ASME to Recognize James Thomas at the 2015 Honors Assembly

ASME to Recognize James Thomas at the 2015 Honors Assembly ASME to Recognize James Thomas at the 2015 Honors Assembly ASME to Recognize James Thomas at the 2015 Honors AssemblyJames A. Thomas, president of the standards organization ASTM International, will be honored by ASME at the 2015 Honors Assembly for his outstanding work in standards development. Thomas is among nine engineering innovators who will be recognized during the ceremony, to be held Nov. 16 during the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition in Houston, Texas.Thomas will receive the ASME Melvin R. Green Codes and Standards Medal, which honors the memory and extraordinary contributions of Melvin R. Green, a devoted supporter of industrial standards and a longtime ASME employee. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the development, promulgation or management of documents, objects or devices used in ASME programs of technical codification, standardization and conformity assessment. Thomas is being recognized for his extraordinary leadership, and achievements on multiple fronts, to ensure voluntary consensus standards developed by ASTM and ASME continue to be afforded ritterlich treatment as international standards under the World Trade Organizations Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement. His efforts have helped facilitate the ability for national regulatory authorities and global industries to select ASME standards as their standard of choice. During his more than 40-year career with ASTM, Thomas has contributed to the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade, and foster consumer confidence. Although he joined ASTM International in 1972 without a background in standards and only two years of college, Thomas went on to earn a bachelors degree in industrial relations from La Salle University in Philadelphia with the assistance of ASTMs tuition reimbursem ent program. He progressed through the ranks of the organization, from staff manager in the standards development division, to vice president of standards development, and eventually to the position of executive vice president in 1987. Two years after receiving a masters degree in organization and management from La Salle, Thomas was named president of ASTM in 1992. In this role, he worked diligently to establish ASTM and other major U.S. based standards organizations as a major force within the international standards community.The ASME Foundation is the proud supporter of the ASME Honors and Awards program through the management of award endowment funds set up by individuals, corporations or groups. For more information on the special events scheduled to take place at the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, visit www.asmeconferences.org/Congress2015.

5 Worlds Poorest Countries

5 Worlds Poorest Countries5 Worlds Poorest CountriesThis list is based on a level of poverty, hunger and other factors. Countries mentioned below are the toughest to live in and its residents have serious problems to live from one day to another.5. LiberiaThis country is located at the west of Africa continent. It is surrounded by Sierra Leone from west, Guinea from north and Ivory Coast from east. Liberias population is around 4 million people and its nationalstaatal language is English. Liberia used to be colonised in 1822 by American Colonisation Society.Liberias poverty is caused by its 14-year civil war. This war officially ended in 2003 and the country is leise not fully recovered. Crime rate is sky high, rapes and murders happen too often. Around 80% of Liberias population lives from $1.25 a day, which makes more than a half of the population food-insecure.4. NigerNiger is the biggest country of Western Africa, although 80% of its area is covered by Sahara desert. It has popul ation over 17 million people with mostly Islamic religion.52% of Nigerians are under 15 years of age and 84% live in rural areas. Its economy depends mostly on agriculture, even though Nigerian government receives money from extraction of uranium, gold and oil as well. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with less than $2 a day for its residents.3. Central African RepublicCAR is bordered by Chad, Sudan,South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo. Its population is estimated around 5 million. In the late 19th century, CAR was colonised by France until the 1960. After that it was ruled by several autocratic leaders. In 1993 CAR had the first democratic elections, but it lead to wars between muslim and christian religions.War had caused mass displacement of population and contributed to economical and political crisis in this country. Despite its rich deposits of gold, uranium and oil CARs economy struggles and brings its country to poverty, hunger an d other significant problems.2. BurundiThis small landlocked country is sometimes considered as a part of Central Africa. It is surrounded by Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although this country is landlocked, it has a significant water source on its southwest thanks to the Lake Tanganyika. Burundi was colonised by Germany, but after the WW I it became one of the Belgiums colonies.Burundi has the lowest per capita GDPs of any nation in the world. Suffering from war, poor education and corruption, it has high emigration level, since young people try to find opportunities elsewhere. According to Global Hunger Index, this country is the hungriest nation in the world.1.MalawiThis country is nicknamed The Warm Heart of Africa. It is located in south east of Africa continent. It is bordered by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. The country has access to the Lake Malawi on the northeast. It is one of the smallest countries in Africa, ? of this nation is occupied by La ke Malawi. Population of this nation is roughly 17 million.Malawis economy is heavily based on agriculture, with a largely rural population. This country has high rate of HIV/AIDS infected population, which is related to high rate of infant mortality and low life expectancy.Source ruralpovertyportal.orgShare Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments

Customize this Outstanding Accounting Manager Resume 3

Customize this Outstanding Accounting Manager Resume 3Customize this Outstanding Accounting Manager Resume 3Sample Accounting Manager ResumeCreate Resume EXPERIENCEAccounting Manager-Cardiovascular Biotherapeutics Inc, Las Vegas, NV03/05-CurrentSEC ReportingPrepares and files periodic reports (10-Q, 10-K, 8-K, etc) with the SECPrepare and write the Managements Discussion and Analysis of results of operations and financial condition (MDA) including footnotes.Prepare quarterly and annual financial statements balance sheets, income statements, cash flows, and related footnotes and supporting materials including fixed assets, in accordance with GAAP and SEC rules and regulationsPreparation of financial statements, other financial schedules and supporting schedules needed to file proxies and registration statements with the SEC Day-to-Day AccountingSupervising and managing an accounting department that currently includes six employees and is expected to grow. Ensure the proper and conti nuous flow of day to day activities including month-end close, journal entries, account reconciliation and analysis for various balance sheet and income statement accounts and bank reconciliations.Review non-routine journal entries.Perform and review employees and consultants payroll and oversee the issuance of 1099/1042 forms at the year-end.Liaise with the legal department for the stock options/warrants issued and monitor the financial implications of employee/consultant agreements, benefit plans and stock option grants. Perform the FAS123(R) calculation on the stock options/warrants for stock compensation reporting. Debt Covenants Provide on monthly basis financial information and supporting schedules needed to complete compliance analyses of the companys various debt covenants.Calculate the monthly interest on the notes to be paid in cash/shares on a quarterly basis. Perform the FAS133 derivative calculation on the notes converted, interest payments made and options exercised by non employeesInternal Management Reporting and Budgeting Ensures timely preparation of management reports for month-end close and include recommendations regarding findings to the companys management Perform accounting financial objectives by forecasting requirements preparing an annual budget scheduling expenditures analyzing variances and initiating corrective actions Internal Controls Responsible for maintaining a ordnungsprinzip of internal controls that is Sarbanes-Oxley compliant.Interface directly with the companys audit committee regarding financial reporting, governance and internal control matters.Monitor and maintain the internal controls of the accounting system to ensure that the financial position of the company is properly reflected. Monitor accounting department policies and procedures and recommend improvements.Other dutiesSuccessfully converted general ledger system from QuickBooks to Net suite Accounting, entirely redesigned accounting system with budgeting units , reporting formats, and controls. Senior Accountant Metrocities Mortgage Inc, Sherman Oaks, CA11/02-03/05Reconciliation/preparation of the branches financial statements ABAs (Affiliated Business Arrangements) on a monthly basis and consolidate them at the year end.Responsibilities included preparation of the monthly PL and forecasts, monthly flash reports, quarterly forecasts and annual plans.Analyzed and researched the expense variance on a monthly basis for each geschftliches miteinander unit/branches, reviewed unusual cost records and ensured the cost data is allocated correctly. Also assisted in performing monthly analysis of corporate inter-company balances. Reconciled detailed general ledger accounts in relation to the individual profit-centers and reconciled Members Capital, Partnership Distribution and Income Distribution against the general ledger.Analyzed and prepared the indirect cost expense on a monthly basis for each business unit, branches and corporate.Proactively interacted with various departments throughout the organization (including the Lending and Deposits dept.) to provide information necessary to assist in their decision-making processes.Staff Accountant Sunwest Mortgage Inc, Cerritos, CA04/00-10/02 Duties included preparation of monthly financial statements for the corporate the branches.Oversee monthly general ledger management, e.g., reviewed bank reconciliation, sub ledger reconciliation and other monthly closing procedures including inter-company balance reconciliation and month end closing entries.Other duties included preparing journal entries for commissions accruals, rent allocation appraisal expenses accruals, reclasses of income expenses. Reconciled inventory count data from the warehouse team versus inventory data from the accounting system. Performed inventory discrepancy analysis and ensured proper processes are in place to protect risk exposure.Managed daily cash flow forecasts. Coordinated with accounts payable and the cash management group to determine the needs and availability of cash. Functioned as the liaison between the organization and financial institutions.Accounting Associate Computer Resolutions, Lakewood, CA04/99-03/00Responsible for the timely issuance of the companys monthly and year-end financial statements to the management, lending institution and other specific vendors.Duties included handling accounts receivables/payables, daily bank deposits reconciliations and budget preparations.Accounts receivables payables included accounts reconciliation of customers/vendors, billing, collections maintenance of A/R A/P reports, processing expenses vendor payables.Other duties included cash management, monthly bank reconciliation, preparing of 1099s at year-endResponsible for assisting with wire transfers. This included vouchering and applying the manual wire payment in Quickbooks.Staff Accountant Prime Broking Company (India) Ltd, Bombay INDIA05/01-03/99Responsibilities includ ed preparation of financial statements and review of the general ledger for audit purpose.Meet deadlines included month, quarter and year end close duties, forecasting, budgeting, and sales tax reporting.Oversee the companys accounting operations, helped to implement systems to automate processes wherever possible. Supervised staff accountants to ensure the proper processes are being followed, journal entries posted are accurate by reviewing work and providing feedback to ensure the process is running efficiently.EDUCATIONPursuing MBA in Finance Devrys Keller Graduate School of Management (Class of 2008) BS in Accounting Finance University of Phoenix BS in Accounting Finance University of Bombay, INDIACertified Tax Preparer H R Block, California (1999-2002) Nevada State (2006)COMPUTER SKILLS Knowledge of Accounting packages such Net suite Accounting, JD Edwards, SBT Accounting QuickBooks, Data Track, Mortgage on line (MOL), Windows 2000 Microsoft Word, ExcelCustomize Resu me

