same classes.If you want to become a reputable dance tutor, being original is a huge advantage.Whether you’re teaching at an academy or as a private tutor, tutors offering rarer styles such as kizomba, Oriental dance, Viennese waltz, etc. are often in demand.The tutor should also work out what level they’re going to teach (beginner, intermediate, or advanced) in order to make sure that their lessons meet the expectations of their students.On Superprof you can provide tutorials for a variety of different styles such as:Tap ClassesSports Dance Cla sses (Zumba, etc.)Argentine Tango ClassesCuban Salsa or Puerto Rican Salsa ClassesHip Hop Dance ClassesCha Cha Cha ClassesSwing ClassesFlamenco ClassesBachata ClassesOriental Dance ClassesRagga Dancehall ClassesBallroom Dance ClassesBollywood Dance ClassesOur advice is to offer variations on each style to help you stand out from the crowd and attract more students.Before starting their first dance tutorial, tutors should pay particular attention to their teaching style. The first lesson is generally an introduction to the course and the tutor will need to show the student how they’re going to achieve their goals and help them reach the level they want.The tutor should also probably look at reserving a dance hall or preparing their own personal dance studio. The equipment needed will depend on the student and the style of dance so the tutor might also consider offering equipment to students for free (having taken this into account when deciding upon their rates).Finally, the tutor should brush up on the subject matter before each lesson so that they’re ready to teach every student without running into any problems.Find out more about preparing your dance lesson plans.Becoming a Ballet TeacherBeing a ballet teacher is one of the hardest dance teacher jobs to get. You have to have had years of dance training as a child and complete your dance education at a recognised institution before you start applying to vacancies.That said, there's always demand for teachers and lots of children at some time or other want to learn how to become a ballet dancer. If you have the talent and the commitment, ballet is the way to go.The Best Tools for Teaching Dance TutorialsWhere would a teacher be without their professional equipment?Why not offer flamenco courses? (Source: 821292)Before offering private dance tutorials, tutors need to choose where they’re gong to teach as well as the clothes and shoes they’re going to need when they do. Furthermore, the tutor will also need to provide the music for their lessons. Of course, they can bring their own music or ask their student what kind of music they’d like to learn to dance with.The tutor can also use a variety of teaching resources when preparing and teaching their tutorials. In addition to the different exercises in class, teaching resources can be used by tutors at any point during their lessons (given that they’ve planned to use them then).To prepare a dance tutorial, tutors can use one or any of the following resources:Online Dance TutorialsDance ApplicationsOnline Dance VideosEducational Programmes for Learning to DanceDancing Guides and LiteratureOnline Dance Exercises, etc.Employers are posting new jobs all the time, make sure you're ready for them to hire you!

