Indian Naval Sailing Vessels Mhadei and Tarini set sail for the Bay of Bengal Offshore Sailing Expedition on 22 February 2020 from the Indian Naval Ocean Sailing Node at Goa. The expedition was flagged off by Rear Admiral SJ Singh, Commandant Naval War College, Goa. This would be the maiden major mixed crew sailing expedition of the Indian Navy with crew composition of five naval officers including two women officers in each boat, covering a total distance of 6,100 Nautical miles each and will be at sea for 55 days. Captain Vipul Meherishi, Skipper Tarini would be the Expedition Leader and Captain Atool Sinha would be Skipper Mhadei. The Skippers for the expedition are accomplished yachtsmen who have brought laurels to the navy and the country by winning medals, both at national and International level competitions.
The prolonged voyage of nearly three months during this expedition would showcase harnessing of renewal energy namely wind energy to propel the boats. The expedition is also in pursuance of the GOI mission of ‘Nari Shakti‘ providing opportunity to women officers at par with men. The expedition also aims to enhance the level of cooperation and camaraderie between the littoral nations in the Bay of Bengal whilst exhibiting the IN expertise in the domain of ocean sailing. The sailing vessels as part of the expedition would make replenishment halts at ports of Phuket, Yangon, Chittagong and Colombo, wherein interaction with various state officials would be conducted including harbour sorties for visiting dignitaries.
Mhadei and Tarini inducted in the Indian Navy on 08 February 2009 and 18 February 2017 respectively have been the vessels of choice for the naval expeditioners in various sailing expeditions, including three circumnavigations and thus have thousands of miles tucked under their belt. Mhadei has successfully completed two circumnavigations, three Cape to Rio trans-Atlantic races and several other expeditions around various continents. The vessel has covered in excess of 1,36,000 nautical miles. Tarini created history in 2017-18 when six Indian Naval women officers sailed the vessel on maiden circumnavigation voyage titled Navika Sagar Parikrama. She thereafter also participated in mixed crew Kochi to Seychelles sail training expedition during 10th anniversary celebration of the IONS.
The Bay of Bengal Offshore Sailing Expedition will generate goodwill amongst the visiting nations and inspire participation in the forthcoming BIMSTEC Sailing Expedition being planned with mixed crew of member nations onboard Indian Naval Sailing Vessels.
My dear countrymen, I am fortunate to have got an opportunity once again to greet citizens from Kutch to Kohima, Kashmir to Kanyakumari; in fact across the length & breadth of the country. Namaskar to all of you. Reflecting on the expanse & diversity of our land, revering them fills each & every Indian with a sense of pride. And an opportunity to experience this varied diversity is one that touches the heart, filling it up with joy; it is a flower that radiates inspiration. A few days ago, at a small place at the Hunar Haat in Delhi, I witnessed hues of our country’s diverse expanse, cultures, traditions, cuisines & the warmth of emotions. As a matter of fact the repertoire comprising traditional attires, handicrafts, carpets, utensils, Bamboo & brass products, Phulkari of Punjab, exotic leatherwork of Andhra Pradesh, beautiful paintings from Tamilnadu, brass products of Uttar Pradesh, Bhadohi carpets, copper work of Kutch, a number of musical instruments & innumerable stories; the vivid mosaic of pan- Indian art & culture was truly unique. The stories of the artisans’ perseverance, zeal & love for their skill are equally inspiring as well. Listening to a divyang woman at the Hunar Haat was a source of fulfillment. She told me that earlier she used to sell paintings on the pavement. Her life changed after she connected with Hunar Haat. Today, she is not only self- reliant; she has purchased a house too. At Hunar Haat, I got the opportunity to converse with many other artisans. I am told that over 50 per cent of the crafts persons participating at Hunar Haat are women. Also, during the last three years, through Hunar Haat, close to three lakh artisans & crafts persons have gained many opportunities of employment. Hunar Haat, of course, is a platform showcasing art & craft; it is also lending wings to people’s dreams. It is a venue where it is impossible to overlook the country’s diversity. Besides handicrafts, it displays the diversity of India’s varied cuisine too. In a single row, one could savour the sight of Idli- Dosa, Chhole- Bhature, Daal- Baati, Khaman- Khandvi & what not! I thoroughly enjoyed having the delicious Litti- Chokha of Bihar. All over India, fairs & exhibitions such as this are organized from time to time. Whenever the opportunity arises, one should attend such events to know India, to experience India. Thus, not only would you be able to be a part of the country’s art-culture canvas; you will also contribute in the progress & prosperity of hardworking crafts persons, especially women. Do make it a point to visit.
My dear countrymen, our country is bestowed with great traditions. The legacy that we inherited from our ancestors, the knowledge & values that have permeated entail compassion toward each & every living being and boundless love for nature. All this is a part of our cultural heritage. And to partake of this culture of hospitality in the Indian ethos, every year, numerous species of birds from across the world come to India. Throughout the year, India is home to many migratory species. We are told that more than 500 varieties of birds fly in from varied regions. Recently, Gandhinagar was host to the COP- 13 convention, where this phenomenon was mulled over, discussed and deliberated. India’s efforts concerning the subject were lauded too. Friends, it is a matter of pride for us that for the next three years, India will chair the COP convention on migratory species. Do send in your suggestions on lending more substance to this opportunity, making it more useful.
