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5/8/13

Get into Osmania University and Change Your Career Stars



Osmania University is one the Top 10 State Universities in the country. Check out what the university has to offer and everything apart from that.

Introduction

Osmania University is a public university that is located in the state of Hyderabad and is one of the premier universities in India. It has been ranked as the 10th best state university in the country. Apart from this, it is also the 6th best universities when it comes to the field of Humanities. The NAAC of India has awarded the university with a five star status, so that it speaks for itself.

It is one of the largest universities in the whole subcontinent, whit more than 300,000 students constituted in its main campuses and subsidiary campuses. It was established in the year of 1908 and was named after the Nizam of that time. Earlier, it had Urdu as its medium of instruction, but now that is done with, and the universal medium of English has been adopted.

The Courses on Offer

The university teaches each and every language and stream that you can possibly imagine. It has undergraduate and postgraduate and also research facilities for each and every one of the subjects that are taught at the facility.

The following branches of education are taught at the campus. These are namely and respectively: Arts, Science, Technology, Engineering, Commerce, Management and Law. Thus, as you can see, it basically covers the whole spectrum of education within its radar.

Students can pursue a career in the Arts as undergraduates, with their 3-year graduate course on the stream. You can study all the conventional subjects that fall within the scope of Arts, such as the languages of English, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi and so on apart from Political Science, Psychology, Sociology and others. You also have the facility of pursuing a postgraduate degree in the subjects, apart from completing you M.Phil. and your Ph.D.

You also have the option of pursuing a few less known subjects such as Persian and Theatre Studies. One can also pursue a postgraduate diploma course in certain subjects such as Urdu paleography, Applied Linguistics, Functional Hindi and so on. Of course, with the passage of time, the subjects such as Economics, Sociology and Political Science has been relegated to the branch of Social Sciences. Other languages of foreign lands such as Russian and German are also taught at the campus.

Osmania University also provides courses in the field of commerce, which is of course named as B.Com. Apart from that, degrees right up to the research level are available for a student for follow up. One can also pursue a postgraduate diploma course in the field f Taxation and Accounting if he or she so wishes.

In the field of Science, one can pursue a degree in the conventional subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, botany, Zoology, Mathematics, and so on. In every subject one can pursue a postgraduate degree and the foll0owing M.Phil. and Ph.D. degree after that.

The university also provides students with the chance to pursue a degree in the fields of Engineering and Technology, which are namely B.E. and B.Tech. in the case of undergraduate degrees and M.E. and M.Tech. for the case of their postgraduate counterparts.

The departments of Law and management are also well facilitated with excellent faculty and other requirements. Apart from all these courses, the university also has a department of Oriental Languages where you can learn several languages of the East, some even extinct in modern times.

Therefore, sheer excellence in education provision and the huge number of courses makes the university so very renowned and so very good in the scenario. Therefore, now that you know what the features of the university are, you have the option of preparing for admittance to the university.

Author Bio


Satarupa is an expert and passionate. She has been writing articles on education and career related topics for 5 years. Currently, she is writing articles on courses available in various engineering colleges, technical universities, and current technical education trends in India.

The Top 3 Engineering Colleges in Delhi



Delhi is a busy commercial hub and the capital of India. Find out which engineering colleges are the best in the city, if you are aspiring to get a career in that particular direction. A concise list has been prepared on the best engineering colleges in Delhi.


Machines and mechanics is a line of profession that is so much in vogue today, as could have been hardly imagined in the past. However, that is the truth, and thus with the emergence of so many aspirants willing to study engineering as a veritable career option, there has also been the emergence of various colleges aspiring to give best education to these students. Especially in a city like Delhi, which is the heart of India, in spite of not being at its centre, Delhi is the busiest city in terms of transactions, both social and financial. In such a city, it is bound that students will flock to, and the inevitability that some of the best colleges in the country will set up base in the city.

One of the best colleges in the city for this discipline is the most prominent Delhi College of Engineering (DCE) which has been recognized as a university and has been gifted that status in recent times. It has years of experience added to its name, being set up pre-Independence in the year of 1941, then as Delhi Polytechnic, which later came to be known what it is today. The college is often termed as DelTech as a short abbreviation of its full name. It is one of the premier colleges in the whole country not just for the quality of education that it provides but also for all the facilities apart from education such as laboratory facilities. The college provides B.Tech and M.Tech degrees apart from the research degree, are also excellent from this institute, which may be called a pioneer in the field of engineering and technical education.

