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In Australia, theft is the most prevalent form of shrinkage experienced by retailers and costs businesses billions of dollars every year. The Australian Retailers Association reports that theft accounts for between 1 and 3 per cent of gross profit, significantly impacting the net profitability of retailers.
If you own or manage a small to medium-sized retail store, you’re most likely working on slim margins, which makes this figure even more significant.
So, how do you combat theft and reduce the impact on your business’s profit margin? The most important initiative in reducing store theft is education and training.
Supporting Staff to Reduce Theft
Loss prevention is critical to the profitability and longevity of a business, and a store’s staff are on the front line when it comes to security.
Implementing store policy and procedure regarding security and loss prevention is the first step in protecting a retail store from theft.
The second step is to train staff so that they gain essential skills and knowledge to be able to maintain store security in a retail environment confidently.
You will also need to be familiar with the maintenance and use of store security equipment to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and customers.
In the event of theft, knowing how to detect and apprehend a thief as well as understanding the post apprehension procedures, according to State and Territory laws, is vital.
So, if you own a retail store or work in a management position in retail, consider online training for yourself and your staff via the Certificate of Retail Security and Loss Prevention with Australian Online Courses.
On completion of this retail certificate course, you will feel confident in managing the security and loss prevention for a retail store.
Professional Development in Retail
If you currently work in or aspire to join the Retail sector, there are many professional development retail courses to help you advance your career in this exciting industry.
When you study with Australian Online Courses, you have access to an eLearning platform that allows you to study where and when you choose. This self-paced learning environment will enable you to plan your study around work, life and family commitments.
So, what are you waiting for? If you’ve been considering gaining new skills in Retail, or want to add to your existing qualifications, check out the many professional development Retail courses today.
Certificate of Retail Security and Loss Prevention
In this online retail certificate course, you will learn how to implement security and loss prevention policies and procedures to educate staff and protect a retail store from theft in this online retail certificate course. You will also learn about the best practice for detection and apprehension of thieves according to State and Territory laws.
In this online retail certificate course, you will gain the skills and knowledge required to work in the retail industry in this online retail certificate course. You will also learn how to work effectively in a service environment and develop and apply product knowledge. You will also gain the selling skills required to analyse and drive sales to meet targets and maximise retail profitability and performance.
Certificate of Retail Buying and Strategic Planning
In this online retail certificate course, you will discover the strategies, skills and knowledge required by retail buyers to purchase retail merchandise and develop buying plans.
You will also learn how to analyse the market, plan and introduce product ranges, establish supplier relationships, negotiate the supply of goods and maximise profit through effective buying strategies.
Certificate of Retail Management
In this online retail certificate course, you will gain the skills and knowledge required to manage a retail business, multiple retail stores or departments using a range of business strategies to deliver profitable results. You will also increase your understanding and competencies in managing large numbers of staff and gain leadership skills to ensure your retail management success.
If you work in health care, education or any community-based industry, it’s important to be educated in trauma-informed care to understand, respond to and aid in the recovery of those who have experienced trauma.
What is Trauma?
Trauma can be defined as a psychological, emotional response to an event or experience that is profoundly distressing or disturbing. The trauma can be upsetting, such as losing a job, divorce, having an illness or an injury or it can be an extreme trauma like being involved in a natural disaster, terrorism or losing a loved one.
Trauma and its impact on an individual are subjective as everyone’s experience will be unique to them. However, complex trauma can be more challenging to overcome.
What is Complex Trauma?
Complex trauma happens repetitively and often results in direct harm to the individual. The effects of complex trauma are cumulative. This type of trauma experience frequently occurs within a particular time frame, relationship and setting.
What is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-informed care can be described as a framework that is based on knowledge and understanding of how trauma affects people’s lives and their service needs.
A program, workplace, or system that is trauma-informed:1.
If a person has been affected by trauma, working with a therapist or therapy that is trauma-informed will ensure that a combination of therapy modalities addressing trauma are facilitated to aid in recovery.
Trauma Informed Care as Professional Development
Trauma-informed care is important across many industries, including human services, criminal justice, education, community services and health care.
Traumatic experiences are common, and when workplaces and professionals are trauma-informed, they understand how past trauma can affect an individual throughout their lifespan.
The way in which professionals and workplaces respond to those affected by trauma leads to better engagement and outcomes for the individual and the workplace.
The benefits of understanding trauma-informed care in the workplace are numerous, but include:
An organisation with a trauma-informed model understands that trauma affects not only the survivor of the trauma but also others in the workplace and the organisation as an entity.
If you work in a profession, industry or organisation where trauma-informed care would benefit your clients, patients or workplace, consider an online professional development course in trauma-informed care to gain the knowledge and skills to work in trauma-informed ways.
Australian Online Courses
Australian Online Courses offers contemporary, online professional development courses coupled with exceptional student support to provide a superior eLearning experience.
Visit us online to discover hundreds of industry-relevant, flexible, online courses covering almost every industry sector. Alternatively, contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221 or via Live Chat.
Certificate of Trauma Informed Care
The Certificate of Trauma Informed Care is an online professional development program that will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to practice trauma-informed care using a range of strategies.
Certificate of Complex Trauma and Attachment Management
The Certificate of Complex Trauma and Attachment Management is an online professional development program that will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to recognise indicators of trauma in children and young people of different ages and at various stages.
Certificate of Trauma Counselling
The Certificate of Trauma Counselling is an online professional development program that will provide you with the conceptual framework and skills for counselling people who are suffering from trauma-related stress.
If you’re feeling too tired to study, a cup of coffee or a walk around the block is often enough to get back on track. However, sometimes exhaustion sets in and no matter how hard you try, you can’t focus.
What you’re experiencing is study burnout which means it’s vital to incorporate some serious fatigue management strategies into your life.
Otherwise, study burnout will get in the way of achieving your study goals, and that means your online courses will take longer to complete.
What is Study Burnout?
Study burnout is a form of physical and emotional exhaustion which frequently affects students who are under high levels of prolonged stress.
This stress may be due to studying too much or for long periods without a break, or it could be a result of external pressures that impact the ability to concentrate on study.
If left untreated, study burnout and fatigue can have an impact on the time it takes to complete online courses and also your personal life.
What Causes Study Fatigue?
Study fatigue occurs when you’ve been working and focusing without taking sufficient breaks, leaving you unable to continue, according to Alex Kingsmill, Career Coach at Upstairs Counselling.
“It’s real and is all about balancing energy exertion with energy renewal. It isn’t just about being lazy!
“The capacity to self-regulate or control yourself, which is essential for study, operates like a muscle. Just as you fatigue after doing a few heavy sets in the gym, so too does your brain tire out after a long period of sustained exertion.
“To recover physically, it is essential to build-in periods of rest and the same applies to brain work.
“To avoid study fatigue and allow for sustained and effective study, it’s essential to plan your efforts. Build in periods of energy exertion and then allow for regular periods of energy renewal,” said Ms Kingsmill.
Fatigue Management Strategies
If you study online courses, Ms Kingsmill advises that you limit screen time, exercise and enjoy a study-free weekend to celebrate study success.
