Battling the Blaze

Battling the Blaze Battling the Blaze Battling the BlazeFire seemingly comes from all sides in a smoky building. A figure moves forward, hose at the ready. But there isnt a human in sight.Firefighters have long been some of the most heroic members of society, but what if they didnt have to find themselves in quite as many perilous situations? A robot firefighter just might one day be able to step in and save lives. For now, the technology is being tested at sea.Trying for Ship ShapeAround 2010 we had talked with the Navy about trying to help them with dealing with the hazard of fires on ships, says Brian Lattimer, a professor in the department of mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech and a member of the team. We came up with the concept of a humanoid robot onboard because they might leid just help with fires but could also maybe be used for watch or assisting sailors with inspection.He says the Navy was excited but the idea of a humanoid then was a high-risk, high-reward propositio n. There werent that many humanoids around that could do these types of actions, but, with a potential payoff in ten to twenty years, they decided it was a good investment, he says.The team began by rethinking how to make the robot, especially considering the problems in moving around on a ship. There are many things they can run into in this kind of confined space and we needed a strategy for the robot that would allow it to balance on its own, he says. We developed a whole body controller for balance and to respond to external disturbance.THOR-OP reaching for a fire nozzle. Image Virginia TechSeeing Through SmokeThe body controller was a combination of redesigning actuators used on robots and software used for locomotion, he says. It isnt rigid like some other robots you might see. The actuators have springs, allowing it to more easily control its balance. The whole body controller compensates for any tritt from the fire hose.They also wanted a robot to be able to keep its range-f inding and perception during a fire event. When you put water into fire you have to see through steam and smoke, he says. It was desirable to have a robot autonomously locate fires and put them out with water. They looked at range finders on the market and put them in different levels of fire and smoke to see how they behaved. Ultimately, LIDAR was chosen.Testing it on the former USS Shadwell, the robot walked into a compartment containing fire and worked with a firefighter to grab a hand line. The situation was suppressed successfully.Potentially, this could have humanoid robots go into spaces to size up fires before having to put firefighters there, he says. They could also be used for other platforms ground vehicles or possibly aerial vehicles to assist in a wildland fire even.At present, they have developed two humanoid robots, both 5 foot 10 and weighing 145 lbs and 165 lbs, respectively.Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further Discussion When you put water into fir e you have to see through steam and smoke. It was desirable to have a robot autonomously locate fires and put them out with water.Prof. Brian Lattimer, Virginia Tech University

The Paralegal Job Description Keeps Expanding Robert Half

The Paralegal Job Description Keeps Expanding Robert HalfThe Paralegal Job Description Keeps Expanding Robert HalfThe paralegal job description is tough to pigeonhole - it varies considerably from one firm to another, depending on size and other factors. But theres no question that the role has expanded in recent years, making the paralegal position one of the most rapidly evolving legal jobs.Both law firms and businesses look to these legal professionals to perform multiple functions. They are increasingly expected to handle substantive legal work, including duties previously performed as part of the legal job descriptions of junior-level lawyers, such as research, trial preparation, kapitnspatent filings, and regulatory and eDiscovery matters. By allocating work that doesnt require a licensed lawyer to paralegals, firms are able to keep legal costs in check and meet client demands for more cost-effective services.Aspects of the paralegal job descriptionIn addition to the considera ble legal duties performed by paralegals, the paralegal job description often calls for technology expertise. Newly expanded paralegal roles require candidates to be skilled at using eDiscovery software, e-filing systems and various practice management applications. In some firms, especially smaller ones, paralegals also use their technical skills to assist with the day-to-day aspects of practice management, such as tracking legal time and expenses and other administrative tasks. Hybrid or blended paralegal/legal secretary roles are becoming more common in listings of legal jobs as organizations streamline legal support functions to improve efficiencies.Robert Half Legal is the premier provider of legal staffing and consulting solutions for law firms and corporate legal departments. Let us help you find the right job for you.GET HELP FINDING WORKLegal professionals benefit from practice area expertiseAlthough the paralegal job description will probably continue to come with the impl icit requirement that professionals wear multiple hats, todays legal market now favors specialists over generalists. A majority (66 percent) of lawyers interviewed by Robert Half Legal cited practice area expertise as the most marketable attribute for paralegals. Technological proficiency followed, with 13 percent of the survey response.Paralegals with expertise in in-demand areas, including litigation, compliance, healthcare, contracts, real estate and intellectual property are seeing strong demand from law firms and corporations.A sample of employer postings for paralegal jobsTo illustrate how the paralegal job role has evolved - and the most sought-after skills - heres a sample of job requirements listed in a handful of current paralegal jobs postingsParalegal - Candidate must feel comfortable working in a small law firm environment, wearing many hats and taking on leadership. At least three years of litigation experience is a must, with substantive trial prep experience being a strong plus. Duties include drafting litigation documents and various trial prep duties.Senior contracts paralegal - This person will be the subject matter expert for contracts and report to a corporate attorney. Requires drafting, analyzing and negotiating a wide range of contracts and agreements. Must have the ability to identify and assess risk and communicate effectively with internal team members, business partners and outside counsel.Intellectual property paralegal - Provide assistance to attorneys and trial teams with all aspects of intellectual property case management, including the discovery process trial preparation case investigation tracking and communicating case-related dates and information database maintenance and the review and preparation of documents, reports and correspondence. Position involves direct contact with clients.Litigation paralegal - Manage all aspects of large-scale, complex litigation. Requires full understanding of litigation motion practice , discovery, arbitration, trial and appellate procedures.As these examples demonstrate, paralegals have become indispensable legal team members. And, as law offices continue to evolve and operate more like traditional businesses, the paralegal job description is likely to keep changing as well.Robert Half conducts exclusive research and offers free resources you can use to advance your career.CONTINUE READING

