Archive for the ‘Guest Posts’ Category

Waking Up and Moving On After a Heart Transplant by Steve Suto – Part 4

Saturday, September 5th, 2020

In the final part of Steve Suto’s heart transplant saga, he shares his feelings about living with a new heart and how he is trying to be worthy of his donor’s gift. Share his new reality and join me in experiencing the inspiration it offers even for people like me who are likely to never have to face what he did. If you missed the rest of the story, here are the links to part 1 Reflections of a Heart Transplant Survivor, part 2 How to Qualify for a Heart Transplant, and part 3 Making the Wait for a Donor Heart Bearable.

Operation

Waking Up With a New Heart

I want to chronicle a hopefully finite time within “the course of human events” when transplants started during my lifetime and when someone can take a patient’s DNA and grow a transplant organ. This new organ will adequately replace the failed organ and not be rejected. Until there is no need for organ donation, transplant patients will be dependent on the humanity of organ donors and the amazing skill of transplant surgeons.

At the end of part three, I was sedated on the operating table and the transplant team at Strong Memorial in Rochester, NY was in the process of transplanting its 168th heart. When I knew I was finally going to have my transplant operation, I had total confidence in my transplant team.

My thoughts about transplants and how transplants have been portrayed during my life have crystallized into this confidence. Up to my being a candidate for a transplant, most of what I thought about transplants came from fuzzy memories of TV dramas and newspaper stories. Organ rejection was the theme of most of these dramas. I remember more than one of those stories featured people having no chance to survive without reconciling with a long lost identical twin who might donate a kidney. I remember Dr. Christian Bernard’s organ transplant team’s attempt that ended in organ rejection and Barney Clark’s artificial heart.

These developments were front-page news. That was cutting edge. (pun intended) Now transplants are still complex team efforts but they are common. The most progress has been made regarding the post-op issues of infection and organ rejection.

Blood Tests

Tests, Tests, and More Tests

With my new heart, I was regularly tested for organ rejection and my blood was monitored for levels of meds that were adjusted as needed. I believe that monitoring and making adjustments to my individual reactions to my post-op medications takes skills equal to and equally important as anyone on the operating team.

The efficient transplant operation team took less time for my operation than the average heart transplant. During my heart transplant operation, I spent less time on the operating table than I spent on the table during either of my hip replacement operations.

Rejection is an ever-present concern for every new day in my life, but rejection is not common with people who take their anti-rejection meds as prescribed every day. Now my doctors need to deal with me as an individual and prescribe a level of anti-rejection meds that allow me to accept a foreign organ. I also need to be able to have enough natural immunity to fight off life’s other infections like the flu.

It’s funny how soon you can forget your last dream. I don’t remember dreaming during any of the times when I was sedated for an operation. A dream about a future time when not having the uncertain wait for a donor organ became a reality. It’s probably as good as any dream I forgot.

Nurses

Pestering the Nurse-Heros

I woke up in the ICU about ten hours after the transplant operation. Now I’m officially in my “Brave New World.” My surgeon had done over 150 of these transplants and sometimes they leave the chest open. In my case, they chose to immediately close me up. I was sedated as necessary but the effects of my body taking to this new heart like a duck takes to water overcame a lot of this. When the fog in my head lifted enough I was ready to walk and I even surprised my wife Carol with a phone call after the ICU nurse prepared her by saying the call was all good news.

Normally nurses in the ICU have stationery sleepy patients and they don’t have to deal with patients ready to walk around or constantly pestering them for ice chips or drinks. If it was up to the ICU nurses I would have been sent back to the transplant ward immediately but my doctor cautiously had me stay there and upset the normal routine for another day. Within 36 hours of waking up in the ICU, I walked the 200 yards back to the transplant section of the floor. I think I was the first one over 60 who walked this distance. I was happy to hear my unofficial record was later broken by another transplant patient.

Back in the heart transplant ward, I was recovering in a private room displacing my friend Fred who preferred a private room when there was one available. I don’t think he minded picking up and temporarily moving to a semi-private room under the circumstances.

Time for the Grateful Dead Reference

Now Carol was given the task of preparing our home for my upcoming isolation. She had a little over a week to have the house cleaned and free of mold and other hazards. Soon I would be at a point where I was statistically safer at home and away from a hospital environment.

Driving home we listened to Sirius radio’s Grateful Dead Chanel. Somebody was reading my mind when I had a notion that I wanted some kind of divine sign. I found it when we were turning onto my street and the radio started playing the Dead singing “Truckin, I’m a-going home, Woah Woah baby back where I belong. Back home, sit down and patch my bones. Then get back truckin on.” Can’t make that one up. It happened. Johnny Cash once said that the best part of any long journey was the last mile going home.

For the next four weeks, I was tested for rejection using heart biopsy samples. Then the next four tests came two weeks apart. The next four came a month apart. Today there are blood tests available that are as reliable as those biopsies. I’m now taking this blood test twice a year.

Mask

Ahead of the Mask Game

The first six months after the operation I had to wear a mask in public or when I had visitors in my home. Alternately, when my visitors wore masks I didn’t need one. That time came and went and now ironically, I have enough hand sanitizer and masks left over to get me through CoVid.

So far so good. Today they have greatly reduced my intake quantities of anti-rejection meds and I had enough resistance to survive the flu bug I picked up on the 2019 Outlaw Country Cruise cruise ship. This bug managed to slip by the flu shot I had the summer before.

As I convalesced from the transplant I had to deal with the notion in my mind that I was now destined to be an instrument in divine intervention. I thought I was more than lucky and I was going through something extra special, and by some providence that I was spared to accomplish something of an extra special purpose that will be revealed in time.

