5 Key Skills to Have to Communicate Effectively

effective communication skills

What makes for effective communication? Communication is a skill we use every day, whether it’s verbal or non-verbal, we use it. Some are good at it, others not so much, but the beauty of it is it’s a skill we can learn to improve if we set out to do so.

Effective communication is a critical aspect not only in our lives but in our professional lives. In a professional setting, the ability to communicate effectively is a necessary skill to possess and one that employers search for in employees. Working for a company or even being your boss requires you to be effective in communicating, rare is the sole act of working since we have to report or collaborate with others in a project or task.

Benefits of Effective Communication

The benefits of being able to communicate effectively at work go beyond clarification. It benefits us in all aspects of our job whether you are an employee or an employer. Communicating effectively can help us in the following ways:

  • Builds and Maintains Relationships
  • Builds a Team
  • Creates Clarity and Transparency
  • Manages Employees
  • Creates Resolutions
  • Contributes to Growth (as company and individual)
  • Promotes Innovation

These benefits can extend to the business of healthcare since we not only deal with our team and employer but with patients. As we know, patients are a crucial part of our business, and if we are to keep serving them, we need to be able to build and maintain long-lasting relationships with them. Serving our patients requires more than just serving their dental needs, we have to be able to create a relationship of trust where there are transparency and clarity. Effective communication plays into effect with the patient experience the patient looks for and wants from their healthcare provider.

We mentioned before it was a skill we need, however, what most don’t know is communication skill is a set of skills necessary to achieve effectiveness. So, what skills should we have to communicate effectively?

Effective Communication Skills Needed

We know communication can be difficult at times, but it is a skill we can improve on over time. However, it helps to know what communication skills we need to see what we can work on. There are five skills we need to have to achieve effectiveness when communicating, and they are:

  1. Listening Skills – Being an active listener is crucial to being a good communicator. As an active listener, you are taking the time to pay attention to what is being said and asking questions. The idea is to be able to comprehend to be able to respond.
  2. Non-Verbal Communication – Our body language and gestures are a tell-tale sign of what’s going on with what we say and what we hear. They usually express more than what we verbally say and can be unaware of the messages you send. Non-verbal communications can be eye contact, hand gestures, or even the tone of voice we use, we want to be careful how we use it and aware of other’s non-verbal communication.
  3. Clarity and Concise – Effective communication begins with saying less, you have to be able to articulate thoughts, ideas, and instructions with clarity and concisely. You don’t want to say too much; otherwise, you ramble. When we ramble, we lose the effect of our message and can either can two things in our listener, confusion or risk of being tuned out.
  4. Empathy and Open-Mindedness –  When we work with others or work with patients, we want to be able to show compassion. Empathy is a critical skill to have because it shows you are listening and respecting the other’s perspective and opinions. Which goes hand-in-hand with being open-minded about the conversation you enter and making it a productive one. Being open-minded means having the ability to be flexible in the conversation you’re in and to be able to listen and comprehend what is being said and what the other person’s views are.
  5. Feedback – A good communicator will be able to provide and receive feedback. The feedback that is constructive to allow for improvement and recognition where it is due. It can be in the form of emails, phone calls, or weekly status promotes motivations, clarification, and growth.

These are some of the skills we need to begin to become a good communicator. Remember a good communicator gives the opportunity to create room for improvement, motivation, and clarification. It is vital to business and building the patient experience our patients want and the one we want to offer.

How to Improve Communication Skills

If you want to improve your communication skills, you can! There are a couple of ways you can start to improve on your skills, of course, there are plenty more but here are just a few to get you started.

  • Start and end with key points – forces you to focus on the aspects which are critical to your conversation, huddle, or presentation. Not to mention it forces you to choose words and points carefully.
  • Be a listener – hear what your employees or patients have to say before responding to them. Let them know you are listening to understand before speaking out. It helps avoid interruptions, over talking and disrespecting one another.  
  • Engage and know your audience – to be effective we want to be able to engage our audience whether it’s through a question or small activity. It helps to know your audience to be able to achieve a reaction from your audience.

Communication is a critical aspect in our lives and the more practice we get with it, the better chances we have at being good communicators. It’s a skill we need when working in business especially when working in healthcare and with patients. We want to be able to create an environment where we are open to express freely and with transparency. What are some of the ways you articulate your thoughts or ideas? Tell us in the comments below.

Time Productivity: Do We Have One?

