5 Tips to Help You Descend the Corporate Ladder Gracefully

5 Tips to Help You Descend the Corporate Ladder Gracefully 5 Tips to Help You Descend the Corporate Ladder Gracefully However, the problem with the current corporate career ladder is that it only goes one way. Sure, you can come down, but you cant just neatly climb your way back to the bottom. You either have to jump off without a parachute fall off, or be pushed off. In any case, you generally hit the ground with a nasty thud.Itdoesnt have to be this way, and thankfully, things arestarting to change.Cathy Benko, vice chairman and managing principal at Deloitte, has recently pioneered the termcareer lattices, which are posedas modern replacements for the one-way career ladder. In a career lattice, employees donthave to jump off the career ladder when they find they dont like their role. Instead, they can move left or right, up or down. In a carrer lattice, when individuals reach apoint of incompetence, burnout, or disinterest, they can gracefully move back down to a mora suitable role.Suchcareer flexibility is great, but we dont all work for Deloitte, and fruchtwein employers havent fully embraced or even heard of this concept just yet. This means that, if you are looking to descend the corporate ladder gracefully, youll most likely be the first to do so at your particular company. With that in mind,Id like to offer some tips on how you can climb down the ladder without falling to your doom.1. Be BraveTheres no hiding from it youll need to show some courage to abdicate yourlofty position. But, as soon as you have made your plan for change, youll gaina sense of direction. As you start ticking off some milestones, youll feel that you are progressing toward your goals. Youll be focused and galvanized, and the feelings of uncertainty will start to ebb away.2. Use Positive VisualizationResearch such as the book Creative Visualization byAlan Richardsonand this article by Catherine Chadwickshows that positive visualization the process of rehearsing, acting out, s eeing, and visualizing success in your mind can better prepare you to achieve goals. It can certainly help you achieve an especially difficult goal, such as climbing down a career ladder. Engage in positive visualization by visualizing what success might look like in 2-3 years and what youll do to achieve ultimate success next week, next month, next quarter, and so on. If you need help in engaging in positive visualization, just search the Internet. Youll find plenty of step-by-step guides.3. Speak to Your ManagerYour request to step down may take your manager by surprise, so its a good idea to arrange a meeting with themto explain your reasoning. You should alsoexplain what might happen if you dont make the change and why you think climbing down the corporate ladderwill benefit you, your manager, and your organization. The most attractive benefit, of course, is that you will be more engaged and effective.4.Try to Negotiate a Step-DownYou may want to speak to peers and coworkers an d explain your plans. You may find that you are able to negotiate a step-down in role within the organization. If your manager is on your side, they may be able to help you with this.5. Apply to the Open MarketIf the previous negotiation step fails, youll simply have to apply for suitable, more junior-level jobs within your companysinternal job market or the external job market overall.If you are going external, youll needto make acompelling case for your decision to seek a lower-level positionto potential new employers. In a situation like this,Ithink that using a recruiter can be especially beneficial.If you can convince the recruiter of your authenticity and the soundness of your decision, they can act as a powerful ally and fight for youwith skeptical corporate hiring teams.

Experts Convene for Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing Conference