Fortunately, I’m dealing with enough issues while recovering without dealing with being delusional. The idea of being spared for a divine purpose is used to describe a saint. Keeping it real, no way am I going to try to set out to be one of those. I’m still just an individual who has in the past tried hard and I even done reasonably well. Am I now expected to be more?

I’m dealing with my feelings that there has to be a way I can repay this whole thing. How can I come up with a scheme I can pull off as an appropriate reciprocating gesture. Finally, I face the reality that I can’t. So I need to stop obsessing about this debt.

There Is no Payback When It Comes to Transplants

By thinking there’s a need to pay somebody back in full, I’m changing the rules of the game. The deal was I should go back to my life. This notion that I owe something more was not the original transaction between me, my donor, and my medical team. Going back to my life was worthy enough. The only thing I can pledge to do is to try to grow and become a better version of myself.

I believe that because a heart is donated many of those characteristic synonyms for the expression “heart” like courage, persistence, loyalty, guts, and love are built into a donated heart because this particular heart is a donation without conditions. The vetting continues when a transplant hospital inspects the heart that the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) found for you.

I believe that history is not just a listing of dates and events. History is my opinion the prevailing consciousness of people that dictate events. Examples include The Dark Ages, The Renaissance, The Age of Exploration, Imperialism, The Age of Reason, The American and French Revolutions, The industrial Revolution, The Space Race, and the Digital Age. These were all driven by new attitudes that spurred new science. Also, history is written from the perspective of the survivors and the winners. I don’t want my story told by an archeologist discovering and assembling clues that are fossilized.

Science’s trial and error and the experimentation throughout medical history have given us the transplant era in human history. Science might soon end this era. When organ donation is not necessary, it will end so much heartache but we will be missing the humanity of a gift without conditions. I pray humanity will come up with another worthy outlet for this expression of humanity when organ donation will not be necessary.

Shot Put

The Bonus Round and the Transplant Games

I’m now living in the bonus round with this new persistently beating heart. I lived long enough to be there for Carol when she had emergency life-saving procedures. She was always there for me. I lived long enough to meet more of my heroes who lived up to expectations. I lived to be on this planet when I could witness events and repeatedly say I would not rather be anywhere on this planet than right here and right now.

Examples of these times and places were two years on the Outlaw Country Cruises. Also, I competed in the NYS Senior Track & Field Games, the Florida Senior Games, and The US Transplant Games in Salt Lake City. The US Transplant Games has two competing divisions, donors and recipients. There are competitions that range from trivia, darts, poker, golf, ballroom dancing, tennis, swimming, track & field, and just about anyone is capable of finding their level of competition celebrating what they are capable of doing. There was even one organ recipient who set an age-group world record for the International Masters Track & Field age-group competition.

At the transplant games in Salt Lake City 2019, we set a Guinness record for the world’s largest gathering of Transplant Recipients. In the future with the danger of CoVid behind us, I hope to live to break that record. At these games, I took home two silver medals in throwing events for my age group and I feel vindicated that I only lost to a former world transplant champion. I hope to someday qualify to compete in the World Transplant Games.

Before my transplant, I was pretty good in track & field and I was captain of my college track team. In my senior year, I qualified for the Division III National Championship meet and got thrashed by three athletes who would become Olympians. After I graduated I competed in masters track and I was more than once a gold medalist in my age group at the USA TAC Indoor Pentathlon Championships. Two ruptured Achilles tendons in one year ended that career.

After I had both hips replaced I missed being around Track & Field athletes so I made an attempt to compete in age group throwing events. A little more willpower might allow me to lose enough weight to try high jumping again. The three medals I won at the NYS Senior Games in 2017 were mounted on a plaque and given to the nurses at the Strong Heart Transplant Unit with the inscription “The nurses told me their wish was that I get back to my life. These medals prove to them that I did just that.” I did not sign the plaque because it was about the nurses, not myself. This was their trophy. I hope it is there for their inspiration when they encounter the inevitable setbacks in their lives.

The Donate Life Booth at the New York State Fair

I neglected to mention how Carol and I volunteer to work at the Donate Life booth at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse. Our goal is to educate fairgoers and sign up anyone interested as a registered organ donor. For the record, New York State’s Organ Donor List is more inclusive than the Department of Motor Vehicle’s. Please go to one to sign up if you haven’t already.

This transplant process allowed my body to adapt and heal in so many ways. Can anyone practicing medicine do much more than put your body in a place where you can heal? Give credit where credit is due. Nurses come back every day and provide care and comfort to patients no matter what the result. Don’t confuse doing what you need to do to survive with real heroics. Additionally, I include Donors and their families with real heroes.

To everyone out there thank you for wearing a mask during the CoVid crisis. Every transplant recipient will be taking anti-rejection meds for the rest of their lives and exposing themselves to the world as immunologically compromised.

To everyone who has stayed with my story for whatever reason, I hope I have given you something interesting to read. I might have answered your questions about living through the transplant process. I hope I did not muddy the waters. Please remember that I’m alive today because of humanity. There are so many other stories like mine out there too. Every single survivor of a transplant gives testimony to our humanity.

There is no existing product on the market you can just buy and sell that can replace humanity. I know nothing about my donor pertaining to issues that divide us. I hope that my audience embraces the spirit of “live and let live” that this world needs today more than ever. If you agree, please fulfill this part of yourself and register as an organ donor.

