About the Army Service Ribbon Award

About the Army tafelgeschirr Ribbon AwardAbout the Army tafelgeschirr Ribbon AwardThe Army Service Ribbon is one of the most common ribbons you will see worn by Army personnel. It is earned when a soldier successfully completesinitial-entry training and if needed, their MOS-producing course of training. It is a ribbon that is earned only one time. It was established on April 10, 1981, by the Secretary of the Army. Description of the Army Service Ribbon The Army Service Ribbon is a multi-colored rainbow ribbon, with the colors arranged from left to right red, orange, yellow, green, blue, green, yellow, orange, red. The colors represent the complete range of military specialties officers and enlisted soldiers may go into upon conclusion of their initial training. Who Can Earn the Army Service Ribbon? The Army Service Ribbon can be earned by all members of the active Army, Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve in an active Reserve status. The ASR is earned only once, no mat ter how many times a soldier completes initial entry training. For example, if a soldier completes enlisted training and then later completes officer training. What are the Criteria to be Awarded the Army Service Ribbon? Officers After successfully completing their basic/orientation or higher level course an officer will be awarded the Army Service Ribbon. An officer who has a specialty or special skill identifier or MOS that is based on skills acquired in other services or in civilian life and therefore enters without attending a course is awarded the Army Service Ribbon after completing four months of active service honorably.Enlisted personnel areawarded the ribbon after successful completion of their initial MOS producing course. As with the officers, if an enlisted soldier does not need to attend an MOS producing course because he or she has the skills needed for his or her specialty, special skill identifier, or MOS, the Army Service Ribbon is awarded after completion of f our months of honorable, active service. If a soldier died in the line of duty on or after August 1,1981,prior to completing the required training or time in service, he or she may be awarded the Army Service Ribbon posthumously. Key Dates in Award of the Army Service Ribbon The award was established in 1981 and there are some key dates that affect who could earn it during that time frame. The date of August 1, 1981, determines who earned the award and who can be awarded it retroactively. If you completed your required training prior to August 1, 1981 but you had an active Army status on or after that date, you can be awarded the Army Service Ribbon retroactively. Soldiers who completed the required training after August 1, 1981,have received the Army Service Ribbon if they fulfilled all of the other criteria. Order of Precedence for Wearing the Army Service Ribbon The Army Service Ribbon has a low order of precedence. It ranks above the Army Overseas Service Ribbon and bel ow the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon. Equivalent Awards in Other Armed Services The equivalent awards in other armed services are the Air Force Training Ribbon and the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem. Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon When successfully completing a designated Noncommissioned Officer professional development course, the service member is awarded the Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon. A numeral is attached to the ribbon to show completion of specific levels of subsequent courses. The primarylevel course is signified by the basic ribbon basic level course with the number 2 advanced level course with number 3 and senior level course (Sergeants Major Academy) with number 4.

