4 Ways to Show You Meet the Job Requirements

4 Ways to Show You Meet the Job Requirements4 Ways to Show You Meet the Job RequirementsImprove the chances of getting the job by showcasing the right credentials on your resume and during the interview.Every job has a different set of requirements, and every hiring manager has to justify the salary youre asking them to offer you. Help them by building enough evidence to make it clear youre worth the money.QuantifySum up the bottom-line effect of specific projects in which you participated, and be ready to assign a dollar figure to the role you played be able to describe that role and why the estimation makes sense.Count your chickens If youre in sales or business development or services where part of your role is to generate billable hours, compare your revenue growth to others or to your quota. Provide more detail than you think you should be ready to back them up with more evidence. Russell Watkins, principal of Executive Search Professionals,CertifyIf youre in a heavily regulated industry that requires certifications for specific job roles, dont even apply until you have the right ones. Once you have them, list them high in your resume to make it clear that you have them and get them out of the way.If certifications arent required, do some research to figure out which ones will do some good. An MBA isnt required to get into the executive suite, but having one doesnt hurt. Being a certified aromatherapist, on the other hand, wont enhance your chances of landing a global supply-chain operations jobs. Sharon Jautz, an HR consultant specializing in online and digital media. Jautz was previously a HR executive at companies such as Forbes Inc. and Playboy Enterprises Inc.Demonstrate experienceLots of companies are avoiding overqualified candidates because theyre too expensive and too great a flight risk. Make sure you either have the right number of years of experience or can make it obvious in your resume and cover letter that you prefer the level of responsibil ity in this job and wont be moving on any time soon. Russell WatkinsGet your hands dirtyThe poor economy and relentless flattening of corporate hierarchies has forced companies to do more with less often to do more with a lot less. They want to hire people that are good strategists and managers, but also good individual contributors. In your resume, talk up your leadership and strategic contributions, but dont forget to show what part of the project you accomplished personally, and show them how. Shane Cox, manager of talent acquisition at Harvard geschftsleben Publishingclose dialogAdvertisement close dialog/* effects for .bx-campaign-1012255 *//* custom css .bx-campaign-1012255 */.bx-custom.bx-campaign-1012255.bx-type-agilityzone .bx-close z-index 2-ms-keyframes bx-anim-1012255-spin from -ms-transform rotate(0deg) to -ms-transform rotate(360deg) -moz-keyframes bx-anim-1012255-spin from -moz-trans form rotate(0deg) to -moz-transform rotate(360deg) -webkit-keyframes bx-anim-1012255-spin from -webkit-transform rotate(0deg) to -webkit-transform rotate(360deg) keyframes bx-anim-1012255-spin from transform rotate(0deg) to transform rotate(360deg) bx-close-inside-1012255 top 0 right 0 /* KD - Remove padding from video wrapper and set height to 100% */.bx-custom.bx-campaign-1012255 .bx-row-video .bx-video-wrapper padding-top 0important height 100%.bx-custombx-campaign-1012255 bx-creative-1012255 .bx-wrap height auto/* KD - Change positioning to static as that was not necesaary and here you can adjust the height of the video element */.bx-custom.bx-campaign-1012255 .bx-row-video .bx-video-wrapper video position static/* rendered styles .bx-campaign-1012255 */.bxc.bx-campaign-1012255.bx-active-step-1 .bx-creative *first-child width 100%.bx c.bx-campaign-1012255.bx-active-step-1 .bx-creative background-color transparentborder-style nonemax-width 900px.bxc.bx-campaign-1012255.bx-active-step-1 .bx-close stroke whitebackground-color blackborder-style solidborder-color whiteborder-width 1px.bxc.bx-campaign-1012255 .bx-group-1012255-AFvXBOB padding 10pxdisplay blockwidth auto.bxc.bx-campaign-1012255 .bx-element-1012255-J0EiS8Y width auto.bxc.bx-campaign-1012255 .bx-element-1012255-J0EiS8Y *first-child padding 2px 4pxfont-size 10pxcolor rgb(255, 255, 255)text-transform uppercasebackground-color rgb(0, 0, 0)background-color rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.34)

