Facing Facts

If you're wondering what the face of Facebook users looks like, you're not alone. The Simultaneous Media Usage Study (SIMM) conducted last December by BIGresearch offers some insight.

Amound survey participants who indicated that they go to Facebook most often for fun/entertainment:

• 64 percent are female
• 63 percent are ages 18 to 24
• 73 percent regularly view photos from friends
• 59 percent regularly IM/chat while online
• For women's clothing, they shop most often at Forever21, American Eagle and Old Navy
• For men's clothing , they shop most often at American Eagle, Kohl's and JCPenny
  

Believe and Achieve Scholarship Program

Cumberland Farms hosts the third year of its Believe and Achieve Scholarship open to college-bound seniors. The program awards about 80 individual scholarships of $1,000 to students in the Northeast and Florida.

The Believe and Achieve Scholarship program is open to students who live within 30 miles of any Cumberland Farms. The program is also open to children of Cumberland Farms employees. While the initiative takes academic performance into account, the award also considers students’ financial needs.

Applications can be submitted online through http://www.cumberlandfarms.com/ from Oct. 15 through Dec. 15. Information about the Believe and Achieve Scholarship, including entry criteria and deadlines, is available online as well as at Cumberland Farms locations.

Save money at the pump by carpooling

Do you realize how much your commute may be costing you? Everyone is concerned about prices at the fuel pump, but there's more to a commute than just the cost of gas. The average Massachusetts household spends more on transportation than it does on food: 15% of its income. Of the 3 million people who commute in Massachusetts each day, 74% of them drive alone. Why spend your time and money in traffic? Choose an alternative to driving alone -- carpooling, vanpooling, transit, and others. You may have more options than you think. If you live in Massachusetts, click here for more information on MassRIDES. MassRIDES can help you find others who share your commute!

Working in Retail

Retail continues to be an industry with enormous growth potential. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the retail sector is expected to increase to more than 26 million employees by the year 2010. Retailers are always looking for good people with a commitment to customer service, the ability to work in a team environment and who can work through complex situations with problem solving skills. Working in retail offers many exciting opportunities for dedicated individuals.

An Example Retail Career Path:

Area Sales Manager - Supervises a territory of stores

Store Manager - Responsible for the day-to-day operations

Manager-in-Training - Trains to run a store

Customer Service Associate - Can be part-time or full-time

4 Quick Tips to Finding a Great Job on the Internet

1. Research Yourself On-line
Do some research on your cyber identity. Enter your name into Google, Yahoo, MSN. What comes up? Does a simple search of your name turn up offensive writing, less than professional photos, or activities that could turn off a potential boss? If so, you need to clean up your image, fast. Many employers use search engines and social-networking sites to research candidates.
2. Network On-line
Get yourself on LinkedIn or other professional networks. Make the most of these sites by building contacts and asking mentors or former employers to recommend you.
Many companies use LindedIn for recruiting.
3. Think Twice Before You Hit Send
The Internet makes it easy to send out resumes. Consider quality over quantity. Research each opportunity and to tailor your resume and cover letter to each employer and position. Add key words to your resume that are from the industry to let the employer know you understand the job duties.
4. Don't Forget To Say "Thank You"
Even when the Web helps you land the interview, remember to send an old-fashioned thank-you note as soon as possible. Handwritten notes make the best impression and will sometimes put you on the top of the list for call backs!