Chris Karkanis, author of Your Best Score: How to reach your full potential in Year 12 and Founder of Juku Tutoring says experiencing study burnout is one of the most terrible feelings, and has negative ramifications for stress management.
Push Through or Rest? What’s Best?
“Many students push themselves too hard, too often and don’t take the time for a brief respite, leading to rapid burnout. While it is great to be highly motivated and antsy to study, forcing yourself to study when burnout is imminent is generally not a wise tactic.
“The reason being is that you’re fighting an uphill battle with your mind. Your mind is telling you it is exhausted, so if you keep pushing it, studying efficiency will continue to decrease.
“In turn, the invested time necessary to complete tasks will only increase. You’re far better off taking time to rest and recharge your mind, so you can come back and study more efficiently.”
Set Concrete Study Hours and Rest Hours
One of the best ways to avoid burnout is to set a schedule with study hours and rest hours, said Mr Karkanis.
“Many students get burnt out because their schedule is sporadic and spontaneous.
“The key is to make sure that when you’re supposed to be studying, you’re studying; the same goes for rest hours.
Set Reasonable Goals
If you’re studying online courses, working at your own pace is a bonus. However, it can be dangerous to rush ahead. Make sure you are setting reasonable study goals to avoid study burnout.
“Set reasonable goals for what material you want to cover during study hours, and make sure you get through everything.
“If you find that you fall slightly behind and your study hours are over, feel free to take an extra couple of minutes to finish everything.
“The main thing is to listen to your body and mind; if you’re starting to drag, it’s time to rest or take a break and come back to studying during the next set of study hours,” said Mr Karkanis.
Choose Online Courses to Avoid Study Burnout.
One of the best ways to avoid study burnout and fatigue is to choose online courses for your professional development.
Online courses are flexible, so you can study when and where it suits you. Also, online courses are self-paced, so you can decide how quickly you finish your course depending on your circumstances, health and well-being.
Australian Online Courses
Australian Online Courses offers contemporary, online professional development courses coupled with exceptional student support to provide a superior eLearning experience.
Visit us online to discover hundreds of industry-relevant, flexible, online courses covering almost every industry sector. Alternatively, contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221 or via Live Chat.
If you work as a teacher’s aide (or aspire to be a paraprofessional educator), you know the importance of inclusive education to support children with a variety of needs.
That’s why the following professional development courses are essential for all teacher aides in supporting children with additional needs, including those with autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia.
So, if you want to learn effective strategies to support learning and wellbeing and increase your knowledge and expertise in education support, consider the following online education support courses.
Early childhood educators play an important role in children’s development and set the foundations for a lifetime of learning using play-based techniques. If you see yourself as an early childhood educator, consider this professional development course as an ideal introduction to this rewarding career.
The Certificate of Education Support – Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an online professional development program that will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to work with and support students with ASD
The Certificate of Education Support – Literacy and Numeracy, is an online professional development program that will provide you with the skills and knowledge to provide assistance to students who need additional support with their numeracy, reading, writing and oral language skills.
The Certificate of Education Support – School Administration, will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to work effectively in school administration.
You will learn how to organise and manage a school administration department, understand school policy and procedures and collect and record information to meet organisational and legislative obligations.
The Certificate of Education Support – Special Needs, will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to support learning for students with disabilities and additional needs in a classroom environment.
6. Certificate of Behaviour Management
The Certificate of Behaviour Management will give you proven behaviour management strategies to guide the responsible behaviour of children and young people within an educational context. You will discover a range of strategies to help children self-regulate their behaviour in a safe and supportive environment.
7. Certificate of Developmental Psychology
The Certificate of Developmental and Educational Psychology is an online professional development course that will explore the physical, mental, emotional, social and educational development of an individual throughout infancy, childhood and adulthood.
8. Design and Develop Learning Programs
Design and Develop Learning Programs is an online professional development program that will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to conceptualise, design, develop and review learning programs to meet an identified need for a group of learners.
9. Nurture Creativity in Children
Nurture Creativity in Children is an online professional development program that will provide you with the skills and knowledge to provide essential developmental experiences in music, movement, and creativity.
10. Educational Strategies for Indigenous Students
Education Strategies for Indigenous Students is a professional development course designed to give you the knowledge and skills required to support, contribute to and coordinate educational opportunities for students, including those from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
11. Working with Families Program
The Working with Families Program will give you the skills and knowledge required to advocate for and assist families in making the best decisions for children and young people.
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
Australian Online Courses offers contemporary, online professional development courses in education support coupled with exceptional student support to provide a superior eLearning experience.
Visit us online to discover hundreds of industry-relevant, flexible, online courses covering almost every industry sector. Or contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221 or via Live Chat.
Australian Online Courses is an online, professional development provider with a difference – we genuinely care about your career development and offer unlimited student support.
But that’s not all, we’re also popular for the following reasons, too!
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If your career needs a boost, business management courses are the perfect way to propel you up the career ladder further and faster – no matter your industry or profession.
So, whether you want to gain a fresh perspective, promotion or pay rise, business management courses are an ideal way to achieve your goals.
And while there are many benefits to gaining skills in business management, the following seven are top of the list.
Business managers are in demand and opportunities are available in every company and industry sector. When you study business management courses, you give yourself the best chance of gaining a promotion or being hired for a coveted management position.
Those who have business management skills are more likely to gain a promotion at work or be successful candidates in higher-paying roles.
The average salary for a business manager is $78,111. However, this figure can rise to $135,000 plus bonuses, profit sharing and commissions with experience.
A business management course will give you the advanced communication skills needed to facilitate team cohesion.
These advanced communication skills will be critical in resolving team conflict, managing staff performance, liaising with stakeholders and dealing with workplace communication issues and concerns.
Business management courses provide the skills and knowledge to manage a business or company for others, but also offer inspiration and know-how to develop your own business.
So, if you’ve always dreamed of owning your own business, business management courses may be the spark you need to get started.
Do you need a shot of career confidence? A business management course will give you the assurance you seek. In fact, learning business management skills may give you the self-confidence to pursue management positions that you might otherwise have overlooked.
One of the most vital skills of a business manager is the ability to lead and manage teams well. In business management courses, you’ll learn the most effective ways to manage people to ensure a cohesive and productive workplace.
As a business manager, you’ll need to know how to undertake and manage project work. A professional development course in business management will develop your project management skills to ensure projects are delivered on-time and on-budget, an essential part of a management role.
Certificate of Business Management
The Certificate of Business Management is a professional development course that will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to manage at a strategic level. You will learn how to manage quality customer service, budgets and financial plans, people and performance, operational planning and team effectiveness.
In this online business management course, you will also learn to manage financial operations, monitor and control finances, and review and evaluate the effectiveness of financial management processes and more
Click here to view the full course outline.
We know students need proper nutrition to cope with study schedules, but choose ‘smart foods’ to support brain function, and you’re one step ahead according to Clinical Nutritionist Sarah Spann.
Study snacks to reach for to help support brain function include protein and healthy fats which provide sustained energy and improve focus, says Ms Spann.
