Aspire to Achieve

Let us be together aspire to achieve
No matter what, no matter when, working hand in hand
Let us go the distance, reach for goals that shine
Creating our future, with everyone in mind

Let us find in our strides, new strength to go on by
Nothing is ever easy, we have to hold on and strive
Let us never be afraid, if we have to change our ways
Through the years, we'll always stay, one in every way

Pass it on

A candle loses nothing if it is used
to light another one.

***

Feel the Flame Forever Burn
Teaching Lessons We Must Learn
To Bring Us Closer to the
POWER of THE DREAM

***

Some Food for Thought

By Angie Hembree

I've been working from home for almost 8 years. I've done various things. For the last two years I have worked with a company that has a great team. We all work together to make our dreams come true. What a great concept.....helping each other. You don't see that alot at a j.o.b. or any other home business. That's what makes us different from anyone else.

We have a magazine that the company sends every month. As I was reading this month's magazine I was moved by the inspiration from our teammates and business owners. So I wanted to pass along their words of wisdom. These can be used in life, business and family.

CHARACTER: "Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence." B. Montgomery British Field Marshal

FOCUS: "What people say, what people do, and what they say they do are entirely different things." M. Mead Anthropologist

VISION: "The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious." J. Sculley, Former CEO of Pepsi and Apple Computer

INITIATIVE: "Success seems to be connected with action.Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit." Conrad Hilton, Hotel Executive

COMMUNICATION: "Developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. If a leader can't get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn't even matter." Gilbert Amelio, President and CEO of National Semiconductor Corp.

COMMITMENT: "People do not follow uncommitted leaders. Commitment can be displayed in full range of matters to the work hours you choose to maintain, how you work to improve your abilities, or what you do for your fellow workers and personal sacrifice." Stephen Gregg, Chairman and CEO of Ethix Corp.

COMPETENCE: "Competence goes beyond words. It's the leader's ability to say it, plan on it, and do it in such a way that others know that you know how and know that they want to follow you." John C. Maxwell

SELF DISIPLINE: "The speed of the leader is the speed of your organization." Russ Paley

PASSION: "Anyone can dabble, but once you've made that commitment, your blood has that particular thing in it, and it's very hard for people to stop you." Bill Cosby

Now reading those words of wisdom apply them to your life. The Vision of my Passion is what keeps me going. Initiative gives me the strength to make a difference by help others.

I'm a wife and mother of two girls. I've been helping others save and earn money from home. Look over my website at http://www.wahw.infinitepossibilitiesteam.com/

To Self Improve You Must Flow Like Water

By Robin OBrien

Water is found in all living things but it is never contained. Somehow, somewhere it will escape and flow where it wants. To find true happiness you must allow your mind to escape and flow like water.

It was once thought that all life on earth needed 3 things: light, warmth and water, but today scientists have found living organisms deep within caves that never receive light and even bacteria buried deep in the sub-zero ice caps of Antarctica. Life doesnt need light or warmth but one thing is now known to be essential: water.

Water cannot be contained. Sooner or later it escapes and travels on a journey of its own inclination. A river flows, not in a fixed route, rather it follows the contour of the land and, if the landscape changes, the river changes course. The river follows the easiest route, the path of least resistance. Its course may change many times, it may even reach an impasse and form a lake, but eventually it finds its journeys end: the sea. Even man-made waterways, such as canals, dont contain or control water. Glass contains water but cannot keep it. If you ever look at a truly old piece of glass you can see that it has lost its smoothness: you can observe that the surface has what appears to be ripples, like ripples on a pond. The ripples always follow one direction: downward, towards gravity. A pane of glass will actually form a droplet of glass that eventually drips; it just takes a couple of thousand years to do so.

Your journey of self-improvement, to be successful, must be like that of a river. The yearning to improve your inner self is the spring from where your wide river of self-fulfilment will come.

Along the way your journey will take many turns. Youll encounter what seem to be insurmountable obstacles that loom like mountains, but like water youll find the valley or canyon to flow around the obstacles. At times the river will disappear, deep underground. Youll lose sight of it, perhaps for a long time. But, it must resurface eventually, as all rivers do before they reach journeys end.

