Robert Henry Thurston

Robert Henry Thurston Robert Henry Thurston Robert Henry Thurston One of the most well-known mechanical engineering professors and educators was Robert Henry Thurston (1839 1903). Growing up in Providence, RI, he attended prep school in the early 1840s and worked in the machine shop at his fathers steam engine manufacturing company, the first of its kind in the United States. After graduating Brown University with a degree in philosophy and a certificate in engineering, he joined his fathers company for a short time. He volunteered to serve in the Navy Engineering Corps during the Civil War and taught after the war at Annapolis. Taking some time off from teaching, he visited England and wrote articles about iron forging practices there. The articles impressed his editor, the first president of Stevens Institute of Technology, who hired Thurston as a mechanical engineering professor which lead to his creation of a new educational model and curricula for engineers. At the time, engineering education was very much a shop culture, where students with farm or mechanical skills learned how to make mechanical machines and components in wood shops, machine shops, and foundries. Thurston wrote articles about new models for engineering education based instead in science and mathematics, and published them widely. He presented his new curriculum to the U.S. State Department, visited Berlin for the 1873 Vienna Exposition where his articles were translated into German, and became the first ASME president in 1883 at age 41. Robert Henry Thurston excelled in steam engine technologies. In 1885 he submitted an entry for his educational models to the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, and impressed the panel judge who was the president of Cornell University. He was hired and served 18 years as the first director of Cornells Sibley College. Thurston created a college of engineering where fewer shop hours were required, transforming engineering study into one with a classroom culture with more laboratory testing and scientific principle-based classroom time. Introducing the novel idea that students should build upon work done in the classroom by testing theories in laboratories, he established the first ever mechanical engineering laboratory, giving first-hand experience combined with applied engineering aspects. His ideas for engineering education were widely adopted at other universities after the 1900s. Gary Lee Downey, a technological historian, says in his 2007 History and Technology paper, Thurston was an intellectual and institutional visionary whose creative initiatives made him a strategic agent in the stabilization of engineering formation in schools.As a savvy architect and advocate of school culture, he became an interesting and important figure in the emergence of engineering education in the United States. Cornell University still has Thurston Avenue as well as a collection of Thurstons model steam engines, his patented autographic testing machine, and viscosity-measuring instrument. The college of engineering still holds mechanical engineering courses in Thurston Hall and remembers him when traveling on Thurston Avenue on the campus. Thurston continued issuing publications, reports, and technical articles about steam engines, materials, and other topics, and was considered the countrys leading mechanical engineering educator at the time. Some say his greatest engineering accomplishment was providing the first English translation of the French Carnot Papers Reflections on the Motive Power of Heat, which established the Second Law of Thermodynamics, and made the papers accessible to audiences in the United States for the first time. Some still consider his translations the best available, providing a valuable link between international engineering and educational communities and the ASME. Debbie Sniderman is CEO of VI Ventures LLC, a technical consulting company. Introducing the novel idea that students should build upon work done in the classroom by testing theories in laboratories, he established the first ever mechanical engineering laboratory, giving first-hand experience combined with applied engineering aspects.