Thanks again to Dr.Doug Green who I will give credit to spurring me to broaden my horizons and complete this project. Now I have much more confidence in writing prose so I’m ready to take on haiku that I will self publish at the next Chinese sit-down restaurant restroom the Governor allows to open. Here goes.
Here I sit forlorn
My last pay toilet yen spent
I only break wind
©2020 Steve Suto

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Ways To Prepare Students For Jobs That Don’t Exist Yet by Catrin Cooper

Friday, December 15th, 2017

Dream Job
Ways To Prepare Students For Jobs That Don’t Exist Yet by Catrin Cooper will help students, parents, and anyone with a job at risk of automation understand the type of skills and knowledge they need to develop as old jobs disappear and new ones take their place. Educators should also pay attention to these concepts as they develop future lessons.

Introduction

  • A decade ago, social media manager was just an imaginary job title to most of us, and so was mobile app developer. With the increasing popularity of social media and the accelerating pace of technology, most of the children today will have jobs that don’t exist yet. This makes it difficult for kids to know what to study when it comes to future careers. So, how can you prepare your kids for a future career that no one can predict yet? The answer is to give young people the vital skills to adapt.

Complex problem-solving skills

  • Scientific knowledge and literacy, as well as numeracy, are still vital. However, executives from world’s leading companies think that complex problem solving is the number one job skill in 2020 and beyond.
  • Kids with strong problem-solving skills can have a promising career. Problems are always the center of what people do at work each day. Being a problem solver is vital to your success. With this skill, you can solve a problem quickly and effectively.
  • Students must learn how to use tools and techniques that can enhance their approach to solving the problems faced by teams and organizations. If you are more successful at solving problems, you will be more successful at what you do. It’s vital to build a reputation as one who can handle tough situations in a positive way.

Critical thinking

  • Can you analyze how you think and present evidence for your ideas? Mastering this skill will give you better control of your learning and empathy for other points of view. It is self-directed and self-disciplined thinking. It can help you in communicating effectively and solving problems more efficiently. Critical thinking is a vital skill so that you can think clearly and rationally. This skill is vital in research, blockchain in real estate, finance, and the legal profession. However, it is not restricted to these areas. If you can think well and solve problems, then you have an asset that you can use for any career that you wish to follow.
  • This skill involves logic and reasoning. You need to use it to interrogate a problem, consider solutions to the problem, and weigh the pros and cons of every approach. A few years from now, organizations will see individuals with critical thinking skills as highly employable.
  • How can critical thinking be integrated into a curriculum? Essay writing is a tried-and-tested method to help students engage in the critical thought process. But there are other more tools available.

Collaborative skills

  • Humans could not have risen to prominence by working alone. That’s why students have to learn how to collaborate with others and develop that skill. In a modern workplace, teamwork is increasingly vital. Having social skills is also critical. Over the years, companies have put more emphasis on the interpersonal skills of their employees.
  • Learning how to collaborate with others is vital in any work environment, and it is a skill that humans are still better at than robots. Keep in mind that in a workplace, interaction is critical. Workers support one another’s strengths, and they adapt flexibly to various circumstances. This non-routine communication is always a human advantage.
  • But to coordinate with others, you need to have strong communication skills. It is a skill that requires awareness of people’s strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, you need to practice working with different personalities.

Creativity

  • There are always new products and new technologies. Thus, employees will need to be more creative to benefit from those changes. Although robots can help us in getting what we want and put some at risk of losing their jobs, they are not as innovative as humans.
  • In the future, creativity is a key skill when looking for a job. Just because you consider yourself as a non-creative person, you should remember that it is not exclusive to musicians, artists, and writers. Creativity means that you can connect the dots using diverse information to pull ideas together to have a new idea.

People management

  • Even though most tasks in the future are automated and utilize advanced AI, employees will still be a critical part of a company. That’s because humans are more creative than robots. They are better at reading one another. Plus, they support each other’s ideas and energy. Unfortunately, humans get sick and distracted.
  • Hence, companies will need managers and team leaders who know how to motivate their teams and maximize their productivity. In that way, they can easily respond to their needs. To be a great manager, you need to enhance your emotional intelligence and learn how to delegate tasks. Furthermore, you should develop your management style. Consider taking a leadership course or two and pick up some leadership books.

Ability to help people

  • Having a service orientation is a skill that most companies will need today and in the future. If you have strong skills in this area, you can easily spot and anticipate the future needs of customers. Businesses in the energy department, for instance, would face consumer concerns about carbon footprints, food safety, and labor standards. Companies will have to learn to anticipate new consumer values so that they can translate these issues into product offers.
  • With a service orientation, you can step into the minds of users and know what they value, dislike and fear most. From there, you can develop new products or adapt a service to future proof your brand.

Being flexible

  • This is about being a mental gymnast. Cognitive flexibility is about how quick you can swing and twirl back and forth from one system to another. You need to be limber to see new patterns and make a unique association of ideas easily. To flex your cognitive muscles, you should learn new things every day and learn new ways to think. For example, you can learn an instrument or try an art class. Or you can read The Economist or The Economic Review to know about financial markets.
  • When you expand your interests and go outside your comfort zone, you are embracing people who are challenging your worldviews. Doing it every day will prepare you for a job that does not exist yet. And your brand will thank you for it.

Negotiation skills

  • Robots may be good at automating jobs, but they do not have social skills, which will be a more important skill in the future. Humans are better at social interaction. We’re also better at negotiations than robots. Even if you are in the technical department, you need to show better interpersonal skills and be able to negotiate with clients, teams, and managers.

