Wage Inequality [Career 101]

Today I came across this article about Wage Inequality in the U.S., a persistent, but fortunately changing trend. I still remember when years ago I heard for the first time about wage inequality between men and women, I also remember how shocked I was, perhaps because I'm a woman, but being a person that seeks argumentation to understand a certain topic, this is certainly one that shows how our society is still bind to certain traditions.


While many may argument that men have been earning more since in most families they are the head of their households, present data shows that more and more women are becoming "breadwinners." According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: U.S. Census Bureau, in 2009, 9325000 women earned more than their husband, approximately 29% of married women in a family with two incomes. Yet, this data alone cannot argument for the fact that men aren't the solely responsible for their households since, in most families, both women and men are working. 


The question in this problem then is: Are men better than women? Do they pursue more qualifications than women? Are they, at least, better negotiators when it comes down to pay and salary? Why such discrepancies are still present in a world, and a country, that we so much call for respect and equality? Looking at the figure, you may see that the difference in wages vary accordingly to different sectors and states. 


Yes, luckily, this discrepancy has been changing and diminishing over the past years, yet, is it going on a slow pace? According to the most recent study by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, if the overall U.S. annual wage gap ratio -- which stands at 77 percent according to the Census Bureau -- continues to close at the current pace, male and female incomes on average will not be on equal footing until 2056 (Yahoo). TWENTY-FIFTY-SIX may not seem so far away when we look at the numbers, but just think about this: A baby born this year, will be 44 years old in 2056! -- I honestly don't even want to think about how old will I be in 2056 but I know that If I'm still alive at that time I'll probably be retired and probably not directly enjoying the fruits of the hard labor that women are taken at the present to overcome these disparity that seems more like an archaic habit.


More than just recognizing these differences in the U.S., how can we compare them to other countries? and how can we eliminate them? Below is the table with the current information about the wage discrepancy in the U.S:

Another night --- a little off topic -- but online, fellows!
Write to you soon,
Your web-host,
Ana Clara Keough

College life, General Education & Genetic Engineering

College life is for most of us hard, despite the wonders that many seek in it. In my case, I opted out the easy way college was at first for me. While attending university for the first time in Brazil, I was a student at one of the most renowned Brazilian colleges in Civil Engineering, UNESP, besides this fact, my college was also a State college, which different than in America, they are completely free. Taking the hard lane, I came to the US, to work (at this moment three jobs at one time) and to stay full-time in college. Perhaps this is a reason that  many people may believe engineers have a few less bolts (or perhaps indeed we have some more than others given the logical thinking, and the weigh out of the long-term cost benefits of our investments).

Within the term college life, in the United States students are required to a certain number of General Education credits. That includes studying English and becoming a critical thinker, and a few other classes in areas that are not related to your majoring area. Fun? Apparently, most students would argue that "GenEd" is a "waste of money and time." I still believe in its potential. What can I say, I've chosen Engineering, "GenEd" is the relief of my readings. It's the fun, sunday morning newspaper for interesting general knowledge. Interestingly enough, I end up learning more about Engineering.

Photo: Choi Byung-kil/AP Source: Mother Nature Network

I ended up coming back here today to share this article I've recently read about Genetical Engineering. If you think the world is advancing at great pace, after reading this article you'll realize that there's so much more we haven't yet acknowledged, more than that, you'll probably see yourself asking "What else is there to come?" If you are like me, someone who seeks new ideas, you would ordinarily imagine that the world has gotten it all. Think glow-in-the-dark cats are a sci-fi fantasy? Think again! You are wrong because they truly exist. The advancements made by Genetical Engineering are so incredible that they range from apparently crazy made ideas, like the glow-in-the-dark cat, to some other ideas that seem beneficial to the world we live --- like for example some genetically modified plants that attempt to address the concern of food demand in our globe, and other animals and plants that address environmental damage/sustainability.



What is more intriguing about these researches? It's the fact that we are stuck by the light of our days. About 100 years ago, when vaccines were being created, many people thought that they were going to end up dead because of these "injections", yet, it was one of the greatest breakthroughs of our days. Or was it? Did we, perhaps, change the natural balance that our world has had in terms of population? At the coming of years, we see suggestions that earth cannot "hold" the increasing population. More babies are being born, and the older are getting older.

Are we, then, looking at this genetic modified animals and plants from a "scared" perspective? Are they truly dangerous? With the amazing scenes and prospects that these "creations," if I so may call them, to the worries of what are the future, unpredictable results of this science, What do you think?

Take a look at the link: Green-Tech or Mad Science? to read the article completely, and tell me what to do you think! Do you feel that Genetic Engineering is a new, good development of our days? Or do you think we should be worried about its results and content?



See you soon,
Your web-host,
Ana

What job are you looking for?

Many of us sound almost as if we are 40 years old and haven't found the love of our lives. "I'll take anything" is what I hear from a lot of people. We hear and see evidence about economic fragility but good prospects for we have faith in college education and our "pre"-career decisions. Is job hunting after graduation, or even internships before so, a desperate act? Yes, many of us are graduating caring out negative balances and hopes for better lives... Wake up in a decent time, work for a good amount of hours, have free time to live out our other hobbies, nonetheless to receive a decent paycheck at the end of the month and pay the bills... live free of our college-days worries.

How many of us have wondered about "What job are we REALLY looking for?" Experience is certainly a must, and perhaps that's what leave us a little crazy in this process, for we all are somewhat inexperient! For instance, awhile back, I was discussing with a Professor about an internship position, and he stated "You know... Company X, is a great place... but I feel it would not be the right place for you... for your personality."

It made me think of who I am, and how I tackle my life and things in general, and to realize how important it is to understand and gain a knowledge of each place we are searching for a position. After all, not only each one of us have different personalities, but companies are formed by different individuals, and it is likely that most of the employees that stay in these places form the core of each company's "personality."

I may be wrong, after all, I'm a rookie!
How about you --- What do you think?

Do you think that the job we are looking for should be a desperate search, or something that we should put more thought into? Consider the different opportunities around us and narrow it to what would be

Starting UP

Hello dear fellows, friends, and unanticipated visitors...

How are you doing? It is summer of 2012, and if you are like me, you are in the process of constructing your life. Trying to figure out yourself, find out what are your passions, new hobbies, or just trying to get through the day... Yes! Somedays are simply harder than others. I, for instance, am here in the midst of an insight. I visioned this blog, with a perspective of growth. I am trying to gain more knowledge and a better vision of what else are people out there thinking of Engineering.

If you know me, you'd know that I'm 23 years old, originally Brazilian, a fluent speaker of Portuguese and Spanish, currently living in Waltham, MA, married to a wonderful man, Derek Keough, a hard worker, full-time civil engineering student!

I hope that not only do I gain by coming here and writing these posts, but that I can find people interested in share my passion, and interests.

Warm Regards,
Your Online Host,