ASME Launches New MasterClass Series on Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Piping Technologies

ASME Launches New MasterClass Series on Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Piping Technologies ASME Launches New MasterClass Series on Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Piping Technologies ASME Launches New MasterClass Series on Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Piping TechnologiesASME Training Development will present seven courses from its MasterClass Series on Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Piping Technologies this November in New Orleans. The series examines new technologies and the critical rules and applications of ASME Codes and Standards that help improve plant integrity and reduce maintenance costs.Led by recognized experts who are also ASME code leaders, ASME MasterClasses are practical, case study-driven training sessions aimed at experienced professionals that emphasize learning through discussion of real world case studies and practical applications. Unlike traditional classroom teaching formats, ASME MasterClasses stress interactive collaboration and knowledge-sharing, where participants ma y actively contribute to the discussion and have an opportunity to share real-life experiences with other members of the class. MasterClass attendees are eligible to receive continuing education units (CEUs) upon the completion of each course. The seven courses, to be offered Nov. 10-13 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, will include Design by Analysis Requirements in ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, Division 2 - Alternative Rules on Nov. 10 Techniques and Methods Used in API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 for Advanced Fitness-For-Service (FFS) Assessments on Nov. 11 and Bases and Application of Heat Exchanger Mechanical Design Rules in Section VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and Bases and Application of Piping Flexibility Analysis to ASME B31 Codes on Nov. 10 and 11.Filling out the slate of MasterClasses in New Orleans will be Repair Strategies and Considerations for Pressure Vessels and Piping on Nov. 12 Bases and Application of Piping Flexibility Analysis to ASME B31 Codes on Nov. 12 and 13 and Piping Vibration Causes and Remedies - A Practical Approach, also on Nov. 12 and 13.Early bird registration is available through Oct. 13. Registrants can also receive a 15 percent discount by signing up for two of the MasterClasses, or 20 percent when they register for three or more. For more information on combination discount pricing, contact John Yelavich, ASME Customer Care, at (973) 244-2213 or yelavichjasme.org. For more details on the ASME MasterClasses in New Orleans, visit http//go.asme.org/MCseriesNov2014 or contact Jennifer Delda, Seminars Workshops, at (212) 591-7108 or deldajasme.org.