Catrin Cooper

  • Catrin is blogger and freelance writer from New York. She’s always ready to cover topics related to personal development, marketing, and education. Feel free to contact Catrin at catrincooper99@gmail.com. Her guest posts are free so don’t miss an opportunity to add some value to your blog.
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What A Master of Science in Mathematics Degree Can Do For You by Chasie Dieter

Friday, February 13th, 2015

What A Master of Science in Mathematics Degree Can Do For You by Chasie Dieter

If you’re wondering whether spending an additional year or two studying for a Master’s degree is worth it, the answer is an emphatic yes. A Master of Science in Mathematics degree can help you fulfill different career goals as such it would be best to invest time money effort into it. Please share this with any students you know so they can plan ahead.

Widen your Horizons

  • With a degree in mathematics, employers realize your ability to apply logic, and think quantitatively. Jobs considered to be directly related to a math degree include aerospace engineer, meteorologist, research scientist (math), investment analyst, statistician, higher education lecturer, and secondary school teacher. A Master’s in math can also provide a way into financial accounting, insurance, banking, management services and consultancy, and information technology. Check some real data about engineering pay from the CNN Money site.

The World is Your Oyster

  • The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education, is a body researching higher education programs worldwide. In its January 2013 newsletter it highlighted an increasing demand for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates worldwide. The shortage of such qualified people, has prompted discussions within the American government as to whether making US visas available to those immigrants holding Master’s or PhD’s in STEM subjects, may attract greater numbers of graduates to enter the country. The Observatory maintains STEM graduates entering the US will need to increase by some 20-30% by 2016 to meet demand. This figure is expected to continue increasing over the coming years.

Major Shortages in the UK

  • The UK’s Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is also concerned about the shortfall of people with higher level postgraduate qualifications in the STEM subjects entering the job market. They estimate that by 2020, with the changing job market, and economy improving, almost 50% of vacancies will be for higher skilled positions. Many businesses are already highlighting the difficulty in finding people holding Master’s or PhD’s in appropriate STEM subjects.
  • With this concern over too few highly qualified postgraduates, even the UK’s House of Lords has become involved. In a recent report they emphasized the ‘significant’ role STEM postgraduates play in research and development, innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership abilities. The report continued that the government needed to take the lead in ensuring that students were fully aware of the opportunities available to them by continuing postgraduate studies to a Master’s or PhD in the STEM subjects.

Opportunities for Master’s in Mathematics have never been better

  • Over the last few years, career opportunities for those holding math related degrees have increased enormously. The employment rates for graduates in all employment areas is very high, and the few who are unemployed are often undertaking further part-time or full-time studies. Here is one place Chasie recommends for this type of degree.

Chasie Dieter

  • Chasie is an English instructor who is known for her passion for teaching. In addition to a strong grasp of the English language, her grammatical expertise as well as creativity and writing prowess made her one the most sought after instructors in her home city.  Chasie’s goal is to bring you thought-provoking articles that elicit deep thinking and analysis. You can reach her by email at chasie.mediainteractive@gmail.com.

Dr. Doug’s Comments

  • Although you might think that the target audience for this post would be students or adults with four-year degrees, I suggest that you share this information with students of any age. The way most schools work, if you don’t start taking advanced math in middle school, your chances of majoring in engineering, math, or physical science are not too good. Thanks Chasie for a fine guest post.
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What to Look for in a Good College: the Ultimate Checklist by Jane Crighton

Sunday, April 4th, 2021

College Life
What to Look for in a Good College: the Ultimate Checklist by Jane Crighton gives sound college selection advice from a relatively recent graduate who should know. As someone who graduated in 1969, I find this advice up to date and valuable. While the pandemic has further complicated college selection, this advice should stand the test of time. Thanks, Jane.

Introduction

  • Choosing the right college is such a momentous decision in every student’s life. It’s both emotionally and financially straining for most families. It’s when most students move out of the comfort of home for the first time. The decision brings with it both freedom and responsibility. As they say, with great power/freedom comes great responsibility. It’s a step that can’t be avoided for the student’s good. The child needs to move out and see the world and make and learn from her experiments. The goal is to choose the right course, avoid toxic friends, pay the bills, and be responsible for herself all at the same time.
  • My parents gave me the freedom to select a University away from home when I scored higher than they expected. At first, I was happy being away from the strict vigil of my family, but eventually, it weighed on me somewhat. That’s when I understood the value of family and what I had taken for granted in the past.
  • One needs to select a college where they like the culture, that has the major they want, and is located appropriately. There are many small and big things that go into deciding the best college for you. However, it may not be possible to find a college that ticks off all the points. You will have to prioritize and decide which points matter most to you and that will best impact your career.
  • Once you have decided on all your criteria, it’s time to write perfect college application essay. Writing a firm and decisive essay ensures that the College sees how you will be a good fit.

A Checklist for What to Look for in a Good College

  • First, the college must have a high graduation rate. This is a direct indicator of how efficient the college is. Every college aims to help students graduate, so the absence of the same is something to avoid. A college where the students have a lower graduation rate is doing something wrong. This means that something is missing in the system and you shouldn’t be a part of it. Some colleges are extremely selective and only take students who are likely to graduate. Others are open to all and risk lower rates for admitting students who perform poorly.

Student to Faculty Ratio

  • College is difficult for a lot of students. There are multiple assignments to take care of, papers, friends, relationships, and finances too. A lot of students feel depressed and are prone to breakouts. Teachers play a big role in a students life, for multiple reasons. Not only do they help a student as a teacher but they can also play the role of a mentor if you reach out. A good teacher helps their students to deal with academic and emotional challenges. They can impart knowledge that is timeless and precious too. This is why a lower ratio of faculty per student is another crucial factor.

