Your career or your line of work can affect how you feel, and it can affect what your future holds too. If you are currently in a position or role that is draining you, and you are looking for a positive change, then why not look at starting a new career as a school counselor. A school counselor is a rewarding career that gives you the opportunity to be the change (and make the change) in the lives of students – helping them grow and develop at a key time in their lives. These students may need extra guidance, or they may well need direction. Providing it to them will help them build their confidence and even help them succeed further down the line. So, just how can you start this new rewarding career as a school counselor, and what should you look at doing first?
Taking the First Step – Making the Commitment
Firstly, you have to make a commitment to change. To become a counselor, you will need to invest between 2 and 4 years of your time. Commitment to starting a new career and committing to change is important. If you do not have this commitment from the outset, then you will struggle to get through your studies, and you will struggle to bring substance and value to what you do (simply because you will not be committed enough). When you are making the commitment, you might find it beneficial to think about what you will get out of your role and out of your career as a counselor. This will give then give you the motivation, drive, and dedication you need to successfully make a commitment to change. If you struggle to make the commitment as early on as you can, then you will find that studying can feel tedious – and of course, this is not what you want. To get the most out of your studies, you must be committed and focused at all times.
Establish Why You Want the Role
Once you have tackled commitment, you then have to firmly establish why you want the role. Do you want to be a guiding light in the lives of young people, or do you want to help them turn their education around before it is too late? Do you want to be a role model in their lives, or are you looking to instill confidence, inspire and lead change? Why do you want the role of the school counselor, and what can you bring to the role? Do you have personal experience from your own time at school that you can draw on? It is important to define why you want the role because this will give you direction and purpose. When you are studying, you will have times of self-doubt, worry, and concern. You will find that when you are driven, and you have a purpose that these worries will be less noticeable and certainly less of a concern.
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Find Out What Drives You and Sets You Apart
Where does your drive come from, and what is going to set you apart from other candidates competing for the role. Yes, it is early to be thinking about this (especially if you are only just embarking on your studies or thinking about doing so), but the earlier you can think about the difference you have (and can offer) then, the better chance you will have at success. So, what is going to set you apart from other candidates? Will it be your commitment to learning, or will it be your previous experience (if you have some)? Is it going to be your skillset, or is it going to be your attitude and approach to growth, change, and development? As a school counselor, you have to lead and change with purpose and confidence. You will have the greatest deal of confidence if you know what you can bring to the table.
You are your best asset. To offer the best, you must be prepared to invest in yourself at all times. Investing in all areas of yourself and of your offering will help you to reap the best rewards. So, as well as focusing on your commitment and education, you also need to look at investing in building your professional network because who you know is sometimes just as important as what you know – especially when you are working in a school environment and you are liaising with educational professionals from all background. Identifying weaknesses in your skillset and then focusing on improvement is also going to be beneficial. When you have more to offer both in terms of hard skills, such as your education, and soft skills, such as empathy and listening, you will find that you will get the role and position that you deserve.
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Starting to Make Plans
Plans can help you achieve your goals and your aims. Plans do not have to be set in stone or rigid, and they can be fluid to suit where you are at and where you want to be within your career. Plans can feel tedious, but they can help you land the role you want. They can aid you in the process of studying and in securing a suitable position. They can also outline what knowledge, awareness, and experience you should be working on at all times. If you simply try and start a new career without having a plan to work towards, then you may find that you lose your sense of direction and purpose. A clear and targeted plan can steer your ideas and ambitions and help you do what is necessary to start your career as a school counselor the right way.
Setting Goals and Objectives
Managing your expectations and even managing your time is important when you are starting out in a new career. Setting short-term and long term goals and objectives will help you reach and fulfill your expectations. When you are studying or preparing for a new role, everything can end up getting to you, and it can leave you feeling overwhelmed. This is something that you do not want to have to deal with or cope with. To ensure that this does not happen, you must break down larger goals and make sure that they are more manageable. For example, setting a short-term goal of gaining voluntary experience is important because this will help you prepare for your future role as a school counselor. Any experience you can gain will help you build your confidence and identify areas where you need to improve. Longer-term objectives (such as those based over the next year or two) can help you stay on track with your career plans and career aims. Having a goal or objective to refer to can aid your motivation and leave you feeling focused even at the lowest of points.
