Change Career, With Purpose, News

Whenever I see Projections of Future Occupations, I pay attention. I have an interest in projected careers in the future for several reasons. First, future career projections forecast future career opportunities for my own family. I recently came across future occupational projections for the County of San Diego, where both my kids live, as do my wife and I. The basic question I have for my adult children is rather simple -- will they have jobs in the future?

San Diego County Future Career Projections

Here is what I discovered concerning Occupational career projections, forecasted for the period 2002 to 2012: • Over 240,000 new jobs from industry growth, • Nearly 300,000 job openings from Net Replacements, • A combined total of almost 540,000 job openings.

The Good News Concerning the Employment Picture For My Kids

What I discovered about future career opportunities for my kids is this: The 50 occupations with the most job openings will generate almost 52 percent of all job openings in San Diego County during the 2002-2012 period. These occupations are expected to generate over 279,000 total job openings. Now surely they will be able to land one of those jobs.

Uh-oh, I Suspected This May True About Future Career Occupations

Many of these occupations are typically lower paying, entry level occupations, such as Retail Salespersons, Cashiers and Waiters and Waitresses. In the field I work in, healthcare career field, the healthcare career projections for lowest paying jobs would include Home Health Aids. For my wife, the early childhood educational field, future career projections of low paying jobs would include preschool teachers.

I Like However Statements Concerning Future Career Projections

However, higher-skilled and higher paying occupations, such as

• Registered Nurses,
• Managers,
• Carpenters,
• Accountants,
• and Computer software Engineers,

are also forecasted to have a substantial number of job openings over the ten-year period. All occupations among the top 50 are forecasted to have a minimum of 2,000 job openings annually. The 50 fastest growing occupations are all expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.1 percent or more.

Now I Know What I Should Be Earning

The second reason for my interest in future occupational career projections is for me. Looks like I will be working for a long time even though I will be 60 on my next birthday. Occupations in Hi-Tech, Education, Health and Scientific fields are scattered throughout the top fifty fastest growing occupations. Most of these projected occupations require education beyond high school and many pay over $30 per hour. Humnnn, I have a masters degree, am board certified, and work in the health field. Just who do I talk to about a raise? And is that $30 per hour for the year 2002 or the year 2012? *Future Career Projections the County of San Diego taken from http://www.calmis.ca.gov/FILE/indproj/sandi_Highlights.pdf

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05-04-2006 - My Writing About Storms of Life Didn't Cause It To Rain

I recently wrote an article entitled "Dealing With Storm Alerts, Going Through Storms". Last night we had a storm (you in other parts of the country or world would call it a mini-storm). Now I suppose that some would think that my writing that article actually caused the storm. It is the same logic that says that if you wash your car, it will rain. But nonetheless, last night it rained in San Diego. I often notice that a heavy rainstorm is followed by the devastation of flooding, mudslides or landslides. We can take the rain, but it is the aftermath of the storm that creates havoc. Recently I received from the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross some tips on dealing with storms and what to do when you receive a storm alert. The point I made in my article (soon to be a webpage on this site) is this: Ministry opportunities are prevalent as we help people deal with the storms of life, both weather related as well as the storms of the spirit. Note that even weather related terminology is used to describe traumatic personal events such as "stormy relationships". Weather terminology even has applications referencing aspects of spiritual life, with such terms as "spiritual draught" or "showers of blessing". Meanwhile, back to the Red Cross Storm Alert Tips, there are oftne spiritual applications for such weather related warnings. For the moment, I will leave the creation of those spiritual storm tips to a later date.

What Should You Do During an Intense Storm?

• Stay alert and awake. Many debris-flow fatalities happen when people are sleeping. Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio, portable, battery-powered radio, or television for warnings about intense rainfall.
• Be aware that intense, short bursts of rain may be particularly dangerous, especially after longer periods of rain and damp weather. If you are in areas prone to landslides and debris flows, consider leaving if it is safe for you to do so.
• Remember that driving during an intense storm can be hazardous. If you stay at home, move to a second story if you can.
• Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate debris moving toward you, such as cracking trees or rumbling rocks and boulders. A trickle of flowing or falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. Moving debris can move quickly and without warning.
• If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow, and for a change from clear to muddy water. Such changes may indicate landslide activity upstream from you. Be prepared to move quickly. Don't delay! Save yourself, not your possessions.
• Be extremely alert when driving. Embankments along roadsides are susceptible to landslides. Watch the road for collapsed pavement, mud, rocks, and other indicators of debris flow.

