Agricultural Extension Agent

Agricultural Extension AgentAgricultural Extension AgentAgricultural extension agents present information about industry advances that may positively impact local farmers and livestock producers. Duties Agricultural extension agents travel throughout their region or district to provide the latest industry information to farmers, ranchers, community groups, and youth groups. They may present information on scientific advances, farm management, marketing, production, and other topics that are relevant to agricultural businesses operating in their area. Agents must be familiar with the types of agricultural operations that are taking distributionspolitik in their territory. These pursuits may include beef production, dairy farming, irrigated crop farming, fruit farming, egg production, horse breeding, swine production, and more. Agents must also be familiar with the technical terminology, equipment, and other concerns related to each area of production. Significant travel may be a p art of the job, especially if the agent is assigned a large territory. Agents may visit farms, ranches, hatcheries, dairies, stables, orchards, fields, bee farms, aquaculture facilities, and a variety of other agricultural business locations during the course of their day. Agents may also be required to attend a variety of community activities such as conventions, fairs, college events, camps, and 4-H shows. Agricultural extension agents may be required to work evenings and weekends as their situation demands, though many agents are able to work normal day shift hours. Work for this position may take place both indoors and outdoors, so agents must be prepared to deal with changing weather conditions and temperature extremes. Agents must also exercise due caution when working around large animals in the field. Taking proper safety precautions can prevent potentially serious injuries from occurring. A solid knowledge of animal behavior can be invaluable for those agents who liaise wit h animal producers. Career Options There are many employers that hire agricultural extension agents, though they are usually affiliated with government agencies at the federal, state, or local levels. Agricultural extension agents may also find employment with land-grant universities, research organizations, and community education groups. Some agents also teach courses through their university or community college. After working as a field agent, agricultural extension personnel may advance to positions of more responsibility such as multi-county positions, directorships, or program leadership roles. Some extension agents also become involved with 4-H programs and other youth organizations by taking a supervisory role. Education and Training Aspiring agricultural extension agents must complete significant educational requirements to even be considered for a position. An entry-level position in the field of agricultural extension requires a Bachelors degree at minimum. Maste rs degrees are preferred for many positions and greatly enhance an applicants resume. The degree that an extension agent holds may be in one of many areas including education, agriculture, animal science, or other related fields. Coursework that provides training in communications, technology, public relations, agricultural marketing, mathematics, and life sciences prepares the aspiring extension agent well for this career path. New agricultural extension agents generally complete additional training courses once they are hired before they begin their field work. Agricultural extension agents may also join a variety of national and local professional membership groups. The National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) and the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4HA) are two such groups that may provide valuable information, education, and industry contacts. Salary According to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Agricultural Research Service, the averag e salary for extension agents holding-gesellschaft a Bachelors degree was $44,293 in December 2010. Extension agents holding a Masters degree averaged $57,889 in 2010. Those holding a Ph.D. degree fared the best with an average salary of $69,375. Of course, starting salaries for new agents are markedly lower. In Kentucky, for example, new extension agents with a Bachelors degree and no work experience start out at a kusine salary rate of $32,000. Those with a Masters degree and no work experience start out at a base salary rate of $36,000. In North Carolina, new extension agents started out at a similar salary of $32,807 with a Bachelors degree and a salary of $38,124 if they held a Masters degree. Career Outlook The agricultural extension agent career path should remain a solid option for those candidates who have a background in farming or production and the skill to educate professionals in the industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for agricu ltural positions should be about as fast as the average for all careers from 2008 to 2018. Individuals with advanced degrees, such as a Masters or Ph.D., will continue to have the best opportunities for advancement in the field.

