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by Karen Stevens, Health/Medical Program Specialist, FCPS Adult and Community Education (ACE)
Did you know that professional certifications and credentials are in high demand? Why, you ask? Half of America's jobs require more than a high school diploma and less than a college degree.
That’s where “stackable credentials” come in. Stackable credentials are a practical way to progress along an educational path. “Stackable” means you can earn credentials one at a time that build on each other. They align with industry standards and have real labor market value. These credentials are building blocks for career pathways that maximize employability, teach hands-on skills, and effectively utilize time and financial resources. As students complete credentials aligned to in-demand skills and employment opportunities, they can also secure entry-level employment in their chosen career fields while continuing their education. Recognizing that students may have their education interrupted, a program of study with stackable credentials also provides multiple exit points; they leave with a workforce-ready and relevant credential and can re-enter the educational pathway at a later time.
A major advantage of stackable credentials is that each credential can be part of a series of industry-recognized credentials that can be accumulated over time. These credentials demonstrate an individual’s expanded knowledge and competencies, increase employability or advancement in a career and enhance his/her marketability and earning potential.
Stackable credentials are an attractive educational option for learners seeking to improve their employment prospects by providing validation of their industry-specific competencies to employers.
Stackable opportunities in healthcare include:
For more information about stackable credentials offered through FCPS ACE, please visit https://aceclasses.fcps.edu or contact healthmed@fcps.edu.
–U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Introduction to Stackable Credentials, Washington, D.C., 2021
– www.nhanow.com
by Ernesto Luna, FCPS ACE Adult ESOL teacher
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Your business name is more important than you think. From there you will create an identity for your business by creating a logo, advertisement material, etc. Consumers like to identify themselves with a business name. They are more likely to use a product or service if they can relate to the name or feel an association to it.
Before I can give you some tips on how to choose a good business name, I first need to explain what target market is.
Target market is the potential group of
people that could buy your product. A target market is usually divided by
gender, age, income level, location, and other demographic factors. For
example, if I own a coffee shop, my target market would be: men and women
between the ages of 16 and 60 years old, who have disposable income and live or
work in the area where my
coffee shop is located.
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1. The first thing you need to keep in mind is that consumers like a recognizable and easy to remember name for a business. They also like names that are easy to spell and pronounce.
2. It is easier to identify the services your business offers if what you do is part of your business name. For example: “The Yardman Landscape Services.”
3. Try to create a unique name. Don’t make it too similar to other existing businesses or the competition. This could confuse your target market.
4. Using the area in which you operate as part of your business can help your target market to find your business in an internet search. For example: If your major area of operation is Springfield, then you could name it something like “Springfield Plumbing & Electrical Services.”
5. Don’t use your name as part of your business name. Many people do so, and it gets confusing. Not only could there be other businesses with your name out there, but also some names are difficult to remember. For example, if I name my business “Ernesto’s Plumbing,” People could get confused and think it’s called “Eduardo’s Plumbing,” or “Enrique’s Pluming.” In a case like this, if they can’t remember your business name, they won’t call you to hire your services or buy your products.
6. Also consider your future business objectives. This means that you need to be careful about choosing a name that can’t grow with your business. For example, if you start a business for residential painting, but you want to expand it in the future to all kinds of handyman services, then don’t name your business “AJ painting” you could name it “AJ Home services” that way, you can expand your business without changing its name.
7. Something very important to consider is that your business name isn’t about you or what you think about naming your business. It is about reaching your target market. I have heard many small business owners saying that it is their business, that they have built it with their effort, and therefore, they should be the ones deciding on the name. Although it is true that your business is your “baby,” you need to think like a business owner. Don’t let your personal feelings get in the way of your success.
8. Finally, let your target market decide for you. Think of a few alternatives for naming your business. Then ask your target market to vote for their favorite (this could even be done using social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram). Use the name that gets the most votes. After all, that is the one that your future customers/clients identify themselves with.
If you want to register a business in the state of Virginia, you can use this online name check availability tool https://cis.scc.virginia.gov/Account/NameCheckAvailability to see if the names you have in mind are available. Also, it is always good to check if your state has any limitations or restrictions when it comes to naming a business. Always follow your state's naming guidelines.
But how can you answer these questions? Let's practice:
Interviewer: What is your greatest strength?
It might feel strange to talk about how great you are! But this is no time to be shy. Be confident and give examples of how you've used that strength in a professional or academic situation. Here are some sample answers:
For more practice and to listen to an answer, click here: https://www.talkenglish.com/lessondetails.aspx?ALID=260.
Interviewer: What is your greatest weakness?
This is a difficult question. You need to say a weakness that is actually a strength. Make sure that you always say how you try to improve the weakness. Here are some sample answers:
For more practice and to listen to an answer, click here: https://www.talkenglish.com/lessondetails.aspx?ALID=261.
This video also has examples!
There are so many things to learn and improve when you are looking for a job. Whether you want to learn more about resumes, cover letters, interviewing, going to a career fair, or anything else about looking for jobs, there are many videos on YouTube that can help.
Tips for watching videos:
- Take notes! Get a pen and paper or virtual document ready to take notes that will help you.
- Slow down if you need to. Is the speaker in the video going too fast? You can slow the video down in the settings. Choose Playback Speed to make the video .75, .5, or .25 times slower.
- Add subtitles (or captions) to help you understand. This will add words at the bottom of the screen that you can read while you listen. Go to Settings and then Subtitles.
You can view many videos in one place on the Career Navigator's playlist. Click here to go to the playlist.
Here are recommendations for different topics:
Job Interviews
Career Fairs
Resumes
Business English
In-Person: English for Work
Beginning and Low Intermediate Levels
Practice vocabulary and English language skills to help you find a job and communicate at work.
9:00-11:30am
Saturdays, starting April 23
$85 (includes book)
Online: English for Employment Success
High Intermediate and Advanced Levels
English language and skills development focused on finding jobs and improving workplace communications and skills for success on the job.
7:00-9:30pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting April 19
$150 (includes book)
Previous students have used what they learned in the class to find new jobs and make a career plan. One student said:
"If I would have taken this class before my job interviews, I wouldn't have made the awkward mistakes I did. This class helped me a lot to know how to improve my appearance and confidence for a job interview. It taught me how to improve my language skills for talking in a professional way with coworkers. You'll learn basics and not-too-basic things that will help whether you're looking for a job or currently working. And it is also a great way to practice your verbal skills. And the teacher is nice and willing to help you whenever you have questions related to the class, grammar, culture, etc."
To register:
There are many ways to practice your English and get ready for looking for a job, even when you aren't in class. Here are some ways to practice!
Videos:
Websites:
