Top 5 jobs that pay a lot more than you think - TheJobNetwork

Top 5 jobs that pay a lot mora than you think - TheJobNetworkWeve all had one of those moments where you look at someone and think, That guy makes how much for that job? Crazy. There are actually a lot of jobs out there that pay more than you might expect, based on the level of experience necessary to do the job or simply stereotypes about what we think certain roles are worth. Lets look at some of the fruchtwein unexpected-salaried jobs out there. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Dental HygienistDental hygienists are often the unsung heroes of the dental worldafter all, theyre usually the ones who have to listen to all the excuses about why you didnt floss, or who hear the fibs about how much you did floss (Be honest). But because its often a supporting role and doesnt require a four-year degree to get started, you might be surprised at the salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygienists make a median annual s alary of $74,070. (And given what they do to keep our teeth healthy and sparkling, they deserve every penny)What they do Dental hygienists clean teeth, perform dental exams, provide preventative dental care, assist dentists with procedures, and educate patients about follow-up care and dental health.What youll need An associates degree in dental hygiene, which typically takes 2-3 years to complete. Some states also require additional licensing for dental hygienists, so be sure to check on your own states requirements.Elevator Repairer/MechanicThere are some repair jobs on which you can cut corners, and no one really elendices. Elevator repair is not one of them. Its a high-stakes mechanical job, so although its a career that can usually be started with a high school diploma and an apprenticeship or on-the-job training, its one that commands a high salary because it requires a high level of skill and attention to detail. In fact, elevator repairers make only a few thousand dollars pe r year less than the mechanical engineers who design the elevators themselves. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, elevator repairers make a median annual salary of $79,480and demand is expected to grow faster than average over the next 10 years.What they do Elevator repairers or mechanics are responsible for installing and repairing elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other people movers, as well as ensuring safety.What youll need A high school diploma or equivalent, plus an apprenticeship. Youll also need strong mechanical savvy, and the ability to work in cramped quarters.Flight AttendantWith perks like free travel, you might think that working as a flight attendant might be one of those jobs where the perks make up for a not-super-high salary. But if youre interested in the jet-setting life and want a solid median salary, you should consider becoming a flight attendant. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, flight attendants make a median annual salary of $50,500, with demand expected to grow faster than average over the next 10 years. Flight attendants who work for private or charter companies can also make more than that.What they do Flight attendants manage airline passenger needs, safety, and comfort from (literally) Point A to Point B. In an emergency, theyre also first responders, assisting customers with any kind of crisis that happens in flight.What youll need A high school diploma or equivalent, with significant on-the-job training provided by the airline. A good flight attendant also has stellar customer service skills (and the patience/good bedside manner to go with it).Technical WriterIt may not be the Great American Novel, but you see the work of technical writers everywhere the instructions you get with your new assemble-it-yourself furniture, those tutorial PDFs on a companys website, journal articles taking complex scientific or technical subjects and translating them for a wider audience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, technical writers make a median annual salary of $70,930 (or $34.10 per hour), with demand expected to grow faster than average over the next 10 years. Its also a versatile field, with technical writing positions open in a variety of industries (tech, healthcare, manufacturing, etc.).What they do Technical writers prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, or other supporting documentation to help guide customers or readers through a technical process. They translate complicated tasks for information for a particular audience. Technical writers may work full-time, or freelance.What youll need A bachelors degree, helped by expertise in a technical subject like computer science, engineering, or web design.Theatrical Makeup ArtistGot a flair for the dramatic, but dont have any interest in being onstage? Be the star backstage, and consider becoming a makeup artist. Makeup artists who specialize in theater, media, movie, TV, or other performance often ma ke significantly more than their cosmetologist peers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, theatrical/performance makeup artists make a median annual salary of $69,310, with the 90th percentile making $127,030.What they do Theatrical makeup artists create makeup looks to suit a particular production or performance design.What youll need A high school diploma or equivalent, plus training in cosmetology. A background in theater or drama is also helpful, as is artistic creativity.If youre looking for a job that carries a strong paycheck but falls outside the stereotypical high-paid spectrum, any of these jobs would be a great start.

Im a Coast Guard Spouse And Heres What I Wish People Knew About My Career Challenges

Im a Coast Guard Spouse And Heres What I Wish People Knew About My Career Challenges Veterans and those who love them make no shortage of sacrifices on behalf of this country. But one sacrifice thats perhaps notlagelage as readily acknowledged is the obstacles both veterans and military spouses can face when building out their careers in the civilian realm. This Veterans Day, Fairygodboss and Getting Hired asked folks in the veteran and military family community to share the ways this identity has aided and at times impeded them professionally, as well as their No. 1 pieces of advice to fellow military community jobseekers.Do you believe veterans and their families should have the right to build civilian careers free of obstacles and biases? Show your support and Pledge4VetFamilies here.--Who Stacy BilodeauWhat Social Media Coordinator Fisher House FoundationWhereMurray, Kentucky (works remotely)--How long have you been in your current role, and what were you doing previously?Almost two months now Before coming onto Fisher House Foundation team I welches volunteering, A LOT. I was running (and am still running) the Joint Spouses Conference of Hawaiis social media pages and providing graphic design work to fellow military spouses and military-affiliated organizations.As a military spouse, what are some of the more unique challenges youve had to face when it comes to finding and maintaining employment? Are there any obstacles people might not expect?I dont think a lot of people realize how many times a Coast Guard family might move. My husband has been in the Coast Guard for seven years now. We have lived in five different beautiful states Virginia, New York, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and Kentucky. This has brought with it very unique challenges for myself trying to find employment. But I made the best of it and picked up graphic design jobs when I could, sometimes doing design work for free. We also have two young kiddos, and up until this year I have needed to find affordable licensed child care providers. In some of the states we have lived in it has been a challenge, with such long waitlists.How about misconceptions are there any false beliefs or stereotypes about what it means to be a military spouse that youve encountered, especially as it relates to you professionally?People think military spouses are lazy and choose not to work, and that we knew what we were getting ourselves into when we married our service member. behauptung are SO FALSE We want to work, and we want to contribute to our family. But sometimes that is not in the cards. My husband has a crazy in-and-out schedule, being gone for days or weeks and other times for months and months. I needed to be that rock, providing that consistency to our children. I wanted to work, I wanted my own career, but at the time my family needed me and my own career had to be put on hold. That deck of cards was hard for me to hold for a while, adjusting to the stay-at-home parent role. I was s o ashamed to say I am just a stay-at-home mom.What has your company done to help with any of ansicht challenges, and in what ways have you felt supported?They took a chance on me They hired me, a military spouse, who has had to put her professional career on hold for seven years. If more business would follow in Fisher House Foundations footsteps and take that chance on a military spouse, I think they would be so glad they did.Whats the one career move youve made that youre most proud of?I have only been working with FHF for about two months, but I was really proud of myself when some of my design work was sent up and everyone liked it that made me feel so goodWhat about outside of work how do you most enjoy spending your time?Watching my kiddos play sports. They are now six and seven and I just love watching them play the sports my husband and I grew up playing. I love running and baking.Whats your 1 piece of advice for other military spouses who are looking for jobs right now?Ha ve patience and dont get discouraged Your lifes deck of cards that youre holding might be so full right now, and the career card might not be what youre holding. And that is OK This took me a very long time to realize. Having patience, watching your babies, taking care of a loved one, volunteering, or just holding the military spouse card might be all that you are able to do right now. Your lifes deck of cards is going to look different than another military spouses. But know that there is a whole group of amazing military spouses cheering you on, and that theyre there for you with whatever life throws at you. Youre not alone, and dont think you have to do this military spouse life alone.I very much believe in volunteering. Take your talents and your passions and volunteer. You will be so glad you did, and this will keep your resume up as well as fill your heart.