Productive time

Do you think we are more productivity certain times in the day? Time is what we want. Time to do the things we need to get done and to do the things we love, but it never seems to be enough of it. Even with some of the tricks we read about in other articles, we still struggle to find the time. And, we can’t forget the myths about being productive hindering us from productivity.

Misconceptions of What It Means to be Productive

Yes, there are misconceptions of what makes us productive which can often work for some of us or not. What are they? Chances are you’ve already heard of them. To be productivity you have to maintain or have some of these conceptions, or so they say.

  • Need to be a morning person
  • Cleaning means organization and productivity
  • Putting more hours equals productivity
  • Just started without a plan
  • Work until a task is done
  • Need to be a multitasker
  • Incentives boost productivity

These are some of the misconceptions we have of what is to make us productive in our day-to-day life. Now, some of these misconceptions may or may not apply to all of us, but here’s why they’re misconceptions.

  • The need to be a morning person does not apply to everyone. There are some people what we consider as night owls who work at night and still get as much of the work done as a morning person. Every person has a time where they are more alert and focus than others, so to suggest we all need to be a morning person does not necessarily mean we will be alert to accomplish our tasks. Besides the most successful and productive people we hear of, have a routine where they use their time wisely and efficiently. Think about Steve Jobs who wore the same clothes every day; he eliminated wasting time on trivial decisions like what to wear.     
  • The need to have a clean workspace to work or get started on a task is one that doesn’t mean we are ready to work. Have you ever seen a cluttered desk? Well, some people work and accomplish their tasks when they have clutter since they already know where things are. These are one of the misconceptions which can work for some and not for others; the point is not to waste time finding what we have misplaced. Otherwise, the purpose to be productive is defeated.
  • Putting more hours equals productivity. Not the case, we would like to think we are 100% productive within the hours we dedicate; however, we need to take breaks. Our brain uses energy when making decisions or when we are focusing on problems that need solving or critical thinking skills. As we lose energy, we need breaks to help our brain recharge and focus for when we need it again. Working nonstop is detrimental to our health as it increases our stress which comes to us in many forms. If you’re placing more hours and getting more done, is not the same as being productive.
  • Digging into our work is in no way the same as being productive because as we mentioned before getting something done is not progress towards the result. Often starting without a plan can hinder us if it is not producing the results we want which now we would have to go back and redo therefore wasting time we could have been using more efficiently. Now, for some projects or tasks, you can dive right in and alter your work as you go, but again it doesn’t always work for everyone or every task. Starting with a plan will help you be productive.
  • Not stopping until the task is done is a long time to work plus what if the tasks take longer to complete? As previously mentioned, we lose energy as we work on tasks which is why we need breaks to recharge.
  • Being a multitasker is one we hear with frequency is not as efficient as we think. To be a multitasker, we are to be able to do more than one task at the same time. Although, we would like to accomplish two tasks at the same time, the constant shifting of duties causing us to split our time and focus.
  • In a previous blog, we touch on the incentives we set to motivate us which can also be used to give us a small temporary boost of productivity. They are temporary. So what happens once you’ve gotten your reward? You are back where you started.

We can’t learn when we are productive from other’s techniques or methods because it requires us to know how we work and when we are. Once we’ve figured out when we are more productive in the day, we can maximize it to our advantage.

Circadian System

Our circadian system is the internal clocks and rhythms we have that follow a 24-hour cycle or day. Our circadian rhythms and biological clocks relate to the way our body sends signals to other parts of our body and how alert and awake we are.

Our rhythms are often related to light and dark circadian rhythms where we are fully alert in the daytime and sleeping at night. Our circadian rhythm is related to our biological clock which is a timing device in the cells of our body. They help create our rhythms. So, why do they matter?

They matter because they tell us about when we are the most alert and when we are peaking. Our rhythms are formed from internal factors, however, there are external factors affecting our rhythms usually from light-dark cycles which can reset or slow down our circadian rhythms. Our circadian patterns allow us to determine our sleeping patterns that control a lot of our body’s production. Through light and dark cycles our body then gets information telling our body to produce melatonin to get drowsy. Aside from creating rhythms, we need to know our alertness levels created by our biological clocks last only short period before they dip and pick up and begin to dip again. It is during those times, we want to acknowledge when our circadian rhythms begin and dip to be able to make the most out of our time. When we make the most our rhythms and the time it happens, we increase our chances of being more productive in the day. We all have different rhythms, it just a matter of getting to know how ours works.  

