Learn About Being a Navy Information Systems Technician

Learn About Being a Navy Information Systems TechnicianLearn About Being a Navy Information Systems TechnicianInformation Systems Technicians (ITs) go to sea and shore assignments where they take on a variety of roles maintaining the Navys computer and networking assets. Often theres the classic helpdesk work (Have you tried turning it off and on again?) in support of local area networks, software, and hardware (mostly Windows-based platforms), but thats not all. ITs also deal with data-transmission systems including fiber optics, digital microwave, and tactical and commercial satellites (Navy Enlisted Occupational Standards). They also manage cryptologic communication equipment (machines that perform the digital-age equivalent of translating secret code) and transmit secure messages between naval commands. Education ITs begin their careers with basic training (like all sailors) at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois. Technical education commences in Pensacola, Florida at Corry Station, home of the Navys Center for Information Dominance (which wins the prize for making IT sound like a department aboard the Death Star). According to the Navys recruiting website, the 22-week course covers everything from technical preparation in database design to computer networking to working closely with operating communications systems. Because Navy ITs deal with networks across the globe in offices, aboard ships, and on battlefields training also includes work with radio frequencies and satellite communications. Certifications Certifications are the key to a career in computer fields. The guy that used to program characters to race across the screen on his Commodore 64 may have been a whiz in his time, but if he hasnt stayed up to date, hes worthless in todays IT environment. Likewise, a Navy IT career will falter quickly if you dont keep your skills fresh. Luckily, theres a plethora of Navy-funded credentials and certificates for ITs on Credentialing Opportuniti es On-Line (COOL), including CompTIA A, Linux, and ServerCertified Information Security ManagerSecurity Certified Network Specialist, Professional, and ArchitectETA Fiber Optics Installer and TechnicianNine different Microsoft certifications Even if you just want to do your time and move on to IT on the civilian side, remember that leaving the service without taking advantage of the Navys Credential Program means youll end up (a) digging around in couch cushions to pay for those credentials yourself, or (b) waiting for job offers beside a phone that never rings. Certifications establish professional credibility and are appealing on your resume. Military Requirements To become IT technicians, recruits must have a high school diploma and no hearing or speech impediments. When you take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, focus on the General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, and Mathematics Knowledge (MK) portions, which must total 222 (with the MK score ersatzdarstellerd) . The Electronics Information section can also count toward the required score removing the double emphasis on Mathematics which is handy if youve taken any courses in basic electronics. Since network security involves sensitive information by nature, it should come as no surprise that a job handling networks for the worlds most powerful navy requires a security clearance. You must be eligible for at least a Secret clearance, but since the Navy merged IT with Cryptologic Communication Technicians, more positions that require Top Secret clearance have opened in the fleet. A higher level of clearance just opens many more opportunities, according to the Navy Personnel Commands IT professionals. Career Outlook The Information Systems Technician field, unlike some other ratings that branch and converge, has its own career path straight to E-9 Master Chief Information Systems Technician. As career sailors progress above E-6, they take on increasingly supervisory and administrative roles involving the review and filing of reports and the oversight of communication security. IT detailers (the sailors who decide where all ITs in the Navy are assigned) recommend that beyond normal duties, ITs get warfare qualifications whenever possible to make them more competitive with their peers. Think that working in IT means youll stay in an air-conditioned server room, far away from the ocean? Detailers also emphasize that ITs must do their fair share of sea duty - alternating between three years onshore and three to four years on a ship. The good news is, youll see the world. With a well-rounded career and the right Navy-funded certifications, IT sailors can also get a big head start on lucrative post-military careers. For a list of civilian job suggestions, check out the Navy COOL site, or the Military Skills Translator.

