London and the South East employ around 40% of new graduates, where Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales account for only around 11% of the workforce. The average starting salary for a new graduate is around £30,000 with more experienced graduates and those aligning directly to large organizations being able to command more. The most common jobs in IT for new graduates include software engineering, IT consultancy, computer programming, systems analysis, computer analysis and computer operations management. As well as requiring IT skills, these posts also require problem-solving and strong communication skills, with the ability to work as part of a team.

The IT industry invests more in training than any other industry in the UK. The type of IT training depends on the aims of the business or company that a graduate is working for, but it is usually based in working with new technology. However, many graduates and professionals take it upon themselves to learn new IT skills to further their chances in the industry. There are training courses in most aspects of IT, including desktop support technicians, design and development courses, database server infrastructure design and professional developer qualifications. The industry seems to favour those with extra qualifications and these can lead to higher wages and longer IT careers. Courses are certified by most of the large operators, including Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, CIW, Computeach, IC3 and Adobe.

There is a current trend in the UK IT industry for out-sourcing and off-shoring work; around 8% of IT operations are out-sourced overseas, pointing to a significant IT skills gap in the UK. Some companies have reported delays in the development of new products and services directly as a result of this. As the link between a lack of qualified professionals and product-delay becomes more evident, there has been a drive for more innovation and investment into IT training. Business projects that do not use IT in some shape or form are now in a significant minority, with companies now willing to spend more on new IT systems and professionals to maintain them. In the advent of this IT-driven age, even the government is looking for fully-qualified recruits to develop complex IT infrastructures for new ventures, such as the introduction of national ID cards and the smooth operations behind the 2012 Olympics.

IT has not only seen the dawn of a new era in business and commerce, but it looks to be a vital component of our everyday lives for the foreseeable future.

Karl Parkinson, Chairman. Computeach - With over 40 years of experience in the IT Training Industry, Computeach provides innovative and truly blended learning solutions to a wide range of customers. For more information visit - http://www.computeach.co.uk/ For interviews, images or comments contact: Rosie Guise Marketing Computeach International Ltd Phone: 01384 458515 Email: rosie.guise@computeach.co.uk

By having a legal assistant prepare first drafts and do the research pertaining to a case, the lawyer can charge much less than if they had to do the work themselves. A paralegal will perform many of the important tasks that pertain to a legal case.

They investigate the facts, gather all pertinent information, identify appropriate laws, and review past case law and judicial judgments. They will prepare documents to initiate a legal case, write letters to clients, request documentation from relevant sources, as well as write up reports that the lawyer may use to determine how the case should be handled.

But make no mistake about it, there are cons to the paralegal profession. The following are the most common:

1. A legal assistant could be required to work long hours, often beyond your normal nine to five job.

2. A paralegal will perform lots of research and spend lots of time writing up their findings.

3. The legal assistant profession at this time has no regulations or certifications by law to monitor their actions.

With regards to certification, one can choose to become certified voluntarily. It is a good idea to get paralegal certification because it shows that you are a qualified professional to prospective employers. You can get the Certified Legal Assistant Certification (CLA) through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or take the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).

Even with the cons associated with the paralegal profession, there are many pros as well.

The following are the most common:

1. The legal assistant field offers numerous challenges and can be very rewarding.

2. The average salary for a legal assistant can range from $25,000 to $55,000, depending on location, education, and type of agency that a paralegal is employed.

3. A legal assistant can be employed by a governmental department, private practice, a large law firm, a corporation, or any number of places that require the services of an attorney.

Today the paralegals career prospects and opportunities have never been so superior. However, nowadays the paralegal needs to be trained in a variety of specific areas. A legal assistant that holds an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree is in a more advantageous position to be employed by a governmental agency or a larger more prestigious firm than a person that does not hold one or the other of these degrees. A legal assistant that has their degree can also demand a better salary.

Becoming a legal assistant can offer the exciting challenges that you may be seeking in your career. Paralegals earn excellent earnings and it is a fantastic career for those that are concerned with aiding someone in need.

It is definitely a career worth looking into. If you are interested, you need to explore it further. You should visit websites that cover the profession in more detail.