One of the ways we can know is through recording our time intervals where we find ourselves alert, focused, and essentially having energy. Finding patterns our intervals allows us to understand the times our productivity is highest and when it is the lowest. For some, it can be in the early hours of the morning where there is no interruptions, distractions, and their energy levels are high, while for others it’s in the evening or night time when they get the most done when their alertness and focus is at its peak. We all have different times where we are producing the work we want to see other than checking things off a list. So tell us, when are you most productive?

For more information on circadian cycles check this post from the National Institutes of General Medical Studies.

Happy New Year Letter

Happy New Year!

A new year is among us, and boy, are we excited for it. We are looking forward to a productive year as we meet, prepare, and help students achieve their potential in becoming dental assistants. We recognize becoming a dental assistant takes commitment, hard work, and a learning experience that applies hands-on training. At The Core Foundation, we are committed to teaching our students the skills they need to succeed as a dental assistant and build relationships with patients, and for our students to receive results from our program.

Our instructor, Emiley Baldwin, has a variety of experience as a dental assistant and instructor. She’s the best resource our students to have to learn from with her experience, knowledge, and skills. Emiley is a committed instructor who is dedicated to making sure her students understand what they learn but also the importance of it, plus she makes it a fun, learning experience that is sure to get you more excited about your dental career. Just see for yourself what you can be a part of in the next coming class session. 

new year letter  new year letter  new year letter

We look forward to assisting our new prospective students and seeing the journey our previous students have taken. If you’re interested in becoming part of The Core Foundation Family, you can enroll in our Dental Assisting Program that starts January 7.  

APPLY HERE

The Importance of Diversity in the Workplace and Learning Environment

Diversity important

Diversity is what is commonly looked for in a learning environment as it is in the workplace. We want to be in an organization where we can see progress, change, and inclusion in what they do as individuals and together. We seek to be in an environment that will grant us opportunities for growth and understanding which is given when there is diversity.

It is a common word used to describe some workplaces and to lure applicants to apply to work in their organization. So why is it essential to have? Find out how we can benefit from diversity.

Importance of Diversity

Diversity is defined as being composed of different elements, in this case, we are referring to the inclusion of different cultures in a group or organization that is important to have. Why? Recognizing and having diversity in a workplace and educational environment fosters a learning experience that allows more depth and understanding.

Diversity has something to offer you as a student and worker; you can benefit from. It provides an opportunity to broaden your learning experience and collaboration with one another and how it happens. Let us begin with an educational environment and how having diversity in learning atmosphere can be beneficial; I mean we all start as a student.

Learning Environment:

What fruitful experiences can diversity bring to our education and growth both academically and personally? Many, however, that is very dependent on how it’s acknowledged and the factors we consider into place when we think of diversity. The word alone is a broad term that expands beyond the racial and cultural differences which involve their customs, social and economic background, and gender. All factors play into working and learning better together. What can you expect to see?

  • Equality – equal chances in access to material, curriculum, and chances at succeeding. It gives educators the opportunity of seeing each of their students as individuals.
  • Safety – when educators recognize and reflect the diversity of the students, they create an atmosphere where they learn about each others difference but are comfortable with them.
  • Promotes growth and reflection – listening and learning from others different from other can help enhance our understanding and conversation.
  • Preparation – as students, we learn to collaborate and communicate with people of different cultures which serves us as preparation for a workforce that is slowly becoming more diverse than before.
  • Promotes concentration and creativity among each other.

Work Environment:

Just as it is important to have diversity in a learning environment, the same can be said for the workplace. Having cultural diversity in the workforce is beneficial to the employees and the business. It’s an effort which is slowly growing to include more diversity in places we work which help progress and move us forward as professionals and individuals. Expect to see these benefits when we include diversity in the work environment of our employees.

  • Increase Productivity – productivity increases as more diverse talents come together to produce a common goal while they learn and gain new skills and perspectives from one another.
  • Promotes Creativity – since we are most likely to learn about others experiences and gain new perspectives, we are opening ourselves to new possible solutions to problems.
  • Engagement – diversity among your teams, increases employee engagement where they can build a trust foundation among them and create a work culture.
  • Decrease Turnover – more and more employees are searching to work in an organization where there is diversity since it usually indicates progress.
  • Build a Reputation – company reputation is a critical factor to both the consumer and the employee. Diversity encourages employees to apply for your organization and promote loyalty among your consumers.

Aiming to have diversity in the workplace fosters new opportunities for both you and employees as they learn and understand each other. When we create foundations among each other, we are more likely to come together to aim for a common goal while increasing our productivity and motivation.

Why We Value Diversity In Our Program

At The Core Foundation, we value and aim to have a diverse group of students come into our programs to learn about dentistry but also for us to learn from them. Since our class sizes are small, we can create a close-knit culture of students. We have students that come from different cultural backgrounds that add to the experience of becoming a dental assistant.