Experts Convene for Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing Conference Experts Convene for Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing Conference Experts Convene for Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing ConferenceThe three-day ASMEs Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing conference program explored the critical challenges and opportunities associated with shale exploration, development and production. ASMEs inaugural conference on Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing brought industry and academic thought leaders from around the world together in San Diego in March.In opening the three-day conference, Tim Graves, operations director for ASMEs International Petroleum Technology Institute, explained that ASME was well qualified to host the event, saying from fluid and fracturing dynamics to piping and pumping technology, mechanical engineers stand at the center of the hydraulic fracturing revolution. Several speakers pointed out that the industrys success in rec overing unconventional shale gas in the U.S. has come despite low efficiency. With prices now very low, they said efficiency must improve, and they outlined a broad range of technologies and practices to help accomplish that. So today, in the Marcellus, which is the best gas play in North America, economically, more than 50 percent of the wells are not making money at todays pricing, said Jeff Meisenhelder, vice president, Unconventional Resurces, at Schlumberger, citing data from a 2014 study conducted by the consulting firm PCF Energy. I hope that is a little shocking to you guys. It was certainly a little shocking to me. Jeff Meisenhelder Meisenhelder presented data showing the same story for the Bakken Field. So, why is that? Well, Im going to argue that the reason for that is half the wells are either drilled in the wrong place laterally, landed in the wrong place vertically, or were completed inefficiently. Solutions, Meisenhelder said, lie in speeding drilling and recovery through good project and supply-side management, an integrated approach to appraisal, data-driven decision making, and technological advances made possible from material science, computer engineering and computer modeling. One example he cited is the use of computers to design drills, eliminating the need for test rigs. Other themes that emerged during the conference are the need to use interdisciplinary approaches to better understand the geology of drill sites, and the importance of better use of technology across all stages of the process. When you talk about maximizing unconventional asset value, the fruchtwein critical thing is to have a complete understanding of the reservoir, said Ruston Mody, vice president of Technology, Completions and Production at Baker Hughes. And you have to be smart and be effective in terms of using modern technology. Rustom Mody Mody cited several examples of new technology drill bits that combine different types of cutting e lements a rotary, steerable drilling system that permits better navigation and placement of the well bore while delivering smoother surfaces plugs using nano-materials that dissolve after use imaging technology to better plan stage spacing and sensors and fiber-optic systems that permit real-time, micro-seismic measurements. Meisenhelder described how new technology can drive better processes Five years ago we couldnt in a practical, software system that runs on a laptop, model the interaction between a hydraulic fracture and a plane of weakness in the rock or a natural fracture. Now we have tools so that we can take the DFM, the Discrete Fracture Network, from our geologists and plug it directly into our fracture simulator and we can actually run that whole process in two or three hours. Environmental concerns and efforts to lower costs and improve performance merged in several presentations on methods to reduce or eliminate the use of fresh water in hydraulic fracturing. Saty a Gupta, global business development director, Production Enhancement Technology, for Baker Hughes, reviewed systems that use filtration, reclamation, sea water, production water with additives, fluids that can be recycled, energized treatments and foams, alcohol, hydrocarbons and liquid CO2. Not all of discussion centered on proven techniques. Jeremy Dockter, co-founder and managing director at Expansion Energy, described a pre-commercial process using liquefied natural gas as a fracking fluid. Mark Zoback Mark Zoback, professor of geophysics at Stanford University, spoke of the importance of decreasing the risk of earthquakes by avoiding the injection of waste water near known faults. This is a schwierigkeit we understand and we know what to do about it, Zoback said, calling on the industry to be pro-active. Several speakers addressed global opportunities for hydraulic fracturing. Melissa kampfstark, managing director of Accentures Energy Industry Group, described facto rs that influence shale development in nine countries. She said that Argentina is moving fastest. But she said that development trends in Argentina, as well as Poland, Russia and Saudi Arabia, will be very dependent on the energy and fiscal policies of their governments. In China, Stark said there needs to be significant investment in technology, to drill in rock that is very different from shale in the U.S. In the U.K., as in much of Western Europe, a big factor impeding development, Stark pointed out, is the opposition of many non-governmental organizations. In both Australia and Mexico, she said there is significant competition from conventional oil, making shale development a lower priority. Melissa Stark Stark described other factors impacting shale development overseas availability of data, land access, infrastructure, and the skill level of local workforces. In terms of overall timing, this is still a very long play, closer to 10 years probably than five years, fo r this to really get going outside the U.S., Stark said. People have to be patient. There are going to be failures. And a lot of things need to be in place in all the markets. The Shale Development and Hydraulic Fracturing conference was part of the ASME Energy Forum, a multi-media series that explores technical aspects of a broad range of energy sources and related technologies. Plans for a follow-up conference in Texas in March 2015 are underway. Roger Torda, ASME Public Information