Protein makes neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which is associated with happiness. The type of fats found in avocado, olive oil, fish, nuts and seeds are highly beneficial for the brain and have been shown to improve depression.
The temptation is to reach for something sugary, but high sugar diets cause inflammation in the brain and can cause memory problems due to the hormonal changes that occur with high sugar intake.
High sugar diets also mess with your blood sugar levels, and once these come crashing down, you’ll be left feeling worse,” explains Ms Spann.
So, when it comes to fuel your brain, Ms Spann recommends the following brain food to study smarter.
Oily fish is a rich source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. They are called ‘essential’ because the body cannot make them, and they must come from the diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids are highly beneficial for the brain as they slow mental decline and protect against Alzheimer’s disease. The brain uses them for new brain cell growth and to help with learning and memory.
Deficiency of omega-3 is associated with depression. Flax seeds are a vegan alternative source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric, and it is very beneficial for the brain. Curcumin is a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound which helps new brain cells to grow and improves memory and depression.
Turmeric can be added to rice, stews, curries or roast vegetables, or turmeric latte mixes are widely available.
Pumpkin seeds are a great source of zinc, magnesium, copper and iron, all of which improve memory and brain function. They regulate nerve signalling by the brain, and this is important to make sure that the brain is communicating with the body correctly. These nutrients also protect against conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, migraines and depression, and iron helps lift brain fog.
Nuts are a great source of healthy fats, antioxidants and vitamin E which all support brain health to improve your concentration. Vitamin E is protective against age-related mental decline. Walnuts are particularly useful for the brain as they are another excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Egg yolks are rich in choline which is a precursor to acetylcholine, an essential neurotransmitter for memory.
Eggs also contain vitamins B6, B12 and folate, which help neurotransmitters to function correctly and improve mental health. These vitamins may also slow the progression of age-related mental decline.
Broccoli contains vitamin K, which enhances memory. Broccoli is also high in a compound called glucosinolates, which can slow the breakdown of acetylcholine to help keep your memory sharp and focused for longer.
Dark chocolate is full of polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to protect the brain. These polyphenols can also help to improve blood flow to the brain.
But not all chocolate is created equal – it should be at least 70 per cent cocoa and preferably minimally processed with low or no sugar!
Green tea contains caffeine, which helps to improve alertness, performance, memory and focus. However, unlike coffee, it also contains L-theanine, which is an amino acid that helps to reduce anxiety. The L-theanine also offsets any overstimulating effects of coffee. Green tea is also rich in polyphenols.
Avocados are a great source of monosaturated fat which improves healthy blood flow to the brain. They also contain vitamin K and folate which help to prevent blood clots in the brain and improve memory and concentration. Avocados contain B vitamins and vitamin C, and the high-fat content will help keep you fuller for longer and provides sustained energy for the brain.
Blueberries contain a compound called anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help protect the brain. They have been shown to improve short-term memory. Other deeply coloured berries also contain anthocyanins.
The following is a daily meal plan idea that incorporates brain food to help students study smarter.
Breakfast
An egg-based breakfast, such as an omelette filled with vegetables, is a great way to balance blood sugar, provide sustained energy throughout the day and improve concentration.
Lunch
For lunch, consider a salad with chicken and avocado.
Dinner
A stir-fry with chickpeas, mixed vegetables, sesame seeds and brown rice.
Study Snacks
The following study snacks are all examples of a well-balanced macro-nutrient meal that will help you stay focused, energised and support your body to study, explains Ms Spann.
Do you have a skillset that lends itself to freelancing? If so, you can create a side-hustle that can be done outside your regular day-job to generate extra income to pay off debt or save for a holiday.
The wonderful thing about freelancing is that it’s got a relatively low entry-point, compared to starting your own business. Freelancing is affordable and can be started quickly if you already have the skills and equipment you need to do the job.
The trickiest part of beginning your freelance career is finding valuable clients – and that’s almost a blog on its own.
So, you want to begin freelancing? Let’s start with the basics.
A freelancer works independently for a business (or many businesses) for an agreed upon rate, either by the hour or a for an agreed upon sum for a completed project.
Freelancing is a form of self-employment, like a home-based business. As a freelancer you choose the clients, projects and income you earn independently.
There are many benefits and challenges to working freelance, and there are many ways to launch a freelance business in almost any industry.
Freelancers sell their time and skillset to businesses, large and small, and work independently. There are many industries lend themselves to freelance work, but some freelance businesses are more common, and more in-demand, than others.
Smart Company reports that an analysis of 500,000 jobs on Freelancer’s platform from July to September 2018 found that jobs related to data entry and excel, as well as proofreading and article writing, are the most in-demand freelance jobs in Australia.
Freelance data entry professionals ensure the smooth processing and efficiency of information and data for businesses. The job may require inputting data into a secure file system and may involve other clerical or administrative tasks.
If you have high proficiency in Microsoft Excel, you can use one of the most popular and powerful programs to help businesses manage their information. Whether it’s a simple spreadsheet or a complex and highly interactive database, businesses outsource these tasks. So, if you have the Excel knowledge, experience and ability to take on Excel projects you can work freelance.
According to Freelancer.com.au, Excel professionals get paid an average of $50 per project depending on the size and nature of the work.
One of the most important jobs available that many businesses seek freelance service for is the skills of a competent proof-reader. If you have experience in proof-reading or an education in correcting spelling and grammatical errors, you can earn money by offering your services.
Time-poor businesses, especially SMEs, require this type of expertise for printed and online materials to maintain a professional image, so your expertise will be in demand and appreciated.
The huge digital disruption has created millions of new online businesses that require a constant stream of content to keep their websites relevant and ranking with Google. This has created many opportunities for content, copy and feature writers to take use skills to carve out successful freelance careers. So, if freelance writing is your superpower this is a super way to save extra pennies!
Graphic Design is one of the most in-demand creative talents in the freelance or ‘gig’ economy, and highly skilled professionals can operate profitable businesses from home. As many companies begin to outsource their promotional and marketing materials, both online and in print formats, there has been an increased need for freelance design professionals. After all, almost every company, large or small, requires graphic design.
Working as a freelance editor is a rewarding job that’s suited to a flexible work structure. As a freelance editor you will work for yourself for a writer or publisher to get manuscripts ready for publication.
A freelance copy editor is concerned with the spelling, grammar, punctuation, and fact checking for publications.
Data processing involves processing raw information into a valuable format and includes acquiring, entering, validating and storing data for businesses to maintain a smooth operational flow.
You will need to be familiar with computers and the latest trends in data processing, current software and applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, Calendar, email and database software.
Many data processing solutions are outsourced by small and large businesses as the process can be complex and time-consuming in-house.
The emergence of new eCommerce sites every day means there is increased demand for photo editors with expertise in Adobe Photoshop. eCommerce photo editing and retouching is a growing, in-demand industry and an ideal freelance opportunity for those with experience and technical skills in photo editing software.