While discussing the COP convention with you, an important piece of information connected with Meghalaya drew my attention. Very recently, biologists have discovered a new species of fish whose habitat is within the caves of Meghalaya. It is believed that this fish is the largest among aquatic species found under the surface of caves. It lives in deep, dark underground caves, with little chance of light reaching in. Scientists are perplexed at the ability of this large fish to survive in such deep caves. It is a matter of joy that our India, and especially Meghalaya is home to a rare species. It lends a new facet to India’s bio-diversity. We are surrounded by many such mysteries, which are still undiscovered. To discover such a phenomenal enigma calls for fierce detective passion.
The great Tamil poetess Avvaiyar writes: Kattat Kemaavoon Kalladaru Udgadvu, Kaddat Kamiyan Adva Kalladar Olaaadu.
This means, what we know is but just a handful of sand; what we do not know is like a universe in itself. Similar is the case with the biodiversity of this country. The more you know, the more you realize the magnitude of what you do not know. Our biodiversity too is a unique treasure for the entire human kind. We have to preserve it, conserve it & explore further.
My dear young friends, children & the youth in India are increasingly taking a keen interest in Science & Technology. Record satellite launches into space, new records, new missions fills up every Indian heart with a sense of pride. When I was in Bengaluru during Chandrayan-2, I witnessed immense enthusiasm & fervor on the part of the children present there. There was no sign of drowsiness from any angle. In a way, they kept awake throughout the night. One can never forget their inquisitiveness when it came to Science, Technology and Innovation. To give a fillip to this very enthusiasm in children & young people; to encourage scientific temper in them, another system has been put in place. You can now sit & watch rocket launching at Sriharikota, taking place in front of your own eyes. Recently, the facility has been made open for all. A visitors’ gallery has been erected, large enough to seat 10 thousand people. Online booking is also possible through a link provided on ISRO’s website. I am told that many schools are arranging tour for their students to show them rocket launching and motivate them. I urge the Principals & teachers of all schools that they should avail of this benefit in times to come.
Friends, I would like to convey to you another exciting piece of information. I’d read the comment of Paras from Dhanbad, Jharkhand on Namo App. Paras wants me to tell our young friends about ISRO’s ‘Yuvika’ programme. ‘Yuvika’ is a very commendable effort on part of ISRO to integrate the youth with science. This program was launched for school students in the year 2019. ‘Yuvika’ is an acronym for ‘ Yuva Vigyani Karyakram and this program is in consonance with our vision, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhaan’. In this programme, students, after their exams, during their holidays, visit different centres of ISRO and learn about Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications. If you want to know how training is imparted, what its nuances are, how exciting it is, then you must read the experience of those who have attended its earlier sessions. If you wish to be a participant of this training, you can register by visiting the website of ‘Yuvika’ linked to that of ISRO. My young friends, I’m telling you the name of the website which you can write down, and must visit today itself. It is – http://www.yuvika.isro.gov.in. Have you written it down?
My dear countrymen, the beautiful valleys of Ladakh witnessed a momentous event on the 31st of January 2020, for History was made when an Indian Air Force AN-32 aircraft took off from Leh’s Kushok Bakula Rimpoche Airport. A mixture of 10% Indian Bio-jet fuel was used in this flight and this was the first time that this mix was used in both engines. Not just that, but the airport from which this plane took off from Leh is not only one of the highest altitude airports in India but also in the world! Notably, the bio-jet fuel is prepared from non-edible tree borne oil. It is procured from various tribal areas of India. These efforts will not only reduce carbon emissions but may also reduce India’s dependence on crude oil imports. I congratulate all the people involved in this significant mission, especially the scientists of CSIR and Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, who made it possible to develop the technology to fly an aircraft with bio-fuel. Their efforts also empower the ‘Make in India’ mission.
My dear countrymen, our new India is not willing to tag along with the old approach. In particular, our sisters and mothers of New India are going ahead and grasping the challenges hands on thus setting a pace for a positive transformation in the entire society. The region of Purnia in Bihar is an inspiration for people across the country. This area has been grappling with the havoc caused by floods for decades together. In this backdrop, it has been very difficult to do farming and mobilize other sources of income. But under these very circumstances, some women of Purnia chose a different path. Friends, earlier the women of Purnia used to cultivate cocoons from silkworms obtained from Mulberry trees, and received very nominal price for their produce, while merchants who bought this raw silk made huge profits by spinning it into silk yarn. But today, the women of Purnia have taken a new initiative that has changed the entire scenario. These women formed mulberry-production co-operatives with assistance from the Government. After that, they spun silk yarn from the cocoons, and also started getting saris made with those threads. You will be surprised to know that the very cocoons were sold for a nominal amount earlier; saris made from them are fetching thousands of rupees now. The Didis of the ‘Adarsh Jeevika Mahila Mulberry Production Group’ have performed miracles that are being witnessed across many villages. The Farmer Didis of many villages of Purnia are not only getting saris produced, but are also selling them in big fairs by putting up their own stalls – an example of how today’s women fortified with new power, new thinking are achieving new targets.
My dear countrymen, the entrepreneurship of women and daughters of our country, their courage, are a matter of pride for each one of us. We find many such examples around us which illustrate the manner in which our daughters are breaking age old shackles and attaining new heights. I would particularly like to share with you, the achievement of twelve-year-old daughter Kamya Karthikeyan. Kamya, at the age of just twelve years, has conquered Mount Aconcagua. This is the highest peak of the Andes Mountains in South America, which is about 7000 meters high. Every Indian will be touched by the fact that at the beginning of this month, when Kamya conquered the peak, the first thing she did was to hoist our tricolour there. I have also been told that Kamya, who has made the country proud, is now on a new mission, which is called ‘Mission Saahas’. Under this she is trying to conquer the highest peaks of all the continents. Also, under this mission she will also be skiing on North and South poles.