A History of Resume Writing Law Job Refuted

A History of Resume Writing Law Job Refuted The New Fuss About Resume Writing Law Job Do not feel as though you have to incorporate every small detail or an entire collection of your prior work history. Perfect if youre trying to find a job using your cell phone. There is an assortment of sites that offer a list of jobs from which you are able to select the one which is suitable for your profile. There are sure tips that may help your search simpler and effective. If youve had many jobs, all which are relevant, the employer is very likely to presume that you were unhappy or unsuccessful at your previous jobs. You are able to get government jobs and private jobs. In addition, you can look for police officer jobs on Monster. The Debate Over Resume Writing Law Job Youre not writing an essay. Studying career-specific resume samples is among the very best ways to understand how to format and focus your abilities and abilities. If your writing sample was accepted for publica tion be certain to indicate that. It should be the best legal writing you have done. Resume Writing Law Job - the Conspiracy It is essential that you show the possible employer your skills, training, experience and education and the way in which they match what the recruiter requirements. It is very important to review the requirements in the Job Ad. Because your work title may mean unique responsibilities and skills to various employers, you ought to use descriptions to get rid of doubt and clarify your position. Your goal in constructing your resume is to make an effective marketing and advertising tool. There are a few things that dont belong on a resume for work. First of all you have to decide about the sort of job youre actually searching for. When writing a resume, clearly define your objective, with an extremely clear profile for the type of job which you want to get. Everyone can say he or she excelled at her or his final job. Want to Know More About Resume Wri ting Law Job? Concentrate on these sections to understand whether you meet the requirements for the position. Unique varieties of jobs need various varieties of resumes. Federal jobs often need you to have experience in a special type of work for some period of time. If youre unsure, check with the work postingit will hint at what a law office is searching for, and you may choose an achievement on the grounds of that. Law Enforcers are dedicated to serve and safeguard the public. Law school resumes arent the exact saatkorn as a resume that you would utilize to submit an application for work. If youre practicing law for a number of years have many accomplishments below your belt, you dont need to be limited to a single page resume. The Lost Secret of Resume Writing Law Job Along with helping your resume get selected, it is also going to help the hiring manager see how your abilities and experiences make you a perfect candidate for the particular job. By way of example, co ncentrate on the advantage of having done what you did in your work in place of just describing. Its quite important to show relevant experience to the job that youre applying. Do not be concerned if you dont have any legal experience yet.

The Role, Challenges, and Definition of a Line Manager

The Role, Challenges, and Definition of a Line ManagerThe Role, Challenges, and Definition of a Line ManagerA line manager is a person who directly manages other employees and operations of a business while reporting to a higher ranking manager. The line manager term is often used interchangeably with direct manager. Responsibilities The line (or direct) manager plays an important role in the operation of many businesses. The individual is responsible for managing employees and resources in pursuit of achieving specific functional or organizational goals. Some of the responsibilities of the typical line manager include Recruiting and hiring talent to fill gruppe positionsProviding training and sttze to new hiresCross-training employees to ensure job rotation and minimize assignment coverage gapsProviding coaching and performance feedback to all team membersCommunicating and ensuring understanding of functional or departmental goalsMonitoring individual and team metricsand perform ance versus targetsIdentifying the need for corrective actionsEnsuring quality standards for all processesEvaluating overall teamand individual performance and delivering the performance reviews Engaging with other line managers across the organizationProviding reports on productivity and other performance indicators to management Importance Based on the responsibility listing above, it is clear that the line manager plays an important part in theoverall organizational performance. A good manager is actively involved with his/her team members, providing support, offering encouragement, and delivering positive and constructive feedback on a daily basis. Line managers directly influence employee satisfaction and engagement and, as a result, organizational productivity and even customer satisfaction. While senior management is involved in developing and approving a firms strategy, the hard work of implementing the strategy takes place at lower levels of the organization. Line manag ers are critical cogs in ensuring that new programs are implemented in a timely and effective manner. They are well positioned to identify problems with the strategy execution programs and the input of the line manager is essential for organizational learning. Talent development is a key priority for any organization, and line managers wield large control over the identification, development, and promotion of talented professionals on their teams. Often, the next generation of line managers emerges from these teams. Challenges There are a variety of stress points and challenges for a typical line manager. These include Significant responsibility for overall operations, often with limited resourcesJobs that demand long hoursA trend to increase the line managers span of control. Instead of six to eight direct reports, line managers often have much larger teams. The larger the team, the more difficult it is to provide timely and effective coaching and development supportThe need to navigate frequent employee turnover. Many line managers are in perpetual hiring and training mode, making it difficult for them to implement operational improvements or increase performance versus productivity targets Constant pressure to minimize expenses and maximize output Career Path It is common for top performing line managers to either rise through the ranks of management or broaden their responsibility to encompass other areas of a firms operations. The line managers detailed knowledge of business processes and how the organization works make him/her an ideal candidate for broader general management roles. Do Not Confuse Project and Line Manager Some managers, like project managers, are responsible for directing the work of other employeesbut are not responsible for the administrative management of those individuals. They do not discipline the employee, promote/demote them, make salary adjustments, etc. In a typical matrix management structure, the project manager g ives work direction to the project team members regardless of what department or functional group they came from. The people who run those departments and groups, who manage all the individuals in them, are the line managers. Also, some individuals have manager in their titlebut dont actually manage anyone else. These individuals also are not line managers. Updated by Art Petty.

