Competitive Benefits Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Competitive Benefits - Research Paper Example Therefore, this discourse kicks off by analyzing the benefits that come with compensation components and ways in which organizations whose employees are unionized can remain competitive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employees who are represented by a union receive higher salary as compared to the non- union workers. Moreover, they have more access to various benefits such as medical insurance, despite the declining rate of union membership. Research shows that in the year 2001, only 18 million workers were under a union as compared to 16 million workers in the year 2011. Nevertheless, it is without doubt that unions have an affirmative effect on various aspects of job quality such as employee benefits and wages (Long, 2013). Therefore, this treatise focuses on analyzing how a firm whose workers are represented by a union can remain competitive against the non-unionized workers. It will also give limelight to the role of benefits and the components of an employee benefit package. It is without doubt that compensation benefits play a major role in reducing turnover, enhancing productivity, and increasing the rate of morale among workers. Employee benefits are non-wage compensation that is offered to workers in addition to their normal salaries. For organizations that endeavor to hire competitive workers, they have an attractive benefits package that is either monetary or non-monetary. For instance, the monetary compensation benefits can include bonuses, profit sharing, and stock options among others. There are also the non-monetary benefits such as health insurance, pension plans, disability insurance, paid holidays, educational assistance, flexible working hours, sick leave, work at home oriented programs, retirement plans, and dental insurance among others. It is to be noted that such benefits are paramount in attracting, motivating, rewarding, and retaining workers (Reddick & Coggburn, 2012). Research shows that

An Organizational Structure and Administration of Law Enforcement Essay

An Organizational Structure and Administration of Law Enforcement Agencies - Essay Example It is usually depicted on charts by solid lines connecting the positions. Line relations or direct or executive relations are those existing between a senior and his subordinates at all levels of command. The senior's instructions are to be complied with as authority is direct. Paramilitary model of management is typical for law enforcement agencies. As with other aspects of the personnel function it is important that line officers are involved, at least to some extent, with employee relations (Sewell, 2002). There must be teamwork and a concerted organizational approach to the management of employee relations. This is made easier when top management, who retain ultimate responsibility for the personnel function, take an active part in fostering goodwill and co-operation between departments. "Administration assigns, directs, controls and coordinates department personnel and material resources. It involves budgeting, planning, purchasing, personnel administration, payroll, public rela tions, union contract administration, grant applications, special reports and secretarial support' (Department structure, n.d.). The current structure of New York Police Department can be reorganized into functional organization.

Religion Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Religion - Assignment Example Cinemas, sport, Shops, among others were only available from Monday to Saturday. In the same period, many Churches were built in the mushrooming post-war suburbs and established urban ministries were renewed. The post-war years’ economic prosperity turned going to church into a badge of upward mobility or something of a status symbol. To many affluent working class families aspiring to the ranks of the middle class, churchgoing was a product and a symbol of American affluence. A survey by Lyle Schaller, a church growth expert, indicated that during that time, of the American population, the attendance of adults in mainline churches was 47 percent male and 53 percent female. The fact that male started involving themselves with church activities at a high level made the church grow. Previously, hardly any man could go to church. This shortage was due in part to the industrial revolution that brought new working conditions. Men started working long hours at mines and factories some of which operated on Sundays. Others left town in search for jobs, which took them away from home and their familiar parishes leaving the churches to children, aged men, and women (Murrow, 2005). Therefore, we can attribute people’s returning to church to social, theological and spiritual reasons among others. In this period of the 1950s, Protestantism became extensive and through the Protestants’ vigorous proselytization, approximately 20 percent of the population was Protestant by the late 1950s. The methods that Protestant churches used included focusing their appeal on the lower classes. They took their Churches and clergy in smaller villages where the Roman Catholics had not reached and rather than using French, their clergy used Creole. They also built clinics and schools that provided the much-needed services. They also encouraged marriages and baptisms and performed them free of charge. Up to date, these methods still have an impact

Health & Social Care Essay Example for Free

Health Social Care Essay Ai Identify four key pieces of Legislation and Codes of Practice relating to handling information in social care setting. 1). Data Protection Act 1998 Gives rights to individuals in respect of personal data held about them. It also seeks to protect individuals with regard to the processing of personal data. 2). Freedom of Information Act 2000 The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to ask any public sector organisation for all the recorded information they have on any subject. Anyone can make a request for information – there are no restrictions on your age, nationality or where you live. If you ask for information about yourself, then your request will be handled under the Data Protection Act. 3). Employees Policies Procedures To make sure that all records that are kept in the office are put away in a locked secure cabinet. And when you write out the daily report sheet in the Care Plan Book, make sure that the Care Plan Book is closed and not left open. 4). Health and Social Care Act 2008 requires us to publish a code that sets out the practice we will follow in obtaining, handling, using and disclosing confidential personal information. Aii Explain how legal requirements and codes of practice affect the day to day work of a social care worker in relation to handling information. It is important to follow the codes of practice in everything you do in your day to day work. For example, I personally had a situation a while ago where my regular service user was in hospital for a couple of months, and a friend of Mr Ts approached me and asked if I could give her the key safe code so she could go into to his property and clean round and get him some shopping. I told her that I could not give her Mr Ts key safe code as it is my duty of care not to give out any information that was entrusted to me. And if I gave it to her then I would be breaking the codes of practice and my employees policies and procedures.