I wish Kamya all the best for ‘Mission Saahas’. By the way, Kamya’s achievement also motivates everyone of us to stay fit. Fitness has also contributed in great measure in Kamya’s achieving great heights at such a young age. A Nation that is fit, will always be a nation that is a hit. By the way the oncoming months are very opportune for adventure sports. The geography of India is such that it provides many opportunities for adventure sports in our country. On the one hand, we have high mountains, on the other, there is a desert spread far and wide. Similarly on the one hand we have a network of dense forests, on the other, there is an infinite expanse of the sea. Therefore, I make a special appeal to all of you to visit the place of your choice, pick up the activity of your interest and ensure integrating of your life with adventure. Shouldn’t there always be adventure in life? And on top of that friends, after knowing the success story of our twelve-year-old daughter Kamya, you will be astonished, once you hear the success story of 105-year-old Bhagirathi Amma.
Friends, if we wish to progress in life, develop ourselves, wish to achieve something in life, the first pre-condition for that is the student within us must never die. Our 105 year old Bhagirathi Amma, also gives us this inspiration. Now you would be wondering, who Bhagirathi Amma is! Bhagirathi Amma lives in Kollam in Kerala. She lost her mother when she was very young. Soon after her marriage at a young age, she lost her husband as well. But Bhagirathi Amma did not let go of her courage, did not lose her spirit. She had to quit school before she was 10-years-old. She restarted her school education at the age of 105! She started studying again!In spite of her advanced age, Bhagirathi Amma wrote her level 4 exam…and then eagerly awaited her results. She scored 75 percent in her exams. Not just that, she scored cent per cent marks in Mathematics. Amma now wants to continue her studies; wants to appear for higher exams. It’s obvious that people like Bhagirathi Amma are the strength of this country; a great source of inspiration for all of us. Today I specially salute Bhagirathi Amma.
Friends, our courage, our determination during adverse circumstances in life can help us completely alter the situation. Recently, I read one such story in the media, which I would surely like to share with you. This is the story of Salman who lives in Hamirpur village of Moradabad. Salman is divyang by birth. He is unable to stand on his feet. Despite this hardship, he hasn’t lost hope, and decided to start his own business. On top of that, he resolved to help other divyang people people too. And soon enough, Salman started manufacturing slippers and detergent in his village itself. And in no time, 30 divyang people joined him. Do also note, that while Salman himself found it difficult to walk, he decided to manufacture slippers, that help others walk easily. The important thing is that Salman trained his divyang colleagues himself. Now all of them jointly not only manufacture the products, but also market them. By dint of their hard work, they not only ensured employment for themselves, but also turned their venture into a profit-making one. Today, all of them together manufacture 150 pairs of slippers a day. Not just that, this year Salman has resolved to provide employment to 100 more such divyang mates. I salute their courage and their enterprise. A similar determination has been manifested by residents of Ajrak village in Kutch area of Gujarat. In 2001, after the devastating earthquake, most villagers were migrating from the village. However, one person by the name of Ismail Khatri, decided to stay back and nurture his traditional art form of ‘Ajrak print’. And in no time at all, everyone was enchanted by the natural colours used in the Ajrak art. And the entire village joined in on their traditional handicraft category. The villagers not only nurtured their ages-old art form, but also fused it with modern fashion. Now major designers and Design Institutions have started using the Ajrak Print. The hardworking village folk have today turned ‘Ajrak print’ into a major brand. Large international buyers are now getting attracted towards this print.
My dear countrymen, recently the festival of Maha Shivaratri was celebrated throughout the country. The blessings of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati has kept the ethos of this nation awakened. On the occasion of Mahashivaratri, may you continue to be blessed by Bhole baba…may Lord Shiva fulfill all your wishes…may you be energetic, healthy…and continue to do your duties unto the country.
Friends, along with Mahashivaratri, now the splendour of spring will keep blooming day by day. In the coming days, we will celebrate Holi and soon after that, Gudi Padva will be celebrated. The festival of Navaraatri is also associated with spring. Ram Navami will also be celebrated. Festivals and celebrations are an inseparable part of the social fabric of our country. Every festival has a hidden social message which binds not just the society, but the entire country into a spirit of unity. After Holi, from the Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the Indian Vikrami New year also begins. For that too, please accept my greetings in advance.
My dear countrymen, I think students will be busy with their examinations till the next Mann Ki Baat. Those who have completed their examinations, will be carefree. My heartiest wishes to those who are busy, and also to those who are carefree. We will meet again in the next edition of Mann Ki Baat with lots of new topics.
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today urged the Union and State governments to mandatorily link employment upto a level with the local languages to promote the use of mother tongues in the country.
Inaugurating the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Andhra Vidyabhi Vardhani (AVV) Educational Institutions, in Warangal today, the Vice President also emphasized the need to promote the use of Indian languages in the administration. This will not only bring the administration closer to the people but also help in preservation of our rich linguistic heritage, he said.
Quoting Sardar Patel, Shri Naidu said that unless a child understands the language of instruction properly, he will not be able to understand the subject being taught in that language.
Stressing the need for value-based education, Shri Naidu said that education should focus on overall development of the students by imparting morals, ethics and age old civilizational values of the country. A teacher has prominent role after parents in shaping the life of a student, he said.
Emphasizing the need to end every kind of social discrimination, the Vice President called for a mindset change in the society. He said that the children should be taught to be respectful towards girls and women from an early age.
Highlighting that Indian culture shows great respect for women, the Vice President said that it was evident from the fact that all rivers in the country are named after women.
Describing ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ as the essence of Indian culture, Shri Naidu said that secularism is in the blood and veins of every Indian and minorities are more secure in India than any other country of the world. Respecting all religions and ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhav’ is our culture and we should continue to follow it, he added.