If you’re an expert in Microsoft Office, you can freelance by offering a variety of in-demand services for businesses in the administrative and project management area. A freelance MS Office professional may undertake many freelance projects for small and large businesses, including word processing, data entry, spreadsheets and presentations.
Amy Leiper decided to venture into uncharted waters and start her freelance business, Arthouse Productions , after simultaneously falling pregnant with her first child and becoming frustrated with office politics.
“I wanted the flexibility of working from home as well as the ability to work less hours,” said Ms Leiper, of her decision to pursue freelance work after the birth of her first child.
A background in marketing, communications, strategy and media relations fields gave Ms Leiper the edge when it came to securing clients, a task that is one of the major challenges of starting a successful freelance business, said Ms Leiper.
Later, Ms Leiper’s husband joined her in working freelance for lack of other employment opportunities when the family relocated to Sydney from the United Kingdom.
“He decided to try freelancing out of desperation because we needed the money. He found that he made more money working a few days a week.
“He agreed to film for me when I started what is now our video production company if I paid him his daily rate. At first, he refused to turn any other work away.
“He just didn’t think that internet video would take off because in those days the internet was very slow, so we both continued our freelance work and doing videos for my clients.
“Soon the internet was faster, and we became so busy that he was a full partner in the company, and we employed other freelance producers, cameramen and talent when we are too busy to do all the work ourselves. Importantly, we still maintained our separate clients because we both thought it to be very important to keep up our original skills in other corporate environments.”
Ms Leiper says the biggest benefits are working from home, having flexible working hours and being able to be present in the childrens’ lives.
We have an office in our house that we share and that means we can both work without having to go into an office.
We are both flexible with our time. There are exceptions, of course, but our children see both of us a lot more than if one or both of us were employed. We hardly miss a soccer game and I can stay active in the school.
There are many challenges to becoming a successful freelancer, says Ms Leiper, but worrying about making money wasn’t one of them in her experience.
Some people worry about money, but because we waited until after we had gained enough experience in our fields, we find there is always work available and we get paid more for our time than if we were employed,” Ms Leiper.
Finding clients is a real challenge, and I was lucky. I worked in the marketing, communications, strategy and media relations field and had a full reporter contact list.
My first client was referred to me by a journalist. Amazingly, I began freelancing when our son was three months old working a few hours each day to make up the time.
A real challenge is to focus on your work even though you are at home. When I first tried working out of a spare bedroom in our house. I know lots of people do this successfully, but I found it very hard to stay focused and soon I was putting washing on, hanging clothes and tidying up when I was supposed to be working.
Once I identified the problem, we built a small cabin in our garden and I got into a routine. We still have a separate office downstairs, which separates work from home life and we can focus,” says Ms Leiper.
Have a clear idea of what you want to do, and have few clients lined up before you decide to take on freelancing full-time, says Ms Leiper.
Sometimes it takes a while to find clients, particularly if you don’t have a track record.
Wait until you have enough experience so that you have a reputation in your field. When you have that experience, you will always find work.
We’ve found in times of uncertainty (the global financial crisis), companies are happier to pay more to hire a consultant or freelancer than add to staff numbers. It gives them more flexibility.
Save as much money as you can before you leap into the unknown. A bit of cushion is always useful. It’s always easier to find work if you aren’t desperate. Clients can sense desperation!
Online courses, even short courses online, are an ideal way to gain the skills you need to acquire or hone your freelancing superpowers.
The flexibility of online courses makes them an ideal way to retrain or up skill in your own time without the pressure of deadlines or hassle of commuting.
So, if you want to launch a freelance career, enrol with Australian Online Courses for quality online education and affordable prices today.
These online writing courses are an ideal way to launch your successful freelance writing career.
Certificate of Freelance Writing
Certificate of Business Writing & Communication
Advanced Certificate of Professional Writing and Editing
Whether you want to achieve financial growth, improve staff retention or add new service and product offerings, now is the time to make sure your business New Year’s resolutions are on track, says Marcela Slepica, Clinical Director of AccessEAP.
Sadly, only 8%[1] of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions, so how can management and HR professionals inspire entire teams to find year-long success?
The answer lies in effective goal setting, according to Ms Slepica, who works for a corporate psychology organisation which supports and develops positive organisational behaviour.
The most important aspect of keeping business goal setting resolutions is by turning them into SMART goals.
“Organisational goals are like personal goals. They provide structure to help us move in the direction we want to take. Within organisations, it can be easy to come up with ‘big picture’ ideas or strategic direction. However, setting goals can be more challenging.
“The S.M.A.R.T. model is a great way of keeping your business goal setting on track and giving them the best possible chance of success,” said Ms Slepica.
It’s also important to include some flexibility around setting business goals and review them on a regular basis, explained Ms Slepica. “Unforeseeable changes may occur throughout the year which impacts on the relevance of your goals, or your ability to achieve them. Organisations are changing at a fast pace to keep up with influences such as new technology, so you can’t afford to take a ‘set and forget’ approach to goals.” Ms Slepica suggests reviewing the organisation’s goals on a regular basis and adjusting them if needed.
Having clarity around who is accountable or responsible for implementing different aspects of your organisational goal setting is another important aspect of staying on track, said Ms Slepica. “For the goal to progress from an idea to reality, you need key people taking charge and making sure that it happens. Part of your goal setting should be outlining who does what, and when, right from the outset.”
For goals to be effective, it’s important to help your team find meaning and purpose in their day-to-day work, said Ms Slepica. “Rather than concentrate on the end goal. A values-based approach helps provide the rationale as to “why” you are aiming towards the goal in the first place. The idea is that achieving the goal is a part of something bigger and is not in itself a means to an end.”
One way in which organisations effectively motivate their employees to achieve goals through values is to have a vision or mission statement that is developed in collaboration with the employees. Ms Slepica states, “If employees believe in what they are doing, they are going to be more motivated to achieve goals”. For example, many organisations now donate some of their profits to charity, as a values-based incentive for motivating staff.
Most organisations also now incorporate values in their day-to-day practice and code of conduct. Therefore, the way in which employees behave to achieve their goals becomes just as important as the end goal. Ms Slepica notes that “This cohesiveness between goal and values further reinforces for employees that they are doing the right thing, and for many people, this feeling is highly motivating.”
If you love what you do but feel like your career has stalled, it might be time to supercharge your purpose and work on your strengths, according to positive psychology counsellors and career coaches.
Most of us chose our careers in our teens or early twenties, fresh out of high school and naive about our purpose or strengths, let alone what we want to do with the rest of our lives. Sure, there were the lucky few who always knew what they wanted to do and went after it, living happily ever after in a desirable and rewarding career.
Still, there are many more who invest in education programs, whether through university, TAFE, or online courses, only to drop out or transfer to another academic area.
They realise their course is far removed from their ‘purpose’ and have no choice but to re-think the all-consuming, fear-inducing question, ‘What do I want to be when I grow up’?
So, when you’ve travelled the career path, one often fraught with twists and turns and uncertainty, it’s a relief to have arrived (and survived). But how do you rise to the top? If you want to be the best at what you do, how do you tackle the obstacles, fierce competition or fear of failing?
