Articles and Blogs from: Melody Bussey & Associates John-Arthur Ingram October 18, 2017
How A Lack Of Sleep Can Affect Productivity A study through the RAND (Research and Development) corporation showed that sleep deprivation costs the U.S. work force close to $411 billion dollars a year. Sleep deficiency in the work place and at home have significantly impacted productivity in a variety of negative ways and increased health risks. Lack of sleep affects the body on a personal and physiological level as well as professionally. Studies have connected sleep deprivation to health issues such as memory loss, depression, and diabetes. Although most of the population is aware of how poor sleep management negatively affects their lives in some ways, it is often overlooked and underestimated. The magnitude of the problem in the U.S. is significantly pervasive and dangerous as more studies and researchers discover greater risks caused by simply not allowing the body proper rest on a regular basis. Approximately 5070 million Americans suffer from sleep or wakefulness disorder; which means about a quarter of the population arrives at work everyday barely awake. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has increased its surveillance and research of sleep patterns and behaviors to raise awareness about the epidemic. With more data available about the risks of negative sleep habits, individuals can better identify the symptoms and how it reduces their productivity. Cognitive Functions: Cognitive and behavioral functions are severely impaired by habitual sleep deprivation. Symptoms of this disorder in memory, attention, emotional intelligence, arousal, and cognitive speed begin after 16 hours of no sleep and increase with time. During sleep, the brain continues to fire distinct patterns of electrical signals at various stages of sleep. As the brain cycles through these stages, it replays the day’s events transferring memories from temporary to long term storages in the neocortex. When undisturbed in sleep, this consolidation process helps maintain memory efficiency. The brain needs to remove toxic proteins from its neurons that neural activity produces during waking hours. Sleep deprivation disrupts that process and reduces metabolism and blood flow in the brain during sleep. As a result, lack of concentration, problem solving skills, and logical reasoning decrease while emotional reactivity and stress increases causing significant impairments in productivity. Dietary Imbalance: Poor sleep hygiene causes severe dietary problems that can lead to heart attack, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Essentially, a decrease in sleep can increase appetite by causing an imbalance of the calories burned and consumed. When a person stays
awake for extended time, a boost in the appetitestimulate hormone (ghrelin) producing additional hunger and conversely reducing the satietyinducing hormone (leptin). The habitual lack of sleep creates the illusion that the body is still hungry when it is actually full. As a result, the body’s ability to mange food intake and metabolize carbohydrates becomes compromised. The overeating during long awake hours causes less insulin to be released as the body secretes additional stress hormones which allows glucose to stay in the bloodstream and increase the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. Driver Fatigue: Most American workers have to drive back and forth to work everyday. In cities with fewer public transportation options, many residents have to rely on driving their own vehicles to reach all their destinations on a daily basis. Safe driving demands control and sustainability of multiple cognitive functions. Those functions are impaired in the same way a drunk driver. Considering how sleep deprivation impairs all cognitive functions when performing even the smallest tasks, the large amount of motor vehicle accidents related to unregulated sleep management should be unsurprising. A Harvard study estimated that everyday 80,000 drivers fall asleep at the wheel. Out of that number about 10 percent drift off the road while driving and one of them crashes every two minutes. Drowsy drivers create massive public safety concerns by accounting for about a fifth of all vehicle related accidents and 8,000 deaths annually. Part of being productive is the ability to operate necessary tasks like driving to work. Driving under the influence of fatigue due to lack of sleep reduces the driver’s ability to perform those tasks and places other lives in danger. Depression: At least 20 million Americans suffer from depression in various forms. Often depression is marked by drowsiness, crippling anxiety, and prolonged feelings of sadness. Causes of depression involve many intricate factors and that are not always identifiable. Depressed individuals experience a range of symptoms from insomnia to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Insomnia sufferers are ten times more at risk for developing depression than those with better sleep habits. The role of sleep deprivation in depression is complex due to the various ways individuals experience the effects. Some may experience symptoms of depression before sleep disorders occur while others suffer the symptoms of sleep deprivation before depression. Essentially, depression can either be the cause or the result of sleep disorders. Disrupted sleep is one of the core factors in mental health. When sleep is habitually disrupted, significant emotional changes occur along with instability of mood. OSA and insomnia are the two most common sleep disorders linked to depression. OSA is the condition in which a person awakes multiple times for brief periods before returning to sleep. The repeated disruption throughout the night alters the neurochemicals and brain activity that impacts the mood and thought processes. A