Top 10 Job Interview Questions

Top 10 Job Interview QuestionsTop 10 Job Interview QuestionsWhether youre a first-time interview newbie or a well-seasoned pro, striking up a meaningful dialog with a potential employer in the interview room is a critical skill. A dynamic, infassonative and fluid back and forth conversation can mean the difference between the corporate version of a Dear John letter and landing that coveted call back or job offer.One of the favorite interview formats of hiring managers far and wide is the QA session with potential job hopefuls. As they say, preparation is the key to success. With that in mind, here are the top ten job interview questions and a little bit of helpful answer-ific advice. Tell Me About YourselfWhen it comes to interview questions, this one is about as guaranteed as the sun rising and setting or the weekly news story about a politician getting caught up in scandal. Expect to be asked some variation of the tell me more question in nearly every interview.Just because the que stion is phrase generically, however, doesnt mean your answer should be as unfocused. Stick to specific personality, academic and professional experiences and qualities that match the job description to really impress. Why Are You interested in This fleck?When this question inevitably comes up in your job interview we implore you to refrain from rolling your eyes in exasperation. I mean sure, you may want to sarcastically reply because I need money to eat as a knee-jerk reaction, but that certainly wont score you any bonus points with would-be employers. Focus on the companys qualities and characteristics or the specific aspects of the roll that make the position appealing. A good dose of enthusiasm here will certainly go a long way in showing youre interested in more than just a paycheck. Tell Me About Your StrengthsBeing asked to name our strengths often reminds us of some distorted version of those old dating game television shows. Whatever you do, however, avoid mentioning your rock hard abs, love of long walks on the beach and keen surfing abilities to your interviewer.Instead, focus on the qualities that others would point out or that you often receive praise for, professionally. If behauptung traits will be backed up by your professional references or recommendations further down the hiring process, then even better. Tell Me About Your WeaknessesEvery positive must have a negative and this interview question gets right to the heart of the age-old yin and yang equation. Instead of randomly naming off your areas of improvement, try to focus on traits that you hold in excess for a more positive spin. Characteristics such as becoming too engrossed in work, not knowing when to quit on a topic or needing to learn how to be less independent and call in co-worker reinforcement all paint a positive picture if and when you learn to quell your initial reaction presumably under the guidance of your new employer. Why Did You Leave Your Last Position?Our advice for this question is less about what to do and more about what to avoid at all costs. Whatever you do, avoiding bad mouthing your current or past employers. Sure, management may have been awful and working conditions so poor theyd give third world countries a run for their money. Regardless of how awful they may have been, no employer is going to want to hire someone seems disloyal or could potentially ruin their companys reputation down the line. Tell Me About a Time WhenAn open-ended question that is likely to appear in a number of iterations the tell me about a time query is an interviewers way of assessing your critical thinking and analytical skills. Consider here that your exact answer is less important than the reason you chose your given story. Analytical skills are on display so be sure to fully illustrate the problem and ultimate resolution for full credit. Tell Me About Your QualificationsTo the unsuspecting candidate, this may seem to be similar to the general topics and que ries weve already addressed above. In reality, asking about your qualifications is a specific chance to show your interviewer that youve come prepared and ready to shine. Use points from the job description and specific skills, experiences and qualifications. Focus on particularity and youll win the hiring manager over for sure. What Are Your Compensation Requirements?In contrast to some of the other questions on our top ten list, here is an area where it may pay to be vague, at least initially. If youre asked about your expectations in the form of salary, hedging is your best bet. Statements such as, if the job is a good fit I would be flexible or commensurate with my experience and skills are always acceptable in the initial interview stages. How Long Did You Work At?This is a bit of a red herring when it comes to interview question advice. If the interviewer is asking this question, it may mean its time to give your resume a quick once-over. The Job history portion or your CV sho uld clearly spell out prior positions along with relevant job duties and specific start and end dates. Providing this at the outset enables both the interviewer and interviewee to get down to brass tacks much quicker. Do You Have Any Questions?Last, but most certainly not least, is the all-important, will be asked, and should never be answered with NO, do you have any questions, question. Prospective employers use this quizzing tactic in a variety of scenarios. From filling the gaps in an otherwise stilted conversation to politely wrapping up an interview, candidates should be prepped with a host of relevant and meaningful questions to help turn the tables. Weve devoted quite a bit of time to this topic, but key queries here include asking for information regarding next steps, company culture and measures of success in the position. Have your questions prepared and there will always be an ace up your sleeve to help set you well on your way to scoring that job of your dreams.