We asked three expert career coaches.
Here’s what they had to say.
You might think that having three separate people to help you reach your career goals is a bit over the top, but positive psychology coach Jenny Cole of Positively Beaming, a business that supports professional women to take their best self to work and bring her home again, says they are all important.
A Mentor: Offers gives advice and teaches, often a younger or less experienced person, over time about school or career advancement.
A Sponsor: A person who can connect you with others in their network to advance your career.
A Career Coach: Assists in identifying personal and professional goals to progress or plan a career.
Ms Cole, a former school principal turned coach, facilitator and speaker, says you need to find people who can teach you (a mentor), put you forward for promotional opportunities that arise, connect you to influential people (a sponsor) and help you recognise and take action on your ‘blind-spots,’ as well as embed your learning (a career coach).
“(It’s important to) surround yourself with good people, and to learn all you can from them,” said Ms Cole.
We’ve heard about the importance of time management, but Ms Cole suggests managing your energy instead because we all have different energy levels throughout the day.
There are morning people, who feel energetic early, while others will be rearing to go in the evening, according to Ms Cole.
“We’re all time poor, and there are a fixed 24-hours in everyone’s day. However, if you understand what tasks give you energy and which ones drain your energy, you can plan your workday accordingly. This allows you to work with greater ease and fit more into your 24- hours.
“I prefer to do anything that requires concentration and focus early in the morning, but your rhythms might be different. Find a workflow method that suits you, it may be intense bursts of activity, such as the Pomodoro method or just gaining an understanding of when your brain is at its most creative, analytical or focused and matching the tasks to those time slots,” said Ms Cole.
Melbourne’s leading evidence-based career coach, Alex Kingsmill, says recovery is also significant when it comes to using energy to pursue career goals. “Consistent energy exertion requires a balance of energy renewal. If you want to operate at your peak, it’s crucial to schedule downtime into your days and weeks to activity recover.
So, what’s the key to confidence? We all know that if we appear confident, then others will have confidence in us, but how do we really feel it? Ms Cole says feeling confident can be difficult, particularly for women, because they’re hardwired to worry.
“Women are less likely to put themselves forward for opportunities and are more likely to second guess themselves. Working with a career coach can help women overcome those stories that they tell themselves about not being ‘ready’ or ‘good enough,’ says Ms Cole.
It’s crucial to put your strengths to work, but to do this, you must know what they are, how to use them and how to build on them, according to Ms Cole.
“When we use our strengths, rather than fixating on weaknesses, we become more engaged, more energised and more likely to make progress in our career quickly.”
Career Progression Coach, Sha Perera, says understanding yourself, your strengths, and what you enjoy leads to self-awareness, which is a powerful understanding to have in all areas of your life, but especially at work.
“When you know what your strengths are, you can play to them. When you know what you enjoy, you can do more of those jobs.
“Knowing your strengths means that when jobs are delegated, you can put your hand up. In positive psychology terms, people who are working in jobs that utilise their strengths and talents enjoy their work and feel more job satisfaction than those who don’t,” says Ms Perera.
If you’re kind to others, it doesn’t mean you’re a pushover, according to Ms Cole. In fact, being kind to yourself and others sets and enforces clear boundaries that are important for well-being at work.
“If you understand your triggers you can manage your emotions even in the most challenging situations.”
Alex Kingsmill, an evidence-based career coach at Upstairs Counselling, agrees: “Self-kindness will sustain your self-belief and energy. Kindness to others will build you an impressive reputation that will boost your career-advancing efforts.”
It’s crucial to ask three questions to find your true north, according to Ms Cole: What’s your purpose? What’s your passion? And, why?
“This may not be clear in the early part of your career. Chances are you chose your study pathway when you were in your teens. So, make sure you regularly evaluate whether your career matches your values, skills and strengths. If the answer is no, then you need to make a change,” says Ms Cole.
You won’t find many people who love every aspect of their career, says Ms Perara, because every work situation has its ups and downs.
“No matter what your situation is at work, there is always something positive to focus on.
“Maintaining your focus on what’s working and what’s right, as opposed to the opposite, can help you retain your peace and optimism at work.”
Listening deeply is an under-utilised skill according to Ms Perara, but its power is immense.
“When you truly listen to understand, rather than to respond, you automatically connect with the other person. When you listen deeply, you insightfully hear so much more than just the words that someone is saying, you start to really ‘get them.’
“If there is one thing you can do to improve your relationships with bosses, teams and colleagues, it’s to really listen and give your full attention,” says Ms Perara.
“This is especially important if you’re a leader. Employees who feel like their voice is being heard are over four times more likely to feel empowered to perform their best work.”
Listening for feedback is also an essential tool for self-development, so listen and learn how to improve, says Ms Perara.
You will be the best at what you do when you embrace a positive, growth mindset, says Ms Perara. “Have a mindset of developing, growing and learning, and you will advance in your career.”
People with a growth mindset continually stretch themselves and their capabilities, make the most of setbacks and failures and use them to achieve better outcomes, explains Ms Perara.
“Let’s face it, some of the challenges at work aren’t easy, but the right attitude and mindset can make a world of difference!”
To achieve greater career success you need to focus on building relationships at work through collaboration, says Ms Perara.
“Work is a team sport and being a team player means being able to cooperate and relate well to others.
“Managing your relationships at work is vital if you are to be successful.”
To be a team player, you need to share the workload, as this builds camaraderie and goodwill, says Ms Perara, but it’s also important to understand and build on the strengths of all team members.
“A team player is a great communicator, negotiator and person of influence,” says Perara.
It’s a fine line between building camaraderie and crossing professional boundaries, according to Ms Perara, so it’s vital to keep all work relationships strictly professional.
“Ensure you aren’t gossiping, missing important deadlines, or being late for meetings.
“Every organisation has its own cultural norms, and there can be a large variation in what is okay. So, familiarise yourself with the standards.”
Many people struggle to ask for help and internalise issues which grow into more significant problems, said Ms Perara.
“It’s much better to ask for help, whether from a team member, your boss, or someone neutral in human resources.”
Ms Kingsmill agrees: “Don’t pretend to know what you don’t. Ask insightful questions, listen to the answers and implement what you’ve learnt.
“Curiosity, resourcefulness and application are highly regarded and rewarded,” says Ms Kingsmill.
To enjoy impressive career success, you’ll need serious support, according to Ms Kingsmill.
“Keep the people who believe in you close, and consciously but respectfully disengage from those who drain your energy and confidence,” says Ms Kingsmill.
There are those people who get by on four hours’ sleep a night, says Ms Kingsmill, but most of us require more.
“Most people need a serious dose of shut-eye to perform at their best.
“Set a bedtime and commit to it, just as you would an important business meeting.”
“There will always be people out there who try to take advantage of your professional generosity.
“Get clear on your professional boundaries, write them down, and stick to them ruthlessly,” says Ms Kingsmill.
Finally, almost every industry is changing at a rapid rate, which is why career development is so important.
To be, and to continue to be, successful you’ll need to be a committed and lifelong learner.