4 Tips for Overcoming the Generation Y Job Hurdle

4 Tips for Overcoming the Generation Y Job Hurdle 4 Tips for Overcoming the Generation Y Job Hurdle The job market is tough for just about everybody right now- but for so-called millennials, finding meaningful work can be particularly challenging. Just as with older workers, job seekers in Generation Y- defined roughly as those between the ages of 18 and 34- have a high unemployment rate (as high as 17 percent by some measures) and face a particular set of issues when it comes to getting a potential employer to say “yes.” Yet, members of Generation Y are change agents who are transforming the workplace, not only embracing flexible work options,  but often demanding them. If you’re a member of Generation Y, being aware of some of the misconceptions about the habits of younger workers, and working to combat them, may make your job search a bit easier. Eyes on the prize One common impression that some employers have of millennial job seekers is that they fall whim to technological distractions such as taking endless cell phone calls and even  texting during job interviews.  Dont let this be you! It seems obvious, but turning off all your devices and focusing on the real-life conversation at hand is tantamount to making a good impression during a job interview. The same rules apply once youve snagged a good job. Peaceful co-existence Often, the best work environments are those in which older and younger workers can come together, work (somewhat) harmoniously, and achieve goals while learning from one another. Not to confuse matters, but millennials represent only one of four generations who are potentially interacting in the workplace. Thinking of yourself as part of a whole, with a goal of achieving a larger mission, can help make plunging into the traditional job market more palatable. Dont sell yourself short Chances are, youve got a lot going for you as a potential employee. Dont be afraid to negotiate for what you think you deserve, even though todays highly competitive job market can make it tempting to say yes to any job offer. Be present when you show up for all stages of the hiring process, from the initial interview to the final salary and benefits negotiations. Embrace who you are Every generation brings seismic changes to the workplace and to society as a whole. A lot has been written about Gen Y workers (this article included!), but keep in mind that this is not your parents job market and this is not your parents workplace. Myths abound about millennials and the job market, but the reality is that they represent transformation, and in most cases, the push for greater work flexibility. Readers, tell us about your experiences as a Gen Y job seeker and what hurdles youve overcome!

Short-term Disability vs Temporary Disability Insurance

Short-term Disability vs Temporary Disability Insurance Short-term Disability vs Temporary Disability Insurance Worrying about life and whether or not your family will be secure if something happens to you? You are not alone. The good news is that a majority of employers offer employees either short-term disability insurance (SDI) or temporary disability insurance (TDI). These are financial products that provide a portion of your lost income if you become disabled and cannot work. There are also some employers that offer employees both types of coverage based on the industry in which they work. What are the differences between each type of insurance? We will discuss that, as well as the pros and cons of each type of insurance. What Is Short-Term Disability Insurance â€" SDI? There are quite a few companies that provide their employees with this type of insurance as part of their employee benefits package. There are also some people who purchase this insurance on their own, separate from their employment if not offered by their employers. The federal government does not provide workers with any SDI benefits through Social Security. Because of federal laws, employers are required to provide employees with some form of unpaid leave (such as a workers compensation leave or the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In simplest terms, a short-term disability insurance policy will pay you a portion of your salary after you use up all of your available sick days because of an illness or injury not suffered at work. Depending on the type of plan you have, you could be paid for up to 52 weeks. As with all types of insurance plans, short-term disability has its pros and cons. Pros of SDI: Covers employees who are injured or sickened outside of workPays a portion of employee’s incomeCan be purchased outside of work by employees who are not covered by employer plans Cons of SDI: Does not cover?  injuries or illnesses suffered at workDoes not pay the entire income of the employeeExpires after a set amount of time as defined by the planNot provided through Social Security by the Federal GovernmentDoes not take effect until the employee has used sick time What Is Temporary Disability Insurance â€" TDI? Some states require that employers offer temporary disability insurance to their employees. This type of insurance provides coverage to employees who have suffered an injury or illness outside of where they work and cannot perform their job duties because of it. Any injuries or illnesses suffered on the job are not covered by TDI, but instead by workers’ compensation benefits. TDI will also cover lengthy leaves of absence from work due to pregnancy and childbirth. A TDI policy will typically pay you up to 60 percent of your salary while out on leave for a period of three to six months. Should you still not be able to work after this time, you might be eligible for long-term disability benefits that can cover you for up to five years from an approved incident. Lets take a look at some of the pros and cons of temporary disability insurance.   Pros of TDI: Plans offered by employersThe insurance covers injuries and illnesses not suffered at workPays a portion of salary, typically 60 percentPayments are made for a period of three to six monthsCan take effect prior to activation of SDI policy benefits Cons of TDI: Plans do not last the length of illness or injury for some peopleThe policy does not cover anything suffered at workDoes not pay 100 percent of salaryWill expire, leading employee to apply for long-term disability benefits As you can see, there are some notable differences between short-term disability insurance and temporary disability insurance plans. Whether you are covered under these plans, all depends on what your employer offers. If your employer does not offer SDI, you could always purchase coverage yourself to provide peace of mind.

