Top of the morning to you out there!  I'm Donna J Jodhan at the business desk.
Well, two more days till the end of the month.  We have been extremely busy this past week fielding your comments and questions and I would like to thank you for all of your feedback.
Unfortunately I am unable to answer all of your questions but I always try to do my best.  So, without much more ado, let me get to work on this week's e-bag.
 
Question from Jane Creigerr:  I am thinking of becoming a child care worker and I am wondering about the possibilities for this type of career?
Answer:  Jane, if you speak a second language, hopefully for you Spanish, I truly believe that the opportunities for you have just opened up and the sky can practically be the limit for you.  Please take a look at the article below that I have referred you to.  Spanish is America's second language and more and more Hispanics are placing their kids in the capable hands of child care workers and if you can converse in both languages, then you may very well have a great edge over your competitors.
  Found in Translation!
  By James Austin(James Austin)
  Chinese, perhaps? Probably not, but Mrs. LIAYF and I do have Luke on the waiting list of, among other fine establishments, a bilingual daycare. They teach English and Spanish together and have teachers of all different cultural ...
  Luke, I Am Your Father -
http://liayf.blogspot.com/

 

Question from Tim O'Keath:  Are we becoming more aware of the needs of our aging population?
Answer:  Tim, I believe so.  Many companies and governments appear to be on board when it comes to understanding the needs of our seniors and retirees and our aging baby boomers.  You will find that as time goes on, the needs and demands of our aging population are going to play more and more of a prominent role in the market plans of both governments and companies.  The national attitude is only bound to shift towards all that surrounds our aging population.  Please give a read to my reference below.
  At this rate, 100 will be the new 10 in no time
  Indianapolis Star - United States
  As baby boomers reach retirement, our national attitude about aging is changing. And thanks to medical developments, our ability to age well has never been ...
For more detail check out:
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080716/CPUB/80715039

 

Question from Bridget Gerber:  Donna, what is your take on the benefits of taking pills to combat depression?
Answer:  Bridget, I am not going to get into a discussion on this subject because I do not feel qualified to respond.  However, I have found an article which I feel will help to answer your question.  Hope it helps.
  How to Be Happy: Exercise is the Best Way to Improve Mood
  AOL Canada - Toronto,Ontario,Canada
  However, many of the pills we take to combat depression and anxiety do not work the way commercials tell us they do. They don't balance the brain the way ...
For more detail check out:
http://lifestyle.aol.ca/article/how-to-be-happier-exercise/284664/

 

Question from Eric Sharner:  Do you think that aging baby boomers have something to contribute when it comes to passing on their knowledge and experience?
Answer:  Eric, Definitely so.  At least, I hope so.  The aging baby boomers were the kids of the 60s who wanted to change the world, and I truly believe that they will be given a second chance to do so now, as they ride off into the sunset of retirement.  I hope that my reference below backs up my statement.  Aging baby boomers have a lot to pass on to the younger generation.  Experience wise, skills wise, and knowledge wise.  We must not waste their unlimited resources.
Getting To Know ... Barbara Karro
Arlington Connection - VA,USA
It is based on a philosophy that the aging baby boomers who wanted to change the world in the 60's can now return to their idealism and make meaningful ...
For more detail check out:
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=317349&paper=60&cat=104

 

Question from Greg Gardener:  Can someone please help me to learn how to navigate Facebook?  It's a devil of a jungle for me.
Answer:  Greg, I may just have a solution for you.  Please check out my reference below.  I hope it helps.
  Facebook The Missing Manual
  By Ethan Chu
  This is very useful for the first-time user, but if you are already on the site, I would recommend skimming this section for some of the important safety tips inline with the text. The next sections of this Missing Manual is where it ...
  Network Marketing Lifestyle Blog -
http://www.networkmarketing-lifestyleblog.com

 

Question from Hannah Bajinzky:  Donna, what are your thoughts on the opinion that anxiety has taken over our lives?
Answer:  Hannah,  I do believe that anxiety has become more and more of a main stay in our lives.  The 21st century has brought us a lot of new challenges, new technology, and many new headaches and all of this is being attributed to having and causing more anxiety in our lives.  Maybe my reference below will help to shed some more light on this topic.  My personal answer to combating anxiety is to stay positive and take things as they come.  Don't try to force the pace.  Just ride with the flow as they say.
  Stay Positive!
  By Jeff
  Depression, worry and anxiety set in and become a way of life for so many. In 2002, Time magazine featured a story proclaiming that we have entered the "Age of Anxiety". Due to the uncertainties and constant stress of living in the 21st ...
  Self Help Tips Blog -
http://www.SelfHelpTipsBlog.com

