Deconstructing the Deepwater Horizon Blowout

Deconstructing the Deepwater Horizon Blowout Deconstructing the Deepwater Horizon Blowout The April 20, 2010, explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform that took 11 lives and spread a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has focused attention on the safety of offshore oil and gas well drilling. Just what caused the massive blowout? What steps do drillers take to prevent blowouts? Why didnt those work and what should be done differently in the future?As of yet, we still dont have all the answers. What we do know, though, is that oil wells will continue to be drilled under ocean depths of 3,000 feet, putting equipment under high pressureof more than 2,300 pounds per square inch. This is what makes getting natural gas and crude oil out of the briny depths so difficult. From the moment a drill bit penetrates the reservoir, a race is on to ensure that blowouta surge of oil and gas up the well borewont occur.The Drilling ProcessTo maintain appropriate pressure and keep vernde rbars from seeping into the surrounding rock, a wandelbar made of barium sulfate-enhanced mud is added to the well bore. Once desired depths are reached, a casing wider in diameter than the drill pipe is lowered into the well. Next, a cement slurry, containing additives to keep it from hardening on its way down, is pumped into the annulus, the space between the casing and the rock, displacing the muddy drilling fluid.Once the annulus is filled, the cement is allowed to harden, and the slurry is replaced with fluids containing dissolved calcium chloride salts with densities up to 11.6 pounds per gallon or bromide salts with densities of 11.5 to 19.2 pounds per gallon.That cement creates a watertight seal between the oil- and gas-bearing rock and the well bore. To ensure that seal is tight, two, sometimes three, pressure tests are performed at two-hour intervals, and cement slurry is injected at high pressure to fill any leaks in the cement sheath that are detected. For the final step , drillers position a cement plug that operating personnel will drill through to let the oil and gas flow into the wellbore once production begins.Its blowout preventer failed to function.It appears that no major problems occurred during the Macondo wells drilling conducted by Transocean, Ltd., the worlds largest offshore drilling contractor. And two of the tests performed on the cement seal by Halliburton Services, the largest cementing services company, indicated it welches tight. A third test, however, provided anomalous results, which Lamar McKay, president of BP America, later called worrisome during testimony to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. In the saatkorn hearings, Steven Newman, president of rig owner Transocean, said the tests indicated something happening in the wellbore that shouldnt be happening.Nevertheless, Tim Probert, president of global business lines and chief health, safety, and environmental control officer for Halliburton, testified that after rev iewing the test results, BP, the final arbiter of all Macondo operations, decided to proceed, putting the 10-year-old, 450-ton Macondo blowout preventers to the ultimate test.The Blowout PreventerSince its invention in the 1920s, the blowout preventer has significantly improved oil-field safety, earning the Cameron blowout preventer used at Macondo ASME Mechanical Engineering Landmark status in 2003. In normal drilling operations, the drill pipe passes through a cylindrical channel that runs through the blowout preventer and into the wellbore. In the event of an explosion, the blowout preventers rams, each of which has an upper and lower shear blade, cut through the channel, crush the pipe, then form a seal to block fluid flow.In the Macondo blowout, just before Halliburton placed the final concrete plug, high pressure forced the oil and gas into and up the wellbore. The blowout preventer valves and the shear rams designed to cut through and seal the drill pipe failed, allowing the oil and gas to surge up to the rig floor and trigger the fatal explosion. The subsequent escape of hydrocarbons created the massive oil spill that hit the Louisiana coast in mid-May.The Macondo blowout preventer had been deemed by maintenance records to be in good operating condition, so its failure is mysterious. Investigators focused their attention on whether modifications made over the years could have contributed to why its valves did not close. Leakage of hydraulic fluid from the valves might have been a contributing factor.The blowout preventers shear rams, the final line of defense, may also have come up short. To allow for the high water pressures of great ocean depths, the drill pipe used was much thicker than the standard variety. It may be that the shear rams werent strong enough to make that crucial cut.Until forensic tests of the blowout preventer, now underway at a NASA facility in New Orleans, are complete its impossible to know its role in the failure. It is safe to say, however, that probably no one single cause triggered the blowout.More likely it was multiple failures in critical systems that set in motion the fatal chain of events that plunged the Gulf Coast into disaster.Adapted from Avoiding the Blowout, by John K. Borchardt, for Mechanical Engineering, August 2010.From the moment a drill bit penetrates the reservoir, a race is on to ensure that blowout- a surge of oil and gas up the well bore- wont occur.