Consumer Awareness of Market Economy

Consumer Awareness of Market Economy We know that the conditions of an economy do not remain static. The factors which influence it keep on changing. The rate of flow of funds also, changes with time in an economy, so people have funds available in different strengths at different moment of time. It affects the lives of people living in that economy because to satisfy their needs they require funds. People always feel a gap, positive or negative, between their needs and required funds. So they do their financial planning. In this project we have tried to find and analyse how and in which ways people are doing financial planning in the prevailing market situations. We have also tried to find the awareness of people about current market situations, awareness of financial planning among them and their interest area of investment. Financial Planning is not a very new concept in India. It had been in practice in earlier social systems also. In the past also, people used to do this in some ways. They used to purchasing pieces of land, jewellery and keep these with them for their bad days. Some of them kept their saved money with so called ‘Mahajanas who used to acting as banker. Though people in the past were involved in some kind of activities related to their financial planning, yet they were not very conscious and aware of the thing and were not doing this very actively. It was so because the joint family system was there in the society and also the economic conditions, in the country, were almost static and not as turbulent and volatile as in current scenario. So people did not feel so much insecure. But after industrial revolution, things started to change. People started to move towards cities in searching of new earning opportunities. This leaded to a dynamic economic condition in the country and a change in family structure in the society. This thing has been continuing for years in the country and today we can observe increasing number of nuclear families and varying economic conditions here. The needs of a person and his consumption habits have also changed significantly. Further, the priorities and these needs of a person also change with change in his life stage. So financial planning has become more relevant and important in current market scenario. But, How many persons are there who understand the meaning of financial planning? How many of them are actively doing it? In which ways are they doing their financial planning? These are some questions we need to find answers so that we can conclude to a result and can act accordingly. We have tried to find the answers of these questions in this project. Personal Financial Success: The Six-Level Pyramid  Ã‚   Using the six-level pyramid to help explain the various building blocks to financial success helps to reveal the development of financial planning and indications, at each level, if instruments that might be considered. At the first level of the pyramid, there are four stages that need to be considered. Before any phase of an action plan can be implemented, an individuals current situation must be determined. One must evaluate their personal income because the amount of money a makes directly affects the amount that person can save. After all debts and living expenses are subtracted form income, one can know how much to put in savings every week, month or year. The amount one puts in savings is very important. This will have bearing on a spouse, children, and retirement life. Saving money should become a top priority in the financial planning realm of life. Goals are another important factor in financial planning. Without goals, a person has nothing to strive for, nothing to look forward to. This should come with ease during the implementation of a financial action plan. Career choice plays a major role in ones ability to live at a certain level in society. There are many factors to consider when making a career choice. They include personal factors, social influences, economic conditions, and trends in the industry. A person must consider these things when deciding on a career if they want to have long-term success in any given profession or calling. Keeping good records and being organized is a necessity for a person with a successful financial action plan. After receipts have been found, invoices filed, and check numbers recorded, one can develop a budget. A budget simply allocates income to different areas of spending. For example, one family may spend two hundred and fifty dollars per week on groceries, while another only spends one hundred per week. A budget can be done on a weekly, bi-weekly , or monthly time frame basis. An important part of an overall budget is taxes. Taxes, in general, include federal and state, occasionally county expenses on land ownings and other purchases. A person should be fully aware of how to calculate their taxable income and on how to get help with taxes. The second level of the pyramid involves managing. The absolute first way to begin with money management is to get the money out of a pocket ( or from under a mattress ) and put it into am interest-bearing account. Before this can be done, however, the best bank suitable to a persons needs mus be located. To do this, one must evaluate the different banks rates, fees, and other factors such as number in branched in the area and the services offered. One should examine the gains and losses of having a checking account as well. Credit is a way of life for million of American today. In my opinion, one must be very cautious when choosing whether or not to use consumer credit. There are almost always hidden costs and consumer traps ready to suck a trusting person in. One should be aware of possible credit mistakes and try their best to avoid them. Also, spending far above ones personal income level can become a major problem if taken advantage