How to Deal With Negative Co-Workers at a Great Job - The Muse

How to Deal With Negative Co-Workers at a Great Job - The MuseHow to Deal With Negative Co-Workers at a Great Job Hi Kyle,Ive been in a full-time job for six months, and so far, Im loving it but am concerned about some increasing negativity in the office lately- tardiness, inappropriate language, lack of focus. It seems like its mostly stemming from the new people who just came on board.Ive spoken to some senior colleagues of mine about how I feel and they told me that I shouldstay out of the problem(s), do my job well, and everything will be fine. Yet Im stillfeeling anxious and worried. Im not sure whether I should sit down with my managers because if I do, I may just be burdening them. Again, I love where I am and what Im doing, but I cant help being bothered by the bad apples. Can you give me anyadvice to make me feel better about myself and my work despite this workplace negativity? Signed, Unsure and LostDear Unsure and Lost, Your question strikes a nerve with me because back i n my days as a recruiter I dealt with this issue a lot. Getting lost in other peoples cynicism is a surefire way to end up hating your job. You can learn to deal with negative people though, ensuring that your job satisfaction remains firmly in place.Spread PositivityWhen facing a co-worker who wants to complain, gossip, or play the victim, make a genuine attempt to turn their attitude around. Depending on how the negativitys surfacing, you may have to employ different tactics. Exuding good, happy vibes in the face of a complainer will probably result in a decreased effort on their part to moan and groan. Maybe you can even get them to see something in a new light simply by pointing out a perk or a great thing about your workplace. Bottom line If they dont view you as someone whos willing to commiserate with them, theyre probably going to take their sour attitudes elsewhere, and youll be free to work in peace. Say SomethingBut lets say theyre not getting the hint, and the one-sided venting continues much to your dismay. Or theyve stopped heaping their discontent on you, but you cant help noticing when their desks sit empty long after the acceptable arrival window, and you can still hear them cursing their work, boss, or clients. As the company veteran, consider it your responsibility to help the new guys get acquainted with whats acceptable and whats not. Maybe theyre used to an office environment where work was somewhat wahlfrei or where constant complaining was de rigueur. Take it upon yourself to let them know that wont fly here.Ive had enough jobs to know that theres always going to be something that stinks. What Ive found here is that focusing on the positive and making sure I know why Im doing what Im doing is way better than fixating on the stuff we cant fix. Its been working for me, so it could work for you too. Take it to the TopManagers- the good ones, anyway- are there to help solve people-problems. When a culture of respect and hard work is being e roded by inappropriate behavior it is most certainly on leadership. Muse writer Alexandra Frazen put together an excellent script for talking to your manager about a problematic co-worker. If you havent tried approaching your boss in this calm and collected manner, I urge you to do so. If youre a valued employee (and it sounds like you are), its in their best interest to take your concerns seriously.At the end of the day, you have something that some people never find in their careers work you love. If you lose sight of this, try making a list of everything that you like about your work and keep it on your computers desktop. The next time Claire makes a snarky remark about the latest product launch, check out your list and block out the pessimism. While we can choose our jobs to some extent, we can rarely choose who we work with, so being prepared to handle different types of negativity will be instrumental in your success. There will always be naysayers, but its up to you how deepl y you let it affect you, and its your decision how you respond to it.This article is part of our Ask an Expert series- a column dedicated to helping you tackle your biggest career concerns. Our experts are excited to answer all of your burning questions, and you can submit one by emailing us at editor(at)themuse(dot)com and using Ask a Credible Career Coach in the subject line.Your letter may be published in an article on The Muse. All letters to Ask an Expert become the property of Daily Muse, Inc and will be edited for length, clarity, and grammatical correctness.