Note: You are free to reprint or republish this article. The only condition is that the Resource Box should be included and the links are clickable.

Copywrite Kenneth Echie. Kenneth is a writer for Criminal Justice Degrees. Get free scholarship report and learn to become a Paralegal by visiting. See Also: Extra Income Ideas

When examiners found large-scale “blatant plagiarism” of English GCSE coursework three years ago, it was a matter of time before the authorities had to look seriously at the future of the system.

Students in the same school had copied whole sections of answers from a website, using exactly the same vocabulary and writing styles.

What was even more surprising, their investigation found, was that their teachers had either not noticed, or chosen deliberately to overlook it.

At about the same time, a growing trend known as “scaffolding” had been identified, where teachers helped pupils by giving them structures to write their coursework. This had led to examiners being unable to distinguish between the work of different students because they began with the same sentences and paragraphs, often running in the same order.

There was also the difficult issue of how much help parents were offering their children at home. Those who did not have computer-literate parents were most likely to be disadvantaged.

When the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) released its study into cheating and plagiarism later that same year, in 2005, it found that about 4,000 students a year were being caught for breaching the rules - a nine per cent rise from previous years.

It blamed the incidents on an increase in the use of computers and the internet at home, with more than nine out of 10 teenagers saying they could access websites from home.

Even more worryingly, however, the study said that the use of websites offering custom-made essays and answers “cannot be controlled”.

One in 20 parents interviewed as part of the research admitted they had drafted some of their children’s GCSE coursework.

The QCA concluded that coursework had “undisputed educational value” and should continue, and it urged the use of detection software already being used in universities to weed out the cheats.

From September 2009, however, coursework will cease to exist in its current form. Instead, students will have to complete their work under controlled conditions, with limited help and guidance from teachers.

They will still be allowed to do their research and information gathering at home, but the writing up of that work will have to be done under strict supervision.

It means that “levels of control” will be introduced for each stage of the assessment process: task-setting, task-taking, and task-marking.

According to QCA guidelines: “For each stage, to ensure reliability and authenticity, the level of control must be set as high as possible for the skills assessed. However, the level of control must provide for valid assessment of the subject while ensuring manageability for learners, centres and awarding bodies.”

The levels of control will be different depending on the subject.

Where there is a weighting of 25 per cent controlled assessment, students will be required to complete one or two pieces of work, which are awarded as a single entity.

When controlled assessment makes up 60 per cent of the marks, candidates may have to take up to three components, each of which is moderated and awarded separately. Each will have a weighting of no less than 20 per cent of the overall assessment.

There will also be greater controls on the time taken to complete assessments and in terms of word count. Students taking subjects with 25 per cent assessment - with the exception of Welsh as a second language - should write no more than 2,000 words.

Where assessment comprises 60 per cent controlled assessment - except modern foreign languages and Welsh - candidates should take no more than 15 hours for each component. This includes time taken for preparation, but not teaching and learning time.

For subjects with 60 per cent controlled assessment, awarding bodies will replace controlled assessment tasks every two years, as a minimum, to ensure they continue to set an appropriate challenge to students. For subjects with 20 per cent controlled assessment, tasks will be replaced every year.

The new specifications will also require students to produce their drafts to form part of the assessment procedures, in some subjects. However, where this is not the case strict rules will apply as to the level of help teachers can give in assisting candidates with re-drafting. They will be able to give general advice, but not detailed or specific help on how they can improve their work.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer living in the UK. He regularly contributes articles for GCSE Changes, the leading website covering the upcoming changes in GCSE.

The Branches of the Military

You don’t have to sign up for active duty. You can sign on with the military in the Guard and Reserve units. You can choose from the Air Force, the Navy, the Army or the Marine Corps. These branches are under the Department of Defenses’ jurisdiction. If the sea is your passion, join the Coast Guard. In peacetime you will answer to the Department of Homeland Security and during wartime you will report to the Department of Defense via the Navy.

Benefits of Joining the Military

When you join the military you will have access to the highest quality of training and opportunities for a lifetime career in a field you enjoy. You will have base pay, a variety of discounts, support for tuition in your chosen field and full medical insurance coverage.

You will get to travel the globe at no cost to you. The military offers travel for both business and pleasure. You will also receive not just job training but preparation for your chosen career in the civilian world. Much of the training you receive in the military will prepare you for a variety of civilian job equivalents.

The pride you take in the service to your country cannot be stressed enough. Knowing that you have put in your time to ensure the safety of your nation will bring you the confidence in yourself you may have lacked before enlisting.

You will meet all kinds of people from every walk of life, learn about different cultures and take pride in yourself and your accomplishments. A career in the military is also a possibility for those that attend OTS or Officer Training Schools.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities for both a career in the military or in the private sector abound. The military may not always provide you with training you had first desired, but you will be fitted to a career that will enable you to use your abilities for maximum performance. Everyone is different and the skills you are best at and where you are most needed are where you can flourish. You may march with the infantry or use the most advanced technology that is available.

A career in the military can help you to learn self discipline and how to work within a group and teach you important leadership skills that will last a lifetime. A stint in the military looks good on anyone’s resume and can take you further than if you had skipped enlistment.

No matter what branch of the military you choose, you will learn life changing skills that can only enhance your civilian life when you are discharged. If you choose a lifetime in the military you will always be able to count on the support and training that a career in the military can provide.

Military fan? Learn about Military survival kits, air force survival kits and military survival training.

Controlled assessment is replacing coursework from September 2009 for GCSEs. This has been introduced by the QCA to address some of the issues raised in coursework reviews, such as plagiarism, teacher assistance, and parental intervention.

What are the benefits of controlled assessment?

The benefits of controlled assessment include more straightforward marking - for most subjects learners are provided with worksheets to submit their work on - and improved reliability and validity.

There will also be varying levels of control - teachers will know at the start of the course what is required to help them manage the assessments and their time more easily. Greater confidence in authenticating learners’ work as their own and greater ease in fitting assessments into normal teaching programmes are also seen as benefits.

How will it be introduced?

Controlled assessment is embedded in the specifications and will be introduced when the specifications become available for teaching in September 2009.

How will it affect teachers’ workload?

Whether staff will see any differences in workload, will depend on what they have experienced previously.

With the introduction of a new qualification and a new model of assessment, it is possible that some additional work is required in the first occurrence of controlled assessment until they get used to the new way of working.

However, most examination boards will be providing support throughout the transition process.

Will it affect timetabling and curriculum planning?

This will vary from centre to centre. For example, if the school is retaining a linear model then all they need to do is to ensure that the learners have completed all units by the end of the course. Following a unitised approach can allow a more flexible approach to assessment, so teachers can structure the learning programme to suit their students.

Who will set the tasks of the controlled assessment and will teachers still need to mark it?

It varies from subject to subject. For some, such as business studies GCSE, the examination board will set the tasks and context. Centres can “contextualise” all tasks - i.e. adapt them to suit their own resources and local facilities - so there is always a small degree of flexibility, even for tasks set by the examination boards.

For others, centres can choose from a series of contexts in which to address a number of pre-set tasks. Task-marking is typically done by the school’s centre assessor, using the examination boards marking grids and guidance, and then the examination board moderates them.

How long do schools need to keep the controlled assessment for?

This will be governed by the awarding bodies’ Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) regulations when they are published. It is expected that learners’ work will need to be kept until all possible post-result services have been exhausted. For details, see http://www.jcq.org.uk

When can controlled assessment start?

Controlled assessment can start in year 9, 10 or 11. However, it is important that the school ensures the correct controlled assessment task is given. The examination boards recommend schools check the full specification details for the qualifications they will be teaching before planning assessment schedules. The start dates can depend on the specific subject and how the teacher chooses to structure the course.

For instance, with design and technology (DT), the first opportunity to enter candidates for controlled assessment is for the January 2010 session and thereafter January and June of each year. It is for centres to decide when they enter candidates. For DT, controlled assessment is in unit 1 and again in unit 3 and these would normally be taken in year 10 for unit 1 and year 11 for unit 3, but the choice is up to the teacher. If schools are delivering the course in a linear fashion then all controlled assessments are at the end of year 11.

Can schools continue to teach a short course over two years?

