In sports, reputations are quickly formed and particularly hard to shed. Athletes conduct their professional lives in high definition. Their every move is broken down ad nauseam, scrutinized in slow motion, refracted through the eyes of analysts and commentators.
Heightening this dynamic is the fact that history looms large in the sports world, seeming to always be front of mind. Record books and bygone statistics are invoked every day. Fans keep big wins and heartbreaking losses etched onto their hearts.
Daily Word Challenge
Can you correctly use the term ad nauseam in a sentence?
Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.
Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the “Recommend” button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you.
If you want a better idea of how ad nauseam can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.
Students ages 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, can comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.
A friend blurts out something offensive in a conversation.
You think that a classmate has lied to you.
How would you handle a conflict like any of these? Would you explode with anger, or try to stay calm? Would you address the situation head on, or would you retreat from any confrontation?
What kinds of conflicts, big and small, have you experienced? Do you think you resolved them effectively?
I was in the middle seat on an airplane recently, during a flight to London, when a person behind me put her bare foot on my armrest.
My heart started to pound. I knew I would have to say something. But before I could, a man next to me, who was writing in a notebook, glanced at the foot and lightly stabbed it with his pen. The foot, unsurprisingly, slid away.
For some of us, the mere thought of confrontation triggers a stress response, complete with rapid heartbeat, tense muscles and shortness of breath, said Karen Osilla, an associate professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford Medicine. This causes people to avoid it, she said, “because we associate it with danger.”
But not only are disagreements inevitable, they can have benefits, said Bo Seo, author of “Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard.” Research suggests that resolving conflict in healthy ways increases your well-being, lowers stress and improves self-esteem. Productive disputes, for all their challenges, “are pathways to a bigger life,” he said.
So how should conflict-averse people deal with tense situations? I asked experts for tips on how to confront someone when you would rather do almost anything else.
Ms. Dunn presents five strategies that can help us deal with conflict more effectively:
How do you deal with conflicts? Do you try to address them directly or do you tend to avoid confrontation?
What kinds of conflicts do you have in your life, in or out of school? Describe a recent or memorable experience: What was the cause of the conflict? How did you try to address or resolve it? How did you feel afterward? Looking back on the incident now, do you think you handled the situation effectively?
Karen Osillaan associate professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford Medicine, says that “the mere thought of confrontation triggers a stress response, complete with rapid heartbeat, tense muscles and shortness of breath.” Does that ring true for you? Would you say you are a conflict-averse person? Do you have a hard time speaking up, disagreeing or dissenting during contentious situations?
Which strategies outlined in the article, such as “Ease into the discussion” and “Remember that you can only control your actions,” do you find most useful? Do you have tips of your own to recommend to others who shrink from tense situations?
Ms. Dunn writes that research suggests that resolving conflict in healthy ways increases your well-being, lowers stress and improves self-esteem. Does that resonate with your own experience? Do you agree with Mr. Seo, author of “Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard,” that “productive disputes” are “pathways to a bigger life”? How important is it to learn to manage and resolve conflicts?
After reading this article, are you more likely to tackle conflict directly the next time one arises?
Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.
What do you think this image is saying? How does it relate to or comment on society or current events? Can you relate to it personally? What is your opinion of its message?
Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.
Much of the film’s running time is dedicated to graphics detailing Beanie Baby sales figures, archival news footage showing mall shoppers going crazy and oversimplified explanations of Beanie-related milestones and achievements, such as how the company became an early pioneer of e-commerce.
These elements are, of course, reminiscent of “Air,” “Tetris,” “Flamin’ Hot” and “Blackberry,” among other recent making-of marketing pictures. It’s not the fault of “The Beanie Bubble” that it arrives at the tail end of a summer of similar corporate biopics, but seen after so many other marketing making-of dramas, the familiar beats of novel invention to overnight phenomenon can’t help but feel all the more hackneyed.
Like those films, “The Beanie Bubble” attempts to extrapolate some more substantive social meaning from what is otherwise an amusing but ultimately insignificant moment in time. The best it can do is to conclude, feebly, that there will “always be another fad,” with references to cryptocurrency and NFTs …
Daily Word Challenge
Can you correctly use the word extrapolate in a sentence?
Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.
Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the “Recommend” button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you.
If you want a better idea of how extrapolate can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.
Students ages 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, can comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.
Over the course of your career, you may find that the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve your goals often change. After all, different goals require different abilities. Mateu Batle, a software engineer based in Lima, Peru, discovered as much when he launched the fintech start-up Rextie.
Batle had a wealth of experience in software engineering—25 years to be exact—and a bachelor’s degree in the field. But as he launched Rextie and began to scale his company, he quickly realized that serving as its co-founder and CEO required something more. “You need those business skills,” he said.
Initially, Batle set about learning the business side of things by doing. Eventually, however, he realized that earning a more formal education would be better in the long run. “Sometimes, as you scale, you need something more to take it to the next level,” he said.
Batle decided to pursue an online Master of Business Administration (iMBA) with the well-regarded University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business. He was less concerned about the degree as a credential, and more interested in the practical ways it would impact his business. “My goal was not to get the degree to have the paper on the wall,” he explained. “It was more about getting the knowledge and experience to have the tools to scale my business.”
For years, Batle had thought about earning his MBA, but between work, marriage, and his other responsibilities, it felt hard to find the time. “I had wanted to do this, but I didn’t have time to do it or it wasn’t a priority,” he said. Once he was ready to get going, though, he didn’t want anything to hold him back. “I wanted to get the learnings I needed as soon as possible,” he said.
It helped that Gies’ application process cut out a lot of bureaucracy. “It didn’t require the GMAT,” he said, referencing the standard graduate business entrance exam, which can often take significant time to prepare for and take. However, since Batle is not a native English speaker, he did have to provide a certification that he could comprehend the language. “It was very easy to do through Duolingo. It made it easier to check that box.”
Then there was the program itself, which offered greater flexibility for working professionals and the opportunity to build a program that works best for each student’s unique needs. “That’s something they have done very well,” Batle said. “You can choose to do one or two courses in a term, and the curriculum is possible to customize. I could adapt it to the things I consider more helpful for my business. I chose business analytics and digital marketing.”
As an online program, the iMBA also offers immersion opportunities to round out students’ education. “Being an online degree, sometimes you need to do more face-to-face interaction with people,” Batle said. “A group of about 40 iMBA students met in Brazil last August to do a real case on a real company. It was an amazing experience, especially the social part. The group was exceptional. I really enjoyed that.” That immersion opportunity also fulfilled one of the program’s two specialization capstone requirements.
If it sounds daunting to run your own business and go to graduate school, Batle has figured out how to balance those competing needs. For instance, it’s crucial to stay organized. He recommends setting aside at least ten hours a week for coursework. “Prioritize accordingly so you have that time,” he advised. “Plan a week in advance because sometimes you have different levels of work or assignments to do.”
Batle is set to graduate in June 2024, but he’s already seeing his education pay off. “It has so far contributed to the scaling and the growth of Rextie,” he said. “We recently got an investment from a very big bank in the US. Being a start-up in Peru, which is not a country normally known for investments. It has been worth the effort.”
Making the leap from browsing job boards to actually submitting an application often requires some mental gymnastics. You might be coping with impostor syndrome, getting butterflies thinking about an interview, or second-guessing whether you have enough experience to even be considered for the job.
Here’s the thing: There’s no one-size-fits-all timeframe that it takes for people to be prepared to apply for coding positions. When you take a look at all the stories about Codecademy learners who’ve launched new careers, you’ll see that everyone progresses at a different pace. That said, if you keep waiting for that perfect moment when you’re absolutely “ready” to apply for jobs, you might miss out on valuable opportunities to learn about yourself and grow.
Here are a few concrete signs that suggest you’re ready to apply for a coding job, so you can approach this next stage of your career with confidence. Be sure to visit out our new Career Center to check out game-changer tools to use in your job search, exclusive job listings, career paths, interview prep resources, and more.
Learn something new for free
You know what you want to do
If you’re a career switcher or are applying for your very first technical position, it can be tricky to figure out what type of job you want to have. You might know what type of work you enjoy doing, but have no clue what job title to look for. Rather than applying to any entry-level developer job you come across, it’s worthwhile to pinpoint the specific role or specialty that interests you the most.
In the free course Choosing a Career in Tech you’ll learn about the different types of programmers, the programming languages and technologies used, and the soft skills that make you successful in a particular career. After the course, you’ll understand how different members of a technical team work together on a product, and be able to decipher job descriptions so you can be intentional about your applications. For more tech career inspo, be sure to read this blog about what different types of software engineers actually do all day.
Your skills fit the job description
It might sound obvious, but it’s important to read a job description carefully to make sure you understand what the role entails. Pay attention to the skills that are listed as “required,” because that’ll tell you the technologies and programming languages that you’ll primarily be using. There may also be “preferred” skills, which usually aren’t must-haves for a role, but could give you a leg up if you know them. (Hot tip: Skills are typically listed in order of priority in a job description.)
Make sure your resume incorporates details from the job description. Hiring managers pay close attention to your resume, and are looking for evidence that you have the fundamental technical knowledge needed to do the job. For example, say the description for a Business Intelligence Data Analyst position says you’ll be using SQL and Python, with Tableau listed as a preferred skill. If you only know SQL and Python, but don’t have experience with Tableau, you shouldn’t let that prevent you from applying. Highlight the languages you do know in your resume, and emphasize that you’re an enthusiastic and quick learner.
Using our job-readiness checker is a quick and easy way to tell whether your experience and skills stack up for an open position. This tool generates a compatibility score that estimates how closely your experience aligns with what a job description requires, and helps you pinpoint your areas of improvement.
Your portfolio is stacked with projects
If your past work experience is limited to jobs in other fields, there are a couple of ways you can showcase your coding chops in your portfolio. For starters, you can include any projects that you’ve completed or collaborated on — whether that’s a feature you got to work on during an engineering internship, or an app you built for fun. You can also include a link to your GitHub profile to show off the open-source projects you’ve contributed to. Need some ideas for portfolio-worthy projects? You can upgrade to Codecademy Plus or Pro to access tons of projects in top programming languages and subjects.
You’re prepared for the interviews
Job interviews usually entail multiple steps. After you apply for a position, there’s an initial screening interview on the phone, where the hiring manager or HR representative will determine whether or not to move your application forward. If you pass the screener, then there will be a more in-depth interview (IRL or on a video call) where you can really flex your soft skills and provide more details about your experience and why you want this job. (Also, be sure to prepare a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer.)
If things go smoothly, you might be asked to complete a technical interview. This is an assignment that involves solving real-world coding problems that are similar to the type of work you’d be doing on the job. In addition to having to show your work and code, you’ll also need to explain your approach and why you made certain decisions along the way. Check out the Codecademy blog to review common interview questions for lots of different roles and programming languages. And if you have a Codecademy Pro membership, practice completing code challenges that are based on technical interviews from top tech companies.
You have professional certificates
Certifications are a great way to show your experience, particularly if you come from a nontraditional background. Recruiters and hiring managers can look at the certificates you’ve earned and see tangible proof that you’ve mastered certain skills and are committed to continuous learning.
There are a couple ways to earn certificates on Codecademy. When you finish everything in specific Codecademy skill paths and courses, Codecademy Pro members can earn certificates of completion to use on your resume and LinkedIn profile. As part of Codecademy Pro plans, you can earn professional certificates after completing (and passing) all of the exams within a path. Codecademy professional certificates signal to employers that you’re ready to get hired and can confidently step into a role.
You’re open to receiving feedback
Reality check: The worst thing that can happen if you apply for a job prematurely is you don’t get the job offer. While you might feel temporarily discouraged, every rejection provides you with feedback about what would improve your chances of getting hired next time around.
Maybe there’s a specific programming language you should learn to fill some knowledge gaps? Or perhaps you need to work on more projects to gain hands-on experience? Or maybe it’s a matter of practicing answering the interview questions that trip you up the most? It sounds corny, but if you never try, you’ll never know!
Feel like you’re ready to start sending out job applications, or want to keep honing your skills? Check out our Career Center to access all the tools, resources, and support you need to launch your career in tech.
This blog was originally published in February 2023 and has been updated to include our new job-search resources.
Starting your own brand requires careful planning, and one of the first things to consider is designing a logo. Whether you’re building a large business or creating a personal blog, a well-designed logo can help your brand stand out and establish its unique identity. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to determine the right style for your logo. In this post, I will present the four most popular logo styles to help you narrow down your preferred option.
If you would like me to help you pick the correct style and create a logo of your dreams – check out our custom logo service!
There are different ways to sort out logo styles, and the classification I’m sharing is just my own, based on over 10 years of practice. While trends may change, I’ve found that these four groups consistently remain the most popular among clients.
#1 Modern & Minimalistic
Starting with the most basic option, which is often the most challenging to create, modern and minimalistic logos are typically composed of plain fonts, one or two colors, and simple shapes. However, this doesn’t mean they have to be dull. The most exceptional logos in these categories will be simple yet distinctive and remarkably attention-grabbing.
Here are three examples of those styles from well-known companies:
It is acceptable for a minimalistic logo to solely use the logo symbol, but professionally made logos generally include alternative options that showcase the full brand name.
Which brands would be the most compatible with this type of logo?
Everyone can use modern and minimalistic style, but it’s best suited for premium or modern products or content.
#2 Feminine & Signature
It’s important to note that the category name “Feminine Logos” doesn’t necessarily mean that they are only for women-owned businesses. These types of logo designs are often less formal and make use of script or handwritten fonts. This is especially true for Signature logos, which typically feature a brand name (or even a personal name and surname) written in black handwritten font to emulate the individual’s own handwriting.
Here are three examples of signature logos from well-known companies:
If you add more details and colors, the signature logo can become one of the most popular styles among bloggers. It is perfect for any content related to beauty, fashion, lifestyle or travel, and I completely understand why you love it so much.
Here are three examples of feminine logos I created for you:
Which brands would be the most compatible with this type of logo?
It is best for small businesses, especially beauty services and hand-crafted goods. With a handwritten logo, your company will be seen as more personal and friendly.
#3 Graphic & Playfull
If you are seeking for a design that is more colorful and distinctive, then this category is perfect for you. Here, there are almost no boundaries to what you can achieve, so you can let your creativity run wild and choose a font that is as crazy as you want. Although it is not currently a super popular trend, this style still has a devoted following. Many graphic logos of popular brands have been simplified to be something between graphic, modern, and minimalistic. However, if you are someone who loves to stand out and be bold with your design choices, this category is definitely worth exploring.
Here are three examples of graphic logos from well-known companies:
Which brands would be the most compatible with this type of logo?
I think it will work great for food or fashion-related companies. You can also create great graphic logos that will be perfect for all kid stuff and family blogs.
#4 Classic & Formal
If you’re having trouble finding a logo style that suits your preferences, you can always try the classic style. This style is similar to modern logos, but instead of using simple shapes, it often incorporates more realistic images. Classic logos also tend to use serif fonts that have a vintage look, instead of plain and simple fonts.
Here are three examples of classic logos from well-known companies:
Which brands would be the most compatible with this type of logo?
For premium brands targeting older, wealthy customers or those who appreciate a vintage aesthetic. It suggests the company’s large heritage and gives a feeling of premium quality goods.
Which popular logo style is for you?
If you are unsure, it’s okay to mix styles, as many companies do.
Here are three examples of mixed styles:
In addition, logo design is also built using colors. The same logo may look completely different and target two completely different groups of people, depending on the colors you will use.
With more world-class content launching every week, there are always new topics to explore, new skills to learn and new ways to achieve your goals. These latest courses, Specialization, and Professional Certificates cover everything from Extended Reality (XR) and customer service to project management and AI. What will you learn next?
The AI for Good Specialization showcases how AI can be part of the solution when it comes to addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges in areas like public health, climate change, and disaster management. Throughout the courses, you’ll hear from experts working on AI for Good initiatives aimed at addressing social and environmental issues. By combining human and machine intelligence, real-world datasets, best practices around data privacy, and ethical considerations, you’ll develop the knowledge and fundamental skills to tackle your own AI for good projects.