6 Ways to Pay the Bills When Pursuing Your Passion

6 Ways to Pay the Bills When Pursuing Your Passion6 Ways to Pay the Bills When Pursuing Your Passion As a child, you usually have big dreams of what youre going to be when you grow up a famous actor, a professional athlete, a beloved author. In certain cases, ansicht childhood dreams lead to well-paying, in-demand jobs - just ask doctors or police officers. But unfortunately, more often than not, you learn that if you want to pursue one of those shoot-for-the-moon dreams, itll take years of work before you can make a living off of it. Now, thats not to say that you should give up on any dream that wont make you instantly rich - but it does mean that you should figure out some ways to supplement your income so that you can support yourself.Thinking about taking the career path less traveled, but still want to bring in some cash? Consider these opportunities.Companies Hiring Uber , Lyft , Instacart & moreRidesharing apps havent just changed how we get around - theyve changed how we work. It used to be that there was a stigma - a shame, of sorts - in gigging on the side. However, with the rise of Uber and its countless part-time drivers, having a side hustle is seen as relatively commonplace nowadays, says Olga Mizrahi , instructor at UC Irvine and author of The Gig Is Up Thrive in the Gig Economy, Where Old Jobs are Obsolete and Freelancing is the Future .With a low barrier to entry, the ability to manage your own schedule and potential to earn bonuses, many people looking to supplement their income turn to ridesharing as a flexible, easy way to bring in cash - oftenbetween $14 and $16 an hour.Companies Hiring VIPKID , 51Talk , Kaplan & moreWant to work on your own time from the comfort of your own home? Consider becoming an online tutor Youll need to be a master in whatever subject youre teaching as well as have a lot of patience and excellent communication skills, but its easy to set your own schedule as long as you meet the re quired hours per week. The rest of the time you can spend pursuing your craft, whether that means going to auditions, writing or pitching investors. As a bonus, this is also one of the higher-paying side gigs available - online tutors report earning $17 $18 per hour or more.Companies Hiring Generation 180 , WebpageFX , Zicasso & moreIf you already have some experience under your belt, there is plenty of freelancework available in fields like copywriting, web design, graphic design and more, making it an especially good option for those hoping to become writers or artists. You can work for a company in-house on a part-time or full-time basis, or even start your own business. TakeGarrett Calcaterra,an emergingscience fiction and fantasy author.I make money as a freelance writer, mostly writing and editing marketing material for clients. It can be lucrative, but like any freelance business, you need to build up your portfolio to land good clients, Calcaterra advises. Freelance writing can pay in the $20 $50/hour range, if youre efficient and youre only taking on reasonable projects.His advice for building your own business? Know your craft, present yourself professionally and build a strong portfolio.Companies Hiring Wag , Barkly Pets , NYC Pooch & moreWant to hang out with animals, get fit and most importantly, get paid? Then look no further. Becoming a dog walker and/or pet sitter has never been easier thanks to on-demand apps like Wag and Rover. If you pass their screening and interview processes, all it takes is a internetfhiges mobiltelefon to find opportunities to walk dogs on demand for around $16 to $20 per hour. You can also sign up toboard animals at your own home or sit for them at somebody elses. And of course, there are plenty of offline dog walking, grooming and pet sitting companies to choose from as well.Companies Hiring Taskrabbit , Fiverr , Thumbtack & moreIf youre a multitalented individual up for any sort of adventure, try looking for available gigs on platforms like Taskrabbit, Fiverr and Thumbtack where you could be asked to do anything from help somebody move out of their current place to revamp their online dating profile. To get a job like this, list as many specific skills and abilities as you can Also, if you have your own tools, supplies, laptop, etc., be sure to say so, Mizrahi says. The faster you respond, the better On some platforms, youre required to reply within 30 minutes or risk losing the gig. So, keep your phone handy and be ready to reply right away.Companies Hiring Starbucks , REI , In-N-Out & moreTheres a reason why roles like barista, sales associate and server are commonly associated with people pursuing their passion - they offer incredibly flexible schedules, often part-time, freeing up plenty of time to work on your side hustle. Some part-time roles even offer benefits, so you could get perks like health insurance, tuition reimbursement and paid time off without working 40 hours a week. Theres a wide range of jobs out there, so just keep your eyes peeled for roles that look right for you