What Its Like to Work Year-Round in a Vacation Destination

What Its Like to Work Year-Round in a Vacation DestinationWhat Its Like to Work Year-Round in a Vacation DestinationDuring my summers in college I lived and worked on Cape Cod,Massachusetts. Only anhour or two from Boston, the bevlkerung of Cape Cod swells by more than 250 percent in the tourist-heavy months of July and August. This influx of vacationers requires a host of seasonal employees to support them and keep them entertained. In the summer months jobs abound for people who can work in hotels, restaurants, boat tour operations, amusement parks, summer camps, golf courses, etc. Even the National Park Service and local law enforcement departments have to increase staffing levels to support the throngs of people lining up to get a choice spot at the beach parking lot.For me it was an easy fit for a summer job. I worked six to seven days a week at a sandwich shop and waited tables at a restaurant. The first summer I lived with a local family (childhood friends from New Hampshire w ho had moved there) and met a local boy whom I dated throughout college. Through him and his friends, I got a birds eye view into the year-round economy. After college I stayed one fall through November and experienced the stark contrast of the Cape with and with out tourists.Here are some things I learned that may help if youre considering relocating to a place you love to vacation.Steady Year-Round Employment Is Scarce and LimitedThe best way to ensure year-round employment is to have a career in a profession such as healthcare, education, law or banking. Summers on Cape Cod can feel like a relaxed big city because there are so many people from New York and Boston vacationing there. But big-city or tech jobs such as software engineering, management consulting, social media marketing, etc., are all but non-existent. If you want to work in those types of fields, you will end up commuting 60 miles or more to the Boston area. Consider whether spending hours a day commuting is worth ac cess to beaches that youll be too tired to enjoy.To find the jobs that are there, networking with locals is key. It is truly small-town living where who you know is more important than your amazing resume.Many of these jobs are taken by people who grew up on the Cape, went away to college and came back to start their families. The more you can get to know them, the better chance youll have of finding professional employment.Be a Jack-of-All-TradesMany Cape Codders have a summer career and a winter career. A summer fishing tour boat guide might do housing construction in the winter. An elementary school teacher might run a refreshment stand in the summer. Other jobs that have seasonal fluctuations are UPS drivers and holiday retail. Seasonal flexibility also means that you can expect to work longer hours in the summer and also make more money, which of course needs to be saved to get you through the winter months when you might work shorter hours, if any at all.Networking is key for these jobs as well. Someones husband or wife or friend or relative will be favored for a job over an outsider. If youre working at a seasonal job already, and want to stay on, get to know the locals, particularly business owners. They are the ones who will keep you employed and pass your name along when they hear of something. Making substantial personal connections and letting them know all the things you can do will keep you top of mind when it comes time to switch gears.Entertainment Options Decrease in the Off-SeasonSome of the most popular restaurants and watering holes are shuttered after Labor Day. If you love a place like the Wellfleet Beachcomber or the Brewster Woodshed, dont expect to go there in December. Many buildings that house popular summer businesses arent even insulated. Summer activities such as building sandcastles on a crowded beach might be replaced with strolling on a deserted beach. You may also find that you have to drive farther to get more variety. A smal l-town area like Brewster and Orleans can keep you entertained in July and August, but come fall youll find yourself wanting to venture toward Hyannis or even Boston just to experience some variety.Retirees are EverywhereMany seasonal vacation destinations have a reputation for attracting retirees for year-round living. Cape Cod is one of them. If you work in health services, this could be reason enough to move there. But if you are seeking the vibrant youth culture you find at a place like The Woodshed, go to where those people live, not where they vacation.You are Free to Enjoy The Land Without all the PeopleA beautiful place is beautiful in every season. You wont be diving into waves at Nauset Beach in January, but you can still enjoy watching the waves crashing on the shores while wearing a parka. The ponds might be frozen and the beaches covered with snow, but youll find a new appreciation for those special spots when theyre not thronged with tourists. Most year-round residents love it for exactly those reasons and breathe a sigh of relief come September. Thats what makes it worth it.Even with all my local connections I didnt choose to stay on Cape Cod past that one November. I knew I needed to live in a big city to do what I loved. But many of my friends are still there and are thriving as a part of the community of locals.

Why Almost Everything Youve Learned About Acting Resume Format Is Wrong and What You Should Know