Temporary to Permanent Jobs

Temporary to Permanent JobsTemporary to Permanent JobsA temp to perm job is a job that departures out as a temporary job but turns into a permanent position. The employee could be hired with the possibility of a temporary assignment turning into a permanent job. Or, at some point during the assignment, the company may decide they would like the employee to stay on and offers him or her a permanent position. Temporary to Permanent Jobs Temp to perm is an option to consider when you are job searching. Even though most job seekers would prefer a permanent position right off the bat, a temporary job is a way to help pay the bills and could lead to permanent employment with the company youre temping at. A Good Option in Competitive Job Markets Temp jobs can be an excellent foot in the door for job seekers, particularly when the job market is very competitive. In a competitive job market, there are far more people looking for jobs than there are available positions. It makes compan ies that are hiring have an advantage. They can be more picky about who they hire. Temp to perm positions allows companies to try before they buy, testing out an employees abilities before making a formal offer with benefits. While an interview, references, and a resume can provide a good sense of a candidates work abilities, nothing beats observing an employee on the job for knowing if they are a good fit for a company. Often, temp employees are hired through a temp agency. For companies, that means the burden of interviewing and making hiring decisions is reduced. Instead of sorting through hundreds of resumes, they will only review a handful from the temp agencys pre-screened candidates. Sometimes a temp job is temporary because the need for the position is short-term or seasonal. For instance, many retail jobs hire heavily during the busy holiday season, but no longer need as many employees once January returns and exchanges are complete. Advantages for Employees It may seem like employers, who get to test drive workers, are the big winners when it comes to temp to perm positions. But employees have several advantages as well Assess Job Fit It can be hard for employers to know if a potential candidate is a good fit for the company. But the reverse is true as well Often it can be hard to tell if a job is right for you. Temp-to-perm positions allow you to get insight into the responsibilities involved in a position. Learn New Skills Temp jobs are a great way to learn new skills. From using cash register systems to discovering new phone techniques, even a short-lived spot can provide much training. Easily Try New Careers When youre not sure what you want to do next, a temp job can be a good way to explore a potential new career path. For employers, since the position is temporary, there may be a greater willingness to take on a candidate without much direct experience. Expand Your Resume Even if you only work a temp position for a few mont hs, you will probably learn a lot, and be able to expand the skills section on your resume, as well as adding new jobs. During a holiday season stint at a retail store, youll learn to use the cash register, help customers (even difficult ones), and track inventory. Top Temp to Perm Opportunities The top five areas employers typically hire for seasonal help include retail (33%), customer service (31%), administrative and clerical support (17%), shipping and delivery (12%), and hospitality (10%). Seasonal work can be a valuable opportunity for job seekers to not only gain new skills and experience but to also land full-time permanent positions, said Brent Rasmussen, President of CareerBuilder North America. Job seekers looking for seasonal work should prepare their resumes and look into open positions sooner rather than later, as a significant number of employers start hiring for seasonal positions in October. Tips for Getting Temp Positions Rasmussen offers the following tips for landing a temporary job that could turn into a temp to perm job opportunity Apply early 45 percent of employers said theyre not accepting applications for seasonal jobs after October. 80 percent are not accepting applications beyond November. Show that youre excited about the opportunity A lack of enthusiasm is the number one pet peeve of seasonal hiring managers as indicated by 59 percent of respondents. Dont say you want the job for the discount Employee discounts are a great perk especially during the holiday season, but 31 percent of hiring managers said they are turned off by workers who appear to want the deal more than the opportunity. Get to know the company before the interview 30 percent of seasonal hiring managers said they were deterred from hiring a candidate because that person had little knowledge of the company or its products. Follow the dress code If you are interviewing for a job in a retail clothing store, its a good idea to show up dressed in an outfit from that store. For 15 percent of hiring managers, wearing a competitors ensemble deterred them from hiring a potential candidate. How to Turn Temp Into Perm Some employees may value the temp nature of a position, but if youre looking to get hired full time, try these tips to make yourself an attractive permanent hire Follow company culture Some companies have a work through lunch culture, while others support employees gathering in the kitchen for group lunches. Follow the culture of the company youre at, in terms of hours, socializing, meeting behavior, etc. Be responsible Think of your temp time as an audition. Show up on time, avoid leaving early or taking excessive days off, and in general, be a dependable employee. Do good work As well as showing up when youre supposed to, be the best possible employee for the position. Define in your head what would be good work, whether its filing all papers by the end of the day, upselling sweaters, or serving customers with consistent goo d cheer, and then always provide it. Go the extra mile Volunteer for extra work and help out others when they are behind in projects or need a hand. Your enthusiasm and commitment to the position will do wonders at helping employers know that youre the right candidate for a long-term, permanent position. Network As well as being the best worker, its also important to be a known worker. Doing a good job discretely may not be enough to get you noticed and hired on full time. Make an effort to interact with co-workers, to showcase your work, and to ensure that those with hiring power are aware of your value as an employee. And of course, its important to make your desire for the permanent position possible Set up a time to meet with your manager and state that youd like to work full-time. Ask for feedback on your work, and establish a timeline for a decision if possible. During this conversation, youll want to avoid being pushy, while still making your intentions clear.

Workers of the World, Pass the Ketchup

Workers of the World, Pass the ketschupWorkers of the World, Pass the KetchupWorkers of the World, Pass the KetchupTodays post is for anyone whos ever wondered why Labor Day is called Labor Day, instead of Last-Big-Party-of-Summer Day, or School-Just-Started-or-Will-Start-Tomorrow Day.Labor Day in contemporary times is a holiday for honoring all working people the ones who make, repair, deliver, care for, communicate, design, heal, build, package, serve, rescue, maintain, educate, and beautify the people, places, and things in our lives.Its the day when most of us get to relax, eat burgers and dogs hot off the grill, and consume our beverages-of-choice while toasting ourselves, Heres to usWith a hat-tip to History.com, I bring you this 7-point timeline of great moments in Labor Day history, so youll know (roughly) how it came to be.If you throw these Labor Day trivia tidbits into conversation during your festivities this weekend, your friends will think youre quite the historian. (Il l leave it up to you to decide if thats a desirable thing.)Heres roughly how Labor Day got its startIn the late 1800s, the Industrial Revolution brings about a major societal shift from rural agriculture to urban manufacturing and production.Laws to protect workers rights do not exist or are poorly enforced. Twelve-hour workdays, 7-day workweeks, child labor, and unguarded safety hazards are standard operating procedure.Workers begin organizing themselves into labor unions and voicing their demands for better working conditions.In neunter monat des jahres 1882, 10,000 workers march from city hall to Union Square in New York City the first-ever labor parade.In May 1894, workers at the Pullman Railroad Car Company in Chicago go on strike to protest wage cuts and the firings of union reps. The strike brings workers rights to the public eye.In June 1894, union leaders call for a boycott of all Pullman railway cars. Railroad traffic comes to a halt as 50,000 rail workers comply. Presiden t Cleveland dispatches troops to break the strike.On June 28, 1894, Congress declares the first Monday in September Labor Day, an annual federal holiday for workers.As we approach the 115th Labor Day, we look forward to an annual tradition that has spread throughout the U.S., Canada, and other industrialized nations.Labor Day holds deep significance to working people everywhere, who share a universal love and respect for long weekends, especially those that include a paid day off.Congratulations to every worker who will be enjoying a nice break this Labor Day.Compassion to every job seeker lamenting the fact that theres zero chance youll get called for an interview on Monday. (Next Labor Day will be so much better.)And a huge and heartfelt THANK YOU to those who will be hard at work on Labor Day, protecting, caring for, and selling things to the rest of us. (Hope youre at least getting time-and-a-half)Happy Labor Day, everybody

How-to-Build-Inter-Departmental-Cooperation

How-to-Build-Inter-Departmental-Cooperation How-to-Build-Inter-Departmental-Cooperation How to Build Inter-Departmental CooperationBertrand Russell once wrote, The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation. Certainly in the world of project management, the degree of success is directly linked to achieving cooperation between team members, managers, departments and outside consultants. And the key to successful cooperation is ongoing, wide-ranging communication.In The Little Black Book of Project Management (AMACOM, 2002), author Michael C. Thomsett explains In addition to the manager-team dynamics, you must also contend with communication on three additional levels1. The Assignment. The executive (or committee) that first assigned the project to you may leid agree with your idea of what the project should achieve or the same partie may have a change of mind about the outcome, sometimes without letting you know.2. Other Departments. The managers of other departments have thei r own priorities and can be expected to have problems with your schedule, especially if it affects their workload and timing. Two situations are of special concern to you when members of other departments are on your team, and when you need to receive information from another department.3. Outside Resources. Your project could depend on help or information from companies, consultants, suppliers or agencies that are not part of your organization or division.When working with other department managers, Thomsett recommends applying these basic rules of communication to defuse any potential problemsVisit the other manager before you finalize the schedule. No matter how restricted you are by an imposed deadline, and no matter how little say you had in choosing your team, you must be prepared to accommodate your team members managers. Ask for a meeting and present your initial schedule. Ask whether the proposed schedule will cause any conflict with an employees recurring duties in the dep artment. If there is a scheduling problem, work with each manager to resolve it.Keep in touch while the project is under way. A weekly status check may be all you need. A three-minute telephone discussion should be enough to double-check schedules. By working together, you and the department manager will be able to resolve any conflicts that arise and so avoid the kinds of breakdowns that lead to serious conflicts, both work-related and personal.Remain as flexible as possible. Stop and think whenever you find yourself about to say, You told me this wouldnt be a problem. Few departments can judge very far in advance the demands that will be placed on them from above. Successful project managers stay on schedule and within budget to the extent possible, even when team members from other departments are pulled suddenly. You may have to shift duties to someone else or do the work yourself.Confront the problems, not the people. In some cases, managers will seem unreasonable, unyielding, defensive and uncooperative. They may resent having an employee removed from their jurisdiction to work on your project, and this can create an array of hostile reactions. Egos are at play, and no matter how strong a manager is, egos are fragile things. Concentrate on the problem the reaction creates. Ask the manager to suggest a solution that satisfies the departmental needs as well as the projects needs.If a project involves working with an outside consultant, says Thomsett, you will have to contend with the independence of that adviser as well as with the question of who is running the project. Because the consultants work is temporary, usually short-term and may not fit within the guidelines or style of the organization, there is potential for conflict. Thomsett outlines the following steps to ensure a smooth working relationship with consultantsDesign your schedule so that the consultant is given a deadline in advance of your actual deadline. Although this is not always practic al, since the consultants participation may depend on competition of a particular phase of the project, it is a good general guideline.Be prepared to complete the work without the consultant. The consultant may have been retained because management believes an outsiders point of view will be superior to that of an insider. If you and your core team are able to get the work done on schedule with little or no problem, make sure management knows that the work was completed internally.Accept consultant delays as being beyond your control. You cannot control the consultants schedule, nor can you enforce a deadline. And you cannot always work around the consultant, either. Once you realize a project will be delayed due to a consultant, inform management at once.Thomsett concludes In all phases of project management, the degree to which you are able to communicate your priorities determines the success of your efforts. Identifying problems well in advance, expressing your understanding of someone elses priorities and confronting issues rather than people are all attributes of effective communicators and successful project managers.This article is reprinted from the website of the American Management Association at www.amanet.org. ASME members can access the members only area of the AMA free and get discounts on books and courses by signing up at amanet.org/alliances/asme.In all phases of project management, the degree to which you are able to communicate your priorities determines the success of your efforts.Michael C. Thomsett, author, The Little Black Book of Project Management