Taking on career development and professional development opportunities in the form of online courses, training exercises or seminars, is particularly critical to those wanting to exceed career expectations and become the best at what they do.
After all, knowledge is power!
Online courses are an ideal way to gain the skills you need to achieve greater career success.
The flexibility of online courses makes them an ideal way to retrain or upskill in your own time without the pressure of deadlines.
So, if you want to supercharge your career and become the best at what you do, enrol with Australian Online Courses for superior career development.
If you’re looking for an online training provider that offers quality content, reasonable course fees and superior student support, choose Australian Online Courses for your professional development.
Visit online to discover hundreds of industry-approved, flexible, online courses covering almost every industry sector. Or contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221 or via Live Chat.
Do you long to travel the world uninhibited by the trappings of domestic life? If the 9 to 5 grind surrounded by four walls isn’t for you, you might consider a career where you can take your work with you.
These days it’s more accessible than ever to work as a digital nomad because modern technology has enabled many laptop lifestyles to flourish from almost every corner of the globe – wifi permitting!
Digital nomads use modern technologies that enable them to embrace a nomadic work-life, conducting their business from any place and anywhere in the world. A digital nomad can work in foreign countries, libraries, parks, coffee shops, or co-working spaces.
Australian digital nomad, Ellie Shedden, started her nomadic work-life business after a promotion in project management took her from Sydney to Prague.
Unfortunately, the office in Prague didn’t have flexible working hours and Ms Shedden resented being stuck at a desk for eight hours a day.
“In my position in Australia, I was responsible for project management for office construction and relocations, which involved a lot of travel and high-risk decision making.
“When I moved to Prague, I was promoted to a management role where I was stuck at a desk all day. I enjoyed the coaching aspect of the role, but I missed the travel and interaction with different teams.”
It was also a culture shock, said Ms Shedden, as in Sydney it was about being productive rather than just putting in hours.
“In Sydney, we worked hard to get work done, and then went home to relax, whereas in Prague people would sit at their desk and waste hours on end to make it look like they were working.
“This was extremely frustrating, as I have better things to do than pretend to work! I knew I wanted to stay in Europe, but I also knew I would go mad working in that environment.”
The realisation that flexibility in work hours and having control over her environment were significant led Ms Shedden to start her own business in SEO and WordPress training services.
“When I started my business, I knew that these two things were important to me, so I was able to incorporate them right from the beginning with international clients.”
Don’t be in a hurry to quit your day job, said Ms Shedden, as it’s important to take time to plan your business first.
“The more you can set up rules and procedures before you quit your day job, the more time you will have to spend on sales and marketing once the business is up and running”.
Resilience and networking are the two most essential skills you need to succeed as a digital nomad, according to Ms Shedden.
“Resilience is important as you are far from home and need to be able to overcome obstacles quickly. Networking is particularly important for digital nomads who are business owners as it helps them grow their business quickly, and it also helps stave off loneliness.”
If the following is important to you, you might be a digital nomad in the making.
If the 9-to-5 work week doesn’t suit you, it’s a sign you’re ready for a move into a virtual work world. As a digital nomad, you can set your work hours for when you’re most alert or around events, adventures or people that are important to you.
If you long to trade the four walls of an office for an ocean view, you’ll love being a digital nomad. We’ve all seen those smug shots on Instagram #myoffice with the most exquisite scenery in the background and sighed, but if these posts unleash the green-eyed monster, you need to trade your office for an overseas adventure.
If work’s boring you to tears more than 20 per cent of the time, it’s time to toss in the towel! When you become a digital nomad, you choose tasks and projects that inspire and motivate you.
Dealing with the boss from Hell? Or do you struggle with authority figures? Joking, but on a serious note, we’re not all cut-out to follow orders. This is particularly the case when you identify as a born leader. If you want to decide when, where, how and why you work, and have greater control over your life, it’s time to start your career as a digital nomad.
When was the last time you received a pay rise? When you become a digital nomad, you decide what you’re worth. It’s heartening to know that the harder you work, the more you’ll make, which isn’t often the case when you work for the boss.
So, you want to lead the globe-trotting lifestyle and make money while you’re at it? First, you need to consider if you can afford to take off and that you’re not leaving a mountain of debt in your wake – trust me, that’s not the kind of mountain you want to climb.
Start by making a list of all your financial commitments and figure out if you can eliminate or at least minimise them while you set up your business. It might be worthwhile consulting with your accountant or a financial planner to map out how you can make this dream a reality without going bankrupt.
You need to discover what your freelancing superpower is to discover what skills you need to work as a digital nomad. Do you have a way with words? Perhaps you could offer writing services as a blogger, content writer, copywriter or freelance journalist.
Or do you have a strong design background? Maybe you could offer graphic design services to international clients.
You don’t necessarily have to be the creative type, though a lot of digital businesses seem to capitalise on this skill, even an accountant can become a digital nomad through cloud-based management systems.
There are a few skills that will help you no matter your line of work. If you work online, it’s essential to have at least a basic understanding of digital and social media marketing, such as keyword research, SEO and basic WordPress. All these digital tech skills help you to promote your services online to an international market.
A great way to upskill quickly is with online courses that give you the flexibility to study online when and where you want – the digital nomad’s best friend is online courses!
Have you always wanted to go to Paris, New York, Ethiopia? There are plenty of amazing places in the world, but do they provide a good base as a work station? The jungles of Africa might be enticing but will you have access to wifi? Okay, so this is an extreme (and obvious) example, but you’d be surprised how many places have unreliable internet connections!
For your safety, make sure your country of choice isn’t on a ‘no-travel’ list and do your research into whether it’s a safe, secure and stable place to work and explore. Choose your itinerary carefully!
Goal setting and planning are instrumental to a digital nomad’s success. You don’t have a boss breathing deadlines down your neck so you’ll have to do your own motivating, and carefully setting goals (using the SMART method) will ensure you never let a client down.
Never underestimate the importance of a properly packed bag. You will need to ensure you have everything you need, both personal and professional when you embark on your overseas work adventure. This is where list-making comes in handy.
The following online courses are by no means an exhaustive list of all the skills that will be important to your digital nomad work-style, but they make a great starting point.
Certificate of Social Media and Engagement
Certificate of Freelance Writing
Certificate of Business Administration – Virtual Assistant
Certificate of Marketing Communications
If you’re looking for an online training provider that offers quality content, reasonable course fees and superior student support, choose Australian Online Courses for your professional development.
Visit online to discover hundreds of industry-approved, flexible, online courses covering almost every industry sector. Or you can contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221.
Marketing is a diverse and creative profession, and there’s never a dull moment. So, if you’re considering a new career that will ignite your imagination, this might be for you.
However, if you are serious about a career in marketing, there are many skills that you must acquire to secure your first job in this ever-evolving and exciting industry.
Marketing involves many tasks and processes that combine to build a business or brand by understanding customers, identifying needs and developing products of services to meet those needs.
Many skills lead to a successful career in marketing, but the following seven are at the top of the list. So, if you have these skills – well, done! If not, don’t despair because most of them can be taught quite simply through online courses that will bring you up to speed.