92Y Unit Supply Specialist Job

92Y Unit Supply Specialist Job 92Y Unit Supply Specialist Job The unit supply specialist is primarily responsible for supervising or performing tasks involving the general upkeep and maintenance of all Army supplies and equipment.   Duties of MOS 92Y This military occupational specialty (MOS) has a wide variety of duties, which include Receiving, inspecting, loading, segregating, and delivering installation supplies and equipment.Operating unit-level computersPreparing all unit and organizational supply documents.Maintaining automated supply system for accounting of organizational and installation supplies and equipment.Issuing and receiving small armsSecuring and controlling weapons and ammunition in security areasScheduling and performing preventive and organizational maintenance on weaponsCoordinating supply activitiesPosting transactions to organizational and installation property books and supporting transaction files Training Required for MOS 92Y Job training for a unit supply specialist requires ten weeks of Basic Combat Training and eight weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instructions. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field, including practice in handling and storing stock. Unit supply specialists learn the procedures for shipping, receiving, storing and issuing stock, as well as stock control and accounting procedures. They will manage the handling, movement, storage, and maintenance of ammunition, medical and food supplies. Requirements for MOS 92Y In order to qualify for MOS 92Y, recruits need to score at least a 90 on the Clerical segment of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. Theres no security clearance required for this position and no strength requirement.   In addition to the above requirements, a recruit must have  normal color vision, that is, no color-blindness. Additional Qualifications for MOS 92Y To qualify for a unit supply specialist, a recruit must be free of documented instances of conduct which reflects adversely on the character, honesty or integrity of the soldier within the previous five years. Your record must be free of conviction by court-martials or in any federal or state court, and free of any juvenile adjudications in state court. Youll also need to have a record that does not include any punishment under Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) caused by incidents that reflect adversely on the soldiers integrity and lack of trust. These disqualifications may be waived by a military review board. However, a conviction or other adverse disposition for criminal offenses listed as a misdemeanor or felony cannot be waived. In addition to the above requirements, there can be no other record of disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) or pattern of behavior that indicates a lack of integrity or that is inconsistent with the 92Y position of trust. Civilian Occupations Similar to MOS 92Y In the civilian sector, the Unit Supply Specialist can find their skills and talents valuable in such civilian jobs as supervisors or managers of office and administrative support workers; purchasing agents, purchasing managers, shipping, receiving and traffic clerks, stock clerks and order fillers, and wholesale and retail buyers.

Working the Angles

Working the Angles Working the Angles Working the Angles Part of what is so incredible about the body is all the angular twists and turns. While it can be awe-inspiring, it also makes it difficult for surgeons to perform surgery and limit scarring. You think of the nose, so many parts, you need to be able to work with difficult angles, says Robert Webster, associate professor of mechanical engineering and electrical engineering at Vanderbilt University. Weve been working on trying to make that an easier challenge. Needling Questions Focusing on needlescopic surgery in his career, with its microscopic incisions, the beginnings of his work go further back for Webster than one might guess. This work really started at grad school for me, says Webster, who also has secondary appointments at Vanderbilt Universitys medical school in otolaryngology, neurosurgery and urologic surgery. I had been working on actual needles. I was thinking about how we make needles to be used inside of soft tissue. How do we make them steer? Can we get them in open space in sinus cavities? Thats where the robot ultimately comes in. A bendable wrist with gripper. Image: Vanderbilt University His team created a curvature robot with tubes in which you telescope them or change their axial direction. By doing that, a tube works like a tentacle in that it can elongate and bend. The material they were using was Nitinol, but it had its limits in the way it was used. Weve worked on this for years but then you realize if you could make those tubes tighter then we could make them better for surgery, he says. The material limits so that you can only curve it so much until plastic deformation. We overcame this by selectively cutting the tube. We made cuts through the tip almost all the way through and that creates small hinges that help it bend. Surgeon Interface Webster says the work could be particularly helpful for sinus surgeries. When you think about all the nooks and crannies in the nose, thats the first application were looking at, he says. But longer term, you could be looking at procedures in the abdomen if using needlescopic tools for it. A future challenge will be the surgeon interface. We have the robot aspect pretty well built right now but we need to work on what we show visually, he says. What is the robot holding and [what will] make it ergonomic for remote control for the robot? The ultimate goal is to vastly improve what can be a difficult conversation. You look at what the doctors go through where they have to talk to the patient about cutting a hole in them and maybe not being able to guarantee that there wont be complications, he says. If we can make the conversation a more positive one, that would be an important outcome. Eric Butterman is an independent writer. Learn about the latest trends in bioengineering at ASMEs Global Congress onNanoEngineering for Medicine and Biology. For Further Discussion I was thinking about how we make needles to be used inside of soft tissue. How do we make them steer? Can we get them in open space in sinus cavities? That’s where the robot ultimately comes in.Prof. Robert Webster, Vanderbilt University