study of 19,000 people with OSA showed those participants were five times more likely to suffer from clinical depression. Insomnia is another common disorder that is connected to depression with approximately 30 percent of American suffering from it. Difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep causes low energy, mood disturbances, and fatigue. Chronic insomnia disrupts sleep about three nights a week for at least three months, which can account for a major amount of time lost for productivity. As mentioned before, remaining awake after 16 hours triggers a multitude of symptoms and increases cognitive malfunctions, which are certain to affect one’s performance. September 5, 2017
Careers You Can Start Without A College Degree Overview: Although a college degree can give a student advantages and create more options for a career path, it is not necessary. Every year high school juniors and seniors feel the pressure of the college admissions process with the promise of landing their dream career or just finding financial stability. The pressure is often validated by statistics. On average, bachelor degree employees make two-thirds more than their non-degree counterparts. However, there’s the student loan debt crisis to consider. A 2015 report from the Institute for College Access and Success showed that out of the 68 percent of college graduates who opted to borrow money to pay for their education, the average debt upon graduating was $30,100. An argument could be made that starting a career before investing in higher education is more financially responsible. While assessing this cost-benefit analysis — and possibly the equivalent of the chicken-egg dilemma— here are seven careers options that any student can consider. Elevator Installer: It is not a joke. In any major city with rapid development, elevators are necessary. From commercial high rises to luxury condos and hotels, elevator installment and operations are expected but often overlooked by the general population. Yet, the average salary of elevator installers falls between $43,233 and $80,870 due to the demand and economic increase. All that is initially required is a high school diploma or equivalent. After that, potential installers learn the trade through a five year paid apprenticeship offered by unions or independent contractors. Both should eventually lead to acquiring a license, depending on the state. Multimedia Artist: For those needing a creative outlet but also demonstrate computer tech savviness, beginning a career as a multimedia artist can alleviate that creative itch but also provide a stable income. The average base line salary is $63, 970. Although most multimedia artists have bachelor degrees, it is not often required. The internet and social media has changed the way business is done. Most, if not all, companies need an online presence to engage and accommodate consumers. Whether commercials, video games, graphic design for marketing, or movie special effects the multimedia industry covers a broad canvas of mediums and technologies to choose from.
Plumbers: Plumbing is another one of those common jobs that are often overlooked and underrated. However, a plumber’s job is the backbone of every construction development and one of the most reliable for job security. When plumbing fails, it can clog up a home or city’s entire day. And it is a job that cannot be outsourced. The demand will always be there so long as modern societies function the way they do. With a baseline of about $49, 574, plumbers can start earning a comfortable living. And those who make above the national average are able to start their own businesses. An apprenticeship, vocational training, and a license are what this skill requires to get started. Personal Caregivers: The projected job growth for personal givers from 2016 to 2026 is 35.4 percent. As the elderly population in this country increases so does the demand for personal caregivers. And until science can alter or reverse our biology’s course, a society will always need the willing and able-bodied citizens to care for its aging counterparts. The job requires performing daily personal tasks that include bathing, basic housekeeping, running errands, and assistance with medication. Unfortunately, that demand does not reflect in the salary, which is at a median of $21, 895. Regardless, personal caregiving is a career that requires little training, encourages empathy, and is accessible without a college degree. License Practitioner Nurse: Perhaps a step above personal caregiving in health care is the License Practitioner Nurse (LPN), which does require certified training. However, certification or postsecondary degrees can be achieved in two years or under. LPNs are