The Boss Is NOT Your Enemy - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / The Boss Is NOT Your Enemy - Introvert Whisperer The Boss Is NOT Your Enemy Bad bosses are legendary figures across time and cultures. There’s a good reason for that, because there are so many bosses out there who are so terrible at what they do. Despite all of the stories, a good majority of them are anywhere from “just fine” to “outstanding.” Unfortunately, many people interact with both the good and the bad bosses as if they are the enemy. If you are in these ranks, you make the assumption the boss is no good, out to get you with nothing but bad intentions. Stop thinking this way. The problem with that thinking is that even the bad bosses are rarely “out to get” anyone. However, when bosses are faced with employees who interact with them from that viewpoint, it shows. You might think you are hiding your contempt and distrust, but it’s glaringly obvious. Being on the receiving end of this kind of attitude does nothing to build a relationship and everything to destroy it. In fact, in a New York minute. The boss is really not your enemy and is not out to get you. They do have a job of balancing business priorities with your needs. Those two things don’t always fit together, and since it is a business, the priorities of the business will win the day. I know it’s personal to you and therefore it’s easy to react to decisions that impact you. On the other hand, if you already think you’re going to get screwed, any impacting decision is going to feel like proof positive that you were right. Only, more than likely, you aren’t. If this is sounding more and more like you, consider these suggestions: Change Your Assumptions What if they really weren’t out to get you? What if they couldn’t avoid the impacting decisions? You don’t know all of the inner workings above you and you never will. Some things are unavoidable. You’re Probably More Self-Centered Than You Realize People that have these attitudes like to think that the boss sits around and thinks up ways to get you. In fact, you’d be stunned at how very little time is given to just any one individual â€" even you. What If the Boss Was Really an “OK” Person? Would your attitude change if you decided to think of them in positive terms? Probably it would. (Like this thought? Tweet it!) If You Do Have Concerns, Ask The biggest problem most people have is not seeking ongoing feedback and then letting things fester until they really are problems. You should constantly be asking how you are doing and whether  the boss would like to see you do anything differently. This can open up some meaningful dialogue. Figure Out What’s Import to the Business and the Boss You would think both of those things are the same, but not always. Obviously, the business needs to be profitable and make money. What are you doing to contribute to the bottom line? The boss also has their priorities, which usually have a relationship to the business’s priorities but are usually somewhat different. Your job should be to find out what those are and do everything you can to contribute. When you have their back, they’ll love you and your opinion about them will also be positive. Think Like a Contractor All jobs are temporary. That’s just a fact of life. If you think like a contractor, you will be adding value daily to the bottom line. Also, should you part company: all contractors know that is how business works and when they leave, they leave with the idea of returning. Repeat business (or returning to an old job or boss) happens all the time, assuming you leave with style and grace. Having the last word or becoming as fun as hugging a porcupine will not put you at the top of the rehire list. In fact, don’t expect referrals in that case, because referring someone who is a pain in the backside is the last thing anyone would ever want to do. No, there is no upside in thinking the boss is your enemy. It shows in your behavior as much as you think it probably doesn’t. Hostility, belligerence and disrespect will show up in numerous ways. If you get stuck in this mindset, you’ll create your own reality because no one, even a good boss, will ever like someone who treats them like that. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer Have you ever had a boss who you thought was out to get you? Share your coping techniques in the comments! Image: Flickr