of. In the market for loans, the most enduring statement is to Shop Around! A person will never know what could be gotten until they try to look for the best deal. One should be aware of the fluctuation of interest rates and the affect that they will have on the principle amount of money borrowed. The third level of the pyramid illustrates the major purchasing decisions in life. Should I buy that shiny new Mustang on credit or save that money for a down payment on a home in a nicer neighborhood? The allocation of personal funds is one of the most harrowing sets of decisions a person will ever make. The decision to purchase a home is in this set. This will probably be the most expensive purchase one will ever make. One should be sure that the purchase of a new home is not outrageously out of his or her income range and that it meets all of their needs. The second most important purchase would be that of a new vehicle. A car purchase can be an exciting time. Since cars are seen as status symbols in society today, most people attempt to buy one that they cannot afford. This can be ruining to credit and make daily expenses much harder. Day to day existence in todays society can be dangerous if a person does not have adequate insurance coverage for self, spouse, and children ( if any ). The fourth stage of the pyramid deals with the adequate amount of insurance. How much is too much or too little? Risk management is a major factor in this. For example, a race car driver is not going to get a good a rate of insurance as a middle aged accountant. Factors such as car accidents, speeding tickets, safety measures taken, and daily activities such as smoking or drinking all affect the amount different types of insurance will cost an individual. After life insurance, I believe that the next necessity is to have automobile and home insurance. These are the two most likely things that someone might have to call on insurance to cover. Health care and disability insurance truly comes in to play when one has a family, nut possibly when single if severe illness occurs frequently. Finally in the fourth level, a value must for life insurance must be chosen. This is directly affected on who will be left depending on money received from your life insurance. This insurance money can be left as a legacy, as a help for funeral expenses, or even a gift from the deceased. The fifth stage of this financial planning pyramid is about investing. There are four fundamental ways that one can invest. They are stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate. Stocks are divided into two main categories, common stock and preferred stock. Common stock makes money by dividing the value of an investment three ways: income from dividends, dollar appreciation of the stock value, and stock splits. Preferred stock is similar to common stock. However, with preferred stock, the investor receives his/her cash dividends before the holders of common stock receive theirs. There are a number of factors that enable investors to evaluate the value of any certain stock. One can read daily newspapers, and gain information from professional in the stock market field. Bonds are divided into two main categories as well. A corporate bond is a corporations written pledge to repay a specified amount of money plus interest gained over a specific period of time. This total is referred to a s the face value of the bond. Corporations issue bonds in order to have available monies to finance expansions, takeovers, etc. This is referred to as debt financing for a corporation. The other type of bond is one that is issued by the federal, state or a local government agency. The bonds that the federal government sells are referred to as treasury bills, notes, bonds, or savings bonds. These are used to finance the national debt and for the governments everyday activities. A municipal bond is one that is issued by a state or local government. All three of these types are said to be generally risk-free. As a financial planner, I would advise my client to seriously look into bonds. Mutual funds are unique in the fact that there is diversification of the purchased portfolio. A persons money goes into a large pool, which a company then invests in many different stocks. The last type of fundamental investing is Real estate. There are different types of real estate investments. For ex ample, your home can be an investment if handled properly or one can purchase commercial property for resale only. The sixth and last stage of the pyramid involves retirement and estate planning. Taking steps now to ensure that a person has money during retirement is particularly important. This should be linked in with the amount of money chosen to save in part one of the financial planning program. Last of all, one must know a little about estate planning. There are legal and personal aspects of this matter. Estate planning is the plan for the disposition of ones property during ones lifetime and at ones death. Legally, everyone needs to have a last will and testament to ensure that their properties are distributed accordingly. A lawyer usually needs to be consulted on this matter. In summary, the most important aspect of financial planning is just what it states-PLANNING. A great deal of money can be gained and saved if the correct methods are incorporated into a persons everyday life and activities. OBJECTIVES We have conducted the study taking following objectives in our concern: To understand customers awareness about current market/ economic scenario. To understand customers awareness about financial planning. To understand how customers do their financial planning. Capture reasons for doing / not doing financial planning. Understand the key areas where investments and savings are made and rational reasons behind the same. Review of Literature Jim Gewert Named Executive Vice President of Worldwide Finance, Planning and Systems for Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group An industry leader since its inception, WBHEG oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. AGL Resources; AGL Resources To Webcast 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 27 During the meeting, AGL Resources Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer John W. Somerhalder II will provide an update on the companys financial and operating performance and its business strategy. 