among the best jobs for the future due its more rewarding cost-benefit results of smaller time investment and educational costs. Compared to registered nurses — who earn an average of $98,288 — LPNs still earn well with a median of $67,418. In addition, they get to reap the benefits of providing basic healthcare to the increasing elderly population through advancing technologies and career opportunities. Self-Enrichment Education Teachers: With a compelling expertise and desire to share knowledge about self-improvement or a specific skill, students and adults can make a reasonable career out of teaching. Tutoring, yoga instructing, computer program training, music lessons, or even offering basic personal finance consulting can lead to a career earning an average salary of $36, 872. The need and desire for a causal approach to instructing allows about 26.7 percent of those self-enrichment educators to run their own business from i t. Some subjects may still require certification or formal training, but more often than expected, having a competent grasp of material or mastered skill set will suffice. Dental Assistant: Aside from the studies linking oral care to general healthcare, the value of an attractive smile is almost impossible to overlook. Whether pursuing a full time professional career as a dentist or seeking a job for financial reliability, prospective dental assistants will find the dental industry to be a sure bet for job security and an average earning of $36,788. Community colleges offer one year programs to gain certification for routine tasks that include updating patient records and
sterilizing equipment. Although some states might require that certification, other states allow dental assistants to begin right out of high school. September 1, 2017 Colleges and Universities in South Carolina Overview: Students seeking higher education in South Carolina will find a variety of reputable colleges and universities to accommodate their academic career goals. Choosing a college can be overwhelming, but with a brief profile of some of the top colleges in South Carolina, the selection task should be easier. The University of South Carolina (UofSC) is the state’s pride and leading university, but it’s not for everyone. South Carolina offers other four-year and two-year colleges that cover degree programs for less money and a smaller campus population. For students needing more specialized institutions for law, faith-based, and military programs they will find schools like Southern Wesleyan University, Converse College, and The Citadel to be suitable choices. Many post-graduate students of South Carolina’s four-year universities boast salary earnings higher than the nation’s average income. In addition, some of those graduates have become notable alumni and made significant contributions to their professions. University of South Carolina in Columbia: As the Palmetto State’s alpha school, the University of South Carolina was founded in 1901 and has survived the dark years of the Civil War to become a bright beacon of restoration and unity in the state. Known for its traditional horseshoe campus design, UofSC is the state’s largest university boasting an average of 36,000 students and an 18:1 student to faculty ratio. In the UofSC system there are eight schools throughout the state. Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences, Biology, Research and Experimental Psychology and Finance and Financial Management Services are the most popular out of 100+ majors offered at the university. With its prestigious faculty and successful graduation rate, the university is one of the top producers of Fulbright Scholars and has received several national awards including the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences. Some of the distinguished alumni include: country musician Darius Rucker, Fox News Co-Host Ainsley Earnhardt, and state senator Lindsey Graham. Furman: Located on a 750 acre campus in Greenville, South Carolina, Furman University is a highly respected liberal arts college and one of the prestigious private universities in the state. With a student-faculty ratio as small as 11:1 and an emphasis on integrating “a guided journey of selfdiscovery into a personalized academic path,” students are given the Furman Advantage; which ensures that each graduate is excels both intellectually and spiritually. Acceptance is highly competitive and selective resulting in enrollment size of about 2,731 students. However, the student satisfaction rate is at 89 percent; proving the success of the Furman Advantage and high caliber education the school provides. Out of the 60 academic programs rooted in liberal arts and sciences, Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Business Administration, and Biology are among the most popular majors of students. U.S. Men’s National Soccer starClint