Why Get an MA in International Law and Government

Why Get an MA in International Law and GovernmentWhy Get an MA in International Law and GovernmentRecent surveys indicate that a solid base of knowledge in zwischenstaatlich law and government provides a leg-up for students applying to and attending law school. And the word is out, as the graduate enrollment in the fields of zwischenstaatlich relations and foreign policy continues to increase. In its recent survey of graduate programs in zwischenstaatlich relations, the bi-monthly Foreign Policy Magazine highlights the increased attention to the relationship between the study of international relations and the practice of law and policy-making. Why study international relations before law school?With the continual increase in the number of law school applicants and a growing demand for educational backgrounds in cross-disciplinary areas, a graduate degree in international law and politics offers students a significant competitive edge when applying to and succeeding in law school. For those unsure about applying to law school, a masters degree in international relations and foreign policy offers a great option before committing oneself to pursuing a Juris Doctorate. International relations and foreign policy degree programs are a unique opportunity for future lawyers, legal scholars and policy-makers to set themselves apart with a grounding in the study of law as it relates to international relations and foreign policy before pursuing a JD. Students in these programs enroll in graduate school courses focused on a wide range of topics including international law, international relations, security studies and international organizations. The classes provide not only a challenging classroom and academic environment that prepares students for the rigors of law school, but also a macro view of law and policy, enabling students to better understand it on a micro level.Georgetowns MA in international law and governmentIn the Foreign Policy Magazine survey, Geor getown Universitys masters programs in international relations ranked No. 1 among a tier of competitively top-ranked schools. The MA in international law and government at Georgetown University serves as the department of governments primary masters program to study the intersection between international relations and law. Students enrolled in this program also have unique access to Georgetown University Law Center courses that will introduce them to subjects they may wish to pursue further. Additionally, with program-sponsored lectures, guest speakers, colloquium, and research initiatives, students are provided the essential academic resources of a one-year masters degree aimed at strengthening future endeavors, whether it be in law school, postgraduate work or the policy world. For more information about this program, please visit the website for the Institute for International Law and Politics here or contact the institute by e-mail.

9 Professional Development Resources for Entrepreneurs

9 Professional Development Resources for Entrepreneurs 9 Professional Development Resources for Entrepreneurs Welcome to Recruiter QA, where we pose employment-related questions to the experts and share their answers Have a question youd like to ask? Leave it in the comments, and you might just see it in the next installment of Recruiter QATodays Question What are some of your favorite professional/career development resources for entrepreneurs? From books and websites to conferences and groups, we want it all. Feel free to think outside of the box If theres an action movie, beat-em-up video game, or other unlikely source that you think entrepreneurs can learn from, let us know1. DeskbrightDeskbright is an erreichbar learning platform for geschftliches miteinander and technology skills. Our mission is to empower employees, freelancers, and entrepreneurs to thrive at work. The platform contains tutorials on a number of critical business skills. Most notably, it contains a number of tips and tricks to help you expedite and automate your work through advanced Microsoft Excel functions. Entrepreneurs can leverage our tutorials and templates to cut down their workloads through the power of spreadsheets in their day-to-day business operations.- Sam McIntire, Deskbright 2. Inspirational Movies and DocumentariesI always get inspired by entrepreneur movies and documentaries such as Something Ventured and the Pirates of Silicone Valley. A great resource to start with is this IMDB list. - Joe Flanagan, VelvetJobs 3. The Business, Life, and Coffee PodcastAs CEO of a startup, I know that Im constantly on the go and always looking for ways to consume valuable content. Thats why I started The Business, Life, and Coffee podcast. The podcast has even gained a few notable accolades. The Boston College Carroll School of Management called it one of the ten must-listen podcasts for MBAs.Each episode is like having coffee with a subject matter expert in a different arena, and th e interviews are short enough to enjoy as you sip a cup of coffee, but long enough to have depth. - Joey Price, Jumpstart HR 4. Traction, by Gino WickmanI enjoyed Traction by Gino Wickman. Traction gives you a road map to making sure you have the right people in the right seats and to making sure you are taking the business in the right direction. It also gives you systems to help assign and track goals at all levels of the organization. - Don Seckler, Peak Inbound Marketing 5. The AskGaryVee ShowSubscribe to the Youtube channel for The AskGaryVee Show, which is hosted by serial entrepreneur and best-selling author Gary Vaynerchuk. Ive learned so much from that show in the past six months. Sometimes people are asking the exact questions that I have- K.B. Lee, Ever Bamboo 6. SlideShareOne of the major sources for personal, professional, business, and career growth for entrepreneurs is SlideShare. SlideShare offers visual content and information from experts around the globe and is a great medium for on-demand learning and growth. For entrepreneur who are always looking for ways to expand their business and enhance their personal growth, the medium of SlideShare allows access to out-of-the-box content and ideas. - Akanksha Vir, Ignite Joy 7. Oceans ElevenProject management skills are a true lifesaver when it comes to running a business, and one amazing action movie that provides an illustration of project management in action is Oceans Eleven. With George Clooney serving as the project manager, the movies heist plot effectively runs through the project management process from defining the project, to getting stakeholder buy-in, to forming the team, to execution, to post-project evaluation. The lessons learned can easily be applied the projects in your business. - Cachet Prescott, CareerCachet.com 8. Entrepreneurs OrganizationI joined Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) in 2012 since then, EO has become my single most valuable resource. This group allows entrepr eneurs to offer and receive peer-to-peer feedback in a safe forum setting. I often attend EO learning events, where I have access to big-name entrepreneurs who have already been through the scenarios I face. EO also offers access to educational programs at places like MIT, the London School of Business and Finance, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Being part of EO is invaluable because of how much it offers. It has given me a place to further my education, network with peers, and learn new business tools and tactics, ?all through one outlet. - Vladimir Gendelman, Company Folders 9. ConventionsAt trade conventions, people will inspire you to go do something with the information youve obtained, and it really gives you the energy and motivation to become a better professional. Youll get you a lot of in-depth information in a short amount of time, making the learning curve very intense. After one of these conventions, I am usually armed with enough new informat ion to last me through the whole year. - Rebecca Bennett, CityFitLA