2010 MAY 1 (VerticalNews.com) AGL Resources (NYSE:AGL) will webcast its annual meeting of shareholders on Tuesday, April 27, at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. During the meeting, AGL Resources Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer John W. Somerhalder II will provide an update on the companys financial and operating performance and its business strategy. The meeting will be held at the AGL Resources corporate headquarters at Ten Peachtree Place in Atlanta. Solutions Financial, Llc; Actfinancially.com Launches Personal Financial Planning Website The site includes personalized financial planning, budgeting, goal-setting tools and reports, a library of information and resources, blogs, tips, financial coaching help to manage money and community features such as forums, message boards and live chat for guidance and support. Financial Planning Steps Needed Now to Prepare for Health Care Bill Outcomes Even though the bill is still a few years from implementation, its not too soon to consider several financial planning strategies now to mitigate significant tax increases for the wealthy and the potential for increased borrowing costs for earners of all income levels, Kahler advises. Walking the Walk: A Financial Planner Teaching His Children In an interview, Daniel M. Stern, CFP, with his children, Lily and Benjamin, talked about financial planning for his kids. Stern said theyve been doing it two years now, since right after they talked. Looking at the idea of an allowance as something you give to the children; you dont base it upon work that theyre doing. Its so they can learn how to handle money and get a sense of the value of money and what can be done with it or not done with it. When it came to charity, they were trying to do it every week, but its not that big of an amount to give. Ben thinks its great. It gives them experience to know how to handle money. Lily also thinks its really good. Stern added that toward the last part of the year they had to adopt a spending moratorium. He thinks in todays society theres a huge amount of materialism. Lessons from Her Father Its no surprise that 30-year-old Kimberly Allman has her finances in order. Her parents guidance dovetailed with her own financial self-discipline. A Cornell Law School alum, Allman uses her financial sensibilities in two jobs: as manager at a nonprofit that helps homeowners avoid foreclosure, and as president of Allman Financial Planning LLC, her own personal finance consultancy. Allmans father helped to shape her relationship with money. Allman who is single, now follows her fathers example when she doles out advice to clients regarding debt, credit scores, and investments, among other concerns. In addition to her law degree, Allman has a bachelors in psychology and political science from Duke University, and shes set to receive a certificate in financial planning from Boston University this spring. While in school she avoided frills and kept expenses to a minimum. To reach her current level of financial security, Allman resisted shopping for handbags and jewelry. Money on Your Mind: The Brains Role in Financial Decision-Making The sophistication of modern civilization masks the fact that the brains have evolved little since the Stone Age. The neural programming of human beings was optimized for physical survival, not contemporary challenges such as financial decision-making. The human brain has separate, dedicated centers for coping with situations that present imminent danger or attractive rewards. When triggered by highly stimulating personal or financial events, these centers can cause the brain to react reflexively, dampening the ability to think analytically. Technology gives people ready access to their credit, savings, and investment accounts. Unfortunately, this access makes it easier for people to act upon impulsive financial decisions. This paper examines a case study to demonstrate how perceived financial dangers or rewards can unconsciously trigger emotions that override their rational decision-making. Financial planners also can help their clients develop new methods to read to financial situa tions in a more analytical manner that is consistent with the clients primary values. A House Divided: Americans Have Two Distinct Views Of Retirement The financial turmoil of the past few years has taken a huge toll on Americas confidence about the future and apparent readiness for retirement, said Jamie Ohl, senior vice president and director of The Hartfords Retirement Plans Group. The Planning Dynamic But The Hartfords research shows that people who have taken the time to plan their retirement are generally in a better place financially and are significantly more optimistic about the future than those who have not planned, Ohl said. OppenheimerFunds Survey: When It Comes to College for Their Kids, Women Drive the Planning Process But Many Take a Back Seat on Finances Later College funding is an issue for women in college, after college and for decades after, for both parents and students alike. Because women outnumber men on college campuses by a factor of almost three to two, women pay the price literally and figuratively for poor college financial planning, frequently dropping out or graduating with debt that can cast a shadow over much of their adult life, affecting even their ability to retire, Winn