Dempsey and one of the most famous Christian/Country music artist Amy Grant are two of the most significant alumni of Furman University. Coastal Carolina University: In Conway and only a few miles from Myrtle Beach, Coastal Carolina University is a public liberal arts college that features undergraduate degrees in 73 major fields of study. Marine science, management, Exercise and Sport science, Communication and Psychology are the popular undergraduate majors due to its beautiful location along the coast of South Carolina. For their masters programs, the university offers 17 disciplines with Ph.Ds in Coastal and Marine system sciences. With a total undergraduate enrollment of 9,615, the student-faculty ratio is at 18:1. Coastal Carolina University prides itself on being America’s 100 Best College Buys and producing famous actor, Michael Kelly and top five PGA golfer, Dustin Johnson. The Citadel Military School: Earning the top ranking for Public College in the South six times, the Best Value in the South, and the top public college for Veterans in the South, The Citadel is South Carolina’s premier military college. It is the landmark and pride of Charleston. As the nation’s well known Corp of Cadets, The Citadel consists of 2,300 undergraduates from 45 states and a dozen countries. Those cadets are rigorously trained and educated to become future leaders in the nation’s military. The school offers 20 undergraduate majors and 27 master’s programs, with a student/faculty ratio of 12:1. New York Times Best Selling author, Pat Conroy and Colonel Randolph Bresnik of the United States Marine Corps are two of The Citadel’s prestigious cadets. Clemson: Giving UofSC competition for the most popular public university in South Carolina, Clemson is ranked 23rd in the nation and has one of the most recognized sports programs in the NCAA. However, Clemson is primarily a science and engineering school with the most selective public research universities. The undergraduate student body is about half of UofSC’s with an average of 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students combined. Clemson offers over 80 majors and 110 graduate degree programs with Marketing, Engineering, Biological and Biomedical Sciences as their most popular majors. Clemson’s bragging rights includes the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as a Tier 1 school, the number seven ranked school in student retention rate, and a long list of famous alumni; from Dolph Lundgren to James Dickey to John Edwards, and a collection of professional football players. Southern Wesleyan: Southern Wesleyan University provides a liberal arts and professional education motivated and shaped by Evangelical and Protestant values. As one of South Carolina’s private universities, Souther Wesleyan is a proud member of the Wesleyan Church and is home to about 700 residential students in Central, South Carolina. The university features over 40 degree programs with emphasis on faith and service to the community. South Carolina State:
South Carolina State University (SCSU) is South Carolina’s only historical black college and since its conception the university has dedicated its efforts to providing quality education to African-American students. Eventually, white students integrated in 1966 and today the average undergraduate population is near 5,000 with a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. The university offers undergraduate degree programs in Biology, Education, Business, Engineering Technology, Computer science/Mathematics, and English language/literature. However, the only university in South Carolina to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering is SCSU. Among the most popular majors are: Biology/Biological Sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, and Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration. Hall of Fame footballer, Deacon Jones and American political commentator, Armstrong Williams are some of the distinguished alumni. University of South Carolina in Spartanburg: Just off the I-85 freeway connecting Atlanta and Charlotte sits the 33 acre University of South Carolina Upstate campus in Spartanburg. It is home to about 6,000 students pursuing degrees in over 40 undergraduate disciplines in the liberal arts and sciences, business administration, nursing, and teacher education. The student-faculty ratio is 17:1 with Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management as some of the most popular majors. Ranked #10 Best Colleges in the South, Upstate is one of the fastest growing universities in the state. Converse College: Converse College is a private liberal arts university dedicated to educating and training women. Located in Spartanburg, South Carolina the university provides over 30 undergraduate programs for an average of 1,389 female students. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures that each student receives optimal attention throughout their academic career. Visual and Performing Arts, Education, Psychology, and Biological and Biomedical Sciences are some of the most selected majors. Converse College’s two most notable alumni are former Miss South Carolina, Kimilee Karyn Bryant and American poet, Ellen Bryant. Sources: http://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/ http://thefurmanadvantage.com/education-that-transforms/ https://collegestats.org/colleges/south-carolina/largest/ http://www.bestcolleges.com/features/best-colleges-in-south-carolina/ http://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/ https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-south-carolina-3448/academics http://www.ranker.com/list/famous-university-of-south-carolina-alumni-and-students/reference