Advantages: To know that you have made a real difference to someones life
Disadvantages: Can be sad, depressing and hard work at times

...volatile environment. This is the second chapter in the Kazzie Career series! Read..and enjoy.. I hope! Only put the kettle on, this is a 'longie' that's if Ciao don't do a Deano on me!! Ahh paranoia creeping in mow! (4. Patient has chest pain if she lays on her side for over a year!) After cleaning and buffing and dusting and being a scrubber ;o) for a few years I decided to take the plunge and apply for the job as a temporary Health Care Assistant on a Care Of The Elderly Ward at one of the local hospitals. It was a 3-month contract and I decided that while I was doing this I would gain some experience and join the nurse ‘bank’. So that when it did end if I had not secured a more permanent position in the Trust by then I would be able to work as and when I could get shifts with the ‘bank’. This was April 4... Read review

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Advantages: Knowing that you have back-up in a foreign country
Disadvantages: Not always that organised!

...I went on a 6 week programme to South India on a teaching project organised through teaching Abroad. It cost me £995, not including visa or flights. I got a flight for £600. So from the outset it wasn't a cheap trip! The team in England were helpful, always answering my emails and calling me back the next day, so i felt pretty confident that I would be looked after. however my placement details were changed twice before I got there, which unnerved me a little. I was going on my own, which is why I wanted to go with a large organisation (I knew someone who had gone with them to Ghana), and I was willing to pay the larger fee so that I knew I would be looked after. I was collected from the airport, which was such a relief after the long 12 hour flight, and taken to a cab. It was all pretty overwhelming, and part of me wished my... Read review

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Advantages: Satisfaction, holidays, pay
Disadvantages: Some snotty parents, ribbing about holidays

...Ah teaching, my friend and enemy all at once. Before I launch into the finer details of Primary Education I first need to stand up and say...'Hello, my name is MiniMinx and I am a teacher. My Mum is a retired teacher. My dad is a retired Headteacher. My brother is a teacher. My mother-in-law is a teacher. My sister-in-law is a teacher.' So I am kind of an expert... ~Making the Decision~ Teaching is something that you really want to do. It is a vocation. Anyone who tells you that you will grow into it is wrong. There are very few teachers who grow to like it. It's either in your veins or it's not. We don't LOVE children and so want to be with them constantly; we are educators whose job it is to impart knowledge and keep discipline at the same time. Please don't choose to pursue a career in teaching because you can... Read review

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Advantages: anyone of any age can enjoy, gripping storyline
Disadvantages: really difficult to put the book down

...General introduction to the book The vampire's assistant. Part two of the amazing 'Saga of Darren Shan', and the sequel to the excellent 'Cirque du Freak', as the front cover tells us - "Cirque du freak - the nightmare continues..." As we know, this 'nightmare' is what Darren's life is turning into, as at the end of the first book we see Darren having to become a half-vampire as Mr Crepsley's assistant in order to save his best friend Steve Leonard (or as Darren calls him Steve Leopard). He also has to fake his death because he realises he can no longer live a normal human life with the vampiric blood running through his veins. The official introduction at the beginning of the book My name's Darren Shan. I'm a half vampire. I wasn't born that way. I used to be ordinary. I lived at home with my parents and younger sister... Read review

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Advantages: Lots of them - look beyond the surface - it's your decision
Disadvantages: Some (as with anything) - media hype counts for a lot here

...In the wake of the mass headlines about teacher shortages and the status of the profession, combined with some CIAO reader’s recent opinions and comments, I would like to talk some more about the teaching profession, after all, I won’t be doing it next week – I’ll be far too busy. Instead of talking about teacher training (which was my last ‘teaching’ opinion), I would rather comment on its good points, and again (as is my style), sell them against the bad. As a secondary school teacher who is clocking up nearly three years experience, I find it unfortunate that continued negative media coverage and portrayal tends to blight the profession and would like to give my reasons as to why teaching is a positive but can be misconstrued as a negative career. Within this, by nature, I would find... Read review