3 signs a conversation needs to happen

3 signs a conversation needs to happen3 signs a conversation needs to happenProductive conversations turn conflict into collaboration, reduce costly mistakes and create a culture of accountability.However, productive conversations are often avoided because of a perceived difficulty in initiating the conversation. Ive heard everything from, I dont want her to cry, to Im afraid of blowing up, to Its the company picnic this week to I cant afford to lose them.What makes a conversation difficult varies from person to person. The variables include the depth of the relationship, the power structures, the timing and experience. But what all avoidance patterns have in common are three things Fear of the emotional experience,skill leveland the unwillingness to do theemotional laborrequired.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThe hidden element is awareness. Many of us are unaware that we even need to initiate a conversation. The situation always looks like the aufgabe belongs to someone else, but until we as leaders take full responsibility, nothing will change.When executives blame middle managers for not initiating conversations, the lingering question is this Who is managing the managers? It always comes back to leadership, and it starts at the top.When senior-level leaders avoid, they create a culture of avoidance. You cant fix what you dont acknowledge and you wont acknowledge what you are unaware of. The signs that you need to initiate a difficult conversation is all around you if you know where to look. Here are three signs that indicate a conversation needs to happen.A negative intern landscapeYour inner landscape is your thoughts, feelings and emotions. If you find yourself thinking bad thoughts about someone, it doesnt mean your thoughts are true or factual. It means you are far over-due for a conversation. When you blame someone without talking to them first, it means you arent taking full responsibility for the situation. When you judge someone, it means you dont fully understand, and when you resent someone it might mean you failed to set a boundary.If you find yourself gossiping, running to a friend to dish on someone else, it means you are avoiding talking to the one person who could actually change the situation.Understanding your inner landscape is about growing inemotional intelligence. If you arent paying attention to your inner landscape and thus your inner dialogue, you are not aware enough to initiate a productive conversation.Unwanted business resultsYour hot-headed tantrum-throwing partner isnt just an emotional issue. Theres a business case happening before your very eyes. Besides irritating you and creating a toxic culture, you are losing employees. Or worse, you are keeping employees who arent engaged and arent speaking up. The result is loss due to turnover, or costly mistakes waiting to happen.Your Queen Bee you think is such a star performer, but isnt good at teamwork is not actually a star performer. The problem is that you dont equate team performance with overall performance. Theres always a business case for cleaning up bad behavior, you just have to notice how to connect the dots. Chances are your avoidance or lack of awareness is costing you productivity, reputation, teamwork or speed.MisalignmentLook for evidence that the behaviors you see in the workplace harmonize with the mission, vision and values expressed on the website. When it comes to bad behavior that needs to be addressed, the biggest excuse I see at all levels is Thats just the way I am or Thats just the way its always been.Its usually followed up with something relating to one of the dozens of personality assessments out there Hes a very high D on the Disc, therefore, fill in the blank. Or, according to her Myers-Briggs, shes an INFJ, thereforeRecently at an executive round-table I was asked this question What about the diffe rentmanagement styles?My answer was this I dont look at styles in the beginning. I look at alignment to the mission, vision, and values. The style doesnt matter nearly as much as alignment.Personality assessments can help you understand yourself, your colleagues, and your peers, or they can be used to avoid doing what is necessary to make the needed course-corrections.High D on theDisc?Doesnt mean its OK to throw fits if the values of the organization are trust, integrity and collaboration. Quick Start on theKOLBE?Doesnt mean its OK to go rogue without getting agreement from your senior executives.With that said, if the mission is to win at all costs and the top value is hustle, you will attract the right employees to play that game, as well.From this understanding its not about right or wrong, black or white. Its about making decisions in alignment and being able and willing to deal with the consequences as they come.ConclusionContinually avoiding the elephant in the room creates a culture of neglect and avoidance. Your conversations eitherdrive resultsor drive drama. Productive conversations is a key to creating adrama-free culturethat drives growth and reduces costly mistakes.This article originally appeared on SmartBrief.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Is it OK to wear shorts at work

Is it OK to wear shorts at workIs it OK to wear shorts at workIts debate that comes up every summer. Is it OK to wear shorts to work? Some say no, some say yes. How comfortable is too comfortable at work?Ladders went out on the street to ask people whether or not shorts are acceptable and the answers were varied.