How to Create Your Own Career Development Plan as an HR Professional

How to Create Your Own Career Development Plan as an HR Professional How to Create Your Own Career Development Plan as an HR Professional As an HR professional, you knowfirsthand how important career development plans are to both employee engagement and happiness. However, when you work in HR, it can be all too easy to focus on every other employees development without ever thinking of your own.Your career development as an HR pro is just as important as anyone elses. While your leaders wont necessarily be the ones to initiate your career development plan, theyd likely support your efforts if you decided to create such a plan for yourself. In the end, the onlyperson who can create your career development plan is you.So, where do you start? Oddly enough, at the end.Figure Out the End GoalDontset a goal just for the sake ofsetting it. Instead, you must set goals that truly resonate with you. Such goals are vital to career development, as they will give you the drive and passion you n eed to stay on the path for as long as it takes.That isnt to say you can never change your career path. Rather, it simply means you should have a clear direction at all times.When youre deciding on what the ultimate goal of your career development plan is, you should take into account what you will be required to do to attain your possible goals. For example, if youre aiming for a director of human resources fleck at a Fortune 500 company, you may need to earn a masters degree in business or HR. Would you be willing to go back to school to achieve your goal? If not, youll have to rethink your plan. Understanding precisely where you want to be and how you planto get there will help you create manageable mini-goals you can accomplish over time.Analyze the Path AheadOnce youve figured out your ultimate career goal, you must determine what it will take to get there. The best way to do this is to look at job descriptions.Search for job posts advertising your dream role - e.g., director of human resources, international human resources professional, executive recruiter, etc. Study these posts to determine the kinds of skills, experience, and qualifications youll need to eventually land the job.Go through thejob descriptions line by line, and assess how closely you match the skills and requirements. This exercise will give you a concrete understanding of the skills you need to developas part of your plan. Look at multiple job postings from different companies to find common themes. Try to pinpoint the 3-5 skills you absolutely must have to land your dream job.You may also want to investigate the social media profiles of professionals who already hold your goal role. Somethings to pay attention to includeLength of tenure at current companyLength of tenure in previous roles/at previous companiesCommon themes in recommendations or endorsementsMembership in groups or associationsPublished articles/other worksCreate a List of Actionable StepsNow that youve figured out wh ere youre going and what you need to do to get there, all you have to do is plot your course.What barriers stand in your way? What will help you get to your destination faster? Actionable, progressive steps will keep you moving down the path to success.Some steps in your plan might includeVolunteer to complete challenging projects and assignments in your current position. Getting involved in projects that are outside the muster scope of your position will help you grow and developnew skills.Take advantage of any and all formal training your company offers. Ask your boss what opportunities are available. Its likely your company offers something, as spend on corporate training has grown to more than $70 billion in the United States.Search out resources online and in print to help you improve your skills and your industry knowledge.Write about your experiences and share your insights in industry outlets.Offer to speak at local or national events to share your knowledge.Test for certifi cations and join associations geared toward your industry.- Defining a career path is the first step toward achieving your ultimate career goal. Your plan likely wont be perfect at first, and it may need some reviewing and adjusting along the way. However, as long as you have a plan and stick to it, you can have the successful HR career of your dreams.A version of this article originally appeared on theClearCompany blog.Sara Pollock is head of the marketing department atClearCompany.