Yes, but they will need to be familiar with the rules regarding those subjects with 25 per cent controlled assessment. Controlled assessment can only take place for the year that the awarding body sets the tasks and the tasks cannot be carried over to a second year.

Can schools submit learners for exams in any exam session now?

Yes, but they will need to be aware of the QCA’s 40 per cent terminal assessment rule (40 per cent of assessment has to take place at the end of the course), which is detailed in the specification.

If learners are entered for re-sits, which marks are considered?

Learners can re-sit each unit once and can count the highest mark.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer living in the UK. He regularly contributes articles for GCSE Changes, the leading website covering the upcoming changes in GCSE.

The increase in fuel prices is doing what the government could not and is turning people to the trains for transport to and from work. In addition, with a larger portion of Britons deciding to holiday at home, there is a steady increase in rail use for holiday travel. The UK’s rail industry appears to be an impressively sustainable form as transport, one of which that has a major impact on the nation’s economy. As well as transporting commuters and holiday-makers, it also devotes a significant portion of its services to freight and industrial transport. Major international operators look to the UK’s rail industry for guidance for rail structure and expertise on minimising the environmental impact of such a vast and efficient system.

As the rail industry strives to meet public and legislative demands, the demands of its staff grow with it. As the service grows more varied, so too do the types of rail vacancies; as well as the more traditional rail jobs on the market, such as engineering posts, planners, electricians, schedulers and IT operatives, there are now posts surfacing for jobs such as research scientists, environmental specialists, technical strategists and technological consultants.

These jobs offer opportunities for skilled workers already in the industry, as well as newly-qualified graduates. Compared to most other industries of this size, staff turnovers are relatively low, with management preferring to allow jobs to evolve with the system, but its continued expansion means that the opportunities for new recruits in all aspects of the rail industry are consistently significant.

Another aspect of the rail industry’s size is the location of jobs for employees. With over 100 of the UK’s networks having been privatised, there are rail jobs available right across the country, from regional head offices and stations to travelling engineers and technical experts. Obviously the capital employs a vast section of the country’s workforce, but the quantity and quality of jobs to be found in the rail industry across the UK does seem to fly in the face of the predicted recession. In addition, wages seem to remain unaffected by the current economic climate – perhaps reflecting the industry’s potential as a lifeline to commuters and commercial goods during hard times.

Finding the right job in the rail industry requires a little acumen, as there are a vast number of posts available, many of which are not immediately obvious to those seeking work in this remarkably resilient industry. In this case, it is worth seeking advice from recruitment consultants to ensure that your skills and qualifications are considered by the right people.

Duncan freer - Director - Rail Jobs Search is a job site dedicated to the specific needs of candidates who work in the building services and Rail industry in the UK. We also provide recruiters with an online service that is effective in terms of cost and ease of use.

Contacts
For interviews, images or comments contact:
John Roberts
Marketing Manager
Email: john@thejobsearchgroup.com

The UK’s nuclear industry provides around 22% of the country’s electricity. Currently this sector employs around 50, 000 people, 15, 000 of whom operate and decommission power stations. With the rising demand for more ecologically-sound implementations, it has been estimated that a further 9,000 engineers and scientists will be required to continue this progress. Nuclear jobs in this industry can require a lot of travel, for example research scientists work in partnership with other scientists from across the globe to develop a power source that also has worldwide effects.

On a larger scale, the water industry currently employs around 160,000 people who help to collect, treat and distribute over 16 billion litres of water for domestic and commercial use. At the same time, they also collect around 10 billion litres of waste-water. As this sector continues to expand, there are many water jobs waiting to be filled, such as operational engineers, environmentalists, modelers and planners.

34% of all electricity generated in the UK comes from coal but, as fossil fuels decline, attention is turning to renewable energies such as solar, winder and water power. This sector is evolving in conjunction with the race to find better renewable energies; whilst it presently employs around 5,500 people, these figures are already on the increase as new resources are explored and discovered.

As the utility industry develops and grows, so too does the need for workers in all fields. There are gas jobs and oil jobs available in what are perceived to be self-sustaining industries. However, oil reserves are waning although the gas industry looks set to continue to expand well into the next century.