Appreciating India’s rich spiritual heritage Shri Naidu said that Bharat Mata Ki Jai means the ‘Jai of 130 crore Indians’.
He exhorted the youth to develop 4Cs – Character, Capacity, Conduct and Caliber, and asked them to be hardworking and disciplined to achieve success in life. Shri Naidu also advised them to shun sedentary lifestyle and keep physically fit.
Objecting to some countries’ tendency to comment on India’s internal matters, the Vice President asked them to refrain from advising India on its internal affairs. Pointing out that India was the largest parliamentary democracy , he said it was capable of managing its own affairs.
Stressing that peace was a prerequisite for development, the Vice President said that in a democracy, everyone has a right to dissent and protest but it should be done in a peaceful manner. He asked the youth to develop positive attitude in life and be constructive and not obstructive in their approach.
Expressing his concern over the fast depleting water resources, the Vice President stressed the need for protecting lakes and traditional water bodies.
“Earlier every village used to have different water bodies for different purposes, but we neglected these traditional water conservation methods”, he said. Shri Naidu also appreciated the work being done by the Telangana government for the irrigation development in the state.
On this occasion, the Vice President released the souvenir of the institute and lauded the contributions of philanthropist and founder of AVV institutions, Shri Chanda Kanthaiah, particularly his love for Telugu during Nizam rule and his initiatives for starting Telugu Medium Schools.
Home Minister of Telangana, Shri Mohammad Mahmood Ali, Panchayati Raj Minister of Telangana, Shri Yerrabelli Dayakar Rao were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
A family history of diabetes helped Michael Sharf decide to become an endocrinologist.
The seed was planted in childhood, when Sharf spent time with his maternal grandfather, who had type 1 diabetes. At six years old, Sharf was pricking his grandfather’s finger regularly and helping to test his blood sugar.
But it wasn’t until years later, when Sharf was halfway through his undergraduate degree, that he decided he wanted to study medicine. The 24-year-old, who studied business management at San Diego State University, is now a student in the UVM Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program.
We talked to Sharf about shifting his career plans and how a drastic change in lifestyle led him to set his sights on becoming an endocrinologist.
Was there a particular event in your life that made you decide to change your career plans from business to medicine?
My dad is a cardiologist, my uncle is an orthopedic surgeon, and my maternal grandfather with type 1 diabetes was an endocrinologist before he retired. When I first went to college, I wanted to do something other than medicine because there was so much of it in my family. As an undergraduate, I was smoking 12 cigarettes a day, eating fast food, and never making an effort to go to the gym.
Eventually, I got sick of being unhealthy and I realized I was heading for major healthcare problems. One night at the beginning of my junior year, I got up at 1 a.m. and just started running. I didn’t care that it was the middle of the night. I was still smoking and eating poorly, but slowly I started running three to four days a week. Then I trained for a half-marathon and went on to do an Olympic triathlon.
When I started getting healthy, I was looking for a change in my career. I knew I was interested in healthcare, so I started to doing research. I went to EMT school for certification before coming to UVM in 2014.
You were well into your business management degree at San Diego State when you decided to pursue medicine. Why didn’t you switch majors at that point?
When I figured out that I wanted to study medicine, I was halfway through my business degree. My business credits weren’t going to help me for medical school, but I knew I still enjoyed business. I kept going and knew that I would attend a post-bac premed program after graduating. Also, with all the financial complexities of healthcare, I knew that I could use my business skills in medicine.
Unrelated to endocrinology, you’ve also being doing some research on bone-marrow transplants. Can you tell us about that?
Like diabetes, blood cancer is also something that hits close to home. My grandfather on my father’s side has type II diabetes and was diagnosed with blood cancer at age 62. At the time, my grandfather was given two years to live. But thanks to the advancements in medicine, he lived another 23 years. Even though my grandfather ended up passing away last year, I was able to get to know him better as a result of those advancements.
As I mentioned, I’m interested in the financial aspects of healthcare. I’ve been working with UVM Assistant Professor Christopher Jones, PhD, on a few different projects, including the financial effects of bone-marrow transplants. There are two different types of bone marrow transplants, and one is less invasive, but also less successful. We’re looking at both types of transplants and costs of these procedures to the healthcare system, the patient, and insurance companies. We were trying to decipher what type of effect this has on society. For example, what is the cost of this person to not be able to work after the procedure? A group of us are hoping to publish a research paper on the issue in the Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplant publication this fall.
What do you find most rewarding about medicine?
Overall, medicine is such a good fit for me. After I decided to go into medicine. I asked myself, how can I be of service to other people? What can make me the most useful to those around me? Being a doctor is the best use of my skill set, intellect, and passions. Helping people be healthy is the most important thing you can do.
You are from Del Mar, California. Why did you choose to study medicine in Vermont?
The University of Vermont provided the environment for me to become my best self. With the UVM Medical Center and College of Medicine being on the same campus, it’s an ideal location to get involved in the medical field. What made me want to attend UVM is that it’s my best chance to learn and grow into the person I want to be — a person ready for medical school
The Mughal Gardens will remain closed for the general public on February 24 (Monday – maintenance day) and February 25 (Tuesday – on account of state visit of the President of USA). The Gardens will reopen on February 26, 2020 at 1100 hrs.
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, delivered the valedictory address at the International Judicial Conference being organised by the Supreme Court of India, in New Delhi today (February 23, 2020).
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the theme chosen for the conference is timely and apt: “Judiciary and the Changing World”. In a way, change is the only constant, and the world has always been changing. In recent years, however, the world has been changing very fast, and in unforeseeable ways. The role of the judiciary is bound to be pivotal amid these dramatic transformations.