6 Solo Vacations You Can Take Between Jobs - The Muse

6 Solo Vacations You Can Take Between Jobs - The Muse6 Solo Vacations You Can Take Between JobsLeaving a job is exhausting. Starting a new job is also exhausting. So, what you do in between really matters. If you can afford it, its a good idea take some time off to refresh your brain and feel like you have no responsibilities, if only for a few days.Even better, you can use that time to do something you usually wouldnt have time to do with a full time job, like travel somewhere youve been dying to go, or nurture a long-ignored hobby. And yet, far too many people feel like they dont have enough time or money, or skip the trip because they dont have a travel buddy (since everyone else, well, has a job) and forget there are other options. But in this case, traveling alone might be mora of a pro than a con. And there are things you can do at every price point and at any distance from home that will give you the luxurious vacation of your self-care dreams. Here are six recharging ways to take a real vacation between jobs (no matter what budget youre on) that will leave you energized and ready to dive into your next adventure.Price Point $Free or Cheap Solo Vacations1. Tour Your Own CityIf you dont have enough money to travel, the classic staycation can be a great way to go- as long as youre intentional about actually doing things that feel special rather than getting sucked into running errands.When I left my last job, I spent the following week exploring New York in ways I never did while I was employed. I went to the Brooklyn Museum and got to enjoy popular exhibits with nobody else around. I walked around pockets of the city I hadnt been to before, finding delicious tacos and other hidden gems. And I made a pilgrimage to my favorite tea shop that usually felt too far to visit. If you make it a point to push yourself out of your ordinary routine, a staycation can be just as satisfying as a regular one- and maybe more, since you dont have to deal with the frustrati ons of actual travelCourtesy of Erin Greenawald.2. Escape Into a Good BookOkay, okay- I know this sounds cheesy, but hear me out. This really is less about reading as an escape, and more about using your time off to do something simple that feels luxurious. For me thats getting to spend an entire day reading. For you it may be going on a nearby hike every day, binging all of your favorite movies, or sitting in a bubble bath (because how often do you really get to do that?).You should spend your time off between jobs doing something that sounds rejuvenating to you. If that means gallivanting to some remote beach, then read on. If that much travel sounds stressful and expensive but going to a midday joga class (so youre not packed in like a sardine) sounds amazing, then do that. Price Point $$Mid-Priced Solo Vacations3. Visit a Faraway FriendA great way to travel on a limited budget is to visit a friend in a different city. If they have a spare room or a couch for you to crash on, you ll just have to pay the cost of getting there and of any fun you have while youre in town. Plus, youll get quality time with someone you might not get to binnensee very often.When I was between jobs, I found this to be the most rejuvenating way to spend my time and ended up going on several trips like this. During the weekdays my friends would usually have work, so Id get some time to myself to journal, finish some personal to-dos, or just laze around. Then, in the evenings and on the weekend, I would get to explore new-to-me cities through their eyes while processing my career transition with someone I trust. Remember- if youre visiting during the workweek, your host might be worn out in the evenings, so dont expect to go out on the town every night. Pick a friend youd be thrilled to just chill on the couch and split a bottle of wine with, and this should be a refreshing trip for everyone involved.Courtesy of Jessica Greenwalt.4. Do Normal-ish Things In a Different CityWant somethi ng between a staycation