said. The Financial Planning Association(R) of Arkansas iShares* Make $20,000 Contribution to Arkansas Aspiring Scholars Matching Grant Program For more information about the iShares 529 Plan, contact your financial advisor, call 1-888-529-9552 or visit www.ishares529.com to obtain a Program Description and Participation Agreement which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information; read and consider it carefully before investing or sending money. If you are not an Arkansas taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiarys home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such states qualified tuition program. METHODOLOGY Methodology is a strategy that guides a research in providing answers to research questions and for which, research survey is being done. This study has been carried in the following manner:- Methodology Adopted Questionnaire Design: The questionnaire was prepared covering the details about the client and the above objectives. The questions were designed in an easily understandable way with the help of (Miss. Nancy sahni ) that the respondents may not have any difficulty in answering them. The questionnaire also contained a comments section. This section was included so as to get opinion of the people. Random Sampling: Sampling can be defined as a part of population. Thus random sampling may be defined as the selection of a portion from the whole population in which each elements of the population has an equal chance of being selected. In this research survey people were surveyed at random to get the relevant information. Sampling Techniques: The sampling techniques used in this project are probability sampling techniques and the methods used in cluster sampling. Sampling Unit: The respondents who were asked to fill out questionnaires are the sampling units. In this survey these comprise of Govt. Employees and Self Employed persons. Sample size: The sample size was restricted to only 100 people between age group more than 25 years which comprised of mainly peoples from the area where the survey was conducted. Data Collection: Structured Questionnaire: In this part of data collection, structured questionnaire was used as a tool by asking a set of standardized questions which answers we needed to know. Interpretation: Interpretation refers to the task of drawing inference from the collected facts after an analytical study. The simple statistical tools are used to analyze the data collection. Bar Graphs and pie chart have been used to illustrate the findings diagrammatically. AREA OF SURVEY http://www.radhasoamiji.in/images/map.jpg The survey was conducted in a village BEAS and Mehru which is situated in kapurthala district in Punjab. Though it is a town of almost 40,000 people yet its market caters the need of a large customer base which comprises of people, in addition to the town people, living in several villages that surround the town. It is situated near the BEAS river and second near Phagwara, so people from other side also come here for shopping. This is a reason that a big part of population here is involved in business and related activities. A good number of service class people are also present here, because of working of several Government organisations in the town. Block Office, Subdivision Office, Seema Suraksha Bal, Registration Office, Banks, Food Corporation of India, Irrigation Department, Public Work Department, Govt Schools, Municipal Office and also some other departments are working here. In financial institutions here these are present: State Bank of India (CBS) Punjab National bank of India (CBS) Bank of India Life Insurance Corporation of India ( Satellite Branch ) Bajaj Allianz LIC Co LTD ( Branch Office ) Rahika Co-operative Bank ( Branch Office ) Sahara India ( Branch Office ) Some other institutions like – Birla Sunlife, Reliance Life Insurance, ICICI Prudential also work here controlling their activities from Main branch. LIMITATIONS The report is prepared on the basis of responses given by the respondents and is confined to the area of survey, so it does not necessarily show a pattern applicable to other areas also. Some respondents were reluctant to divulge personal information which can affect the validity of all responses. In a rapidly changing environment, analysis on one day or in one segment can change very quickly. The environmental changes are vital to be considered in order to assimilate the findings.

Religion and Spirituality Integration in Therapy: Ethics

Religion and Spirituality Integration in Therapy: Ethics Ethical Issues for the Integration of Religion and Spirituality in Therapy Danelle J. Hollenbeck Abstract Psychologists are professional who have undertaken a code of ethics mandatory in practicing psychology. Ethical issues arising from religion and spirituality that is integrated into therapy requires psychologists to undertake a moral and ethical view on treating these clients. This paper addresses the codes in which psychologists adhere to when undertaking secular-theistic therapy, avoiding bias, multiple relationships, imposing religious views, and competence, and informed consent. This paper discusses relevant ethical dilemmas when providing psychotherapy to clients. This paper also reviews ethical circumstances in which American Association of Psychologist Codes (APA) applies to these ethical and moral situations. It will also briefly discuss ethical consideration of the codes at intake, assessment, treatment, and over-all accountability of clients in regards to religion and spirituality. Introduction Psychology (as well as science in general) has embraced spirituality and religion more and has used rigorous scientific methods such as double-blind randomized clinical trials to examine important questions related to psychology and religion integration (Plante, 2007). Many individuals are more religious and spiritual