When in Delhi, and we are talking about engineering colleges, how can we forget to take the name of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi? The institute is one of the best, not only in the city but also in the whole country. This is of course, to be expected since the IITs are synonymous with quality and excellence. All the conventional courses are taught at the institute, which are taught at any other engineering college. The degrees that are delegated are the Bachelor of Technology and the Master of Technology, apart from the research degree which is a Ph.D. The institute also provides quality education in the Business Administration and Management Sciences, which in this case is a M.B.A. course.

A third college that comes to mind when we talk about quality in the field of engineering colleges is that of the Jamia Milia Islamia University, which has a fantastic faculty in the engineering department, and which as of today is one of the best colleges to study in the whole of Delhi. Not unlike any other college that specialises in the field of engineering and technology, this university also provides education in the field of Mechanical, Civil and Electrical engineering.

Conclusion

Now that you know about the best places to go to, get prepared. Of course, these are not the only ones; there are loads of other colleges, which are equally good and equally efficient in this field, so research as much as you can before taking a decision.

Author Bio-

Satarupa is an avid reader and passionate writer who love to Google for work and play. She is actively involved in blogging about the latest trends in Indian education and various engineering colleges like IIT Chennai, IIT Delhi, MLNR, HBTI and many more.

3 Unlikely Business Leaders



Yahoo! SignSometimes, to succeed in corporate America, it might seem like no one has a chance without a Harvard business degree or similarly prestigious background. However, as some unlikely leaders can show us, formalized education isn’t always a prerequisite for leading a company.

Theodore Agranat: From High School Dropout to Tech Company CEO

Theodore Agranat is the CEO of Leadix, a social business software company located in Massachusetts. Born in Russia, Agranat had a tough childhood that was profiled in a Huffington Post article. As a boy, Agranat had to cope with the difficulties of an alcoholic father and a mother who left the household when Agranat was 7. Seven years after that, Agranat’s father was committed to a psychiatric hospital, leaving Agranat scrambling to find foster families for his younger siblings, and deciding to drop out of high school shortly thereafter.

Agranat moved to the United States at the age of 17, and although he didn’t have a smooth start right away, things are much more stable now, and he credits a positive mindset to his eventual successes.

Nick D’ Aloisio: A Teenage Computer Whiz

Whereas many people who have an idea for a smartphone app are content to wait for others to create it, Nick D’ Aloisio took matters into his own hands, and now, at the age of 17, has recently sold the technology for his Summly app to Yahoo! for $30 million. The app converts news snippets, so they’re more easily viewable on mobile devices. According to coverage from a Chicago CBS affiliate, D’ Aloisio said that although other companies were interested, Yahoo! was the most appropriate fit.

Despite his young age, Nick D’ Aloisio quickly became familiar with the business world to complement his desire to build apps, an interest that sparked at age 12. At 15, he became the youngest person in the world to successfully raise venture capital, and now that he’s a bit older and has made a sale, who knows what’s in store?

Dennis Anderson: Living Out of His Car to Launching an Online Store

FRONT PAGE OF ETSY!

2003 wasn’t an easy year for now-entrepreneur Dennis Anderson. As reported in the Huffington Post, Anderson found himself at the point of having completed a community college program Massachusetts but having no idea what to do next. As things progressed, he went through a series of relationship problems that caused him to begin living out of his car and adapt to an environment where he was even unable to shower on a regular basis. Desperate to change things, he drained his saving account and used the money to drive across the country, finally settling on the West Coast, where he still had to sleep in his car for a month.

Things took a better turn when Anderson met a person who sold jewelry on the online marketplace Etsy. Investing a small sum of about $20, Anderson drew from that inspiration and began creating soaps to sell through the Internet. Today, the company is based in Portland Oregon, and has dozens of product pages filled with inventive items like soap bars made Guinness beer, whipped soaps that come in a jar and a large assortment of made-from-scratch lip balms.

These three dedicated individuals have demonstrated by example that there are many traits that make up successful business leaders, and it’s not always necessary to learn those in a traditional classroom, wait to start working on a dream until later in life, or delay aspirations until a living situation seems secure.

Stacy Hilliard is an avid blogger for business blogs. Interested in applying your business minded skills? You may want to look into flexible programs such as the online accredited mba.

