The science of becoming good citizens
Anjana Gamage
Rosa Kamaladasa, teaching science with morals.
Picture by Saman Sri Wedage |
Geetha Rathnamalee Rosa Kamaladasa who holds a special B.Sc Degree in
Zoology has written a series of children's books to develop scientific
thinking while improving their morals.
Kamaladasa, an old Visakian entered the Colombo University to
graduate in Zoology. After graduation she served in the same University
as an Assistant lecturer in Zoology for two years before she joined her
husband in the United States.
Scientific strategy
Speaking of her eagerness to write a series of children's books she
says. "After my return from the States, I joined an International School
as a general science teacher. Subsequently I was made the Head of the
Biology Department of that school, an appointment which led me to give
up my eight years teaching profession. There, I realised that most of
our young students grow up without moral values.
As a new technique, I used my scientific knowledge to promote
scientific thinking while improving their adherence to moral values. I
thought that our children should familiarize themselves with modern
technology and at the same time should inculcate good moral values in
them.
Theory of balancing
The two aspects should go hand in hand. Advancement in one and the
absence of the other will lead to frustration. That is not a condition
conducive to a good society. This conviction stimulated me to write
children's books with both the essences.
Every question has an answer
Three books titled "Punchi Vidyaggnainta Adarsha Lama Katha"
(Exemplary Children's stories for little scientists) launched recently
include several interesting children stories for primary and secondary
sections.
At the end of each story, the author poses a questionnaire to the
reader to double check his or her knowledge gained by reading the story.
The correct answers are also presented. Kamaladasa has written another
book on "Smoke and Alcoholism" and will be launched shortly.
I have a dream
Being a Diploma Holder in Psychology I want to be a student
councillor one day, she said.
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Are you a job loser?
Entering the work force unaware of potential career killers can keep
you from even getting a foothold on the bottom rung. What is important,
therefore, is to recognise these self-made stumbling blocks and begin
side-stepping them before they start sinking you.
Inappropriate office appearance
Aside from coming in late, wearing clothing too tight or baggy enough
to cover two co-workers is corporately counter-productive.
Employers are most likely to notice your executive potential if you
have an executive look: Stylish yet conservative. This doest not mean
dowdy gray flannel, but does mean no T-shirts emblazoned with political
slogans, photos of rock stars or personal statements of affection.
Avoid wearing more than an earring per ear or any single piece of
jewellery that is larger than your watch. There is a time and place for
outrageous clothing, and 9.30 to 5.30 and your office are not them. It
is true that appearances can be deceptive, but if your hair is
maniacally moussed, highlighted in various colours, unconventionally
shaved, unkempt or unclean; and your make-up looks as though it's been
applied with a towel, most employers are going to take you at face
value! Extremes raise eyebrows, not salaries.
Corporations depend on personnel to reflect their images and if your
image is not theirs, you are not likely to show up in the big picture.
Unbecoming executive behaviour
In the work place, actions speak louder than words. Having
well-manicured nails, for instance is a definite plus, but manicuring
them at your desk can polish you off and keep you filed, indefinitely.
Chewing gum can also decay career advancement. Aside from being
un-business-like, it gives an impression of nervousness or indifference
- both of which tend to leave gum chewers stuck in low level jobs.
The habitual phoning of baby-sitters, boyfriends or kids during work
hours is uncalled for behaviour that puts employers off and your
corporate ambitions on hold.
Gossip, juicy as it may be, is non-nutritive to success. Attempting
to move up by putting someone down is one of the quickest ways to remain
stationary. If you are part of a team, loyalty (sincere or insincere) is
expected and respected. Not playing by the rules can send you
out-of-office-bounds and leave you on the unemployment sidelines.
Assertiveness deficiency
Prefacing your ideas with 'I could be wrong, but ....' or 'This might
not be the best way to handle it, but.... are negative approaches that
can be deadly to your career. If you do not have confidence in your
proposals, why should anyone else be expected to?
Similarly, deflecting deserved compliments and not taking credit when
it is due are as foolish as not accepting your pay cheque. By repeatedly
demurring that anyone can do what you do, you will make sure that the
company will find someone else who will.
Procrastination
Employers take a dim view of employees who shelve work to suit
themselves. Patience is not a virtue bosses are known for. When they ask
for something NOW they do not mean tomorrow. It does not matter that you
are certain a day's delay will not make any difference. If an employer
says it will, it will. Rationality is an optional executive prerogative
- so, until you are in a position to exercise it, do not bother.
Poor communication
Telling an employer that, "There was like a phone call, you know?
While you were like out, you know, to lunch?" is saying goodbye to any
sort of supervisory position you are thinking of. Sloppy, unprofessional
or quirky oral and writing skills are major barriers to advancement.
Leadership requires being able to communicate effectively. Using
unnecessary qualifiers (such as 'like', you know', 'I mean') when
presenting ideas, diminishes their credibility as well as yours.
Lack of organisation
A business is an organisation and organisation is essential for
succeeding in business. Misplacing letters, attempting to locate files
telepathically, confusing names of persons and affiliations (which can
cause client as well as profit loss), frequently having to search for
the notes you made at the last meeting are pretty clear stop signs for
success.
Poor timing and bad business etiquette
Poor timing is bad business etiquette. It can kill careers fast,
which is why you should always think twice about:
Asking for a raise, vacation or assistant when your boss is busy,
hung over, upset or threatening to fire you.
Becoming overly familiar with a co-worker at meetings, in the
presence of clients, on the public address system or when his wife is
around.
Coming to the office carrying personal problems, communicable
disease, odorous brown-bagged lunches or addictive substances.
Correcting an employer's grammar smugly, incorrectly, in public and
during your job interview. |