Jobs in these sectors and their sub-divisions are wide and varied, ranging from expert engineers such as research scientists and consultants to operational staff, such as engineers. Industries such as the oil industry require a further network of staff to deal with the marketing and selling of the product. These can encompass roles in human resources, IT and accountancy as well as the more traditional oil jobs, such as drilling.

Jobs such as drilling are likely to mean operating anti-social hours in remote areas, but most utility jobs tend to be on the mainland and in a head or regional office and enjoy much more regular hours. In addition, there are long careers to be had in the utilities industry; staff turnover is relatively low as jobs are adapted to meet political, environmental and legal demands, as well as advances in technology. The larger industries, such as petroleum and nuclear power are part of multinational companies and employees can be asked to travel quite frequently, depending on their roles. Smaller industries, such as coal and renewable energy, are usually UK-based; most of the UK’s oil comes from the North Sea and workers are based accordingly.

As demands for power increase and alternatives are being researched, the utilities industry is an ever-changing entity with no lack of jobs available for those wanting to help it adapt and evolve in the years to come.

Duncan freer - Director

1. Clearly define your job duties before you start, and don’t be afraid to remind others of them.

As an intern, you were likely asked to do lots of menial tasks just to get things done around the office. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you got real job experience as well. When you move into a regular position with a company, it can be hard to get others – and yourself for that matter – to think of you as anything more than an intern. However, if you’re officially the company’s newest stockbroker, you shouldn’t be making coffee or delivering mail. If it isn’t in your job description, politely remind the other employees that they should look to the new intern or the secretary to complete their tasks. Of course, pick you battles. If Donald Trump himself asks you to get him a cup of coffee, I don’t care who you are – you get him that java!

2. Takes things seriously from the start.

Chances are that you always took your internship seriously. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have been offered a full-time job. However, while in the past you might have been able to get away with things (like taking a 20 minute break instead of a 10 minute break or leaving at 3:30 instead of 4:00), that won’t be the case any longer. You’ll be expected to do your job as promised or they’ll fire you. This isn’t putting you at a risk for a bad grade. This is your livelihood!

3. Talk about vacation time, benefits, sick/personal days, and perks.

As an intern, you probably didn’t get anything – you may not have even gotten paid. In some cases, your transition from full-time intern to full-time employee is just a matter of signing a few papers or talking to payroll. Sometimes, employers forget to discuss the nitty gritty, since this seems like information you should already know. Once you’ve been offered the job (and usually before you accept), ask about your vacation time, benefits, and sick/personal days. Know company policies for requesting days off for any reason, and find out who to talk to if you have insurance or retirement plan questions. Also, find out about the other possible perks, which will depend on your specific job. For example, do you get a discount on a product your company makes? Do you get a free parking spot? Does your company have employee tickets to sporting events? No one mentions these things at first unless you ask!

4. Get into the habit of showing up early.

You’re probably used to a college schedule where being a bit late to class or skipping class completely isn’t a big deal. Your internship may have also been extremely flexible when it comes to timing. Don’t fall into bad punctuality habits with your regular job, though. You can be fired for showing up late, especially if you do so consistently. At the very least, you’ll be passed up for promotions or offered only very low annual pay increases.

5. Ask questions, but realize that this is no longer an education opportunity.

If you don’t understand how to do something, it is always better to ask a question than to do it the wrong way and have to clean up a mess. However, keep in mind that your job is not a learning experience like your internship was. You’ll be expected to take initiative, and if you can figure out the answer to a problem without asking your boss or a co-worker for help, you should.

It can be intimidating to move from your position as an intern to a full-time position. Don’t underestimate the differences between these two work dynamics. When transitioning to a regular job, be prepared for a few bumps in the road.

Find out how to get student internships while you’re in college, and ways that intern experience can lead to a career after graduation. Lisa Jenkins is a career counselor writing for JobMonkey, a free website. Learn about popular internship programs including those with Disney and other Fortune 500 employers.

Experience and documentation – both in terms of statistical research and documented follow up has shown that the practice of calling employers after sending cover letters and resumes serves as a practice to show dramatic follow up results.