5/4/13

10 Most Unusual Benefits Offered to Employees



There's little secret that job searchers look at benefits offered by employers, especially when trying to decide between multiple job offers. When it comes to benefits, it's not difficult to find employers that offer paid vacation time, sick time and even health insurance. Some employers are trying to put themselves ahead of the competition with more unique offerings. Here are 10 of the most unusual benefits offered:

1. Housekeeping

Chrisissy Sissy Maid in kitchen cleaning IVEmployees are busy people. So busy, in fact, that they may not have time to keep their homes clean. Akraya, an IT staffing company located in California, offers its employees the benefit of a professional cleaner. Twice a month, employees enjoy coming home to a spotless house for free.

2. Life Coaching

Life coaches are incredibly popular right now. Zappos, an online retailer, offers its employees the benefit of an on-site life coach. This professional helps to guide employees in balancing their home and work lives, as well as helping them achieve their goals.

3. Fitness

It's not unheard of for larger companies to offer on-site weight rooms for their employees, but Chesapeake Energy has taken the idea and run with it. The 72,000 square-foot fitness center offers employees a chance to get in shape, and offers the bonus of Botox injections, cancer screenings and lesion removal.

4. Paid Vacation...Literally


Taj Mahal TicketLoadSpring Solutions wants to encourage its employees to immerse themselves in other cultures. So much so, in fact, that any employee traveling abroad for vacation is given up to $5,000 and an extra week off.

5. Walking Incentive

People who live in larger cities rarely need a car to get around. To encourage even more employees to hoof it to work, the Marin County government give $4 per day to extra hire and regular employees who walk, bike, carpool or take public transit to work.

6. Beer

Ski beer!This benefit may not seem like much to those that don't enjoy beer, but for those that do, securing a job at Threadless is a must. The owner has a friend that owns Finch's Beer and, together, they created Threadless Pale Ale as a unique employee perk. Visit the kitchen of Threadless and pour a pint of ale from the always-full keg.

7. Flexibility

The people at Magoosh know that it's important to sleep and relax. This is why they allow, and even encourage, workers to work whenever they are most productive. No matter if you're an early bird or a night owl, you are welcome at Magoosh. It's also good to know that, to date, no employee's vacation request has been denied.

8. Necessities

How much of your paycheck to you spend on cosmetics, toiletries and cleaning products? If you work for Merchandize Liquidators, the answer is nothing. This company provides its staff with the necessities at absolutely no cost.

9. Puppies


Converseon does 'Take Your Dog To Work DayThe Nerdery doesn't present a new puppy to each of its employees, but it does allow its employees to bring their four-legged friends to work. Support staff will even arrange for a mobile groomer to show up on scene for any pooch that has too-wild fur. Every Thursday Puppy Fight Club takes place in the Nerditorium; of course, there's no real fighting involved, it's all frolic.

10. Change

Burn out can be high in any profession. To decrease employee turn-over, the CEO and management of MorrisCore encourage employees to change jobs or reshape their current position. In addition, 35-hours, not 40, comprise a full-time week.

If you're looking for a new job, check out one of these companies. Employee perks are a fantastic way to attract the best and the brightest, and the perfect way to retain the employees already in place. Don't be shy about asking what benefits your potential employer offers; you might be surprised by what you hear.

Jena Daniels recommends Pepperdine University for an online MBA degree

4/26/13

The New Age Mobile Apps for Job Seekers



If you are one of the many job seekers using job portals, then this article is just for you. Looking for an appropriate job is undoubtedly among the most challenging obstacles in our lives. No matter what your position is – jobless or looking for a change – anything that makes the hunt easy will be a boon. The recent introduction of job search apps for your smartphones is definitely going to make life convenient. Read on to know how.

According to a study named “State of Mobile Search 2013,” a job seeker searching on a smartphone is expected to act faster than a tablet user. The study by Cathy Boyle analyzes mobile internet usage and search behavior in the US. Let us further explore this facility of quick search mobility in the Indian context.

The Quest

There is no doubt that job searches today are mostly done using our digital devices, rather than the traditional running around city streets with the classifieds in our hands. Seeing the present job scenario in India, the youth of the nation is hoping for better employment opportunities. According to sources, the GDP growth of the country is gaining pace and fresh policies are being considered. However, even if there is a gamut of options waiting outside you are not going to land yourself work just by waiting. So, why wait? You now have the handiness of applying for that dream job using your smartphones. The best part about it is that not only can you search for work sitting in the comfort of your home, you can also seek and apply while on the move! The new mobile apps for job seekers allow you to take your search wherever you go.