Why Almost Everything Youve Learned About Acting Resume Format Is Wrong and What You Should Know The Acting Resume Format Pitfall There are 3 important kinds of resume templates. Producing your resume is important. Below, you will observe an instance of the format you should use if youre creating your resume. Theres a typical format in their opinion. An actor resume template can be used with various versions of Word. Career aspirants will need to look at a resume template instead of a programs vitae template. As an example, utilizing a reverse-chronological format for your acting or theatrical resume template lets you highlight your previous performances. Please check our audition resume template for an abbildung of the way to prepare the columns. You need to understand how to make the best acting resume builder that it is possible to send to the company and offer good first impact about your self, learn it here. There are several professional resume writers and resume ser vices you may choose to hire to assist you. Its so low-level, it would give the impression that youre a fry-cook, not an executive. Developing a poorly-formatted acting resume example sends the incorrect message, thus, you must be koranvers that the beginner actor resume template shows your professionalism. Acting Resume Format Ideas On the base of your resume, theres a section devoted to your special skills. Technical Skills There are many kinds of acting techniques that are used by actors on a normal basis. If you wish to get many varieties of projects, then create several versions of your resume. As a consequence, no 2 resumes will look the exact same. The Skills section doesnt need to be in columns (although its acceptable). The recruiters may have run into similar resume habits with their expertise, so its quite important to modify the resume template to make certain that it appears different from the standard one. Resume templates from Envato Elements are simple to c ustomize, and that means you can showcase your performing experience and unique skills. Acting Resume Format Secrets The Child Acting Resume Template was generally created for anybody who can perform a child actor. Credits should forever in three individual columns. The Cover Page is suited to your headshot. He is perfect for a headshot. Introducing Acting Resume Format The acting resume format is quite specific and needs to be followed by the letter if you wish to have calls for professional acting auditions. For instance, if you are interested in being an actor, youve got to apply for acting assignments with professionally crafted resumes. An excellent acting resume will be tailored to every new job which arises and will be centered on the kind of acting required of the job thats advertised. The correct acting resume format is vital if you prefer to book an acting job. Casting directors spend plenty of time casting for extras, also referred to as background actors. Furt hermore, you can look for acting jobs on Monster. To make an application for the acting projects, you must build your resume carefully. With acting resumes, its not only about the work experience which you have, but also about other exceptional abilities and talents that you might have. You will also find online acting classes on the various acting techniques out there so that you can chose the ideal training for you. List any special skills youve got. Whenever you have special acting skills, make sure your resume reflects that with precision. You cant send just the exact same acting resume builder to several business for different job. You build an acting career with time, gaining experience on the way. Each form of job demands specific abilities, qualifications and expertise. You ought to know that a good deal of resumes are screened by software that looks for keywords linked to the job which youre applying for. Just take the opportunity to learn whatever you can about businesses that catch your interest. No matter your degree of job practical expertise, your resume structure is imperative to making your program stick out. In case you have any questions, dont hesitate to email us Creating an application that stands out from all of the rest is a big hurdle when applying for employment. If you dont have an agent, you should list your private contact info. Proceed to the ASK A QUESTION page to receive your acting question answered. Also make sure you coordinate with your representatives who will be accountable for updating resumes in the a variety of on-line casting places. An acting resume is a fundamental advertising and marketing tool thats essential if you would like to be a professional in the entertainment market. Your name, which ought to be in the biggest font on the webpage, is a fantastic place to modify colors. If you are searching for a clean, dynamic resume template, look no more. Templates may be used for making CV, resume a s a way to apply for jobs. Whilst choosing resume they pick the one that fits the work encounter rather than the project profile. Acting Resume Format Secrets That No One Else Knows About List the acting work youve done so far if youre just beginning. If youre a model or actor whos actively searching for work, you might require an acting and modeling resume format to assist you put your most efficient efforts forward in securing work. As a result, if your latest experience was in theater, then place all your theater experience on top. An acting resume template enables you to be spared from the pressures of needing to create a resume from ground up.

Economic Hardships Pushing Workers to Search for New Jobs

Economic Hardships Pushing Workers to Search for New Jobs According to a recent weltumspannend poll from Monster.com, more than half of participants said theyre trying to switch careers because of national or global economic troubles. A third (33%) of all respondents reported they would maybe switch careers due to the global economic hardships while a mere 14 percent said their career was unaffected by the economy. Its certainly wise to take broad economic trends into account when planning your career, but you want to be careful not to chase trendy jobs blindly, Mary Ellen Slayter, career advice expert for Monster.com, said. Information about economic trends can help you keep your expectations in check, which is especially important if youre planning to return to school on borrowed money to pursue a new career. The best way to counteract the hype surrounding hot jobs is careful research and you w ill have to do it on your own, ideally by talking with people who actually do the job that may interest you.Monster.com asked its sites visitors, Are national or global economic troubles causing you to consider a complete career change? The question received more than 3,400 responses.Total international findings includedYes, I am trying to switch my career 53%Maybe, if I can find a better career 33%No, my career is not impacted by economic troubles 14%The poll results also revealed wide differences from country to country. A little over half (54%) of Canadian respondents reported that they are trying to switch careers, compared to around 22 percent of German respondents. The highest number of respondents trying to switch careers were from the UK (61%), the U.S. (57%) and France (51%).