HR update

The end is in sight! Just finishing off the assessment task for two units, then only one unit left to go, it's good to be so close to the end. It has been very tough going, between this subject and the EB negotiations at work I'm quite convinced against a HR career. Sticking with finance.

Internet studies update

I discovered a little while ago (probably 12 mths or more) that the degree course I'd started has undergone a restructure and a name change - it is now Bachelor of Arts (Internet Communications).

On one hand I think it would be nice oneday to go back and finish the degree, although there is still a long way to go. I'd completed something like five or six units out of the required 24.

On the other hand, what do I really need it for? My interest in internet communications has waned a little, my head is full of payroll/finance/admin stuff now. I'm dabbling with the idea of going further into accounting studies (but a nice long break first).

Hmm. Don't know. I'm hoping the five or six units I did wont go to waste, maybe applicable for credit transfer if I don't leave it too long.

Cert IV HR update

I think last year I hit a wall after signing up for this course, as I haven't got very far with it. I managed to get credits for a couple of units completed in my last subject. I've completed one of the units and put in some work for another, but have really been dragging the chain. I made enquiries about throwing in the towel, but I'm committed financially. My trainer said she refuses to let me quit! she met me the other day to see what I could shortcut through RPL. That maybe another two units. She encouraged me to use real life examples instead of the assessment exercises from the text if it is any easier (it is). So I'm a little more hopeful about getting this finished.

Holidays coming up towards the end of July, as well as a Cert IV workshop where my trainer will be. I'm aiming to finish off the easy units, get the RPL paperwork ready for her to certify me.

Will be glad when it's finished. Intend to have a good long break before the next course.

Went and did sumfing stoopid

Was so keen to do it a few months ago, went and signed up for it, now I can't really be fagged to get stuck into my Cert IV Human Resources Management course. Why oh why did I do it? My zeal for work-related study is lately exhausted. Will I never get back to my Internet Studies??

Finished bookkeeping

Ok, ok.. it took a little longer than I anticipated, so many MYOB assignments! and I got sidetracked by things at work.. like audit, annual general meeting, and the draft enterprise bargaining agreement.. but I'm so happy to say right now, it's done it's done!

A deadly boring subject the last unit – occupational health and safety, my eyes glaze over just hearing the title. But yay I’ve finished! What a relief.

Bookkeeping update

Well it's July and things have been busy at work so I'm still finishing this off.. although there is not much to go - two MYOB assignments and then the boring WPH & S unit (I'm thinking I should have got it over with earlier on). Aiming for the end of this month and I'm on track so far.

Looking ahead, I was successful in getting into the Cert IV Human Resources through a government sponsored apprenticeship scheme, supervised through my place of employement which I'm really happy about because it is not costing me or my employer anything (apart from tax dollars). I've got my first units which I've started looking at, meeting with trainer early next month.

Nearly finished bookkeeping

Aiming to get this completed by Jun 2010, with a bit of luck I'll finish ahead of schedule. Have continued to get straight HDs, I suspect the marking is pretty easy, the comments from tutor always seem to follow a set formula!

Only four units left:

1. 20980A Develop & implement policies & practices
2. 20985A Deliver professional service/resolve disputes
3. 21110B MYOB 18
4. and 21115A Apply health and safety practices in the workplace

(I've left the boring-est for last).

What to do after June? not sure, maybe finish off my Internet Comms degree.. or perhaps a Certificate in Human Resources before finishing the degree.

Doing ok with the bookkeeping course

Straight HDs so far. The material a little basic, hoping to push through and get it finished soon. The stuff I've been doing at work is way ahead of this course, but I can't knock the quals and RPLs!

Good luck Taraeta!

I discovered a short while ago that a young woman I met on a forum and got to know and like has just enrolled in the BA course I've been studying (and hope to return to next year!). I stumbled across her NET11 blog just now and maybe she'll pick up this linkback.

New direction

A halt in BA studies has occurred, due to my new job at the Hospice. I have taken over the role of Financial Support Coordinator and am in the process of formalising my bookkeeping knowledge with the Cert IV Financial Services (Bookkeeping) through CENGAGE. The role is a challenging one for me, and I hope to get through the course quickly to even out my many gaps in knowledge.

I will likely continue my degree course afterwards, although there may be some review of subject. Internet Studies has interested me greatly, but I have found the lack of career objectives to be a major hindrance to my motivation. I may switch to an Accounting or Business major, focusing on the community sector.

Is it worth it?

A bit of discussion lately about the worth of a university/college degree in the field of web design. Not the first time the topic has been discussed, it is worth noting that course offerings in the field have developed considerably in recent years offering greater choice for students.

Jonathon Christopher argues that a tertiary education does not guarantee work in the web industry, but neither is it a waste of time in terms of personal development.

Future Internet

Youtube users asking questions regarding the 'future of the internet' to the ministers and world leaders gathered in Seoul, Korea for the OECD Ministerial Meeting. (June 17~18)



A couple of awesome ones, my favourites because they make a really good point:

• CIPPIC - comparing the internet with impact on the world of Gutenberg's press
• The group of language students - talk about the multilingual issues

Public Relations & Events Management course

Having a tiny break from Internet Studies since I missed the enrolment for SP2 and must wait now until mid-August to enrol for SP3.

In the meantime have signed up for a certificate course through CENGAGE Education - Public Relations and Events Management. I have 18 months to complete this one but it seems fairly lightweight (we'll see), I might be able to knock it off much quicker than that.

It is a career development choice, as mentioned in previous post.

Sell you a raffle ticket?