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Advantages: Very useful for this particular style of preaching
Disadvantages: -

...One of the primary duties of a preacher is to be a teacher. This aspect of preaching often gets buried under other considerations; depending upon the denomination, preachers can see their primary duty as preparation for an altar call, preparation for communion, explaining aspects of the Bible for today's context, identifying issues of concern for the congregation and community, energising and/or consoling the congregation, and a host of other concerns. Some of these have an element of teaching implicit in the consideration, and for others it becomes somewhat of a stretch. However, preachers are, in many respects, the one and only trained teacher of Christianity with whom many people will ever come into contact. In this volume, 'The Teaching Sermon', Allen gives strategies and techniques for developing sermons that can embody... Read review

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Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Horrible, tiring work

...Catering Assistants serve food to customers at catering establishments from behind a counter. This may include both hot and cold snacks. Catering Assistants take orders and operate the cash register. They are also responsible for making sure that the counter areas and tables are kept clean, that there is an adequate supply of cutlery, crockery, glasses and trays available at all times, and that there is sufficient food on display and drinks in the drink machines. Catering Assistants usually spend some time in the wash-up area, filling the dish-washer and cleaning other kitchen utensils. In the smaller establishments they may be required to prepare all food themselves. Educational and Other Requirements No formal educational qualifications are required. Catering Assistants need to have out-going friendly personalities. They should... Read review

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Advantages: Guaranteed holidays and short days
Disadvantages: national curriculum which is inflexible, poor entry standards

...I am going to do something radical. I am going to challenge the assertion that teaching is one of the most stressful professions that can be followed. I am going to challenge, at the same time, the status quo and argue where teaching as a profession is failing and suggest why. In doing that please do not take offence at what I say, to a degree I am playing devil's advocate although what I say is my opinion, even though that opinion may be held in ignorance. I was prompted to write this opinion after reading pagan's excellent opinion on the subject. This opinion is not intended to be a response to her opinion although I do cover many of the same points. The topic of "teachers" has often been a hot-bed in our house with many a frustrated Victor-Meldrew-type cry of "I don't believe it…." In response to the cry of the stressed... Read review

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Advantages: Great tutors, recognised institution and qualification
Disadvantages: Q. expensive

...THIS COURSE WOULD APPEAL TO: People interested in language, reading, travel People who are adventurous and quite creative THIS WOULDN’T APPEAL TO: Anyone who thinks grammar is boring, or that the ability to spell is unnecerserry Very, very shy people FINDING A COURSE If you’ve ever considered studying for a qualification in teaching English as a Foreign Language and looked into possible places to study, you will no doubt have been overwhelmed by the number of institutions offering courses. A quick search on Google can bring up hundreds of possibilities. There are language schools, agencies, universities, HE colleges, Mrs. Bloggs down the road, you name it. I chose Leeds Met, and here I’ll explain why. Unlike university degrees, the majority of TEFL/CELTA* courses take only 4 weeks. With this in mind, it’s a good idea... Read review

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Advantages: Meet lovely people,rewarding.
Disadvantages: Cleaning up vomit,etc,early mornings,rates of pay.

...for a job as a Carer,I was invited for an informal chat,where basically I spoke with the manager,was told the basic hours I would be working and told to tone down my jewellry! The company understood my studying situation and said whatever hours I would like,I could do. At the time I settled for 15 hours a week. I must state that I personally work as RESIDENTIAL and not NURSING,where there is a vast difference. So what does being a Carer involve? Basically you are there to assist Eldely Clients in their day to day needs and generally trying to make their lives as enjoyable as possible. This involves: Getting them up in the morning. Helping them to wash. Helping them dress. Playing games with them Chatting to them Bathing them Taking them to the toilet Assisting them to the table Feeding them (if needed),and this is to name... Read review

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