Thursday, November 28, 2019

Massachusetts Labor Laws and Minimum Legal Working Age

Massachusetts Labor Laws and Minimum Legal Working AgeMassachusetts Labor Laws and Minimum Legal Working AgeIf you live in Massachusetts and plan to enter the workforce for the first time, you should know what the minimum legal working age in your commonwealth is. If you do qualify to work, theres a lot of information for you to digest before you start your job search. But preparing ahead of time can let you know how many hours youre supposed to work and in what sorts of professional roles. Doing so will help you work in a manner thats in your best interests and prevent any predatory employers from overworking you (which is illegal). Child labor laws were created to help youth, so know that any restrictions you face as a youth worker have been implemented to protect you on the job. How Old You Have to Be for Work In Massachusetts Both federal child labor laws and Massachusetts state law concur that the minimum age to work is 14 (with some exceptions). But child labor laws in each state may vary regarding the minimum age to work and which permits are needed. When there is a conflict between federal and state laws, the strictest law will apply. Although 14 is the official age Massachusetts youth generally begin working, there are exceptions. The Commonwealth allows children at any age to work on a farm owned or operated by their parents. In addition, children as young as 9 may deliver newspapers with a special badge and parental consent and juveniles ages 10 and 11 may engage in seasonal work with permission from the federal Secretary of Labor. Lastly, youth 12 or older may sell certain items in public places, but selling door-to-door is prohibited until age 16, and children ages 12-13 may work on farms with their parents or at other farms with parent permission. Children in the entertainment industry may also work with a special waiver by the attorney general, though this provision may be waived. Before youth start their first jobs, it is important to review the rules and restrictions surrounding child labor laws. Certificates for Work Massachusetts law requires child employment certificates for youth under age 16. Employment certificates are provided by the school. Youth workers ages 16-17 will need an age certificate to work in the Commonwealth. What Hours Teens Can Work While teens ages 14-15 can work in numerous kinds of jobs, such as hospitals, retail stores, and offices, the hours they work are limited. Minors at this age are prohibited from working mora than three hours per school day, 18 hours per school week, eight hours per non-school day or 40 hours during a non-school week. These arent the only restrictions. Teens in this age group may also not work hours that fall outside of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (except during summer, when working hours extend to 9 p.m.) Whether or not the school is in session, teens ages 16-17 may work up to nine hours per day and 48 hours per week.? Teens in both groups are prohibited from working m ore than six days in a row. Up until age 18, you may not work in hazardous occupations involving power tools, toxic chemicals, or other materials or machines that might cause serious injury or death. For more information on the minimum age to work in Massachusetts and how to obtain employment certificates, visit the Massachusetts State Labor Website.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

The First Examples of Fine Art

The First Examples of Fine ArtThe First Examples of Fine ArtDo you think that prehistoric cave paintings or the Mona Lisa painting or the Sistine Chapel paintings are the first examples of fine species? Many people would say yes. However... Art as a Modern Invention According to author Mary Anne Staniszewski in her book Creating the Culture of Art, Leonardo da Vincis Mona Lisa would not have been considered Art in its time (1503-05) as the concept of Art is a recent invention of the past 200 years. She states that Art is a modern invention its meaning and value is strengthened in the system of art institutions, art histories, art collections, etc. By having the institutional system in which art is exhibited in a gallery or museum, written about by critics and historians, taught by professors in academic settings, bought and sold in auction houses, and collected in a critical manner, the work of art then becomes defined as Art by this process. So now, since we have the concept of Art and the appropriate systems and institutions to understand something as Art, we do look back in history and consider works like Michelangelos creations and prehistoric paintings such as the Lascaux Caves as examples of Fine Art. However, when these works such as Michelangelos painting of the Sistine Chapel, or the Lascaux Cave paintings were first created, they were not created as artworks, i.e. as aesthetic objects to be displayed in an art museum and admired by viewers for their pure visual qualities. Instead, these creations had entirely different purposes and functions. Early Examples of Fine Art According to Staniszewski, Art began in the early 20th century in Europe with works by Marcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso as early examples of fine art. Citing the example of Fountain, which is Duchamps readymade sculpture the artist took an ordinary porcelain urinal, turned it upside down, signed it R. Mutt 1917 and displayed it in an art exhibition. It was the tischordnung in an art institution, that transformed the common bathroom item into a work of art. Once an art object is displayed in an art institutional-type setting such as a gallery or museum exhibition, then it becomes Art. So visual creations that pre-date the early 20th century would technically not be considered Fine Art, and perhaps would more accurately be considered as Cultural Production.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