Your journey will not always be a smooth one. Youll encounter rapids and you may even have to take enormous leaps of faith before tumbling down to where you want to be: but like a waterfall, when you reach the next step along the journey your power and energy will be many fold. You will also experience many stagnant pools along that path where the flow of the river is almost imperceptible. But flow the river does and it will flow freely and cleanly.

The journey will be a rewarding one. Your spring, that tiny step toward self-fulfilment, will turn into a river, perhaps even a great, mighty and wide one. And you wont be alone. A river is not a single entity; rather it is formed by a meeting of many springs: a meeting of minds. Your journeys end will be a confluence of water.

Dont try to constrain your river of self-development. Dont build canals to take the river where you think it should go, or aqueducts to take you over obstacles. Let the river of you journey find its own route. Can the greatest man-made canal ever compare to any river. A river moves, changes, adapts and grows bigger. The water in a canal moves slowly, the course it follows never changes, and it never will grow bigger or wider. Do you want your journey to be that of a canal or a river?

A river follows the path of least resistance. This isnt laziness: it is just expending energy where it is really needed. Your journey must explore every field, valley and wood. Dont expend energy on getting to your destination; spend your energy on exploring the world around you. All rivers eventually flow out to the sea. They all reach journeys end and you will too.

Robin O'Brien is a successfully webmaster and founder of
http://www.%20selfimprovementtechniques.com/where he provides help and support. You can find more self improvement tips on his site.

Profit From The Author Inside You

By Michael Southon


I've reviewed a number of eBooks recently, and none of themexcited me, but this one definitely did. If you've ever hadthe slightest desire to write a 'How To' book, I urge youto read 'Profit From The Author Inside You'.

It's worth pointing out right at the start that RogerParker does know what he's talking about - he has written24 books that have been translated into 37 languages andthere are currently over 1.6 million copies of his books inprint.

This book assumes that you offer some kind of professionalservice. Roger Parker argues that writing a 'How To' bookis not an end in itself, but a means of positioningyourself as one of the leading experts in your field. AsRoger Parker shows, books possess "magical" powers -writing a book opens the doors to speaking engagements,spinoff books, newsletters, columns, and hefty consultingfees.

I once knew a human resources expert in Australia and hewas very good at what he did. But he used to complainbitterly that there were people with half his expertiseearning 20 times the amount he was. Why? Because they hadwritten a book!

If you've always thought of writing as a painful processthat requires a huge creative effort, you may be in for apleasant shock.

Roger Parker shows that most successful (i.e. top-selling)'How To' books are based on a formula - they are written ina 'paint by numbers' fashion.

The most exciting part of this book for me is a techniquethat Roger Parker calls 'Painless Writing'.

He urges you to throw out of the window two very common(and unsuccessful) approaches to writing a book: MarathonWriting ("Getting away from it all" and dropping all otheractivities while you work on your book) and Linear Writing(trying to write your book from first to last chapter in anordered sequence).

Instead, he offers three approaches that will change theway you write and make it much easier and much more fun:

(1) Molecular writing - this is a way of 'chunking down'to the level of bite-sized pieces of information:"harvesting individual ideas, or nuggets of information,which you carefully organize and prioritize beforebeginning writing".

(2) Measurable progress writing - "committing to write alittle each day, building time into your daily schedule (asopposed to escaping to a cabin in the woods)".

(3) Non-sequential writing - "jumping into your projectwherever you're comfortable, starting with the easiestideas, and building your confidence point by point, idea byidea, wherever they appear in your book".

Another part of this book that is essential reading ifyou're thinking of writing a book is Chapter Four - '10Characteristics of Successful Titles'. Did you know thatat least half of your book's success will be determined bythe title you choose?

Roger Parker shows you 10 key concepts that make thedifference between a title that sells well and one thatflops. (Here's a hint: the following titles all use these10 key concepts: Chicken Soup For The Soul; Rich Dad, PoorDad; The Millionaire Next Door; The 7 Habits of HighlyEffective People; Think and Grow Rich; How to Win Friendsand Influence People).

The book also contains 4 work sheets (pages 99 to 120) thatguide you through the writing of your book.

'Profit From The Author Inside You' set of explosions in myhead on virtually every page. In fact, it fired me up so muchthat I'm now using Roger Parker's techniques to write a bookthat I've been trying to write for over 5 years. What morecan I say?