Human Resource professionals have a significant impact on an organization’s success. They play a vital role in hiring the right people, developing employee policies, and creating a positive work culture. By pursuing a career in Human Resources, you will contribute to the overall achievement of an organization. This program is uniquely designed to prepare aspiring Human Resource professionals. Through engaging videos, interactive activities, assessments, and peer-reviewed projects, you can enhance your professional expertise and gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals in this field.
Interested in learning how large global network operations work? Then the Network Engineering certification is for you. The NOCC is a proactive monitoring and troubleshooting team that monitors and manages globally distributed servers and resolves network bottlenecks in real time. This beginner level certificate is designed to provide you with in-demand skills that range from internet technology fundamentals, networking, operating systems and problem solving techniques.
Are you interested in end-to-end project management? Want to deliver the best solutions to our customers while collaborating with teams from all over the world? You will never stop learning in this fast-moving, exciting environment. This beginner level certificate is designed to provide you with in-demand skills that range from internet technology fundamentals, networking, operating systems and problem solving techniques.
If you are someone that enjoys meeting people, solving problems, and engaging in new experiences, then this program is right for you. In this program, you’ll learn job-ready skills to excel in customer service and receive a Professional Certificate from CVS Health to showcase your proficiency. You’ll also gain access to exclusive career support resources to help you in your job search along with a portfolio of meaningful activities you have completed to show prospective employers.
The demand for call center customer service representatives is huge—there are thousands of open job roles in the US alone. If you are someone that enjoys talking to people and solving problems, then this program is right for you. Customer service in a call center is an exciting career where every day is a new adventure. If you’re considering a career in retail customer service and are someone who is passionate about providing exceptional customer experiences, this role is for you.
Relationships form the core of any successful project. The ability to connect people with different ideas and practices is what drives value creation in any endeavor. With relational leadership, you’ll be better equipped to meet challenges, face uncertainties, and enable businesses and social enterprises to find genuine purpose. In this program, you’ll learn from real-world projects and simulation exercises designed by HEC Paris faculty. Your leadership skills will grow, with the help of graded individual feedback from the instructor and live sessions with your peers, helping you find your place in your entrepreneurial community.
This course is designed to teach you about Extended Reality (XR) and its use in healthcare education and clinical practice. Using lessons from experts in the field and different use cases, this course shows you how to use this innovative technology in a way that creates sustainable and accessible real-world use.
Whether you’re at the beginning of your career journey or looking to enhance your skillset to make a mid-career transition, you’ll find ample opportunities to gain new knowledge across these new offerings, and depending on your life and career goals, you can choose from a range of learning experiences to find the courses and programs that are right for you.
Love them or loathe them, job interviews are a crucial step in the employment process. Job interviews provide candidates with the opportunity to showcase their skills, experience, and personality to potential employers. A good interview can be the difference between landing your dream job or facing another round of writing cover letters and sending resumés. To ace your job interviews and leave a lasting impression on hiring managers, consider the following tips and strategies.
Interview Tips to Impress Hiring Managers
Prepare
The first and probably most important thing to remember about interviews is that preparation is key. Here are a few tips to get you ready before walking through the doors.
Do your research: Before the interview, gather as much information as possible about the company you’re interviewing with. Understand their mission, values, products, and recent news. This knowledge will not only impress the interviewer but also help you tailor your responses to align with the company’s culture and goals.
Know the job description: Familiarise yourself with the job description and requirements for the position. This will allow you to highlight your relevant skills and experiences during the interview. The more you can align your qualifications to what they seek, the more attractive you’ll be to the hiring manager.
Practice interview questions: Many interview questions are standard, such as “Tell me about yourself,” “What’s your greatest strength/weakness?” and “Why do you want to work here?” Practice your answers to these questions in advance to ensure you exude confidence and showcase your competence.
Prepare post-interview questions: At the end of the interview, you’re often afforded the opportunity to turn the table on the interviewer and ask them a few questions. Prepare insightful questions about the role, team, company culture, and future projects. This demonstrates your genuine interest in being a part of the team and company.