Where To Find IT Courses In The UK

Where To Find IT Courses In The UK Where Can I Find Computer Courses Near Me? ChaptersWhy Take ICT Courses?Different Types Of IT Course To ConsiderLondonManchesterLeedsBirminghamGlasgowEdinburghBelfastCardiffWherever you live in the UK, you are sure to find a number of fascinating Information Technology courses right on your doorstep (or no less than a keystroke away!). Technology degrees, scholarships, apprenticeships, IT training courses, higher education diplomas and free training... take advantage of every opportunity at your fingertips!But it's no good us preaching to you about how beneficial IT courses can be to you, you need to know just how advantageous being accredited with these technical business skills are for someone in your position. It's not just the skills that these courses teach you that are important - but the doors that they open too. The qualification itself is important - and so it is really important that you choose the one that is right for you.Keep reading to find out about the various types of courses you can enrol on, the benefits th ey each offer and where you can find classes in your area.The course is designed to help delegates understand the basic and advanced concepts of Web Design, allowing some one-to-one time with a tutor according to your learning needs.The courses are offered at times to suit your busy schedule, whether that be in the evening or on weekends. This short Web Design course is hands-on, instructor-led and classroom based.Find an IT course in Glasgow.EdinburghAs the capital of Scotland, there are an awful lot of different opportunities in Edinburgh for you to choose from in the field of IT and computer education. From university education to professional training, from college courses to free workshops in digital literacy, there is something to suit literally everyone.Let's take a couple of examples.Firstly, there is CodeClan, a Scottish IT training service that operates between Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Inverness. They've won awards for the quality of their classes and they have a range of c ourses - in UX web design, in data analysis, and in software programming - that are usually in pretty high demand. Over the years, they've grown and grown and grown, and they promise a pretty comprehensive education to all their students.Then, for those who want something a little more basic, there's the Edinburgh library service's drop-in classes in the fundamentals of computer use and internet navigation. Running in many of the libraries across the city, you can have one-to-one support in everything that you hoped to get out of your computer.Find out more about IT courses in Edinburgh!BelfastIn Belfast, the number of tech professionals is steadily growing and the size of their monthly cash package is growing pretty steadily too. With its claim to be the best city in the UK in which to work in tech, Belfast is, quite obviously, a great place to study computing and IT too. As Northern Ireland's educational hub, you'll find everything you need there to get yourself into the exciting world of tech.One of the best places to study computing in Belfast is Belfast Met, one of the UK's largest further education institutions. With their forty thousand students, they can accommodate for all of your technological needs - from CompTIA to Cisco, from games development to cyber security. If you want a proper, professional education in IT, one of these courses from Belfast Met will give it to you.For those who have finished one of those courses - or have just come out of school - the next step may well be a degree in computing at either Queens or Ulster University. Both offer rigorous training in computing over a course of four years, and both offer a year in industry. These are the best qualifications you'll get in computing in the whole of Northern Ireland.Remember, there are always private tutors to help you out too! But, for more information, check out our article on IT courses in Belfast.CardiffAs one of the cities with the fastest growing technology industries in the UK, Cardiff has a whole load of assets that can prepare you for your journey into computing, IT, and communications technology.The main types of organisation offering training in Cardiff are the usual culprits - universities, professional training organisations, governmental adult education initiatives, and private tuition. Generally, the training is pretty great across the board - luckily enough for you guys.As an example, there is the Adult Community Learning Service, a project set-up by the Welsh Government to provide educational opportunities to those people who some often forget might want to continue to learn. They offer computer skills for life and for work - running two parallel courses dealing with each. With them, you'll be learning web design, all sorts of skills with the Microsoft Office suite, social media and more.Another great organisation offering IT training is CCW - or Career Change Wales. These guys have one of the most comprehensive portfolios of computing course s in the UK, with all the qualifications, certifications, and accreditations you might need - from Ethical Hacker to CompTIA to Cisco.Read more in our article on IT courses in Cardiff!Computer classes are available in almost every town, covering a wide range of IT-related topics. Photo credit: Spark Creative Ltd on VisualHunt.com / CC BYWhy Online Computer Courses May Be An Option?If you simply cannot find the right seminar or programme in your region, then your options don't end there. And we don't mean you have to travel for miles to get the tuition you want!Have you ever considered online tutoring?Superprof  is a tutoring platform that features a range of qualified individuals seeking to pass on their knowledge and expertise to students in a mutually convenient way. Once connected to an educator, you will gain a free session to discuss your aims and aspirations from hiring the tutor and to set out a schedule of lessons.Lessons can take place face to face in an agreed location, vi a internet feed or you can arrange for your tutor to send you digital notes to work from. Similarly, you will benefit from homework tasks, revision sessions and more to offer you a solid foundation on which to keep building on.You may decide to hire a tutor to simply advance your knowledge or you may decide to go down this path alongside a qualification that you are working towards. Either way, an online tutor can offer you the tailored support that you need to find success in this field.While you may know people who have taught themselves how to code or used the hands-on experience to further their knowledge, learning from an IT professional via  instructor-led  training is a sure fire way to familiarise yourself with your chosen subject matter rapidly.The Different Ways to Learn IT.So, as you have seen, earning IT certification can come in many different forms, with different organisations and types of institutions offering different qualifications. When you are considering which course to take, it's really important that you pay attention to which qualification, which certification or accreditation it is with which you will be rewarded.To summarise, here are some of the different qualifications that you will have to navigate:Undergraduate bachelor degree. These, including the Bachelor of Business, the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering, and the Information Technology Degree, are all types of degree-level qualification that you can gain in computing and IT. Degrees require three years of study (at a minimum) and, in computing, often come with a year in industry.Postgraduate Master's or Doctoral course. In IT, the Master that you will receive is most likely to be the Master of Science, whilst you will receive a PhD if you do the doctoral training. Masters are a year minimum, whilst doctoral training usually takes a further three years. Once you have done this, however, you will be a total specialist in your field.Online degree programmes.  If you ta ke an online degree with an institution like the Open University, your qualification will be of exactly the same value as a degree taken at a conventional higher education institution. However, in this context, you will have the benefit of being able to do it flexibly, remotely, and at a schedule that suits you.Certificate program or certification course.  There are a huge amount of certifications that are industry-led, specific, and professional - and they differ between the sort of training that you have taken. For instance, you can take CCNP certification or PMP certification. Whilst these are of the same  value,  the uses that you can make of them. With a CCNP certificate, for example, you may not necessarily be able to be a Microsoft Office specialist, for example.Diploma courses.  In the world of education, diploma courses are usually considered to be one step down from degrees. They are often vocational, they are seen to enhance your career, and they help to get you into univ ersity if you want to return to study later in life. The HND is a diploma that many further education institutions offer - including colleges - along with advanced diplomas and all sorts of other varieties of qualifications.Apprenticeships.  Whilst a qualification at the end is not guaranteed, an apprenticeship in the tech industry can be a brilliant way of getting yourself into an IT career. Working as an apprentice, you'll get a hands on education in everything you will need to excel in that particular industry. Make sure, however, that you are paid for it - because many placements are used as opportunities to take advantage of unpaid labour.