Location of the College

  • A good college should be out of town so that you don’t end up coming home for the lamest of reasons. I have had friends who went home to get their laundry done and most times they would stay for a day or two. That’s when I understood how the distance worked in my favor when I was in school. Students might have varied interests, so select accordingly as four years is a long period of time. Visit the college well in advance and talk to the students there. This will give you an idea about how you may or may not be able to fit in after college starts.

Financial Aid Provided by the College

  • A good college is useless if you can’t afford it. The exact amount that you will have to pay for a college is not known until you receive their financial aid package. The financial aid that students receive in private and public colleges varies greatly. You can always check the percentage of students that get financial aid in a college. Do not make the mistake of selecting a college that is not willing to meet you halfway. A suitable college is the one that pays some financial aid and enables you to pay the rest over time.

Check the Quality of the Department of Study and Also the Faculty Members

  • You need to know that the teachers teaching you are among the best in the industry. Check if the department of your choice has ten or more tenure track professors in it. This shall ensure that you have experienced teachers to guide you through. (Doug: I like this number. Being part of a big department in a smaller school can give you the best of both worlds.)
  • You also need to check the quality of the department and its facilities that you are interested in. Imagine being in mechanical engineering but getting admitted to a college with a limited number of lathe machines. Check the labs and talk to the faculty/students, well in advance before making a decision. You always have the option to transfer from one university to another, but if you are prepared you probably won’t have to. Ensure that the college has great research opportunities and offers high-quality internships. Depending on your major you may want internships or study abroad.

Co-curricular Activities Within the Campus

  • College life is not all about academics. It’s a mix of all things in the right proportion. Selecting a college that pays no attention to its students’ overall development is not wise. College is when you can rekindle your love for a hobby you had during childhood or find a new one. It could be singing, drumming, or even mountaineering. Check if the college has clubs and encourage the same. Some colleges may choose literary arts over adventure sports. Choose a college that encourages you to grow both intellectually and emotionally.
  • Understand that the bonds that you make during college can last forever. Be it the senior you shook hands with or the guest faculty for greek literature, the impression matters. You must stay wise and alert, college days shape your personality greatly for the future that awaits.

Career Services

  • There are other factors like campus safety, health and welfare, and career services that need consideration while deciding on a college. A good college provides all of this support and helps to get its students placed after graduating. Some majors ensure that you get a job immediately out of college, while some others take their time. Take an informed decision based on your priorities, while deciding on your major. If you aren’t sure of the career you want to pursue, consider taking some take some time off to decide on a career option that best suits your goals. Good luck.

Jane Chighton

  • As an academician by passion. Jane delivers online sessions at Expert Assignment Help (UK), helping students with writing essays and assignments. She is also one of the co-founders and education consultants at Top My Grades. Beyond work, you can find her perfecting her yoga postures. You can reach her by email at jane1989crighton@gmail.com.
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Why PhDs Should Consider Academic Editing by Dennis Wesley

Tuesday, August 6th, 2019

Pro Editing
Why PhDs Should Consider Academic Editing by Dennis Wesley uncovers the world of professional editing jobs for people with real subject matter expertise. While these people usually have PhD’s, it’s not always necessary. If this sounds interesting to you or someone you know, check out the valuable resources and information in this excellent guest post.

Introduction

  • The transition from academia to the larger world can be quite difficult. After all, not all PhDs prefer teaching roles. If, however, one craves to remain in the academic ecosystem without wanting to pursue teaching roles, academic editing may be a very good option. Academic editors are also known as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), but these designations are not always interchangeable. Much like any other editing role, academic editing inevitably involves copyediting, proofreading, fact-checking, and offering constructive criticism. SMEs may also perform the same tasks, but they mainly examine manuscripts for soundness of argument, the relevance of materials cited, consistency, and the overall value of a manuscript in relation to the state of research in the given field. In addition, SMEs typically offer substantive editing services.
  • This post offers a good account of the differences between standard copy editing and substantive editing. Academic editors may also offer or be required to offer substantive editing services. What one may do as an academic editor or SME, however, depends mostly on job description. In both cases, having a PhD is a significant advantage, and editors or SMEs with a PhD are typically in demand. To a certain extent, clients and companies prefer PhDs to other seemingly less qualified academic editors (say, those with “only” a Master’s degree) for substantive editing assignments, which is more lucrative than copy editing.

Judging an Editor’s Worth

  • This is certainly not to say that editors without a PhD are incompetent. This may or may not be the case, but it certainly cannot be considered a fact. Having a PhD is a significant advantage because editing companies and publishing houses tend to place PhDs in higher regard. This is because the worth of academic editors is mainly based on the following factors:
  • (i) whether an editor can do more than copy editing (here is where knowledge in an academic field comes in handy, and PhDs are considered experts in their respective fields)
  • (ii) whether an editor has published in reputable, peer-reviewed journals (more often than not, PhDs tick this box)
  • (iii) whether a candidate is a certified editing professional (this levels the playing field for those without a PhD, as professional editing courses are rigorous and certified editors are often very good)

Some Caveats

  • Academic editing can be lucrative. There are plenty of options for remote work, and there is a good degree of flexibility. However, academic editors also tend to face the following difficulties.
  • When Editing Becomes Rewriting: Most manuscripts, whether they are authored by native English speakers or non-native English speakers, require a very high degree of editorial intervention. That is, even if the author of a poorly written paper requests copy editing services only, editors typically end up providing substantive editing services for the price of copy editing. Most companies or publishing houses that offer work-from-home or freelance editing roles have rigorous standards. In-house reviewers often employ rigid standards to evaluate edited manuscripts. Therefore, if as a copy editor you rightly refrain from making drastic overhauls to segments, paragraphs, and even sentences of a poorly written manuscript, you will hear back from the reviewers. They will want you to do a comprehensive job with the manuscript. If you decline, you may either be forfeiting pay altogether or will be paid a reduced fee for the assignment. In all fairness, a copy editor must only be required to point out segments of a manuscript that require conceptual overhauls. The changes ideally must be made by the author.
  • Academic editing, however, is a competitive industry. Companies routinely make copy editors perform substantive edits on manuscripts for copy editing rates. Therefore, you will occasionally find yourself rewriting manuscripts to ensure grammatical and conceptual accuracy. This undoubtedly raises ethical concerns. You can avoid these situations, however, by looking closely at manuscripts before accepting them. Else, you can let your client or the Project Management team know if a text submitted for copy editing requires substantive editing and rewriting. This must be done before you accept the assignment.

Native Editors Versus Non-Native Editors

  • Almost all editing companies and publishing houses prefer native English editors. These editors have more bargaining power and are generally paid more than non-native editors. This distinction does not matter much when it comes to judging the suitability of editorial candidates with PhDs. Should you find yourself a little low in the pecking order as a non-native editor, you can become a certified editor.
  • The most popular—and the most rewarding accreditation comes from the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP), which especially trains aspiring academic editors. Upon successfully completing training, one can also get featured as an editor on their website. This makes it easier to find work, as you won’t have to rely on middlemen. Additionally, this allows you to communicate directly with your clients, which makes it easier to understand project requirements and manage expectations and deadlines. Another advantage of the SfEP certification is that hiring companies will have to pay you the standard industry rate per 1000 words. That is, you can’t be paid less than this standard rate. Uncertified non-native editors, even if they are exceptional and possess the coveted PhD, sometimes get paid less than this standard. The SfEP membership is not free, however, and you will be required to upgrade your membership from time to time to reflect your experience and expertise.

Check Out the Queen

  • On the other hand, one can also check out Queen’s University Canada’s Professional Editing Standards Certificate. One must complete all five of its online editing courses to earn the certificate, which is recognized by the SfEP for membership upgrades. Getting certified may be a tad expensive, but it is a great option for non-native editors. Work-from-home freelance roles do offer flexibility, but they also require a great deal of accountability. Additionally, payment schedules vary from place to place, so plan and choose accordingly.

Where You Can Get Started

  • Below is a list of places that are almost always looking for academic editors and SMEs. This list is not an endorsement; it is merely a small collection of places that offer remote working and in-house opportunities for PhDs.
  • Scribendi is a Canadian company, and their editors possess at least a Master’s degree. As an editor, one can expect to work on term papers, essays, thesis and dissertation documents, legal documents, and academic presentations.
  • Bartleby SMEs: As an SME at Bartleby, you wouldn’t be editing academic documents authored by students or researchers; instead, you’d be authoring explanatory solutions to assessment material featured in textbooks commonly prescribed in North American schools and colleges. SMEs at Bartleby typically hold at least a Master’s degree.
  • At Enago, editors typically work on manuscripts authored by non-native writers—in particular, students and researchers affiliated with South Asian universities. In addition to thesis and dissertation documents, essays, and term papers, editors also get to work on curriculum vitae and conference-related documents.
  • Cactus Global is an Indian company that mainly focuses on scientific publications, especially in relation to the Life Sciences. Cactus also hires editors for the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.

Dennis Wesley

  • Dennis is an independent educational researcher and blogger, who lives in the US. His interests include STEM and Humanities education, especially interdisciplinary practices and methods. He has worked as an academic editor, and still freelances from time to time. You can check his personal bloghere
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You Don’t Have to Be Religious to Embrace the Christmas Season by Elizabeth Reed

Monday, December 2nd, 2013

You Don’t Have to Be Religious to Embrace the Christmas Season
by Elizabeth Reed will help you focus on the real meaning of the season regardless of your religious beliefs. There is a good message here, especially for children who can often be more concerned with what they are going to get than what they might do for others.

Beyond Jesus

  • The holiday season is more than just celebrating the birth of Jesus. It’s more than participating in one of the biggest shopping excursions of the year. It’s about togetherness with friends and family and appreciating what you have as a whole. It’s not what you should want thanks to commercials or religious icons. The Christmas season can be embraced by others from all walks of life for reasons other than religious significance.

Family and Friends

  • From the end of October, the spirit of the holidays wafts in the air like the smell of a freshly cooked spice apple pie. It is the time of year when you want to surround yourself with those you love and appreciate them for who they are. Anyone regardless of spiritual beliefs can appreciate that aspect of the season. You don’t need to be any denomination of Christian or any other faith to embrace those who are dearest to you. Although this should be a year-round event, the holiday season seems to put more emphasis on this aspect of existence. Perhaps its the candles, music, festive decorations or a combination of all of them.

Fellow Humankind

  • The holiday season also brings out the very best in humanity without a religious undertone. People who normally don’t bother with transients throughout the year find themselves donating money or handing those less fortunate a blanket in order to keep warmer through the winter. It is the embodiment of goodwill towards humankind. It’s the one time of the year when those belonging to higher social groups are more likely to lend a hand to those in need. It is the spirit of giving to the world that is embraced – not the religious belief structure that is tied to the holiday. You find yourself giving gifts to complete strangers because they look like they could use a friend.