An Actionable Guide on Resume References Example in Simple Step by Step Order

An Actionable Guide on Resume References Example in Simple Step by Step Order If youre asking for an assortment of slightly different courses, we suggest that you focus your private statement on the regions of overlap between them, in order for your statement appeals to all of statements UCAS choices. There are lots of resume examples on the net, so all you should do is search for them. Be certain to put a lot of thought and effort into who you want to use as your professional references. Also will give thoughts and strategies to come up with your own resume. The Supreme Strategy for Resume References Example The References section on your CV is a critical part which may not be entirely omitted. The sample reference page provided here can readily be adapted to satisfy your requirements. When you have to provide references, utilize another sheet of paper with the exact layout and format as your resume. Formatting your resume references is a comparatively straightforward task . A Secret Weapon for Resume References Example There are quite a lot of locations the place you will acquire good resume examples. The variety of references you list is dependent upon your career level. If a particular reference spends lots of time working in different departments or beyond the store, think about using their mobile phone number in lieu of a work number. Always get in touch with your references when you make an application for a new job to allow them to know they may obtain a telephone call or email. The Start of Resume References Example References form a critical portion of your job application. Job references shouldnt be included on a resume. Writing a resume is not so difficult, but it does take some time and planning. Your experience should deal with every necessary qualification in the job announcement. Voluntary get the business done or internship can likewise be described. Another concept is to get in touch with a co-worker or supervisor that no longer works for the organization and ask them to offer a work reference. Your references could make or break your odds of landing work, so be sure you plattl the best people to talk for your benefit. When you submit an application for work in partie, you might be requested to complete a paper application. For instance, if youre going into the work market for the very first time, you might just have to list three references. When picking your own references you want to be certain that the individuals that you pick will speak of your positively and they will present you to prospective employers as a superior worker. In the event the conditions are not that severe, you should get in touch with the family members or relatives nearby. Some fundamental info and facts you ought to contain, needless to say, with the goal of attracting employers. When you first consider somebody to use as a reference for a work program, you must ask their permission not just to use and give out their contact info but directly if theyd be in a position to supply a reference as some individuals may prefer not to. A resume introduction is the statement that you have to produce and put following your contact info. Make certain that you get the information youre looking for. Again, although the information might appear repetitive, go right ahead and attach the resume. When it is not clear from your resume, you can also desire to include details about your relationship with the reference. Naturally, youll need to personalize your letter for your particular circumstance. When you ask a person to provide you with a reference, its always a great idea to give them a chance to decline. The very last thing which you should do is submit a run-of-the-mill application. Hopefully, you wont experience a horrorifying moment of drawing a blank during an interview, but should you do then think about employing some of the above mentioned tactics. When designing how to create a reference p age, you can add related details like how to create a reference page apa, how to earn a reference page mla, resume references example, references page apa. If you are requested to send references, develop an individual document rather than placing them directly on your resume. The manner in which you present your references in your resume is vital. When you should provide references to a prospective employer, the ideal way to do it is to create a reference page youll be able to share with them. The Ultimate Resume References Example Trick Include your achievements and techniques, and theres a fantastic probability an employer might just find you. Possessing the skills that the work position requires will enable you to get higher odds of being interviewed. Federal jobs often need you to have experience in a special type of work for some period of time. Its crucial that you keep up a strong personal relationship with anyone who you want to be your reference, especially since th ey could hold the key to your upcoming job opportunities.

Outrageous Writing a Resume outside of Major Tips

Outrageous Writing a Resume outside of Major Tips The Debate Over Writing a Resume Outside of Major For most of graduating seniors and professionals, it is not going to be essential to incorporate a listing of cursework. Creative writing majors go on to a broad range of jobs. Have a look at our list of the very best undergrad writing programs. The War Against Writing a Resume Outside of Major Global companies want candidates that are loyal, hardworking, resilient, adaptable, they want you. Get to understand what skills and attributes employers are searching for in a candidate. Where to Find Writing a Resume Outside of Major You dont need to be worried about having a resume writer whos unaware of the role that youre applying for. In many instances, your resume is the very first document a hiring manager will examine when reviewing your program, and therefore is an actual first impression. Ensure the resume accomplishments you list are related to the essentials of the role and that youre employing the exact same keywords as the work ad. Its important to pick a font and font size thats legible and leaves enough white space on the webpage. Youre going to want to choose a quote or motto that is in agreement with the values and necessities of the corporate and place you apply to. After you have written and organized your information according to the kind of resume youve chosen, make sure to format it according to typical professional standards. Theres no appropriate format for a resume, though theres a standard. Writing a Resume Outside of Major for Dummies To stand out, you want to demonstrate to the possible employer you could do the work well. Detecting a job in Orlando is equally as tough because it is in every other major city. Besides helping your resume get selected, its also going to help the hiring manager see how your abilities and experiences make you a perfect candidate for the particular job. The hiring manager merely wishes to see whether you bring any skills to the table which arent highlighted or clear in the remainder of your resume. The Upside to Writing a Resume Outside of Major Theres some fine variety in the samples on his site, providing you the peace of mind which he isnt just applying cookie-cutter templates to your resume. Ideally, a resume belonging to a brand-new graduate ought to be presented as an advertising document thats roughly 1 page long. Below you will discover a couple of lists on all the very best rated resume writing services we could find. Check out a few of our favourite Google Docs resume templates that it is possible to copy and get started personalizing instantly. The Honest to Goodness Truth on Writing a Resume Outside of Major Spend some time matching your qualifications to the job to make sure youre including the proper key terms and abilities. How you select the appropriate one among them are able to rely on the sum of relevant experience youve got and the sections o f the resume that you want to emphasize. Finally, you would like to attempt to strike a balance between including experience thats both timely and relevant. There are a lot of standard forms of resumes used to make an application for job openings. Type of Writing a Resume Outside of Major Reading content backwardsawkward and time-consuming though it could beis a fantastic way to catch minor mistakes which you might otherwise miss. Writing practice is simply the start. Writing columns for a neighborhood newspaper