Coach Pettifog

Coach PettifogCoach PettifogApress conferencewithBill Belichick (the Wachtellof coaches)resembles the deposition of ahighly cunning hostile witness Reporter With Tom, are you saying that his shoulder is just the normal bumps and bruises from a physical game and there is nothing more than that?BB Im saying that we made the decision to play other quarterbacks in the second half of the Washington game because we wanted to see them play. That will be the same situation going forward into the Giants game. Tom had a desire to play, but we made a football decision to play other players because I think we need to see them at that position, and make an evaluation there. Thats what Im saying.A football decision. But of course. With such an innate knack for parsing and obfuscation, one* cant help but think that had Belichick chosen law as a career, he could have made David Boies look like Lionel Hutz. (h/t Reiss Pieces) -posted by brian *Ok I cant helpBill Belichick in a Flashdance sweatshirt ( thank you, Onion, thank you)

What working moms are thinking this Mothers Day

What working moms are thinking this Mothers DayWhat working moms are thinking this Mothers DayWorking moms share what its like to be a working mother in Ladders latest survey. Mothers day is here, and I wanted to talk to you guys about something I call Mom guilt. Im not talking about the guilt trips ur Moms all treated us to when we didnt clean our room as a kid, or now when we dont call as often as they would like. Im talking about the massive guilt every working Mom feels every day. Guilt that we are not spending enough time with our kids, coupled with guilt that our work may be suffering from not having our undivided attention 24 hours a day.Ladders recently released a survey to more than 250 women who are, or soon will be, working mothers. The results had me nodding furiously while answering a work email, changing my daughters diaper and submitting my sales forecast all at the same time (yes, moms multi-task). Balancing a career and a family is a huge struggle for 87% of responde nts, with 55% admitting that excelling at both is overwhelming.In addition, when it comes to balance, 13% struggled at first, but now its under control, 16% always put family first and work has suffered for it, and 3% always put work first and family has suffered for it. I can only assume that the other 13% that said they Successfully manage both aspects actually slipped on baby drool and tripped into the computer, selecting the wrong line by mistake.Either way, the survey results are enlightening, and while I still feel that pang of guilt when missing little milestones in my daughters life or needing to run out of work early once in a while, at the very least this survey assures me that I am not alone.Download a PDF version of the survey today. And dont forget to call your Mom

Customize this Outstanding Entry Level Television and Radio Resume Template

Customize this Outstanding Entry Level Television and Radio Resume TemplateCustomize this Outstanding Entry Level Television and Radio Resume TemplateThe sky is the limit when you begin a career in television and radio. Many start at local stations and go on to become international on-air stars. Help your career take off with an excellent entry-level resume.This type of career doesnt require a formal education, although any type of media studies will certainly play in your favor, so list it on your resume. If you dont have this, dont worry. Instead, demonstrate an eagerness to work in the industry and your skills that apply. Any type of previous work should be listed, such as restaurant or retail jobs, to show that you are a good employee and can bring various talents to your preferred role in radio or television.This entry-level television and radio resume template is an ideal starting point for laying out your career go-getting capabilities. Create ResumeBrock Johnson100 Main Stree t, Cityplace, CA, 91019 C (555) 322-7337 example-emailexample.comSummaryI have only had one job throughout my life. I worked at TGI Fridays as a hostess. Maintaining this amazing career for two years assisted on the strengthening of my interpersonal communication skills. I have always been interested in this field of work, and throughout high school and middle school I took media classes as well as theatre. I would enjoy the opportunity to expand my knowledge and understanding of radio and production.HighlightsI am a creative and strategic person. I find the humor is most things and have always been driven to accomplish anything I set my mind to. It takes a great deal for me to become stressed because I can adapt to situations easily. I am responsible, and see the best out of situations.I enjoy speaking in front of others. I enjoy to learn new things. With that being said, I do have my Forest Gump moments, but can push through them and make it a learning experience.Accomplishments When I worked at TGI Fridays I was the head of the other hostess. What a difficult job to qualify for right? As far as school goes, I was in a PALS program where we mentored younger, troubled, children. I learned how to place myself in others shoes and put my own life aside for a bit. At church, I went on mission trips and shared with others the messages of The Bible. For example, we went to New Orleans and I helped paint the walls for schools and mentored the young children there.Experience06/2011 to 07/2013Hostess TGI Fridays Round Rock, TXEducation2017High School Diploma Mass Communications Texas State University San Marcos, TX, United StatesCustomize ResumeMore Entertainment and Media ResumesTelevision and Radio Resume TemplatesExperienced Television and Radio Resume Templates