What You Need to Do About Dental Assistant Resume Sample Beginning in the Next Nine Minutes

What You Need to Do About Dental Assistant Resume Sample Beginning in the Next Nine Minutes The Advantages of Dental Assistant Resume Sample Below is a good example of a professionally created dental assistant resume, which you may use as a template to make yours and boost your odds of finding the job. Dental assistants must maintain a professional look and demeanor in any way times. Part of the challenge of locating jobs as a Dental Assistant is being aware of what to do throughout the approach. Being he isnt a very conventional career choice. A quick statement explaining what you are searching for professionally. Even if youre on the lookout for your very first dental assistant job, it is possible to still emphasize the essential skills youve gained in different fields. If youre trying to turn into a dental assistant, youre want to look to your resume first. If you ought to be attempting to develop into a dental assistant, you might need to go to your restart first. Show yo ure interested in receiving the job (should you do) Nowadays you have a do the work einstellungsgesprch scheduled. Going to the task interview could possibly be tense position for many. A good sample dental assistant resume will place some emphasis on such individuals capacity to create the consumers feel at ease. Everyone values accuracy and competence, regardless of what job youre applying for. Hands-on skills cannot be learned online, and based on which state you are living in, only the theoretical portion of your education can be done online or none in any way. Quite simply, you can depend on me to have the required understanding, skills, and abilities, and a full comprehension of all security and procedural guidelines that has to be followed in a dental clinic. Perhaps even though trying to locate examples you observed poor samples throughout the web. How to select the best resume format. Locate a resume template which suits your taste. Things You Wont Like About Dent al Assistant Resume Sample and Things You Will Resume cover letter is a significant portion of an expert communication. Whenever your profile is completed, you are going to have access to the Resume Contractor. You would have to compose a CV instead. For that reason, its understandable that there might be a deficiency of information when it regards writing CVs for work. Dental Assistant Resume Sample at a Glance Some elements of your job could be of more value to an employer than you may think. Youre able to learn a good deal about the business from job descriptions and specifications for various jobs, not just the job that you are applying for. Learn the best method to present your understanding and skills to possible employers to ensure youre the very best candidate for the job. Insert policy to keep you afloat if youre injured at work. fruchtwein Noticeable Dental Assistant Resume Sample Most individuals are contemplating exactly how to become a dental hygienist since i n a dental practitioner clinic enables everyone to appreciate an awesome income and also have a lot of job chances. Finally, think about the kind of dental clinic youre applying for. Normally, dentists see over 1,000 patients every calendar year, with a mean of 63 patients each week. The dentist want to see which areas of dentistry or clinic operations youre already familiarized with. What Does Dental Assistant Resume Sample Mean? If youre pursuing a dental assistant career or you want to modify your present career, make sure to be fully prepared at the very start. Youre able to list any honors which you can have graduated with, but dont include your GPA unless you graduated recently. Professional career targets. If you want to turn into a dental assistant, your very first step is to find out more about dental assistant schools and what skills youre able to gain in their training programs. Half of your general final grade is dependent on your clinical evaluations. Because you might have multiple certifications for a dental career, you might rather create another section for your certifications. States have different requirements-some require formal training, even when you have experience, while some dont. Including your professional memberships in their very own section is a great way to showcase experiences that werent connected to your education.5. In regard to CNA classes, online services supply you with all the required knowledge that will help you ace the written portion of the certification exam, and a number of the far better programs out there even offer students chances to acquire practical clinical experience although not from home, obviously.