How your credit card data gets shared with cyber criminals when you book a hotel

How your credit card data gets shared with cyber criminals when you book a hotelHow your credit card data gets shared with cyber criminals when you book a hotelIf you have a business trip coming up, you might want to employ extra caution. According to research recently conducted by Symantec Corp, two out of three hotels or 67%, mistakenly leak personal information and booking details to advertisers and analytics companies. This compromiseddata is typically comprised of email addresses, last four digits of credit card, card type, and expiration date, mobile phone number, your full name, and even passport numbers.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreUnfortunately, it happens more often than you thinkThe studys lead researcher, Candid Wueest, works for Symantecs Security Technology and Response division. In his detailed analysis, he explained that the frequency of behauptung errors of c onfidentiality is higher than many are aware of, and the consequences can end up being catastrophic if intimate details get into the hands of cybercriminals. Wueest writes, While its no secret that advertisers are tracking users browsing habits, in this case, the information shared could allow these third-party services to log into a reservation, view personal details and even cancel the booking altogether.The study examined over 1,500 hotel websites in 54 different countries, from the two-star range to the five-star range, and included chains and independent properties. Wueest surmises that our private information is commonly shared when hotels send emails to confirm bookings. These emails contain direct links to our booking information, which is then made inadvertently available to over thirty different service providers. Fifty-seven percent of the sites tested by Wueest observed a policy of sending confirmation emails with a direct link to the booking info of recent customers.The report states Since the email requires a static link, HTTP POST web requests are not really an option, meaning the booking reference code and the email are passed as arguments in the URL itself. On its own, this would not be an issue. However, many sites directly load additional content on the same website, such as advertisements.The research revealed that an alarming 176 requests are granted per booking. Additionally, in most instances, booking data remainsvisible, even in instances when customers cancel their reservations.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

5 Ways to Breathe Life into a Dead Job Search

5 Ways to Breathe Life into a Dead Job Search5 Ways to Breathe Life into a Dead Job SearchHere are five ways to breathe life into a dead job search1. Create your ideal job description.Spent so much time applying to anything and everything that youre not even sure what a good job looks like anymore? Gain some clarity and a renewed sense of excitement by trying this suggestion from Katy Imhoff, CEO and president of Camden Kelly CorporationWrite an ad for your dream job. What would the company be like? What kind of growth and learning opportunities would they offer you? What work-life balance benefits would they have? This creative exercise can help you focus on what you want, help you narrow down your search, and keep you motivated to look for a job that resembles the one youve been dreaming about2. Set your sights higher.A lack of initial success oftentimes leads job hunters to shoot lower in their job search. However, this strategy can backfire both in terms of how employers view you and how you see yourself.Getting a job is hard enough work without trying to get a job you really dont want, says Carlota Zimmerman, The Creativity Yenta. Potential employers want to experience your interest and your passion. If youre phoning it in (during your job search), that will immediately come across and be held against you. Who wants a new kollektiv member who doesnt want to be there? Challenge yourself to take your job search up a notch, or ten, and apply for your dream job.3. Get out of the house.Logging hour after hour in front of a computer can be lonely- and not always the best use of time. Many positions never make it to job boards because they are filled by word of mouth. Stepping up networking efforts increases visibility and boosts spirits.Julie Austin of Fun Job Fairs suggests volunteering because it gets you out of your own situation and makes you stand out from other job seekers as someone who gives back. Find an event like a golf tournament, auction, or party t hat will have a lot of top executives in attendance, she suggests. Make sure you get a leadership position that puts you in direct contact with these executives. Let them see your personality and your work ethic, like being a caddy at the golf tournament. Ive had clients who were able to get into doors they could never get in on their own by making friends with celebrities and executives at a charity event.4. Think like a marketer.Dont distance others by coming across as a needy job seeker. Rather, re-position yourself as a marketer tasked with promoting a valuable product- youMarketers are always trying to learn and improve, says Rick Carlile, founder of Aegora.com. Ask yourself the saatkornquestions they do. Why hasnt your marketing worked so far? What can you do to improve it? Are you targeting the right people? What are theirpain points, and how does your product solve them? Are you packagingyour product optimally? What could you do to grab their attention better?5. Be a little bolder in your approach.Lastly, consider taking on a new challenge. Youll get the creative juices flowing, and the novelty may be the perfect way to perk up spirits.David Bakke, career expert at Money Crashers, offers this unusual ideaTry posting yourself and resume on eBay as a product to be sold. You are the product, put your desired salary as the asking price, and then list it as a bid auction. Send the link to your potential employers, and they should be intrigued by your creativity.Find what re-energizes you. Enroll in a class on a topic of interest- it will give you something new to talk about and demonstrate your dedication to lifelong learning. Design your own website to showcase accomplishments. Attend your first alumni event in 15 years. The sky is the limitLooking for another way to give your dead job search some life? Register for and browse available flexible jobs in over 50 categories.Are you stuck in a dead job search and looking for a way to revitalize your motivatio n? Have you overcome a stagnant search before? Tell us your experiences below