Festivities

  • Although there is a great deal of religion in the medium of Christmas, there is almost an equal balance of entertainment for those who don’t wish to involve themselves with religiousness. Some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives are those of Christmas parties either at home or in the office. It is the act of enjoying each others company that makes this time of the year special. Traditions can easily be created adding more to the atmosphere. None of it requires a religious aspect in order to be appreciated. Christmas is a celebration of life to many and not simply because of Jesus, but because the message that is being conveyed to those willing to participate. You don’t need to be holy to decorate the home in holly.

And To All A Good Night

  • Although there is nothing wrong with having a religion and believing in other meanings for Christmas, the season doesn’t merely have to be for those who believe as you do. It doesn’t matter who or what the figure head is as long as the message is relatively the same. Not being of like-minded beliefs shouldn’t have a bearing on what the holiday season brings to everyone. Instead of being locked away and denying Christmas because of its religious affiliations, why not embrace the season for what it truly reflects – love, respect and harmonious balance between the people of this planet. Regardless of your religious tenancies, we are all still of the same species with similar desires and needs.

Elizabeth Reed

  • Elizabeth is a freelance writer and a resident blogger at Livenanny.org. She particularly enjoys writing about parenting, childcare, health and wellness. In addition, she is an expert consultant on issues related to household management and kids. You can reach her at elizabeth.livenanny@gmail.com.
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Your Chosen Future: Identify the Ideal School Environment After Relocating

Friday, January 19th, 2024

Children
Your Chosen Future: Identify the Ideal School Environment After Relocating by Emily Graham gives you the insights to make the best choices for your child’s future.

Your Chosen Future: How to Identify the Ideal School Environment After Relocating by Emily Graham

Relocating can be a whirlwind of emotions and tasks, and among the most crucial is ensuring your child’s continued educational and developmental success. Speaking directly to you, this guide from Dr. Doug Green aims to simplify this often-overwhelming process. Embrace this journey confidently, knowing you have the insights to make the best choices for your child’s future.

Prioritizing Individual Attention

Regarding early education, your child’s level of individual care is paramount. Schools and daycares where educators can devote more time to each child often provide a more nurturing and effective learning environment. This focused attention enhances educational outcomes and fosters a stronger emotional and social connection between teacher and student.

Tailoring to Your Child’s Unique Blueprint

Your child is wonderfully unique, with specific needs, interests, and a learning style all their own. Finding an educational setting that recognizes, celebrates, and caters to these individual traits is essential. Institutions that offer a variety of programs or specialized approaches can be especially beneficial in nurturing your child’s specific talents and interests.

Aligning with Educational Values

Understanding the curriculum and educational philosophy of a potential school or daycare is critical. This alignment ensures that your chosen institution meets and exceeds your expectations for your child’s education. Whether focusing on STEM, arts, language immersion, or a specific educational philosophy like Montessori or Waldorf, the right fit will resonate with your family’s educational values.

The Intersection of Home and School

Your living location significantly impacts your school or daycare options. Investing time in researching neighborhoods with reputable schools can pay dividends in your child’s educational journey. Utilize online resources to understand the local real estate market, school districts, and the associated home prices. This dual approach of house hunting and school searching ensures a harmonious balance between your living situation and your child’s educational environment.

The Power of Personal Visits

There’s no substitute for experiencing a school or daycare environment firsthand. Personal visits offer invaluable insights into the daily operations, the demeanor of staff and students, and the overall atmosphere. Observing interactions, asking questions, and witnessing the school culture in action provides a clear and tangible sense of whether it’s the right place for your child.

Early Bird Advantage

Starting your search well in advance of your move is a strategic advantage. This early initiation allows for thorough research, contemplation, and decision-making without the pressure of looming deadlines.

Early planning also allows you to be on waiting lists if necessary, ensuring that you don’t miss out on preferred institutions due to time constraints. Additionally, this proactive approach enables you to align your family’s schedule and logistics with the school’s calendar, helping smooth the transition for your child and the rest of your family.

The Hallmark of Excellence: Accreditation

Accreditation is a benchmark for quality in education. Schools and daycares that have earned this recognition have met rigorous standards, which offers reassurance of their commitment to excellence. Reading reviews from other parents can also provide honest and invaluable insights into these institutions’ reputations and real-world performance.
Moreover, engaging with local community forums or social media groups where current parents discuss their experiences can give you a deeper, more nuanced understanding of each school’s culture and community. Needless today, this can help you make a well-informed decision.

Final Thoughts

As you embark on this crucial chapter of finding a new home and the perfect educational setting for your child, remember that this journey is about creating a harmonious balance between where you live and where your child learns and grows. With careful planning, research, and a clear understanding of your child’s needs, you can make informed decisions that will positively shape their future. And that’s all you can ask of yourself!

Would you like to read more helpful content or learn about my consulting services? Visit DrDougGreen.com today!

Emily Graham
Emily is the creator of MightyMoms.net. She believes being a mom is one of the hardest jobs around and wanted to create a support system for moms from all walks of life. On her site, she offers a wide range of info tailored for busy moms — from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a family. You can email her at emilygraham@mightymoms.net. She lives in Arizona.

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Encourage Independent Learning – Guest Post

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

Encouraging Kids Towards Independent Learning by Ken Myers explores the idea that in today’s world, many businesses are looking to hire individuals who have experience as well as an education. In some instances, experience is the more important. For several decades we were taught that a college degree means a better life. As we march further into the 21st century, it is becoming more of an old fashioned way of thinking. While education and knowledge are still important, you need to know what you’re doing before anyone will consider hiring you. With a parent’s help, a child can gain valuable experience and become an independent learner without several years of college that a degree demands.