and a vacation, where you can get out of your routines but also not feel bad if you spend half the day sleeping in? Find a super cute Airbnb (or regular BNB) in a nearby town and hunker down for a few days. Pick a distributions-mix thats far enough to feel away from home, but close enough that you wont spend too much time traveling aim for a place big enough to have some cute local coffee shops, maybe a gallery or two, but not so big that youll feel like you need to be out exploring all day. Jessica Greenwalt, founder of Pixelkeet, had such rejuvenating between-jobs trip from Berkeley to Portland that she now goes back periodically. She spends her time there doing things she could do at home- visiting favorite restaurants, getting out in nature- but being in a different city completely changes her perspective on them. There are amazing hiking spots, and so many beautifully designed spaces to hang out and work on creative projects in, she says. For me there ar e fewer distractions in Portland than in the bayrumbaum Area, and I just feel a sense of calm when Im there.Pull out a map to see what cities are a stones throw away- or look on Google Flights for cheap and short flights available from your city. Even if youve never heard of a place before, do a little digging online to see if it has enough to keep you pleasantly occupied for a few days. Price Point $$$Expensive-But-Worth-It Solo Vacations5. Better Yourself With a RetreatA retreat might sound like a lot to take on when youre trying to take a break, but giving yourself something else to focus could actually help you disconnect from work. Thats how it was for Rachna Govani, now CEO and co-founder of Foodstand, who went to the surf and yoga school La Escuela del Sol in Costa Rica between two of her previous jobs. My mind was pretty calm during two hours of surfing, she says. The waves battered me down so badly, I couldnt think of anything else.Plus, going a retreat could allow you to d evote uninterrupted attention to hobbies you wish you had time to nurture. Govani says her only goals were read Cutting for Stone, get ample beach time, learn how to surf, and do yoga without worrying about rushing to a meeting or checking my email. There are so many different types of retreats out there- yoga, running, art, meditation, and more- that you can search based on your interest to find the perfect match.Courtesy of Rachna Govani.6. Find Somewhere All InclusiveWhile your first inclination when you have time off may be to explore the far corners of the earth, dont forget that travel can also be draining. With only a few days to spare, you wouldnt want to wear yourself out having to worry about planning every detail.Thats why an all-inclusive (or at least mostly inclusive) vacation- like a resort or a cruise- might be a great option. You can still go to some seriously beautiful places, but since a lot of the planning is done for you, you can just sit back and relax. There ar e even different deals available depending what type of trip youre looking for a resort could be perfect for just chilling by the pool, whereas if you want more adventure you might look for a deal that includes excursions.Chaya Cooper, a startup adviser and the founder and chief product officer of Click2Fit, chose a cruise because it was the perfect blend of relaxing and doing I wanted to spend the time on a beach in the Caribbean, but spending a week alone at a resort sounded incredibly boring, so waking up at a different island every day made for a great mix of chilling and exploring. Plus, she met other solo travelers on the cruise, so it didnt feel like she was on vacation alone.Discount sites like TravelZoo have deals on all-inclusive packages, so theyre usually a good place to start. You can also check with individual resorts or cruise operators for last-minute specials.Whatever you do, fill the time between your jobs with something you cant fit in during a regular workweek- i t might be awhile before you can take such a big step away from responsibility (and email) again.