Using the Eyes of Killer Shrimp to Design A Super Camera

Using the Eyes of Killer Shrimp to Design A Super Camera Using the Eyes of Killer Shrimp to Design A Super Camera Using the Eyes of Killer Shrimp to Design A Super CameraA camera that mimics the eyes of a mantis shrimp may one day help autonomous cars binnensee hazards through shadows and fog. The camera is 1 million times more sensitive to light levels than conventional cameras and should only cost a few dollars to manufacture.The camera is the work of Viktor Gruevs Biosensors Lab at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where Gruev is an associate prof of electrical and computer engineering. The lab studies the vision of animals as diverse as shrimp and butterflies for ways to engineer better cameras and sensors.Prof. Viktor Gruev (r) of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and graduate student Missael Garcia with their camera that can sense color and polarization. Image L. Brian Stauffer/University of IllinoisWhen it comes to vision, some animals leave humans flyin g blind, Gruev explained. Light has three properties color, intensity, and polarization. Humans see color and intensity, but they are totally blind to polarization. Yet filters that polarize lightlimiting its vibrations to a single planeenable us to reduce glare when driving or skiing and increase contrast in microscopy and astronomy.For You New Light-based Hearing DevicesSome animals, such as crabs, octopus, and shrimp, use polarized light to find mates, mark their territory, and hunt prey. Yet Gruev knew none of that when he began his quest for what he described as one of the holy grails of optics, a single chip that integrates a polarization filter onto a silicon CCD light sensor similar to the ones used for cameras.By 2010, after eight years of development, he had succeeded in fabricating nanoscale wires that polarized light just as it reached of a CCD sensor. Because he worked with sensors made by silicon semiconductor processing, he estimates his devices will cost only a few d ollars at most to produce.Yet his success left him with a new challenge I would go out with my colleagues to grab a beer and talk about our work, he said. When I told them about the camera, they asked me, What can you use it for? I welchesnt too sure.Fortunately, Tom Cronin, a University of Maryland marine biologist, heard about the camera. He studies how ocean animals communicate with polarized light. Weve been looking for a technology like this for decades, Cronin told Gruev.After slapping the prototype into an underwater casing and bringing it to Cronins lab, the two decided to collaborate. Cronin recruited an undergraduate for the summer to design a water-proof casing that would dissipate heat from the CMOS and have room for lots of data. Then Gruev and Cronin took off for Australia to test the results.The prototype was not a very good camera, Gruev recalled. It couldnt change its focus or exposure time, he said. We wound up with 30 hours of blurry photographs and two minutes of really good stuff.But the trip did introduce Gruev to mantis shrimp.We may eat them for cocktails, but in the ocean mantis shrimp are fearsome predators who use polarized light to track prey and communicate with one another. Males, for example, have certain patterns that show only with circularly polarized filters. Those patterns alert males when they enter another males territory, which can lead to vicious fights.From mantis shrimp, I learned some clever tricks that nature implemented, Gruev said.To start, the eyes of mantis shrimp detect six types of polarization horizontal, vertical, and two types each of diagonal and spiral.They have 16 color receptors, 15 more than humans, stacked atop one another. Shorter wavelength receptors go on top and longer wavelengths, which penetrate tissue better, on the bottom. This enables them to accurately differentiate shades of color.Shrimp eyes also adjust to light intensity. With a typical camera, bright sunlight will often bleach out details that are not in direct sunlight. Parts of the shrimps retina exposed to bright light transmit fewer signals, while those looking at dark areas share information from neighboring receptors to resolve details. This enables them to see details even in bright light.Gruevs new camera copies these traits. The chip uses nanowires to produce four types of polarization (horizontal, vertical, and two diagonals). It also stacks three layers of color-sensitive receptors on top of one another for extra sensitivity.Unlike conventional cameras, each pixel can attenuate its signal if the light is too bright. This enables the other pixels to resolve details in poorly lit areas. The result is a camera that is 1 million times more sensitive across all light intensities, and that can see details in shadows even in bright sunlight.Gruev believes those CMOS cameras will eventually outperform conventional cameras used for collision avoidance on cars, especially in fog and low-light conditions. In medicin e, their greater sensitivity might help detect small cancers in the body.There is plenty of room for all of this technology to find a home, he said.