You Probably Want to Change Careers #8212; So Here#8217;s How to Do That

You Probably Want to Change Careers 8212 So Here8217s How to Do That You Probably Want to Change Careers 8212 So Here8217s How to Do That In the survey, we foundthat half of those who said they wanted to change careers had entered their careers just because their were jobs available, says Ruth Veloria, executive dean at the University of Phoenix Business School. I think what were witnessing is a large-scale lack of careers that are interesting or engaging personally. Some people had to make some compromises, especially in the last eight or nine years, and now things are starting to change in the economy. Now, more people are wondering Is it time for me to make a change?The study also found that people with annual salariesbetween $75,000 and $100,000 were most likely to have lost interest in their fields (45 percent) and feel burned out (40 percent).Veloria believes this results from the plateauing affect many professionals feel when they reach this level in their careers.When we en counter folks in that bracket at University of Phoenix, oftentimes they are in the middle of their careers, and they are feeling like their opportunities are beginning to narrow in their field, Veloria explains. They can feel like they are becoming stuck. When you are trying your hardest to move forward, but you may not have the skills to make that jump from middle management to the executive level, that can only enhance the feelings of burnout.If youre one of the many people in want of a new career, Veloria has some tips for you1. Remember That Skills Are TransferrableSome professionals feel they cant possible change careers because doing so would mean starting over in an entry-level position. Veloria says that this is a mistaken belief.Of course, you need to do the research on how to get into the career that you want to have, but the important thing is to understand which of your skills can translate, Veloria says.For example, say you work for an advertising agency, but you want to move into health care in some capacity. Veloria says you may want to consider moving into the health care industry by starting in a marketing position at a level that is comparable to your currentrole at the ad agency.And, if youre worried that youlack a couple of the skills you need to make the jump from one career to the next, Veloria wants to remind you of the existence of online certificate programs, MOOCs, and similar training options.There are definitely ways that you can add to your portfolio of skills without having to go back to square one, Veloria says.2. Take Some Time to Understand Yourself and Your Career GoalsLets go back to pretending you work for an ad agency and want to switch over to health care. We told you to get a marketing position with a health care organization.Great,you say.But I dont want to be in marketing. I want to be in health care.What you need to do at this point is some heavy self-reflection.Once youre in the industry, you can examine where your l ong-term pathway lies in that field, Veloria says.A good way to do this is to find a ratgeber within the organization who can help you map out your new career path.You can have mentors in your company, or mentors in your field, who can help you grow, Veloria says. They can help you find new opportunities that align with your passion, and they can help you understand what it is you need to do to get there.3. Become More Entrepreneurial in Your CareerA mentor can help you blaze a trail to your goals, but, Veloria says, you need to remember that it is your trail to blaze.Dont wait for HR to manage your career, Veloria says. You can manage it for yourself.Veloria believes that professionals looking to make career changes and even those who are not need to become more entrepreneurial and take controlof their careers if they want to succeed.And what does it mean to become more entrepreneurial? Veloria shares an example from her own career thatanswers the question by illustrating it.Velo ria spent time in high-level customer tafelgeschirr roles with a number of big-name financial organizations, thereby becoming quite expert in customer experience and satisfaction.When she came to University of Phoenix, however, Veloria wondered how should could use her knowledge of and passion for customer service for the organization.We work a lot on our student experience, and I found a way to fit my skills into that operating environment, Veloria says. I was able to create a brand-new position for myself that didnt exist. I sat down, thought about what was missing, presented the business case for why it was needed, and was able to have that business case accepted.Its important to remember, adds Veloria, that all jobs that you want dont necessarily exist in your company today. Its a bold move but it can be very successful to create the job you want and sell it to the management team.And if you can do that, maybe you wont even need to go through a whole career change. Maybe you c an find passion and fulfillment in the field in which you felt burnt out in the first place.