Dress for Success
Familiar phrases like “Dress for the job you want, not the one you have” and “First impressions last” aren’t just sayings – they matter in job interviews too.
Dress well: Your clothing choice matters, and it doesn’t have to be expensive either. Research the company’s dress code and opt for attire that is slightly more formal than their standard dress. Dressing professionally shows respect for the company and the interview process.
Grooming: Pay attention to personal grooming. Ensure your hair, nails, beard, and hygiene are in top shape. A well-groomed appearance contributes to a polished, professional image and tells the recruiter that you are cognisant of how you present yourself and will ultimately represent the company.
Body Language
The third and often understated tip is being mindful of your body language. This refers to your facial expression, posture, demeanour, and non-verbal cues and communication.
Maintain eye contact: When speaking with the interviewer and answering questions, maintain good eye contact. This demonstrates confidence and interest in the conversation.
Smile: A genuine smile can make a positive first impression and create a friendly, approachable persona
Shake hands: Always offer a firm, but not overpowering, handshake when you meet the interviewer. A weak or overly aggressive handshake can leave a negative impression.
Posture: Sit up straight and avoid slouching. Good posture reflects self-assuredness and attentiveness. Try not to cross your arms, as this could imply you are closed off to the interview experience and are not open.
Active listening: This is a learned skill that everyone needs. Show that you’re actively listening by nodding your head and providing verbal cues, such as “I understand” or “That’s interesting.”
Highlight Your Skills and Experience
This is where you get to tell them who you are and expand on what you stated in your resumé.
Use the STAR method: When answering behavioural interview questions, structure your responses using the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This format helps you provide a clear and concise answer that highlights your skills and accomplishments.
Provide examples: Back up your claims with concrete examples from your past experiences. Quantify your achievements, when possible, to demonstrate your impact.
Adaptability: Emphasise your ability to adapt and learn quickly. Employers value candidates who can thrive in changing environments and are eager to acquire new skills.
Stay positive: Focus on your accomplishments and experiences rather than dwelling on any past challenges or negative experiences. If you do touch on this, don’t leave it there. Instead, spin this in a positive light and tell them what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown from the negative experiences.
Communication Skills
In today’s world, communication is key, and a sought-after soft skill that can, in some roles, take you further than technical skills.
Speak clearly: Pronounce your words and speak at a moderate pace. Clear communication is essential for understanding and being understood.
Avoid jargon: Be mindful of using industry-specific jargon that the interviewer may not understand. This could come across as though you’re just throwing big words out there to seem like you know something when you don’t. If you do use such terms, be prepared to provide explanations.
Eliminate fillers: Minimise the use of fillers like “um,” “uh,” and “like.” These can make you appear less confident and as though you don’t know the answers to the questions.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is another attractive skill that hiring managers look for in candidates. Sign up for courses to develop your emotional intelligence and understand why it’s such a vital skill in the workplace.
Be empathetic: Demonstrating empathy and understanding can be an asset. Show that you can relate to others and are a team player.
Conflict resolution: Highlight your ability to navigate and resolve conflicts. Employers appreciate candidates who can handle interpersonal challenges professionally.
Be calm under pressure: If faced with a difficult or unexpected question, remain calm and composed. Take a moment to gather your thoughts before responding.
What happens before and during an interview is important. And so is what you do at the end of the interview. Here are additional tips you can use to help you clinch the deal.
Express gratitude: Thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to interview. Express your enthusiasm for the position.
Follow-up: Send a personalised thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview. Reiterate your interest and appreciation for the opportunity.
Don’t speak negatively: If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything. Don’t speak negatively about your previous employers, colleagues, or experiences.
Acing a job interview is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice. By thoroughly preparing, dressing appropriately, and paying attention to body language and communication, you can impress hiring managers and increase your chances of landing the job you desire. Remember that the interview is a two-way street, and it’s also an opportunity for you to assess whether the company and role align with your career goals and values.
In “This Florida School District Banned Cellphones. Here’s What Happened,” Natasha Singer writes that in the wake of Orlando’s new policy, which bars students from using cellphones during the entire school day, student engagement increased, but so did the hunt for contraband phones:
One afternoon last month, hundreds of students at Timber Creek High School in Orlando poured into the campus’s sprawling central courtyard to hang out and eat lunch. For members of an extremely online generation, their activities were decidedly analog.