4 Reasons You Should Keep a Job Journal - FlexJobs

4 Reasons You Should Keep a Job Journal - FlexJobs4 Reasons You Should Keep a Job Journal -5A lot of stuff goes on between 9 and 5 (or is it 8 to 6?). Help yourself stay organized at work with a job journal.A job journal can be your log of day-to-day successes and challenges, major events and milestones and work-related concerns. Note Keeping a Job Search Journal is a great idea if youre searching for a job, for many of the same reasons listed below. Whether youre job searching or currently working, a job journal is a great way to keep track of how youre spending your time.The amount of detail you use, the medium (electronic or hard copy) and how you organize it are up to you. But as a general rule, you should always be as specific as possible, especially with concerns.Not convinced that you need a job journal? Here are four reasons1. Stay OrganizedKeep a job journal for the same reason you make a shopping list before you head out to the supermarket. In its most basic form, the journ al can be simply a rundown of things you need to do, things youve completed and things you want to do. Having everything laid out in front of you will help you focus your day and stay on track- and it just feels good to cross off completed tasks2. Performance ReviewsIf your raise, vorrcken or job security relies on an annual performance review, you may want to consider keeping a job journal.While its easy to keep track of your basic job duties, what about all of the other things you do during the workday- pitching in to help a colleague in the weeds, attending strategy sessions and brainstorms that move projects forward, taking on extra tasks to get something done.These things may not be part of your official job description, but they are certainly part of your job. Keep a record of them so when its evaluation time you can help your boss understand the full scope of what you do and how important you are to the company.3. Protect YourselfItd be nice if everyone worked together well, finished what needed to be finished and headed home happy each day. But thats just not the case. Workplaces are full of personality conflicts and miscommunication.Use your job journal to document conflicts with coworkers and bosses. If there is something that can put your job at risk, write it down. Be detailed and specific (include dates). Its a lot easier to defend yourself when you have a record of whats been going on.4. Collect IdeasThere are few things more frustrating than to have a great idea and then have it drift out of your brain never to return. Use your job journal to jot down those bursts of genius. Heck, one of those ideas just may be the boost you need to get to bigger and better thingsTodays guest post comes from CareerBliss. CareerBliss cares about your career happiness. Thats why we offer a great tools and resources to help you make better-informed career decisions. We believe that if youre happier at work, youll be happier in life Check outcompany reviews,salary i nformation,career adviceand, of course, millions of jobs on CareerBliss and choose happy todayReaders, do you keep a job journal? Has it been useful? Tell us about it in the comments below