Hire Tough, Manage Easy and 25 Other Workplace Truisms

Hire Tough, Manage Easy and 25 Other Workplace Truisms Truism, according to Merriam Websters dictionary, is an undoubted or self-evident truth. We have all heard plenty of truisms before, havent we? Experience is the best teacher. You cant win them all. Practice makes perfect. The list goes on and on and on. There are truisms for project managers, truisms for campus life, truisms for social media and Gen Yers there are even those for pregnancy. With the range of clever sayings and life truths it is only fitting there be a set of truisms for the work environment. Take a look at a list of 25 workplace truismsa compilation of both humorous and serious truths.People dont leave jobs, they leave managers.When you dont know what to do, walk fast and look worried.Anger is never about the thing you think youre angry about.If youre miserable, quit your job and do something else. If youre still miserable, it s you.Success is based on current behavior, leid past performance.No one gets sick on Wednesdays.People wont perform for those they dont respect.The workplace is about business, not you.If it wasnt for the last minute, nothing would get done.If youre not passionate about what youre doing, you wont be successful at it.The customer isnt always right, but hes still the customer.The longer the title, the less important the job.Confidence comes from success, knowledge comes from failure. Experience is the combination of both.All vacations and holidays create problems, except for ones own.Dont jump ship before you hit the iceberg.Its not what you say its how you say it.Stay away from office romances. They always go wrong.There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but there is always enough time to do it over.The CEOs secretary is almost as powerful as the CEO.If you are good, you will be assigned all the work. If you are really good, you will get out of it.The boss isnt alw ays right, but shes still the boss.You are always doing something marginal when your boss drops by.Dont gossip. The coffee machine is a minefield in the workplace.You can go anywhere you want if you look serious and carry a clipboard.Hire for attitude and train for competence.Have you heard mora office truisms than the ones mentioned? Or do you have your own? Share your truths below