Onward with purpose, Chaplain Paul Slater

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07-04-2006 - Musings on Using the Words "Church" and "Praise the Lord!"

Let Me Share Some Musings on Using the Words "Church" and "Praise the Lord!"

Have you ever had things that bug you but, after all is said and done, really are not that big of a deal? Usually my wife has this response for me: "Get over it!" Now I have discovered after 38 years of marriage, she is usually right . . . but maybe not this time! (My disclaimer because usually she is!)

Chaplain Paul's Church Peeves

Let me share two of what I call "Chaplain Paul's Pet Peeves" (or should I say "Chaplain Paul's Church Peeves"?). It has to do with how we as the people of God, use the words "church" and "praise the Lord".

Misuse Of The Word "Church"

I believe we have allowed ourselves to misuse the word "church" in that much time, we do so as reference to the building or the facility rather than to us, God's family of faith! At other times we use it to as a reference to the services. What's pathetic is that I find myself doing this! For example, I'll say to my wife "Meet me at church" or ask my son "Are you going to church today?" See the misuse of the word – using it to refer to the facility or the meetings. You wouldn't say "Meet me after God's family of faith" or "Are you going to people of God?" Yes, I really do think this is a big deal because, in referring to the meetings or facilities as church, we diminish what God has in mind for the church to be. Throughout scripture, church is a reference to people: folk like you and me – forgiven fallen folks. You see, church means people of God, (that's us), because the word "church" (ecclesia) literally means "called out ones".

A Gripe About How We Use The Phrase "Praise The Lord!"

Since I have the floor in this gripe session, the other "Church Peeve" (uh-oh, there I go again, misusing the word church) I have a gripe about how we use the phrase "Praise the Lord!" Hah! Seems incongruous, griping about praise! (It's better than praising those who gripe -- a badge of honor given in many churches.) How do I think we misuse the term "Praise the Lord"? Well, instead of a call to do so, it has become a substitute for doing so! Let me explain it this way.

• What if I said, "Let's all stand up", what would you do? Most would stand, heeding the request to change their posture.
• If I said, "Watch out!" you most likely would look around, searching for danger.
• Yet, whenever someone says, "Praise the Lord" we usually don't do it. We just sit there, thinking that the call to praise is the same as giving praise.

It seems that the challenge to give honor and praise to God has become a substitute for actually doing so. Can you picture this? Maybe your pastor hasn't heard me express my pet peeves, and, touched by God's goodness, declares, "Well, Praise the Lord"! Can you see it taking place? When he or she issues this injunction, several of you, the church, the family of faith, declare (because he or she said to)

• God is awesome
• or "The Lord deserves my praise today for all He means to me!"

Yep, giving praise to God, right out loud, in front of God and everybody. Your pastor would think a spiritual revival was taking place, with the people of God actually doing what was requested, "Praise the Lord".

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09-04-2006 - A Short Funny Quote Reveals How To Handle Stress

Coping With Stress In The Workplace

People in my world want to know how to handle stress, especially stress in the workplace. Several weeks ago I received a phone call at 6:30 in the morning -- "Chaplain Paul! I just can't take it anymore". I spent the next hour sharing some stress management technique tips with the frustrated, close to burnout, employee. Recently I received A Short Funny Quote Showing How To Handle Stress. This inspirational quote for coping with stress appeared in an email article entitled The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee.

Dealing With Stress In The Workplace

Since stress in the workplace is so common and widespread, much of my professional ministry career has focused on dealing with stress in the workplace. A realtor friend, who years ago decided to change career direction from a failing retail shoe store to a profitable real estate career, thought I could use a short funny quote describing a unique stress relief technique.

Employment Training Should Include This Stress Relief Technique

I suppose he thought I could use it in employment training as a stress relief technique for the stressed out healthcare employees I work with. I attempted to find the original source so that I could give credit where literary credit is due, only to discover hundreds of websites using this inspirational quote for coping with the stresses of life. So click here to read what I have entitled The Mayonnaise Jar Stress Management Technique You already have tremendous knowledge and a hard drive full of papers you've written and articles you've composed. "Click here see how you too can impact the world with your message on your own website!" Copyright © 2006, Chaplain Paul L. Slater, San Diego, CA., All Rights Reserved

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09-04-2006 - The Mayonnaise Jar Stress Management Technique

When I received A Short Funny Quote Showing How To Handle Stress in the Workplace, I knew it should be an article on my website. Tools for handling stress in the workplace is a common request from employees I encounter in my workplace chaplain career.

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13-04-2006 - Must Be Time To Refinance With A New Mortgage

I am a very popular person with the Mortgage Industry. I do believe I have received over a hundred notices from 40 or 50 mortgage companies with their latest mortgage offer! Then there are the mortgage refinance phone calls. Since I have several friends and relatives who have chosen mortgage broker careers, I just tell those phoning me, eager to be my personal mortgage provider, that I have a relative in the home refinance business. We will be refinancing our home since we are coming up on our one year anniversary of purchasing our home in San Diego. In the old days, like 3 years ago, people would refinance and pull out a couple hundred thousand dollars in equity increase. These days you hope that the real estate market has just maintained prices from a year ago. My guess is that they have. On what basis?

1. First, based upon all the phone calls from mortgage industry personnel wanting to be my best friend,
2. and second, because of the continual flow of mortgage offer mailings we have received, most of the them making their appearance look as if it is coming from our present mortgage company.

Hummnnn, maybe it is a good time to consider to change career direction to the home mortgage industry. Onward with purpose, Chaplain Paul Slater

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17-04-2006 - Just What My Doctor Ordered . . . A Guide to Lowering Cholesterol with Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Wow. Is this timely . . . and Just What My Doctor Ordered . . . Your Guide to Lowering Cholesterol with Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes Need to lower my cholesterol? Yep, at least that's what my doctor told me last year. I plan to use these TLC (therapeutic lifestyle changes) as a set of tools to get results so that my doctor will get off my back (or is it my front that concerns him?). Last year he scared the "cholesterhell" out of me, but the impact was short lived. I have the feeling I will be too -- short lived -- unless I follow the suggestions in this recently released book aimed at helping people with doctors like mine lower our cholesterol. This cholesterol focused study sounds just like what the doctor ordered, an easy-to-read booklet designed to help me make the lifestyle changes he suggested. Go to the government cholesterol health site that promotes the National cholesterol education program to order Your Guide to Lowering Cholesterol with Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes Onward with purpose, Chaplain Paul Slater My doctor says "Take this cholesterol lowering medication" but my wife is always asking "Did you take your vitamins?" I suppose I should tell her about this great vitamin resource: Buy Multi-Vitamins - Save Up to 51%

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21-04-2006 - Reminders to Refinance Prompted Me To Revisit Remodeling Plans

Refinance Offers are coming out of the woodwork at our address! I do believe that every mortgage broker in California has our phone number. Anyway, I weakened when one mortgage broker called about a new home montage. Talk about persistent! I just about sent the requested information but decided to reconsider doing business with an out of towner. I want the the privilege of looking straight into the eyes of someone who talks like they are my new best friend. By the time I am done, I will probably have quite a few home loan specialists vying for that coveted position. Meanwhile, back at the home front, all of this attention from home loan bankers and mortgage brokers prompted us to revisit our remodeling plans. The problem now is that monies set aside for our garage conversion project have funded other noble purposes like moving our daughter out to San Diego. Moving her out to San Diego from Colorado Springs was worth every penny mind you, but we better remodel our garage to living space before we refinance so as to get a higher appraisal on our modest entry level house. So we talk to a contractor tomorrow. Face to face, able to look 'em in the eye. Guess I will have another best friend in my life. Onward with purpose, Chaplain Paul Slater

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