Focusing on Your Studies and Education
Self-development and self-growth are important when you are starting out in a new career, and when you are pursuing a career in counseling, you must be prepared to improve what you do, why, and how. You will be leading by example, so it is important that you lead correctly. Your studies and your education are going to play a key role in your new career and in your career progression too. To become a certified and licensed school counselor, you will see that most states require a master’s degree. Getting a master’s is crucial to securing a role. As well as focusing on advancing your education, you must also look at enhancing your education. As a counselor, you will need to stay up to date with industry practices and expectations, and mostly this will consist of learning, training, and development. Staying committed and focused on your studies and education (at all times and at all levels) will help you get the career that you want.
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Gaining a Masters
When you are studying to be a school counselor, you will need to focus on gaining your master’s. When you are looking at which master’s to study, you have to look at what you need to learn and why – being involved and being in control of what you will be learning is important. Not all programs are created equally, and it is important that you compare the content and value on offer from each provider. Looking at a syllabus and program structure will help you decide which master’s is right for you and for your future. Also, looking at the expertise of a provider is crucial too. For example, if a provider is focused on counseling, or is it one of their specialist offerings, then you can expect more of a targeted and successful outcome, as opposed to those providers that may be offering degrees in multiple subjects, areas, or topics.
Getting Certified and Licensed
As well as completing a relevant master’s program in counseling, you will also need to focus on getting licensed and getting certified. Your program provider will be able to steer you in the right direction when it comes to state licensing and certification. However, it is worth remembering that state requirements can vary. Giving yourself a little while to get licensed and certificated is important. A process that can sometimes take days can end up taking weeks – so be prepared for this and make allowances where you can.
Improving Your Skillset
Your skillset is an important part of your toolkit both when you are studying and when you are embarking on your career too. As your skillset is crucial to your success, you should look at improving what you are offering. There will always be room for improvement and room for growth, and identifying where this needs to happen is necessary. So, are you good at communication and listening, but you need to be active and excellent? Are you brilliant at working on your own but not so cooperative when you are working in a team? Soft skills will be used in your studies, in your professional development, and in your career. So, it is important that you focus on strengthening and developing your skills as soon as you can.
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Building New Networks
Networking may be one of the last things on your mind when you are building a new career – however, it shouldn’t be. Making new contacts and building up your contacts (both professionally and personally) will help you build a network that you can turn to and rely on at all times. You do not want to feel isolated when you are studying or when you are starting out in your new career, and having the support of a network can help overcome these feelings. When you are building new networks, you may have to come out of your comfort zone. You may have to take a leap of faith and reach out to other professionals to help build your confidence and help you grow as a professional. New networks can give you inspiration, and they can give you direction and focus too. Having others you can bounce ideas off and having contacts you can relate to is important when launching and starting a new career.
Learning to Work With Other Education Professionals
As a school counselor, you will be working on your own with students, but there will be times when you will need to reach out for support and assistance from other professionals. Learning how to work with other professionals and learning how to get the best out of those situations is important. You can often bring out the best in yourself and in your attributes when you learn to work with others. If you struggle to work with others, then start by taking it one step (activity at a time). Jumping in at the deep end with teamwork can leave you feeling overwhelmed. So, focus on small group activities first while you build your confidence, and then use these experiences to progress to working in more diverse settings.
Passionate news enthusiast with a flair for words. Our Editorial Team author brings you the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and engaging stories. Stay informed with their well-researched articles.
There has been a lot of talk about the Kona Blue program, which was rumored to be a secret program intended to reverse engineer alien technology. However, it is believed that the program was abandoned when no alien technology was found. The Pentagon has steadfastly stated that there is no evidence of alien life.
However, recently declassified documents released by the Pentagon pertaining to investigations related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) do reveal that there was indeed a program, and one of its objectives was to reverse engineer alien technology. The program was ultimately shelved because no such technology was ever found.
Within the Pentagon existed the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, a department tasked with investigating UAP reports. However, the documents released by the Pentagon make it clear that there was no evidence of alien life or alien technology. However, skeptics challenge this assumption and say that the government is engaged in a cover-up. The declassified files also confirm the existence of such a program.
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What is Kona Blue?