Michael Bloomberg An open mind is the most valuable asset

Michael Bloomberg An open mind is the fruchtwein valuable asset Michael Bloomberg An open mind is the fruchtwein valuable asset Its graduation season, and we here at Ladders have decided to take a look back and showcase some past commencement addresses that stand the test of time. Below is the full transcript of Michael Bloombergs commencement address to University of Michigans Class of 2016Thank you, President Schlissel, and to the hauptplatine of Regents. Good morning, everyoneIts a real honor to be on this great campus where so much history has been made. And its a thrill to walk in the footsteps of Gerald Ford, James Earl Jones, Lucy Loo, and Tom Brady Im told that no quarterback has played in more Super Bowls than Tom Brady and in case there are any New Yorkers here, I would just notlagee that he played against the Giants in two of them.Im honored to have been asked to speak to all of the faculty, administrators, alumni, and most of all, to the great class of 2016So, graduates T his is a great day, but theres another group here that also deserves a big round of applause yur parents and families.Of course, there were many other people who helped you on your journey, so after you receive your diploma, and as you make your way in the world, remember that your greatest achievements like todays will owe an awful lot to the people around you.Itscommencement seasonFollow LaddersCommencement Addresses magazine on Flipboardto watch and read all of the most inspiring speeches from this year and years past.If theres a secret to success beyond hard work and good luck, its that the more you say we, and the less you say I, the farther youll go. Its something that the most effective leaders understand and take to heart. Remember There is almost nothing we do in life that we do alone.The most useful knowledge that you leave here with today, like the importance of teamwork, has nothing to do with your major. Its about how to study, how to cooperate, how to listen carefull y, how to think critically, and how to resolve conflicts through reason. Those are the most important skills in the working world and its why colleges have always exposed students to challenging and uncomfortable ideas.The fact that some university boards and administrations now bow to pressure and shield students from these ideas through panzerschrank spaces, code words, and trigger warnings is, in my view, a terrible mistake. The whole purpose of college is to learn how to deal with difficult situations not run away from them.A micro-aggression is exactly that micro But in a macro-sense, one of the most dangerous places on a college campus is a safe space because it creates the false impression that we can insulate ourselves from those who hold different views. We cant and we shouldnt try, not in politics, or in the workplace. In the global economy, and in a democratic society, an open mind is the most valuable asset you can possess.Today, Id like to talk a little bit about why thats true based on the lessons Ive learned over the course of my career. Lets start with the global economy, and let me put in perspective the job market many of you are entering. For the first time in human history, the majority of people in the developed world are being asked to make a living with their minds, rather than their muscles. For 3,000 years, humankind had an economy based on farming till the soil, plant the seed, harvest the crop. Hard to do, but fairly easy to learn.Then, for 300 years, we had an economy based on industry mold the parts, turn the crank, assemble the product. Hard to do, but also fairly easy to learn.Now, we have an economy based on information acquire the knowledge, apply the analytics, use your creativity. Hard to do, hard to learn, and even once youve mastered it, youll have to start learning all over again, pretty much every day.If you have the luxury of more than one job offer now or in the future dont pick the one that pays the most pick the o ne that teaches you the most and dont worry if the people around you seem quicker or smarter. You cant control that, but you can decide that youre going to outwork them.In my company, I always give the most complex and important projects to our busiest employees. Why? Because they are the hardest-working and most dedicated. Theyre the first ones in the office and the last to leave. Theyre the ones who take the shortest lunch breaks and the least vacation. It may not sound like great fun, but in the end, you have to set your priorities.The secret to success is not rocket science. It just requires true dedication and a willingness to go the extra mile. Whatever your field, volunteer to take on new assignments even if theyre outside your comfort zone. Take the initiative on your own to learn and develop new skills and build contacts who can help you down the road. When will you have learned enough? Lets put it this way I know of no edel Prize winner who has stopped studying. And in the information economy, everyone in both white collar and blue collar jobs will have to keep deepening their knowledge and adapting to technological change.My life is a perfect example of how important it is to keep an open mind about careers and technology. After college, I went to business school in hopes of landing a middle management job in a factory. I had no idea that factories would soon be closing all across the country, and neither did anyone else.I ended up finding a job at a Wall Street firm. I loved the job, and soon, my interest in managing a plant disappeared. I thought Id stay at the firm forever. And I might have except for one small thing I got fired.I