The 5 best ways to build an emergency fund

The 5 best ways to build an emergency fundThe 5 best ways to build an emergency fundMaking ends meet while also trying to scrimp together savings for college, a house or retirement let alone a luxury such as a vacation or big-screen TV can be daunting. But there is one savings goal you should not ignore an emergency fund.This cash set aside for unexpected emergencies such as a job loss, major auto repair or medical crisis, is crucial tofinancial security.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreRainy days come for everyone, whether its a broken tail light, a leaky roof or needing to take a week off work to fight the flu, says Allie Vered, director of theAmerica Savescampaign at Consumer Federation of America. Maintaining an emergency savings account may be the most important difference between those who manage to stay afloat and those who sink in debt.According to the Federal ReservesR eport on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2016, 44 percent of adults say they couldnt cover an emergency expense costing $400 without borrowing money or selling something.As little as $500 could help you through a financial squeeze, but ideally an emergency fund should cover several months to a years worth of living expenses. While that may seem challenging, dont be intimidated into inaction. Set a goal and come up with a plan. Start small, but start. Just $10 a week adds up to more than $500 in a year.Your emergency fund should be stored in an easily accessible place, but not so easy that you regularly dip into it for everyday expenses. Keep it separate from your checking account by creating a dedicated brick-and-mortar or online savings account.Here are some ideas to help you start building that emergency fundReduce your bills and expensesThe most obvious path to amass extra cash is tocut your bills and expenses. For example, you could reduce your commuting expenses ( gas, car maintenance, tolls, parking) by carpooling, using public transit or riding a bike. Or save those bucks you squander daily on take-out by cooking more meals at home, brown-bagging it for lunch, or giving up those things you know are bad for you anyway soda, snacks, and smokes.Try shopping around for better rates on auto and homeowners insurance, phone plans, cable and credit cards. Use a list and coupons when grocery shopping to eliminate impulse buys.Consider ending some of those invisible automatically billed subscriptions and memberships you may not even remember you have magazines, smartphone apps and cable TV subscriptions. Try reducing the number of professional services you pay for, like weekly house-cleaning, car detailing or mani-pedis.Pick up a side hustleAnother avenue to extra cash is finding a way to earn a supplemental income. If you can swing it and have the time, consider a second job, at least temporarily. Rent out a room to a short-term tenant, pet sit or walk dogs on weekends, check out gig jobs online or participate in focus groups for cash.Sell your stuffPut that one mans trash is another mans treasure adage to work for you. Clear out your kids old toys and bikes, your unread books, dusty exercise equipment and unused power tools. Have a yard sale or sell those items online.Stash away extra incomeSave any windfalls that come your way, whether it be an inheritance, tax refund, raise, bonus, commission or birthday check from grandma. That can give your emergency fund a substantial boost.Remember your changeYou may be surprised at how fast collecting loose change can add up. Regularly root through your couch, car seats, pockets, purse and bottom of the washing machine for coins. Set up a jar in your house for daily deposits. Or when you get change from breaking a $5, $10 or $20 bill, instead of spending it, throw it in the jar. When it fills to the brim, shuttle it off into your savings account and start over.Many banks will also le t you round up purchases made on your debit card to the nearest dollar and automatically transfer the extra change to your savings account - Bank of America calls it the Keep the Change Savings Program. There are also many smartphone apps, likeQapital, that help you create similar saving schemes.If you respond well to a challenge, consider trying the52-week money challenge. Pick a start date. In week one, save $1. In week two, save $2. And so on through 52 weeks, at the end of which youll have saved $1,378.A final tip Dont be tempted to use your newfound savings for a payment you knew was coming, such as acar insurance premiumor a splurge for an island trip. An emergency fund should not be touched until you absolutely need it. Then it will be a lifesaver.It gives you peace of mind knowing that you can afford to pay those inevitable unexpected expenses, Vered says.Michele DiGirolamo is a former longtime reporter for United Press International and a freelance writer for MoneyGeek.com .This article first appeared on Money Geek.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

What your favorite junk food says about your personality

What your favorite junk food says about your personalityWhat your favorite junk food says about your personalitySalty or sweet, gooey or chunky, fried or cheese-covered, everyone has a favorite guilty pleasure junk food. You know - that one delicious treat you crave after a long, hard day or you salivate over when it pops up in your Instagram feed. It may depend on your mood, the weather or the city youre in, but did you know your favorite junk food can also be indicative of your personality? Its true - your junk food preferences say more about your personality than you might think.DonutsIts the sweet ones that go for the doughnuts. Always friendly, donut lovers are smiling 24/7, which makes sense if theyre eating donuts Whether its the perfect glaze or delectable chocolate-covered-sprinkles, behind every donut is sugary, doughy, irresistible goodness.PopcornIf your junk food preference is a bag of popcorn, chances are you are very versatile. Youre ready to snack on popcorn while b inge-watching Netflix, driving or even just chatting with friends. It doesnt matter if its covered with butter, caramel or chocolate - youre game for anything.Popcorn is just as flexible as you are,making it the perfect junk food of choice for you.Potato ChipsA potato chip lover can always be trusted. They are a tried-and-true friend that can appreciate the classic things in life.Thats why they love a goodol bag of potato chips. They know that no matter what trendy food item may come their way, they will stay loyal to their favorite junk food. After all, potato chips are a timeless snack that nevergoes out of style. Everyone needs a potato chip lover in their life.OreosOreo enthusiasts are often in touch with their youthful side. The tasty simplicity of an Oreo cookie brings them back to the happiest of their childhood days. Just like the iconic cookie with its hard exterior and soft, creamy interior Oreo lovers can come off harsh at first glance, but beneath this faade lies a ce nter of absolute (delicious) delight.NachosIf your go-to junk food of choice is nachos, youre living life on the edge. With nachos, you never know what will come with each savory bite. Beans? Guacamole? Maybe a spicy hot pepper? Your spontaneous personality leaves you ready for anything. If theres a new nachos recipe on the menu, youre game to try it. Youre all about keeping things spicy.This article was originally published on Swirled.