The Unusual Mystery Into Business Analyst Resume Summary

The Unusual Mystery Into Business Analyst Resume Summary To take advantage of your career objective, you must be clear and poignant. You must be in a position to accomplish a profitable outcome for your company when locating a solution for the client which makes them happy. So if the best method to do so is to copy and paste. As a member, you are going to get business analyst job alerts sent straight to your inbox so that you can welcheste no time applying to the ones which youre fruchtwein interested in. Life, Death and Business Analyst Resume Summary You may choose to take a peek at them and utilize themA as they are editable and may be used to create fantastic resumes. You are able to also seeA Recruiting Manager Resumes While applying for work in new company theres a need of an effective resume that could speak more concerning the work performed by you. Highlight your company analysis accomplishments and ensure it is crystal clear that youre qualified for the forms of BA jobs to which youre applying. There might be a number of jobs youre qualified for that can help you on your career path. A Startling Fact about Business Analyst Resume Summary Uncovered Together with good research, you will want to have the ability to mix your own abilities with the demands of the position (which youve researched), so you could present data in a sense thats relevant and total. The objective can range according to the needs of the company. It is not always simple to do, but quantifying your professional experience will provide you with an edge over a number of other applicants. More than that, youre going to know just what to do next to expand your small business analysis opportunities. The use of the Business Analyst has grown in importance as the worldwide small business environment has gotten more unpredictable. Find out more about the industry youd like to work in. It is extremely important to emphasize the skills that are often utilized by Business Analysts no matter the business. A Business Analyst Resume should showcase an assortment of qualities that prove ones capacity to effectively oversee the operation of an organization. Business analysis can encompass a number of responsibilities that are unique to the field. Since Business Analysts are accountable for linking business objectives with its IT capabilities, it is essential to know about the types of projects, and the market, that youll be dealing with. They are responsible for assessing and managing the performance of a company. They play a significant part in the success of a company. Hearsay, Deception and Business Analyst Resume Summary Whether this Business Analyst resume example was not sufficient for you, youre absolutely free to review various other samples and templates from our website. The templates mentioned previously would be grand whenever you are looking for help in drafting the greatest possible resumes for the job of a company analyst. In additi on, there are several writing tips to assist with the expected CV standard format. Employing social media sites may also help your work search. The Fight Against Business Analyst Resume Summary Business Analysts are tasked to generate the organization run better by finding solutions to current difficulties, introduce efficient means of managing responsibilities and on the lookout for comparative benefits versus competition in the business. Based on the business, the responsibilities of business analysts can fluctuate greatly. You will need to reveal the hiring manager you can give them what they want. Hiring managers will be searching for what skills you have related to the job that you seek. New Step by Step Roadmap for Business Analyst Resume Summary Hiring managers will want to know our candidate has strong prioritization abilities and analytical ability. Since you can see over the applicant lists his understanding of both. A gruppe player who is well known for her exce llent verbal and written communication abilities. A professional on-line presence makes it possible for you to demonstrate your skills with an on-line portfolio and your expertise with industry-related posts. Its possible for you to increase your credibility by utilizing various concrete details to chat about your contributions. The goal of a summary is to ensure that the entire resume is placed within a little shell of information. Whenever you do a resume example search, you can likewise find cover letter examples too. To make sure your cover letter has no error, you will want to get it reviewed by a secondary source. Utilizing real metrics and statistics in your CV is a great way to boost your credibility along with give employers a good idea about what sort of employee you really are. Your resume objective must give the reader an extremely speedy idea of the kind of position that youre seeking. Its simple to edit and customize, and can help you make an unforgettable im pression Your resume often is going to be the very first opportunity you must leave a great impression with a possible employer. Business analysts work to create a shared comprehension of issues, outline the parameters of the undertaking, and determine prospective solutions. The target of the project was supposed to recognize the issue and propose a productive solution that would increase the functionality of the system. Last, be certain you include things like the forms of tools youre acquainted with, for both managing a project and creating reports. Interacted with the evolution and testing teams to improve overall grade of the Application. Use strong action verbs to outline precisely what you bring and the way it is possible to add to the success of the hiring company. Its fast and simple to use. For inspiration, have a look at the next Data Analyst resume sample Consider it as a chance for you to showcase the scope of your experience. Definitions of Business Analyst Resume Summary Making certain that theres enough white-space on your resume and it has a balanced look will improve its readability. If youre lacking a good deal of qualified experience then it is even more critical you compose a flawless education section. Then, talking about your secondary abilities and obligations over the principal ones is another mistake you have to be cautious of. If youve got an especially long work history that makes it challenging to fit it on a single page, two could be used instead.