welches 38 years old, and it was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was also the best thing that ever happened to my career. It led me to start a tech company to computerize real-time financial data. It sounds simple now, but this was 1981 the dawn of the computer age. We were trying to invent a computer that no one w anted with technology that didnt exist a classic example of innovation. Everyone said I was crazy, and maybe they were right. I had only a limited background in computers, and I had never started or run a company, but with a lot of help from some very talented and driven people, we succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.So the lesson is Whatever you think your dream job is today, dont get too attached to it. Chances are, if the job still exists in 15 years, it will be very different and you may have found other passions. Keeping an open mind to new ideas will be essential to your professional success, and it will be just as crucial to our collective future as a democratic society.Thats the other lesson Ive learned that Id like to share with you today. During the 12 years I had the honor of serving as Mayor of New York City, I witnessed a disturbing change in the nature of American politics a rise in extreme partisanship and intolerance for other views.Im a political independent, but over the course of my life, for non-ideological reasons, Ive been a Republican and a Democrat. So I can tell you Neither party has a monopoly on good ideas each demonizes the other unfairly and dishonestly. This is not a new phenomenon but it has reached a dangerous new level.In 1796, George Washington spent much of his farewell address warning Americans against political parties, which he called the worst enemy of democratic governments. He wrote of the natural tendency parties have to elevate a single leader who seeks power, in his words, on the ruins of public liberty.In this political season, its worth remembering what Washington had to say. And so, allow me to read a brief passage from his farewell address.Partisanship, Washington wrote, serves always to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms kindles the animosity of one part against another, and foments occasionally riot and insurrection A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame lest, instead of warming, it should consume.Well said, George. We have survived more than 200 years of political parties largely because the Founding Fathers created checks and balances to temper the fires of partisanship. Of course, they also excluded most Americans from their vision of democracy because they feared what democracy might produce. But over the past two centuries, through the sacrifices of so many civil rights leaders and soldiers, the promise of equal rights has spread across income, religion, race, gender, and sexual orientation.We still have a long way to go, and it would be a mistake to think that our progress is irreversible or that Washingtons warning is a relic of history. Neither is true and never will be. Democracy and citizenship will always require constant vigilance against those who fan the flames of partisanship in ways that consume us and lead to the ruins of public liberty.We have certainly seen such figures before, in both parties. In the 1930s, there was the despotic Huey Long in Louisiana, and just a few miles up the road in Dearborn Father Coughlin blamed Jewish conspirators for Americas troubles. Then came Charles Lindbergh in the 40s, Joe McCarthy in the 50s, George Wallace in the 60s, and Pat Buchanan in the 90s.Every generation has had to confront its own demagogues and every generation has stood up and kept them away from the White House, at least so far. Now, its your turn.In this years presidential election, weve seen more demagoguery from both parties than I can remember in my lifetime. ur country is facing serious and difficult challenges, but rather than offering realistic solutions, candidates in both parties are blaming our problems on easy targets who breed resentment. For Republicans, its Mexicans here illegally and Muslims, and for Democrats, its the wealthy and Wall Street.The truth is We cannot solve th e problems we face by blaming anyone. We are all in this together, and we all must be part of the solution. Americas power in the world comes not from the walls we build, but the doors we open, and it comes not from tearing down success, but building up opportunity.American citizenship does not require much of us. We have no military draft no mandatory national service no compulsory voting. Our taxes, compared to Europe, are relatively low. And yet, our voting rates are terrible, and theyre especially low among young people. This year, you can help change that.Voting is the only way to stop demagogues. But the best way to stop demagogues from rising in the first place is to elect leaders with the courage to face reality, make tough decisions, and lead from the front, rather than following from behind. That has become harder over time. Let me share a story from my time in City Hall that illustrates why.In 2002, we banned smoking in New York Citys bars and restaurants, and it caused a huge backlash. We got a lot of angry letters and phone calls, and I got a lot of one-fingered waves when I walked down the street. But as time went by, the ban proved to be a huge boon to the bar and restaurant business surprise, surprise and smoking rates in our city went down by nearly 30 percent, helping to increase life expectancy for New Yorkers two years above the national average. In fact, Im glad to say, the policy became so popular that cities and states all over the world copied