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Exams-Free Education: Benefits and Drawbacks by Michelle Brooks

Thursday, August 15th, 2019

Exams Free Ed
Exams-Free Education: Benefits and Drawbacks by Michelle Brooks takes on the idea that standardized testing not only isn’t needed but has a negative impact on learning. She joins a growing field who think it’s time to move on and in the process improve learning for all students.

Introduction

  • Some time ago, the words “exams-free education” might have sounded like total gibberish. But education is changing, new approaches and methods emerge, and exams-free training gets more attention. For example, Finland, which is famous for its high-quality school system, has only one mandated standardized test. So, is the exams-free education a thing? Is it worth implementing or at least trying out? Let’s explore the benefits and drawbacks of exams-free education to find out.

Benefits of Exams-Free Education — Emphasis on Active Learning

  • First of all, it is crucial to make a distinction between active and passive learning. Active learning means that all students are engaged in the educational process, which can take lots of forms (writing, problem-solving, reflecting). The main goal is to make sure that all students are working and studying simultaneously. On the other hand, passive learning means that students receive information from the teacher, try to memorize it and reciprocate later. Is not it surprisingly similar to exams?
  • Yes, the exams follow the same approach. And the consequences can be dire as students will not be able to study independently. What does it mean? All sorts of things: for example, students will not know how to find credible sources when it comes to writing essays. Learners may not be able to find, understand, and summarize information effectively as they got used to passive learning.
  • So, it is a detrimental practice. Students have to learn actively, so they will be able to study independently. It is a skill which proves invaluable, especially while studying at college.

Exams-Free Education Offers More Feedback

  • Sir Ken Robinson, a renowned educator and author of this famous TED Talk, warns: standardized exams are too judgmental and do not offer enough feedback. It is not an efficient educational practice, especially for learners who struggle with studies and want to get better.
  • Think about it this way. The only feedback the students get after the exam is a grade — for example, A, B or C. But it is only a letter which does not help them improve, especially if a person constantly receives bad grades. And, which is the most important, people tend to live up to the grades they used to receive subconsciously. So, if the student continually has F, one will most likely keep getting this grade.
  • Exams-free education focuses on descriptive real-time feedback, not a judgmental one. First of all, if students work together, they can give and receive feedback instantaneously. Also, the teacher’s role will not be boiled down to simply placing a letter on a piece of paper. Instead, the educator can communicate with students and help them get better.

More Attention to 21st-Century Skills

  • Studying is a complicated process. But exams tend to reduce this complexity to a couple of test questions. This approach does not motivate students to explore the subject further. All they need to do is memorize information and provide the correct answer to the question. Moreover, exams pay little to no attention to so-called 21st-century skills. These are invaluable not only in college and school but also further in life. Think about creativity, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial thinking.
  • These skills can not be measured by answering standard exam questions; still, they are of crucial importance. And so the examination system must change. For example, instead of standardized exams, teachers can introduce the project-based assessments. This type of evaluation can take different forms. Think about working on research projects, creating a blog, or even something as simple as making a poster.
  • Such activities do not only allow students to go beyond standard exam questions but also help them in expressing creativity without fear of being judged. Still, exams-free education has its challenges and limitations, which are essential to consider.

Exams Free Ed 2

Exams Do Help Study Better (If Used Effectively)

  • Research proves that exams and preparing for them help students study better. How? Let’s go back to the process of memorizing and reciprocating the information. In some ways, it is similar to physical exercises. When people repeatedly train some muscle groups, they become stronger. The same goes for the memory: if students consistently try to memorize some information, chances are they will succeed. Thus, learners will be able to retrieve this information even after some time.
  • But it is important not to boil this technique down to simply memorizing and retrieving. To get the most out of it, students can form the questions and try to come up with answers based on the information they have learned. This way, they will memorize information more efficiently.

Drawbacks of Exams-Free Education Exams-Free Education Is Not That Specific

  • Exams have one significant benefit: they can accurately test students’ knowledge about a specific topic. For example, they determine whether students understood certain formulae or memorized historical dates. Exam-free education focuses on more broad ways of assessment, such as research projects. If so, it is hard to understand whether students picked up some specific knowledge or not.

Final Words

  • Education is versatile, and it changes continuously, with new studying approaches appearing. This process is also flexible and can be modified depending on students’ needs and goals. If so, it wise to utilize both approaches and combine exam-free education with actual tests. The goal here is to understand which method works best in every situation and do not be restricted by old-school exam techniques.

Michelle Brooks

  • Michelle is a freelance writer who works for EssayPro. She is from NY. Having several years of writing career behind, she can definitely state that some topics require more time and effort than others. She specializes in composing amazing essays. Mary knows for sure how important it is to develop your creativity to present exciting and engaging content. In this article, she shared some personal ideas supported by evidence on how to improve one’s creativity and learn to write extraordinarily about ordinary things. Her Twitter is @michellbrook23.
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Is Homeschooling the Answer? – Guest Post

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Is Homeschooling the Answer? This is a guest post by Kelly Opferman who spells out some of the benefits of home schooling for students and parents. Due to things like standardized testing, bullying, and a one-size-fits-all system that most students face, many more parents are making the decision to home school their children. Kelly is a seasoned writer who at this time focuses on her car financing calculator site. Her educational background includes finance, teaching, and economics.

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