How to Find Your Dream Career

Millions of people make a decision every year trying to find out what they would like to do for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, jobs for life are getting rarer every year, and industries change faster than any other time before, due to the speed of communication and computer technology, you can reduce your risks and make better decisions about your future if you test drive some of the programs and look through your strengths and weaknesses. Find a few tips below.

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Consider Your Interests

The first thing you will need to take into consideration is your interest. If you love animals, a related course will make you happy and improve your work-life balance. In case you are a people person, you might consider studying at the best hospitality management school and finding your true calling dealing with customers and tourists.

Check Out Industry Growth

It is also crucial that you check out the industry statistics and predictions. If you don’t want to change your career in a couple of years and waste time and money on your education, you will need to know that there will be a demand for your skills and knowledge in the industry by the time you finish your education. There are plenty of great statistical sites and government publications that will tell you about your potential earnings after graduation and your long term prospects, too.

Focus On Jobs AI Can’t Replace

Many jobs are threatened by the development of artificial intelligence technology. If you are looking to make sure that robots will not replace you, it is important that you choose your future career accordingly. Nurses, doctors, or creative professionals, teachers are less in danger from technology. At the same time, you are going to have a job as a game developer for a long time to come.  

Test Drive Courses

In case you are still sitting on the fence and can’t decide which career path to go down on or which college or university to choose, you might want to test drive courses. There are plenty of opportunities online and at the campus to get insider information on open days and special events, so you can see what the institution has to offer.

Shadow People Already In the Job

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Sometimes you love the course, but you are not happy doing the job after you graduate, To avoid this problem, you might want to shadow people who are already working in the field, so you can make an informed decision before you would pay your college fees and spend years of your time. There are plenty of volunteering or apprenticeship programs that don’t require a degree, so you can see the potential jobs you will be doing after graduation.

If you waste time and money enrolling to the wrong course, you will find it hard to come to terms with the change and the disappointment. It is always better to plan ahead and do your research, so you can be sure that your chosen career path is in line with your personal mission.

Why PC Gaming Is The Best

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Gaming is a huge institution and a hobby which brings tougher people from all over the world from many different walks of life. Playing games is a great way to escape from real life for a short amount of time, make new friends and increase memory retention and spacial awareness. When gaming there is always a debate over whether PC or console is best, and today we are going to prove why PC gaming is the best of all.

You control the hardware

The first thing that a lot of PC gamers will say when asked why they love playing on their computer rather than a console is the control you gain over the hardware which you use for the games. When you have a computer for your gaming you can play around with the RAM, circuits and the processor to ensure you have the best possible machine to keep up with the graphics of the game and to stay responsive in game. With a console there is nothing you can do to improve the hardware and you get updates sent to you by the manufacturer.

You can make your own setup

The fun part of having a computer to play your games with rather than just a small console is the showmanship you can bring to it all. You can decorate your PC tower, play around with your setup and create a whole station in your home or gaming den which will make the whole experience of gaming feel that much more exciting and more real right from the start. It is way more fun than simply plugging in your console and pressing play!

There are so many amazing games out there

The beauty of gaming and its popularity all over the world is the fact that there are thousands of games out there which will suit any type of gamer you can imagine. When on the PC you have less regulations and therefore there is more scope for inventive and fun ideas than on the console. You can use more information to download games to your PC and it will open up a whole world of gaming opportunity for you.

You can enjoy the community

The sense of community between gamers is one which cannot be beaten when you play on a PC. It you have ever used Discord or Twitch alongside your gaming you will know that you can create really close knit friendships and communities out of your shared love for the gaming world. Just look at Pewdiepie: he is the most subscribed to YouTuber in the world and he started out playing games alongside his friends. He now has over 65 million people who watch his videos every day and follow along when he plays a game on his PC.Gaming has an ability to bring people together and feel as if they are taking part in something which is exclusive to them and the gamer. It can be wonderful and it is certainly worth getting into.

7 Smart Tips for Making Great Coffee to Study at Home

Coffee and school work often go hand in hand! Whether out of sheer pleasure or simply to stay alert, many students are big coffee drinkers. This is actually a good idea, since coffee does have some positive health effects asides from its obvious stimulating qualities. Just make sure to also eat right and remember that extensive sleep deprivation will deteriorate your health.

If you’re a student looking to get the most enjoyment and increased productivity from your coffee cups, this post will point out some useful tricks. You may be surprised at how simple some of these techniques are, but all details matter when you’re looking to brew the perfect coffee.

