Marina Keegan Leaves an Essence
Rest in PeaceIt’s graduation time. May and June are filled with speeches, reflection, and change. Perhaps it fits with the circle of life – the birds are ready to leave the nest? I don’t know. But every year I’m impressed with the thoughtfulness conveyed in the different commencement speeches and the wonderment of the soon to be [...]
Spotting Innovative Talent – External and Internal to Your Company
The job market is a lagging indicator for the economy. And over the last several months, readings from each of the different national surveys have been positive. To accompany those reports is an underlying uptick in stories about how to hire innovative personnel. These individuals will always command a market for their skills, so its [...]
Using Computers to Empower Curious Students
Earlier this week I posted about a low cost computer called Raspberry Pi and how the benefits of cheap computing are enormous. At a $25 price point you’re able to be curious, try new things, and make mistakes without costly consequences. Its high upside and low downside. A few days later the NY Times ran [...]
Low Cost Options to Develop Computer Skills
Six years ago a project launched called One Laptop Per Child with the aim of creating an inexpensive low power laptop for children in third world countries. They’ve sold over 2.5 million units at a cost of around $200. That’s success. Having computer skills enables upward mobility. Another endeavor is launching at the end of [...]
December 2011 Jobs Report and Wages
Here are the job market and compensation numbers for December 2011 (based on the job report): * Net gain of 200,000 jobs in the month – Analysts expected an overall gain of 150,000 – Private sector payrolls increased by 212,000 – Private sector service providing industries added 164,000 jobs – Private sector goods [...]
November 2011 Jobs Report and Wages
Here are the job market and compensation numbers for November 2011 (based on the job report): * Net gain of 120,000 jobs in the month – Analysts expected an overall gain of 110,000 – Private sector payrolls increased by 140,000 – Private sector service providing industries added 146,000 jobs – Private sector goods [...]
Give to Charity Day!
Donors ChooseToday is the last business day of 2011. Any loose ends need to be tied up, especially for tax purposes. I recommend people do two things, go to your bank accounts and make sure all tax applicable changes are completed and go to your favorite charity and donate. It’s tax deductible. To help with the [...]
October 2011 Jobs Report and Wages
Here are the job market and compensation numbers for October 2011 (based on the job report): Net gain of 80,000 jobs in the month (revised to a gain of 100,000) – Analysts expected an overall gain of 98,000 – Private sector payrolls increased by 104,000 – Private sector service providing industries added 114,000 jobs [...]
Big Government and Little Hope
Food and Beverage to Fed Employment“We need to reduce the size of government.” is a phrase said by many politicians. But what does it mean? Here are some charts and graphs to try to better understand it (numbers are as of September 2011): Chart 1: Percentage of Non-Farm Employment. Government comprises just under 17% of the total, with only 2.138% [...]
One Long Corridor or Beautiful Design, Uniqueness, Perseverance, and User Engagement
Beautiful Design, Uniqueness, Perseverance, and User EngagementHave you ever been in a building with long halls that stretch and then turn. It always seems to be well lit where you’re standing and dim where the turn is. And when you reach the turn the new corridor looks the exact same? The exact same. And these are the times when no one [...]