Rumors, Deception and Functional Resume Definition

Rumors, Deception and Functional Resume Definition What Does Functional Resume Definition Mean? It is also helpful for men and women that are new to the workforce, have limited work experience, or that have a gap in their employment. Theywork best for somebody who has plenty of experience, since they work as a highlight reel of your previous accomplishments. Experience is provided in a fashion that will show knowledge in the area of customer assistance, without giving a complete work history. Functional Resume Definition Secrets That No One Else Knows About A chronological resume is among the 3 main resume formats. When you ambitiously begin searching for resume templates on the net, you might hit rejections. For this reason, you should be quite attentive once writing a resume and has to choose carefully what resume format to utilize as a way to succeed. Deciding upon the perfect format There are many acceptable formats for a resume. Utilizing exactly the same keywords w ill help you earn clear that you have what the provider is searching for when you produce your resume. Resumes could be discarded at this step whenever they dont have enough of the essential keywords, so be sure you include them. Instead, youve got to customize your resume for each every job which you fill out an application for. The very first step is to review the work description carefully so that you are able to be certain the location is a superb match for you, and know which qualities and expertise to emphasize on your resume. Review the work description and review your resume. Research the needs of a job. What Functional Resume Definition Is - and What it Is leid Career objectives are most useful for people targeting one specific position, since they enable the applicant to directly cover the requirements of the business and show how they are going to fit in the workforce. This experience may be used to make an application for a sales management position. Your Job Search Goals We will understand your work search goals ahead of the building of your resume. Networking ought to be part of every work seekers strategy. Resumes may be used for a number of reasons but most often theyre utilised to secure new employment. Where to Get Help Consult first with a seasoned career specialist to determine if infographic resumes would be good for you. They are generally great for PR, marketing, and graphic design jobs but generally elend for industries such as banking or law. Learn a fundamental format write is easy and proven to help you produce a successful resume template. Task aspirants will need to watch out for a resume template instead of a courses vitae template. Career aspirants must consider a resume template in place of a courses vitae template. It is possible to add Willing to relocate whether the position requires moving to some other city. A combination resume sample gives examples of what things to put in each individual section that the candidate can use as a guide to make sure they make the many of the practical combination resume format. For problems that you have solved and achieved specific result also needs to be included. Beach results are beach by a mix of aspects to supply you with a set of alternatives in response to your search criteria. When you have written a work description look for techniques to create your explanation more concise. Theres no need to bring a subheading. A well-written combination resume can be a potent tool for promoting a professional image and receiving a work interview. Its the very best for those who have a lengthy work history to show. Comparable to the professional resume style, this may be beneficial for executives or applicants that are experts in their fields. If youre just starting your career, or in case youre changing career fields, you may consider a different resume type. Rather than having a work history section near the top of your resume, you could hav e an expert experience or accomplishments section that lists various skills which youve developed over recent years. The majority of the document is going to be based on your abilities and your employment history, so lets start from that point. The builders youll find there provide a selection of features for every single sort of resume. Even if you opt to use a combination resume template, it doesnt imply that you must stick to a rigid structure. You can select the layout that is most suitable for your personality whilst keeping a professional appearance. For instance, you can select a text-based layout with a professional look that will enable you to highlight your work experience. Top Choices of Functional Resume Definition Ask yourself which you wish to highlight. Functional resumes do not include a reverse chronological listing of previous positions.