Buy good coffee beans

You can’t make something out of nothing, and you can’t make good coffee unless you have good coffee beans. Make sure you get some top quality coffee beans whose smell feels right to you, and you’ll be on the way to excelling at coffee making. Buying whole (rather than ground) coffee beans may not seem as practical as you’d like, but it’s more than worth the effort, all things considered!

Grind your coffee just before brewing

The reason why you want to always grind your coffee beans immediately before brewing your coffee is simply because this is how you get the best aroma and taste. Ground coffee beans will lose flavor and aroma in as little as one hour, so if you are serious about getting the best results… grinding coffee must become part of your act. By doing so, you can also adjust the fineness of the grind to match the ideal specification of your coffee machine.

Store your coffee properly

There’s no point in getting the best coffee beans and grinding them scrupulously unless you’re also very careful when it comes to proper storage. To preserve the full potential of your coffee beans, make sure to put then in an air-tight container (vacuum sealed is best), and keep them stored in a cool dry place, away from the sunlight. To learn more, check out our specialized articles on TheCoffeeMaven.com!

Use the right proportion of coffee to water

While the perfect concentration of coffee will change according to preference and mood, you may want to aim for the water-to-coffee ratio that is widely regarded as the golden ratio of coffee brewing. One part coffee to 20 parts water will typically yield the most universally pleasing coffee.

Control the temperature of your water

You’d think that automatic coffee makers would get this right by default, right? As a matter of fact, there is an ideal temperature for coffee brewing, and it’s actually a precise range that you want to lock into – aim to keep the water between 195-205ºF to get the best possible results.

Use quality tools

No matter which type of coffee maker you like, and regardless of whether you favor automatic machines or manual methods, having high quality tools with precise temperature control is a must. Even when using simple glass or metal tools, keep all parts thoroughly clean since it will make a big difference in the taste of your coffee.

Focus on technique

Even though brewing coffee seems like a very straightforward process, there are many details that will make a difference to the final outcome. Proper timing is one of the most powerful techniques to make superior coffee; you want to heat the water to the perfect temperature and steep the freshly ground coffee beans for the exact time.

Over time, your coffee making technique will evolve into a soothing ritual whose results will speak for themselves and get everyone’s taste buds dancing the fandango… just remember: great coffee is all about the small details.

Play The Game? Make The Game! Essential Skills In The Industry

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Growing up, geeks all over the world share a common dream. Having spent a huge portion of your life with your eyes glued to a screen and a controller in your hands, it would be selling it short to say that you like to play video games. When you enjoy something this much, it only makes sense that you would want to tie it into your career, but this is where a lot of people stop with their aspirations. Becoming a game developer doesn’t have to be as hard as you think, though. To help you out, this post will be exploring the sort of skills you’ll need to be able to make it in this industry, along with some of the ways to earn them.

Programming

Of course, any video game has to start with some code, and you will need to start working on programming skills as early as possible. There are loads of systems out there which are designed to make the process of learning something like this easier. In reality, though, this can often take longer than simply going in as deep as you can. Systems like Unity make it very easy to get started with professional-grade tools which will force you to learn to code in useful languages like C# and JavaScript.

Creativity

While a lot of people see the life of a programmer as one filled with mathematical problems and other logic-based issues, a lot of the solutions you come up with when you’re coding will be creative ones. A huge portion of the jobs you want your game to do simply won’t exist yet. This means that you have to be able to find ways to simulate events and other actions, and this isn’t a problem reserved for game developers; it’s found in all programming work. Small puzzles and games can help a lot with this.

Dedication

Development companies often have to run on incredibly tight schedules, producing games much faster than they should be able to. To achieve a goal like this, they often have to work their employees into the ground, and this means that you will spend a lot of time working when you shouldn’t have to. This will take a lot of dedication, but will be worth it once you are rewarded upon the game’s release.

What Will You Get?

As a gamer working in the gaming industry, it’s easy for most people to see what they would get from a role like this. Not only will you have the chance to focus your life around gaming, but you will also be able to start learning more about the games you play. While it may take away some of the magic, sitting down and figuring out how a game was built is very entertaining, and will open your eyes to the shortcomings of even the largest development companies in the world.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling excited about the prospect of working in an industry like this. It will take a lot of effort, but getting a job in video games is a dream come true for a lot of people, and you are probably one of them.

Best Career Ideas In Games

The image of the typical game lover has changed dramatically. Nowadays, more and more companies are looking for playful activities with their staff. It not only has become more acceptable to enjoy games, but it’s also a factor of success. After all, every strategy from fitness apps to team building workshops relies on gamification scenarios to create a positive experience. Consequently, if you are looking for a career change, embracing your inner gamer might be the best idea you’ve ever had. Abandon the typical cliché that is associated with video games. In our modern times, being able to sell a game to your clients is an essential growth strategy. 