12 Ways to Stay Motivated During a Job Search

12 Ways to Stay Motivated During a Job Search 12 Ways to Stay Motivated During a Job Search Job seekers often start out with great amounts of energy, but this enthusiasm can wane if weeks pass without landing a desirable position. How can you stay motivated during a job search and the accompanying trying times? Here are 12 effective strategies to stay motivated during a job search: Start the morning on a high note by signing up to receive a daily motivational quote sent to your inbox. Alternately, search the Internet for a few you find inspiring and write them out on sticky notes to display throughout your home. (This Forbes article has some great ones.) Dress and groom every day to set a tone that you are a professional doing valuable tasks to further your career, not someone who is simply lounging around the house. Work out regularly to boost confidence in your appearance, clear the mind, and generate some feel-good endorphins. Indulge your inner gamer with HabitRPG, a fun app that rewards productive behavior (such as sending out a certain number of resumes) and issues consequences for procrastination. Join a community of fellow job seekers for extra support and accountability. Go out for coffee with a positive friend or two; freely exclude anyone who makes you feel bad about unemployment. Give yourself one day off a week from everything related to job searching and instead plan something fun. It needn’t be expensive; an outdoor picnic or a morning spent browsing magazines at the library can do the trick. You’ll come back feeling refreshed. Join a support group of others who are trying to find jobs. Fellow members will understand what you’re going through and also can be good sources of new ways to approach the hunt. Know a few friends who are going through a job search? Host a potluck in which everyone brings a dish- and some interesting leads- to share. Volunteer! Helping others can get your mind off your own troubles. You also open up the possibility of learning new skills and expanding your network. (A study by the Corporation for National and Community Service found that volunteers have a 27 percent higher likelihood of finding a job after being out of work than non-volunteers.) Take a class through a community college or park district. Having a regularly scheduled commitment will help your week take shape and broaden your horizons. Consider an online course, such as those offered for free by top universities through Coursera. You’ll keep your brain fresh, show employers that you’re a life-long learner, and have something new to talk about with friends. Create a Pinterest board (or a good old-fashioned bulletin board) reminding you of your dreams. With the hard work you’re putting in, they are bound to come true! Readers, what do you do to stay motivated during a job search? Which of the above strategies do you use? Share with us in the comment section below!