The President said that the selection of the topics for the working sessions of the conference could not have been more meaningful. Gender Justice, Contemporary Perspectives on Protection of Constitutional Values, Dynamic Interpretations of the Constitution in a Changing World, Harmonisation of Environment Protection vis-à-vis Sustainable Development and Protection of Right to Privacy in the Internet Age are issues that influence every member of the global community.These five distinctly defined topics cover the matrix of challenges faced by the judiciary across the world. He was happy to note that the judiciary in India has been alive to these themes, and has approached them in the light of the vision behind the Indian Constitution.
The President said that the Supreme Court of India deserves admiration for carrying out many radical reforms that made justice more accessible to common people. Landmark judgements passed by this Court have strengthened the legal and constitutional framework of our country. Its bench and bar are known for their legal scholarship and intellectual wisdom. What it has achieved is nothing less than a silent revolution in diagnosing and correcting the afflictions that adversely affected the justice delivery system.
Referring the yeoman service rendered by the Supreme Court in making the higher courts’ judgments available in regional languages, the President said that this is indeed an extraordinary achievement given the linguistic diversity of India. As of now, the judgments of the Supreme Court get translated in up to nine Indian languages to make them accessible to common people. He expressed confidence that its scope would further widen with the passage of time.
There are a few important questions you should ask yourself in deciding if law school is the choice for you. Some of them are philosophical, and some are practical. All of them are important, but this fir st one is essential…
Do I want to be a lawyer?
Before you decide to attend law school, ask yourself: do I actually want to practice law? That is the core of the profession – representing clients. If the idea of working with clients doesn’t excite you, then this might not be the right career for you.
Why do I want to go to law school?
Be honest. There are many reasons people attend law school. Some have always known this was their path. Some have friends and family telling them they will be a great lawyer. Maybe someone, somewhere, told them, if all else fails, you can always try law school. Whatever your motivation, you should be able to identify it. That’s the only way to decide if law is the right choice for you. Before applying to law school, seriously consider your interest in becoming a practicing attorney and how that balances with the cost, the employment prospects, and the minimum three-year intensive academic commitment required to graduate.
REASONS to attend law school include knowing what lawyers do (and wanting to do it) and having a sense of how prepared you are for law school and the practice of law.
REASONS to keep considering your options include not knowing what else to do after graduation, making your parents happy, thinking it sounds like fun, or planning to figure it out later (when you get to law school, or after graduation).
Am I in it for the paycheck?
If you answered the first or second questions with Maybe, I’m not sure, or No, but the salary…, keep reading. Even if you score the job that brings that check you dreamed of, if you don’t love (or even like) the work, you may find you aren’t long for the field, but you might still be paying the loans from that JD.
Many students are drawn to the legal profession by the promise of future income. But like any career path, your decision needs to include more than the salary prospects. A law degree doesn’t guarantee of a high salary. According to a Washington Post article from April 2015, “nine months after graduation, a little more than half of the class of 2013 had found full-time jobs as lawyers, down from 77% of 2007, according to the most recent data from the American Bar Association and the National Association for Law Placement. Those who did find jobs had starting salaries that were 8% below the 2009 peak, averaging $78,205 in 2013.” In recent years, bar passage rates have also declined creating a challenge for new graduates hoping to begin their legal practice.
Doing your research will go a long way in helping you manage your salary expectations. Look at the employment statistics and average salary for students from schools you are likely to attend (based on your GPA and LSAT – if you have taken it). Factor the specialty you wish to practice, and the region.
What do I know about the practice of law (In other words, have I talked to any lawyers)?
Answering this question requires you to research and talk to actual lawyers.
Current law students and pre-law advising can help with your law school application, but lawyers – those practicing law every day – are the ones who can help you decide if this is the path for you. They can tell you how much their legal education cost, what they actually do on a daily basis, how many hours a week they work, how much they make, and what they like (or don’t) about their careers. You should ask about personal attributes needed to be successful in a legal career and the impact of a legal career on personal lives. If law school still sounds like the right plan for you, you can ask for advice about where to go from here.
Learning about the practice of law from lawyers (as many as you can, from different practice areas) will spotlight the different career paths in the legal profession, and which might be right for you. You may notice that lawyers with very similar experiences may have very different thoughts on their careers. Ask them why. This is your chance to get a feel for what type of people like what types of legal jobs (e.g. litigation or public interest law), and what that might mean for you. Thinking proactively about your potential place in the legal profession will help you in choosing a law school, finding funding for school, and planning your job search.
Now that we’ve talked about the philosophical questions, if law school still sounds like the thing for you, consider meeting with your Career Advisor to discuss the practical considerations of applying for and funding law school.
The public health master’s program at UVM changed Lyndelle LeBruin’s life.
LeBruin, a project coordinator at the Laboratory for Clinical Biochemistry Research (LCBR) at UVM, completed the online UVM Master of Public Health Program in 2016.
She found that the program was robust yet flexible enough to allow her to continue to work full-time while earning her degree. She also found the program included many resourceful and personable instructors who offered exceptional guidance.
“I felt that the program was accessible, flexible and accommodating. After completing the program’s capstone project, I knew that I had gained the skillset to probe and answer important research questions,” says LeBruin, who lives in Burlington. “The program gave me a lens into epidemiology and population health. It provided a broader understanding of the value of my input in the lab day-to-day and the important work that we’re doing to help solve public health problems.”
After growing up in the West Indies on the island of Dominica, LeBruin graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and earned her master’s degree in chemistry at UVM. While working on her master’s thesis on the self-assembly of collagen mimetic peptides, she felt compelled to connect her basic science background to clinical and translational research.