You can get your copy of 'Profit From The Author Inside You'at: http://www.freezineweb.com/cgi-bin/pftaiy.cgi It has a 30day money back guarantee, so you really can't go wrong.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Southon has been writing for the Internet for over 3 years.
He has shown hundreds of webmasters how to use this simple
technique to build a successful online business.
Click here to find out more: http://ezine-writer.com/
---------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas Edison

"If we did all the things we were

capable of doing, we would literally

astound ourselves."

Thomas Edison

Jason Lee

I am grateful for all my challenges because of who they make me!

I have culled a bouquet of diverse flowers amongst men's gardens ... and nothing is my own ... save the strings that bindeth them.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.(KJV)

Of Mice, Maze and Constant Change.

Life

isn't along a straight and easy path

where we can travel

unhampered and unhindered

but a MAZE of vestibules

through which we must seek and find

now and again, mystified and baffled

thwarted in concealed pathway.

But unceasingly, when we believe,

Providence will provide a way for us,

not one that we ourselves think is perfect

but one that will eventually attest to the fact.

Opportunities Missed

There was a very cautious man
Who never laughed or played
He never risked, he never tried
He never sang or prayed
And when he one day passed away
His insurance was denied
For since he never really lived
They claimed he never died

Positive Thinking

When I change my Thinking, I change my Beliefs

When I change my beliefs, I change my Expectations

When I change my expectations, I change my Attitude

When I change my attitude, I change my Behavior

When I change my behavoir, I change my Performance

When I change my performance, I CHANGE MY LIFE !

Prepare for a Long, Healthy Life

Most teens assume they will always be healthy, but research shows that modern teens are starting to have serious health problems. What can you do to increase your odds for a lifetime of good health?

by Greg Sargent

It would be hilarious if it weren't so outrageous. Some scientists are proposing that we reengineer our bodies in order to prevent accidents, avoid disease and promote longevity. Ideas recently conceived by "experts" and published in a popular news weekly include extra ribs to prevent hernias, backward-bending knees to reduce joint friction, swiveling oversize ears to enhance hearing in old age, and squid-like eyes (less prone to vision loss).
These were only some of the ideas. The result? A really odd-looking, contorted body! One expert claimed the human body wasn't designed for longevity. Were we designed to become obese and plagued with disease as we grow older?

Teens affected, too

Perhaps you're thinking, "How in the world does this subject apply to me? I'm young. Old age doesn't concern me. Disease won't affect me." When I was a teenager, I thought the same way. Actually, I gave those subjects no thought at all! But stop and think. Every old person, every disabled and diseased adult, was once a teenager--just like you. Unfortunately, more and more teens are experiencing shortened life spans and disabling diseases.

One author puts it this way: "Most people think heart disease is an adult disease, the result of many years of an improper diet. However, in a recent study reported in The American Heart Association Journal, dangerous advanced arterial plaque was found in teens and young adults who had died in accidents, by suicide, or had been murdered.... Obesity is becoming a major health deterrent of children, teens, and young adults" (Tipworld, www.topica.com/tipworld, by Elizabeth Thornberry).

Oops! Health does have something to do with teenagers. Let's Live magazine stated the following in its "weightwatch" section: "A diet high in sweets and fats coupled with sedentary activities, like channel surfing and cruising the Internet, could be a disaster in the making for many of today's children. A study by researchers at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, found that obese children are 53 more times likely to have insulin resistance, a syndrome that often precedes development of adult-onset (type II) diabetes. This disease can cause blindness and amputation" (February 2001, p. 28). To emphasize the point, the section was titled "Obese Kids and Diabetes."

Obesity's effects

Weight gain seems to be the scourge of our society. There has been a recent 70 percent increase in the rate of obesity among young adults--both male and female.
Too much weight results in all types of infirmities. Heart disease, cancer, strokes and diabetes are on the list. These four problems alone are responsible for 65 percent of all deaths in the United States. What can you, as a young person, do to avoid obesity and maximize your future health?