The Appeal of How to Put an Internship on a Resume

The Appeal of How to Put an Internship on a Resume In any event, you will need to appraise your experience during the internship. In case it demonstrates you have the necessary skills and experience for work, it is going to offer you a huge benefit. You might start to remove internships from your resume when you start to create enough work experience in your area. List your internship below your work experience. Always be aya that you dont turn in a resume without an expert summary as thats the perfect way to let your employer understand what youre good for or at. No matter what you do, dont set your internships at the base of your resume or in the Education section. Students may elaborate on just about anything in these types of sections. So place a summary paragraph instead. If you are fighting with the expert experience section of your resume, take a look at these blogs. Bear in mind, the resume shouldnt exceed one particular page. Not everyone who would like an int ernship in fashion can incorporate this section, but if its possible, its a benefit. To begin with, pay attention to the essential skills in the work post. Soon, you might have an all-star resume that attracts a possible employer If interested, the company may design an internship application that will fulfill their company needs in addition to the needs of the training course curriculum. In addition, should you get an internship with the true firm that you would like to work for, then this is going to be even better. A professionally written business internship resume can make a big difference, and its possible to purchase an internship resume online. If your work experience is more recent and includes impressive positions that are related to the market, include these very first, followed by means of an internship section prior to your education. Furthermore, you can look for internships on Monster. You should have good understanding of that industry where youre going to ap ply for your internship. Never underestimate the ability of a prosperous internship. The Hidden Facts on How to Put an Internship on a Resume Be koranvers that your resume contains everything the employer has to be convinced that youre a very good match for the position. It can likewise be viewed as an opportunity thats presented by means of an employer to individuals who intend to work for their company. If you graduated quite a while ago, dont hesitate to leave the dates off. If it is time to proofing, we suggest that you rally up your teachers, family members and friends. How to Put an Internship on a Resume Can Be Fun for Everyone Recruiters are aware of what they want, and in addition, they understand how to communicate desirable candidate traits to be certain they get resumes from professionals that are qualified to do the job. Internships also a fantastic add-on to your resume. They are real-world experiences, and should be given as much weight as a job. Again, the y are just as important to your career as a job, so you should not format them differently. Theres a significant impact. Unfortunately, theres a big misconception surrounding the usage of career objectives. Though it can be put under the abilities and achievement section, you still need to present it with as much weight and depth as professional experience-especially, if youre lacking in real-world career experience. You ought to have a great skill in computer basics and decent knowledge in that industry in which youre going to do your internship. Things You Should Know About How to Put an Internship on a Resume In both conditions, theres a great chance your internships is going to be the experience that sets you apart from the crowd. Generally, higher school students have a tendency to concentrate on their club participation whilst college students often incorporate major class projects. The most essential part of an internship resume is making sure the abilities and experi ence you do have, although you could be very early in your career, are best for the job that you need to do. When youre asking for a Training Internship, be sure that you highlight any special abilities or talents that may force you to stand apart from the remainder of the applicants so that youve got an improved chance of landing the position. How to Put an Internship on a Resume - the Story The following is an instance of a normal chronological resume. Consider the sort of position that youre applying for when formatting your resume. Generally speaking, a resume should be no more than two pages long if you dont get a massive number of presentations or publications that ought to be listed. Writing columns for a neighborhood newspaper Adding your internship experience doesnt need to be daunting in actuality, we put together a quick 15-minute to-do list so you can update your resume very quickly. Internships represent a method of collecting valuable connections. Just dont f orget to double-check whether adding social media to your particular resume is right for the job Also be sure you format your internships in a sense thats in accordance with the way you format your other work experience. Your internship experience ought to go right on top of your resume, below your title, together with the remainder of your work experience. Finding a new job every year appears schwimmbad on a resume and will hurt your odds of being hired later on. For people that have no experience, staying at your very first job for a couple years is important to create a basis for future success. You ought to take the opportunity to seriously consider your experience and the way that allowed you to raise and mature as a researcher.

Modern Day Benefits that Attract New Hires - Spark Hire

Modern Day Benefits that Attract New Hires - Spark HireIf you want to attract top-notch talent, you have to provide top-notch perks such is the talent acquisition market these days. Now that the economic recession is in recovery, more job seekers have their pick of the job market and with that, theyre making some very specific demands. A Wall Street Journal article looks at some of the top work-life benefits that companies are using to entice new hires.Drinks all around. If a beer cart coming to your desk around 4 pm on a Friday afternoon sounds too good to be true, weve got unbelievable news for you. More and more, large companies and small businesses are shelling out office perks like beer carts and happy hours, also providing sodas to employees who dont drink. But this isnt anything like the scenes you see in Mad Men. Drinks are divvied out as a reward for all of the hard work put into the entire week.WFH. Move over BRB and NP theres a new office acronym thats rising in use and popularity WFH. With laptops, VPNs and mobile devices at every employees disposal, more big corporations and small businesses alike are allowing employees to work from home. Offices are setting their own standards and rules, permitting employees to work from home once a month, once a week or as often as they like. This is luring job candidates in like crazy.Bring your dog to work day. Only it isnt just a day it can be anytime. Some workplaces are enticing new hires with the privilege of bringing their furry friends to work with them. It has been proven that animals decrease stress levels, and with that, theyre making workplaces a little less tense and a lot more fun. Besides that, they give employees a chance to leave their desks for a small break and socialize outside of the workplace while walking their dogs. Granted, bringing your dog to work can result in a decrease in productivity so if your pooch is a little rowdy, this may not be the most attractive work-life benefit for yo u.Giving back. Finally, new hires are looking for companies who do more than give to them through work-life balance initiatives. They want to work for brands and businesses that give back to the community too. From large corporations to small businesses, more and more companies are offering volunteer hours to employees. These are hours during the work week in which employees are paid to take time away from their desk to paint walls at a day care, read to elementary school children or pick up trash on the side of the highway.These days, new hires are seeking way more than competitive pay and health care benefits, they want creative, out-of-the-box work-life benefits that will make them happy to come to work. Implementing a few of these initiatives creates a work-life balance thats attracting top-notch talent and enticing new hires.What are some other creative work-life benefits that are being implemented in workplaces? Share now in our comments

How to Deal When Your Team is Without a Leader - The Muse

How to Deal When Your Team is Without a Leader - The MuseHow to Deal When Your Team is Without a Leader Dear HR Professional,Our department cant keep a leader and is falling apart. Whats the best thing to do when theres nobody there to correct or defend your department?Signed,Lacking a LeaderDear Lacking a Leader,Sorry to hear about your teams situation. Its frustrating not to have a steady supervisor in your department- after all, it can take weeks or even months to build trust with a new manager and having many (or zero) managers in a short amount of time can make it feel like no one is looking out for you.And without one, its easy to feel powerless. Rest assured that there are a few things you can do to make things better for you and your department. Heres what I recommend1. Step UpIf you dont have a clear supervisor who can delegate, its a great opportunity for you or someone else on your team to step up and claim some manager responsibilities in the interim. Chances are, youre n ot the only one on your team who feels like things are falling apart. If youve identified herausforderungs in your department that need correcting, why not start those conversations with your teammates directly? After all, high-performing teams are characterized by the ability to communicate and resolve problems openly. That starts most authentically from the ground up- you dont need a manager to set the tone for an open and trusting team. Try umgebung up a weekly team huddle with your department to discuss updates, whats going well, and what could be improved. Simply providing a safe space to talk about these things will make a world of a difference2. Find an AdvocateThink about leaders in other departments that you work closely with. People who have had direct experience working with your team will be better allies for hearing out your concerns. If there is anyone like that at your company, try inviting them out for a coffee or lunch. While I dont recommend directly asking them to speak up or step in for your team (they have their own department to manage, of course), try picking their brain about things that arent going well on your own team and seek their advice on how you can make it better. In turn, theyll be more likely to keep your department in mind when having other conversations that may affect your team.3. Make Your Voice HeardNever underestimate the power of speaking up. If you havent already, you should voice your concerns with someone on your companys HR team. This problem might seem obvious to you, but the rest of the company may not realize how bad things are on your team without a direct supervisor to communicate that to leadership. More than likely, your company will do what they can to make your situation better- no one wins in a situation where an entire team is unhappy.Hopefully, trying one or all of the above tips will help improve your short-term day-to-day. If nothing else, youll be the team hero for stepping up and taking action. Good luckThis article is part of our Ask an Expert series- a column dedicated to helping you tackle your biggest career concerns. Our experts are excited to answer all of your burning questions, and you can submit one by emailing us at editor(at)themuse(dot)com and using Ask an Honest HR Professional in the subject line.Your letter may be published in an article on The Muse. All letters to Ask an Expert become the property of Daily Muse, Inc and will be edited for length, clarity, and grammatical correctness.