than previously and therefore are requesting that health professional integrate this into their professional work, in particularly psychology, as well as psychologists have become interested in the same and look for ways to integrate this into their practice (Plante, 2007). Discussion The American Psychology Association (APA) supports religious diversity and states that  psychologists are aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those  based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual  orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status and consider these factors when  working with members of such groups (American Psychological Association, 2015). This focuses on Principle E, Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity (Fishers, 2013, pg. 13), which ensures fair treatment of all people regardless of ethnicity, gender, culture, religion, disability, etc. We may not agree with our client’s religious beliefs, but we are asked to respect them and the traditions of others (Plante, 2007). We are to avoid bias and according to Standard 3.01 we are to avoid discrimination based on other qualities and religion (American Psychological Association, 2015). Psychologists must be competent in the services provided. We must adhere to Standards 2.01b Boundaries of Competence, and 2.03, Maintaining Competence. According to Gonsiorek et al. (2009) â€Å"Competence in the services providing regarding spirituality and religion is a fundamental ethical requirement†. Just because we might be of the same faith or have a similar interest in our client’s religious practices does not make us to be experts in the field, therefore we must adhere to Standards 2.01b and 2.03 and have the appropriate training and experience necessary to provide services. We must also remember that psychologists trained as theologians may not satisfy the ethical code, even if dually trained and could face potential challenges (Gonsiorek, Richards, Pargament, McMinn, 2009) therefore standard training is the key. The Ethical Code also avoids secular-theistic bias. It’s important to refrain from perceiving a client’s faith as low intelligence just as it’s important to refrain from viewing a client from a different faith as misguided or as second class (Gonsiorek et al, 2009). Principle D: Justice and Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity, and Standards 2.06, Personal Problems and Conflicts and 3.01 Unfair Discrimination are applied towards bias. Positive biases can also be just as destructive as the negative biases. Gonsiorek, et al. (2009) states positive biases can result in serious problems being misconstrued as diversity and in behaviors with significant mental health implications being ignored (2009). Standard 3.04, Avoiding Harm applies as such we must take reasonable steps to avoid harming clients when possible (APA, 2015). Biases of any type interfere with the therapeutic relationship and diminish psychological services, thus psychologists are expected to have self-reflection and examination to screen biases (Gonsiorek et al, 2009), Assuming a client has sought a psychologist who is trained in theistic therapies or is not  aware that a psychologist offers religious modalities such as Mindfulness, Ho’oponopono, or  prayer would be incorporated into treatment; therefore Standard 10.01 A B, Informed  Consent is mandatory in any treatment offered, yet also in disclosing and discussing the  psychotherapist’s qualifications, background, theoretical orientation, and specific areas of  expertise; specific goals of treatment; and reasonably available treatment options and alternatives  are included in informed consent (Barrett Johnson, 2011). A psychologist also needs to  address concerns or issues that have arisen during intake regarding deep-seated sectarian beliefs,  and their levels of comfort and practice, as well as how this may impact their goals and process  of treatment (Barrett Johnson, 2011). Before embarking on any effort to challenge  troubling or discordant aspects of rel igious belief, it is essential that the psychotherapist  evaluate his or her competence in this area, provide appropriate informed consent, and consider  seeking consultation from clergy or other professionals with expertise in this area (Barnett Johnson, 2011). The risk of multiple relationships provides many challenges for psychologists who are also clergy members. Multiple relationships may raise boundary concerns, specifically if a client requests his or her religious aspect of the same church in which the psychologist attends be implemented into their treatment. In this case, psychologists must adhere to Standard 3.05B, Multiple Relationships, which states a psychologist finds that, due to unforeseen factors, a potentially harmful multiple relationship has arisen, the psychologist takes reasonable steps to resolve it with due regard for the best interests of the affected person and maximal compliance with the Ethics Code (apa.org). These ethics codes (and their understanding) join psychologists to respect each client’s  religious/spiritual beliefs and practices reducing any harmful effects on the client’s own biases when formulating treatment for each individual client. References American Psychological Association. (2015). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/ Barnett,J.E., Johnson,W.B. (2011). Integrating Spirituality and Religion Into Psychotherapy: Persistent Dilemmas, Ethical Issues, and a Proposed Decision-Making Process.Ethics Behavior. doi:10.1080/10508422.2011.551471 Fisher,C.B. (2013).Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Gonsiorek,J.C., Richards,P.S., Pargament,K.I., McMinn,M.R. (2009). Ethical Challenges and Opportunities at the Edge: Incorporating Spirituality and Religion Into Psychotherapy.Professional Psychology-research and Practice. doi:10.1037/a0016488 Plante,T.G. (2007). Integrating spirituality and psychotherapy: Ethical issues and principles to consider.Journal of Clinical Psychology. doi:10.1002/jclp.20383 Burj Khalifa: The Worlds Tallest Building Burj Khalifa: The Worlds Tallest Building On 4th of January, 2010, Dubai, where there was only wind-blown litter a generation ago, witnessed the opening ceremony of the worlds tallest building,Burj Khalifa. A brilliant work of art with difficult structural problems took 1,325 days to completion since the start of the excavation work in January,2004. Burj Khalifa has returned the name of the Worlds Tallest Structure back to the Middle-Eastern structures where the Great Pyramid of Giza claimed that honor for millions of years before the construction of Lincoln Cathedral in England in 1311. It is amazing to know that the triple-lobed foot print is inspired from the desert flower Hymenocallis which is common in Dubai. Being located in Dubai, UAE, the tower was influenced by Islamic and middle-eastern architecture.This influence resulted in the tri-axial geometry of Burj Khalifa. The tower consists of three wings arranged around the a central core in the shape of Y.As the tower rises from the flat desert ground, setbacks occur through the 26 helical levels decreasing the cross-section of the tower as it spirals skywards. The Y-shape plan is ideal for residential and hotel usage maximizing outwards view and inward natural light.Plus,it allows maximum view of the Arabic Gulf. As a super-tall structure, there were many difficult structural problems.To ensure safety and effectiveness of the selected design,a model of the building was subjected to extensive peer program. Designers used the buttressed core in Burj Khalifa consisting of a hexagonal hub buttressed by three wings bracing each other forming the Y-shape. Not only bracing each other but acting as a tripod base which is more stable than a four-cornered base. The corridor walls of the wings extending from the central core to the end of each wind terminate in a thickened hammer head walls. The main purpose of the Y-shape is to reduce the wind effects as well as keeping the structure simple, safe and foster constructability. The result is a stiff tower that can support itself laterally and overcomes twisting. Setbacks in each tier occur in a spiral stepping pattern up the building. These setbacks confuse the wind as the wind vortices never get organized because at each tier the building has different shape. The hexagonal core provides the essential torsional resistance like a closed tube. The wing walls and hammer head walls behave as webs and flanges of a beam resisting wind shears and moments. Specific strength of concrete walls ranges from C60 to C80 cube strength using Portland cement and fly ash. The C80 concrete used in the lower portion of the building has a specified Youngs Elastic Modulus (E) of 43,800 N/mm2 after 90 days. Wall and column sizes were determined using Virtual work/LaGrange multiplier methodology which results in very efficient structure. Wall thickness and column sizes are adjusted to reduce the effect of concrete creep and shrinkage. To reduce the effect of differential column shortening between perimeter columns and interior walls,the size of perimeter columns were adjusted such that the self-weight gravity stress acting on it is equal to that stress on the interior walls. As shrinkage in concrete occurs faster in thinner elements ,the perimeter columns had the same thickness of interior corridor walls(600 mm)to ensure that both columns and walls will shorten by the same rate due to concrete shrinkage. That super-structure had foundations consisting of a reinforced concrete raft of thickness 3.7 meters supported by 194 piles. Pouring the raft was divided into four separate pours. Self consolidated concrete (SCC)of C50 cube strength was used. Each pile is 1.5 meters diameter; 43 meter long buried more than 50 meters deep. Piles were designed to support 3,000 tons each and while load tests, they supported over 6,000 tons. Unfortunately, the towers substructure is constructed in a groundwater having chloride and sulfate concentrations higher than those in sea water! Having these aggressive conditions, a strict program of measures was required to ensure the durability of the foundations. Measures applied specialized waterproof covers, increasing concrete thickness, addition of corrosion inhibitors to the concrete mix and a cathodic protection system using titanium mesh. To get higher strength and lower permeable concrete cover to the steel bars, a controlled permeability formwork was used. Besides, a special concrete mix was designed to resist the attack from the groundwater. The concrete mix for piles having 25% fly ash, 7% silica fume and a water to cement ratio of 0.32, was designed to be fully self consolidating concrete having slump of 675 ±75 mm to avoid defects during construction. For that unprecedented height of the building, it was essential to compute wind forces and resulting motions in the upper levels as they became dominant factors in the structural design. Wind tunnel tests were undertaken under the direction of Rowan Williams Davies and Irwin Inc. The wind tunnel program included rigid-model force balance test, a full multi-degree of freedom aeroelastic model studies, measurements of localized pressures, pedestrian wind environment studies and climatic studies. Models used was of scale 1:500. The wind tunnel data was then combined with the dynamic property of the tower to get the full towers dynamic response to wind and the overall effective wind force distributions. The tower has six important wind directions. The principal three wind directions are when the wind is blowing into the nose of each of the three wings. The other three directions when the wind is blowing between the wings. The orientation and setbacks of the tower were selected relative