5 reasons people avoid mental health treatment

5 reasons people avoid mental health treatment5 reasons people avoid mental health treatmentYouve accepted that you need to go to therapy - but getting yourself out of the door and into the office feels like an insurmountable challenge. After all, fruchtwein of us arent familiar with therapy. We dont know what were going to say. Should we actually lie on the couch like they do in movies, or is it okay to just sit? (Sitting, by the way, is fine and often preferred.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreOvercoming your fear of therapy is the only way to reap the benefits that it can provide. Here are five common reasons people avoid getting treatment. Do any ring true for you?1. Facing Scary Feelings Is (You Guessed It) ScaryNo one will ever claim therapy is easy - and if they do, they might not be telling the full truth. Even the worlds most serious therapy advocates will acknowledge the stress youre trusting a near-stranger with your deepest secrets and biggest worries, and hoping theyll stitch your psyche back upTherapy requires digging deep and exposing your inner self. Self-exploration is frightening - but necessary. Remember the saying Things get worse before they get better. Sometimes, that goes for your mental health, too.Take the first step now and soon youll be past those frightening feelings. Never forget the biggest benefit of therapy Youll have a professional by your side the whole time.2. Therapy Can Take a Long TimeWill It Even Work?Healing a lifetime of wounds, and even just feeling a little less stressed at work, isnt an overnight process. Research shows that 50% of patients require 15 to 20 sessions - thats three months, if you go weekly. If you havent even gone to one session, that timeline can be daunting. You want to get better now, not three months from now.However, if you procrastinate on starting therapy, youre only doing future-you a di sservice. You cant get better if you dont put in the time. Every moment wasted in deliberation could have gone to improving your mental health and taking steps forward. Also, three months can sometimes go by in a snap, just think of how quick summer felt when you see the first leaves change.3. The Shame Can Be ConsumingBut what if my neighbor sees me walking out of my therapists office?, you might wonder. The idea that someone else might know your most personal struggles can be enough to keep you out of therapy - but you cant let peoples perceptions hold you back.First Youre not alone. About four in 10 U.S. adults, or 42%, have sought therapy. If your neighbor spots you sneaking from your therapists office, so what? Shes probably been in treatment, too.Second The American mental-health stigma of its all in your head can be pervasive and damaging. You wouldnt feel ashamed going to a doctors office to treat your low blood pressure, would you? Your brain is no different. No matter you r diagnosis, your mental health is your health and it needs - nay, deserves - treatment.4. My Friend Had a Bad Experience, So I Will, TooAs unfortunate as it is, sometimes you and the first therapist you visit just wont click. Maybe that was the case with your friend they attended a session, hated their therapist and never went back. Or - as happens in all professions - your pal simply ran into someone who wasnt as good as they would have liked.Its easy to consider our acquaintances experiences to be universally true, but panic not 76% of Americanssaid their time in therapy was either very or somewhat positive. Only six percent had a negative experience. Chances are excellent that you, too, will feel happy about working with a therapist. Although it can be hard to not be anxious at first, try to focus on the long-term benefits over the short-term discomfort you may feel. Remember why you are taking this step5. Im Not CrazyRight?Some people avoid therapy for the same reasons they avoid medical treatment Because their symptoms arent that bad. For example, you just get a little angry sometimes or, youre only sad once in a while - even though those once in a while days involve spending time curled up in bed and unable to function. You might feel that other people have bigger problems and believe that therapists spend their time fixing these more serious issues. Everyone has their own experiences, backgrounds, and feelings - what you have problems with matters, whether its big or small.Your symptoms may feel minor, but even minor symptoms can indicate a big problem. Better to get a check-up, right?But perhaps that check-up still seems frightening. Again, like with medical treatment, you might be scared of a diagnosis. Remember a label doesnt change anything about you. Knowing you have bipolar disorder wont alter your behavior - but it will make finding treatment easier.Yes, therapy can be scary, and you might end up dedicating a few months to the process, bu t the result is worth every second.This article first appeared on Talkspace.

