Travis Sampson: Musings on Jobs and Recruiting

Top 3 Reasons to Attend College in Maryland

Attending a college or university in Maryland is an excellent choice for college students. Several Maryland universities are prestigious and high-quality. Maryland is also conveniently located to employment opportunities in the District of Columbia. The nearby cities of Baltimore and D.C. have diverse populations. Overall, Maryland is a good choice because of its employment opportunities, diverse population, and the excellence of its universities.

Job Opportunities and Internships

The state of Maryland is in close relation to Washington D.C., which is the capital of the United States and a major metro area. Students and recent graduates can usually find employment in the city, particularly if they desire to work in government. It is estimated that the federal government employs about 27% of the workers in the D.C. area. Washington D.C. also provides internships to college students, particularly students studying in fields like political science, public administration, and other related disciplines. Students and recent graduates may also choose to live and work in nearby Baltimore, which has a lower cost of living than D.C.

Diversity

The combined D.C. and Baltimore statistical area is home to one of the largest metropolitan populations in the United States. This population is also one of the most diverse in the country. D.C. has a large immigrant population including individuals from Vietnam, East Africa and El Salvador. Students living in the area enjoy studying and learning from all types of people. Cultural events and ethnic restaurants are popular throughout the area.

Maryland Universities

Maryland has several outstanding universities that attract students from all over the world. Johns Hopkins is one such university. It is consistently ranked as one of the best research universities in the country, and its research programs in science and engineering are world-renowned.

The University of Maryland is also a popular school for those applying to Maryland colleges. The university is the largest school in the state with an enrollment of about 37,000. The university awards 127 undergrad degrees, and it currently consists of 13 schools and colleges.

Loyola University Maryland is a Jesuit, Catholic university and had become one of the most well-known Maryland universities because of its educational standards.

In short, attending a Maryland college is a good choice for students who wish to study in a diverse region. Job opportunities and proximity to large cities like D.C. and Baltimore are also good reasons to study there.

Attending a University in Baltimore is a Must

It is safe to say that every city in America has at least one prestigious university. Pittsburgh has Carnegie Mellon University, Boston has Harvard and New York City has Columbia. However, when thinking of a city that you would like to move to in order to attend a university, you probably do not think of Baltimore, Maryland. However, universities in Baltimore are some of the best in the world for many reasons.

First of all, Baltimore, MD is home to many renowned, world class universities that have high retention rates. This means that a large amount of students are not only happy with the education that Baltimore universities offer, but the lifestyle as well. Baltimore has so much to offer in terms of night life, restaurants, shopping, sports, parks and more. In addition, Baltimore is just a few hours drive from Ocean City, MD and within an hour drive of Washington, DC.

Secondly, universities in Baltimore can be completely affordable. The University of Baltimore for example, charged just $3,655 per semester for in-state tuition and fees in the Fall of 2010. Compared to Penn State University's in-state tuition of $7,791 per semester, the University of Baltimore is quite fairly priced. While out of state students were charged $8,423 at the University of Baltimore in the Fall of 2010, Penn State University charged a whopping $14,340. In addition, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County is also an affordable option with tuition and fees totaling $8,872 per year for in-state students in 2009-2010. Also, a private Baltimore university like Loyola may seem like it is too expensive, however, many private institutions are known for giving generous financial aid packages that help offset costs.

Lastly, students who graduate from universities in Baltimore, Maryland have a great chance of securing a job. Baltimore's unemployment rate is much below the national average and the city has weathered the economic downtown nicely. Students have the option of securing internships at many prestigious companies in both the Baltimore and Washington, DC areas while they are studying. This increases the chances that a student who studies in Baltimore will be employed within six months of graduation.

No matter how you look at the details, it makes sense to attend a university in Baltimore. After all, the affordable costs, high employment rates and quality of life influence thousands of students to flock the city each year.

Choose your Career in the Hotel Industry

Many people dream of working in the hotel industry because of the potential for fast advancement and the opportunity for travel. Because this is a competitive field, top positions in the industry will most likely go to applicants with a hotel management degree.

Don't forget that working in the hotel industry is not all glamour. Many hotel management programs ask their management trainees to work their way up the business, including time working in housekeeping and other entry-level positions. Additionally, hotels always need staff for evenings and weekends. However, these non-traditional hours can be ideal for those with other obligations that keep them busy during the day.

There are a number of positions to consider within the hotel industry. The top position at most hotels is the General Manager. The GM is the main hotel manager, who manages daily operations and is often responsible for the financial success of a hotel. They oversee everything from publicity and advertising to hotel rates, to hiring staff to overseeing all elements of customer service. Many General Managers come through hotel management degree programs at colleges, as this is a very intensive and challenging position. The average salary for a general manager in the US is nearly $150,000, plus non-financial compensation.

When a guest first enters a hotel, he or she will usually first meet a hotel clerk. A clerk is typically responsible for welcoming a guest to the hotel and checking the guest in. They might be responsible for directing calls that come in to the front desk, and they respond to guest questions at the front desk. Hotel clerks are often the "face" of a hotel, since they are positioned at the front desk, and guests frequently stop by to ask questions or request assistance.

Once a guest has checked in, a bellhop then assists the guest. A bellhop usually assists with bags and helps guide a guest to their room. They will check the room upon arrival and will often explain the functions and amenities of the room. The bellhop will also often provide basic information, including information about the hotel restaurant and main hotel services.

By working in the hotel industry, you have the opportunity to earn up to a six-figure salary, depending on your skills and qualifications. A strong customer service background is the main requirement for any hotel-industry job, so enjoying working with people is an absolute must.

Tips for Finding a Business Graduate School in Maryland

Maryland has plenty of great business schools to offer those students with a passion for finance, management or other aspects of the business world. If one wants to attend a graduate business school in Maryland, then there are three top choices that he or she should consider. These business schools offer a world class education and exposure to the latest and most innovative classroom technologies.

1. Loyola University Maryland - Sellinger School of Business

Loyola has one of the strongest Maryland business schools. At the Sellinger School of Business, one can earn a variety of business degrees. One will have the opportunity to experience the undergraduate program or get an "Emerging Leaders MBA" or Accounting Certificate. If one is working and wishes to engage in part-time schooling, then one may also participate in one of four part-time programs offered by the Sellinger School of Business. One can pursue a Professional MBA, Executive MBA, MBA Fellows or MS Finance. When one attends the Sellinger School of Business, one truly is on the path to success. Graduates of programs from the Sellinger School of Business reported that they earned a 145% increase in their salaries after five years within graduating from the Sellinger School of Business. In addition, there is a strong alumni network from the business school of over 10,000 proud alumni.

2. University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business

This great business school offers some of the most cutting edge programs, along with a variety of degree options. One may wish to take courses in e-commerce at the Smith School of Business, to simply understand the increased demands being placed upon business owners of stores on the internet. The internet business classes offered at the Smith School of Business are some of the most high quality courses offered throughout all of Maryland. After graduation from the Smith School of Business, research has shown that about 57% of all graduates are able to find employment somewhere.

3. Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School

Johns Hopkins University is renowned for its great business programs in the area of finance. If one wants to specialize in finance, then one ought to check out the variety of opportunities at Johns Hopkins. This school also has a strong alumni network, which can greatly work to aid students upon graduation that are seeking a job.

Overall, these are the top three business schools that Maryland has to offer. These school truly offer a high quailty and world class experience for students.

Take Your Talent Search Around the Globe Without Leaving Home

Nothing is as important to your company's health than finding and keeping the right employees. In today's high tech society, many companies find themselves needing to find employees for additional locations half way around the world. Hiring for any employee needing specialized skill sets is best left to a qualified executive search firm. This becomes even more important when you're hiring for international locations. An international search firm will not only have knowledge of where to find qualified candidates for your overseas operations, they will also have a deeper understanding of the marketplace. Imagine the costs of traveling to your distant locations and either making multiple trips to recruit and then interview several candidates, or the value of your time that you would need to commit to seeing such a project through to completion.

Letting an international headhunter assume these expenses will not only save your company money, but it will also allow you to devote your precious time to what you do best - running your business. International headhunters can zero in on the most qualified candidates for whatever position(s) you have to fill. Since international headhunters will have a base of operation near your overseas location, they can be far more responsive and cost-effecient when identifying candidates, sourcing them from your competitors and generally get the job done with a lot less time, money and energy than you would need to expend if you took on that task by yourself.

When looking for an international headhunter, make sure that they do in fact operate in or near the area where you're looking to place this new employee. Check to see how much experience the firm has within your industry, particularly in the international location you're considering. Give the headhunter as much information as you can about your company, your short and long term goals and the specifics about the job description, including short and long term opportunities for the successful candidate. Let your international headhunter save you time and money by finding someone at one of your international competitors who's already doing the job you're looking to fill. Cast your hiring net worldwide without leaving your backyard; find an international headhunter to fill your open positions around the globe.

Pastry Certificate Programs Help You Rise to the Top

When you choose to enroll in a pastry certificate program, you will take pastry courses that prepare you for a career in the culinary industry and provide you with hands-on training from many experienced culinary professionals. Your training will start with fundamentals and progress to more advanced techniques. A pastry certificate program will give you the skills, education and valuable experience you need to start a culinary career and get ahead.

Pastry certificate programs can also help graduates find work in many exciting positions like apprenticing to master bakers, assisting restaurant chefs, being personal chefs for individual clients, becoming an executive pastry chef in a restaurant kitchen, leading a team of cake decorators and designers, or even becoming staff bakers for small and large baked goods companies. In time, graduates with pastry certificates may even go on to become lead executive pastry chefs or head executive bakers in professional kitchens. Some students will take the skills and knowledge learned in the pastry certificate program, combine it with other experience and education they have, and enter into rewarding careers working in food science or food product development.