 

Question from Chelsea Bernstein:  I am not sure what type of career I can hope for if I study languages at college.  Do you have any suggestions?
Answer:  Chelsea, I truly believe that anyone who decides to choose languages as a career will be very pleasantly surprised when they enter the job market.  Languages is becoming more and more important to such things as global trade and global expansion.  I believe that the sky can be the limit for anyone who wants to go into the study of foreign languages and in the coming years you may very well see that more companies will be seeking foreign language professionals.  Please give a read to my reference below.  I was very excited when I read this article.
  WHAT MAJOR IS RIGHT FOR YOU? You scored as a French/Spanish ...
  By wenz(wenz)
  But other languages could be useful to you as well, such as Chinese, Japanese, German, Italian, or many others. With a major in a foreign language you could teach, or work for a company as a translator or foreign correspondant. ...
  zaah-haev3nly-wenz -
http://wenzzz.blogspot.com/

 

Question from Jamie Martinez:  I am a new student to America and I am finding it difficult to understand the American banking system.  Any suggestions from you?
Answer:  Jamie,  I think that my reference below will give you a wonderful foundation.  Please check it out.
  Helping international students navigate US banking system
  CR80News - Tallahassee,FL,USA
  When these students come in, one of the things we also do with them is take them into a computer lab and show them how to log in, how to get their accounts ...
For more detail check out:
http://www.cr80news.com/library/2008/07/17/helping-international-students-navigate-us-banking-system/

 

Question from Heather Lavine:  Donna, do you really think that the problem of depression is as serious as they are making it out to be?
Answer:  Heather,  Very much so.  The majority of mental experts right here in America are continually warning us about the growing stranglehold that depression is weaving around our society and if you would like further evidence, then please read the reference that I have provided for you below.  It is really a very serious situation that needs all of us to come together and fight as a society.
  Coping with anxiety, depression a constant battle
  Hillsboro Argus - OregonLive.com - Hillsboro,OR,USA
  Depression is no laughing matter.It kills thousands of people each year, and more than half of all Americans will suffer from it at some point in their ...
For more detail check out:
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/argus/steve_poehler/index.ssf?/base/columnist/1216412449235780.xml&coll=6

 

Question from Marty Perry:  I just graduated and I would like to know what you think about the job prospects for me and my fellow graduates?
Answer:  Marty, with more and more baby boomers starting to retire, the experts are saying that the job prospects forgraduates should start to improve.  I am going to point you to a reference that I found below.  Hopefully, you can find some of your answers there.
  Job prospects for this year's college graduates
  The Union of Grass Valley - Grass Valley,CA,USA
  In addition, retiring baby boomers are creating new openings for recent graduates as they near retirement and leave the workforce. With a majority of baby ...
For more detail check out:
http://www.theunion.com/article/20080719/OPINION/123160015/1056/BUSINESS&parentprofile=-1

 

Question from Mark McKenzie:  Are there any hints that you can give me for a sector that may be expected to grow  for the near future?
Answer:  Mark,  Yes.  One of my favorites is the managed services and software sector.  With more and more small businesses coming online being buoyed by governments that are only too anxious to see the rapid development of the small business economy, I believe that this sector has every right to look forward to a very bright future.  This is not only happening here in America but also in several other countries as well.  In addition, there are several medium sized companies and even some large corporations that are also turning to the managed services and software sector for assistance and support.  They are out sourcing more and more to this sector.  I hope that my reference below gives you some more insight into this topic.
  Managed Services and Software as a Service expected to grow at ...
  MarketWatch - USA
  AMI-Partners has helped shape the go-to-market SMB strategies of more than 150 leading IT, Internet, telecommunications and business services companies over ...
For more detail check out:
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/smb-channel-partners-betting-managed/story.aspx?guid=%7BEF430847-638D-4CFA-95F9-9FA7BF2058F9%7D&dist=hppr

 

I am out of time for this week but I must not forget to leave you with my tip of the week.
When you next go to choose your long distance company, be sure to read the fine print.  Many of them are constantly telling you that for precious few cents a minute you can call anywhere in the world.  What they are not telling you that if you only speak for one minute, the charge is a big fat dollar or that for the first minute of a call the charge is also a big fat dollar. 
At the business desk, I am Donna J Jodhan wishing you a terrific day.