How? As we learn about the anatomy of our mouth, we are also gaining skills and perspectives on how to communicate with other cultures without offending or misunderstanding each other. Each culture and customs are different, and we need to be able to pick up on the social cues to comprehend each other and communicate effectively. In our program, diversity comes in many forms, and they grant us learning experiences we can apply to our profession since we will be dealing with a variety of people.

How language Adds To The Diversity

Language is a contributing to diversity that requires the same attention and understanding as cultural diversity and other factors adding to it. Language is the way we communicate, express ourselves, and is a building block to creating relationships with others. Being able to communicate in the same language helps break down divisions and understand one another.

When you know and learn a new language, you also understand their culture, customs, and way of speaking. So, when the time comes to talk in the same language, you know how to do so. Knowing more than one language makes you a great asset where you are more likely to earn a bit more because you can communicate with more people.

At The Core Foundation and in the clinics our students fulfill their internship hours, we encourage and promote diversity among our employees and students. We found that it increases engagement among each other and learning opportunities. We gain new perspectives from our students and see how it shapes them to serve their patients better.

 

What Does Our Dental Assisting Program Have To Offer?

Dental Assisting Program offer

Selecting a dental assisting program is no picnic in the park, it’s a decision we can often ponder about and question whether it’s a fit for us. After all, we want to choose a program that will grant us with the education, knowledge, and experience we need to succeed as a dental assistant. In an age where experience is key to getting your foot in the door, we want to select a program with opportunities to apply hands-on training and experience to grow and develop into a dental assistant.

So, what makes The Core Foundation different from other programs? We are dedicated to training and developing our students to be the best dental assistant they can be. Working in a healthcare support position requires more than just knowing how to do the job, it’s about being able to go beyond the duties of your position by caring and understanding your patients to meet their dental needs and still giving them the excellent patient experience they expect and want. We’re focused on preparing our students to know their field, position, and the inner of workings of a dental office to help them succeed.  

What Does Our Dental Assisting Program Offer?

If you’re interested in knowing what our program can offer you, then let us begin by saying our program is designed to prepare, train, and develop you to be the best dental assistant while we commit to helping you receive extraordinary results from our program. Find out what we have to offer.

Onsite and Online

We’ve gone online! Our program is offered onsite and online where you have the option of choosing the best learning environment that suits your learning capacities. Not everyone learns in the same way, and we want to provide you with the best learning environment where you are likely to succeed.

Onsite: We have designated dates throughout the year for our onsite program you might want to check for enrollment. We’re currently enrolling for next year on Jan. 7, if you’re interested in applying, go to our courses. What do you need to know about our onsite program?

  • 12-week accelerated program
  • Evening classes Monday and Wednesday
  • Hands-on training
  • Internship opportunities/ resources  
  • Learning Tools/Resources:  laptop (Chromebook), scrubs, safety glasses, Cengage Learning Digital Textbook, X-Ray and CPR certification, and expanded functions.

Our goal is to have students ready to go on the first day to begin their education without delays as they get their supplies.  

Online: We’re online now! Take us anywhere from your living room to Starbucks to the library to collaboration hubs; you can now enroll online at any time!  With our online program, you have

  • 6 months to complete it (speed through or slow your pace, it’s up to you).
  • Externship Resources
  • Learning Tools/Resources: scrubs, Cengage Learning Digital Textbook, X-Ray and CPR certification, and expanded functions

   Our online program options are well suited for students who have a different learning pace than what we have going on in our onsite 12-week program and for those who excel in a learning environment where they are more independent in their studies and reaching for internship opportunities.

Our dental instructor, Emiley Baldwin, has 19 years of Expanded Function Dental Assisting experience, in addition to 3 years of teaching dental assisting. She understands the role a dental assistant plays for the patient, dentist, and overall practice. She has various experience working with dental specialties such as oral surgery, orthodontics, and pediatrics, to name a few. Emiley brings the fun in learning a new career while ensuring you understand concepts you’re learning in class. She is the best resource to have aside from the training you will receive from our in-house dental staff to better understand and acquire the knowledge and experience to succeed in our career.

Check out what students are saying about our program.