The Smart Solution

Technology is mankind’s greatest gift to itself. In today’s age, if one is not utilizing this gift for being more organized, productive and successful, then he or she is probably lagging behind. The keen ones should be taking full advantage of the resources being provided.

Job portals have come up with user-friendly smartphone apps that aid employment while on the move. This development will allow you to reap more benefits than the other forms of job hunt. A phone is now more than just a device, it is a career-boosting world in its own. You can create your user profile for potential employers and also upload CVs.

Mobile applications by job sites are specially developed for smartphones, such as iPhone, BlackBerry and Android devices. The apps offer the comprehensive search structure that is originally provided on the website, supplemented with additional features. One can explore thousands of opportunities presented by various registered companies that are looking to hire people like you! All you need to do is download the app on your smartphone and you are good to go.

Tapping Your Finger

The apps have been specially tailored to suit all purposes and meet the needs of the searchers. The companies have left no stone unturned to bring the power and reach of the internet to handsets, ensuring that their users never miss any opportunity. The applications are loaded with exclusive features enabling users to narrow down their job search using filter categories, like geographic location, experience, industry, current and expected remuneration as well as sector-related keywords – all available by a simple tap of finger on the smartphone. Searchers can also set custom alerts based on their immediate requirement. They will be notified by regular alerts sent to their inbox.

After logging on to the app, the users are greeted by an array of job recommendations that have been generated based on the data provided by the searcher. This data was fed into the system while creating your profile during sign-up. Whether you uploaded your résumé or not, the beneficial feeds will flash on your screen. You can then individually assess the detailed job descriptions and apply for the apt job in a safe and discreet manner. The portals know that your information is sensitive, therefore, the apps offer privacy settings that can be altered at any time using your mobile devices. You can also see the number of times your CV has been viewed by a company, apart from your details of the previously applied jobs and visited openings.

The Seeker

Entry level workers and newly graduated students are mostly on the look-out for new jobs. Incidentally, it is them who have the largest access to smartphones. They are well familiarized with the concept of mobile apps and can fine-tune themselves easily to new launches. Therefore, it is evident that the youth will seek maximum leverage out of such job search apps. These individuals are likely to use the app search for getting jobs in a preferred location.

The Reach

The process of job application via mobiles is not only an advantage for job seekers but also a gain for the employers as they now get an extra platform to reach their target audience and select from a larger pool of talent. Mobile phones are a widespread phenomenon, even greater than computers. An individual may or may not have a computer, but he is most likely to own a phone with internet usage. Thus, the potential employer is sure to deliver his message regarding the job opening to a wider audience. Even if a person is the owner of both the devices, studies state that when it comes to surfing the net smartphones engage this segment more than computers.

Also, the response time for job posting will now be decreased considerably, and a larger number of seekers will apply within a short duration.

The Industry Player

Among the many companies to have launched a job search mobile app, Naukri.com was the first to set up their version of job search engine for the smartphone users. The distinctive mobile app by Naukri is giving tough competition to its arch rivals. It is user-friendly and intuitive and gives you quick access to the available job postings. Compatible with Android, iPhone, and Blackberry devices, this application will not take minutes of waiting and will get brownie points for high interactivity. In addition to all the mentioned features, there is a history enabled option that allows you to pick up from where you last left.

Searching for jobs on your clunky computers and laptops is soon becoming a trend of the past. This new trend in job search behavior is here to stay. So let us accustom ourselves with the changing times and turn to mobile apps for search purposes. Let’s start exploring!

Author bio:

Devika Arora is a prolific writer who compiles relevant facts and analyzes current state of affairs pertaining to varied domains, such as employment, education, real estate and matrimony in the Indian context. She is currently writing informative articles, news stories and blog posts on behalf of Naukri.com.

photo credit: KYNGPAO

How Can Social Workers Navigate Long-Term Care Without Losing Track



Professional social workers have a great deal of responsibility when it comes to the long-term care of patients, especially in residential care facilities. From marketing to orientating; advocacy to advanced-care planning, the role of the social worker is vast. With so many responsibilities, it can be difficult for even the most professional and dedicated social worker to stay on track. Here are five ways that can help those social workers in the long-term care field keep moving in a forward motion:

Room Mate @ Manor Care

 1. Know Your Responsibilities

Before you can hope to be an effective professional within your facility, you must know exactly what your responsibilities are. According to the National Associate of Social Workers, these responsibilities may include case management and care coordination, advocacy, mediation, crisis intervention, prevention and assessment of elder abuse, and enhancement of medication compliance. With all of these hats, it's easy to become overwhelmed. If your exact duties haven't been clearly laid out for you, speak with your administrator about his or her expectations of you.

2. Find a Mentor

Finding a mentor within the field is important, especially if you are newly licensed or new to elder care. NASW research has shown that those social workers servicing the elderly population face greater challenges and fewer agency supports than social workers in other fields. Rather than waiting until you become overwhelmed, find and seek out someone in the same profession who is willing to act as your mentor. This person can give you valuable advice when it comes to balancing your case load and your personal life in order to find satisfaction in both.

3. Seek Training

Last station nursing homeWith a high case load, you may feel as though you don't have time for yourself, let alone continuous education. While that may be true, continuing education is always a good idea. Through education, you can learn better methods for balancing your caseload, staying on track and making sure that all of your clients are serviced to the best of your ability. Your facility administrator or direct supervisor should be your first resource in locating this type of education.

4. Stay Organized

If you don't know how to get organized and stay organized, you have no hope of staying on track when it comes to providing long-term care for elderly residents. It may be in your best interest to ultimately hire a professional organizer who can whip your office, and your books, into shape. It may seem like going overboard, but if you weren't born with the ability to organize, having a professional show you the ropes can help you tremendously.

5. Relieve Stress

Can relieving your own stress help you stay on track? The answer is "absolutely." When you become overly stressed, your emotions carry over into both your professional life and your personal one. No one can honestly tell you that social work isn't stressful. Whether you seek out therapy or pick up a new hobby, look for ways that you can de-stress and unwind. The calmer your mind, the better able you will be to serve those in your care.

Elder care is one of the most stressful positions that any social worker can take. It's incredibly easy to get overwhelmed and off track. If you feel yourself slipping, follow the tips above; it's not only you that will benefit, but your clients as well.

Author Robert Neff believes long term care is one of the most rewarding sectors of health care. Click here to find out how to enter into this field of healthcare.

New Public Health Consortium To Eradicate Pneumonia By 2035



PneumoniaAcademics at Boston University's Center for Global Health and Development have published a press release saying that together, both childhood diarrhea and childhood pneumonia caused the death of more than two million children around the world in 2011. That shocking statistic has motivated Boston University to become part of a consortium that aims to make both of these illnesses things of the past by 2035, and lessen their overall impacts by 2025.

A Detailed Set of Papers

If these goals seem lofty, at least they're not without scientifically-based plans of action. Information about the consortium was published in The Lancet, and the work is being led by Aga Khan University in Pakistan. Objectives were developed with help from three academic papers. The first dives into the global threat posed by these two diseases, and offers estimated mortality rates. The second paper builds on the theme by offering solutions that are effective and budget-friendly and assert to being able to prevent most diarrhea deaths and up to two thirds of those related to cases of pneumonia by 2025. The final academic paper talks about financial concerns, specifically how much it will cost to scale up efforts.

How Much Will It Cost?

Experts say the plan to cut deaths by the figures listed above will cost about 6.7 billion over the next 12 years, and if things go smoothly and stay on budget, the work could continue through 2035, at which point both diseases would ideally no longer be problematic for the world's children. If the cost sounds like a lot, put things in perspective by realizing that the total bill for a successful outcome would only be about a quarter of the overall cost of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Other Organizations Join In

Secretary Sebelius Addresses WHA
Around the same time that news broke of the consortium, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF announced a partnership that aligns with the consortium's objectives. At UNICEF, Dr. Mickey Chopra mentioned how children from lower income families are at greater risk for contracting pneumonia and childhood diarrhea because they have less access to therapeutic interventions.

Which Preventative Measures Could Help?

Since there are numerous factors that combine to determine a person's risk of being affected by childhood pneumonia or diarrhea, there's unfortunately no single intervention that can wipe out both conditions. However, experts clarify that it's important to focus on both preventative measures and prompt treatment. Having access to clean water and living in a sanitary environment is helpful for avoiding both ailments, as is a healthy diet. Vaccines are being introduced as preventative measures as well, but are not yet widely used in some of the most affected areas.