to the most frequent strong wind direction for Dubai. A several round of wind tunnel tests were undertaken during the construction of the tower. After each round of tests, the geometry of the tower as well as the number and spacing of setbacks changed to minimize the effect of the wind forces on the tower by confusing the wind. As the design reached its end, a more accurate aeroelastic model was made. The aeroelastic model is as elastic as the building. The results of testing the aeroelastic model showed that the predicted towers motion was within the ISO standard recommended values without the need of any auxiliary damping. At the tallest point of the tower, it sways a total of 1.5 meters. Special concrete mix design having compressive strength of 10 MPa at 10 hours for the vertical elements to permit the continuity of construction cycle and a design strength/modulus of 80 MPa/44GPa. The concrete tests indicated that the compressive strength of used concrete used was much higher than the required one. One of the most difficult issues in concrete design is to ensure pumpability of concrete to reach world record heights especially in high summer temperatures. Four basic separate mixes were developed to enable reduced pressure pumpability when the building gets higher. A horizontal pumping trial was conducted in February 2005 having the same pressure losses equivalent to height of 600 meters to determine the pumpability of these mixes .The concrete mix used contained 13% fly ash and 10% silica fume with maximum aggregate size of 20 mm. The mix is virtually self consolidating concrete having slump of 600 mm and used for pumping pressure exceeding 200 bars. After the level 127,a less strength concrete is required(60 MPa compressive strength) having maximum aggregate size of 10 mm. High quality control was required to ensure pumpability to the highest concrete floor considering the severe conditions of weather which vary from a very cool winter to a very hot summer with temperature exceeding 50 °c. Pumping concrete was executed using Putzmeister pumps which are capable to pump concrete up to 350 bars through high pressure 150 mm pipeline. To convert the dream of Burj Khalifa to reality, the latest advancements in construction techniques and material technology were used. The walls forms were made using Dokas SKE 100 automatic self-climbing formwork system. Steel forms were used in the circular nose. Columns and the floor slabs are poured on MevaDec formwork. The construction sequence for the structure began with the central core and slabs being cast in the three sections, followed by the wings walls and slabs and then the nose columns and slabs. To ensure the verticality of the structure, a special GPS monitoring system was developed to monitor the verticality of the building as it gets higher. This was due to the limited convential surveying techniques in the site. When completed, Burj Khalifa has become the worlds tallest structure. Being a magnificent achievement in using the latest technologies and materials, able to integrate the architectural design concept with the structural design, Burj Khalifa will always be a special case to study. N.B: Highlighted sentences are from (Engineering the Worlds Tallest Burj Dubai)

I Intend to Pursue Engineering :: College Admissions Essays

I Intend to Pursue Engineering The college admissions and selection process is a very important one, perhaps one that will have the greatest impact on one’s future. The college that a person will go to often influences his personality, views, and career. Therefore, when I hear people say that â€Å"it doesn’t matter that much which college you go to. You can get a good education anywhere, if you are self-motivated,† I tend to be rather skeptical. Perhaps, as far as actual knowledge is concerned, that statement is somewhat valid. Physics and mathematics are the same, regardless of where they are taught. Knowledge, however, is only a small piece of the puzzle that is college, and it is in the rest of that puzzle that colleges differ. At least as important, or even more important, than knowledge, is the attitude towards that knowledge. Last year, when my engineering team was competing in the NEDC Design Challenge, held at Hopkins, after the competition I and a few friends talked to a professor of civil engineering. What struck me is the passion with which he talked about his field of study. At Hopkins, everyone-the students, the faculty, the administration-displays a certain earnestness about learning. This makes Hopkins a good match for me, as I, too, am very enthusiastic about the subjects I study. I love learning, and when those around me do too, it creates a great atmosphere from which everyone benefits. My enthusiasm and activeness extend not just to academics, but to other aspects of life as well. I am very involved in extracurricular activities, participating in my school’s engineering club and math team, and I love sports, having played on the varsity soccer and tennis teams for three years. This makes Hopkins, with its great sport traditions and a multitude of clubs and organizations, a great choice. Further, while in college I intend to explore new activities. Because of my school’s small size and dual curriculum, there is a relatively narrow spectrum of activities available for me. Hopkins affords a great opportunity for me to branch out and participate in organizations to which I previously had no access. Another aspect of Hopkins that attracts me greatly is its student body, diverse and multicultural, but at the same time uniformly strong academically. Since I myself am a refugee from Russia, where I experienced social and cultural anti-Semitism, multiculturalism and acceptance of different groups are very important to me, not to mention that it allows me to meet people of different backgrounds and learn of their varying perspectives.