“I learned about The Core Foundation’s great program, and after receiving a program tour, I knew this was the place to start my learning. Plus it was affordable!  The Core Foundation helped to develop my understanding in the field of Dentistry from scratch.” – Michelle Collins

“I have had such a great experience at the core foundation. You can learn so much in just a short 12 weeks. I was hired as a full-time assistant before I even finished the assisting program and felt so comfortable starting in a dentist office. I’m so glad I attended the Core foundation!” – Lennox Foote

“The Core Foundation is an amazing school!! I really enjoyed learning everything I know!! The instructor Emiley is really good at teaching us what we need to know!! Aside from being such an amazing instructor, she has an amazing personality that helps you feel comfortable throughout the course!!” – Araceli Enriquez

If you want to find out more about the programs we offer at The Core Foundation, check out our programs page or feel free to send us a message via Facebook messenger.

How Can You Finance Your Dental Education With Us?

financing options

Are you ready to start your dental career but are hesitant to enroll due to cost? We get it! We’ve all been there at some point. It’s a common dilemma for most students who are interested in pursuing their education. Financing your education can be tricky especially when you are not opening yourself to the various options of funding. We know the costs of educational programs are high, but if they grant you with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and opportunity to apply your skills in the work environment, then the investment can go beyond gaining the information and skills you need to start.

If you already know where you are headed with your career and need experience, a trade school might be a great consideration as opposed to college or university. Not only will you be gaining the knowledge you need, but you’ll finish sooner and have the experience you need to enter the workforce once you’ve graduated. Trade school may be less expensive, but it’s still an expense that can have us questioning whether we should or shouldn’t. When it comes to our two CORE programs, Dental Assisting and Dental Administration, we want to provide you with a mini guide on how you can finance your education with us.

Financing Options

Before we start, we want to remind you that you want to ensure you have thoroughly researched your financing options and what you will be responsible for if you decide to go with one. So what are some financing options you can opt for when enrolling in our programs? Let us tell you.

  • Payment Plans – yes, you’re reading correctly, we offer payment plans. We’ve been assisting students in financing their education by allowing them a year to fully pay off their tuition. We do require a $500 down payment before funding the balance, which is cheaper than if you do it through a credit card.
  • Credit Card – there are many credit cards which offer no interest or a low-interest promotion that run for a couple of days, but keep in mind that you will be paying the interest rate of your card which is something to consider (do the calculations and see how much you’ll be paying). You might want to consult with your credit card company to ensure there are interest promotions or if you have questions.
  • Lending Agency – there are many to lending agencies that can make small personal loans with an interest that is determined by risk. Ensure you know all the details and terms before accepting. You always get a personal loan from a bank but again assure yourself of the terms and conditions.
  • Job – working part-time is another option you can take since our courses are offered in the evenings. It leaves room to work and earn money to pay as you begin your new career. If you choose our online course, you have more liberty in making your hours for work and your education.

*please keep in mind these are options, some which are not associated with us only the first option

We know the worries that come from financing your education. It can be a lot to take in and to consider, but if you have questions about our payment plans, we offer our students, feel free to contact us via Facebook messenger or email with Kathy Mitchell at [email protected].  For more options in financial assistance, you can go to our page here.

If you’re interested in knowing more information about our CORE programs, click on the program you want more information on.  

Dental Assisting   Dental Administration

Enroll in Our Dental Assisting Program

Dental Assisting Program

Looking to enter a new career? Have you thought about getting a career in the dental field? If you’re a compassionate person who loves to work with others and care for their needs than a career in dentistry might be for you. As a dental assistant, you’re the dental support to dentists and dental specialists, as you prep and attend to the patients’ needs before any other dental professional sees them. So what does a dental assistant do?

As a dental assistant, you are a health care support to dental professionals. You will perform many tasks that range from taking x-rays to record keeping and providing patient care from start to finish, meaning before the dentist sees and treats the patient. You can provide chair-side support in dental procedures and exams the dentist is conducting. Depending on the state and certification and licenses you have and are required, you can perform more functions.

Dental assisting has been ranked #25 for the Best Health Care Support basis on many factors which makes the position appealing to current and prospective professionals. Why is ranked number 25, here’s a list of elements that makes it possible.

  • Flexibility
  • Professional Growth & Development
  • Average Stress Levels & Rewarding

These three factors contribute to the balance and what makes it top position within the healthcare support professions. If you want to know detailed information about how these three factors, read our post about Why Dental Assisting is Top Job! to find out more.

At The Core Foundation, we offer both an onsite and online training program in Dental Assisting. For our on-site dental assisting program, you can expect

  • 12-week program
  • Both schooling and hands-on training with the instructor
  • Internship opportunity within one of our two dental clinics in Salt Lake City
  • It’s affordable, fast, and fun

If you find that onsite doesn’t work for you, not to worry, WE’VE GONE ONLINE! That’s right take us anywhere (as long as there’s an internet connection). Study at your own pace, time and in the best learning environment for you. With our online course, you will have six months to complete the program including the externship hours.