Preparing a measles vaccine in Ethiopia
After people become ill, it's crucial for them to receive prompt and efficiently delivered treatment to avoid complications. Although this necessity might seem obvious, it likely won't be very easy to institute, especially where access to qualified healthcare providers and appropriate medications is limited at best. Hopefully, the efforts of the consortium will reduce these challenges as detailed plans are carried out.

 Clearly, there's not a universal approach that could be used to combat the problem of childhood pneumonia and diarrhea, but the desires of the consortium seem worthy of making a positive difference worldwide.

Many of the articles Tracy Rentz writes pertain to children's health issues. With the storage in trained health care workers a career in the health field is a wise choice. The University of Southern California is one of several schools that offer degrees in the health field.

4/4/13

Five Public Relations Sins



The tried and true definition of public relations is creating buzz without bucks and that still holds mostly true today. As with every communications industry as of late, public relations has evolved and many clients provide hefty budgets for their public relations efforts and campaigns. What they expect in return is extraordinary results and not any major mishaps. To that end, below are five cardinal sins of public relations to help guide you in your quest to be the hottest PR person on the planet.

Journalists on duty

You’re a Journalist, Not a Marketer

Publicists need to understand that a balance needs to be struck between journalism and marketing when disseminating information on behalf of their clients. You need to deliver the salient facts but you can present them with a subtle marketing spin making publications, websites and broadcast stations want to run your story. It’s a matter of learning to relate the important facts in order of importance while giving them an ever so slight marketing slant.

Forgetting that all PR is Good PR

Even if it's bad PR. While your first effort may have failed overall, some aspects may have succeeded and you may be able to capitalize on them for your second campaign. Bad PR may result in good PR; it's all how you spin it. PR is elusive and there's no exact way to be sure how prospects will respond. If you strike out, admit when you were wrong and then take the bull by the horns, take another tact and start again.

Not Tracking Results

You must be able to quantify your work. If you were a client writing a big check to your PR firm would you settle for anything less than measurable results presented to you in a clear and understandable way? As ROI (Return on Investment) is to print advertising and direct marketing, measurable results is to public relations. Social media can be measured in “Likes” and followers; a method for measuring public relations efforts must be established and utilized. Since the power of PR is so intense but its source often elusive, do you carve out a piece of the piece from all your other efforts or is there some way to firmly establish the results of buzz? One could say that all the other marketing communications genres benefit from a smart PR campaign.

Forgetting It's Free

 Public relations can make a brand faster and cheaper and more firmly ensconced in the consumer’s mind than any of the other communications disciplines including brand advertising, direct marketing, and promotions. Consider the fact that public relations is unpaid for and focus your energies on getting your message out gratis. If it's not free, then your client is footing the bill and that's not PR.

Waiting Until the Last Moment

Many people in all kinds of businesses like to be the one to magically pull the rabbit out of their hat and save the day. This is irresponsible. While you may be comfortable with these last minute thrills, most of your colleagues and clients are not. PR is no longer Darren Stevens of Bewitched coming up with an amazing idea at the last minute with help from his magical wife, the witch. It’s a well thought out, well planned effort that deserves the proper amount of time to build momentum.

If you already work in PR, kudos to you. If you want to work in PR kudos to you as well and good luck. Both groups would be wise to head the warnings above.

Trish Little is an avid marketing blogger. If you're interested in a career in public relations, you may want to look into communication degrees, such as the one offered by University of Southern California

Photo by: Yan Arief


3/24/13

Contractor or Employee? How Your Business Set-Up Determines Your Taxes



01 (45)If you're setting up a new business, you need to determine whether or not you want to treat your new hires as employees or as contractors when it comes to taxes. You'll often hear the advice that paying taxes on employees is overwhelming and that contract work will save you on tax, but there are reasons that you may want to consider both sides before making the final decision. "The number of independent contractors has risen in sectors that people normally don't associate that closely with the self-employed," according to Michelle Walker, business writer and independent contractor. Before you jump on the band wagon, though, there are some factors to consider.

The Cost of Hiring Employees

If you hire employees, you'll have to pay a part of their Social Security and Medicare taxes along with state unemployment insurance and workers' comp insurance. This means an extra 15-35 percent on top of your already existing payroll.