Customize this Outstanding Entry Level Post Office Resume Template

Customize this Outstanding Entry Level Post Office Resume TemplateCustomize this Outstanding Entry Level Post Office Resume TemplatePost schreibstube positions are available across the United States, and theyre a start to a stable career with an organization that provides a vital service. No matter what state youre in, your resume makes a difference when youre looking for one of unterstellung highly competitive entry level jobs.The U.S. Post Office wants people who are organized and dependable and who have previous experience with basic office skills, including filing, sorting, and answering phones. Highlight your software and tech knowledge, since the deutsche bundesdeutsche post dhl office uses a variety of high tech options, and make sure your good work ethic comes across.Take a look at the entry level post office resume template below to get a start on creating your own document. Create ResumeHelen Campbell100 Main Street, Cityplace, CA, 91019(555) 322-7337example-emailexample.co mProfessional SummaryI am a focused individual looking to help companies meet their goals. I have little experience but my experience is not limited, I love learning new things and will continue to expand hopefully along with your company.SkillsSelf-motivatedExtremely organizedFast learnerHighly dependableExcellent attention to detailVery clean and neatWork HistoryCity Carrier05/2013 to 08/2013United States Postal Service 553 E. Manhattan Blvd. Toledo, OH 43611As a city carrier I cased and delivered mail to its fulfilling destination for 8 hours a day Monday through Saturday with mandatory overtime.Packager10/2011 to 01/2012Impact Employment Solution 3600 N. Summit Toledo, Ohio 43611As I packprogramm I was only allowed to package the designated amount of packs of cookies into a box on an assembly line while maintaining a clean work space.EducationEarly Childhood Education Owens Community College 30335 Oregon Rd. Perrysburg, OhioI was part of a program that helped me as a freshman in college to deal with school, work ect.AccomplishmentsI graduated high school with a 3.5 GPA and was in the top ranking 6 in my class.Ive received numerous awards, certificates and opportunities throughout grade schoolCustomize ResumeEntry Level Post Office Resume Questions1. What sections should you include in your entry level post office resume?Your resume should include, at a minimum, five basic sections. These are contact information, summary statement, skills and qualifications, experience, and education. If there is room on your resume, you can add a section for hobbies and interests. Each section needs a bold or underlined header to set it apart. Use bulleted lists with short statements rather than a paragraph format for ease of reading. Follow the example of our entry level post office resume sample for an easily skimmed document.2. How do you list education on an entry level post office resume?As you can see on our entry level post office resume sample, place the education section after work experience and before any extracurricular activities. List your degrees in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent degree. You can include your high school diploma if you are a recent graduate or have not finished college. Write the name of the degree, the location and name of the granting institution, and the year you received it. You can add any honors designations, such as summa cum laude, but theres no need for your GPA.3. What should go in the experience section of your entry level post office resume?For an entry level resume, just about any work experience is valid, such as summer jobs, school internships, and part-time work. In a bulleted list for each position, mention responsibilities and duties that show a good work ethic. Statements such as Updated records into new database tell an employer that you are tech-savvy and trusted with company records.If youve had a lot of small jobs, pick the most important three or four to keep your resu me to one page. Study our entry level post office resume sample for helpful suggestions.4. Which skills are the best to list on an entry level post office resume?Write down any office skills you have acquired, such as filling, sorting, typing, software familiarity, and answering phones. These are skills that transfer well to post office work. Throw important soft skills into the mix as well. Are you organized, creative, and dependable? Its a good idea to add these to show you are quality employee who can learn and adapt. If this section of the resume is giving you grief, check our entry level post office resume sample or our resume builder for step-by-step instructions.5. What goes in the header of an entry level post office resume?At the top of your resume header, write your full name, with no nicknames, as shown in our entry level post office resume sample. Next put your address and telephone number. Use your home address or a PO box, not your current work address. Then comes your email. If you do not have an email address that is professional in tone, get a new one. If you include links to professional websites or social media sites, double-check their content for appropriateness.More Government Resume TemplatesExperienced Post Office Resume TemplatesEntry Level Criminal Justice Resume Templates