Can you transform games into a business tool?

The transferable skills of games

Moving to the professional game sector doesn’t mean that you can’t repurpose the skills you’ve learned and used in your past career. Games, indeed, have reached out to a variety of industries where being a team player and a time management expert can make a great deal of difference. At the heart of it, a game is designed to tackle a problem – whether it is part of a collaborative team tool or a training application for seniors. Therefore your ability to provide a creative solution to everyday issues is crucial to the success of your game company.

Manage a creative team

The creative team behind a game requires expert management. Ultimately, the development of online games – even those that are used as part of a team building or task management asset – is highly technical. For the creative team who is responsible for the UX design, the testing and the fluidity of actions, it is often difficult to maintain a professional approach to day-to-day projects. Consequently, there is a need for leadership experience. You don’t need gaming knowledge to land in this position. However, you can study online at Deakin University to boost your IT profile. This can give you the keys to understand how each function interacts with each other and to manage the creative game team effectively.

Develop your business game

Burnout. Depression. Stress disorder. People in offices struggle more and more to release their tensions and to express their emotional discomfort. Consequently, more and more startup companies are looking to create a virtual platform to allow stressed-out employees to manage their situations. A well-being application that keeps the management team informs of stress levels, and pressure in a playful manner can help to avoid serious health issues. It would be beneficial to use a graphic design such as the 7 cups path to track emotional complaints within the workplace. This can also act as a self-improvement tool for employees.

Create a live game

Not all games happen online. Escape room games have gained strong popularity as a team building exercise. Consequently, you can develop your own live game to welcome teams and encourage them to work together. You will need to build custom-made puzzles. But more importantly, you need to provide a follow-up workshop that helps people to cooperate towards a single objective.

Ultimately, games are there to stay. They have now become part of the professional landscape. Therefore it is the ideal time to embrace the potential of gaming to build a new profitable and professional career.

The Real Ways To Make Your Money Go Further

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Whatever you might have spare in the bank, it is perfectly natural to want to make it go as far as possible and to try and turn it into as much money as possible. Of course, it is also often bewildering trying to ensure that you are actually going to do the right thing, make the right choice, and make it happen in the way that you would hope. This is something that you need to often spend years on perfecting before you can get it down, but you can also find that it is easier to do so if you are able to have the right information to hand to begin with in the first place. In this article, we are going to look at some of the genuine ways that you can make whatever money you might have go further - with the right attitude, and a little patience, of course.

Crypto

It is still a good time to get into cryptocurrency trading, and if you are not already it would be highly recommended to do so as soon as possible. However, that does not necessarily mean that you want to go for the famous Bitcoin, as compared to some of the smaller, less-known altcoins out there, Bitcoin is not even performing that well these days. Instead, make sure you spend some time researching the various coins and that you are able to find one that truly works for you as best as possible. If you can do that, you will find that you are able to make a surprising amount of money from even a small investment over a relatively short space of time. It is definitely worth considering if you haven’t already.

Traditional Trading

Of course sometimes the old ways are still the best, and you don't’ have to worry about newfangled things like crypto if you don’t want to ,and you can still expect to make some money. Traditional trading routes are still always worth considering if you want to make your money go further, and they too can help you to make a surprising amount if you know what you are doing. You just need to make sure that you are not diving in the deep end, and that you are happy to put as such as might be necessary into the right thing at the right time. You will also find that CMC Markets trading guides are likely to help you, so that is definitely worth considering as well. The more informed you are, the more chance you have to make as much as you would like to make.

Saving

Finally, you don’t have to be a sleuth trader to make your money go further. The simple act of finding a good savings account and putting some money away in it can ensure that you are going to make your money go further, and in some cases this is even more lucrative than many other options available to you. Make sure that you are keen to save as well as possible, and you will find that this really does make a huge difference.

Thinking Of Driving An Uber To Fund Your Studies? Some Things You Should Know First

There’s no better path to a brighter future than education. Higher education can imbue you with the skills, knowledge and resources that you need to achieve the career of your dreams or even take a bite of the entrepreneurial apple. But like anything worth having, studying is hard. Not only must you navigate the perils and pitfalls of full time learning, you must also navigate the perils of maintaining a home, paying the bills and keeping the roof over your head and the food on your plate. This is hard enough for those with a full time job, but when our studies limit the time in which we can earn, it gets a whole lot harder.