In any case, your certification will help you gain the creativity, culinary flexibility, and innovative thinking that will help lead you to a successful career in the culinary arts. Graduates of pastry certificate programs will be very well-prepared to accept positions at many establishments that have in-house baking and pastry operations. Some examples are caterers, restaurateurs, hotels, or bakeries. Pastry chefs will work an average of 55 hours per week and, commensurate with experience, can expect to earn an average salary of $50,000 per year. Other career paths available can include working as a food stylist, food writer or personal dessert baker.

Responsibilities can include all sorts of aspects of financial, managerial, and creative tasks that are required to run a pastry kitchen. These responsibilities include training workers, planning menus, as well as baking and finishing desserts. You might consult with your pastry clients to determine their pastry needs and culinary dreams, especially when working on a major event like a wedding or awards banquet. Perhaps you might even be chosen to give demonstrations to a classroom, present on television shows or judge food competitions. Whether you have a drive for making imaginative pastries, a wish to develop new desserts, or the dream of managing a bakery, a pastry certificate helps you discover how to achieve your professional goals.

Executive Search: Recruiting Qualified Candidates for a Corporate Match

A thorough executive search not only combs the lists of available executive-caliber professionals who are job-hunting or unemployed. It also looks for people who are currently employed but who might be a good match for a particular corporate environment.

Executive recruiters know that many professional people are either not happy in their current positions. Or else, they would prefer to work elsewhere, for a different type of company or for more money.

Not Always All about Money

From their proprietary databases, names of prospective executives are selected, whether or not they are employed. An executive search is not always all about money. It can also be about perks, such as vacations, retirement pensions and the need to travel or desire to not travel. Executive recruiters know that sometimes perks are more important to executives and will not hesitate to use them to lure employed executives to the jobs they have to offer.

Broad-Based Corporate Knowledge

Recruiting firms generally have many offices throughout the world. They are familiar with the workings of many different businesses and are knowledgeable about the executive needs of each. They can provide their clients with well-researched information about the candidate they are proposing: how they will lead, their approaches to solving complex problems and what motivates them to succeed. For this, an emotional profile is often also included so the corporation has the complete picture of a prospective executive.

In the case of several competing candidates for one position, many executive search firms compare candidates’ assessment results against their proprietary indicators of success. These are customized to reflect specific requirements of a client’s organizational culture.

The Filipino Character

For a Philippines executive search, it is important to know the Philippines has a population of 70 million people. They are all descended from forefathers from many countries, producing a unique blend of east and west, both in appearance and culture.

The Filipino character combines a spirit of camaraderie, close family relations, piousness and hospitality. Filipino is the official national language, but English is widely spoken and a required language in schools.

An executive search carefully strives to merge the desires of the corporation with the candidates being proposed. That produces a win-win situation with everyone happily profiting.

A Hotel Management Institute Opens the Door to Endless Possibilities

Completing a degree at a hotel management institute provides a number of opportunities for careers. In fact, earning a degree in hotel management prepares the graduate to work in several different capacities at properties throughout the world.

Perhaps the zenith of career goals for those who have studied hotel management is the hotel general manager position. In smaller establishments, the general manager may assume a staggering variety of duties. They may oversee housekeeping, accounting, front office scheduling, human resources, maintenance and other responsibilities. In larger properties, many of these functions will be fulfilled by department heads, all of whom report to the general manager and may have attended a hotel management institute themselves.

Whether the property is large or small, the general manager’s duties boil down to one simple task: ensuring guest satisfaction. This can mean approving a refund, offering a free meal or finding a different room for an unhappy guest. It also means ensuring that a guest’s concerns are addressed efficiently and politely. Essentially, it is the general manager’s function to make sure the hotel operates smoothly. No detail is too small for their consideration if the comfort and safety of the hotel’s guests is at stake.

Of course, in larger establishments, the general manager has plenty of assistance. The various department heads bring their education and skills to their career, and having a hotel management degree behind them not only helps them qualify for these positions but also gives them the knowledge they need to create a worry-free experience for every guest. Department heads may work as an event coordinator or meeting planner at a large hotel. They utilize their superior organizational and communication abilities to arrange weddings, reunions, and corporate gatherings throughout the year. They are in charge of coordinating countless details and may plan and organize special and holiday events at the hotel.

Other hotel department heads have titles such as catering director and restaurant general manager. They work closely with other members of the management team to provide food service for the hotel’s guests. Like the other department heads, their responsibilities also come down to pleasing the customer. They must provide excellent food and efficient service to accomplish their goal.

A hotel management degree opens the door to a number of career opportunities. The possibilities for qualified applicants in the travel industry are truly endless when the individual is educated and motivated to succeed.