Kona Blue was a plan by the government to reverse engineer alien technology from a recovered UFO. The stated goals of the program included reverse engineering what is designated as Advanced Aerospace Vehicles (AAVs), or what the military calls UAPs and most people refer to as “UFOs.” The declassified files also reveal that at the start of the program, a budget of $15 million was allocated, which later swelled to $50 million before the program was shelved. Besides reverse engineering the alien technology, the program aimed to determine if adversaries like China and Russia could have access to recovered AAVs.
The Kona Blue program was highly classified and had a Special Access Program (SAP) construct. The program seemed just out of a science fiction novel and was approved by Tara O’Toole, the undersecretary of science and technology and top scientist at the Department of Homeland Security, who were involved in it.
While the Department of Homeland Security maintained that there was no such program, the Defense Department said that the program was shelved because no such alien technology was ever recovered. However, there are dissenting voices like Rep. Tim Burchett and R-Tenn who believed that the DoD was restricting information as part of a cover-up.
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It is not the first time that the government has started programs to investigate UFO sightings. Project Grudge and Project Bluebook were two such projects started in the period between the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s. Many believe that the U.S. government possesses and has reverse-engineered alien technology since the 1940s and cite the 1947 Roswell event, in which it is claimed that a UFO had crash-landed in the region.
Slot gaming is one of the most popular activities in the world thanks to online casinos. These games were only available in land-based casinos until the early 21st century.
Nowadays, popular slot games such as Secrets of the Phoenix are accessible online at any time of the day. More players can access these games than ever before.
But what are some of the best tips to make sure your slot gaming is improving in this virtual world?
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In this article, you will find a detailed guide with some of the best slot gaming tips.
How to improve your slot gaming
With our detailed guide, you will both improve your slot gaming skills and have a more enjoyable gaming experience.
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Choose a good casino game provider
It is very important for you to choose a good casino game provider.
First of all, the casino provider you choose should have a safe, secure an encrypted platform.
Encrypted websites will have a valid certificate and you will see a lock next to their address in your search bar.
Then, you want to make sure that the personal information you share with the casino is safely stored.
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For example, a good provider will offer several payment options and will store your information securely via a recognised third-party company. Two of the most famous companies are Worldpay and PayPal.
The best way to improve your slot gaming without exposing yourself to scammers and hackers, is to choose a famous online casino. Virgin Games and Double Bubble Bingo can be good options.
Try out free games
With free games, you can perfect your slot gaming skills without breaking the bank. Free games, or demo games, are accessible at most online casinos.
You might need to create a free account to access these games, but the casino should not charge you for it.
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Free games are a great way to try out different slots, learn about different machine mechanisms and test out new releases.
They can also help you find a good online gaming platform. In other words, feel free to use free games to try out and compare different online casinos.
Different RTPs
RTP stands for Return to Player. It is a percentage that tells players how much they can make back on their initial deposit.
For example, if you put in $5 and the slot machine’s RTP is 99%, you could make back $4.95.
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RTPs are useful for players who are on a budget. By choosing a game with a high RTP, you can limit your financial losses.
That being said, RTPs only work after a considerable number of rounds. In other words, you might not always make 99% back if you only play once.
Nevertheless, RTPs are good indicators. Experienced slot gamers take them into account.
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Different types of jackpot
There are different types of jackpots in the slot gaming world. It is important to know what these types of jackpots are and how they work.
The two main types of jackpots are the fixed and progressive types.
The fixed type is a more stable and regular type of jackpot. It gives out smaller amounts but more regularly.
Players on a budget tend to choose games with a high RTP and a fixed jackpot. It limits their losses and increases their chances of winning a small jackpot.
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Progressive jackpots are more unstable and irregular. However, they offer a much larger reward sum.
Choosing the right jackpot for you will depend on your personal preferences, your gaming style and your budget.
Use bonus features and read the rules
Before playing a slot game, it is always worth reading the rules.
Some games will have features, wild cards, a Megaways mechanism… Your slot gaming skills will improve if you know what type of game you are playing and how it works.
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The Megaways mechanism is a new reel mechanism. Some players love it, others prefer more traditional slot reels.
With Megaways slots, the number of reels changes at each round. This can make the game extra exciting.