Communication skills are vital in the marketing profession. As a marketing professional, you will be required to use your exception written and verbal communication skills to convey ideas, create narratives and invoke feelings in creative ways.
Interpersonal communication is also part of the marketing skills mix that will enhance your ability to work with clients, customers and colleagues to execute marketing projects collaboratively and successfully.
The ability to use influence and negotiate is another of the essential marketing skills that employers in the marketing industry value. When you work in marketing, you will be part of large, collaborative marketing projects that involve multiple teams and many clients.
When you learn to be influential, you will naturally encourage others to think outside the box and look at the world from a different perspective, which encourages creativity.
If you learn the power of influence and negotiation skills, you will be able to generate interest in your ideas, from colleagues and clients, and have them approved to succeed in marketing efforts.
You can enrol in professional development programs and online courses to bring out your natural ability to influence and negotiate – two essential marketing skills. Take a look at The Power of Influence and The Art of Negotiation offered via a state-of-the-art e-Learning platform at Australian Online Courses.
Technology is increasingly becoming one of the most important marketing skills to master with digital marketing becoming less of a specialty and more of a must-have skill to succeed in an increasingly online market.
Of particular importance is social media marketing and digital marketing skills, which can all be taught through online marketing courses, such as the Certificate of Social Media and Engagement offered online through Australian Online Courses.
Marketing can be a high stress workplace with competing priorities and a multitude of stakeholders to satisfy, which makes stress management one of the important marketing skills to master.
You can develop better stress management techniques through online courses, such as Stress Management, to gain skills, knowledge and coping strategies to control and manage yours and your team’s stress levels in the workplace.
Another of the important marketing skills are analytical thinking and problem-solving ability.
These skills are intrinsically linked with technology and digital marketing. The ability to analyse online traffic results, conversion rates, statistics and your aptitude for numbers, graphs, and charts is a valuable marketing skill.
If you want to work in marketing, you need good business sense and develop analytical thinking and problem-solving skills because they are intrinsically connected to business goals.
Do you consider yourself a creative person? Creativity and imagination are two important marketing skills, and probably the only ones that can’t be implicitly taught.
However, you can hone those skills by taking on creative projects that bring out your creative side. There are many online courses in the creative fields that will test and develop your creative potential.
As with most professions, the ability to organise and plan will be imperative to succeed in marketing. Organisation and planning are marketing skills that will be integral to developing marketing campaigns and strategies that require you to manage your time well and prioritise work to enhance yours and your team’s productivity.
As with most marketing skills, this one can be learned. You can enrol in a short online course in time-management to gain this essential skill.
Whether you’re just starting out in your career or are transitioning from an entirely different industry if you can demonstrate a willingness to learn these important marketing skills you will project a ‘go-getter’ mentality that employers find extremely attractive.
It’s not easy to start a new career, especially when you have family and financial commitments. Online courses are an ideal way to gain the skills you need to start a new career in marketing while you’re still working in your current job or taking care of personal commitments.
The flexibility of online courses makes them an ideal way to retrain or upskill in your own time without the pressure of deadlines.
So, if you want to change the course of your career or start a new one, let Australian Online Courses guide you with a state-of-the-art e-Learning platform and superior student support to gain essential marketing skills that employers will value.
Certificate of Advertising and Marketing
Certificate of Marketing Communications
Certificate of Marketing Management
Certificate of Social Media and Engagement
If you’re looking for an online training provider that offers quality content, reasonable course fees and superior student support, choose Australian Online Courses for your professional development.
Visit online to discover hundreds of industry-approved, flexible, online courses covering almost every industry sector. Or you can contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221.
One of the most rewarding jobs in the allied health field is that of a physiotherapy assistant. As a physiotherapy assistant you will take a hands-on approach in supporting a physiotherapist to improve the quality of life of clients through mobility and exercise programs.
A physiotherapy assistant is an allied health role specialising in physical therapy. Physiotherapy assistants support physiotherapists to help patients to achieve physical health and wellbeing through carrying out daily duties.
A physiotherapy assistant works directly under the supervision and guidance of a qualified physiotherapist and contributes to the smooth operation of a physiotherapy clinic or department.
As a physiotherapy assistant there are many potential workplaces, including private physiotherapy clinics, nursing homes and hospital departments.
A physiotherapy assistant could work in the following areas:
In addition to working with physiotherapists, physiotherapy assistants will also work alongside other health care professionals such as occupational therapists, nurses, orthopaedic surgeons and prosthetists.
The experience gained as a physiotherapy assistant will affect salary.
The national average salary in Australia is AU$48,000 as reported by PayScale.
Physiotherapy assistants work in a variety of settings, but this job generally takes place indoors, though some exercise programs may be conducted outdoors.
The role of a physiotherapy assistant requires lifting, and most of the work requires the physiotherapy assistant to be on their feet and mobile to assist in moving and setting up equipment.
The job outlook for a physiotherapy assistant is good with strong future growth in Australia.
Does this sound like the right career for you? If so, consider online courses, such as the Introduction to Physiotherapy Assistance with Australian Online Courses.
Other online courses that are ideal professional development for entry into the position of physiotherapy assistant include:
It’s not easy to start a new career, especially when you have family and financial commitments. Online courses are an ideal way to gain the skills you need to start a new career while you’re still working in your current job or taking care of personal commitments.
The flexibility of online courses makes them an ideal way to retrain or upskill in your own time without the pressure of classes to attend or deadlines to meet.
So, if you want to change what you do start something new!
If you’re looking for an online training provider that offers quality content, reasonable course fees and superior student support, choose Australian Online Courses for your professional development.
Visit online to discover hundreds of industry-approved, flexible, online courses covering almost every industry sector. Or you can contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221.
You don’t need to arrest bad guys to benefit from understanding the criminal mind, according to Adam Johnson, a criminology graduate and Store Manager for a major Australian grocery chain. In fact, his criminology background is critical to security and loss prevention within the store and managing a large team.
“Criminology is essentially the study of criminals, their behaviour and what makes them tick, but at the end of the day, criminals are just people.
“The time I have spent studying people and how they behave and react to certain situations has proven to be one of the most valuable tools I have as a manager of over 200 team members,” said Mr Johnson.
The ability to understand social cues and identify a psychological trait before training or managing a team is helpful as a manager, but it’s also useful on a personal level when applying for a job or gaining a promotion, said Mr Johnson.
“Managing a multimillion-dollar business comes with its challenges, and managing its loss, from simple theft to complex fraud, is a major key performance indicator for any retail manager.
“The study of criminology allows you to think outside the box and deliver targeted loss prevention techniques for specific situations. We might use traditional CCTV and covert loss prevention techniques but imagine having the ability to design a store in a way that prevents theft using crime prevention through environmental design.
“This is a skill any business owner, manager or even a CEO would benefit from, I’m sure!”
When you study criminology, you delve into the minds of criminals, right? Well, that’s part of it, but there’s more to this interdisciplinary field than first meets the eye.
Criminology is the study of criminal behaviour, both on an individual level and in society as a whole. It includes research and investigation into the management, motives, consequences, and prevention of crime.