Instant Solutions to How Do I Write a Resume in Step by Step Detail

Instant Solutions to How Do I Write a Resume in Step by Step Detail Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. Even when one isnt required, a well-prepared resume can help you receive a job. Ensure it is relevant If youre opting for work that needs certain abilities or experience, tailor it to that particular job. If its a former job be sure to write your bullets in past tense. There are a lot of stylistic points to consider during the writing process. Learn about the three sorts of skills its possible to highlight and the way you are able to incorporate them into your resume. Choosing which to use is dependent upon the kind of job that you are applying for and your degree of experience. Utilizing a writing service is the best approach to have a well-written essay to use as a guideline to make sure the essays you write are hitting each one of the essential points and are at the appropriate depth necessary for your academic grade. The Pain of How Do I Write a Resume Now that the difficult work is completed, you need to make certain everything is polished as possible. For some of them you will require help, while others youll be able to write all on your own. fruchtwein folks look at writing a resume as just something youve got to do to have a job. A critical requirement if youre attempting to find a new job with an employer, but in addition one of the toughest things which you will have to address if youre a felon due to your circumstance. Theres a great chance it wont include all the keywords set out in the work description. In case you have publications or work samples which are connected to your job search, think about putting together one of your own. Well it is all dependent on whether the job posting instructions specify a specific format. A great editing job will take a small longerand some particular tactics intended to catch resume errors.