Importance of Planning and Preparation in Teaching

Importance of Planning and Preparation in Teaching Do a little research into the best teachers out there and youll discover that they have several things in common: knowledge, charisma and care for students, to name a few. However, if theres one element that makes for effective teaching, it is planning. Here are several reasons that lesson planning is essential: It gets you prepared. Some material you might know like the back of your hand, while other material might be new to you or more complex, and therefore more challenging to deliver successfully. Planning helps you get up to speed so youre not figuring things out while trying to teach students. It boosts your confidence. Confidence in the classroom is largely about having good control. Armed with a plan to impart learning upon your students each day, youll achieve learning objectives more easily and will avoid those dead minutes when youre stalling or thinking on the fly (and your students get restless). It solidifies you as a professional. When you are observed for performance evaluations, youll be graded on your effectiveness in the classroom. Thoughtfully prepared lessons are easy to spot, whereas off-the-cuff teaching can seem disorganized and unimpressive. It makes sure lessons are meaningful. Arguably the most important reason to plan is that it ensures your students time in the classroom is worthwhile. As their teacher, you should tie all activities to specific learning objectives and connect your daily lessons to all long-term units. It is vital that everything flows together so you can help your students achieve grade-level standards. You might be a fun and energetic teacher, but remember that anything you do in the classroom must have a purpose if your goal is to guide your students toward knowledge acquisition. Planning is an essential part of your job and an investment in your success as a teacher. Be sure to take the time to do it. See how Huntington can help your students succeed.

The National 11 Plus Tutoring Conference

The National 11 Plus Tutoring Conference What: The National 11 Plus Tutor Conference When:  1.00 p.m. â€" 4.00 p.m., Wednesday 1st April 2015 Where: Nutford  House, University of London, London W1H 5UL Why: The Tutor Conference provides a platform for teachers, head teachers, examiners and education industry experts to discuss and debate 11 Plus preparation and its future. The event will also raise  money for the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust. Confirmed speakers include: Harry Mount, The Telegraph Peter Read, Kent Independent Education Advice Mark Maclaine, Tutorfair Dr. Chris Ray, Reporting Inspector and member of the UK International Education Council Dee Francken, Dee Francken Directions Philip Alexandre, Touch-type, Read and Spell An  up-to-date list of speakers  and the event schedule can be found  on the  National Tutoring Conference website.  Updates are also posted regularly on Twitter using the hashtag: #11plus. Due to the popularity of the first Tutor Conference in February, it has been advised that those wishing to attend the conference should book early bird tickets at £15 before the 18th March. Standard entry tickets will be available at £25 after this date. Visit the  National Tutoring Conference website  to book your tickets today!