Diets don't work

Gail O'Connor (Teen People, April 2000, pp. 204-205) recently asked, "What percentage of dieters gain back all of their lost weight--or more--within one year? A. 25%, B. 50%, C. 65% or D. 95%?" Continuing, she wrote: "Answer: D, 95%! Dieting doesn't work! Besides the fact that nearly every person who goes on a diet regains the weight, radically reducing the amount of food you eat slows your metabolism, so most people end up fatter than before."
Another author, Jane Brody, in The New York Times Book of Health writes: "The body adjusts its weight to a preset goal...researchers have found that all people, fat or thin, adjust their metabolism to maintain their weight" (p. 35). If dieting isn't the answer (and guys, pay attention because if you're not overweight now, there's a 63 percent chance you will be fat by age 25), what is the answer?

Raise your metabolic rate

Since the brain adjusts to dieting by lowering metabolism, you have to do something. Not long ago, I came across some general information about metabolism. Although no specific source was cited, the information is in line with published guidelines from most knowledgeable health educators.

The paper noted, "Basal metabolic rate is the base amount of energy needed to keep your heart, lungs, muscles and organs going at rest. Here are some simple ideas that can speed up metabolic rate.

Eat breakfast. If you skip it, you will tell your body that you are starving it and it slows down metabolism.

Don't reduce your caloric intake to less than 1,200 calories per day. If you do, you will again tell your body that you are starving it. You again reduce your metabolic rate.
Increase your activity by doing some fast walking or short workout. It doesn't have to be extensive. Short term raising of your activity level increases your metabolic rate."
Gail O'Connor agrees. According to her, "If your doctor has told you to shed some pounds, then do what experts know does work to help you lose weight: Exercise for 30 to 40 minutes, five times a week, and moderately reduce calorie intake" (Teen People, April 2000, p. 205).

Why we're getting fat

An article in U.S. News and World Report recently explained, "Both men and women are getting fat in epidemic proportions. Well over half of all American adults--about 63 percent of men and 55 percent of women age 25 and older--are overweight" (November 8, 1999, p. 82). The article points out that the problem is not just with adults: "...a decrease in physical activity [emphasis mine throughout article] among both sexes is contributing to a recent 70 percent increase in the rate of obesity among young adults" (ibid., p. 83). An insert article under the title, "Cutting Kid's Weights," reported that 1 in every 5 U.S. children is overweight. Did you notice that the cause was "a decrease in physical activity"?

Elizabeth Thornberry echoes the importance of physical exercise, writing, "We need as parents to make sure our children are eating healthy food in correct proportions and participating in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day. Physical activity will help to control fatness, reduce cholesterol, and prevent high blood pressure" (ibid.).

Many authors are lining up, telling us to engage in more activity. "Since 1985 the American Cancer Society has recommended regular exercise as part of its 10-step program to prevent cancer" (Book of Health, Brody, p. 36). Brody points out that being sedentary is just as bad a vice as cigarette smoking. "For women, exercise, particularly during the teenage and young adult years, seems to be associated with lower rates of breast cancer and various...cancers of the reproductive tract" (ibid., p. 55).

In his book, Antioxidant Revolution, Kenneth Cooper quotes the American Heart Association as stating, "inactivity is a primary risk factor for heart disease" (p. 49). Consider what Dr. Cooper says exercise will do for you. According to this noted expert, aerobic exercise, three times a week for 20 minutes each session, will enhance your immune system, prevent bone disease, cause less bone loss and fewer joint symptoms, give you more flexibility, give you greater strength and longevity, produce fewer medical problems, reduce body fat by increasing metabolism, result in fewer medications and will give you 3 1/2 times less disabilities by the time all is said and done.

Avoid animal fat

While there are many more actions you can take for improved health, consider one more. Dr. Cooper also says, "...the researchers found that the more animal fat and the fewer vegetables and fruits consumed, the higher the coronary death rate was in the countries studied" (ibid., p. 144).
The Bible tells us not to consume animal fat or unclean meats. Further, God's Word contains many examples of foods we should eat including fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and clean meat. If we follow the words of our Parent in heaven, the consequences should result in living much longer (Exodus 20:12).

Live to 120?

There is little doubt that we can live much longer, in health, than today's average life span. Leading researchers in the study of longevity contradict those who espouse the premise that our bodies were not designed to live long.