it.Today, elected officials who decide to support a controversial policy will also get angry letters, phone calls, and faxes, if they still have fax machines. And for sure, they will now get millions of angry Tweets and Facebook posts denouncing them in the harshest possible terms. Thats democracy in action. But that kind of instant condemnation also makes some elected officials afraid to do things that, in their heart of hearts, they know are right.So democracy in action can actually produce a lot of inaction, which we see every day in Washington, D.C., and other levels of government, too. When governments fail to address the needs of the people, voters in both parties get angry and some politicians exploit that anger by offering scapegoats instead of solutions.If we want to stop demagogues, we have to start governing again, and that requires us to be more civil to support politicians who have the courage to take risks and to reward those who reach across the aisle in search of compromise.Now I know doing this wont be easy, and thats partly because its not just social media that has changed the civic dialogue. The constant bombardment of news that we see on our phones, computers, and TVs gives us the impression we are acquiring knowledge. Yet many of the sources, facts, and interpretations are either dubious, or colored by partisanship, or outright lies. I say that as the owner of a media company who has seen how the marketplace has shifted. Today, people choose cable TV channels and websites that affirm their own political beliefs rather than ones that inform and challenge their beliefs. As a result, we have grown more politically cloistered and more intolerant of those who hold different opinions.Think about this In 1960, only four to five percent of Democrats and Republicans said they would be upset if a member of their family married someone from the opposing party. In 2010, one in three Democrats, and one in two Republicans, said they would disapprove of such a marriage. In 1960, most people would never have believed that inter-party marriage would attract such resistance, while inter-racial marriage and same-sex marriage would gain such acceptance. For all the progress we have made on cultural tolerance, when it comes to political tolerance, we are moving in the wrong direction.We see this trend of political intolerance across the country At campaign rallies that turn violent on social media threads that turn vitriolic and even on college camp uses, where students and faculty have attempted to censor political opponents.I know that one of todays graduates, Omar Mahmood, has faced threats and intimidation because he dared to write political satire about being left-handed in the Michigan Daily and he refused to apologize for it. Omar, wherever you are out there, Im glad you stood your ground.Never be afraid to stand up for what you believe is right, no matter how unpopular it may be or how many people try to shout you down. And just as importantly Never hesitate to stand up for the rights of others to express their views and exercise their rights, no matter how unpopular that may be. The only way to ensure your right to express yourself is to protect others rights to express themselves.In 2010, I found myself in the middle of a huge debate over free expression. There was a national uproar over a proposal to build a mosque several blocks from the World Trade Center. Members of both parties attacked the plan as an affront to the victims of the 9/11 attacks. Even the Anti-Defamation League, whose mission is to protect against religious discrimination, opposed the idea. But they had all forgotten the terrorists didnt just attack buildings, they attacked our freedom to live and pray as we choose according to our own beliefs and values, equally.The torch that Lady Liberty holds aloft in the New York Harbor lights the way for people of every faith and philosophy, and it shines down on every corner of the city and every community across this great land. No religion should ever face special restrictions on their rights, whether it concerns building a house of worship or getting a visa.As durable as the American system of government has been, democracy is fragile and demagogues are always lurking. When Ben Franklin was leaving the Constitutional Convention, a woman approached him and asked him Well, doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy? Franklin replied, A republic if you can keep it.Well, gradua tes It is now your responsibility to keep it. That starts with keeping an open mind, voting, and demanding that politicians offer practical solutions, not scapegoats or pie-in-the-sky promises. In 1928, Republicans promised a chicken in every pot and a car in every backyard. They won control of Congress and the White House and a year later, instead of a chicken and a car, we got the Great Depression.Today, when a populist candidate promises free college, free health care, and a pony, or another candidate promises to make other countries pay for our needs remember those who promise you a free lunch will invariably eat you for breakfast. If there were simple solutions to complex problems, we wouldnt have those problems.Im optimistic that you graduates will rise to the occasion and help protect our Republic against the dangers of demagogues and the fires of partisanship that Washington warned us about 220 years ago. I believe in you. I support you. And I will stand with you in this b attle to the end of my days so that my children and grandchildren can be as proud of Americas devotion to freedom and equality as I am.As for today this is a day of celebration, so relish it enjoy every minute.Congratulations and Go Blue