JUNE - JULY 2001  

World Bytes

Energy and Your Career

by Terrance Malkinson

On 16 May 2001, the National Energy Policy Report (www.whitehouse.gov/energy) was submitted to President George W. Bush and released publicly. This report envisions a comprehensive long-term strategy using leading-edge technology to produce an integrated energy, environmental and economic policy.

A careful review of the report will help you determine what impact the National Energy Policy may have on your career in terms of both opportunities and threats. In your review:

• Look at what industries, technologies, or jobs could be at risk as well as those that will become more important; they will be the ones presenting employment and growth opportunities.

• Determine whether you might need to adjust your career path.

• Look internationally at what citizens of other countries have done and are doing.

• Look at opportunities presented by conservation and by inventing new ways of doing more with less.

• Look at such related areas as the water crisis and analyze what opportunities they may present for you to use your skills creatively in ways that benefit society and give you career satisfaction.

We all need to monitor the work environment locally, nationally and internationally for such change agents as the National Energy Policy. These change agents will present both opportunities and threats to technical careers. For those who are prepared and who have the "energy" to monitor the state of affairs, career success will be more easily attainable. Be sure to identify new trends, think creatively, adapt, and "seize the moment" for opportunities brought on by change.

(Note: For IEEE-USA'S public statement on the National Energy Policy, go to www.ieeeusa.org/forum/policy.)

World News Bytes

Here are some of the other things available or going on around the world. Consider how they might work for you.

• Tips on preparing resumes for those seeking employment opportunities in other countries are provided in a new book by Mary Anne Thompson: The Global Resume and CV Guide, ISBN 0-471-38076-8, John Wiley and Sons, 2000. The book offers resume specifications for more than 40 countries, as well as information on seeking jobs, permits, visas and cultural advice. Similarly, the Career Journal from the Wall Street Journal (29 May 2001, www.careerjournal.com) includes an article by Myriam-Rose Kohn titled "How to Create a Resume for Foreign Markets." This informative article provides valuable tips for preparing resumes tailored to the foreign employment marketplace.

• The Global Executive feature of economist.com provides articles ranging from new trends in applied executive development, attracting the best candidate for a position, and the importance of skill and capability to career success. This and similar sites provide a wealth of concise, up-to-the-moment information for those interested in national and international careers. www.economist.com/globalexecutive.

• The Computer Security Institute announced the results of its sixth annual "Computer Crime and Security Survey." The results  demonstrate the seriousness and complexity of computer crime and the vulnerabilities associated with conducting business online. Go to www.gocsi.com. A related story, "In the Office You Have No Secrets" by Jane Black (BusinessWeek online, 10 May 2001), reports that 78 percent of major U.S. companies now keep tabs on employees by checking their e-mail, Internet, or telephone communications. Be aware of company policies and regulations when using company equipment. www.businessweek.com

• The Institute (IEEE, 25(5): May 2001, p. 1) features an article on exchange programs to help student members gain global experience. The related IEEE web page is updated continually and provides information on universities that offer international student exchange programs, companies that provide internships and job opportunities worldwide, and links and contact summaries of universities that offer summer courses and studies for foreign students. www.ieee.org/membership/students/sep/index.html.

• The crisis in worker retention is the subject of the book Values Shift: The New Work Ethic and What it Means for Business, by J.B. Izzo and Pam Withers (Fairwinds Press, 2001). According to the authors, corporate management is losing touch with the real needs and intents of its employees. Corporate loyalty is disappearing as employees gain confidence in the transferability of their own skills and abilities.

• A study released by the non-profit Families and Work Institute suggests that many employees are overworked, leading to more mistakes on the job, neglected personal relationships and higher healthcare costs. The Business and Economic Roundtable on Mental Health in Canada is urging executives to take steps to mitigate the damage caused by worker depression. Currently, this group estimates that only six percent of Canadian workers who suffer from depression receive treatment. www.cprn.org.

• "Female Managers Struggle to Break the Glass Ceiling" by Grainne Hehir (Wall Street Journal, 1 March 2001) explores issues related to the glass ceiling and to female managers working in the global environment. www.interactive.wsj.com/public/current/articles. Also, Stanley Crouch shares four success stories about businesswomen who advanced through their organizations to senior management positions in "Four Phenomenal Women" (Forbes.com, 29 May 2001). These women exemplify leadership, provide inspiration, and serve as role models to others. www.forbes.com.

• A recent economic report by Frank Pellegrini ("We May Be In a Contraction Right Now," time.com 25 May 2001) indicate that the economy is weaker than first estimated. www.time.com/time/business. In light of this, "Surviving the Downturn" by Anne Fisher (Fortune 143(7): 98-106, 2001) provides tips on reviving your career roadmap in light of the slowing economy. Ann Harrington's "Should You Bite at an Early-Out Offer" (Fortune.com 11 June 2001) discusses factors to evaluate when considering early retirement packages. www.fortune.com. Finally, Sinara O'Donnell's "How to Get the Most From an Outplacement Program" is featured in the 29 May 2001 career journal feature of the Wall Street Journal.com. www.careerjourunal.com.

• "Developing Globally Literate Leaders" is the title of an article published in Training and Development (55(5): 70-81, 2001). This valuable report summarizes the results of a survey of CEOs of more than 75 companies in 28 countries around the world. It describes the key behaviors of four essential global literacies — personal, social, business, and cultural-and provides the 12 steps to achieving globalization of these literacies. www.astd.org.

It's a big world with many opportunities; find them and make them work for you.

Ed. Note: Please see "The National Energy Policy: One Canadian's Perspective" in this month's IEEE-USA Policy Perspectives.

Terrance Malkinson is a proposal manager/documentation specialist with GE Capital IT Solutions Inc.