The Maffetone Report (January/February 2001, Volume 3, Issue 1) maintains that the average life span for an animal is six times their skeletal maturity. Dr. Ash and Beth Ley, in their book DHEA, Unlocking the Secrets to the Fountain of Youth, state the figure is seven times maturity. A medium-sized dog is mature at 2 and lives to be 14 years old. A horse matures at age 3 and lives to be 24 or 25. Humans mature at 20 and live less than four times that length. Why can't humans live to be 120 (six times their skeletal maturity)?

The report continued by stating, "How well you care for yourself from the earliest age has a significant impact on both the quantity and quality of your life." Deja vu? Solomon said the same thing in Ecclesiastes 12:1: "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, 'I have no pleasure in them.'"
So what should we conclude? Perhaps we don't need a restructuring of our physical bodies after all. Perhaps we should just heed God's Word, "If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law.... He will bring back on you all the diseases of Egypt.... Also every sickness and every plague" (Deuteronomy 28:58-61).

The choice is yours. Start now to increase your chance for a long, healthy life. YU....www.ucg.org

Greg Sargent directs Pinecrest, a United Youth Camp in southern Missouri, and pastors United Church of God congregations in St. Louis, Columbia, and Kansas City, MO.

Choosing Your Friends

Learn the value of true friendship by being a good friend. "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17).

by Larry W. Greider

You can't pick your brothers and sisters. You inherit them, and hopefully grow to love and appreciate them. Sadly, many brothers and sisters, through competition and struggle, lose the great joy God intended. As the proverb suggests, some only discover the love and closeness of their closest kin when the chips are down.

What makes good friends?

Do you have a best friend? Would you like to have a soul mate to confide in and grow close to by sharing your thoughts and feelings? Most young people move in and out of many superficial relationships trying not to be dumped, hurt, ridiculed or ostracized. There are many trivial reasons why people turn on others in our society. When values become focused on things rather than people, it is easy to run over the feelings of others in order to attract the fleeting eye of those judged to be "cool." These shallow relationships are like the early morning fog that dissipates as the day goes on.

How to make lasting friends

The purpose of this article is to help you discover the joy of a good friend, perhaps even a best friend. There are several important ground rules when picking and developing a relationship with others. Let me suggest a few guidelines:

Pick those who have the same values (or who at least don't trash those things that are important to you). The Scriptures give timeless insight into the dynamics of relationships. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:33, "Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.'"
If you run with the turkeys, you will not soar with the eagles. Perhaps the single most powerful reason for doing what you know is not right is peer pressure. It is a rare and determined person who doesn't bend, at least part of the time, to the taunts and expectations of the crowd. Determine now to be your own person and pick those who will respect you for that! (For more information about this important subject be sure to read our article in this issue titled, "Rise Above Peer Pressure").

Relationships take work.If you want friends, you need shared experiences. It is difficult to bump into someone in the hallway and consider him or her a true friend. A proverb explains, "A man who has friends must himself be friendly" (Proverbs 18:24). It is possible that your own brother or sister can be a close friend, but such a friendship takes the same amount of work, sometimes more, since there are more times for you to irritate each other.

If you work on projects together, attend the same church, go to camp together or have the same interests, you'll find it much easier to have things in common that will help you bond with someone else. There are several keys that are vital. Listen to your friend and be willing to give and take--not just take. Also, keep a confidence (unless something you hear needs to be passed on, such as some abuse, drug habit or other serious problem).

Be honest with each other. Perhaps nothing separates friends quicker than being insincere. If you want a good, lifelong relationship, be true and honest from the get-go. Again, the wisdom of the ancients rings so true for today: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:6). This doesn't mean that a boatload of discretion isn't needed. Just because you don't like an outfit or hairdo, you don't need to humiliate your friend. There is always something nice to say.

Widen your circle of friends. If you make some good friends, don't form a clique. Open up your circle to include others, especially those who are new to your world. It takes some risk to open up to others and invite them in, but most of us are shy and awkward about starting friendships. If you see someone by himself or herself, share some of your time with that person. It might be one of the best investments you ever make.

Due to the scattered nature of God's Church, you might have pockets of friends all over the world. Broaden your circle and take advantage of every opportunity to build a network of those who have the same values as yourself. Friends can help you grow and learn many new things. As the proverb says, "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27:17).

