Teens & Tech Careers

The iPod generation of kids and teens are by far the most tech savvy thus far.

During my teenage, through the mid-eighties in India, we hardly had access to computers. I took a computer class in 1987, at which the instructor used to give us "demos" on a real machine about once a week, and we never actually programmed on a PC. Instead, we wrote algorithms and pseudocode, and were tested on the logic of our programs.

During my recent India trip, we visited a village school that my great-great-grand-father had established in our ancestral village in Rajarhat, near Calcutta, where he grew up. The head-master took us around and explained that they have 10 computers, and students from 8th grade on learn data-structures, algorithms, AND they actually write programs in C. I was both impressed and fascinated by how far into the fabric of India - IT has made its way. In this case, the vehicle for this accomplishment is an educational outreach program from IBM.

In the US, of course, we have an Affluenza generation growing up on computers from the age of 3 or 4.

It is, therefore, somewhat disheartening to read this post by Laura Tiffany, on the career preferences of today's teens:

"The teens surveyed believe that innovation will take care of such issues as clean water (91 percent), world hunger (89 percent), disease (88 percent), pollution reduction (89 percent) and energy conservation (82 percent). They also believe gasoline and CDs are on their way out; 33 percent think gas-powered cars will be gone by 2015 and CDs will be just a memory within 10 years. But when asked about their future career choices, science, business and engineering weren't at the top of the list. Those honors went to arts and medicine (17 percent each); health-care/medicine careers were more attractive to girls than boys (25 percent vs. 9 percent). Engineering did come in third overall at 14 percent, with a similarly wide difference between boys and girls (24 and 4 percent, respectively)."

Well, the numbers are very different in India and China. Is the US, then, leaving it up to the Asians to do the inventing and innovating?

Silicon Valley

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Pregnant Career Girl

The Challenge: Pregnant Girls Memory Problems

Have you heard the stories of pregnant women who have walked into shops but then forgot what they came to purchase? Then there is the folklore story about the pregnant woman who actually forgot how to drive whilst she was midway through a journey. Terrified she stopped right in the middle of an intersection. Whist pregnancy memory loss only happens for a couple of seconds or minutes at the most it can cause havoc especially at work.

Tip to minimise memory problems

o Plan your day

At the beginning of each day make a list of everything that you must complete. As you complete each task tick it off your list. By being organized, you minimise the chance of forgetting something important.

o Keep a list of important contacts

Do not rely on your ability to remember all important phone numbers and contacts off by heart. Key a list handy just in case you need it.

o Use the database diligently

Almost every organisation has a database. If you forget any details, your database will be your best friend. Just look it up.

The challenge: Pregnant Girls Morning Sickness

I will never forget when a former work colleague Felecia was pregnant she would come in to work with all sorts of morning sickness horror stories. The time she had to shove her way off a crammed train during peak hour so that she could vomit. Then there was the time she missed her train because just as it pulled into the station she had to run and vomit. The stories went on and on.

Tips to manage morning sickness

o Identify and avoid triggers

In the case of Felicia she realised that the unpleasant smells on the train were making her morning sickness worse. By identifying this as a problem she was able to change her method of traveling to work and minimise the morning sickness.

o Plan the fastest route to the bathroom

By planning the fastest route to the bathroom you can avoid possible morning sickness induced embarrassment.

o Schedule meetings around your morning sickness schedule

Where possible plan important meetings at times that don't clash with your body's morning sickness schedule.

The Challenge: Managing the Boss during pregnancy

Whist pregnancy might be an exciting time for you it can be a harrowing experience for your boss. Sounds ridicules I know but think of it this way. Your boss has a well functioning team with you in it as a high performing team player. Then one day you announce that you are pregnant. From the bosses perspective this is an unknown and an unknown is dangerous. Your boss wonders if you are going to continue to hit the mark at work? If you will you have to run off to Obstetrician appointments? If you are going to be as committed and focused on the job? The answer to all of these questions is yes. But it is your job to ensure that the boss is reassured and that your pregnancy does not cause unnecessary havoc with your career aspirations.

Tips to manage the boss during pregnancy

o Keep your boss informed

Keep your boss informed and reassured. Before leaving for any Obstetrician appointments give your boss a round up of the day. Tell him or her what you have achieved during the day and advise the boss of how you have scheduled the rest of your day. Take this opportunity to emphasis any special contributions that you have made to the team. Remember you are a star.

o Minimise Baby Fuss

Chances are some if not all of your workmates will be excited about your growing pregnancy. Colleagues with children will want to share their pregnancy stories, as baby fuss will grow in the office. Be aware: uncontrolled baby fuss could drive your boss crazy and may cause havoc to workplace productivity. Keep fuss to a minimum by restricting the baby talk.

o Plan for the future

Use pregnancy as a time to prove that you can adjust to changing situations whilst continually performing at your peak. By doing this you will be positioning yourself to successfully negotiate future workplace flexibility.

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Family and parenting: are preteen modeling jobs a good idea?

Deciding on whether or not to allow your preteen to pursue a career in modeling really depends on you. Guiding your child through the ins and outs of the modeling world requires a great deal of time, patience and money on the part of parents or guardians. You must be available for last minute calls, traveling expenses, and huge blocks of time while your youngster is being tested, photographed, rehearsed and/or made-over. You must be prepared to comfort the rejected child, trim the ego of the overly cocky or weather the tantrums of the tired and cranky.

Your child will most likely need to sign with an agency or service. You must do your homework and research these businesses for legitimacy and suitability. Always be wary if you are asked for money up front. Check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure there aren’t serious complaints or law suits filed against these companies. There are scam artists aplenty out there. The number of lawsuits citing fraudulent practices and unfulfilled promises is staggering. Be informed! There is a Modeling Industry Code of Ethics outlining standards of fairness and honesty. An agency should not guarantee a model employment or should not pressure models to sign a contract.

Familiarity with this code can help you find the right agency. Also, a list of reputable agencies can be found through the Association of Model Agents.

Keeping your child safe should always be your first consideration. Unfortunately, there are many predators out there willing to take advantage of the naïve and vulnerable.

There is no substitute for supervision! Your vigilant presence will discourage many of the ill-meaning, but remember…you will not be allowed through every door your charge goes through. Impress upon your child the importance of not letting anyone touch them in a way that makes them uncomfortable.

You may be told that your child needs to have his or her portfolio available online. There are pretty substantial charges for these services ranging from something like $150 to $300 for 6 months depending on whether or not you want the photos retouched. Your child will need appropriate outfits, hairstyling and the afore-mentioned traveling expenses, so have that checkbook ready.

Lastly, is your child suited for this career? Professionals are looking for children with the right look, personality and presence. This can be a tough business and a lot of money is on the line. People don’t have the luxury of always being kind and considerate of the child’s feelings or yours. Photographers and directors don’t want to waste time and resources coaxing the frightened child out from behind the mother’s back. If your child is overly sensitive or shy and has to be pushed to participate in auditions, interviews or shoots, it may be best to wait awhile until the child matures a little.

Modeling can be a great way to use a child’s God-given attributes to generate confidence and income for college and the entire family, but it is more important that the child have a balance between school, homework, play and a career at such a young age. Your child is your most precious possession. Make sure your dream for your child is what is best for your child. Consider carefully and if you do decide to let them pursue a career in modeling . . . bring a comfortable pair of shoes and the patience of Job.

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Eye makeup tips for teens: subtle looks for interviews

Eye Makeup for Teens—Subtle Looks for Interviews

You’ve endured years of babysitting and lawn-mowing supplemented by a measly allowance. You’ve finally gotten your parents to agree to an after-school or summer job, and you’ve scheduled the interview. You’re on the way to having a real job, in the real world, with real pay! It all hinges on first impressions, and looking your best is more important now than ever before.

The theme for teen interview makeup is fresh, young, vibrant, and clean! You don’t want to look like a 40 year old business woman, and that’s okay—you’re prospective boss doesn’t want that for you either! The boss also doesn’t want you to look like Christina Aguilera a-la-“Dirrty,” either. Some things you’ll (usually) want to avoid: heavy glitter makeup; dark, smudgy eyeliner; screaming, neon-ish, candy colors; and anything that says “baby” (read: no glue-on sparklies).

For starters, you’ll want to take good care of your skin! All the makeup in the world can’t make-up for a poor complexion. A skin care routine for healthy skin has 5 steps—cleanse with a good cleanser, exfoliate with a cool mask, freshen with a toner that isn’t too harsh, hydrate with a light and non-oily moisturizer, and protect with a light foundation. Some cleansers on the market today simplify the process by offering a 3-in-1 cleanser. No matter what products you get, look for these five steps. Follow the program morning and night to keep your skin looking its best. Remember, when you start a skin care program, it is normal to see a few breakouts over the first 2 weeks as your skin releases long-held toxins. If you’re still breaking out after 3 weeks, you need to change products.

Now that you’re skin is fresh and vibrant, it’s time to protect it with a great foundation. Some companies offer a “dual-coverage powder foundation”—a sheer powder that can be applied dry as a powder, or with a damp sponge to dry into a sheer, light foundation. A quality foundation will protect your pores from pollution, smoke, and dust, without clogging your pores. If you don’t use a powder foundation, you’ll want to make sure you “set” your foundation by applying a loose or pressed powder over it. A note about shade selection: use a shade that matches or is a hair lighter than your skin tone. Never go darker! Apply a light blush to your cheeks, and a light gloss with a hint of color to your lips. A great foundation, cheek color, and lip gloss will bring out your eyes in a beautiful way!

You’ll want eye makeup that is natural-looking. For something super-simple, try a cream or liquid eye color in a shade like bronze or vanilla. Smooth a lighter shade along the entire eyelid. Then smooth a tiny bit of the darker shade into your crease. Take a darker powder shadow, and use a fine-tipped brush to line the eyes without the harsh look of a pencil eyeliner. Top it off with a great mascara, and you’re good to go!

Want something a little more dramatic, but still tasteful? For a teen-glam look, you’ll want three eye colors. Apply a super light color (pale pink, pale peach, or off-white) under your brow bone and above the lash line to the crease. A little shimmer is okay, but don’t go overboard with sparkle! Next, apply a medium-neutral color along the crease of the eye, starting from the outside and working in. This midtone color could be a soft brown, rose, or peach, and should coordinate with your first color. Third is your highlight color, and this is where you can bring a little sparkle, individuality, and brightness into your look. Instead of an eyeliner pencil, which can sometimes appear harsh and fake, apply a bit of your third color along your upper and lower lash lines. Then highlight the outside half of your crease with this color. Your highlight color can be a little more bold, and here is where you can bring in fun colors like lavender, light blue, green, and gold. The next step is super-important—BLEND, BLEND, BLEND! When using multiple eye colors, it is important that you blend your colors well to avoid looking artificial! Then, for extra-long looking lashes, try “minking” your eyes. Apply a coat of a lengthening brown mascara to your lashes. Then follow-up on the tips of your lashes with black mascara! The results—WOW!

Depending on where you’re applying for a job, you can play with these looks a bit. If you’ll be working outside, you’ll want to stick to the super-simple look, with waterproof mascara and natural colors that look great in the sunlight. Working inside in a well-lit environment? Try the super-simple look, or do the teen-glam look with muted colors. Working inside in a darker place, like a sports pub/restaurant or as a waitress on the night shift? Try the teen-glam look, and use a darker color for your liner for that subtly smudged look. Working somewhere festive, where party makeup is appropriate? A little extra shimmer can be fun!

Work-appropriate makeup doesn’t have to be dull or a drag. Using these tips, and a little common sense, you can create makeup looks that let YOU do the shining… not your makeup!

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Makeup Tips for Teenagers

The teenage period is the most enjoyable and even the most difficult time for certain youngsters. This is the time, one goes into high school and often remains confused whether one is actually a kid or a grown up. Often one may feel they do not belong to any of the two categories and this is what makes most teens feel even worse. Restrictions and more restrictions! Do not party too much, wear less makeup and concentrate on your studies-I am sure most people would be familiar with these lines! Well, whether our folks like it or not, I am sure most teens love to wear makeup. Teen makeup for me was only during inter-college festivals and special functions hosted in the college itself. I always wished someone had special sessions for makeup tips for teenagers. That would have saved me a lot of hassle and at least I would not have looked like someone has poured all the colors of the rainbow on my face! This piece is especially for those teens that are seeking for some teen makeup tips to look stunning for that happening night out with the cute guy next door! A word of warning for grown ups- Keep Out!

Makeup Tips for Teenagers:

Ok, so you are not blessed with the best skin and already have a pimple a day before the party. No need to panic, that’s what teen makeup is all about. One thing I would like to mention here though, you must avoid using make up on a daily basis, as it would simply harm your skin in the long run.

* For girls who need to brighten up their skin, firstly you need follow a good skin care routine. Use a deep cleanser to remove all the oils and traces of makeup every night. Use a gentle scrub once in a while to get rid of dull skin. I know you would be crazy about foundations, but teens don’t actually need to use foundation. Please leave that to the grown ups. If you are having spots or marks, use a concealer to hide the problem areas. Use tinted bronze shades that can add to the natural glow of your skin. Apply this on the cheeks, forehead, chin and the nose. This would help you achieve a sun kissed look. Use some loose powder to even out the uneven texture of the skin.

* Go in for eye makeup only for parties at night. You can begin with a light eye shadow to cover the eyelid. Then take a slightly darker eye shadow and cover the area towards the top of the eyelid. Choose shades that suit your skin tone or you can go in for shades that match your outfit. Be careful of zany shades such as blue as it may tend to make you look pale. Apply a black/brown liner to the eyelid and apply some kohl under your eyes to give them definition. This would help you bring attention to your eyes. Finish with a coat of mascara to your eyelashes. This would help in making your eyes appear wider.

* If you need to define your eyebrows than go in for an eyebrow pencil that is a shade lighter than your natural shade of the brows. Use an eyebrow comb to brush it out evenly.

* Makeup tips for teenagers can never be complete without a blusher. The blusher helps to add to the warmth of the skin and can also help to liven up the look. For a chiseled look, dab some blusher a little below your cheekbones. Use the blusher in an outward direction if you want your eyes to appear wider.

* Lipsticks are probably high on the must haves on most teens. Always use a lip liner so that you can define your lips well. Use natural shades for the day and dark shades for the night. Nude shades work best for a sun kissed look in the morning hours. Top it with loads of gloss for haughty lips. You also need to keep the lipstick shade in co-ordination with your eye shadow. Both have to be on similar lines. Light shades also help to make your lips appear fuller.

* Highlighters help to bring more attention to specific areas of the face. Use a silver highlighter under your brow to jazz up the eyes.

Some factors to consider for Teen Makeup:

* Ensure you have the right brushes for the makeup application. This would help you blend it well.

* Always test the foundation or products that you have not regularly used to know how your skin would react. This would help you avoid any hassles later.

* Clean your makeup brushes once you are done. Do not leave any color on them for a long period of time.

* Avoid heavy makeup and also ensure you clean the face once you come home from the party.

Well, teen makeup should be used to enhance your features. Remember, you must not depend on this to be truly beautiful. Always eat right and be happy. This is bound to reflect in your face!

By Kashmira Lad

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