With the boss away these past five weeks I have been so pre-occupied with extra work that study has fallen further and further behind. So I have reluctantly withdrawn from NED23.

I am now thinking carefully about what I want to do and re-evaluating my study goals. In the last six months I've grown to like my new job in the community sector, although it is only part-time there is room for career development into public relations, fundraising, event management. Fortunately the units I've done in Internet Studies wont go astray there. The design units in particular have proven very useful for work.

I'll give it all some more thought and make a decision after my boss gets back.

Research for cooking site

Is there a need for my menu planning recipe site, would people use it?

1. People are busy, but still like to cook!

Are we losing the art of cooking? Foodbiz Volume 2, Issue 2, August 2004 - an Australian National Food Industry Strategy publication. Looks at the 2003 AC Nielsen Grocery Report - despite today's busy society we are still interested in cooking. Grocery figures show food-from-scratch sales not far behind convenience foods. Popularity of cooking reflected in the numbers of cookbooks, cooking shows on TV.

Is this a new age renaissance in food? B & T Today, 18 April 2002. (1) Gourmet trends: Australia experiencing a "food frenzy" evidenced by gourmet items as staples on grocery shelves, celebrity chefs, the foodie culture evolving since mid-1980s new food outlets "educating" the Australian palate. (2) Food for the masses: wide appeal for practical recipes and shopping. (3) Health, quality, exotic: demand for healthy, organic, natural flavours evidenced in grocery stores and new convenience products.

Super Food Ideas magazine - claims Australia's number one food magazine - target audience is "busy females, aged 25–59, looking for affordable and easy recipe and food ideas." Former-editor Danielle Tibbles says consumers want practicality and relevance; cost of regular dining out too high. She says the market is "not just families but young singles and couples who never learned how to cook from their working mothers and are teaching themselves".

2. Ability to share good recipes increases value of cooking web sites to users

The Joy of Cyber-Cooking by Catherine Holahan, Business Week 21 Dec 2007
Ok - apparently food/cooking sites are HUGE and social networking is adding an extra tidbit to the mix. The big foodie sites are making millions from advertising and cross-marketing, but the main drawcard for users is the convenience of sharing good recipes.

Yahoo's Feast for Foodies by Catherine Holahan, Business Week 3 Nov 2006.
Yahoo research into the highly competitive online food sector. A look at social networking and mobile aspects of foodie sites.

Recipe Sites Embrace User Generated Content, Video, RSS by LeeAnn Prescott, Hitwise 21 Nov 2006
Recipe sites, ripe for "Web 2.0" have long been collecting user generated content.

Cooking Sites Whip Up Audiences by Christopher Saunders, The ClickZ Network 28 Sep 2001
Oldish article, looks at what drives people to cooking sites.

3. Benefits of menu planning - saves time, lowers costs, allows healthier options

Menu Planning: Save Time In The Kitchen - a simple guide by author Cynthia Townley Ewer, November 4th, 2007. People are put off by effort involved in planning, but significantly outweighed by the benefits. How to take the pain out of menu planning.

Recipes for Life: Too Busy to Cook? - Nutritionist Nancy Bennett says being organised and planning ahead is the key to preparing healthy and tasty meals while saving valuable time.

Good food on the run - Nutritionist Peggy Stacy agrees.

4. People are generally disinclined to plan and tend to avoid it

Think We're All Too Busy To Cook? That's A Red (Not A Raw) Herring - Mark Dolliver delivers some (US) statistics about people's preference for cooking their meals and offers the low percentage of people who actually plan ahead, suggests that busy lifestyles have contributed to meal preparation becoming more of an impromptu affair.

Why Do People Avoid Planning? Generally speaking, people tend to avoid planning through various reasons including laziness, lack of inclination (Mind Tools)

A quote from the late Sir John Harvey-Jones: "Planning is an unnatural process; it is much more fun to do something. The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression." Although he was referring specifically to planning in life and business, it could equally apply to preparing meals!

The Developmental Psychology of Planning: Why, How, and when Do We Plan?
By Friedman, Sarah L. Friedman, Ellin is a study of child psychology and development, but lists reasons why people choose not to plan:
a) planning delays immediate action, immediate gratification is often more desirable
b) the process of planning requires self-discipline
c) planning may temporarily move problem solver away from tangible goals
d) planning takes time, speed is often valued over accuracy
e) generating a plan is no guarantee to success
f) planning is often unpleasant because it can be difficult, tedious or conflictual
g) unplanned action can be interesting and enjoyable in it's own right

5. How to make planning less painful

Menu Planning by UMD advocates simple process of stop, look, listen

Strategic Planning Processes - Mindful strategic consultants attempt to simplify process by splitting into three steps: analyse data, make a decision, implement decision.

Food Services America provide some tips in designing menus and menu psychology. Restaurant.org provide further ideas about menu psychology. Although these articles are aimed at restauranteurs trying to sell meals, some points worth considering for a cooking web site - such as categorisation, using pictures.

7. User feedback

Taste.com.au forum discussion about Mealopedia.com service. Some good features - ingredient finder, mobile features, limited cookbook (not multiple versions of same recipe). Liked simple interface, good for people who are time poor.

Discussion on Taste.com.au about menu planning

8. Other resources

The Food Timeline - list of links to various resources dealing with culinary social history, manners and menus.

UrlTrends - search rankings, monthly statistics

Macromedia Website Production Management Techniques - Discover and Define sections offer good explanation of the planning processes involved in a Web site.

Defining your objectives - a detailed discussion of defining the objectives of a teaching web site - easily translated to other genres.