15 must-haves to keep in your work bag at all times

15 must-haves to keep in your work bag at all times15 must-haves to keep in your work bag at all timesFrom sudden spills to bathroom blunders, you never know whats going to come your way at work. Hopefully, youve got the right bag with mora than enough room for anything and everything you might need at a moments notice. If youre looking to fill the space in that beautiful purse of yours, consider adding unterstellung 15 items so you can handle any situation at work like a boss.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more1. PottymintsIf you work in an office with a multi-person bathroom, then these are a must-have (though theyre great for individual bathrooms, too). Pottymints are little tablets that you can drop in the toilet to help eliminate any odor that may result from, well, going to the bathroom. So for those days when Taco Tuesday just doesnt sit well with your stomach, a Pottymint i s a must-have.2. PenIt might sound obvious, but you never know when youre going to need to write something down. Plus, if your boss ever asks for a pen, youll be able to lend it to her ASAP, which could help you stand out among the crowd. Even better, pens can be used for so many things, including opening a package and holding your hair in a bun.3. FlossThat salad you plan to eat for lunch sounds delicious, but getting spinach stuck in your teeth right before that pitch meeting does not. Dont let that little speck distract from what you have to say at work. Hopefully, your coworkers will be honest with you and let you know that theres something in your teeth. And when they do, be prepared with dental floss.4. A Dryer SheetDryer sheets can do so much more than soften your laundry. Keep one in your work bag in case you ever need to remove deodorant marks or pet hair from a dark colored shirt, wipe down your computer or phone screen, repel insects, tame static or just make your bag sme ll wonderful. Trust us, youll be happy you have one with you at the office.5. TissuesWeve all been there You go to the bathroom only to find that theres no toilet paper left. Tissues to the rescue Theyre also important for when your allergies act up, you spill something on your outfit or you need to fix your makeup before a big meeting.6. Hand SanitizerLike tissues, hand sanitizer can be a lifesaver when the bathrooms out of soap. Plus, between your commutes to work and the very public, very germ-coated office water cooler, its smart to carry hand sanitizer at all times to help reduce your risk of catching or spreading a cold. Your immune system will thank you.7. Portable ChargerWhether you use your cell phone for work calls or just need to tackle a few personal things at the office, your battery can die pretty quickly. Dont risk your phone going dark on you when you need it most - carry a portable charger. If you dont have one that can be plugged into your computer or an outlet,ke epa car charger in your vehicle so you can juice up during that lunch run.8. geschftliches miteinander CardsWhile you probably dont need to hand a coworker a business card at work, you never know whom you might meet on your commute or during a client meeting. You might even want one for happy hour with your work wife in case you cross paths with your future mentor or boss at the bar. (It could happen) Having a stack of business cards in your purse is a no-brainer.9. CashIf you work in an office with other people, chances are youre going to need cash at some point or another. Maybe its to pay someone back for grabbing you a coffee or to chip in for a retirement giftstoff for your boss. With all of theamazing credit card rewardsout there these days, its so easy to want to swipe for everything to rack up those miles. Unfortunately, you cant swipe for those Girl Scout cookies that your coworker is selling. Even if its just $20, youre better off having a little cash on hand than none at all.10. Breath Mints Or Mint GumWe love our morning lattes, but the coffee breath that comes with them? Not so much. Breath mints or mint gum are a must for freshening up before that meeting. Plus, mint-flavored candies can helprelieve gas and indigestionwhen lunch just doesnt go your way.11. Sewing KitOne of the worst things that can happen at work? You lose a button on your blouse, find a hole in your skirt or break a zipper on your pants. A sewing kit is a must for fixing each of these situations. Grab a travel-sized kit that can fit in your work bag, butmakeskoranvers it comes with a needle and thread, buttons and safety pins. Bonus if it has fashion tape, too12. Lip BalmAnother seemingly obvious one, lip balm is great for those moments when your lips are chapped. However, lip balm can be used for so many other things. Rub some on your hands if youre out of lotion, tame unruly eyebrows or flyaway hairs with it, apply a little to a zipper if it gets stuck orpreventblisters from t hose new pumps by putting a little lip balm on your ankles.13. LotionDry skin is never fun. Whether its on your hands, arms or legs, moisturized skin will always look and feel more professional. Keep lotion in your work bag and apply it before shaking someones hand (make sure it dries first, though) or use it to freshen up when it seems like your deodorant just isnt working as well as it should. But be careful with the fragrance - no one wants theentireoffice to smell like passionfruit and banana flower.14. Nail File Or ClippersA good, old-fashioned nail file or pair of nail clippers can come in handy when you accidentally break a nail or need to smooth a rough edge. A quick touch-up can also help your fingers look more professional when shaking hands with someone at the office. Even better, both can be used to cut a loose string from a shirt or skirt. Whatever you use a nail file or clippers for, just be sure to do it in the bathroom so you dont bother your coworkers with the soun d.15. Stain Removal WipesSpilling a little coffee on a white blouse is the worst. But with a stain remover wipe, youll look squeaky clean before that morning meeting. Keep a few in your work bag at all times so you never have to worry about one little spot ruining your entire day.While these items are our must-haves, carry whatever you need to put your best foot forward every day. Just be sure to arm yourself with a work bag that can carry it all and youll feel confident no matter what the situation.This article first appeared on Swirled.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Will unions come to Silicon Valleys well-paid workforce

