Monday, January 6, 2020

What is it like to work at Amazon Go Beyond the Badge with Jerusha

What is it like to work at Amazon Go Beyond the Badge with Jerusha Amazons flexible environment makes it a good place for women to work. Where could an Amazon badge take you? One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labo r Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the wertzuwachs of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry it self is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadershi p position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sen se of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Careers in the Video Gaming Industry

Careers in the Video Gaming IndustryCareers in the Video Gaming IndustryThe video gaming industry has caught on among both teenagers and adults alike and has created numerous jobs for people who find themselves fascinated by the process. Talk about following your passion If you find yourself spending hours on end playing your favorite video games, a career in the video game industry might just be theright career for you. Video and computer games have become one of the largest segments of the entertainment industry. As can be imagined, careers in video gaming are on the rise and arealso very competitive due to the thousands of people who would like to land a job in anindustry doing what they love. To get started there are also many internships available in the field of video gaming such as those at Sony and TimeGate Studios. Types of Jobs in Video Gaming Game DevelopersGame DesignersProgrammersTesters Job Descriptions Game developers are just what they sound like, individuals who make video games. The talents of many people go into creating a game. These include but are not limited to software developers, game konzepters, programmers, and testers. Programmers A programming team is usually involved in creating a computer program through the planning and coding of the software. Within the programming team, there may be individuals included with the following titles graphics engine programming, artificial intelligence programmers, and tool programmers. Programmers are responsible for translating ideas using numeric equations. The video game industry is highly competitive. Programmers with 3-D skills and artificial intelligence expertise are in the highest demand in the industry. Programmer Knowledge Skills One of the prerequisites to become a programmer is excellent math and computer skills. Courses in trigonometry, linear algebra, and analytical geometry are all extremely helpful when thinking of becoming a programmer in the video gaming industry. Game programmers must possess skill and experience using C and C languages which are the ones most often used in the industry. Designers In the initial stages of developing a game, the design team creates a document that lays out each and every aspect of the game. The design team is the group that is responsible for writing the game concept, developing the action of the characters, and establishing the elements in which to play the game. Computer animation and graphic design are an integral part of the design team. Also as part of the design team, the artistic team works to create the images, compose the music, and generate the sound. It is the design team that makes the game entertaining for players. The designers can be referred to as the storytellers, but it is the players who are allowed to control the game and decide on the outcome. It is the artists who create the graphics that end up producing images on the screen. The concept artists then draw sketches and storyboards t o enhance the artists ideas. Character artists design and create the characters on a whiteboard, while it is the animators who are responsible for making the characters move by creating personalities through their facial and body movement. The artists will then proceed to build the characters using modeling software on the computer. The background artists create the backdrop for the game and begin the process by drafting what they envision out on paper. Artists then build these creatures on the computer using modeling software. Animation creates the personality of the character through facial and body movements. Background artists create the background and draft it out on paper. Game artists need visual imagination. They find their inspiration by observing, studying movies, comics, and fine art. They love to experiment with new ideas. fruchtwein have formal training in fine arts or an arts-related field. They may study drawing painting, color theory, sculpture, and graphic design. M oving from the actual artwork, the sound designers are those individuals who compose the music and create the sound thats included in the game. To create the right mood for the game, sound designers must work very closely with the game designers to provide the right music and sounds to enhance the players enjoyment of the game. Designer Knowledge Skills To be a designer you must possess excellent communication skills, have a strong ability to write, and be able to communicate ideas clearly. Sound designers must be musically creative and have some familiarity with all kinds of different music. Sound designers must also understand the basics of computer hardware and software and understand the work of the programmers working on individual projects. A degree in music and a basic understanding of music theory and composition are also very helpful if not a requirement for the job. Testing At the end of the entire process, the game will need to be tested. Testers are the people w ho play the games for a living (yes there are those kinds of jobs). Testers begin by looking for errors in the overall design and are responsible for working out the bugs prior to the game being sent to production.? Testing Knowledge Skills To be a game tester, there are no major requirements. Of course, an interest in playing video games for hours on end with an ability to spot errors that occur in the game is the minimum of qualifications. Writing and communication skills, computer experience, and a college education may be required for some of the more competitive jobs. Benefits Casual working environmentTraditional benefits usually providedThose in the industry usually enjoy the process and the outcome Disadvantages Long, irregular hoursDisappointment for the thousands of video games that never get published