This desire was further ignited when she joined the LCBR in 2013, and ultimately led to her decision to pursue a public health master’s degree at UVM.
LeBruin’s role at the LCBR entails clinical trial core laboratory research support and data management. The LCBR focuses on understanding risk factors for heart disease, stroke, venous thrombosis, obesity, diabetes, aging, and frailty using a wide variety of assays in population and family-based research settings.
UVM’s 42-credit, online public health master’s degree,developed in collaboration with the Larner College of Medicine, prepares students for a variety of public health careers, such as the kind of work LeBruin oversees at LCBR.
“The public health program helped build the foundation for this next step in my career,” she says. “It was an amazing program, and it changed my life.”
By law, all businesses are required to provide a certain amount of maternity leave to employees. The time allowed for maternity leave depends on a number of factors, including state and federal regulations, eligibility, type of maternity leave, etc. For the small business owner, maternity leave has a much greater impact than it does on a larger corporation. If a small business only has a few employees, losing one for a few months is going to have a huge impact, not to mention the fact that setting up a maternity leave policy is a confusing proposition at best. Here are some of the things you need to know about before creating a maternity leave policy for your small business.
Federal and State Laws
The first thing you need to look into are the federal and state laws, which can get pretty confusing, especially for the small business owner. For instance, if you have 50 or more employees, you are required by federal law to provide at least 12 weeks of unpaid leave, both for childbirth and for the adoption of a child. If you have fewer than 50 employees, the Federal government doesn’t require you to provide this maternity leave. But, you may still be required to provide this benefit, under certain circumstances.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act requires employers to treat all pregnant employees as they would treat employees who have temporary disabilities if a woman is unable to perform all of her duties due to her pregnancy. There are also state laws, which are completely separate from federal regulations. For instance, under the California Family Rights Act, employers must provide 12 weeks of unpaid leave, and in some cases they are required to also provide six weeks of paid leave.
You can learn more about your state requirements by visiting the US Department of Labor website. States that do have maternity policy requirements are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington.
Eligibility
“The next consideration is eligibility, as it is not only pregnant women who are eligible for maternity or parental leave. Your maternity/paternity leave policy will need to be explicit about who is eligible for this leave,” says an expert from Forest Hills Medical Services. FMLA regulations require that employees must work a minimum of 12 months or 1,250 hours in the previous 12 months to qualify for 12 weeks of unpaid leave. But, if you have 50 employees or less, the amount of unpaid leave is at your own discretion (or applicable state laws) for your company policy.
Types of Maternity Leave
Once you have figured out the amount of time that employees are going to be able to have for maternity leave, you need to consider the various types of maternity leave in order to create your company policy. There are three types of maternity leave:
Intermittent Leave – This is short-term leave, to cover medical appointments, emergencies, etc.
Reduced Schedule Leave – This is when the employee still works, but reduces their hours to fit in with their physical needs.
Block of Time Leave – This is when the employee needs an extended period of time away from work, usually granted after childbirth or if there are complications during the pregnancy.
Paid Leave
Finally, you need to decide whether or not you are going to offer paid leave. While this is not a federal or state requirement, many companies do offer this to their employees. If you have valued employees who you want to see return to your company, paid maternity leave is definitely a good incentive to offer.
Principals from across India and Education leadership participated in The Principal Conclave
The next generation must prepare itself in a completely new manner if it wants to survive, thrive and find meaning in the emerging future. Mainstream higher education systems are falling short in preparing next generation for the 21st century. These changing times demand for changes in higher education. In order to bridge the gap between secondary and higher education, a Principal’s Conclave was hosted by Atria University at the Radisson Blu Atria, today. The event was attended by over 35 Principals from across India and Education leadership from across the world.
Dr. Babi Mitra, Executive Director NEET program at MIT delivering keynote at The Principal Conclave 2019
Dr. Babi Mitra, Executive Director, New Engineering Education Transformation program at MIT, during his key note address, said, “One of the strongest qualities of great institutions is trust and Atria University is working towards building the trust in student and teaching community. We need to create visionaries and empower them to evolve as confident, curious and creative-solution drivers equipped to tackle challenges and convert them into opportunities, whatever and wherever their context.”
He said that it is important to consider six elements to it make more effective to make learning more engaging. Bold vision, stakeholder engagement, strong complementary team, pragmatism, piloting and thinking, and acting like a start up can help create a committed pedagogy for the benefit of students, he said.
Mr Sunder Raju – Chairman of Atria University
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sunder Raju, Founder and Trustee, Atria University, said, “There is a need to contemplate and engage with insightful discussions on designing student-centred learning experience. Through Principal Conclave, I wish we create a process that facilitates a learning design that leaves behind its footprint for how a new age child will be trained, developed, and evolved.”
“At Atria University, we want to help nurture the future citizen who can stand on their own feet in the real world. We are earnestly working to understand students better and recreate their personal learning journey. We are also creating individual customizable learning paths to encourage and foster their creative and critical thinking.” Said Mr. Kaushik Raju, Trustee, Atria University.
Left to right – Dr Alana Sobelman – Dr Arjendu Pattanayak – Dr Nagaraj K Arakere – Dr Sriram Kalyanaram – Kaushik Raju Director of Technicl Education Atria University
Anuradha Anekal, Principal, Deccan International School, who participated in the conclave said, “Students and parents these days are exposed to diverse subject matters. With information at their fingertips, they are able to make a learned choice about the stream they can choose. The conclave has shown way to different methodologies and helps educators to engage actively with learning experience.”
Shaheem Rahiman, CEO, Atria University said “It is gratifying to hear large number of Principals and Academicians across the world endorse our idea of Higher Education. I am grateful to Principals for the significant contributions towards defining an exceptional learning experience for our students. The workshops topics were intensely discussed with animated participation, all aimed at creating a launch pad for our future, that are our students.”
Creating new pedagogy
Experts and educators such as Dr. Alana Sobelman, Lecturer of Comparative Literature and Psychoanalysis at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Be’er Sheva, Israel, Dr. Arjendu Pattanayak Former Associate Dean of Carleton College, USA, Dr. Nagaraj K. Arakere Professor, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida, and Dr. Sriram ‘Sri’ Kalyanaraman, Director, Media Effects and Tech Lab, University of Florida, participated in the conclave. More than 50 principals from across the country and academicians from across the globe attended the Conclave.
Atria University, through this day-long conclave, aims to create a new learning design that eases a student’s transition from secondary school learning to the higher education framework. The proposed suggestions on a new learning design would be produced as a working publication. This would be a compilation of the day’s recommendations from delegates with respect to transitional elements of higher education and a design outline for an innovative curriculum that reflects our ever-evolving global world.
Atria University is currently awaiting their State Private University status.
What comes to mind when you hear the term networking?
The idea of “networking” conjures up a lot of feelings for students – anticipation, hesitation, reluctance – and it’s easy to understand why. We often define networking as a structured, professional, and often transactional activity that takes place at a career fair or similar event.
What if we thought of “networking” as simply connecting with and learning from someone new? With that in mind, here are three reasons why networking might be beneficial to you as an undergrad whether it’s your first year at DU or you’re about to graduate.
If you’re undecided about your academic or career goals…
…Connecting with others can be a huge help in illuminating different career paths and trajectories. While this is great news for Undeclared students, this also applies to exploring students within a major. As the Career Advisor to students in Mathematics, for example, I often coach students through the exploration process. If a Math major isn’t planning to become a Mathematician, what are some tangible, concrete career paths that still connect to the degree?
This is where learning from alumni can be especially powerful. Many Math majors aren’t initially aware of careers in logistics, operations, project management, and engineering that are not only possible, but attainable, due to the way that the Math curriculum teaches one to think and analyze a problem. The same thing goes for just about any other major, and by connecting with a fellow alum from your program of study, you might discover career paths that allow for you to creatively put your skills and experience to work.
Are you looking for an internship? Learning from others can help!
Many undergraduate students ask our Career Advisors for guidance on the internship search, and it’s exciting to see students embrace such an important opportunity for personal and professional growth! While searching online for internships isn’t a bad place to begin, you will want to try different strategies as you plan for the summer (or academic year) ahead.
There are so many interesting experiences, leads, and organizations out there that you might not find on the Internet alone. By visiting one of our Connecting DU, Mentor for a Moment, or Dine & Dialogue events, you might learn about a new organization that fits your values and interests. What’s more, there might be alumni who are seeking interns at one of these events! You never know what you might discover by chatting with someone new. Connecting with others isn’t the only strategy for finding an internship, but it’s certainly a useful one to consider.
If you’re considering graduate school, informational interviews serve as an excellent resource.
Maybe you have an idea of what you want life after DU to look like, and it may include graduate study. Some students choose to apply to graduate school right away, and some plan to take a gap year instead. It might be useful to expand your network and learn from folks who have taken a gap year, or who have experience with the graduate school admissions process. Current, and former, graduate students have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to undergraduate students, and that advice might assist you in efficiently planning for the next step, deciding on which programs to apply to, or if you should pursue graduate school at all. Networking isn’t just about the job search!
We hope you consider building and cultivating connections that can support you for life, whether you find them through
There are people who would rather have a tooth pulled than go to a networking event. The idea of being in a room full of strangers, having to start a conversation and then gracefully exit when appropriate is daunting for college students and seasoned professionals alike. Whether you’re going to an upcoming career fair, invited to a networking mixer for a company you want to work with, or meeting new group members for a class project, here are some tried and true ways to make the most of the experience:
Give a firm handshake– No matter who you’re getting ready to meet, make sure your handshake is firm. Don’t give the other person dead weight or a knuckle-crushing handshake. Beforehand, be sure to switch any beverage glasses to your left hand so that your hands aren’t too hot or too cold. Likewise, put your phone or any other objects away so that you don’t fumble when it’s time to go in for the handshake.
Don’t hesitate to introduce yourself first– Now that you have this person’s hand and attention, say hi, let them know who you are and that it’s a pleasure to meet them.
Look people in the eye– When we’re in new situations, we can tend to look around the room while talking instead of at the people we’re talking to. Make eye contact, it lets your audience know that you’re present and paying attention to them.
Smile– Smiling will help make you and the person or people you’re talking to feel more at ease. You’ll also come off as more open and willing to engage.
Follow-up– When someone shares their contact information with you, it’s crucial to follow up with them in a timely manner. Sending them a quick note to thank them for their time and reflecting on a part of your conversation will go a long way in helping them remember you after your initial meeting. For Example, ” Hi Jim, It was great meeting you at the Finance Industry Night yesterday. Thank you for taking some time to share your story with me. I would love to connect to speak further about how you used your internship to get a full-time job with Chase. How does your schedule look to grab coffee next Thursday?” The email doesn’t have to be long but make sure you reach out to move your initial conversation forward.
There are ample opportunities to both practice your networking skills and build your network whether it’s with classmates or potential employers. The next time you meet or are introduced to someone new, keep these tips in mind to help you leave a lasting impression.