5 Excellent Places to Study on Campus - by TutorNerds

5 Excellent Places to Study on Campus - by TutorNerds San Diego College Tutoring Tips: 5 Excellent Places to Study on Campus College campuses have tons of places where students can study, but some are better than others., Some students want to be around activity and be able to drink a cup of coffee while they finish their assignments while others need, to be in a quiet and isolated environment without any distraction to be successful. Its a good idea for students to think about how much concentration they need for a particular assignment or paper and also consider how convenient a study spot is to their dorm building or other classes. 1.   The library The library is one of the best but most underutilized spaces on campus. Most college libraries have multiple floors where students can find a quiet spot or even a separate room for group study. Different parts of the library will have access to electricity and Wi-Fi so students can use their laptop during longer sessions or gain access to the library computers where they can look up academic journals or articles to use as sources for term papers. Of course, students need to keep the volume down in the library so this option is better for study sessions that require a lot of concentration but not a lot of socialization. 2.     The dorm suite The dorm suite is a convenient place for students to study at odd hours or when they need to be close to home. However, dorms also serve as living quarters and are not especially quiet, so this study spot is better for basic study or review that doesnt require an excessive amount of focus. Some dorms also offer a study space on the first floor where residents can study separately from their roommates. This can be a really convenient option if students need to study early in the morning or late at night (READ: 5 Things to do Before Going Off to College). 3.   Outdoor space When the weather is mild students should take advantage of the many outdoor spaces colleges have where residents can get their work done while enjoying fresh air and the sunshine. Being outdoors is invigorating and helps students push their brains through intense study or brainstorming sessions. Outdoor spaces are a pleasant place to study but students will deal with plenty of distraction, especially when classes get out and 100s of other students wander by. 4.   Off-campus options Sometimes students just need to get off campus in order to get their work done. Most colleges have lots of options for students to study nearby, such as coffee shops or cafés. Also, most towns still have at least one municipal library where students can go to crack the books. Library cards are free, and students will have access to plenty of reference material. Coffee shops near campus are usually full of other studying students, but they are still quieter than the on-campus alternative. Off-campus options are also helpful for commuter students or when several students need to get together to complete a group project. Once students are living in off-campus housing, these types of study spaces become a lot more convenient. 5.   Late night study sessions Its inevitable that students will have to work late into the night when midterms and finals week rolls around. However, its important for students to find a safe and convenient place to study after hours that will make it easy for them to get back to their dorm room or student apartment once they’ve finished their assignments. Some of the best options in this type of situation include study rooms connected to dorm halls or coffee shops that are open late where students can study around other people. Finish the semester strong with the help of private Orange County college tutoring from TutorNerds. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

June Language Challenge Update Learning Brazilian Portuguese

June Language Challenge Update Learning Brazilian Portuguese Jairet has his own blog called The Crummy Life and is taking the June Challenge and just posted this update. Reposted with permission. Original Post here. June italki Language Challenge Update: Brazilian Portuguese Olá! Tudo bem? This month I am participating in the June italki Language Challenge. Maybe you saw my first post with my public pledge video, where I said what I aim to accomplish and used a bit of português brasileiro. What did you think? Well it is time for an update, because week three has just begun. With my birthday in week one, and being in a wedding in week two, life has been packed  to the gills  with action and excitement. I originally set the goal of taking three classes per week so that I could easily expect to meet the challenge of completing twelve total hours in June. Then, my family gave me the dates for our annual trip to Lake Tahoe, June 22nd 29th! Luckily this happened in week one. I made the decision to up the ante  to finish the challenge a week early so that I dont have to finish the challenge while on vacation, just to take away the need to be in front of a computer while I want to be on the lake, on a hike, or rock climbing with my wild man father. In week one, I completed three sessions. In week two, I completed four more sessions. Now we are in week three, and I have completed one more lesson. Also, I have four more scheduled before the family fills up the cars on the 22nd. That means I have completed eight, and I have sessions nine through twelve scheduled already! I am on track to complete the challenge on June 21st, over one week early. Thats all for now. If you have more interest in what italki is all about, check out my previous post or head tothe italki website for details. Muito obrigado por ter vindo. Até mais! June Language Challenge Update Learning Brazilian Portuguese Jairet has his own blog called The Crummy Life and is taking the June Challenge and just posted this update. Reposted with permission. Original Post here. June italki Language Challenge Update: Brazilian Portuguese Olá! Tudo bem? This month I am participating in the June italki Language Challenge. Maybe you saw my first post with my public pledge video, where I said what I aim to accomplish and used a bit of português brasileiro. What did you think? Well it is time for an update, because week three has just begun. With my birthday in week one, and being in a wedding in week two, life has been packed  to the gills  with action and excitement. I originally set the goal of taking three classes per week so that I could easily expect to meet the challenge of completing twelve total hours in June. Then, my family gave me the dates for our annual trip to Lake Tahoe, June 22nd 29th! Luckily this happened in week one. I made the decision to up the ante  to finish the challenge a week early so that I dont have to finish the challenge while on vacation, just to take away the need to be in front of a computer while I want to be on the lake, on a hike, or rock climbing with my wild man father. In week one, I completed three sessions. In week two, I completed four more sessions. Now we are in week three, and I have completed one more lesson. Also, I have four more scheduled before the family fills up the cars on the 22nd. That means I have completed eight, and I have sessions nine through twelve scheduled already! I am on track to complete the challenge on June 21st, over one week early. Thats all for now. If you have more interest in what italki is all about, check out my previous post or head tothe italki website for details. Muito obrigado por ter vindo. Até mais!