What You Need to Know About Resume Writing Sections Besides Technical Skills

What You Need to Know About Resume Writing Sections Besides Technical Skills It is possible to also move sections around depending on the way you need to prioritize your information. After selecting your theme, youre all set to compose the skills section. The experience section will constitute the body of your resume. Your education section can either come following your experience section, or you are able to add it before in the event youve recently graduated. Where to Find Resume Writing Sections Besides Technical Skills Others can be gotten through experience learning at work. Additionally, you can comprise skills which were used at a certain job position in a specific period and dont neglect to mention your scholarship on resume. Resume writing services offer you various packages and some also provide mora mentoring or other job search and interviewing information that someone may benefit from to raise your professionalism and dependability. In addition to describing y our professional background and degree of expertise, your resume is the ideal location to highlight your abilities. Youve got to tailor your skill sets to match the job demands of the position youre applying for. For more specific technical jobs based on a specific skill, it is a lot simpler to demonstrate. Some people believe listing outdated skills makes them look seasoned, but nonetheless, it typically makes the work seeker appear they dont understand the job and theyre not relevant. Also, you must make certain that you list because many skills from the work description as possible. What Is So Fascinating About Resume Writing Sections Besides Technical Skills? There are three kinds of resumes, each with its own benefits and pitfalls. Functional resumes are excellent for highlighting transferable skills which will be applicable to your new field of work. Infographic resumes are just a supplement. Graphic-based resumes permit you to lay out complex data in a simplistic way. There is an extensive array of unique forms of technical skills. The skills section of your resume shows employers youve got the abilities necessary to be successful in the part. A Key Skills section, on the flip side, is listed at the very top of a resume. Purpose The skill section needs to be optimized to assist a computerized scanning system recognize job skills for your preferred industry. The One Thing to Do for Resume Writing Sections Besides Technical Skills 1 other approach to describe hard skills is they are quantifiable or measurable. For those who havent, think about working to develop your soft skills at work. The majority of people will have between five and 10 primary skills listed. In most instances, your soft skills can boost your hard skills.

Proofread Your Resume for Typos and Misspellings

Proofread Your Resume for Typos and MisspellingsProofread Your Resume for Typos and MisspellingsSometimes we read and revise our own resumes so often that it becomes hard to find errors.A few steps you should take before sending out your resume1. Use a spell-check program to find misspelled words.Dont rely exclusively on spell-check to find all errors though.A word may be spelled correctly- it just may not be the word you want to be using.2. Proofread your resume slowly, line by line.Take a break and then proofread it again.3. Read your resume from end to beginning.By reading the resume backwards, youre less likely to skim the materials and more likely to pay attention to EACH word, making sure they are all spelled properly.4. Have someone else proofread your resume.Ask them to look specifically for typos and misspellings.The bottom line is that competition for jobs is at an all-time high. Dont let overlooked typos and spelling mistakes undermine your ability to get interviews and to secure a job. Take the time to make your resume an error-free showcase of your experience, skills, and competence.Check out this resource to have a professional proofread your resume, make sure its in tip-top shape, and give you a resume revamp if needed