Dozens sat in small groups, animatedly talking with one another. Others played pickleball on makeshift lunchtime courts. There was not a cellphone in sight — and that was no accident.
In May, Florida passed a law requiring public school districts to impose rules barring student cellphone use during class time. This fall, Orange County Public Schools — which includes Timber Creek High — went even further, barring students from using cellphones during the entire school day.
In interviews, a dozen Orange County parents and students all said they supported the no-phone rules during class. But they objected to their district’s stricter, daylong ban.
Parents said their children should be able to contact them directly during free periods, while students described the all-day ban as unfair and infantilizing.
“They expect us to take responsibility for our own choices,” said Sophia Ferrara, a 12th grader at Timber Creek who needs to use mobile devices during free periods to take online college classes. “But then they are taking away the ability for us to make a choice and to learn responsibility.”
Like many exasperated parents, public schools across the United States are adopting increasingly drastic measures to try to pry young people away from their cellphones. Tougher constraints are needed, lawmakers and district leaders argue, because rampant social media use during school is threatening students’ education, well-being and physical safety.
Ms. Singer discusses some of the benefits of a phone-free environment:
In September, on the first day the ban took effect, Timber Creek administrators confiscated more than 100 phones from students, Mr. Wasko said. After that, the confiscations quickly dropped. Phone-related school incidents, like bullying, have also decreased, he said.
The ban has made the atmosphere at Timber Creek both more pastoral and more carceral.
Mr. Wasko said students now make eye contact and respond when he greets them. Teachers said students seemed more engaged in class.
“Oh, I love it,” said Nikita McCaskill, a government teacher at Timber Creek. “Students are more talkative and more collaborative.”
Some students said the ban had made interacting with their classmates more authentic.
“Now people can’t really be like: ‘Oh, look at me on Instagram. This is who I am,’” said Peyton Stanley, a 12th grader at Timber Creek. “It has helped people be who they are — instead of who they are online — in school.”
The article also addresses some of the downsides of cellphone restrictions:
Other students said school seemed more prisonlike. To call their parents, they noted, students must now go to the front office and ask permission to use the phone.
Surveillance has also intensified. To enforce the ban, Lyle Lake, a Timber Creek security officer, now patrols lunch period on a golf cart, nabbing students violating the ban and driving them to the front office, where they must place their phones in a locked cabinet for the rest of the school day.
“I usually end up with a cart full of students,” Mr. Lake said as he sat behind the wheel of a black Yamaha golf cart during lunch period, “because I pick up more on the way to the office.”
Mr. Lake said he also monitored school security camera feeds for students using cellphones in hallways and other spaces. Students who are caught may be taken out of class. Repeat violators can be suspended.
Whether the potential benefits of banning cellphones outweigh the costs of curbing students’ limited freedom is not yet known. What is clear is that such bans are upending the academic and social norms of a generation reared on cellphones.
Should schools ban cellphones? Would you welcome a ban in your school? Why or why not? Did anything in the article change your thoughts on the growing trend?
How widespread is cellphone use at your school? How much do you use your phone during the school day? Do you think that phones interfere with your, or your peers’, academic learning, quality of social interactions and overall engagement in school?
Nikita McCaskill, a government teacher at Timber Creek High School who loves the new policy, stated, “Students are more talkative and more collaborative.” Which of the benefits of a cellphone ban discussed in the article do you find most appealing?
Many students, however, said the new rules made school more prisonlike. Others argued that the ban was infantilizing. Sophia Ferrara, a 12th grader at Timber Creek, noted: “They expect us to take responsibility for our own choices. But then they are taking away the ability for us to make a choice and to learn responsibility.” Which downsides described in the article concern you most?
What rules, if any, does your school have about cellphone use? How are they enforced? Do you think they are effective? What changes would you recommend to the current policy?
What, if anything, do you think is missing from this conversation? What do you think teachers, educators and parents may not understand about cellphones, especially how young people use them?