Industry Tackles Challenges in Mass-Producing Flexible Solar P...

Industry Tackles Challenges in Mass-Producing Flexible Solar P... Industry Tackles Challenges in Mass-Producing Flexible Solar P... Industry Tackles Challenges in Mass-Producing Flexible Solar PanelsWant to cover your camper with thin, flexible, film-like solar panels to capture electricity on the go? An world wide web search will turn up many stick-on solar panels. YouTube videos teach viewers how to make homemade versions. But mass-producing and commercializing quality products based on the emergingtechnology remains elusive. The thought is that someday the solar panels may become ever present, always gathering power when the sun is shining powering mobile devices, computers, cars, even shoes. Theyre cheap, easy to install, and can be quickly rolled over a large surface.Researchers at Aalto University in Finland and the University of Montreal are now studying how to make industrial-scale manufacturing of these types of solar panels feasible.To do so, the electronic cells must be ma de in rolls of flexible plastic or metal foil through something called roll-to-roll processing. The rolls then undergo ink-jet printing in which dye and electrolyte components are precisely injected into the plastic or foil pieces, says Kati Miettunen, a project manager in Aaltos bioproducts and biosystems depspeciesment.For You 9 Innovations in Solar PV TechnologyWhile a similar manufacturing process is used across many industries, the fragile cells and the materie that covers them make it challenging. They cant be damaged while they move quickly through the rolls, she says.Also, sealing the flexible cells is challenging for manufacturers. If the cells arent fully closed to the elements, liquid electrolyte could leak out of the cell or impurities could seep in, greatly reducing the devices life, Miettunen says.Researchers would have to find new ways to connect the substrates, since conventional techniques such as glass-frit bonding, now used in flat-panel displays and other devices , are unsuitable for flexible cells, she says. Even with these drawbacks, researchers and developers continue to look at ways to manufacture the flexible solar panels because the market for them is potentially huge.Those panels can fit many types of solar applications and are more aesthetically pleasing on buildings and other structures than the glass panels often used today, says Hannah Brckstmmer, strategic marketing manager at Merck Group, a pharmaceutical, chemical, and life sciences company in Darmstadt, Germany.They have other structural benefits as well. If a roof, for example, cant bear the heavy load of traditional solar panels, the lightweight panels can be affixed without compromising structural integrity. They can also be installed on nonconventional structures, for example, an art installation on the street. Imagine the sails of the Sydney Opera as power plants, Brckstmmer says.Merck is working on flexible solar panel technology that can be printed on substrates using t echniques that include continuous roll-to-roll processing, which Brckstmmer terms a simple printing technique.The companys technology mixes a polymer in repeating units, like the pearls in a pearl chain, and a carbon molecule. These two compounds are mixed and dissolved to become a type of ink.After printing, the resulting thin layer is the active layer, absorbing the energy of the sun, she says. You only need a layer thickness of 0.2 micrometers to absorb the energy of the sun and this is 100 times thinner than a human hair.But Mercks flexible solar panels, like that of many other companies, remain experimental and arent mass manufactured. The lifetime of these devices remain an issue, as do environmental concerns, another challenge to commercialization, say the researchers.Another prerequisite for commercialization is making the lifetime of devices adequate in relation to the energy embedded in the fabrication of the devices so that the solar cells wont degrade before they have pr oduced more energy than was used for making them, says Jaana Vapaavuori, assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Montreal.New discoveries using biomaterials or a hybrid material with wood pulp as substrates for the cells could move the flexible solar cells toward mass commercialization, says Miettunen.Meanwhile, work continues at many companies to bring flexible thin-film solar panels to a widespread market.Jean Thilmany is an independent writer.Read MoreCapturing and Reusing Wasted Energy with NanopeapodsRecord Efficiency Highs on SolarMilitary Looks to Renewables in Battle Zones For Further DiscussionImagine the sails of the Sydney Opera as power plants. Hannah Brckstmmer, Merck Group