Abby Wambach commencement speech to Barnards Class of 2018

Abby Wambach commencement speech to Barnards Class of 2018Abby Wambach commencement speech to Barnards Class of 2018Below is the transcript (and video) of soccer star Abby Wambachs commencement speech to Barnards Class of 2018Greetings to President Beilock, Provost, Dean, Barnard faculty, trustees, and honorees Katzu sichine Johnson, Anna Quindlen, and Rhea Suh. And to each of the 619 badass women of the Barnard graduating class of 2018 Congratulations, you guys, congratulationsDoesnt it feel like the second you figure anything out in life, it ends and youre forced to start all over again? Experts call these times of life, transitions. I call them terrifying. I went through a terrifying transition recently when I retired from soccer.The world tries to distract us from our fear during these transitions by creating fancy ceremonies for us. This is your fancy ceremony. Mine welches the ESPYs, a nationally televised sports award show. I had to get dressed up for that, just like you got d ressed up for this. But they sent me a really expensive fancy stylist. It doesnt look like you guys got one. Sorry about that.So it went like this ESPN called and told me they were going to honor me with their inaugural icon award. I welches humbled, of course, to be regarded as an icon. Did I mention that Im an icon?I received my award along with two otherbei incredible athletes basketballs Kobe Bryant and footballs Peyton Manning. We all stood on stage together and watched the highlights of our careers with the cameras rolling and the fans cheering, and I looked around and had a moment of awe. I felt so grateful to be there, included in the company of Kobe and Peyton. I had a momentary feeling of having arrived - like we women had finally made it.Then the applause ended and it was time for the three of us to exit stage left. And as I watched those men walk off the stage, it dawned on me that the three of us were stepping into very different futures.Each of us, Kobe, Peyton and I - we made the same sacrifices, we shed the same amount of blood sweat and tears, wed left it all on the field for decades with the same ferocity, talent and commitment. But our retirements wouldnt be the same at all. Because Kobe and Peyton walked away from their careers with something I didnt have enormous bank accounts. Because of that, they had something else I didnt have freedom. Their hustling days were over, and mine were just beginning.Later that night, back in my hotel room, I laid in bed and thought this isnt just about me, and this isnt just about soccer. We talk a lot about the pay gap. We talk about how, overall, U.S. women earn 80 cents for every dollar paid to men. Black women in America earn 63 cents, while Latinas earn 54 cents, for every dollar paid to white men. What we need to talk about more is the aggregate and compounding effects of the pay gap on womens lives. Over time, the pay gap means women are able to invest less and save less, so they have to work longe r. When we talk about what the pay gap costs us, lets be clear it costs us our very lives.And it hit me that Id spent most of my time during my career the same way Id spent my time on that ESPYs stage. Just feeling grateful. Grateful to be one of the only women to have a seat at the table. I was so grateful to receive any respect at all for myself that I often missed opportunities to demand equality for all of us. But as you know, women of Barnard, change is here. Women are learning that we can be grateful for what we have and also demand what we deserve.Itscommencement seasonFollow LaddersCommencement Addresses magazine on Flipboardto watch and read all of the most inspiring speeches from this year and years past.Like all little girls, I was taught to be grateful. I was taught to keep my head down, stay on the path, and get my job done. I was freaking Little Red Riding Hood. You know the fairy tale. Its just one iteration of the warning stories girls are told the world over. Little Red Riding Hood heads off through the woods and is given strict instructions Stay on the path. Dont talk to anybody. Keep your head down hidden underneath your Handmaids Tale cape.And she doesat first. But then she dares to get a little curious and she ventures off the path. Thats, of course, when she encounters the big bad wolf and all hell breaks loose. The message is clear Dont be curious, dont make trouble, dont say too much or bad things will happen. I stayed on the path out of fear- leid of being eaten by a wolf- but of being cut, being benched, losing my paycheck. If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing it would be this Abby, You were never Little Red Riding Hood, you were always the wolf.So when I was entrusted with the honor of speaking here today, I decided that the most important thing for me to say to you, is this Barnard women, class of 2018, we are the wolves.In 1995, around the year of your birth, wolves were re-introduced into Yellowstone National Park after being absent for 70 years. In those years, the number of deer had skyrocketed because they were unchallenged, alone at the top of the food chain. They grazed away and reduced the vegetation, so much that the riverbanks were eroding.Once the wolves arrived, they thinned out the deer through hunting. But more significantly, their presence changed the behavior of the deer. Wisely, the deer started avoiding the valleys and the vegetation in those places regenerated. Trees quintupled in just six years. Birds and beavers started moving in. The river dams the beavers built provided habitats for otters and ducks and fish. The animal ecoordnungsprinzip regenerated. But that wasnt all. The rivers actually changed as well. The plant regeneration stabilized the riverbanks so they stopped collapsing. The rivers steadied - all because of the wolves presence.See what happened here? The wolves - who were feared as a threat to the system - turned out to be its salvation. Barnard Women, are yall picking up what Im laying down here? Women are feared as a threat to our system - and we will also be our salvation.Our landscape is overzustrom with archaic ways of thinking about women, about people of color, about the other, about the rich and the poor, about the powerful and the powerless. And these ways of thinking are destroying us. We are the ones weve been waiting for. We will not Little Red Riding hood our way through life. We will unite our pack, storm the valley together and change the whole bloody system.Throughout my life, my pack has been my team. Teams need a unifying structure, and the best way to create one collective heartbeat is to establish rules for your team to live by. It doesnt matter what specific page youre all on, just as long as youre all on the same one.Here are four rules Ive used to unite my pack and lead them to goldRule No. 1 Make failure your fuel.Heres something the best athletes understand, but seems like a harder concept for non-athletes t o grasp. Non-athletes dont know what to do with the gift of failure. So they hide it, pretend it never happened, reject it outright, and they end up wasting it.Listen Failure is not something to be ashamed of, its something to be powered by. Failure is the highest octane fuel your life can run on. You gotta learn to make failure your fuel.When I was on the youth national team, only dreaming of playing alongside Mia Hamm Yall know her? Good. I had the opportunity to visit the national teams locker room. The thing that struck me most wasnt my heroes grass stained cleats, or their names and numbers hanging above their lockers. It was a picture. It was a picture that someone had taped next to the door, so that it would be the belastung thing every player saw before she headed out to the training pitch. You might guess it was a picture of their last big win, or of them standing on a bhne accepting gold medals. But it wasnt. It was a picture of their long time rival, the Norwegian nation al team