The speed of change and deteriorating morality of our culture makes it a difficult place in which to live and grow. Our values are under assault at every turn. It can be overwhelming to struggle to succeed when many break the rules, are crass, vulgar, dishonest and yet, seem to gain the advantage. We need soul mates to help us through the rocky roads that lie ahead for each of us. Perhaps you can make the difference in someone else's life by developing many healthy friendships. United Youth Camps offer many opportunities to find and develop lifelong friendships. Why not make the effort to find those who have similar values and work at building relationships that will last a lifetime? You won't be sorry. After all, God created us to be His friends (James 2:23)! YU ... www.ucg.org

How to Be a Good Friend

You never know when someone is going to call on you to be a friend. Many young people find it difficult to find someone in their community that has the same set of values and mind set. It is hard to find true friends who are willing to stick by your side through whatever may come. But those who find these rare individuals are truly blessed.

What is a best friend? Do you have one? Having a best friend is a true gift. Knowing that someone is there for you through thick and thin brings a whole new joy to life. Life for a teenager can be hard and even depressing, but knowing that there is someone there to call on if needed can certainly lighten the load. Today, possessions seem to take over our minds more and more and people tend to lose sight of the value of good, healthy relationships.

In life, we simply don't know whom we are going to encounter in the future or if someone will become a real friend. Even so, we can learn to be good friends ourselves. With that in mind, here are a few suggestions on how to be a good friend.

Be there for them. Listen to them. When friends come for advice or an opinion, we have to give them our full attention by listening carefully. Eye contact helps and turning off any distractions lets them know that you take them seriously. Whether it's giving them a shoulder to cry on or patiently listening, show that you really care.

Be honest. There is nothing more hurtful than lies. We have to earn a friend's trust, and nothing destroys trust more than lies. To be a good friend, be honest. When friends come to you, they should be confident that they are getting genuine, transparent truth. Although we all know the truth can sometimes sting, there is nothing like tactful honesty among friends, motivated by care and concern. Be true to your word and do as you say. This dependability will pay rich rewards in developing a lifelong friend.

Don't exclude. Some of the best times come when we are with a group of friends. We don't always need to have just one best friend. Having 10 or 20 will provide lots of security and comfort. It will also mean that we are more likely to have one around when we need one. Being friendly encourages others to want to be around us. We all need friends, so why not offer to be one for others?

Be understanding. If you are lucky enough to have a friend in the Church nearby, more power to you. Often there isn't another person in your entire school who believes like you do. If your friends have different beliefs, you will need to give each other a little latitude for differences of opinions. The important thing is to show respect to each other.

In today's world there are a lot of traps we must avoid, and sometimes we may be surprised to learn how many other young people are trying to do what is right. If we live what we have been fortunate enough to learn, people will honor and respect us for our values. If we are good friends to others, it is likely that our circle of friends will also grow. As we move through life, let's remember how important good friends are! — Aaron Greider YU ..... www.ucg.org

To Each is Given

Isn't it strange that princes and kings,
and clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
and ordinary folk like you and me
are builders of eternity.

To each is given a bag of tools,
an hour glass and a book of rules,
and each must build, e're life is flown,
a stumbling block or a stepping stone.

Faith vs doubts

Doubts sees only Obstacles but Faith sees the Way
Doubts sees the darkest Nite but Faith sees the Day
Doubts dreads to take a Step but Faith Soars on High
Doubts questions ... "who can" ... Faith answers "I"

RichDeVos

Careers in the New Millennium

What trends will shape your future world of work? What can you do to prepare for the right career for you?

by Mike Bennett

Whole new careers are being created almost daily, it seems. Advances in medicine, the Internet, robotics and other new technologies keep expanding the options for your future career. Now you can choose to be a cytotechnologist or an XML developer, a change manager or an undersea medicine physician, along with hundreds of other new and traditional careers.


All this can make planning for your future career seem a little overwhelming. To help, government and private agencies have produced a wealth of research on what tomorrow's job market will be like. Since predicting future job trends is not an exact science, there are some differences of opinion. But let's look at some trends many experts agree on.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer-related careers will continue to be hot. Its top five fastest growing occupations through 2008 are:

Computer engineers (up 108 percent)
Computer support specialists (up 102 percent)
Systems analysts (up 94 percent)
Database administrators (up 77 percent)
Desktop publishing specialists (up 73 percent)
Of course how fast a career is growing doesn't tell the whole story. Though desktop publishing specialists will grow 73 percent, the total number of additional jobs is only 19,000. On the other hand, retail salespersons, cashiers and general managers /top executives are each expected to add more than half a million new jobs, though their growth rates are less than 20 percent.

Experts also predict that the health care field will continue to grow as the Baby Boomers grow older and as medical advancements continue. Half of the top 25 fastest growing occupations are in health care, from medical assistants (58 percent growth) to physician assistants (48 percent), from medical records technicians (44 percent) to respiratory therapists (43 percent). Registered nurses are expected to add 450,000 jobs, the seventh largest job growth, though this is "only" a 22 percent increase.

Will you be in demand?
These few growth trends are only the tip of the iceberg, so it's not a problem if none of the jobs mentioned above are interesting to you. Out of the thousands of other careers, there are sure to be a number that will fit you. But an overview of the working world can help you see how to prepare for the careers of the future.


How have things changed in recent years? "Procedures that took hours or weeks a few years ago can now be performed in minutes or even seconds on high-powered computers," writes Barbara Eklund in the Career Information Center (Volume 13). "Rapid, ongoing change is a basic characteristic of the new economy.

"Ever-improving telecommunications systems have...made the worldwide market a reality. This means that American corporations must compete on a global basis. To do this they need more information, more-advanced technology, more-highly trained workers, greater flexibility and, of course, increased productivity." So your future employers will be looking for highly trained and adaptable workers. "Flexible organizations require workers to continue to learn new skills and, if necessary, change their jobs," said Allan Salt, former director of the ILO Training Department.

Education is essential. "The number of new jobs open to Americans with four-year bachelors degrees will rise twice as fast as the number of jobs requiring short-term experience and training," according to career site www.embark.com.

In the job market of tomorrow, training and learning won't stop when a full-time job begins. Careers are changing so rapidly that there is a "need for lifelong learning," according to Jeffrey Hallett in his book, Worklife Visions.

Charting your career path
Planning and preparing for your career is a challenging task, but it can be rewarding. Here are some of the basics:

Find out about yourself. This is a lifelong process, but so is career planning. In your school years, the idea is to write down the things you enjoy and are good at. What are your favorite subjects, hobbies, activities, sports and so on? Writing these down will give you an idea of some of your interests.

Your aptitudes--things you have natural talent for—can be harder to find. You may not have tried any activity in which you could demonstrate your ability in a certain area. That's one reason it's good to try new things.

You'll also find out things you don't like, which can help you avoid getting stuck in a career you don't like.

You may find, as many people do, that the most difficult person to see clearly is yourself. You need a mirror—someone who knows you well, such as a parent, teacher or friend—to help you see hidden aptitudes and interests. Seek God's help, too, by asking for His guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6). The book of Proverbs is full of good advice for making the best decisions, and keeping everything in the right priority. Our jobs are important, but not more important than our relationships with God and family.

Find out about careers. What do various jobs involve? Many governments publish books that describe different occupations. The United States publishes the Occupational Outlook Handbook which describes what workers do, how much they earn, the training and education required and the projected job outlook. This handbook is available in many libraries, and on-line at http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm.

Other methods of finding out about careers are talking with your school career counselor, exploring other career Web sites, watching career films, attending career presentations, working part-time or volunteering.


Talk to people who do various jobs. Ask about the good and bad points. Learn about advancement, education, the nature of the job, health requirements or hazards.

Now consider job trends. Which job fields are growing, which have fierce competition and which are going the way of the dinosaur? Weigh these factors with all the others to narrow your search to two or three career fields and perhaps five to 10 specific careers.

You don't have to eliminate a career you really love just because it's not growing as fast. Just be realistic about your talents and the competition you'll face. Natural enthusiasm, talents and hard work can give you the edge you need.

Plan your educational program. Try to develop a program that will qualify you for several of the careers highest on your list. If that's not possible, at least plan an education that will provide a foundation for further studies in the other areas.

Pursue a broad education and focus on industries, not just specific careers. Many careers require a broad educational experience. Trying a variety of courses will also help you in working with others and will teach you more about yourself.

Start your career planning early and continue your planning and education throughout your life. Then you'll be ready for the careers of the new millennium. YU.....www.ucg.org