Why Hire an Employee, Then?

If the cost is so much higher, why would you hire an employee? Well, if you have a specific way and time you want an employee to do a job, you'll want to hire them as an employee rather than as an independent contractor. Another reason you'll want to hire an employee over a contractor is to ensure their loyalty to your business. An independent contractor isn't required to be loyal to your company and can seek out work with competitors in the same market while employees can be asked to sign non-compete contracts that keep them from offering services to competitors.

When Is It Best to Hire Contractors?

Sometimes, though not all the time, contractors will work from their space and use their own equipment. If you want to hire someone to blog or copyedit or even design content for your company, you can easily hire an independent contractor to do this from their own computers in their own workspace. This saves you money on equipment and workspace and allows your contractor more freedom as well. Other reduced costs associated with independent contractors include reduced payroll costs associated with health insurance and tax costs.

The Downside of Hiring Contractors

IMG_8311In spite of lowered tax costs when it comes to payroll, there are some downsides to hiring contractors. The setup of 1099s and other allowances for taxes and contractors can be time-consuming. This could mean that you might be spending your time and energy or paying your accountant extra to get everything set up. You will also have to work with the financial demands of your contractors. If their costs go up, yours will too. You may also find it's difficult to manage poor independent contractors. Let's say you hire someone for a job but they don't deliver. You don't have as much leverage when it comes to ensuring timely and effective work.

Initially, there are many tax benefits for employers to hire independent contractors rather than employees, but there are trade-offs when it comes to control and time spent. Before deciding which way is best for you, make sure that you map out your tax requirements with your accountant. Or if you're managing your own books, take some time to compare the costs and benefits of each structure

Author Mary Vollmer is an independent contractor. When it comes to taxation of her income she uses an accounting company. Check the web for several accounting company options such as mckinleyplowman.com.au.

Photos courtesy of:  Victor, Luigi

Helping Those Who Need It Most: The Growing Field of Medical Social Work



The healthcare industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, and as a result, social work jobs in hospitals and public health facilities are among the very best opportunities out there. Combining healthcare and social work seems natural. It all comes down to looking out for the best interest of patients, and very often hospitals deal with greater issues than just illness and injury. But many people don't even realize that social workers work in healthcare. The types of people you can help in a healthcare environment are very similar to the cases you'd encounter in general social work. But when patients are facing health issues as well, you could be helping the ones who need you most.

Zylawy, making stuff work

1. The Poor and Homeless

Medical emergencies can often put the homeless and people living in extreme poverty in contact with the help that they need. When these patients have chronic medical conditions or needs, medical social workers can help them secure and coordinate care, on top of helping them find emergency food and clothing assistance. Social workers are often directly involved in the discharge plans for patients, and when a patient can't realistically afford home care on their own, a social worker can help them find other options. This is especially true for elderly or mentally ill patients who are living on the street because they don't have the financial means to manage their condition.

2. Patients Suffering from Addiction

Social workers deal with chemically dependent patients all the time, but when it's in a hospital setting, it's usually because their addiction has severely impacted their health or well-being to the point where they need emergency assistance. This can mean any number of things, such as drunk driving accidents, overdoses, or withdrawal symptoms. Social workers often work with pregnant women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, assisting them with withdrawal and improving their chances of delivering healthy babies. Serious medical care during their pregnancy can also help them retain custody of the child. The social workers at the hospital can refer patients to rehab centers so they can continue getting help after they leave the hospital.

3. Suspected Domestic and Child Abuse Cases

Children's hospitals identify hundreds of child abuse cases every year, and around 40 percent of them involve sexual abuse. When children or adults come into medical facilities with injuries that doctors and nurses feel are consistent with abuse, social workers are often used to evaluate the situation, talk to the patient, and decide how to proceed. Looking out for the safety of the patient is important, but medical social workers also play an important role in counseling and making sure they have the right resources to deal with the mental and emotional repercussions of their abuse.

Medical social workers often deal with the most complex cases that a hospital receives, where a variety of conditions and social factors are involved in keeping a patient safe and healthy. They work as part of a team, collaborating with doctors and other hospital staff to find the right treatment plan for people most in need. Using your skills in social work to be a part of the healthcare industry is one of the most direct ways that social workers can save lives.

Ryan Nelson writes for various blogs about careers that can help your community. If you want to get into the field of social work, you may want to get an online MSW from the University of New England.

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