Criminology is an interdisciplinary field that covers the behavioural and social sciences, focusing on research by psychologists, psychiatrists, sociologists, philosophers, biologists and anthropologists.
Criminologists investigate crimes, arrests, and convictions to discover patterns or related traits in criminal behaviour. This work endeavours to discover new ways to anticipate, deter, and prevent crimes from occurring in future.
In addition to the financial rewards and the fascination factor of a career in criminology, there’s also the feel-good factor you get by contributing to the betterment of communities and society.
A career in criminology is an opportunity to make the world a better and safer place, whether directly through law enforcement or indirectly through a support or research role.
If you’re keen to explore a career in this discipline but don’t want to commit to a degree, some careers don’t require university qualifications.
Private investigators (or detectives) find and analyse facts and information, which may range from legal to financial to personal information depending on the needs of the individual or company they work for). Duties include: conducting surveillance, researching financial and criminal actions against individuals, background checks, gathering evidence and important documents, following an individual’s movements to gather information.
An insurance fraud investigator determines whether an individual or organisation has attempted to deceive for financial gain. Duties include: gather evidence, conduct interviews and analyse data to discover if fraud has occurred.
Bodyguards and security personnel protect individuals, property and often work in crowd control. Duties include: monitoring unlawful behaviour or unauthorised entry, reporting and detaining suspects to law enforcement.
Loss prevention involves ensuring that an organisation doesn’t lose merchandise or goods through theft. Duties include: monitoring customers, filling out activity or incident reports and using and maintaining security equipment.
Correctional officers work in prisons and correctional centres to undertake the custody, care, supervision, welfare and rehabilitation of prisoners. Duties include: search prisoners and cells for illegal or prohibited objects, observe and conduct behaviour management of prisoners to maintain control, discipline and security within prisons.
Police officers uphold the law, protect the public and maintain peace and order in the community. Duties include: investigating and prosecuting offences, protecting witnesses and maintaining road safety.
Border patrol officers are responsible for the security of Australia’s borders. They work at airports, seaports or along the Australian coastline. Duties include: checking passengers and crew on entry into Australia, check international mail, luggage and cargo of ships and aircraft to prevent the illegal entry into Australia and prohibited goods.
Radio dispatchers answer emergency calls from the public and communicate with and coordinate emergency service teams, such as police, fire and ambulance. Duties include: communicating with callers regarding accidents and emergencies and dispatching emergency services teams.
Okay, so this one’s not exactly related to the field of criminology, but as the story above illustrates, it does come in handy for store security, loss prevention, and staff management. Retail store managers ensure the smooth daily operation of retail businesses. Duties include: recruitment, interviewing, training, achieving KPIs, rosters, stock control, loss prevention and security, customer service, ordering, promotion and marketing.
The related fields of forensic science and forensic psychology overlap with the criminology profession.
The study of forensic science combines science and criminal justice. Learn how to reconstruct crimes and analyse physical evidence such as blood, DNA, fingerprints, and other evidence and how to use it in a court of law.
Forensic scientists provide unbiased scientific evidence in courts of law to support the prosecution or defence in criminal and civil cases. Forensic science involves finding and examining contact trace material connected to crimes.
Forensic psychologists study criminals and crime to determine what traits certain types of criminals have. This may involve interviewing criminals, their loved ones, and their victims.
If you’re considering becoming a criminologist, forensic psychologist or forensic scientist, you must undertake a university degree program. Considering the significant investment in time, not to mention the financial commitment, it’s essential to be sure it’s the right career for you.
So, why not consider short courses online, such as the Advanced Certificate of Criminology and Forensic Science or the Certificate of Criminology as an introduction to this field? That way, you’ll be able to get a taste of it before committing to a university degree.
If you study a professional development course, ensure it’s with an education provider you can trust. Australian Online Courses offers unique, personal, and professional development courses covering a multitude of industries. These courses are industry-approved and flexible in delivery. Simply visit us online or contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221.
The countless successful business events out there don’t just magically happen; they’re organised, often down to meticulous detail, by an experienced event organiser. But you don’t need to be an expert to host a successful small business event because your event can shine with a little know-how and lots of tenacity.
Of course, it can be daunting to organise and host a small business event, but with a few tricks up your sleeve, you can become a first-rate event organiser. There are many factors to consider, and although it’s a balancing act, creating a successful event can be an exciting and downright fulfilling experience.
So, next time your small business is hosting an event, eliminate the stress by following these expert tips from our friends at Finder.com to help you plan a magnificent and memorable corporate function.
As a small business owner, your company’s goals should be a top priority when planning an event. After all, you don’t want to waste your or anyone else’s time with a small business event that serves no purpose. Be sure to sit down with your team to create an agenda for the event. Having an outline and structure in place will not only allow the event to run as smoothly as possible but will also allow attendees to understand the purpose and flow of the event.
Sometimes, it’s helpful for small business events to have a memorable theme or focus that’s understood by everyone in the company. Outlining the goals for the event will ensure everyone understands the purpose and expected outcomes, whether it’s to review a new protocol or to celebrate an accomplishment.
Small businesses often work on a shoestring budget, and that’s okay. Your budget doesn’t need to be massive for the event to be a big success. However, it’s important to keep in mind that hiring a venue and securing catering for your small business event can take time. So, as long as you’re forward-thinking, finding suitable options shouldn’t be a problem. Keep in mind that being realistic about these options when it comes to financing an event will keep your expectations in check.
One good way to keep track of budgeting is by creating spreadsheets or online budget calculators, which can help keep track of expenses. Understanding your budget ahead of time and utilising various organisational tools can alleviate stress leading up to your event.
Once you have all the organisational aspects out of the way, it’s time to start spreading the word about your event. For help promoting your event, try an online platform to push your message to all relevant attendees. Facebook Event Pages and online ticketing websites are useful resources to help build an event’s attendee list.
Event pages can help with attendee RSVPing, shareability among coworkers, and event detail discussions. These platforms are beneficial and multi-purposeful for both attendees and organisers because information is organised, concise, and centralised.
After your event is a smashing success, be sure to follow up with your attendees for feedback on how they think it went. As the organiser, it’s difficult to experience every part of the event, and each attendee’s experience will be different, so gaining their opinions can help you organise future small business events.
It’s easy to become narrow-minded when evaluating an event’s success and its efficiency in reaching the goal. Make sure you request feedback and perspectives and listen to the attendees’ experience of the event. This constructive criticism is critical and will continue to help you host the best small business events in future.
Online courses are an excellent way to advance your skillset in any industry or area, and because they are often self-paced, you can study when it suits you. You can study event planning courses and event management courses by enrolling in a professional development course with Australian Online Courses. Explore our professional development courses in event management, including Introduction to Catering & Events and Certificate of Event Management
If you’re looking for an online course provider that offers quality content, reasonable online course fees and superior student support, choose Australian Online Courses for your professional development.
Visit online to discover hundreds of industry-approved, flexible online courses covering almost every industry sector. Or contact one of our friendly Course Consultants today on 1300 762 221.
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