Designing the Ethical Engineer

Designing the Ethical Engineer Designing the Ethical Engineer Designing the Ethical EngineerA course in engineering design and another in engineering ethics might seem like wildly different beasts. One teaches students to make engineered goods, the other attempts to make students good engineers. But two professors at Georgia Tech have found that the best way to teach ethicsand designmay be to combine them into one class.Philosopher Robert Kirkman, an associate professor in the School of Public Policy at the university, joined forces with Katherine Fu, an assistant professor in mechanical engineering, to teach the course, Design Ethics. The inspiration came, in parte, from the book Ethics in Engineering Practice and Research by Caroline Whitbeck, a philosopher and engineering ethics pioneer.The point she makes it that interesting engineer problems and interesting ethical problems have a lot in common, Kirkman says. You have to improvise in response to a complex and dynamical system.Tr aditional engineering ethics courses typically teach ethical rules and the consequences of not following them. The idea is that you do it once and the students are set our colleagues call it the inoculation model, Kirkman says. This was a step away from that.For You Targeting Chinas Mountains of SludgeInstead, Kirkman and Fu wanted to teach how to think ethically with every step of the design process. To do so, they found a real client with real design needs a school and treatment facility for children with mental health diagnoses that needed a new playground.Prof. Robert Kirkman (right) with a group of students in his Engineering Ethics course. Image Georgia Institute of TechnologyAlthough the project was for a good cause, the students did not always know how to make the best ethical decisions as they worked through it. A lot of our students, in my experience, are motivated by social impact these days, Fu says. They want to work on projects where they can make a difference to the w orld.But those projects, usually for the developing world, tend to be parachute projects, where the students design from afar, parachute into a community and say Yeah, we saved your lives, Fu says. Maybe this is not an ethical approach to design. Maybe it should be collaborative, maybe they should be doing design themselves instead of having us act as their saviors.Kirkman and Fus students were immersed in these issues as they designed the playground. They met with the children (whose ages ranged from six the nineteen) to determine their needs. They also collaborated with the staff and learned their therapeutical approach. During the process, though, Kirkman and Fu found the students were resistant on several levels.The students come in thinking they know what ethics is, that they know the rules, they know what society expects, and you do it or dont, Kirkman says. The messy, improvisational nature of real-world ethical decisions both surprised the students and irritated them.Theyre used to clean exercises in the classroom, where theyre given a hypothetical design problem and have everything they need and its totally in their control, Fu says, We had to coordinate conference calls, get parental assents for the minors to talk to them, organize transportation to the school, get all the students in the same room at the same time to interact with them, and have all the proper legal documentation to do so. They were caught off guard and frustrated by how real the problem was.To Kirkman, all these frustrations were the very stuff of ethics. This is about ethics in practice, he says. Consent is about consent. We have these legal requirements because there is ethical value.By the end of the course, the dose of real-world ethics increased the students self-efficacy, according to surveys they took.Both Kirkman and Fu hope to teach the class again, but would change certain aspects. In particular, they feel they may have overworked the students. It often takes three or fou r tries to work out the bugs, and there were a lot of bugs, Kirkman says. One option would be to make the course a compulsory part of capstone design courses.Of course, there are benefits to learning ethics beyond becoming more ethical.If future employers can see that students are coming out with a level of sophistication over the people around them, that would set them apart, Fu says. If I were an employer looking for a new employee that would be really important to me.Michael Abrams is an independent writer.Read MoreInsect-Sized Robot Takes Flight7 Ways to Make More Money as a Mechanical Engineer3D Printing Trains Bomb-Sniffing DogsThe students come in thinking they know what ethics is, that they know the rules, they know what society expects and you do it or dont.Prof. Robert Kirkman, Georgia Tech