What do you make?

Assalamu alaykum

Its funny how I have always seen teaching as my last resort. Nevertheless at the of my mind I felt that it was something not that I didnt want to do, but rather ity was somthing I was kind of scared of doing.

Sisters and teachers amke the best combination. Not only is it good practice :) but also its rewarding and it gives great flexibility.

After all that I have said in the past, I may keep it open as an option afterall.

If you are unsure, chek this out from Muslim Matter....


This is an inspiring video, and after watching it I couldn’t resist posting it here. It’s entertaining, but there is a good message about teachers and the impact they can have on their students.

Watch the video.


Here is a transcript of the poem:
What Teachers Make, or
Objection Overruled, or
If things don’t work out, you can always go to law school

By Taylor Mali
www.taylormali.com

He says the problem with teachers is, “What’s a kid going to learn
from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?”

He reminds the other dinner guests that it’s true what they say about
teachers:

That those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.

I decide to bite my tongue instead of his
and resist the urge to remind the other dinner guests
that it’s also true what they say about lawyers.

Because we’re eating, after all, and this is polite conversation.

“I mean, you’re a teacher, Taylor”
“Be honest. What do you make?”

And I wish he hadn’t done that
(asked me to be honest)
because, you see, I have a policy
about honesty and ass-kicking:
which is, if you ask for it, then I have to let you have it.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional medal of honor
and I can make an A- feel like a slap in the face.
How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best.

You wanna know what I make?

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall
in absolute silence.
No, you can not work in groups.
No, you can not ask a question (so put your hand down)
Why won’t I let you go to the bathroom?
Because you’re bored and you don’t really have to go, do you?

You wanna know what I make?

I make parents tremble in fear when I call home at around dinner time:
“Hi, This is Mr. Mali, I hope I haven’t called at a bad time,
I just wanted to talk to you about something your son did today.
he said, “Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don’t you?”
And it was the noblest act of courage I have ever seen.

I make parents see their children for who they are
and who they can be.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them write, write, write.
And then I make them read.
I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely
beautiful
over and over again until they will never misspell
either one of those words again.
I make them show all their work in math.
And then hide it on their final drafts in English.
I make them realize that if you got this (brains)
then you follow this (heart) and if someone ever tries to judge you
by what you make, you give them this (the finger).

Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true:
I make a difference! What about you?

How to write a cover letter

WHAT SHOULD YOUR COVER LETTER DO FOR YOU?

It should answer the question - Why should I hire you? It should grab the employers attention and point out why you, above all other applicants, should be contacted for a personal interview.

YOUR ADDRESS (Do not put your name here)

TODAY'S DATE
Mr./Ms. EMPLOYER'S NAME (If you don't have one, get one!)

TITLE

COMPANY'S NAME

ADDRESS
DEAR Mr./Ms. EMPLOYER:

FIRST PARAGRAPH: This is the "why I'm writing to you" paragraph which immediately tells the employer the position you want to be considered for. This is short - usually 2-3 sentences. Points to cover:

*Why you are writing and which position you are applying for.
*How you heard about the position is irrelevant unless it is a mutual contact or recruiting program. Do not write, "I learned of this opportunity through the Career Services Office."
*Show from your research why you are interested in this position or organization. The goal is to make a connection - do this Briefly and Specifically or leave it out; sweeping statements will not work.

SECOND PARAGRAPH: This is the "why I'm qualified" paragraph. Highlight some of your most relevant experiences and qualities as they relate to the position for which you are applying.

Choose 2 - 3 points you want to make about Specific experiences/accomplishments or about general qualities you have exhibited, and provide Specific examples to support those points.

This paragraph will change according to the job/employer for which you are applying. This is usually the longest paragraph of the letter. You may break this paragraph into two if it looks too lengthy or if your points work best in separate paragraphs. Points to ponder:

The first sentence should be a hard-hitting opener. It is a quick introduction, which is accomplishment-oriented and directed at the skills and qualifications needed for the job/industry.

The body of the paragraph should provide evidence to back up what you've just claimed. Cite specific jobs/internships/activities/projects and accomplishments associated with those experiences. Use your resume to come up with some specifics, but NEVER reiterate passages from your resume word for word. Discuss why what you did is to the employer- relate the facts to the job. Strong examples are important!

The final sentence is a summary of what you've discussed above. It's a good idea to mention the position title and company name to bring the reader back to the specific job in question.

FINAL PARAGRAPH: This is a short 2-4 sentences paragraph. You should refer to the enclosed resume, request an interview and let the reader know what will happen next (Contact them within specific period of time unless it is a recruiting program). It is vital that you thank the reader for his/her time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name

Enclosure(s)


Tips to Make Your Letter Professional

*Research the company and the specifics about the position so you can tailor your letter to the needs of the organization.

*Avoid using too many sentences that start with "I" or writing in the passive voice (ex. "This experience enabled me to..." or "Through my internship, I was responsible for..."); instead, make yourself the subject of each sentence and use active descriptions (ex., "In this internship, I demonstrated sound judgment and problem-solving skills on a daily basis.").