Will unions come to Silicon Valleys well-paid workforceWill unions come to Silicon Valleys well-paid workforceNo American tech giant like Facebook or Google has formally unionized, but a recent Quartz feature has argued that this is a near future that may happen.Interviewing two grassroots activists groups, Tech Workers Coalition and Tech Solidarity, the author, Michael J. Coren, found that unionizing had been on itsmembers mind. Tech Solidaritys founder Maciej Ceglowski told Quartz explicitly that collective action, one of the tenets of unions, was the goal of the group, which has hundreds of members attending its weekly meetings. With their unique skills and internal knowledge, tech workers are in high demand, and ansicht activists groups believe that tech workersgreatest organizing power is when they threaten to walk out the door.This got us thinking what would unionization really change for Silicon Valley?What Silicon Valley wants More political powerThere are several classes of workers in the tech world. The largest is contractors, like security guards and janitors, who successfully unionized. Higherwages and benefits are what drove the unionization campaign for tech contractors. In January, 3,000 security officers for Facebook, Cisco and Genentech won recognition as members of Service Employees grenzberschreitend Union-United Service Workers West. This followed successful SEIU-USWW negotiationsfor other tech contractors like shuttle bus drivers and janitors.But for tech workers like engineers and managers, who have some of the highest-paid jobsand thebest company perks, money and benefits are notlage the motivating appeal of a union. Instead, political involvement is the driver.After the Muslim travel ban was proposed by the White House, these activist groups were motivated by the power of collective action toget more political power and change tech companies ethical bottom lines. A senior Oracle employee resigned after his CEOjoined President Donald Trum ps transition team, and an IBM employeequit after the presidents proposed Muslim ban.And no wonder immigration is an issue very close to Silicon Valley. The tech industry is one of the greatest sponsors of H-1B visas for talented workers from other countries. Thats why tech leaders including Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Marissa Mayer started Fwd.us, a politically active group dedicated to fixing immigration and criminal justice reform.As always, though, the interests of workers and managers are not always aligned.H-1B visas for foreign workers are the flashpointOne of the reasons why these major tech companies have yet to unionize is that it would end the disruptive culture many Silicon Valley startups say they need to innovate. Facebook, for example, was founded on a culture of move fast and break things. That includes a work culture that would be anathema to unions long hours, for one thing.Intel co-founder Robert Noyce warned that remaining non-union is essential for survival for most of our companies. If we had the work rules that unionized companies have, wed all go out of business. Noyce believed that unions caused deep, deep divisions be-tween workers and management which can paralyze action, an unwanted outcome when venture capitalists funding startups want results yesterday.And so previous attempts at unionizing at Silicon Valley companies have failed. In 1982 and 1983, Atari workers failed to unionize. Unions pesky demands for better wagesare seen as efforts todrive up operating costs, which is why certain unionization campaigns face hostility. Similarly, IBM workers created a union-like group called AllianceIBM, but the company disavows the existence of any unions. About six months after an Apple employee tried to unionize its retail workers, certain Apple managers were made to receive union awareness training.In 2002, Professor Alan Hyde wrote a paper on organizing laborin Silicon Valley, and suggested that uniting under ethnic or gend er lines at individual companies could be the path forward to unionization.Organized labor groups might well conclude that its future lies with newer immigrants rather than with older IT professionals who never affiliated with labor organizations . Could the ethnic pride and energy of Silicon Valleys immigrant communities fuel successful organizing for programmers, as it has for janitors?Hyde may be on to something foreign workers have a lot to complain about in the tech world. bedrngnis only do existing employees reject the need for diversity, but critics of Silicon Valleys use of H-1B visas, cite the National Academy of Science report that says the tech industry loves the visas because they allow the companies to pay lower wages to foreign engineers.Either way, it look like Hyde was rightin his prediction about immigration providing the spark to light the fire towards some kind of unionization movement. After the White Houses executive order on immigration, 127 companies, includin g Apple, Google and Uber,signed an amicus brief opposing it, citing harm to their businesses as a reason The Ordermakes it moredifficult and expensive for U.S. companies to recruit, hire, and retain some of theworlds best employees. It disrupts ongoing business operations. And it threatenscompanies ability to attract talent, business, and investment to the United States.Whatever side of the debate youre on, theres no question that having a voice in the immigration debate is crucial for these companies and their workers. The only question is how Silicon Valley gets there - and whether companies are willing to trade off some cultural traditions like long workdays.