If you are interested in learning more about our programs, please contact Kathy Mitchell at [email protected] or check out our courses.

Our Courses

DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR DISCOUNT! Get a discount when you sign up for classes before Nov. 30. Check out the details below.
DISCOUNT

Brief Outlook on Dental Assisting

brief outlook on DA

Are you thinking about pursuing a career in dental assisting but are unsure of going forth with it? Don’t worry, we understand; we’ve all experienced some hesitation when selecting a career. Maybe it’s the uncertainty of what the outcome will be if we start the journey, will we be able to find a position soon? Or is it the fear of taking the first step towards a career? We can often see ourselves asking a circle of questions. Some we may know the answers to while others are left unanswered.

Unanswered questions can often leave doubt which leaves us stuck at square one. It’s common to think medical positions are the route to go into getting a position after studying since everyone needs some medical attention. However, before making such a hasty decision, you want to look at all the numbers to be able to calculate the risk. In a time where the job market is constantly shifting, you want to be able to figure the risks of pursuing that specific career.

In this case, is dental assisting a profession that will pay off? There is a lot to consider from what the position itself requires to where you plan on practicing. We’ve done a brief outlook of what you can expect as a dental assistant.  

Dental Assisting

Dental assistants are the helping hands of dentists who help prepare patients for treatment and calm their nerves. They are the first dental professionals who greet and care for the needs of their patients. Dental assistants perform various tasks depending on their licenses and certifications, but you can usually find them assisting dentists during procedures, taking oral x-ray exams, and maintaining patient records.

Did you know according to US News, “Dental Assistants rank #21 in Best Health Care Support Jobs.” They hold an average score of 6 when it comes to the job market and job growth. The prospects of the future growth of more dental assisting positions are likely, meaning you already see a higher chance of finding a position. Although, you might want to consider other factors, in the next section take a look at what the job market growth is.

Outlook as a Dental Assistant

Job Growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is the employment of dental assistants that is “projected to grow 19 percent from 2016 to 2026.” That is 3% less of the projected growth for other healthcare support positions which are to grow during the same period. The given growth is determined on the need to meet a demand for preventative dental services which are being associated with general health. As more studies come out with links to how oral health and overall health are related, there will be an increase of patients looking to have their teeth treated.

Median Wage

The annual median wage for a dental assistant in 2017 was $37,630. However, as you show know, depending on the branches you work in the salary will vary. For example, if you work in the government branch, you are looking at a median wage salary of $41,480 which is higher than the average for working at a dental clinic with a private practitioner which is $37,620 (the Bureau of Labor Statistics).

You also have to consider the hours you can work. In 2016, “nearly 1 in 3 assistants worked part-time,” that is not to say you can’t work full-time because you can. There is a diverse range of hourly wage one can earn. The median hourly wage is $18.09 while the lowest is $12.58 and top 90 percentile wage is $25.54 (Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics). These numbers can vary based on the branch of where you work whether it’s for private clinics, government, or education, it can affect how much earn in addition to your experience and location.  

If we look at the state of Utah, the annual mean wage is $30,270 which is less than its surrounding state neighbors (Occupational Employment Statistics). The state of Utah has 3.3 % of job growth which is the highest in the U.S. along with an increase of 3.7% of private sector job growth (Department of Workforce Services). What does that mean? Since March 2017 and March 2018, Utah’s economy is booming as more jobs are being added from private sectors including health services as the third sector to be adding jobs. It means there are more opportunities for individuals to find employment as the state’s economy grows.   

Education

In a time where the growth rate for dental assistants is increasing and where more health services are adding jobs to the economy of Utah, jumping into a dental career can have you questioning whether by the time you graduate you will be able to find a position. Dental assisting doesn’t require years of schooling, on average it can range from a couple of months to 2 years, depending on whether you are pursuing certification or a degree.

Most programs now offer more than just classroom teaching but a hands-on experience for you to be able to apply the concepts, protocols, and methods used while assisting. Although there are some states which don’t require students to complete an academic program, you can get ahead of the competition by becoming certified to start working as a dental assistant.

At The Core Foundation, we offer a dental assisting program both onsite and offline. For our onsite dental assisting program it’s an accelerated program of 12-weeks where you will gain the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to work in a dental office. We’re committed to preparing our students to work confidently and maximize their understanding through hands-on training and dental office experience to land the job. For our online program, you will be given six months to complete the program on your own time and pace. You don’t want to miss out on our exclusive discount for our program, find out more about our discount click here.