celebrating after having just beaten the USA in the 1995 World Cup.In that locker room I learned that in order to become my very best - on the pitch and off - Id need to spend my life letting the feelings and lessons of failure transform into my power. Failure is fuel. Fuel is power.Women listen to me. We must embrace failure as our fuel instead of accepting it as our destruction. As Michelle Obamarecently said, I wish that girls could fail as well as men do and be OK. Because let me tell you watching men fail up, its frustrating. Its frustrating to see men blow it and win. And we hold ourselves to these crazy, crazy standards.wundsein Pack Fail up, blow it and win.Rule No. 2 Lead from the bench.Imagine this Youve scored more goals than any human being on the planet - female or male. Youve co-captained and led Team USA in almost every category for the past decade. And you and your coach sit down and decide together that you wont be a starter in your last World Cup for Tea m USA. So, that sucked.Youll feel benched sometimes, too. Youll be passed over for the promotion, taken off the project. You might even find yourself holding a baby instead of briefcase, watching your colleagues get ahead. Heres whats important. Youre allowed to be disappointed when it feels like lifes benched you. What you arent allowed to do is miss your opportunity to lead from the bench. During that last World Cup, my teammates told me that my presence, my support, my vocal and relentless belief in them from the bench, is what gave them the confidence they needed to win us that championship.If youre not a leader on the bench, then dont call yourself a leader on the field. Youre either a leader everywhere or nowhere. And by the way, the fiercest leading Ive ever seen has been done between mother and child. Parenting is no bench. It just might be the big game.Wolf Pack Wherever youre put, lead from there.Rule No. 3 Champion each other.During every 90-minute soccer match there are a few magical moments when the ball actually hits the back of the net and a goal is scored. When this happens, it means that everything has come together perfectly - the perfect pass, the perfectly timed run, every player in the right place at exactly the right time - all of this culminating in a moment in which one player scores that goal.What happens next on the field is what transforms a bunch of individual women into a team. Teammates from all over the field rush toward the goal scorer. It appears that were celebrating her, but what were really celebrating is every player, every coach, every practice, every sprint, every doubt and even every failure that this one single goal represents. You will not always be the goal scorer. And when you are not, you better be rushing toward her.Women must champion each other. This can be difficult for us. Women have been pitted against each other since the beginning of time, for that one seat at the table. Scarcity has been planted inside of us and among us. This scarcity is not our fault, but it is our problem. And it is within our power to create abundance for women where scarcity used to live.As you go out into the world, amplify each others voices. Demand seats for women, people of color and all marginalized people at every table where decisions are made. Call out each others wins and, just like we do on the field, claim the success of one woman as a collective success for all women.Joy. Success. Power. These are not pies where a bigger slice for her means a smaller slice for you. These are infinite. In any revolution, the way to make something true starts with believing it is. Lets claim infinite joy, success, and power - together.Wolf Pack Her victory is your victory. Celebrate it.Fourth rule Demand the ball.When I was a teenager, I was lucky enough to play with one of my heroes, Michelle Akers. She needed a place to train since there was not yet a womens professional league. Michelle was tall like I am, built l ike Id be built and the most courageous soccer player Id ever seen play. She personified every one of my dreams.We were playing a small-sided scrimmage - five against five. We were 18 years old and she was Michelle Akers, a chiseled, 30-year-old powerhouse. For the first three quarters of the game, she was taking it easy on us, coaching us, teaching us about spacing, timing and the tactics of the game.But by the fourth quarter, she realized that because of all of this coaching, her team was losing by three goals. In that moment, a light switched on inside of her. She ran back to the goalkeeper, stood one yard away from her and screamed Give. Me. The. Effing. Ball.And the goalkeeper gave her the effing ball. And she took that ball and she dribbled through our entire effing team, and she scored. Now this game was winners keepers, so if you scored you got the ball back.So, as soon as Michelle scored, she ran back to her goalie, stood a yard away from her and screamed Give. Me. The.Bal l.The keeper did. And again she dribbled though us and scored. And then she did it again. She took her team to victory. Michelle Akers knew what her team needed from her at every moment of the game. Dont forget, until the fourth quarter, leadership had required Michelle to help, support and teach, but eventually leadership called her to demand the ball.Wolf Pack At this moment in history, leadership is calling us to sayGive me the effing ball.Give me the effing job.Give me the same pay the guy next to me gets.Give me the promotion.Give me the microphone.Give me the Oval Office.Give me the respect Ive earned, and give it to my wolf pack too.In closing, I want to leave you with the most important thing I have learned since leaving soccer. When I retired, my sponsor, Gatorade, surprised me at a meeting with the plan for mysend off commercial. The message was this Forget Me. They nailed it. They knew I wanted my legacy to be ensuring the future success of the sport Id dedicated my life to. If my name were forgotten, that would mean that the women who came behind me were breaking records, winning championships and pushing the game to new heights. When I shot that commercial, I cried.A year later, I found myself coaching my 10-year-old daughters soccer team. Id coached them all the way to the championship. (humblebrag) One day I was warming up the team, doing a little shooting drill. I was telling them a story about when I retired. And one of those little girls looked up to me and said, So what did you retire from? And I looked down at her and said, Soccer. And she said, Oh. Who did you play for? And I said The United States of America. And she said Oh. Does that mean that you know Alex Morgan? Be careful what you wish for, Barnard. They forgot me.But thats OK. Being forgotten in my retirement didnt scare me. What scared me was losing the identity the game gave me. I defined myself as Abby Wambach, soccer player - the one who showed up and gave 100 percent to my te am and fought alongside my wolf pack to make a better future for the next generation. Without soccer, who would I be? A few months after retirement, I began creating my new life. I met Glennon and our three children, and I became a wife, a mother, a business owner and an activist. And you know who I am now? Im leise the same Abby. I still show up and give 100 percent - now to my new pack, and I still fight every day to make a better future for the next generation.You see, soccer didnt make me who I was. I brought who I was to soccer. And I get to bring who I am wherever I go. And guess what? So do you. As you leave here today and every day going forward, dont just ask yourself, what do I want to do? Ask yourself, who do I want to be? Because the most important thing Ive learned is that what you do will never define you. Who you are always will. And who you are, Barnard women, are the wolves.Surrounding you today is your wolf pack. Look around. Go ahead, you can do it. Dont lose eac h other. Leave these sacred grounds united, storm the valleys together, and be our salvation.