By: Hannah Tall
Hannah Tall is a Regional Recruitment Manager with City Year. She is passionate about youth development and education and is using her work with City Year to help young people become change agents within schools and communities across the country.
When DU English professor, Donna Beth Ellard, wanted to make her First Year Seminar (FSEM) course an engaging and meaningful experience she began to ask herself “How can poetry assist a student over four years by helping them decide what their profession may be?” Thinking outside the box, Donna Beth wanted to find a way to bring an idea of “Poetry in the Professions” theme into her classroom. The goal was to have students learn how to be meaningful as they pursue and explore career paths.
Donna Beth has heard numerous parents say to their child that they “can’t be a Humanities major…there are not many careers in the humanities!” She set out to prove that theory wrong by infusing career professionals who majored in English into the classroom. She mapped out her syllabus with four distinct professions for students to learn more about through research, interviews, poetry readings, and class presentations. These four professions were law, medicine, public relations and social work. Donna Beth taught the FSEM students the “close reading” skill practiced across the humanities. This method teaches a student to learn to listen to other voices, to be patient, to build emotional awareness and how to be empathetic. Developing these skills are necessary to be successful in many occupations regardless of industry.
Along with assigned readings, Donna Beth had a lawyer, a PR executive, a social worker, and an OB/GYN medical doctor speak in the class room. The practitioners spoke about how their undergraduate English degree helped them to be successful in graduate school as well as in their current positions. For example, the medical doctor explained how her undergraduate degree in English helped her tremendously in medical school by developing skills such as patience, emotional awareness, and empathy. This doctor credits the “close reading” skills she learned as an English major as a key component of her success.
Donna Beth’s biggest challenge for this course was the amount of time it took to prepare. Identifying and reaching out to practitioners was very time consuming and Donna Beth coordinated all of these details on her own. Today, Career & Professional Development along with other career offices on campus, have grown their capacity to support faculty in bringing alumni and employer guest speakers to the classroom. If you would like to integrate career into the classroom, we encourage you to reach out for support!
Denver’s backyard isn’t all mountains and ski resorts. Did you know Denver is home to “the largest free entrepreneurial event of its kind in North America” – Denver Startup Week?
“Denver Startup Week (DSW) is a powerful showcase of the strength of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Denver,” said Ben Deda, event co-founder and vice president of marketing at Vertafore. “No matter your stage of business, company role or industry, Denver Startup Week provides the tools, resources and community support to help you start-up and grow a successful business.”
Sessions at DSW include topics on how to start your own business, how to get jobs in startups, and how to grow your career in startups. The event managers are also always looking for volunteers to help coordinate the event. What a great way to get to know the movers-and-shakers in the industry and get behind-the-scenes access to employers and entrepreneurs that you can learn from and connect with!
Prepared by Alexandra Jones, CAS Career Advising Team Assistant
Did you miss the Health Studies Career Night, but are still interested in the information provided? Well, although you did miss the opportunity to directly communicate and network with professionals working in what may be your future career field, this blog post may help you.
The panel, moderated by Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Studies (DHS) Kathleen Holton, and co-hosted by DHS and AU Career Center, consisted of four alumni:
Annika Bergstrom, TB Investigator at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ryan Paquin, Research Scientist at the Center for Communication Science at RTI International
Elizabeth Prevou, Clinical Practice Manager at GWU, and
Justin Morgan, Research Assistant at the Health Policy Center at the Urban Institute.
Each speaker talked about the most and least favorite aspects of their careers, as well as gave advice to aid students’ future success, which is shared below.
How do you get your foot in the door?
There are various ways to go about entering a career in the health field. This information was posted at https://www.vocationaltraininghq.com/how-to-become/home-health-aide/ for longevity and so people that did not attend could peruse online. While Bergstrom simply applied through USA Jobs, this may be difficult as it is a competitive process, in which your resume has to stand out to employers from hundreds of others. Other panelists recommend that students work their networks to obtain a job lead, or get connected to someone from the organization you are interested in.
At times, your personality may be enough to get your foot in the door; the issue is displaying your character to employers. Before starting a new job you should talk to Labor Law Compliance Center, and make sure you are not working for less then what you should be. Morgan managed to get an interview with the Urban Institute by calling the institution and talking to an executive. This allowed him to add a personal touch to the application process, which cannot always be included in a resume submission.
How to be strategic with your internships?
Panelists recommend that students complete internships and treat each internship as a learning experience and utilize all connections gained. Internships can also clarify your career goals and preferences. Prevou said, “Knowing what you don’t want to do at times is just as helpful as knowing what you do want to do.” At the same time, all panelists agreed that students should not jeopardize their peace of mind and sleep to work multiple internships at one time just to buff up a resume.
What skills make students valuable and wanted in the workplace?
No matter your desired job, all panelists recommended that students obtain basic research skills and knowledge of statistical programs, such as SAS, SPSS and Excel. AU offers courses and access to some of these programs through the Center for Teaching, Research and Learning (CTRL) if you have not learned them already.
Knowledge of medical terms and anatomy also allows easy communication across job fields. While this may not be stressed in the interview, such knowledge may be necessary to learn on the job – so why not pick it up sooner rather than later?
Lastly, knowing email etiquette and how to follow-up may be the most beneficial and necessary job skill in any field. Email are often the first form of communication between an employer and employee. Therefore learn how to make your emails sound professional and friendly, but with a hint of your personality.
Were you prepared for the workplace post-graduation?
While there will always be a learning curve when entering a new job, panelists stressed that students should not be nervous about it. After all, they did hire you! Still, be ready to put in the necessary effort to grow in your career. Listen, ask questions and do your best.
You must be logged in to post a comment.