The Foolproof Assisted Synonym Resume Strategy

The Foolproof Assisted Synonym Resume Strategy When you set a loan agreement with a different individual, you might want to possess the records notarized so they are official. The cash flow statement is a critical accounting record. Once you have printed your cards, you are going to have to cut out them. Developing a schablone for a means to conserve the monthly expenditure of purchasing cash receipt booklets is an exceptional idea. Depending on the design you like, you might select the most acceptable wedding template or youll have the capability to tweak into the characteristics to find the most out of any wedding card template here. Wedding planning is going to be a breeze. To have the ability to select the perfect Wedding Menu Template, it is crucial you know their designs and characteristics. Wedding invitation design is among the most creative regions of printing design now. Possessing a good appointment letter is an important part the recruitment activity. It will want to state that the school is the only one able to fulfill your youngsters requirements and it must be determined by a concrete exam. You have more experience than you believe, she states. The recruiter will learn whether you have not properly formatted the document. There are lots of distinct kinds of private letters and they are usually categorized by the purpose of the letter. There are personal letters which may also be employed to extend a work offer to your candidate. There are several distinct reasons for which the correspondence may need to be written. Remember, you need your correspondence to be simple to read. If you ask for their recommendation too close to the deadline, you may find yourself without one. Such letters are required in todays time as there is so much of competition your scores arent sufficient to secure you a place. Try to remember, your comprehension of the way to compose a wonderful appeal letter for college might serve you nicely and its well worth a try, but a whole lot of appeals are still quite profitable. Youll get unsuccessful letter of recommendation if you dont take the opportunity to need to comprehend your recommender and convey your requirements to them. The Upside to Assisted Synonym Resume At series-B, you will surely be expected to have the capacity to run a clean, effective practice. It is possible to also submit more than one appeal to distinct schools. Incorporating trendy jargon isnt exclusively with the aim of cosmetics, however in addition, it showcases advanced written communication skills critical to the success at virtually every role or title. Instead, utilize many different terms which best describe your accomplishments to show employers the reach of your achievements. Appeal letter may be used in scenarios where you are looking for some change or rectification or in case youre searching for some sort of assistance. After that, make certain that your appeal is based on a valid reason whic h wont be rejected at the exact same moment. New Questions About Assisted Synonym Resume Fortunately, with free templates your menu cards do not should have a massive portion of your financial plan. Remember its a template, which usually means you will likely should edit the data. After you get your menu designed and printed, youll want to cut them. A printed menu of all of the food to come Employers arent permitted to ask for that type of information, and you need tont offer. Resumes should demonstrate what you could do and not what you cannot do, states Harrison. All you need to do is to show to the prospective employer you have the skills he is searching for in an administrative assistant. Make certain youre highlighting the most relevant and topical experience essential for the position. Really consider your experiences and the way you could apply them to the job which youre applying for. There are only a few jobs which dont involve working with somebody else. Assiste d Synonym Resume Ideas By tracking the departmental price correctly, it will become much easier for a company to focus on the regions where its lagging behind. Organizational hierarchy and the choice of management levels often indicates the sum of centralization inside an organization. Also, it must take corrective steps about the elements of cost. Creating a contract template is a real time-saver as its to do with making new contracts for a range of clients which use precisely the exact same clauses. What You Should Do to Find Out About Assisted Synonym Resume Before Youre Left Behind Among the ways that folks are using to get their CV stand out is to use resume examples to produce their own CVs. Attempt to disregard the cliches of the majority of articles saying that you always have to seem self-motivational. One of the greatest regions to get resume examples is online, since there are lots of websites offering templates an individual may download and use. To be able to u se a resume to compose a CV, it is very important to acquire several examples that possess the relevant information.

How to Successfully Move Your Employees Through a Transitional Time - Spark Hire

How to Successfully Move Your Employees Through a Transitional Time - Spark HireWhether its a merger, a sale, or a significant round of layoffs, the way a manager acts during a transitional time is crucial, as your behavior has a significant impact on the staff members you oversee. Major changes at work are never easy, but here are some ways you can make them as smooth as possibleRemember that not all information needs to be shared with the entire staffWhen youre managing during a transitional time, discretion is important. People are flustered enough as is, so sharing every single detail and piece of information you receive often does more harm than good. You dont want to leave your employees completely in the dark, but you also dont need to be giving them news updates every five minutes. Make it a point to sort through the information on your own, figure out whats essential, and share only those details. This prevents confusion and stops the team from getting overwhelmed.Keep the f ocus on short-term goalsDuring a major change within your company, its easy to get swept away and lose sight of daily and weekly goals, thus causing productivity to plummet. As a manager, your job is to keep your team on track during this chaotic time. While its natural for your employees to be focused on the changes ahead, reinforce that the main goal is always to accomplish the daily and weekly tasks that keep the company moving. Dont let the emphasis shift, and dont let people get distracted, especially by rumors about what may or may not be happening during the transitional time.Leave lines of communication openYour employees will have questions (and possibly concerns) as things change within the organization. In order to keep morale high, make sure that you keep lines of communication open. Even if you dont have all of the answers they need, make yourself available to talk with team members, illustrating that youre there for support and care about their concerns. This helps to squash panic and keeps everyone on board, even during a potentially stressful time.Transitional periods are never easy for a business, but when a manager acts carefully and with employees best interests in mind, this time period becomes easier to handle. These kinds of careful, well-thought-out actions keep morale within the office high, which is essential.Image Goodluz/Bigstock.com