*Do not use contractions (I'd, didn't, it's).

*Spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes are out of the question! Cover letters are a reflection of your writing skills, so make each cover letter an example of your best work.
Be sure to sign your letters. (Black ink is suggested)

*Keep your letter short and simple. This is not the time to tell your whole life's story.
Have a Career Specialist review your cover letters during drop-in hours: Monday-Friday 1:30 – 4:30 and Wednesday 8:30am – 11:30am OR you can make an appointment anytime.

*Use good quality paper that matches your resume paper and envelopes.

More info

Are you a seeker?

Assalamu alaykum

Ever needed a quick fix for happiness? Well you know what there is one! But there is a catch! Our hearts must ne fist open, ready for acceptence and ready to give from whatever is needed from us and others.

The following is some great traits which we should all try to obtain to make ourselves and others feel wanted and loved, to fill pur lives with sustenence, to grasp the concept of tranquility, for our hearts to be complete, and to be a true seeker of happiness.

Characteristics of The Seeker of Happiness


Ibn al-Qayyim said:

"...The seeker of Allah and the Hereafter - rather, the one who seeks to obtain all knowledge, productiveness, and leadership, such that he is a leader who is taken as an example in all of this - should be brave, bold, in control of his whims, and not under the control of his imagination.

He should be abstinent from everything except that which he is after, passionate about what he has turned his face towards, knowing the path to it, as well as the paths which lead away from it.

He should be bold in his aspiration, firm in his resolve, and not swayed from his goal by the blame of the blamers or the discouragement of the discouragers.

He should generally be tranquil, constantly in thought, and not be moved by the sweetness of a compliment or the pain of criticism.

He should be forthcoming in providing himself with what he needs to help him obtain his goal, and should not be incited by those who oppose him.

His slogan should be patience, and his rest should be his fatigue, and he should love to have the best manners.

He should make the best of his time, not mixing with the people except in a most cautious state, just like a bird that quickly comes down to snatch a morsel from between two people.

He should stand over himself, encouraging himself by way of hope and fear, and should seek to be outstanding amongst his group..."


['al-Fawa'id'; p. 265]

Muslim Mediation

assalamu alaykum

I always say that we need to get more involved within our communities and do things that are relevant to the skills we have.

So any aspiring psychologists out there... this is for you (and me!)

I will be having my "Informal Interview" next week for this.. make dua!

DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A FAMILY MEDIATOR? (E London)

The Muslim Mediation Service has been serving the community for the past three years and is based in East Ham. We support couples, parents, children and relatives who are in dispute, to communicate their concerns to one another in an effective way in order to help resolve their conflicts.

We are currently recruiting people to join our team of experienced and trained Volunteer Mediators. Do you think you have the qualities to bring about understanding between people? Could you remain impartial regardless of which party you felt was to blame for the dispute? Can you spare on average 2 hours twice a week during weekdays or evenings?

It is necessary for all volunteers to have completed a training programme in Conflict Management in order to become Mediators. The 8-day training will take place on the following dates in Summer 2007 from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm each day:

Tuesday 29th May, Saturday 2nd June, Tuesday 05th June, Saturday 9th June, Tuesday 12th June, Tuesday 19th June, Saturday 23rd June, Tuesday 26th June.

We especially need people who can speak a variety of languages, especially Bengali and Punjabi, and either live in Newham or the surrounding boroughs. We also need revert brothers and sisters as we are getting cases from people who have converted to Islam and are now struggling with their faith due to the disputes they may be experiencing with family and friends.

If you are available during the day on all of these dates and would like more information, please contact Halima by emailing Halima@conflictandchange.co. uk or call Zak on 020 8552 2050 to request a pack.

Absolutly skillfull!

Assalamu alaykum

While searching for jobs, I came across this. Now I am using it to spice up my application forms...

Having a psychology degree is much more then a certificate and a few letters after your name. It can change your life if you really apply yourself to learning and reeling in all the abilities and skills you acquire. So why not flaunt them!

Want to sell yourself? Try adding these!

What skills have I got ?

A common characteristic of students is their difficulty in articulating what skills they have developed through studying psychology. It is easy to assume that all graduates possess the same skills. Few disciplines though, can offer such a comprehensive list. For example, those statistics you have sweated blood over but managed to master, prove you can handle and interpret statistical data which is a useful skill in many careers.

Listed below are some of the skills a typical psychology graduate will have acquired during their degree course.

Literacy

The ability to write both succinct reports and more lengthy analyses. Psychology graduates are accustomed to writing essays which allow them to explore issues in detail, but they also become familiar with the techniques of concise writing within a pre-set format as they write up their practical reports. The ability to produce a concise report is often cited by managers as a skill they would like their management trainees to have.

