5 Certifications to Add to Your Resume (For Free!)

5 Certifications to Add to Your Resume (For Free) 5 Certifications to Add to Your Resume (For Free)

3D Printing Expands to Bicycles

3D Printing Expands to Bicycles 3D Printing Expands to Bicycles 3D Printing Expands to BicyclesFor many of us, bicycles are a nostalgic memory, a means of transportation from childhood.For others, cycling is a passion, even an obsession. All you have to do is look at the price tags of high-end bicyclesto know that $10,000 or more not uncommon for the most advanced bikes on the market.Bicycles are exercise, they can be a lifestyle, they can be a persons second legs. Feeding off of the popularity of cycling, a new curriculum at the University of Iowa has taken off Fabrication and Design Handbuilt Bicycle I and II.Prof. Steven McGuire and his student work on a bicycle. Image University of Iowa.A Frame for LearningYou could say the idea for the course started 35 years ago when Prof. Steven McGuire took his first long-distance cycling trip from Iowa City to Kansas City. Or it could have been his first trek down an Iditarod trail, when he got the inspiration to combine engineering and art students and teach them something a little different.Seven years ago I began to consider ways to offer a variety of skill sets that were broadly applicable to a number of disciplines, mixing in fabrication skills. The knowledge which comes with designing bikes fit this mold, says McGuire, senderaum division coordinator at the School of Art and Art History and professor of metal arts and 3D design. From the first course, the program took off.In fact, Iowa eventually became the first university to exhibit at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, he says.The first time they offered a class on fabrication and design of the kralle-built bicycle it had 17 students but limited equipment, such as only one welder and one frame jig, he recalls. Now they have frame jigs for each student and three welders. They design a bike, do full-scale drawing. We teach them when it comes to welding, they do all fabrication work. Each student each semester walks away with a frame they made. Eventually, in the advanced courses, they more often than not choose to work with titanium bikes.The initial class in the program has lessons that run the gamut from learning how to make tubes to rotating their wrist and hand in the odd positions that are required when welding the frame. They design the frame in four weeks. In the fifth week of the semester they begin to set up their jig and put it together. For most, they dont have experience welding but most students have experience with some kind of design software such as AUTOCAD. Many engineering students find it interesting that art students are fairly skilled in tool skills and appreciate the project sensibility an art student might take to what theyre doing. They learn from each other.Students in Handbuilt Bicycle I and II. Image University of Iowa.Pushing ForwardThe results of the course have included a tandem titanium bicycle with 36 wheels but most students, he says, choose a common style such as a mountain bike or road bike.And ofte n doing it exceptionally well, he says. Weve had students go on to work in industry.One student, McGuire says, graduated with a B.S. in mechanical engineering and was third in the nation in the 18-24-year-old division for the triathlon. She used her knowledge to work for a startup bicycle company. McGuire has even seen his own recognition, receiving a Bespoked Award related to his mountain bike designing.There is still something exciting about getting somewhere on a bike, McGuire says. And its a different way to see the country. You visualize people who are in this lifestyle when you work on it. Thinking about your user at this level can translate well into creating products later, whatever they might be.Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionYou visualize people who are in this lifestyle when you work on it. Thinking about your user at this level can translate well into creating products later, whatever they might be.Prof. Steven McGuire, University of Iowa

Free Microsoft Word Thank You Letter Templates

Free Microsoft Word Thank You Letter TemplatesFree Microsoft Word Thank You Letter TemplatesJob searching can be a long and exhausting process. Between applying for new jobs, updating your resume, and preparing for interviews, looking for work can feel like a full-time job. In a challenging economy, competition for roles is tough, and it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. Luckily, there is one easy way to set yourself apart and make an excellent impression writing thank-you notenzeichens. Why Write a Thank-You musiknote? While it may binnenseem old-fashioned, a thank-you note after an interview can only help you in the hiring process. If used properly, a thank-you note can Remind the hiring manager of your skillset and highlights from your interview, as well as emphasize your enthusiasm for the role.Demonstrate your soft skills, including communication and writing skills. Beyond showing off your specific skills, sending a thank-you letter makes you seem more profession al. It shows the hiring manager that you understand how to be polite in a professional setting.Give you a second chance to highlight an important detail. Did you forget to mention a crucial skill, important work experience, or essential qualifications? Your thank-you note gives you another chance to make a good impression. Fix a mistake. Think youve blown the job interview? A well-written note might redeem you and give you another shot at the job. Explain what went wrong, highlight your references, and ask for another chance.Differentiate you from the competition. If it comes down to two candidates who are equal, a thank-you letter may very well be the deciding factor. Remember that job interviews are only partly about skills and abilities. Once the field has narrowed to qualified applicants, hiring managers start looking for folks wholl fit in with the team. Show that youre the fruchtwein considerate candidate, and they may well decide that youre the one theyd like to work with eve ry day. What Do I Include in a Thank-You Note? A post-interview thank-you note does not have to be very lengthy. Just a few sentences is sufficient to convey your interest in the position, remind them of your talents, and thank them. You want to be gracious and appreciative of the interviewers time and show that you want to work alongside them as part of a team. Think of your note as a sales pitch and reiterate why you want the job, how youre qualified for the role, and why youre a better choice than the competition. What Should a Thank-You Letter Look Like? Thank-you letters can be sent in many forms some people like traditional note cards, but if the hiring process is going quickly, you may want to send an electronic version to make sure it gets there in time. emaille is increasingly acceptable, but a handwritten note, if time allows, is recommended. Regular mail is less common and will make a more lasting impression. But if you have poor handwriting, a typed letter is pe rfectly fine, too. Microsoft makes it easy by offering attractive templates. Download a Free Template Microsoft interview letter templates are available as a free download for Microsoft Word users, or available within your Word program, to use to create an interview thank-you or follow-up letter. To access these letter templates from your computer Open Microsoft Word, then click on FileNewType keywords, e.g., thank you letter, into the search box.Select interview thank-you letter from the templates displayed To access the templates online Visit the Letters section in Microsoft Templates, browse the letter templates, then click on the letter title to preview the sample. Click the Download Now button, then follow the instructions to download the letter template to your computer. Dont see what youre looking for? Try other free Microsoft templates, including cover letters, resignation letters, reference letters, thank-you letters, interview letters, and a variety of business letters . Other Tips for Sending a Thank-You Note That Gets Results Always customize your thank-you note. While templates can be a solid jumping-off point for your message, its essential to personalize your note with details from your interview experience and skillset. The last thing you want is for the hiring manager to notice that your letter bears a strong resemblance to an online template.Proofread your note before sending. A careless mistake could cost you the interviewers confidence, and therefore the job.Test your email message if you send your note electronically. Send yourself a test message to make sure that there are no formatting mistakes before you pass your message along to the hiring manager. Send your message within 24 hours, if possible.