What is the background and the reasons for these results overall? It can be said and summarized that two important reasons for this are that firstly employers generally see follow up practices and procedures as a good thing overall. Doing so is an indication and indicator of personal initiative and as well confidence. You are a person, and a future employee, who “takes care of things”. That you pay attention to detail. That you get things done and care. That you are a person who is “reliable and responsible”. Unfortunately for employers and the workplace, but fortunate for you traits of personal incentive, reliability and integrity and rare and hard to find in the marketplace. It all stands as a good demonstration as to why you should be hired – promptly.

Next in line is the real life logistics of the business world and practical hob hiring. The firm or organization that you most likely wish to get hired on to is a busy and profitable one. They both have good products, good service, and profit to pay you well with. Guess what though – with all that business activity it may be that the employer may well be intending to call you as an applicant but sidetracked. It’s best to work for a company that is well organized – that has a fire department to actively work to prevent fires rather than being proud that they are putting out fires all the time. Yet things happen at busy firms that may simply distract the employer or h.r. person from making that final call to solidify the job employment offer. Applicants who take the time and effort to “call” may actually be saving the employer time and often speed along the hiring decision or decisions. Its all in the perception and perceptions.

What is the best time length to consider calling after the employment interview or job interviews in order to follow up with a phone call? It may depend on the situation and your feeling for the specific firm or organization and its particular stated or unstated rules and procedures. Generally overall it’s safe and acceptable by standard office human resources (h.r.) and business protocols to call after about three to four days after the employer receives your letter. Simply put as an example the conversation can go something like this “This is Mr. or Ms. X from such and such a place. I sent you a letter and resume regarding the system support programming job, and simply wanted to make sure and confirm that you received the package and documentation.

It can be best said that a simple ordinary standard telephone or phone call can often be the deciding factor in whether you do or do not get that job employment interview.

Greatly and solidly improve your odds of getting that job or career interview that you wish or want. Make that call.

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A bail bondsman can also be a bounty hunter if they work for themselves. The term bail bondsman is not just limited to men in this profession. Women can also be bondsmen. This profession is only practiced in the United States.

What does it take to become a bail bondsman?

You’ll need to be licensed by the current state you live in. You should check with the Department of Insurance because you will need to be appointed by the insurance company as a bail bondsman. Some states require classes to be taken regarding the insurance license.

After you’ve obtained a bail bondsman insurance license, you can start posting bond within a few days. There are limits on your surety license so be sure to check what those are. Bail can even been done over the phone and with a credit card. A bondsman is usually available 24 hours a day.

Is there any danger in becoming a bail bondsman?

Yes, if you also couple this with bounty hunting. You are basically hunting down somebody who doesn’t want to return to jail or for their arraignment. Bondsmen get shot at and threatened but if they don’t return their fugitive back to court the insurance company has to pay.

Bail agents, as they also called, collect their funds by apprehending fugitives. A bail agent has a standing with the insurance company. It is in the best interest to capture the person so that the bond can be paid.

When a bondsman post bail for a criminal defendant it is usually charged as 10% of the bail. $10,000 would be a $1,000 bond; this is usually done in cash if available through the courts. If the bond is higher such as $100,000, it would be $10,000 and if the defendant owns a home a mortgage would be taken out on the home. The 10% fee is not refundable.

Why would you want to choose this as a career?

Many people who decide to become a bail bondsman do so because of the interesting work and flexible hours. Those who start as a bail bondsman also move into bounty hunting. With the popularity of the show on A&E titled “Dog” The Bounty Hunter, many people have seen this type of work glamorized. But reading about what a bail agent does, the other times can seem quite tedious.

There is a lot of paperwork and waiting by the phone or in front of someone’s home. The upside is that it can be very lucrative and a great retirement choice. A bail bondsman is just helping people to be reunited with their families while a trial date is pending. It is only temporary, but families are usually very grateful to have a little more time with their loved ones.

If you like bringing such temporary happiness to families, then become a bail bondsman. I encourage you to do more research on the profession. You just need to visit websites that cover the profession in more detail.

Note: You are free to reprint or republish this article. The only condition is that the Resource Box should be included and the links are live links.

Copywrite Kenneth Echie. Kenneth is a writer for Criminal Justice Schools and Degrees. Get free scholarship report and learn to become a Bail Bondsman by visiting. Also See: Extra Income Ideas