10+ Ways to Mentally Detach from Work on Holidays

10+ Ways to Mentally Detach from Work on Holidays 10+ Ways to Mentally Detach from Work on Holidays As a professional, while at work you know to leave personal issues at the door.However, the reverse should be true, as well. While on vacation, you need to give yourself and your family your full attention too.To do this properly, you need to unplug and detach yourself from work, but this is easier said than doneUse this guide as a checklist to effectively disconnect from work and give you and your travel mates the attention you all deserve.1Configure a Perfect Out-of-Office ReplyAn out-of-office emaillele auto-response is the first tool most employees use to alert others of an ongoing leave of absence.However, it might leid do much to allay any anxiety over whats coming in, as well as how youll be able to cope with the deluge of emails awaiting you upon your return.So, its up to you to craft one that helps you out more effectively and efficiently.First, add an associates contact infor mation (after clearing it with them, of course) to take some of the workload off of your hands. This will also ensure that any urgent priorities get the attention needed. Also, kindly request that they re-email you when you get back to the office. You could also think about auto-forwarding emails, especially from specific email addresses. Finally, consider starting the OOO reply a day early or adding an extra day onto it at the endthis will give you some free time to take care of thingsOh, and dont forget to apply an O response to your personal email accounts, as well2Make Sure They All Know Youre OffA great out-of-office reply is, well, great, but thats more for clients and those in your company that might email you. For your colleagues that dont email you, how would they know?Make sure you set your days off on your companys calendar, especially. Also, set a position on any chat or other applications you use, such as Slack or Skype.3Silence Work NotificationsFor most of us, our per sonal phones double as another portal into our work life. To give yourself a real holiday from the office, turn off all your work notifications. Keep a note with a list of the accounts youve muted, and set yourself a calendar reminder for the day after you return to re-enable all the notifications youve silenced.Lauren, of Health Labs, goes even further. I remove all work apps from my phone. We use Slack as the messaging system for employees within our company to communicate with each other. Previously, I would mark my status as away and put my notifications to snooze, but I would still find myself checking it. In an effort to combat that, Ive begun removing the app from my phone completely. While Im on vacation, I know I wont go through the trouble of downloading the app, figuring out my two-step verification and re-logging in.4Pack Personal Devices OnlyIf you were given a work phone or other device, leave it at home (unless you are obligated to keep it on you). Strategically give a few key people at work your personal cell number to reach you only in the case of the most dire of emergencies. Oblige them to stick to this rule by mentioning that you may be out of network, or the international roaming fees will be exorbitantly preposterous.5Go on the OffensiveIn addition to setting that great out-of-office reply, consider being proactive. The day before you leave the office, send out an email message to your most-contacted clients and coworkers to inform them of your upcoming plans. You can add the same info that you would in your out-of-office response. This will help cut down on the total number of emails you return tonow thats a vacationLaura Handrick, an HR Analyst for FitSmallBusiness, emphasizes the importance of this technique. Two weeks prior to my extended time off, I work with my team to determine who will be the go-to person for each of my areas of responsibility long before Im out of the office. Then I put that information in an auto-reply email res ponse so that its crystal clear who the emailer (or caller) can talk to or forward their question to for whatever the issue.Dont forget to set a vacation voicemail and chat message, as well, if they apply.6Win the MorningTo successfully win the day, you have to first win the morning. Thats the advice from Colorados top retirement planner, Matthew Jackson.I have found that I must completely disrupt and replace my work routine with a routine specific to vacationing. During my focused free thinking I set the intention of what Id like to accomplish that day. I visualize it vividly. What I focus