Earnings, Focus, Global View

How much more does a college graduate earn than one with just a high school diploma?  Adults--young and old, male and female--who have a bachelor's degree or higher have twice the annual median income than someone with only a high school degree.  For more the full article, see: http://www.military.com/education/getting-your-degree/facts-about-the-income-of-graduates.html?ESRC=education.nl

A great way to stay informed of military-related news is by signing up for the free e-mail newsletter from www.military.com – try it!

The top tips for staying calm and focused are: stop multi-tasking, fully focus on taking deep breaths for five minutes a day, enjoy a quiet meal by yourself with no distractions, choose to focus your attention on one activity/avoiding disruptions, and be realistic in what tasks you can complete in time available. See the full TalentSmart article on calm/focus at: http://www.talentsmart.com/articles/How-to-Stay-Focused,-Calm,-and-Productive-299644652-p-1.html 

Northern Arizona University is featured in an article in The Chronicle of Higher Education (5/22/12) about its focus on the “Global Curriculum.”  Students from all majors have a global component embedded in their studies, which allows them to problem solve and understand worldwide connections and implications of their future work.   See the full article at: http://chronicle.com/article/Northern-Arizona-U-Overhauls/131925/?sid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en 

Inspiration & Tools

The Chronicle of Higher Education featured an inspirational story of two former Marines who used the Post 9/11 GI Bill to finish their Bachelor’s degrees.  Ron Shriver graduated this month with a degree in exercise science with academic and athletic honors, and his wife is finishing up her Master’s degree in resource economics in Alaska, where the family will reunite this summer.  Former Staff Sergeant Ron Shriver used his Marine background to maintain the discipline of juggling school (staying ahead in classes, managing his time) and parenting their two small children, his most important role.  To read the whole article, see http://chronicle.com/article/A-VeteranFather-Graduates/131918/?sid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en

Stress, anxiety, and sleep problems have been helped by learning techniques taught in the Warriors Power Breath Workshop.  These yoga-based rhythmic breathing and meditation techniques are demonstrated in 5-7 veteran-only workshop sessions by trained volunteers.  The exercises can be adjusted to accommodate most disabilities.  The 25-minute breathing practice is continued at home, with support as needed in-person or via Skype.  More information can be obtained at: http://www.projectwelcomehometroops.org/ and see the videos or click on Power Breath Workshops.

How important is it to set goals?  One Harvard study showed how it impacts your future earnings to have written goals, see the video (which has information on free goal-setting software) at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtgKUXMcHPc&feature=youtu.be

If you are looking for help in choosing a new career, potential salary is one consideration that can help you narrow the choices, along with knowing the best fit for your talents, skills, and needs.  This website about top paying careers may help you: http://www.theworkbuzz.com/find-the-job/college-majors-with-the-highest-paying-starting-salaries/?cobrand=msn&utm_source=MSN&utm_medium=MSNHP&utm_campaign=MSNCareers

Have you heard of ‘emotional equations?'  Chip Conley has a best-selling book dealing with this intriguingly simple way of breaking down fears, anxiety, and more – and how you can regain control of your life, your career, or your company.  See the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mA2JUbMumg&feature=related or this article for more information: http://www.inc.com/chris-mittelstaedt/chip-conley-how-i-overcame-fear.html

Farming, Concussions, Park Passes, College Prep

The USDA wants 100,000 new farmers, and is partnering with organizations to help veterans fill the need, while also helping them transition back into civilian life.  One former Marine Sgt. Archipley and his wife started Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training in San Diego, near Camp Pendleton, see more at: http://blogs.usda.gov/2012/05/11/military-veterans-the-next-generation-of-organic-farmers/#more-40045

If you, or someone you care about, have/has played sports or suffered from head trauma, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains on this Sports Illustrated video what concussions involve, how they can be treated and what precautions can be taken to prevent them: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/video/nfl/2012/05/07/050712.gupta_concussions.SportsIllustrated/index.html

According to a press release on MSNBC, “An annual pass will be made available to members of the military free of charge beginning Saturday, which is Armed Forces Day. The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass ordinarily costs $80. It provides access to more than 2,000 national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands.  Military personnel can get the passes at any national park or wildlife refuge that charges an entrance fee by showing their military ID. Each family member will also be able to obtain their own pass even if the service member is deployed or if they are traveling separately.  The free pass will be made available for activated members of the National Guard and Reserves, but not for military veterans or retirees.”  See the full article at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47428410/ns/travel-active_travel/#.T7LB6cWkNqk

We’re fortunate in Northern Arizona to have the Veterans Upward Bound program and college preparatory modules in math, English, computers, and help with navigating college life, but for those of you that don't live within a VUB area, the Department of Defense now offers college prep to both active-duty military and veterans.  See more info at: http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2012/05/dod-offers-help-with-college-prep/?ESRC=education.nl

Help is Here

Veterans and active military members may be getting a little help from American automakers in the form of incentives, in honor of Memorial Day!  For more details, see: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120514/RETAIL01/120519935/1401/ford-chrysler-boost-incentives-for-armed-forces-members

The non-profit organization, Canine Companions for Independence, says “Help is a Four-Legged Word.”  Their recent mission to provide helper dogs for wounded veterans has been highlighted on Fox News, and you may find more information or find out how you can help at: www.cci.org  An additional Arizona-based non-profit organization providing service dogs for veterans with PTSD and TBI, was featured on Channel 12 News, and videos can be found at: http://soldiersbestfriend.org/

An excerpt about brain injury recovery from the Amen Clinic blog: http://70.32.73.82/blog/5758/there-is-help-for-these-battered-athletes/ is encouraging.  “The good news is the brains of contact-sport players and soldiers can be rehabilitated.  We have conducted three clinical studies with 116 active and former players from the National Football League here at the Amen Clinics and each study shows that it’s not only possible, it’s likely, that with a brain-directed health protocol, significant improvement can be experienced in decision-making, reasoning, depression, mood and memory.”

Facebook initiative for military families was highlighted in the Blue Star Moms blog: https://www.facebook.com/notes/us-military-on-facebook/facebook-tools-for-us-military/293074154112220 and on: http://digitallife.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/09/11616474-facebook-launches-self-harm-prevention-program-for-veterans-military-families?lite

Focus Forward

Are you interested in a cutting-edge career?  Here’s one that combines alternative energy and agriculture: biotechnology!  We have a new class is beginning biotechnology at the Verde Valley campus of Yavapai College (BIO107) for the fall semester – and here’s what ASU is doing with algae: http://www.algaeindustrymagazine.com/asu%E2%80%99s-algae-program/

Are you concerned about making the right career choice?  Here’s the 2012 Best Careers Guide from US News & World Report: http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-25-best-jobs There are also a lot of career inventory/assessments you can take, so you can narrow your choices.  You can also take a free, 15-minute career assessment at: http://www.assessment.com/

The moving story of 12 combat veterans will be told in a documentary using soldiers’ digital battle footage from the 2004 Battle of Fallujah by former Marine, Garrett Anderson.  Anderson’s desire to raise awareness of the homecoming struggles of his friends is highlighted in the following article: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/marine-aims-camera-heal-war-16225745#.T6l689XQNpm and the demo of the documentary is at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTn0CyItIQc where you can also contribute to his efforts.

Student Veteran Highlight, Choosing Schools, Brain Builders

This week I’d like to celebrate the end of the spring semester and the beginning of summer by highlighting a student veteran that has won several entrepreneurship awards for his website: http://www.collegeveteran.com/ which helps connect veterans with the experience of other student vets. Paul Szoldra, the website’s creator, was interviewed in the following article: http://chronicle.com/article/With-GI-Bills-Billions-at/131723/?sid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en

 College rankings, the label “Military Friendly” and the whole college system can be difficult to navigate and decipher. There are a variety of tools to help students choose schools, and each has its flaws and proponents. While some students make their choices based on the ‘brand’ of the institution, others choose based on program compatibility, location, or price. One other aspect of choosing a college completion/graduation rates. To help you compare schools, see the college completion rates from the Chronicle of Higher Education: http://collegecompletion.chronicle.com/

 If you or your children would like some free educational videos to view over summer to keep your brain active, try: http://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy#p/p for math, sciences, and more.