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In the gig economy, many drivers who own their own vehicles have chosen to dedicate their free time to becoming an Uber driver, and in recent years this has become an especially popular money making opportunity among students. Given the flexibility and the fact that it can potentially pay better than most student jobs, it’s not hard to see why so many students flock to it. But if you’re considering making some money this way, it’s essential that you keep the caveats in mind.  

Make sure your car is up to the job

Uber driving is not for those with diesel vehicles. Diesel vehicles are marathon runners rather than sprinters. Being an Uber driver inevitably involves short journeys at relatively low speeds. This means that over time your Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) will become blocked with soot and won’t get the opportunity to purge (which usually happens automatically when travelling at high speeds at 2000-3000 rpm). This can result in a total breakdown of your vehicle and a very expensive repair.

If, however, you’re one of the many students driving electric or hybrid cars, you have the ideal vehicle to earn a crust as an Uber driver.

Never drive while tired, angry or hungry

When you’re driving to fund your studies, it’s easy not to treat it with the gravity that it deserves. But make no mistake, if this is to be profitable for you, your behavior on the road must be unimpeachable. That means that you never get behind the wheel unless you are well fed, well hydrated, well rested and ready to turn on the charm. Driving while angry, tired or hungry can cause you to make poor decisions on the road which could compromise your safety, the safety of your passengers and your reputation.

Don’t sacrifice speed for safety

If you’re trying to make money as an Uber driver, it’s vital that you aren’t tempted to race yourself to the finish line. Sure, your passengers want to get to where they’re going quickly… But they’d rather get there in one piece. Driving for speed can make you sacrifice safety. You could wind up with a poor review or even visiting www.DuffyLawCT.com/state-crimes/traffic-crimes/ to seek legal counsel for the dangerous driving claim made against you. Slow and steady always wins the race when you’re an Uber driver.

Bring your winning personality to work

Finally, your tips will make all the difference between making okay money and making great money from this side hustle. That means you bring your winning personality and your biggest smile to work for each and every passenger, even when you’re not feeling as sunny as you could on the inside. You might just surprise yourself with how much better wearing a smile makes you feel.

5 Life Lessons and Values to Teach Your Child

When it comes to parenting advice, one of the most popular topics is values you can teach your child in their early years to help them in later life. Here, we break down five of the most relevant and easily-delivered life lessons you can give to your child.

How to manage money

It may sound harsh, but it's never too early to start teaching a child how to manage their finances. Many people find themselves in financial difficulties when they reach college or graduate age, simply because they've never had to deal with being responsible for their own money before.

By teaching your child early about how to balance their pocket money with how much they want to spend, you'll also be teaching them how to deal with bills, bank accounts and savings when the time comes.

Make healthy food choices

Just like their finances, many young people struggle to eat healthily when they move out of the family home. And just like teaching them how to manage money, if you can give your child some good sound principles about nutrition and the importance of a good diet, they'll go on to form good habits that will last a (longer) lifetime.

The joy of learning

Instilling a love of learning in your child is, arguably, the most important lesson a parent can teach a child. Think about it: for most of the first two decades of their life, your child will be in education in one form or another. With that in mind, it's never a bad thing to encourage them to enjoy it.

Studies have shown that children who grow up actively encouraged to enjoy learning are more likely to avoid struggling in school, underperforming in exams and facing hardship in the job market when they grow up. Anything you, as a parent, can do to help your child cope with the pressure of education later in life is a precious and easy gift for you to pass on.

The courage to speak up

It's very important that when you're encouraging your child to enjoy learning - whether that's through reading with you, seeking out information on their own, and testing themselves - you don't accidentally teach them to simply agree with all the information they're given.

This is a hard lesson to teach, but having the courage to disagree is a vital part of growing up to be a well-rounded and confident individual. We don't mean encouraging them to challenge authority at every step, but teaching a child that there are times when it's appropriate to speak up can bring big rewards in the future.

Resolve disagreements peacefully

With the courage to disagree comes the responsibility to resolve those disagreements without causing further problems. This is something that kids can pick up with practice, and it all starts from their earliest days; children who are able to settle arguments with calm, logical explanations, referring to facts and pointing out obvious contradictions, are more likely to be listened to than those who simply shout until they feel they've gotten their way. The takeaway should be that it's fine to disagree when you feel someone is wrong, but never to fight about it.

Survey finds U.K. universities leading the way with youngsters most likely to own an Electric vehicle

It seems that the educated in our society are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious and are taking measures to help protect our planet. Indeed, a recent survey shows that cars owned by universities in the UK are more likely to be electric than vehicles owned amongst those not involved in higher education. Indeed, it claims 7.78% of the cars owned by universities were electric vehicles whilst only 0.11% of the general population of the UK had invested in the more environmentally friendly version. Does this mean that electric vehicle usage is on the way up?