Customize this Outstanding Entry Level Photography Resume Template

Customize this Outstanding Entry Level Photography Resume Template Customize this Outstanding Entry Level Photography Resume Template Competition for positions in the photographic industry is strong, so a well-presented resume is crucial when looking to secure a job. Potential employers get their first impression of a candidate from a resume, making the document a chance to present your skills and experience in the best light.Photographers are often judged by their portfolios, so include a website or social media handle if it provides examples of your best work. Although a degree is not required, if you have formal photographic training or experience as a photographer through an internship or volunteer position, this can demonstrate to recruiters that you understand the equipment and technical skills required to become a good photographer.The entry-level photography resume sample below will help you capture all the important details to present yourself as the ideal employee. Create ResumeJackson Perez100 Main Street, Cityplace, CA, 91019(555) 322-7337 example-email@example.comSummaryWorked full time with the United States Army for the last 13 years, as a member of the Personnel division, but ended my time working in the logistics section. Have worked as with numerous photographers over the last few years working in all styles of photography. Passionate Photographer successful at capturing unique images that draw the viewer in. Always geared to accept the artistic challenge on all concepts and different types of subjects. HighlightsTraditional and digital printingSocial mediaLighting expertAdobe PhotoshopProactive approach to problem solvingFlexible creative approachMicrosoft Suite proficientProficient in Lightroom 4AccomplishmentsA Leader and Mentor of soldiers in the ArmyEarn numerous awards while in the ArmyWon a few photography contestExperienceLead PhotographerOctober 2008 to Current, RDL PhotographyHoning his skills in digital photography by attending class, workshops and assisting other photographers.Well versed in using Nikon brand cameras and looking to transition into CanonLogistics SupervisorAugust 2011 to February 2013, United States Army Savannah, GASecured the well being of the men and women that fell under my leadershipEnlisted in and around the military for over 20 years.Logistics SupervisorAugust 2006 to February 2011, United States Army Kaiserslauthern, GermanyWas responsible for moving cargo and personnel to and from locations in and out of Germany. TTraveled to and from Iraq with the military helping with the transport of vehicles and other assets of the mission in Iraq.EducationAssociate of Arts: Photography, 2015, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online Pittsburgh, PA, United StatesDigital Photography course Customize ResumeEntry Level Photography Resume Questions1. Whats the best format for a resume: PDF, MS Word, or txt?Like the writer of this entry level photography resume sample, you should do all you can to make your resume easy to access for hiring managers. PDF formatting may require printing, which defeats the purpose of electronic submission s. MS Word is common for most businesses (more so than txt), making this format the most convenient option for employers. Your resume has a better chance of consideration if you stick with MS Word.2. What goes in the header of an entry level photography resume?The header of your resume is where you provide your contact information. You can omit your mailing address (not much business contact happens by post), but you should list your name, email address, and the best phone number to reach you. You can also include any social media contact information, especially if it provides access to your portfolio, just like our entry level photography resume sample. The key to your contact information is staying professional. You do not want your email address or social media handles to be unusual or controversial because it could be a concern for a potential employer.3. How do you write a summary statement for an entry level photography resume?A summary statement generally replaces the objecti ve statement that used to grace the tops of resumes, but a resume objective may be more appropriate for an entry level position. The purpose of an objective statement is to give an employer your pitch for why you should get the job. It should be compelling enough to make someone want to continue to read the rest of your resume.You can use your resume objective to sell yourself even if you are not an experienced photographer, as in this entry level photography resume sample. Include some of your skills, what you want to gain from the position, any explanation of a career change, and how you can be an asset. The challenge is to keep it short, no more than three sentences or bullet points, to entice a recruiter to keep reading.4. What do you put on an entry level photography resume for your first job?Your work experience section may not be the longest, but that doesnt mean you are not qualified for an entry level photography position. Just like this entry level photography resume sampl e, you can include other experience, such as long-term volunteer opportunities, internships, and other activities that speak to your skill set and work ethic. You may also want to focus on any education related to photography, art, fashion, or design. If you have writers block, you can use our resume builder to effortlessly create a stand-out resume that gets you noticed.5. How do you list references on an entry level photography resume?Todays employers do not want to see your references on your resume, so you can leave out a reference section, like this entry level photography resume sample. With only one or two pages to sell yourself, you should not take up valuable room on your entry level photography resume talking about other people. You can prepare a separate page with your reference information and provide it at the request of a potential employer.More Art, Fashion, and Design Resume TemplatesPhotography Resume TemplatesExperienced Photography Resume TemplatesEntry Level Prod uct Design Resume TemplatesProduct Design Resume Templates