Archimedes Screw Pump Redesignated as an ASME Landmark

Archimedes Screw Pump Redesignated as an ASME Landmark Archimedes Screw Pump Redesignated as an ASME Landmark Archimedes Screw Pump Redesignated as an ASME LandmarkNov. 4, 2016 The Archimedes Screw Pump in Hayward, Calif., is one of the oldest surviving examples of the wind-driven Archimedes screw pump in the United States. The wind-powered Archimedes Screw Pump of the San Francisco Bay, a nearly 200-year old invention that enabled the local production of salt in the San Francisco area, welches recently redesignated as an ASME landmark at a ceremony in Hayward, Calif.The Archimedes pump was originally designated as a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by ASME in 1984. Approximately 60 people attended the redesignation ceremony, which took place at the pumps current location roughly three-quarters of a mile from the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center in Hayward, Calif. The redesignation, supported by the ASME San Francisco Section, marked the presentation of the pumps ori ginal landmark plaque, which was refinished to restore its original patina, and celebrate the screw pumps relocation from its former site, the Cargill Salt Co. (formerly the Leslie Salt Refining Co.) in Newark, Calif. ASME Past President Terry E. Shoup, Ph.D., P.E., was one of the speakers at the redesignation ceremony on Oct. 21. Dr. Shoup served as the Societys 125th president in 2006-2007.The pump in Hayward is one of the oldest surviving examples of the wind-driven Archimedes Screw Pump in the United States. The device, which moves water from low to higher ground, was originally designed and built by Andrew Oliver in the 1870s. It was used for more than a century in the San Francisco Bay area for harvesting salt through the process of solar evaporation, where brine from one salt concentrating pond was shifted to another pond of higher salinity.The landmark ceremony was attended by several representatives from ASME, including Past President Dr. Terry E. Shoup, P.E. Robert O. Woo ds, P.E., of the ASME History and Heritage Committee and Lynden F. Davis, P.E., and Eric Worrell from the ASME San Francisco Section. Also participating in the event were Don Holmqvist, the former pond superintendent at Leslie who was responsible for restoring the Archimedes pump in 1978 Minane Jameson, president of the Hayward Area Recreation Park and District Sara Lamnin, member of the Hayward City Council and A.T. Stephens, executive director of the Hayward Area Historical Society. The refinished original landmark plaque for the Archimedes pump was unveiled during the landmark ceremony.

ASME to Convene Pipeline, Oil and Gas, and Power Generation In...

ASME to Convene Pipeline, Oil and Gas, and Power Generation In... ASME to Convene Pipeline, Oil and Gas, and Power Generation In... ASME to Present Robotics for Inspection and Maintenance Forum in HoustonMay 25, 2018 Next month, ASME will hold a special two-day forum focusing on the application of robotics and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for the inspection and maintenance for the pipeline, oil and gas, and power generation industries. The event, the Robotics for Inspection and Maintenance Forum (RfIM), will take place June 26-27 at the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) Technology Development Center in Houston.The forum is intended for engineers, non-destructive testing (NDT) managers, asset managers, inspectors, purchasing managers, and outage and turnaround planners in the oil and gas, power generation and pipeline industries who are interested in learning how leveraging robotics and UAS technologies including drones, submersives and crawlers can increase safety, l ower the cost of inspection or maintenance of industrial assets, and improve business outcomes.The RfIM program will feature a combination of panel discussions, case studies, presentations and live product demonstrations that will help attendees understand how robotics solutions can transform their business models learn about new robotics technologies optimize asset management through data analytics, data workflow, modeling, digital twin and artificial intelligence and connect with regulatory agencies, inspection certification organizations and notifying bodies. Presenters will include representatives from the American Petroleum Institute, Avitas Systems (a GE Venture), Cyberhawk Innovations, Diakont, DNV GL, Doosan Babcock, IBM Watson, JIREH Industries, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, Shell, Sonomatic, Southwest Research Institute, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.ASME members who sign up by June 8 can register for $395 a savings of $100 off the regular member registr ation price. Non-members can register through June 8 for $595 and save $100 on the regular non-member price. Seating is limited, so early registration is recommended.For more information on the Robotics for Inspection and Maintenance Forum, or to register, visit https//roboticsforinspection.asme.org.