What the public thinks

This recent debate entitled 'Should you Buy Electric Cars' showed that there was a 50:50 split between yes and no. Many in the yes camp believed they were essential if we want to improve our environment, including making our air cleaner. They also argued that it would make car ownership cheaper in the long run, as fossil fuels get more and more expensive. Those who voted no argued that they weren't an instant cure for environmental problems as we have to burn coal to make the electricity in the first place. It seems when it comes to public opinion the jury is still out. This study suggests that those in higher education institutions are embracing electric cars but it might not be the case for the wider public

What the Automobile Association Thinks

The AA is generally supportive of electric vehicles. They are happy to offer full breakdown cover for these modern cars, just like they would any other. They believe that an electric vehicle revolution is happening and in response, they have partnered with Chargemaster, suppliers of electric vehicle charging solutions to ensure that there is sufficient infrastructure in place to keep those who are making the transition into electric vehicles going. It seems the AA believe that electric car usage will keep on increasing.

Survey Findings?

Statistics are important to us here at Higher Ed Geek, so let's consider them in more detail. The percentage difference between the figure of 0.11% represents the percentage of electric cars owned in the general population to 7.78%, the percentage owned by universities. This figure is a staggering 7073% increase, which shows that universities are much more likely to invest in electric vehicles. The study suggests that those with a high degree of education are more environmentally conscious, or perhaps that the faculties of science within the universities have proved the worth of the electric car. Maybe it is the locations of the universities, usually in city centres which can make charging cars easier that has swayed decisions. Either way, it seems universities could be a driving force in making electric vehicles more popular across the population.

Any Concerns?

Whilst universities are embracing new technology the general population might still have some concerns. Concerns about how to make remote travel possible are legitimate, as are concerns over maintenance with complicated electric engines making it impossible for car owners to perform DIY fixes. There are also concerns about where we source lithium and other rare metals used in the engines of electric cars, is there an ethical way to mine these? It seems that whilst universities are leading the way and showing us that electric car usage should be our way forward, there are still issues to iron out if the general population is to follow.

Protecting Yourself As A Geeky Gun For Hire

Paying for your education ain’t cheap, much less paying for a reasonable standard of living so that your studies aren’t impeded by thoughts of “What will I eat this week?” or “How likely am I to be homeless by the end of the week”. Although many undergraduates pursue low paid low skilled part time work in their down time, there are some who feel no need to wait until their graduation to fulfil their entrepreneurial ambitions, devising side hustles, building their own businesses and establishing themselves as freelancers. Your education imbues you with skills that are enormously valuable to individuals and businesses alike, and so it makes perfect sense to monetize your talents in order to ensure that your higher education isn’t impeded by money troubles.  

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Whether you’re writing content, producing videos, building apps or websites, providing tuition for your fellow students or providing technical or IT support to small businesses, it’s essential that while you’re earning your crust you place the infrastructure to protect yourself as a geeky gun for hire...

Protect yourself from plagiarism

If you’ll be making money with your prodigious writing talent you may think that all you need to do is start writing and the rest will take care of itself. And while this may well be the case, it behoves you to protect yourself from plagiarism. When you write content you are the legal owner of that content (unless it’s white label or ghostwritten content) and as such you need to protect yourself from others plagiarising your work. If someone else claims ownership of what you’ve written it may cast aspersions on your reputation that your budding freelance career could do without. That’s why you should use anti-plagiarism software like Copyscape and Grammarly.

Know who to turn to when you need legal help

If you’re providing technical, IT or digital marketing support to small businesses you may be entrusted with potentially sensitive data. While there will be legally enforceable contracts protecting their interests, their contracts may well be less interested in your protection. While it’s unlikely, should something go awry with their sensitive data you may find yourself blames and facing legal charges for something you had no part in which is why it’s important to know what to look for in a white collar crime attorney. Even though it’s extremely unlikely doesn't mean that there’s no chance that it will happen to you, and so it’s in your best interests to ensure that you know how to protect yourself.

Guard your anonymity with a VPN

When you’re working in the digital realm, you may well find yourself producing content that while well constructed is contentious for those who consume it. You may garner vitriolic dislike for your work or on the other hand you may garner the unwelcome attentions of an internet superfan. It doesn’t take the technically savvy long to determine your IP address and from there work out where you live. Thus, it’s always a worthwhile precaution to use a Virtual Private Network or VPN when submitting work.

In entrepreneurship, as in all things, it always pays to be careful!