Friday, February 20, 2009

When a Loved One Joins the Military In 1980, my oldest sister, joined the Navy after graduating from high school. It was an emotional thing for my parents to watch their oldest daughter, not only leave the nest for boot camp, but to eventually leave the country for exotic destinations. The whole military experience was a complete unknown for my parents. It was especially difficult back then because we didn't have the internet to stay connected. Their only communication with my sister was via letters and a rare overseas phone call to keep in touch. Now my youngest sister is about to go through the same experience with her oldest son, Tony, who joined the Air Force. He finished community college, but seemed to be undecided what to do next. With our country's economic troubles, he decided his best option was to join the military and get more education and skills. He heads for boot camp at Lackland Air Force base here in San Antonio at the end of this month. The military way of life has its own culture and community that most people are not familiar with. I know my sister is worried. She doesn't know what to expect. The good news is that there are all kinds of resources and information available to her now that weren't around for my parents when our oldest sister enlisted. The FAQ on joining the military provides links and phone numbers if your child or loved one is considering enlisting. The Military Home Front, the Consumer Action Handbook military page, and Family Support for Active Military Personnel contain links to information explaining benefits and other important topics. These private resources have created wonderful communities for parents and loved ones to learn and share experiences among military families: Milspouse.org Your Soldier Your Army Mom's Field Guide Marine Parents Today's Military Supporting our Troops Navy For Moms Getting informed about the military; and becoming part of the parents-with-military-kids community may help ease some of my sister's fears. Not everyone has a positive military experience, but I am hopeful that enlisting will be a good experience for Tony. I hope it will help him focus and give him a plan for the future. Do you think enlisting in the military at this time is a good thing or something he will regret? - Ginger [Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog] 3:57:43 PM     Tech Etiquette for Job Seekers: Maintain Appropriate Boundaries [Netiquette] . With all the great job search sites available to job seekers, it's all too easy to send out email blasts to every hiring manager you can find an address for—but that's not always the best course. Photo by chuckp. The AP rounds up 8 tech etiquette tips job seekers should obey, including some smart advice on knowing what boundaries you should respect. For example: Even if you managed to track down a hiring manager's cell phone number, don't call it unless given permission. "Cell phones are considered private," Wendleton said. It's so easy to find personal info using any of the impressive and freely available people search engines, but that doesn't mean that you should feel comfortable showing up at your hiring manager's home with resume in hand. The article isn't all great advice, though—at least not from our standpoint. For example, tip #2 suggests that you embrace snail mail, claiming that: In your first contact with a prospective employer, you're unlikely to stand out if you join the legions of job seekers sending 'hire me' pitches via e-mail with resumes attached. E-mails also are too easy for a hiring manager to delete. With snail mail, you control the appearance of your carefully crafted cover letter and resume. Sure, you may stand out, but it's more likely that you'd stand out as the weirdo whose resume arrived three days after you already hired someone. Some of the tips do skew a little ancient, though, like the stick-with-landlines tip, for example. (Dropping a call on your cell may be bad, but it's better than missing every single call your hiring manager makes because you're not waiting by the phone all day.) Let's hear your best job-seeking etiquette tips in the comments, including whether or not you agree with the AP's take. 8 technology etiquette tips for job-seekers [AP] [Sponsored] Microsoft Visual Studio Team System Visual Studio Team System helps teams of every size collaborate better for faster app development. Learn More at microsoft.com/defyallchallenges/team   Ads by Pheedo [Lifehacker] 3:53:29 PM     Upcoming Events at HPL Friends of the Library Meeting February 23 4:00 pm. Meets at the Torrent House Preschool Storytime February 23 6:45 pm Stories and activities for ages 3-5. Registration is required. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Toddler Storytime February 23 11:00 am Stories and activities aimed at 18 to 36 month olds. Toddlers and grownups attend together. Registration is required. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Toddler Storytime February 24 6:45 pm Stories and activities aimed at 18 to 36 month olds. Toddlers and grownups attend together. Registration is required. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Voluntary Simplicity February 26 6:00 pm Torrent House. Black History Month Calendar Contest Awards February 28 2:00 pm Calendar Contest winners will be unveiled at this program honoring young artists. Top drawings will be published in HPL's Black History Calendar. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Money Management Tuesday, March 3 6:30 – 7:30 pm A representative from the Michigan State University Extension office will be at Hackley Public Library to discuss personal money management. She will cover: Becoming more aware of spending habits and how making small changes add up significantly in a years time. The importance of setting a monthly spending plan and sticking to it. Having a file system. Saving ideas for home, at the gas pump, on gifts, and on food. Needs vs. Wants. Paying with Cash, Credit, Cash Advances, Rent-To-Own The program is free, but in order to have enough handouts, please call the Library at 231-722-7276 to register. Computer Class--Intro to Computers March 4 6:00 - 7:30 pm Introduction to computers will offer an introduction to what a computer is and how to use it. It is designed for beginners with little or no knowledge of computers. Topics covered will include an explanation of Windows and files, how to turn on a computer, and how to use the mouse. Class size is limited. Please call ahead to register (231-722-7276).Registration starts on February 1. The class will be held at Hackley Public Library. Computer Class--Intro to Computers March 4 9:00 - 10:30 am Introduction to computers will offer an introduction to what a computer is and how to use it. It is designed for beginners with little or no knowledge of computers. Topics covered will include an explanation of Windows and files, how to turn on a computer, and how to use the mouse. Class size is limited. Please call ahead to register (231-722-7276).Registration starts on February 1. The class will be held at Hackley Public Library. 10:29:40 AM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 3/2/2009; 11:02:12 AM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien