Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Creativity in Writing Essays

Innovativeness in Writing Essays Innovativeness in Writing Essay Innovativeness in Writing Essay Feeling, thought, crawling vacillations of life, all painted on the canvas of ageless inception, from the mechanism of ink that mirrors blood from the author’s veins, making a boundlessly remarkable explanation in time. Imagination recorded as a hard copy is the investigation of the dusty corners of the writer’s soul. Which you pour the substance of your brain onto the clear page, brimming with probability, leaving yourself there until the end of time. Experimental writing is a theoretical diversion of life by the point of view of a reasoning brain. It is immortal, flexible, brought into the world from nebulous thought and conveyor of ceaseless intricacy. As far as I can tell of the craftsmanship, I have delighted in venturing to every part of the wound sinkholes of my brain, and I have found real factors which, I am in extreme command over the idea of its reality. I utilize my pen as an instrument of transportation, an entrance, sending me away from the stagnicity of s traightforward reality. Recorded as a hard copy, I discovered new sight in which, I see the theoretical connective tissues whenever thought restricting the strings of presence to a solitary source which, shouts for translation. In spite of the fact that to characterize undisputedly, composing is the diverting of discernment in printed structure. Verse, for instance, is a technique for composing that contains the most flawless pictures of thought, due to the unhindered of structure and organization. In contract, Screenwriting has a more noteworthy measure of structure and substance is impacted by the went to crowd. While Poetry and Screenwriting embrace the boundaries of exploratory writing, fiction and Creative Non-fiction keeps up a harmony between the theoretical idea of innovativeness and organizing/content impact from composition and target groups. Every technique requests a one of a kind way of articulation from the writer, however all gets from the view of the author. All through the course, I have learned more prominent measures of data with respect to the different complexities of the workmanship than I initially envisioned. As an author, one constantly advances into better forms of himself, a slo

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Account and Financial Management for Traded- myassignmenthelp

Question: Examine about theAccount and Financial Managementfor Traded Company. Answer: Synopsis of Findings This examination manages looking at the money related execution of a traded on an open market organization known as Woolworths Limited for the year 2015 and 2016 (Woolworths.com, 2017). For this examination, data is created from the yearly reports of Woolworths Limited for the year 2015 and 2016. The primary thought process of business is to produce benefit with the assets accessible to the organization. The monetary trough is liable for surveying the gainfulness of a business so as to assess whether sufficient profits can be produced for its benefits just as speculations (Deegan, 2013). To that, there are various proportions that can be utilized for assessing the productivity. In this investigation, the productivity proportion utilized is gross benefit proportion, return on resources and profit for value. In the year 2015, net benefit of Woolworths Limited shows up at 40.96% and 40.59% in the year 2016. Profit for resources is one of the gainfulness proportions that takes into consideration evaluating the route on how effectively resources of Woolworths Limited are being overseen and takes a gander at the capacity of the supervisory crew for controlling the costs. In the year 2015, return on resources of Woolworths Limited shows up 0.075 and 0.087 in the year 2016. The figur es show that Woolworths Limited has accomplished better outcomes when contrasted with its companion gatherings or industry. In this way, Woolworths Limited earned additionally working benefit per dollar of interest in resources when contrasted with its friend gatherings. Subsequent to examining the money related proportion for the year 2015 and 2016, it is comprehended that Woolworths Limited records poor benefit results that thusly go about as a marker that there is issue with generally speaking execution of the firm (Chan et al., 2016). Liquidity proportion is determined as it predicts the capacity of any business whether they can pay their momentary commitments, bills and pay down obligation on schedule. Here, it is imperative to survey the liquidity position of Woolworths Limited and contrast it and the business guidelines. In this examination, current proportion and snappy proportion are determined for the year 2015 and 2016. To clarify in detail, current proportion is determined by taking current resources and separating it by current liabilities. In the year 2015, current proportion of Woolworths Limited shows up at 0.91 and 0.94 in the year 2016. The business normal is 2:1. Henceforth, Woolworths Limited is trailing marginally behind regarding generally speaking liquidity. It is critical to take note of that neither Woolworths Limited nor the business normal shows enough liquidity for covering all liabilities without the requirement for raising extra assets. By taking a gander at proportions, it is very clear that Woolworths Limited has dealt with a present proportion more like 1. The explanation for the figure is poor deals results just as high endeavor brought about by the Masters adventure. It is a result of cost brought about in business and cost of working a failing to meet expectations business (Bushman, 2014). Capital structure proportion is otherwise called dissolvability proportion that shows wherein firms choice are made to back their advantages, either through obligation or value. In this investigation, obligation to value and value proportion are determined for Woolworths Limited that clarifies the dissolvability position of the business association (Beatty Liao, 2014). Reference List Beatty, A., Liao, S. (2014). Money related bookkeeping in the financial business: A survey of the observational literature.Journal of Accounting and Economics,58(2), 339-383. Bushman, R. M. (2014). Considerations on budgetary bookkeeping and the banking industry.Journal of Accounting and Economics,58(2), 384-395. Chan, S. H., Song, Q., Rivera, L. H., Trongmateerut, P. (2016). Utilizing an instructive PC program to improve understudy execution in money related accounting.Journal of Accounting Education,36, 43-64. Deegan, C. (2013).Financial bookkeeping hypothesis. McGraw-Hill Education Australia. Woolworths.com. (2017).Very | Womens, Mens and Kids Fashion, Furniture, Electricals More!. [online] Available at: https://www.woolworths.com [Accessed 27 Aug. 2017].

Managing Employee Motivation and Performance Free Essays

Worldwide BURCH UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT MANAGING EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION AND PERFORMANCE RESEARCH PAPER by Nedzad ISAKOVIC Project Supervisor M. A. Edin SMAJIC SARAJEVO April, 2012 Contents 1. We will compose a custom paper test on Overseeing Employee Motivation and Performance or on the other hand any comparative point just for you Request Now Introduction2 1. 1. The Motivation Process2 1. 2. Wath Managers Do In Practice2 2. Persuading by Structuring Jobs to Make Them Interesting3 2. 1. Occupation Design3 2. 2. Occupation Enrichment and Job Enlargement3 2. 3. The Job Characteristics Model4 3. Conclusion5 4. References7 1. Presentation Motivation is characterized as the procedure that starts, controls and keeps up objective situated practices. Inspiration is the thing that makes us act, regardless of whether it is getting a glass of water to diminish thirst, perusing a book to pick up information or playing out some particular activity task to get pay. For what reason is the inspiration of representatives so significant at the work environment? It is significant for directors since it decides singular execution of the laborers alongside capacity of the laborers and workplace. The most moving variable for administrator to control of these three is inspiration. Singular conduct is an unpredictable marvel, and the chief needs to enter the center of the issue in the event that he will tackle it. 1. 1. The Motivation Process The inspiration procedure advances through a progression of discrete advances. Substance, procedure, and fortification viewpoints on inspiration address various pieces of this procedure (Griffin, 2008). Content point of view attempts to discover what factor or factors persuade individuals. The most well known substance hypotheses are Maslow’s chain of importance of requirements, the ERG hypothesis and Herzberg’s two-factor hypothesis. Procedure points of view on inspiration investigate how the inspiration procedure functions and how it happens. They attempt to discover why individuals certain conduct alternatives to satisfy their requirements and how laborers assess their fulfillments after their choices. Hypotheses of procedure points of view are anticipation hypothesis, value hypothesis and the fresher attribution hypothesis. The support point of view attempts to discover which components power workers to keep being spurred. It discloses to us that representatives will rehash the conduct for which they are compensated, and they won’t rehash conduct for which they are rebuffed. Support viewpoint utilizes uplifting feedback, shirking, discipline and eradication as instruments to keep workers persuaded. These are simply hypotheses which help administrators to figure out what to do by and by. 1. 2. What Managers Do In Practice The most mutual idea and methodology among administrators by and by is that cash persuades. Due to that administrators utilize huge assortment of remuneration frameworks, for example, merit reward frameworks, impetus reward frameworks and group reward frameworks to improve inspiration and execution of their workers. Their supposition that is right and representatives improve when they realize that they will get more cash for their improved presentation. In any case, another inquiry emerges: How long will the improved presentation last if cash is key spark? The appropriate response is that it won’t keep going long. The investigations have demonstrated that people experience issues reviewing the reward they get and it doesn't appear to have a similar effect it did inside the initial scarcely any weeks or long periods of getting it. That’s in light of the fact that cash, all by itself, won't consistently spur people. Workers are propelled considerably more if cash rewards are joined with acknowledgment and with improved employment structure. Another difficult that emerges from utilizing the cash as a key factor of inspiration is that it costs. The organizations need to give a lot of cash to representatives as rewards and there were a few situations where rewards are really bigger than yearly pay rates of certain workers. This turns into a genuine issue if organization needs to diminish the measure of rewards representatives get. Representatives become increasingly disappointed and unmotivated in light of the fact that they are utilized to have huge rewards, so their presentation falls a considerable amount. My sentiment is that the most ideal approach to propel representatives to perform better is to configuration employments by making them all the more speaking to individuals. 1. Rousing by Structuring Jobs to Make Them Interesting 2. 3. Occupation Design This methodology of inspiration is aimed at improving the fundamental idea of the work performed by changing the plan of the activity. Occupation configuration is worried about organizing employments so as to improve association proficiency and representative occupation fulfillment (Snell/Bohlander, 2007). Workers today take part in dull developments, which they find exceptionally standard and dreary. Of course, individuals got exhausted with such employments and their exhibition falls with time. Luckily, today’s authoritative researchers have discovered a few different ways of structuring employments that aren’t simply productive, but on the other hand are wonderful and spurring. Occupation augmentation and employment enhancement are two methodologies that improve inspiration by changing employment structure. 2. 4. Occupation Enlargement and Job Enrichment One of the main present day ways to deal with updating employments recommended that fatigue of workers by taking part in exceptionally dreary employments could be limited by having individuals play out an expanded number of various assignments all at a similar level. This methodology is known as employment growth (Greenberg/Baron, 2008). As a result of this methodology representatives don’t need higher abilities or have higher duty, yet perform increasingly various activities at a similar level. Changing employment along these lines is an expansion in the flat occupation stacking. A few investigations indicated that activity amplification is helpful approach to build representative occupation fulfillment and worker fatigue at the work environment. A progressively compelling methodology, work improvement, gives representatives more employments to do, however more undertakings to perform at a more significant level of ability and obligation (Greenberg/Baron, 2008). The primary thought of employment enhancement is making occupations all the more intriguing to individuals with the goal that they will be all the more exceptionally energetic to perform them. Occupation enhancement offers workers the chance to assume more noteworthy responsibility for how to carry out their responsibilities. Since individuals performing advanced occupations work at more elevated levels than others, this methodology expands a job’s vertical employment stacking. Indeed, even the activity advancement is effective it has a few issues in usage. Initial one is trouble of usage since it is costly to update existing offices. Second issue is absence of worker acknowledgment on the grounds that not all representatives are prepared to acknowledge the adjustments in their activity achievement and higher commitments for the work they perform. 2. 5. The Job Characteristics Model In past content I expressed that businesses ought to enhance the employments, however I neglected to indicate exact what components of work should be improved for it to be compelling. Occupation qualities model answers this inquiry. It expect that employments can be planned to assist individuals with getting pleasure out of their occupations and care about the work they do (Greenberg/Baron, 2008). It discloses to us how occupations can be overhauled to assist representatives with feeling that they are doing important and significant work. The model determines that advancing certain components of occupations impacts employee’s mental states in a way that expands their work viability. It recognizes five center occupation measurements that help make three basic mental states, prompting a few gainful individual and work results. The five basic activity measurements are expertise assortment, task personality, task hugeness, self-governance, and criticism. Aptitude theatrical presentations us what number of various errands the representative performs utilizing a few of his abilities and gifts. Assignment personality gives us what amount is worker engaged with one bit of work, from start to finish. Undertaking centrality gives us how much effect employee’s work has on others. Self-governance gives us how much opportunity workers have in arranging and performing occupations as they wish. Input gives us how much the activity permits representatives to know is their presentation effective enough. The model tells that these different activity measurements effectsly affect numerous basic mental states. Blend of these activity measurements have impact on experienced significance of the activity performed, which is then experienced as profoundly significant, important and beneficial. Occupation measurements likewise decide how much representatives are by and by dependable and responsible for their work. At the point when they are allowed to choose what to do and how to do it they feel progressively answerable for their work. At last, these activity measurements sway employee’s information on the consequences of their work. At the point when work is intended to furnish representatives with data about the impacts of their activities, they better see how powerful they are †and such information improves their adequacy. These basic mental states influence individual and work results, for example, sentiments of inspiration, the nature of work performed, fulfillment with work, non-attendance and turnover. The higher these mental states are, the more constructive the individual and work advantages and results will be. The activity qualities model is exceptionally pertinent and it has high and positive outcomes. The workers that react best to this model are the ones which have high requirement for self-improvement and advancement. The model has been focal point of numerous exact tests, the vast majority of which are strong of numerous parts of the model. One examination led among a gathering of South African administrative laborers discovered especially solid help for the activity trademark model (Greenberg/Baron, 2008). . End In my conclusion adjusting representative inspiration by changing employment configuration is substantially more gainful and superior to improving inspiration by impetus reward frameworks. The facts demonstrate that actuating inspiration by changing occupation configuration has a few issues, for example, trouble of execution and absence of representative acknowled gment, yet these issues a

Friday, August 21, 2020

Quality Management in the Public Administration through CAF

Quality Management in the Public Administration through CAF ESF 4.159 †Developing Quality Management in the Public Administration through CAF (SLIDE 3) The Commissions primary Thematic Objectives are set out in Article 9 of the Common Strategic Framework. Every regular key structure adds to the Union technique for savvy, manageable and comprehensive development. Such targets might be made an interpretation of into explicit needs to every basic key system support. The European Commission accepts that the separate part states ought to constantly improve the earth for their organizations, residents and partners by methods for the modernization of open organization. The picked venture falls inside the eleventh Thematic Objective that looks for the upgrading of institutional limit and effective open organization through more grounded institutional limit and progressively productive open organization upheld the European Social Fund (ESF). (SLIDE 4) Altogether the measure of ESF reserves dispensed to this task add up to an aggregate of 300 and thirteen thousand, 300 and seventy euros. The focal target is that of reinforcing productivity and adequacy of the open organization through deep rooted learning and creative exercises. These are the principle financing data including the aggregate sum of dispensed assets and the zones of intercession. (SLIDE 5) Through such speculation financial improvement is one of the principle drivers. This will be accomplished from better business condition and other cultural and financial effects of the subject partners. The EU Commission will explicitly evaluate: The necessities of partners so as to improve the conveyance through quality administration frameworks, and; That there is additionally a lot of activities, alluding to the foundation and utilization of effectively set quality administration frameworks in a reasonable manner. (SLIDE 6) Prior to the execution of this undertaking, the circumstance inside the Maltese Public Administration was portrayed by constrained utilization of value the board frameworks. All things considered, components, for example, the CAF, client care and review, online entries, administration contracts, mandates and rules, eGovernment, one stop shop, Local Councils (as an elective conveyance channel), associations with NGOs and limit fabricating just existed to a restricted degree. This task looks to build up the aptitudes and capabilities of open officials in the use of the CAF and focal skills inside the Management Efficiency Unit (MEU). This would be accomplished through preparing and systems administration of CAF clients and specialists. This additionally prompts duty that improves the open assistance conveyance through weight decrease of guideline and authoritative systems, quality affirmation and control. Administration conveyance would progressively get proficient, reasonable, straightforward and result arranged. Administration clients would likewise have the option to look over channels of conveyance which ought to be as close as conceivable to them. For such accomplishments the MEU would turn into a focal point of greatness as respects the CAF. It is ready to fortify the open part in CAF execution and the administration of accreditation so as to guarantee long haul supportability. To acquire such destinations, selection of better works on, boosting of association collaborations, influence innovation and the seeking after of corporate social obligation are basic devices. (SLIDE 7) The CAF model is for the most part dependent on 3 columns that are; Structure, Process, Outcome. Structure (or Leadership) holds that; CAF depends on 2 key components that are: Enablers and Results and that; Each empowering influence and result is additionally separated into key sub-standards Procedure holds that; CAF is established on a team’s perspective on the situation of an association at a specific point in time and that; CAF supports a nonstop improvement attitude inside an association Result holds that; Advantages for the organization’s partners, picture and notoriety (SLIDE 8) Evaluation of the accomplishment of wanted accomplished objectives is done through the PDCA cycle. Fundamentally this cycle watches the; Commencement of the venture, for example, the: Arranging and association of the procedure and Correspondence inside the association Doing of self-evaluation, for example, the: Setting up of the self evaluation group Preparing and information gathering and Self evaluation Arranging and execution of upgrades incorporates: Prioritization and arranging Correspondence of the improvement plan promotion Intermittent survey of the venture (SLIDE 9 and 10) Scoring of sub-measures depends on the PDCA cycle which ordinarily takes between 6 to 10 weeks relying upon the multifaceted nature and size of the issue in question. The 6 primary measures for satisfaction under restriction 11 will accomplish results into 3 principle zones, which are of a Societal, Citizen and Workforce nature. All accomplishments lead to advance financial effectiveness inside the subject association. Cultural, Citizen/Consumer, and People/Workforce advantages will be accomplished: Cultural upgrades include: Improvement in personal satisfaction Adjustment to patterns Proactive comprehensive methodology Partner commitment Straightforwardness Resident upgrades include: Quicker conveyance Improved help level Cost-proficient tasks Picture and notoriety Workforce upgrades include: Propelled workforce Job lucidity and contribution Improved duty to mission Better asset use Diminished ability holes (SLIDE 11) 4 key targets structure the center of this undertaking: CAF as Quality Management System (QMS): that Promotes and actualizes the CAF as the Maltese Public Administration’s first decision of value the executives framework It is foreseen that vital activity to accomplish this vital goal incorporate however are not really restricted to: further turn out of CAF inside Government; giving usage backing, enablement and ability to Department and Government Entities executing CAF; when a minimum amount of Departments and Government Entities have embraced CAF, a quality honor is acquainted with perceive accomplishment; honing the emphasis on results and result direction; and presenting CAF in training and equity segments. Associations: that Strengthen organization improvement and the executives between the Maltese Public Administration and its partners It is foreseen that key activities to achieve this vital goal incorporate yet are not really restricted to: giving direction and building limit in organization improvement and the executives; growing further vital associations in different areas; stretching out counsel to support configuration; continuing and enhancing corporate social duty; fortifying a proactive data approach; and building up a corporate personality pack for the Public Administration. There are for the most part territories where residents, administration clients, and partners can act together in co-structure, co-dynamic, co-creation and co-assessment. Administrations/Processes: Improves the way benefits and related business forms work and enhance inside the Public organization It is foreseen that vital activity to accomplish this key goal incorporate however are not really restricted to: improving and enhancing administrations and diverts being used inside the Public Administration; creating ability to execute business the executives; further supporting business forms with ICT; better records the board; augmenting resident/client proposal and grumblings framework; and presenting precise resident/consumer loyalty estimation. Individuals: Develops the capacities of the Public Administration workforce in client care, association advancement and quality administration frameworks It is foreseen that key activity to accomplish this key target incorporate however are not really restricted to: honing the attention on execution the executives to guarantee availability, straightforwardness, nature of administration conveyance, contribution; preparing and advancement of Public representatives in the required toolbox; and presenting atmosphere and culture discernment studies with staff. (SLIDE 12) Current condition of-play: The appropriation of a quality administration system would expand on these endeavors and moves in the direction of a progressively steady way to deal with ceaseless improvement. CAF is a center device to accomplish feasible greatness in all exhibition perspectives. Activities depend on the reason that amazing outcomes as for execution, clients, individuals and society are accomplished through initiative driving arrangement and technique, that is conveyed through individuals associations, assets, procedures and change the board. Not at all like different other quality administration models CAF is explicitly focused for open organization and is equipped for catching novel highlights of government associations, holds a high level of adaptability and might be utilized n a wide assortment of conditions. Hence, CAF assumes a colossal job in Malta’s National Reform Program under the Europe 2020 methodology. By the selection and advancement of CAF, the MEU would be expanding its degree of self-appraisal. MEU likewise plans to turn into the Maltese focus of mastery through the reinforcing of its in-house limit. (SLIDE 13) Three kinds of preparing that have been conveyed by the European Institute of Public Administration in Mata include: A Specialized Training Program in CAF conveyed by CAF specialists to 14 individuals (out of a sum of around 20) of MEU staff; A CAF Model Training Program conveyed by CAF specialists to 6 gatherings of open authorities; and Preparing on the Procedure on External Feedback and the CAF Label Training Program conveyed to individuals from MEU staff and open authorities in the open segment. 154 government workers were prepared in the TQM approach for the open part to acquire information on applicable ideas of value d

Program Assistant Introduction Allison Walker COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

Program Assistant Introduction Allison Walker COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog Over the last few days, youve met some talented Seeple who are passionate about public service. Today, Im introducing you to PA Allison Walker, MIA 2016, who is no exception. Allison has found a way to combine her passion for digital media international relations  while at SIPA. See what she has to say about the curriculum in her QA below. Allison is a second year MIA student focusing on Human Rights and specializing in International Media, Advocacy, and Communications. Allison worked as a digital media and webcast specialist in the nonprofit sector in New York before going back to school. She double majored in Film and International Relations for her undergraduate degree at Northwestern University , and worked for documentary production companies and nonprofits in Chicago, D.C., Nashville and New York. What attracted you to SIPA and Columbia University? The International Media, Advocacy, and Communications specialization was what caught my attention and why I applied to SIPA. I have always been interested in combining my technical and creative media skills with advocacy, so IMAC seemed like a perfect fit. Even though it is a specialization, which has fewer requirements than a concentration, the program is very robust and the classes cover a range of topics that are going to be useful in the field. Some courses are a little more theoretical, but most of them teach skills that will actually be used in a jobâ€"whether that’s writing, new media, or video. Did you choose to attend SIPA to change careers, or to gain experience in a career path you already had experience in? I chose to attend SIPA because the combination of the Human Rights concentration and the IMAC specialization seemed tailored to the type of work I hoped to pursue. It was not a career change for me, since I was already working in media at nonprofits and for social justice causes, but I would add that coming to SIPA has broadened my horizons in ways I didn’t foresee. Learning about organizations and endeavors in my courses and hearing all the different, amazing work my peers have done has made me see that there are many ways to use the skills I am building at SIPA. What’s your internship experience been like? This summer I interned at WITNESS, a nonprofit in Brooklyn that trains and supports activists on how to safely and smartly use video to combat human rights abuses. It was a great opportunity for me to see how  the role video and multimedia can play in exposing abuses. WITNESS was a great fit because my background informed the work I was doing, but I was also learning how to research, curate, and present case studies of video’s role in recent cases of police violence. How did you obtain your internship? I learned about WITNESS through peers at SIPA and became very interested in their work. I signed up for the organization’s listservs and checked the website often. I specifically checked the internship opportunities page throughout the spring to see if there were openings, and when one for a Video Curation Intern for the new WITNESS Media Lab popped up, I applied the same day I saw it. In my application, I emphasized why I thought my background would help support their work and outlined how I thought the internship would complement my studies at SIPA. I conducted a Skype interview within the next few weeks and heard back about a week later that I would be working with them for the summer. What advice do you have for current applicants? I would advise anyone thinking of applying to SIPA to reach out to someone at the university to set up a phone or Skype call. While I was applying, I talked to multiple people in the concentrations and specializations I was interested in, and it was immensely helpful to get a current student’s perspective. I asked them all my questions, large and small, and appreciated their honesty and encouragement. I am always happy to set up phone calls to talk with prospective students because I know it was invaluable for me to hear how students handled the core requirements and navigated returning to school after working for a few years. [Photo courtesy of Allison Walker]

Program Assistant Introduction Allison Walker COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

Program Assistant Introduction Allison Walker COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog Over the last few days, youve met some talented Seeple who are passionate about public service. Today, Im introducing you to PA Allison Walker, MIA 2016, who is no exception. Allison has found a way to combine her passion for digital media international relations  while at SIPA. See what she has to say about the curriculum in her QA below. Allison is a second year MIA student focusing on Human Rights and specializing in International Media, Advocacy, and Communications. Allison worked as a digital media and webcast specialist in the nonprofit sector in New York before going back to school. She double majored in Film and International Relations for her undergraduate degree at Northwestern University , and worked for documentary production companies and nonprofits in Chicago, D.C., Nashville and New York. What attracted you to SIPA and Columbia University? The International Media, Advocacy, and Communications specialization was what caught my attention and why I applied to SIPA. I have always been interested in combining my technical and creative media skills with advocacy, so IMAC seemed like a perfect fit. Even though it is a specialization, which has fewer requirements than a concentration, the program is very robust and the classes cover a range of topics that are going to be useful in the field. Some courses are a little more theoretical, but most of them teach skills that will actually be used in a jobâ€"whether that’s writing, new media, or video. Did you choose to attend SIPA to change careers, or to gain experience in a career path you already had experience in? I chose to attend SIPA because the combination of the Human Rights concentration and the IMAC specialization seemed tailored to the type of work I hoped to pursue. It was not a career change for me, since I was already working in media at nonprofits and for social justice causes, but I would add that coming to SIPA has broadened my horizons in ways I didn’t foresee. Learning about organizations and endeavors in my courses and hearing all the different, amazing work my peers have done has made me see that there are many ways to use the skills I am building at SIPA. What’s your internship experience been like? This summer I interned at WITNESS, a nonprofit in Brooklyn that trains and supports activists on how to safely and smartly use video to combat human rights abuses. It was a great opportunity for me to see how  the role video and multimedia can play in exposing abuses. WITNESS was a great fit because my background informed the work I was doing, but I was also learning how to research, curate, and present case studies of video’s role in recent cases of police violence. How did you obtain your internship? I learned about WITNESS through peers at SIPA and became very interested in their work. I signed up for the organization’s listservs and checked the website often. I specifically checked the internship opportunities page throughout the spring to see if there were openings, and when one for a Video Curation Intern for the new WITNESS Media Lab popped up, I applied the same day I saw it. In my application, I emphasized why I thought my background would help support their work and outlined how I thought the internship would complement my studies at SIPA. I conducted a Skype interview within the next few weeks and heard back about a week later that I would be working with them for the summer. What advice do you have for current applicants? I would advise anyone thinking of applying to SIPA to reach out to someone at the university to set up a phone or Skype call. While I was applying, I talked to multiple people in the concentrations and specializations I was interested in, and it was immensely helpful to get a current student’s perspective. I asked them all my questions, large and small, and appreciated their honesty and encouragement. I am always happy to set up phone calls to talk with prospective students because I know it was invaluable for me to hear how students handled the core requirements and navigated returning to school after working for a few years. [Photo courtesy of Allison Walker]