Numeracy

The ability to handle and interpret statistical information. Psychology graduates are good at manipulating and summarising data, and at drawing implications from data summaries and probability statements.

Computer literacy

The ability to use a computer package, whether for word processing, statistics, or data management, and the ability to learn new ones.

Interpersonal awareness

Knowledge of the mechanisms of social communication and the potential sources of personal conflict. This makes a difference in understanding and dealing with interpersonal problems when they arise in the workplace.

Environmental awareness

Knowing how environments and organisations can directly influence people's understanding and behaviour.

Problem-solving skills

The ability to identify different strategies and approaches to solving problems. This may be on a macro-level, in applying totally different perspectives or levels of analysis to the problem, or at a more basic level, in terms of choosing appropriate methods to deal with it. Psychology graduates are brilliant at solving problems as they are trained in relevant methods from the moment they step into a laboratory.

Information-gathering skills

In seeking information on a particular topic or general area, knowing where to look, what to use and how to use it.

Critical evaluation

The ability to appraise information and situations realistically, and to anticipate problems or difficulties.

Research skills

Knowing how to go about gathering systematic information. Psychology students are trained in a number of methods Рat the least, observational, experimental and case-study techniques.

Measurement skills

Knowing how to design questionnaires and develop other measurement tools.

Perspectives

The ability to look at issues from several different points of view.

Higher-order analysis

The ability to extract general principles from immediate or concrete situations. Psychology graduates tend to be better than most people at spotting recurrent patterns or similarities between situations, and at looking at issues in terms of their underlying principles rather than becoming bogged down with the details of the immediate situation.

Pragmatism

The abilty to make the best of a non-ideal situation. Psychology students know that the perfect experiment is going to be elusive and they will have to get on with doing it as well as possible. As graduates, this tends to give them a strongly practical element.

on the verge of giving up

Assalamu alaykum

well the time has come crunch time!

as sisters in this wounderful deen there comes a time when reality stricks you, what is expected from us by others and ourselves. These two expections usually colide and opose one another.

I had a dream, a very idealic one I know, I wanted to help the ummah in a way which I thought was very well thought out and plausible. But Qadr... its a funny thing that is, destiny, no matter how well you plan Allah always has an ulktimate plan for us all in the end.

The role of a woman can take so many roads, the one i am on now seems never ending, i havent had the chance to write on here, because i just havent had the time. I working for a muslim charity at the moment, the work feels like i am wasting my skills, but on the other hand i cant do anything else, no one else wants to employ me because of my lack of experince... well how am I going to get a job without experience and how am i going to get experince without a job! ahhh its a never ending ficious cycle. So I am stuck in two jobs which is not creativly stimulating at all....

But there is hope at the end if the tunnel.. I hope, and pray! Inshallah i will be going back to studying, to do a graduate course in counselling, so the only way toi fix a problem is to be proactive, if you want to make a chnage in your life, start by changing yourself change the attitude!

Aim high! Reach high!

Assalamu alaykum

Haven't had the chance to write on here, because basically the psychologist in me has yet to have a chance in the big wide world,... that is til now!

Alhamdulailah I have the opportunity to start some volunteer work, but getting here has been a journey in its self. Graduates know that its always going to be a case of climbing the ladder in careers, and the goals of what you want to achieve always seem to chance and you always want more then you have. The trick is to make those first steps on that ladder and make it a firm and one which will not make you fall flat on your face.... had too much experience of that!

I never knew just having a degree isn't enough in Psychology, well a bit late now... I wounder why no one told me, but then again how would they, there is no real network system for under gradates to mix and mingle of those in the high power jobs ones which we strive and aim for.

The only way we can succeed is to persist in our dream and to have the right intention and motivation, you never know who else you may be motivating just by you striving for what you want.

I always say to those who just want to give up on heir degree why did you start doing this in the first place? We have tendency to have very short memories and very fluid intention when it comes to seeking knowledge. At the end of the day we wish to do something that we are passionate about. Think about what is it that made you want to do a degree, or more generally what mad you begin to study what you doing now.

I myself wanted just throw in the towel in my second year, but Alhamdulilah through the wisdom and guidance of firstly Allah then some precious sisters Allah enabled me to stick through it more outstandingly actually pass and get a degree, Walhamdulilah!

"Actions are but by intention and every man shall have only that which he intended..."

(Bukhari and Muslim)

The more you put into something the more you will get out of it.

One day Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bedouin, "Why don't you tie down your camel?" The Bedouin answered, "I put my trust in Allah." The Prophet then said, "Tie your camel first, then put your trust in Allah"

(Tirmidhi).

The tighter you tie your camel the more likely you will get that what you strive for.

What ever you choose, choose well the and put your trust in Allah, He knows all of our affairs, that which has already passed and the ones to be.

"When you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah" (Quran 3: 159).

Remember the fundamentals of seeking knowledge firstly to have the correct intention;

* Seeking the pleasure of Allah and making our studying an act of worship in of itself

* Removing the ignorance from ourselves