on depends on the type of day I want to have relaxing, adventure travel, laying in a hammock, getting sun, meeting new people, exploring new places, followed by the visualization of the perfect evening all the way to bedtimefeeling happy, refreshed, and relaxed.7Unplug From More Than the OfficeSometimes, to properly get yourself into vacation mode, you may have to go further than just stopping di rectly work-related items. If youre in finance, avoid your routine berichterstattung briefing on the stock market, for example. Another thing to avoid might be your Google Feed, or any machine learning-based news feed these get to understand your interests and topics over time, and they could often include items thatll get you thinking about work.Jeff Walsh of Nomo-FOMO (a true expert for this article) adds, Delete authentication if possible on your phone so even if you want to plug back in, you dont have the temptation.8Set Up a Plan for Your ReturnA great way to conquer any anxiety about all that awaits you upon your return is to have a plan in place of how youll tackle your first day back. On a more detailed level, you can plan out how youll knock out specific tasks in segments.For example, for handling my inbox after I get back from a holiday, I immediately delete all newsletters that have come in this usually lowers my unread emails by half or more. Then, I start from the most recent, because sometimes a problem will have fixed itself (like email B saying, Oh, never mind, I figured out email A).Another thing to plan for is to have a coworker designated who can spend 5 to 10 minutes briefing you on whats happened when you get back. If you feel guilty that you are enjoying the sun while that colleague gets double the work, bring them back a nice souvenir and tell them youll do the same when its their turn.9Commit (And Stick to It)At the end of the day, youre the one responsibleyou can give yourself the restful vacation you deserve, or you can be your own worst enemy.Set boundaries, and stick to them.10Consider an Emergency Email AddressSeb Dean, founder of Imaginaire Digital, gives this advice Set-up an urgent email address sometimes youre going to have to be contactable as the head of the business. I generally set up an urgent email address which I can access on my phone which is only for the crucial emailsi.e. a disaster strikes. I tell my team not to ema il anything else to this address.When youve got your urgent email setup, temporarily remove your normal email address from your phone so that you cant check it and give somebody in your team access to check it. Unfortunately, if you leave it active, youll find yourself checking your emails even if theyre not important. By having a team member checking your main email account, theyll be able to forward anything truly urgent to your urgent address.11Pick a Different DestinationSometimes the problem isnt you, but rather its the destination. Ketan Kapoor, CEO cofounder of Mettl, says this Your vacay destination must allow your brain to acclimatize and adapt all over again to external conditions such as culture, environment, weather and dietary preferences. Going to the local cafe and sipping your routine cup of coffee isnt going to help at all. Instead, you must choose a location that is completely different from the places that you generally visit that will instigate your mind to rewi re completely around new factors, thereby allowing you to unplug in a true sense.Anthony from the Travel Tart adds, When cell phone towers were proposed to be installed on Lord Howe Island, the community overwhelmingly opposed it. So the entire island doesnt have cell phone coverage. When I went there, it was so refreshing to not be able to receive mobile phone calls, and I didnt miss it at all The only way I could be contacted was by old fashioned landline at the hotel. Everyone should try it sometime12Have Someone Hold You AccountableIf you are taking a trip with someone, like a group of friends or your significant other, have them shoulder some of your burden.If you know you cant do this on your own, and you are traveling with someone, have them hold you accountable to your commitment of not doing any work while on vacation. Do something that will make you think before you reach for the phone and check work emails, something like pay your travel partner every time you do any work , says Theresa Nguyen, RN MSN.So, what do you think?To effectively detach yourself while on holiday, you need to do so physically, mentally, emotionally, and digitally.I hope these tips will allow you to unplug from the office on your next trip