To enroll in our Dental Assisting Program, click here for more information and to know what they are saying.

We know there can be hesitation when choosing a profession that requires us to go back to school. However, in a job market where the is constant shifts we have to do our research to know the risks of what we can expect in the coming years. Please note, our post is a brief outlook for a more thorough look, you’ll need to research it further.

 

10 Habits to Give Up to be Successful

habits to give up

Habits, whether they are good or bad, we all have them. Sometimes we can find ourselves letting go of old habits to make way for new ones. So what do habits have to do with success? A lot of how we do things depends on our habits. Sometimes our habits can hinder our productivity and approaches to completing and achieving our tasks and success.

If we want to succeed and become the person we want, it’s often about reflecting on what you can do to improve rather than adding more to your list things to do. There are certain habits we can give up to help us achieve our success which hinders our productivity, approach, and growth at a personal and professional level. What are some habits we can give up? Below we have listed ten habits you can give up to begin achieving your goals in small steps.

#1 Multitasking

Multitasking is a skill we often admire and consider a necessary ability. However, it’s a skill we shouldn’t be too proud of since it hinders our productivity and focus. Multitasking decreases our productivity as we spend more time switching from one task to another. We tend to limit ourselves when multitasking because we are not dedicating time to focus on a specific task entirely.

#2 Being a Perfectionist

Perfection is something we can strive for but never reach since nothing is perfect. In our efforts to strive for perfection, we can often leave things unfinished, dissatisfied, and with stress. Being a perfectionist leaves us worrying about the smaller details which can detract from the bigger picture, not to mention the ability to see how the more minor details come together to tie everything. We focus on controlling factors we can’t always control and shouldn’t control 100% of the time. We can’t fear to fail; otherwise, we reduce our ability to proceed forward.  

#3 Aiming for Productivity All Day

Imagine what we could get done if we are productive all day? A whole lot, that’s for sure. However, you can’t be productive and focused all day. We all have times throughout the day where we are the most productive which depend on the individual. Some people are more productive in the morning while some are in the afternoon and others are considered night owls, and we need to find what times throughout the day work best for you to focus your time and energy will help you accomplish more.  

#4 Fixed Mindset

Although talents and intelligence are factors in being successful, it isn’t the only thing we should focus our mind on. Aside from having those traits, you need to put the hard work to move forward and to achieve your goals. Hard work can come in various forms from acquiring new skills, knowledge and changing your perception.  

#5 Finding a Reason to Start

A common trap we fall into thinking there is a perfect time to pursue a goal ours. That’s not always the case, and we can’t sit around waiting for that moment. Sometimes we have to take the gamble and begin pursuing our goal. You, of course, want to analyze the risks but you want to make the first step towards that direction. Otherwise, you remain stagnant.

#6 Being Negative and Stressing Out

Stress is something that’s consistent in our life, the level of stress we have can differ, but we need to learn how to cope with it in the best possible form. Since stress can affect us both physically and mentally, we want to find ways where we can deal and ease some of the tension and negative feelings that come from the stress we are experiencing. When we let the pressure get to us, we can find it hard to be productive and motivated.

#7 Not Asking for Feedback, Advice, or Questions

Being closed off to any form of feedback, advice or just asking questions can keep you from acquiring new perceptions and how to improve your craft. We understand that it’s not easy to ask, but if we decide to remain silent limits our abilities to grow and reach potential.

#8 Having a Short-term Mindset

Although we need to think about short-term goals, it shouldn’t be the mindset we strive for in attempting to pursue our goals. On the contrary, we need to distinguish the difference between long and short terms. If you are continually achieving small goals what is the long-term goal you are hoping to meet. There should be a big picture along with the smaller figures.

#9 Surrounding Yourself with Negative People

Negative people can have an effect on you that is destructive to your growth and mindset. How? When you decide to surround yourself with negative people, they become toxic since they can begin to focus on the wrong side of the situation. Having others pinpoint the bad outcomes, we can start to lose sight of what we are trying to achieve and become wrapped in their negativity which keeps us limited, unmotivated, and stagnant.

#10 Putting Your Health to the Side

Your health is something that shouldn’t be played with nor disregarded. It is easy to push our well-being aside for others or to complete a task, but it’s not worth it. The effects of bad health habits take a while to show up which can often lead to a problem. When it comes to your health, you want to focus on having a quality sleep which allows you have a full rest, healthy diet with all the nutrients your body needs to function at its full potential, and physical activity to keep your muscles, and joints functioning not mention a healthy heart.

