Drug Resistant Bacteria and Food Production

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This blog frequently covers MRSA and other drug resistant pathogens that have been increasingly threatening populations globally.  Today, we learned of the rise of a drug resistant strain of Salmonella as the news of the recall of millions of pounds of ground turkey made the rounds in the media.  We have pointed to this cause before and I think it is safe to assume again that the level of antibiotics used by agri-business to mask the effects of negligent animal husbandry practices likely contributes to the evolution of these “super germs”.

You’re In Demand!

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It’s always nice to hear information that validates your efforts.  This is one of those bits of data that you’re sure to find heartening.  In an article for Yahoo! Education, Chris Kyle makes a list of career skills that are always in demand.  You can read his excellent article here, but the short version goes like this.  The Top 3 most in demand skills in all of business are:
  1. Organizational Skills
  2. People Skills
  3. Creative Skills
Then he lists two career choices perfectly suited for people with each of these in-demand skills.  For those with strong organizational ability, Kyle offers medical assistant as a perfect field where you’ll always be welcome.  So its good to know that the traits which may have driven you to online study in the field of medical billing and coding are the very same ones which will make you attractive to employers.  Well done!

Best “Student Fuel”

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Java, Joe, Coffee, Brew, Bean Juice, Mojo, Mud, Perky, Cuppa.  Whatever you call it, coffee is the students’ best friend.  Whether to wake up for early studies or to stay up late burning the midnight oil studying for the big exam, coffee is an indispensable item.  But just like darn near everything else, its price is heading higher and higher.  Some things in life are difficult to skimp on and for this blogger, coffee is one of them.  So what is a frugal student with a coffee addiction to do?  Consumer Reports comes to the rescue with a list of the best “store brand” coffee options!  Read it and see where your favorite beans figure on the list.

Great Site for Resourceful People

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You’re an Allen School Online student (or maybe you’re considering becoming one).  The idea of online study appeals to you in some measure because it is in your nature to be a problem solver; someone who is good at finding creative solutions to life’s vexing problems.   Online study is but one example of finding a creative and successful way to overcome the challenges of balancing work and study and family.  Using technology and your innate willingness to be somewhat unconventional, you avoid having to sacrifice any of these important goals. This is why I am sure you will enjoy a visit to www.instructables.com.  Learn how to open that stubborn pistachio nut or how to make a solar charger for your laptop.  Want a recipe for gluten free breads or homemade Nutella?  Interested in how to use a camera charger to power your iPod?  How about how to fashion a rustic deer antler USB thumb drive or a survival barbecue out of an Altoids tin?  There are volumes of interesting instructions on ideas running the gamut from the ridiculously sublime to the eminently useful and everything in between.  Have a visit and you’re guaranteed to find a solution to a problem you’ve always wished you’d find.

Negotiating Salary In Tough Economic Times

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You’re a certified medical billing and coding professional in a field that is predicted to continue to grow.  Yet unemployment is still near historic highs and there are more applicants than jobs available, even in high growth fields.  So, it is not a good time to ask for a higher starting salary (or a raise if you’re already employed) right?  Wrong!  Good help, as the old saying goes, is hard to find.  Employers are always happy to have quality, highly trained people working hard for their organizations.  Knowing how to negotiate salary can help you earn what you’re worth even in tough times.  Michael Chaffers at Monster.com writes this list of Top Ten Tips for Salary Negotiations.  Read it and arm yourself with the knowledge needed to get what you’re worth as an Allen School Online graduate!

The Modern Resumè What’s “In” and What’s “Out”

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The ongoing unemployment problem in the US has effected many changes in  the way Human Resources departments deal with hiring.  With 6 applicants for every single available job, the dynamics of how an applicant gets noticed have changed.  In fact, much of what was once the conventional wisdom with regard to resumè writing has been turned upside down.  So US News has prepared a list of the top 10 most outdated resumè strategies and practices.  The top 5 are: 1. You must use a land line for a phone interview. 2. Your resumè can only be one page.” 3. Every job has to go on your resumè to present a complete account of your professional history. 4. Include “references available upon request” on the bottom of your resumè. 5. Include an objective at the top of your resumè. To read the details of the thinking behind these tips and for the rest of the top 10, visit this excellent article from US News.

Keep Computers Cool Online Students

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You’d be pretty hard up if your computer died cutting you off from the ability to study online.  Well, with 100,000,000 Americans – a full third of the US population – experiencing the broiling effects of a huge heat wave, you should take some steps to protect your link to the online classroom.  Just like humans and pets, the computer too is vulnerable to breakdown brought on by excessive heat. Symptoms of Overheating – Turning off on its own – Not wanting to boot up after it turns off – Freezing – Blue Screen – Is hot to the touch – Loud fan running – Frequent memory errors Here is a great list of steps you should take to protect your machines during periods of extended heat.  Oh, yeah and also, drink plenty of fluids and make sure that the young, elderly and pets do too!  Wouldn’t want anything to happen to them either!

Best Hospitals of 2011-12

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US News and World Report has released its list of the top hospitals for 2011-12.  This is interesting as it shows where some of the most sought after jobs might be for Allen School Online graduates.  The rankings include hospitals in 15 states so there’s lots of choices if you’re seeking to move to a specific area to begin your new career.  View the list here.

Friday Cocktails Edition

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Image source: http://www.foodrecipesworld.com

OK, its a hot Summer Friday.  And this blogger has to admit to writing this post from the beach where he enjoys an idyllic summer day with his family.  Being here in the sun (and playing hooky on a Friday) I am thinking it may be time for a refreshing, tropical-style, Summertime cocktail.  You know the kind: Pina Colada, Singapore Sling, MaiTai.  Mmmmmmm.  So in the spirit of TGIF and Summer, I offer the following list of Tiki Cocktails and their recipes as I am sure Allen School Online students will be glad to join me in a little refreshment.  Pick one.  Mix it up.  Then raise it in a TGIF salute!

Why They Don’t Call You Back

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Taking your new medical billing and coding certificate out to look for a job is exciting.  You comb over listings, find positions, send cover letters and get interviews.  But then something curious happens.  You go home and wait for a call from the interviewer which never comes.  Ever wonder why sometimes you get the silent treatment from a prospective employer?  There are a number of surprising reasons why you may not get called back.  The good news is that most of the reasons why are not mystical.  In fact, if you’re aware of the most commonly occurring mistakes, you can avoid them altogether and improve your call-back ratio. Yahoo! Hot Jobs’s Larry Buhl put together a list of the Top Six Reasons They Didn’t Call You Back.  Read the list and take to heart the message so you can become a more effective interview subject and land that dream job.