How to Make Extra Money from Home with Almost No Free Time

How to Make Extra Money from Home with Almost No Free TimeHow to Make Extra Money from Home with Almost No Free TimeLets face it, manypeoples lives are already overscheduled. So, what do you do when you have little free time but need to make extra money from home? Aflexible work-from-home position can be a great way to pad your income. Carving out a few early morning or evening hours is a great start toearning extramoney from home.Here are some excellent ways to make extra money from home, along with some relevant jobs you can find at WritingWrite about topics that you already have knowledge about. Share your career expertise, your parenting tips, or some other area of expertise or interest. has thousands of jobs that offer 100% telecommuting flexibility, including writing opportunities. Here are some examplesPersonal Finance Writer Freelance finance writer needed for a work-from-home opportunity. $50-$100 per article plus additional incentives for top-performing writers. Candidate will be responsible for writing investment-related articles.Resume Writer Remote resume writer will write resumes from scratch with client-provided data, edit and rewrite existing resumes, direct interaction with clients as necessary, and will perform all other tasks.English Grader Accurately and objectively evaluate subjective exams and projects. Provide effective and clear feedback. Take part in grading projects. Masters degree required and teaching experience preferred. Part-time and telecommute role with five to 25 hours weekly.Fitness Writers Must have a passion for health and promoting topic of body confidence. Relevant degree and two plus years of writing experience required. Strong voice and sensitivity towards body shaming dangers are required. This is a part-time and remote role.EditingWorking a side gig in the editing field is another convenient way to earn mora from home. Here are more excellent ways to make money editing from homeCopy Editor Copy editor is needed for a contract role to write and edit copy on the fly. This candidate will check graphics for accuracy, brevity, grammar, style, and voice. Must possess strong writing and editing skills. Bachelors degree required. Remote, part-time work.Editor Work-from-home opportunity. Will be responsible for reviewing mystery shop narratives, ensuring that clients receive mystery shop reports, and checking forms for scoring accuracy.Editor Legal Will work in a home-based office handling legal transcription editing tasks and producing high-quality work. Must be fluent in English with strong grammar and spelling skills.PhotographyWhen youre running errands or taking your kids to the park, take along your camera to capture scenes that you can sell. Capture artful photos that will make perfect stock photos for purchase. Other ways to earn more with photography includeImage Reviewer Seeking an experienced remote image reviewer for a part-time, flexible, contract role. Saturday availability required. Candi date must have two years experience in photography, domain expertise, strong attention to detail, and excellent analytical skills.Illustrator Responsible for creating front-only and full-wrap digital paintings in high resolution, creating concept sketches for ebooks and print books, and turning chosen concepts into a final painting. Must be team-oriented. Work at home with flexible hours.Vector/Illustration Reviewer Experienced vector/illustration reviewer needed for a part-time, contract position. Must have weekend availability, two years experience, domain expertise, high-speed Internet access, PC or Mac, Adobe Illustrator license, and strong organizational skills. Work from home.HobbiesEvaluate your hobbies and other skills and turn them into cash. Do you know another language, love design, or are you interested in fashion? Have fun and use your skills to improveyour bottom line.Personal Stylist Assist clients with looking their best for photo shoots, consult with clients regardi ng their outfits andpersonalstyles via phone or email. Part-time, remote, contract role. Needs bachelors degree or working experience in the fashion industry. Pays $15 per hour.Over-the-Phone Interpreter Work-from-home candidate will provide interpretation services over the phone and collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other providers around the world. Must be fluent in English and one or more languages and have one year ofinterpreterexperience.Mens Online Stylist Will work from home on a part-time basis, at least 20 hours per week, to generate personalized wardrobes and styling tips for clients using an online styling tool. Requires a bachelors degree and one to two years experience in fashion.Looking for more ways to make extra money from home? Check out these companies hiring for part-time work-from-home jobs.