7 Reasons You Might Be Feeling Stuck at Your Job

7 Reasons You Might Be Feeling Stuck at Your Job7 Reasons You Might Be Feeling Stuck at Your JobAt some point in your career, youre likely to feel like youre in a rut. Maybe you took a job for the money thinking that its temporary, and five years later, youre still there. Or youve signed on for a sttte you were told was one thing and suddenly you realize youre wearing 20 hats- and hardly any of them are the ones you thought youd be wearing. Though you may feel stuck when these career roadblocks crop up, there are concrete ways to circumvent them. Here are seven common career mistakes that can trip you up and how, with some proactive work, you can overcome them and tackle your current job (and future jobs) with renewed perspective and purpose.1. Taking a Job for the Money- Then Feeling Like You Cant LeaveA lucrative job can sometimes be like a siren song It pulls you in because the money is too attractive to resist, but then you find yourself in a role that makes you unhappy. For inst ance, you took a role as a consultant because the pay is high, but now you dont have any work-life balance because your career is all-encompassing. At certain ages and certain stages, your career is number one. But as youre building your career, youll start looking toward your overall life goals How does the job or career that Ive selected fit into all the other things that I want in life? explains Bonnie Diamond, career management consultant at global career management agency Right Management. What to do if you land in a high-paying job that is affecting your overall quality of life? Diamond recommends creating an exit plan, a budget, and a timeline. You may say, Ill work really hard at this job for the next two years and sock away money so that I can look for a career change that will give me more satisfaction on the personal side.And while you remain in that job, keep an open mind. Observe other people that you work with and see what type of projects they are on and if any of tho se might be a better fit for you, adds Victoria Crispo, managing partner and career coach at Morganville, NJ-based Career Services USA. There may actually be an opportunity at the same organization that fits you better.2. Taking a Job Without a Full Understanding of the RoleSearching for a job is a lot like dating, says Diamond We look for someone who has certain characteristics, but in the end were looking for the fit, the ability to work together, get along together, and have a lot of the same values and life goals, she explains. So, what happens when that great job you take isnt the sterling suitor you expected? If you feel that youre seeing your job responsibilities change, schedule some time with your direct supervisor, suggests Crispo. Be prepared to present your case in a way to explain this is what you understood you were hired for, and these are your skills and how you feel you really fit this type of role.To try to avoid getting into the scenario in the first place, dont f orget that youre an equal player in the equation when youre seeking a job. Do your due diligence, talk to people whove worked at the company, and thoroughly research the organization and the culture on sites like Glassdoor. If you see common themes throughout the reviews, take them into account, explains Crispo. But also once you get to the einstellungsgesprch process, really use that as your opportunity to interview your interviewer and the company as much as theyre interviewing you.3. Getting Too Comfortable in a PositionThe challenge in staying in the same job for years is that when its time to look for a new role, the perception can be that your career has stalled. Career management is managing your career the same as you manage every other piece of your life, advises Diamond. We need to be forever learning and improving our skill set, being current, being flexible, being up on technology, being aware of whats going on in the industry. A big piece is knowing how to market yourse lf Have you played many roles within that job? Have you been with the company through times of change? Be clear about your own personal branding statement- what you bring to the table that no one else does.And never underestimate the value of joining professional organizations. You may be interested in event planning but youve never worked in the field. So, join the conference committee of a professional association, advises Crispo. And a hobby or interest can open up unexpected career opportunities. Maybe you start a book club, and if that book club is joined by people who are doing a variety of different things in different industries, it will open up your network, she explains.4. Working in a Specialized Role in a Shrinking FieldThere are benefits and drawbacks to having a specialized role. In an online search, if somebody has very specific skills, that can make them very hirable, explains Diamond. The flip side is when that niche is in a field thats not as significant as it once was. If youre in retail today, you need to be looking at e-tail because its not going away. If youre in technology and your product isnt on a mobile app, beware. Youve got to really be watching and in this world of fast-changing technology, were only as good as the skills that we have.Still, regardless of how specialized your skills are, they can be transferable to another industry. Crispo recommends taking inventory of your strengths and enlisting friends and family members to help you. Sometimes the outside perspective is really helpful, she says. Especially if youve been in the same career and doing the same thing for a long time, you may not really even be aware of what youre excelling at.5. Allowing Your Skills to Get Out of DateIts never too late to update your skills. In fact, if you feel youre not growing in your position, take a proactive approach to rectifying that. Talk to your employer and ask about opportunities for further training and professional development- and be prepared to explain how it benefits the company. Be able to say, If I was able to learn X, Y, Z, I could do things like this, says Crispo. Give a good argument for why its important for you to gain this skill in your current job. In the end, keeping your skills fresh is an investment in yourself just as you might have invested in yourself or your parents invested in you and sent you for a college education, explains Diamond.6. Staying in a Role Too Long Out of FearInertia in a career can happen because of the fear of making a move. They say that usually you make a change when the pain of where you are is greater than the pain of the unknown, says Crispo. Its a common issue that a lot of people deal with- that feeling of being stuck. If this sounds like you, its a good time to start brainstorming with a friend or family member or a trusted colleague about ways to make a change. Take it in steps because it took you a long time to get you to that point of feeling stuck. It may take a few steps to get out of it as well, Crispo adds.7. Getting Out of Touch With Your Values and DriversManaging your career is looking at a long-range picture of your professional accomplishments and your life, says Diamond. The trick is that sometimes we lose sight of the things that are really important to us because we go on autopilot in a job. We do an exercise with our candidates called values and drivers that allows you to take a look at whats important to you- what are your deal-breakers, what are the things you must have and what are the things you must avoid. You really need to be true to yourself. If, for instance, you really aspire to work for a nonprofit but are firmly ensconced in the corporate world, figure out an action plan to make that transition. It may not happen overnight- or even in a year- but you can plot a course now so that it becomes an eventual reality.More From DailyWorthWhat Your Boss Wont Tell You (But You Should Know)The Worst Money Mistakes You Can Make at Any Age10 Easy-to-Fix Cover Letter MistakesPhoto of paper clips courtesy of Shutterstock.