If you are wanting to succeed in your career or pursue a lifelong goal, start by reflecting on the habits you have to see how you can improve or give up to achieve your start to your success. There is always room to grow and develop, we have to be open to the possibility of obtaining it.    

Should You Pursue A Second Career?

second career

Have you ever thought about getting another career? The idea of having two jobs might be lingering in your mind, I mean we see and read about successful people who are prospering in two careers. So, why can’t we, am I right? Two professions doesn’t only mean more income, but it opens new possibilities for you to grow as a person, develop and improve new skills, and for personal fulfillment.

When we think of the possibility of getting a new career, we can often find ourselves asking whether we should make that leap and how we can pursue such a change. One thing we need to acknowledge is that getting another career may require us to do more than just making the decision. There are more factors to consider in choosing another career and how to pursue it. Before proceeding into the steps, you should take to get a second job, learn why it wouldn’t be a bad idea.  

Why should you get another career?

That is the question. We can’t deny the increase in income will be one visible changes. However, it shouldn’t the deciding and motive for us getting another career. I mentioned before a career can open new possibilities both professionally and personally and develop and hone your skills. With an ever-changing and competitive job marketing, having two professions wouldn’t be a bad idea especially now when part-time positions are more common than full-time.

Not only would you be creating a stable financial ground with two careers, but you can also build overlapping foundations that benefit both positions by letting you apply concepts from one industry to the next or enabling you better understand your job. For example, let us say a financial analyst decides to get another career as a business advisor, both of these careers have overlapping foundations. The foundation of the two professions can be used to further career goals and help understand how both positions work individually and together regarding the financial and marketing aspect of a business. Besides creating a foundation, you can network among other industry circles.

Networking as you know is a significant part of your profession, not only can you meet and discuss with other professionals in your area of expertise, but you can broaden your network to different industries. Building long-lasting relationships with others outside your networking circle enable you to share ideas, thoughts, discussion on industry topics or help you find solutions to some of the challenges you face in your career. You won’t be limiting yourself to one area of specific knowledge or ideas; on the contrary, you’ll have more opportunities to broaden your understanding which leads to you developing more skills.

A second career often means learning a new set of skills, some which we already have but need to hone or develop to become good at our profession. Having two careers doesn’t mean slacking on one, it means you have to be good at both. Successful people don’t have two jobs to have the pleasure of saying they have two professions. They have them because it’s what they want to be doing and because they are good at it. The same concept applies when we take the step of acquiring a new profession. Two positions in different industries can help us assess the skills we need to clean up on and which ones we need to make us do our job effectively and better. Whether it is hard or soft skills, there is always room for improvement, and when you have two careers, you have to set time to improve on your craft.

How can you pursue a second career?

It would be great to decide on a new profession and then begin, however, in most cases it’s not always as easy as that. Just like your first career, you have to start from the bottom and work your way up. Before you do that, you want to do your research.

   Research:

   We mentioned earlier on that we live in a time where the job market is shifting. The constant shifts and competitiveness of the market can make it difficult to decide where we should proceed. Research is essential in this case. Discover what your interests are, what you would like to do, and what is the current and future job market for the profession you want to pursue. Figure out if it is a career that will continue to grow or decline.

   Training & Education:

   Depending on the profession you choose, will you be required to take courses or go back to school? You have to consider what steps you need to make to get your foot through the door whether it’s through getting a new degree, taking a couple of courses, volunteering, or interning. Now, we are given more opportunities when going back to school which allows you to keep our current profession. If your second career requires some schooling or training, you can now do it online or through night classes. Again, you want to research the small steps you need to get your second career.

   Networking:

   Go on LinkedIn and contact an influencer or respected professional in the area of expertise you wish to enter. Introduce yourself and see if they can answer some questions for you about the position that the internet can’t provide you with. Often getting an inside look at what it is like to work from the job can grant you with the best research and understanding of whether the position is for you. Besides a professional within the field has current challenges they face in their industry and the job market. Always be willing to reach out and ask for some assistance.

Getting another profession in a time where shifts in the job market are occurring is an excellent way of ensuring you have a plan A or plan B. Of course, you want to be good at both professions, not just one, remember the idea of having two careers is to keep both current and active not passive. But before you make your decision, do your research.  If you could have another profession, what steps would you take to achieve your goal?

 

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Posted by The Core Foundation on Thursday, October 11, 2018