Building a Better Helmet

Building a Better Helmet Building a Better Helmet Building a Better HelmetThe Schutt DNA Pro+ and Riddell Revolution Speed helmets are among the preferred choices in collegiate and professional football. Each is the end product of in-depth research and development at two of the fruchtwein recognizable sporting goods companies in the United States. Both the DNA Pro + and Revolution Speed are designed to exacting specifications for safety and durability, and each helmet is certified by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). They are comparatively priced.But one of the football helmets, the Speed, receives a higher rating in tests assessing the capability to protect against concussion. The differences among the helmet models could be a determining factor in purchase decisions on the part of players and team personnel, particularly in view of the increased awareness of concussions and head trauma injuries in football.The ratings are compiled at Vir ginia Tech, which for the last two years has been evaluating many of the popular helmet designs in an elaborate testing laboratory run by research experts in biomedical engineering and injury biomechanics. Based on the success of the research program, Virginia Tech is considering extending the testing program to helmets used in baseball, lacrosse, and other competitive sports.A Two-Pronged Research ProgramThe research for football helmets involves monitoring head impacts in addition to the lab tests on helmets. Since 2003, the researchers have been collecting and analyzing data from head impacts sustained in practice sessions and games by selected members of the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. We instrument each helmet with an accelerometer that monitors the head impacts experienced by a player during the course of a football season, says Steven Rowson, assistant professor in biomedical engineering at Virginia Tech.The data collected provides the basis for methods used to evalua te helmets in the lab. In the tests, a head-form instrumented with the accelerometer and equipped with the test helmet is attached to a carriage positioned at the top of a twin-wire drop tower. A mechanical quick release allows free fall of the carriage and helmet, which strikes a padded steel anvil at the base of the tower. Rowson and his team put each helmet through a variety of drops, each one distinct according to impact location (front, rear, side and top) and drop height. Linear head acceleration is measured via the accelerometer in the test helmet, and the data is collected and analyzed.We can calculate an incidence of concussion by knowing how frequently each drop configuration is experienced by players, and the probability of injury associated with the head acceleration generated from the drop, explains Rowson, who spoke on the subject at the ASME 2012 Summer Bioengineering Conference in June. These values are then summated to produce an overall prediction of the number of concussions a player will experience over a full football season while wearing a given helmet.The Virginia Tech testing methodology, named STAR (Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk), assesses the overall ability of a helmet to reduce the probability of concussion. The researchers apply a complexity of mathematical equations and computations derived from real-world biomechanical data collected from on-field head impacts. The results of the assessments are reflected in the STAR values assigned to popular models of football helmets, and made available for public consumption. Rowson and his research colleagues have carried out measurements on more than 165,000 head impacts.The purpose of our program is to provide quantitative insight into the protective performance of football helmets against concussions, says Rowson. An objective of STAR, he says, is to provide sporting goods manufacturers with a set of criteria for helmets that reduce the probability of concussion.Expanding ST AREfforts are currently underway at Virginia Tech to expand the STAR evaluation system to other sports, such as baseball. Given the unique dynamic in which a batted or thrown baseball impacts a helmet, the testing methodology in baseball will differ from the established system used in football. For example, projectile tests, rather than drop tests, would be performed in the evaluation of baseball helmets. Says Rowson While we have developed methods to test baseball impacts, we need to better understand the exposure to head impact in this sport prior to implementing an evaluation system for baseball helmets.In addition, Rowson and his colleagues have turned their attention to youth sports, particularly youth football. Researchers at Virginia Tech and Wake Forest University have begun a program to characterize the head impact exposure of youth football players, and this fall will instrument 300 participants to obtain quantifying data on exposure and tolerance levels. Youth players imp act their heads at different rates, severities, and locations compared to collegiate and professional players, and so a modified evaluation system including different weightings for drop tests will be required, says Rowson.There exists widespread concern today about the safety of contact sports, particularly in light of recent media exposure of concussions in professional football. Some of the attention has been focused on whether helmets provide the essential capability to protect against concussions and other head injuries. Opinions vary.Rowson believes football helmets, for the most part, are well-designed in conformity with the NOCSAE standard. He says the recent rash of concussions in football, particularly professional football, is likely a result of elevated awareness of the injury in media reports and other public forums.The purpose of our program is to provide quantitative insight into the protective performance of football helmets against concussions.Prof. Steven Rowson, V irginia Tech