We recommend trying out different slot mechanisms until you find the one that brings out your best gaming skills.
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We recommend looking at a game’s pay table before playing. It will help you identify the symbols that can unlock a bonus or specific feature.
Great bonuses can multiply your winnings.
Join a slot gaming community
To continuously improve your gaming skills, you could join a slot gaming community. You will meet more advanced and experienced players with valuable advice.
They might help you learn new tricks. They might also recommend great slot games and providers for you to try out.
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Final thoughts
Players can use our list of tips and recommendations to improve and perfect their slot gaming. There are many more tips out there, but these ones are the most essential ones.
If you are a movie buff, one of the most exciting news you can get is that there are new movies coming out. Now, it depends on what kinds of movies you watch based on language, genre, etc. For some movies, you may have been looking forward to watching them for quite some time. You may also have gotten interested in a new movie after seeing the trailer or teaser.
When you get this news, there are two ways that you can go watch the new movies. You can either book a ticket and watch the movie in a theatre near you. Otherwise, you might also choose to wait until it becomes available online. This way, you don’t have to make that trip and can watch the movie from your comfortable home. There are a lot of new movies available for you to watch on OTT platforms like ZEE5 from time to time. The latest movies include:
True Story of Angelina Jolie
If you are a documentary junkie, this English drama documentary is the pick for you. The movie takes you through the career and life of Angelina Jolie, one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actresses. It gives you a closer look at her life through stories by kin and film experts.
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Woh Bhi Din The
The perfect fit for Hindi drama lovers, this movie follows the journey of Rahul Sinha. As a famous photojournalist, he gets invited to his school as a guest speaker. The romantic comedy movie takes you on a nostalgic trip down memory lane to when he first fell in love and his school days.
Lights Out
Lights Out is your ideal watch if you look for thrill in their movies. This English action thriller movie will take you to the story of Duffield. He is an ex-soldier who is dealing with the corruption levels in his city. You will see him turning into an underground fighter to try and make his city better.
Madame Web
If you have a thing for sci-fi movies, Madame Web can be your next pick on your watch list. This English movie has the perfect mix for you with action and science-fiction. You will see how Cassandra, the protagonist of the movie, has a near-death experience and ends up able to look into the future.
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Lantrani
This Hindi comedy is suitable for you if you like anthologies. This drama carries you through three independent stories from small Indian towns and villages. Through them, you get a glimpse of what people go through to survive every day.
Main Atal Hoon
This Hindi movie is tailored for those interested in biopics. It shows you the inspiring personal and professional journey of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The biography also gives you a closer look at his leadership and how he helped India emerge as a powerful country.
Scamy Boys
If you like to wind down with a good thriller, this Hindi crime drama should be next on your watchlist. It shows you the story of two college students who make money by scamming people. You will see their lives take an unexpected turn when they meet Joshi, a corrupt cop.
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One More Shot
This thriller is the exact fix of adrenaline that you might need from your next watch. You will see how Jake Harris, a Navy SEAL, works to catch a high-profile terrorist suspect. Watching how he goes against mercenaries and tries to save his country will satisfy the thrill-seeker in you.
Hanu-Man: The Best of Adventure Movies on ZEE5 OTT
The latest entrant for you to watch on the OTT stage is Hanu-Man, the first-ever Indian superhero film. You will be brought into the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe with this first instalment. In the HanuMan movie, you will see the story Hanumanthu unravelling in the village of Anjanadri, as he gets the power of Lord Hanuman and uses it to save people.
The Hanu-Man Cast and Team
The film will show you Teja Sajja in the titular role, Hanumanthu. The supporting cast that you will see in the movie are Amritha Aiyer, Samuthirakani, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, and Vinay Rai Vennela Kishore. The director is Prasanth Varma and the producer is K Niranjan Reddy. The music of the movie has been given by Anudeep Dev and Gowra Hari.
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Stream HanuMan on ZEE5 OTT now
The movie was originally made in Telugu and was released on 12th January 2024. You can also watch the movie in other languages like Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada. You will be able to watch the movie in a 3D version also in the summer of 2024.
Watch Hanu-Man on ZEE5 OTT
You can stream the release of Hanu-Man on ZEE5 OTT along with other amazing Telugu action movies, Telugu adventure movies, and other new movies.