5 ways to get your office to eat healthier

5 ways to get your office to eat healthier5 ways to get your office to eat healthierThough eating fresh, light, and green might have been the theme for summer diet habits, once Labor Day has come and passed, your fork (or hand) may reach for slightly heartier and sweeter snacks and meals. Because Fall presents a slew of holiday gatherings centered around the munchies from Halloween candy to Thanksgiving pies you may find yourself battling your jean button on casual Fridays at the office. Its especially tough when you work in an environment that prefers to celebrate all of these calendar dates, often resulting in countless parties, pot lucks and dinners that can take your mostly-nutritious diet to indulgent, ASAP. And hey, even if you keep to the vegetables at home, snacking on carb and sugar-loaded foods between 9 and 5 can have a major implication on your health.You spend half your waking life at the office, so it can have a huge impact on your health, especially when it comes t o food. Its so easy to be tempted by junk food and treats when notlage everyone is on the same page with healthy eating, explains registered dietitian Bridget Swinney MS, RD.If you dont want to tip the scales or feel lethargic when you should be productive, its important to encourage your colleagues to eat smarter and not just after January 1 rolls around, by all year. As Swinney says, there are is strength in numbers, so consider some of these challenges, suggestions and ideas from nutrition pros to get your office on the right track toward healthAsk for a bigger fridgeDepending on the size of your company, you may be dismayed to bring your lunch because there simply isnt a place to put it. Though easier to grab-and-go in between meetings, Swinney says youll make better lunch choices when you meal prep for the week ahead. Instead of trying to cram your chicken, quinoa and veggie concoction in a dorm-room-sized freezer locker, Swinney suggests speaking to management about a lunch-o nly refrigerator. As you prep your argument, its essential you have the staffs support, explaining why it would create a better workplace where you can meet deadlines, create stronger strategies and be mora efficient. Want to shoot for the stars? Throw in an ask for a toaster and blender too, so avocado toast and smoothies for breakfast are a real possibility.Keep fresh fruits and produces at handEven if you cant convince your boss to have carrot sticks and humus delivered on the reg, Swinney says to talk to your teammates about going in together on a weekly delivery of apples, oranges and other nutrient-rich snacks. She notes that while the saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away may seem elementary, its truth extends far beyond childhood. When you and your co-workers always have something protein or antioxidant -filled at reach for when your hunger pangs strike mid-afternoon, you build your immune system and keep off the extra pounds.You could take turns alternating between wh o-brings-what, or each throw in the same dollar amount each week and have someone make a grocery store run for the goods. Either route, keep your buys near your cubicle or space, that way fridge bandits wont wreak havoc on your well-intended plans.Make it a contestNothing like a healthy dose of competition to uptick your appetite to be choosier with your snack habits. Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Jennifer Bowers, PhD explains collecting a pool of colleagues to work against one another will not only bring you closer, but is a fun way to improve your diets at the same time. From who can make the tastiest dessert that provides vitamins and minerals to who can down the most water in a week or take the most steps, there are plenty of ideas, depending on your collective goals. And hey, even though you might have a prize for the winner each time a cookbook, maybe an extra day of vacation if your boss agrees mostly, youre building camaraderie and a network to lean on when youre t empted by the fruit of a Twizzler. When coworkers collaborate to promote a healthy attitude toward food, and agreeto support instead of sabotage, everybody wins, Bowers says.Host a build-your-own salad barInstead of the traditional Thanksgiving potluck or chips-and-dip get together for Opening Night of NFL, Swinney says to turn to the garden for your company celebrations. Not only can you make better choices when you pick fresh from the Earth, but since not everyone cooks, it encourages more participation, too. When these big dates come around or on a weekly fundament if youre feeling ambitious she suggests hosting a Build-Your-Own Salad Bar. Make a sign-up sheet with suggested items pre-washed greens, whole avocados, rotisserie chicken, canned tuna, a veggie tray, whole grain crackers, light salad dressing, canned corn, cherry tomatoes, walnuts or slivered almonds, dried cranberries, she explains. Even if the whole office is sipping wine or beer while they munch on salad, you sti ll take a bulk of the un-needed calories away when casseroles, bread puddings and cheesy foods are kept out of working hours.Be upfront about your needs and requestsYou already know you should always negotiate your salary, continuously ask for feedback and ways to improve and be the greatest proponent of your career, but what about asking your employer to stand up to the challenge of creating a healthy attitude toward clean eating? Swinney says making your manager aware of any dietary restrictions or concerns you may have over frequent sweets scattered about the office shows youre thoughtful about your workplace and aim to make it better for not only yourself, but everyone. One example might be asking for non-dairy creamers for those who are lactose-intolerant, or perhaps want to cut out the fatty nature of whole milk. Or, if there is a consistent flow of birthdays at your large corporation, you might consider celebrating once a month instead of each time someone laps around the sun . These seemingly small changes can add up to a big influence on your habits and your co-workers.