Janet Guthrie – a First in Racing

The words traditionally used to start the Indianapolis 500 are “Gentlemen, start your engines.” However, in 1977 those words changed. The word gentlemen by no means referred to deportment. Rather, it indicated gender. And, in 1977 unlike all years previous, not all of the starters were men as Janet Guthrie, a female race driver, had qualified for the Indy 500. So the announcement heard over the loud speaker was: “In company with the first lady ever to qualify at Indianapolis – gentlemen, start your engines.” This was a moment in history for the Indy 500.

Janet Guthrie was born on March 7, 1938 in Iowa City, Iowa. She was the oldest of five children. When she was three years old, her father became employed as a pilot for Eastern Airlines and the family relocated to Miami, Florida. When Guthrie was seventeen years old she completed a pilot training course and obtained her license. She was employed as a commercial pilot and flight instructor prior to graduating from college. She did receive a bachelor’s in physics from the University of Michigan in 1960. Following her graduation she accepted a job with Republic Aviation as an aerospace engineer.

She also applied for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s original Scientist-Astronaut program. After passing the first round of eliminations, she was rejected, as she did not have a Ph.D. In the interim, Janet had purchased a Jaguar XK120 with the intent of making it a race car. After disassembling and reassembling the engine, she started competing in auto races. She won two Sports Car Club of America races in 1964 and finished the New York Watkins Glen 500 in sixth place. Gradually her interest changed from aerospace to racing.

In 1976 she scored a real victory when she was the first woman to compete in a NASCAR Winston Cup race. She tried for the Indianapolis 500 but did not qualify. However, she did attract the attention of Rolla Vollstedt who engaged her as second driver at the 1977 qualifying trials. Guthrie qualified and entered the race but was forced to retire early due to engine trouble. The following year she entered once more and this time she claimed 9th place out of thirty-three starters. She continued to race with impressive results. She was the first woman to enter the Daytona 500 and claimed twelfth place.

She ran her last major race in 1979, finishing fifth in the Milwaukee 200. She was forced to give up racing, as she didn’t have the funds to continue. According to Guthrie, it is more difficult for a woman to obtain corporate sponsorship than for a man and corporate sponsorship is a basic requirement to survive in the sport. In 1989, Guthrie married Warren Levine. They now live in Colorado and she has written a book about her racing career entitled, ‘Lady and Gentlemen.’ In 1980, Guthrie was inducted into the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame. Her driver’s suit and helmet reside today in the Smithsonian Institute. She still keeps up with the sport and continues to encourage women drivers.

Career option and choices for Science Stream

If you opt for science, you’ll be studying subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botony, Zoology, Statistics, Geology, Computers, Biotechnology, Microbiology, etc. and seek admission in three year degree course in one of these subjects.

 

Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) at 10+2 level: Engineering (all branches); Building and Technology; Information Technology; civil Aviation (Pilot); Navy; architecture; Industrial Design, Paramilitary Services; Packaging Technology; Oceanography; Geologist; Teaching; Gems and Jewellary; footwear Technology; food Processing; Agricultural Engineering; Mining and Metallurgy; Environment Science; Navigator; TV Repair Technician; Leather Technology; Merchant Navy; Plastic Technology; Meteorology; Astrophysics; Air Force; Pharmacy; Industrial Design; Astronomy; Research; Surveyor; Railway Technician Services; Optician.

 

Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB): Occupational Therapy; Biotechnology; Agriculture; Dairy Farming; Anthropology; Traditional Medicine; Genetics; Microbiology; Nutrition and Dietetics, Medicine, Paramedical Services; Horticulture and Floriculture; Aquaculture; food Processing; Marine Biology; Dentistry; Nursing; Veterinary Science; Pharmacy; Physiotherapy ; Home Science; Poultry Farming; Environment Science; Forestry; Zoology; Chef; Chemist; Detective (forensic Science); Wildlife Science; Research; Tea Industry; botony; cosmetology; Teaching.

 

Physics, Chemistry and Computer: Teaching; Artificial Intelligence; engineering; Design (Graphic, Interior and Industrial); Information Technology (Software and Hardware); Multimedia; Computer Application; Robotics; bio-informatics.

 

Physics, Chemistry and Technical Drawing (PCM): Design (Interior and Industrial); building and construction; Engineering; Architecture; Teaching.

 

Competitive Examinations

In case you have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) subjects, you have the option to take up one of the following Competitive Examinations:

 

National Defence Academy / Naval Academy In various branches of Engineering and Technology (for a four year degree course) or go in for a 5-year Integrated Degree Courses. National Institute of Fashion Technology entrance Exam. National Institute of Design, (Paldi, Ahmedabad) Entrance Exam. Merchant Navy Information Technology Architecture Agriculture Dairy Technology Merchant Navy Fashion Technology Aviation Film Technology Pharmacy Science 5-year Integrated Course in Law Business Studies Foreign Language

 

In addition, you can also seek admission in any Polytechnic Institute to acquire a diploma in one of the branches of engineering.

 

For the students who complete their graduation in Science, a number of opportunities exists for further studies, competitive examinations and for direct employment.

 

If interested in Physical or biological Science, you can join a post graduate course with employment.

 

Some of the fields in this regard are:

Anthropology, Biotechnology, environment, Astrophysics, Statistics, Microbiology, Ecology, Marine Biology, Astronomy, home dietetics, Nutrition, Textile, Nanotechnology, disaster Management, fisheries, you have also the option to go fo specialization in various popular subjects like management, Master of Computer applications, Bachelor of Education, Mass Communication, C.A., C.S. or ICWA.

 

 

 Job Positions:

 

By taking up science in the respective subjects, you have the options to become Physicist, Meteorologists, Oceanographers, Mathematicians, Statisticians, Geologists, Geophysicists, Geographers, Geographic specialists, respectively. In the Chemical industry the appointments of Organic Chemists, Inorganic Chemists, Physical Chemists, Analytical Chemists, Industrial Chemists, chemical engineers, Chemical Engineering Technicians, chemical Technicians and made. In Biological field there is a scope for becoming Biotechnologists, Genetic Scientists, Biochemists, microbiologists, anthropologists, botanists, Zoologists.

 

Jobs in the Defence services broadly consist of Army, Navy, Airforce and the Paramilitary forces comprise Central Reserve Police force, Border Security force, ITBP, CISF, Coast Guard, etc.

 

In the aviation field you can prepare to become a Pilot Officer or for jobs at the airports which comprise Air Traffic Controller, Airport Manager, Communication Officer, Communication Assistant, Aerodrome Officer, aerodrome Assistant, airworthiness Officer, etc. In Airline, posts of Airline Pilot, Helicopter Pilot, Flight Supervisors, Pursuers, Air Hostesses, Flight Attendants, etc. exist. Aeronautical engineers, aircraft Mechanics/ Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are appointed in the technical and engineering Division. In the commercial Operations Division, Ground duty officers are appointed. Aerospace engineers, Aeronautical and Aerospace technicians are appointed in the aircraft manufacturing units.

 

Deck officers, Engineers officers, Radio Officers, Stewards, Navigating officers, Mariane engineers etc. are appointed in Merchant Navy. In the Shipping sector posts of Traffic Clerks, Stevedores and Superintendents and offered.

 

In Para Medical you can go for Medical Technology, Radiography, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Nursing, Orthotic & Prosthetic Technology, Speech Therapy, Audiology etc.

 

The jobs of Home Economists, Nutritionists and dieticians, food Technologists can be taken up after studying Home Science and food Technology.

 

Another option is to graduate in a subject of your choice i.e Bachelor of Science (Pass/Hons.). After graduation you may continue with your studies especially if you are interested in higher education. Post graduate courses are available in most of the science subjects including Biotechnology, Nuclear Physics, Space Physics, Geology, Marine Geology, Mineral Exploration, Hydro-geology, Oceanography, Meterology, Computer and Information Technology. Or you may choose a field from the career opportunities available after graduation.

 

Competitive Examinations after Graduation (B.Sc.)

 

Civil Services Examination Geologists’ Examination Engineering Services Examination India Economic / Statistical Services Examination Combined Medical Services Examination Combined Defence Services Examination India Forest Service s Examination Exams Conducted by SSC Exams conducted by Railway Recruitment Board Banking Services Exams.

Top Career Web Sites for Children and Teens

Career assessments and tests help you explore who you. Career books and web sites give you a glimpse of the world of work. Free career information is available on web sites. Some writers have written facts for children and teens. We would like to share some information with you. These web sites use graphics, multimedia presentation, activities, and other techniques to expand our knowledge of careers. We have written information on seventeen (17) web sites. Here are the four different types of exploring careers web sites:

Curriculum

General Career Information

Science Career Clusters

Specific Science Careers

Curriculum Web Sites

Curriculum web sites provide activities, tests, guidelines, as well as career information.

Resource One: Career Cruiser

Source: Florida Department of Education

The Career Cruiser is a career exploration guidebook for middle school students. The Career Cruiser has self assessment activities to match personal interests to careers. The Career Cruiser has information on Holland Codes. Careers are grouped into 16 career clusters. The Career Cruiser has information on occupational descriptions, average earnings, and minimum educational level required for the job.

Teacher’s Guide is also available.

Resource Two: Elementary Core Career Connection

Source: Utah State Office of Education

The Core Career Connections is a collection of instructional activities, K to 6, and 7 to 8, designed by teachers, counselors, and parents. Each grade level has instructional activities that align directly with the Utah State Core. This instructional resource provides a framework for teachers, counselors, and parents to integrate career awareness with the elementary and middle level grade students.

Career Information Web Sites

Some web sites provide excellent career information. Some web sites list facts about job tasks, wages, career outlook, interests, education, and more.

Resource Three: Career Voyages

Source: U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education

The Career Voyages web site is a Career Exploration web site for Elementary School students. The Career Voyages web site has information about the following industries:

Advanced Manufacturing

Automotive

Construction

Energy

Financial Services

Health Care

Hospitality

Information Technology

Retail

Transportation

Aerospace and the “BioGeoNano” Technologies

Resource Four: Career Ship

Source: New York State Department of Labor

Career Ship is a free online career exploration tool for middle and high school students.

Career Ship uses Holland Codes and the O*NET Career Exploration Tools. For each career, Career Ship provides the following information:

Tasks

Wages

Career outlook

Interests

Education

Knowledge

Skills

Similar careers

Career Ship is a product of Mapping Your Future, a public service web site providing career, college, financial aid, and financial literacy information and services.

RESOURCE FIVE: Career Zone

Source: New York State Department of Labor

Career Zone is a career exploration and planning system. Career Zone has an assessment activity that identifies Holland Codes. Career Zone provides information on 900 careers from the new O*NET Database, the latest labor market information from the NYS Department of Labor and interactive career portfolios for middle and high school students that connect to the NYS Education Department Career Plan initiative. Career Zone has links to college exploration and planning resources, 300 career videos, resume builder, reference list maker, and cover letter application.

Resource Six: Destination 2020

Source: Canada Career Consortium

Destination 2020 helps youth discover how everyday tasks can help them build skills they will need to face the many challenges of the workforce.

Skills are linked to:

School Subjects

Other School Activities

Play Activities At Home

Work at Home

Through quizzes, activities and articles, they might actually find some answers or, at least, a direction about their future. There are more than 200 profiles of real people who are describing what a day at work is like for them.

Resource Seven: What Do You Like

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Do You Like is the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Career web site for kids. The web site provides career information for students in Grades 4 to 8. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most of the material on the site has been adapted from the Bureau’s Occupational Outlook Handbook,a career guidance publication for adults and upper level high school students that describes the job duties, working conditions, training requirements, earnings levels, and employment prospects of hundreds of occupations. Careers are matched to interests and hobbies. In the Teacher’s Guide, there are twelve categories and their corresponding occupations.

Science Career Clusters

Some organizations have created web sites that feature science careers.

Resource Eight: EEK! Get a Job Environmental Education for Kids

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Eek! Get a Job Environmental Education for Kids is an electronic magazine for kids in grades 4 to 8. Eek! Get a Job provides information about:

Forestry

Hydrogeologist

Engineering

Herpetologist

Park Ranger

Wildlife Biologist

Park Naturalist

There is a job description for each career, a list of job activities, suggested activities to begin exploring careers, and needed job skills.

Resource Nine: GetTech.org

Source: National Association of Manufacturers, Center for Workforce Success, U.S. Department of Commerce, and U.S Department of Labor

GetTech.org is a educational web site that provides CAREER EXPLORATION information. GetTech.org has information about the following industries:

New Manufacturing

Information Technology

Engineering and Industrial Technology

Biotechnology and Chemistry

Health and Medicine

Arts & Design

Within each area, there are examples of careers.

Each career profile gives:

General description

Salary

Number of people employed to job

Number of jobs available in the future

Place of work

Level of education required

Location of training programs: University Pharmacy Programs.

Courses needed

There is a GetTech.org Teacher’s Guide.

Resource Ten: LifeWorks

Source: National Institutes of Health, Office of Science Education

LifeWorks is a career exploration web site for middle and high school students. LifeWorks has information on more than 100 medical science and health careers. For each career, LifeWorks has the following information:

Title

Education required

Interest area

Median salary

True stories of people who do the different jobs

LifeWorks has a Career Finder that allows you to search by Name of Job, Interest Area, Education Required, or Salary.

Resource Eleven: San Diego Zoo Job Profiles for Kids

Source: San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo Job Profiles discussed jobs for people who:

Work with animals

Work with plants

Work with science and conservation

Work with people

Work that helps run the Zoo and Park

There are activities listed under each area, for example:

What we do

What is cool about this job

Job challenges

How this job helps animals

How to get a job like this

Practice Being a …

How to Become a …

Resource Twelve: Scientists in Action!

Source: U.S. Department of the Interior

Scientists in Action features summaries of the lives of people involved in careers in the natural sciences:

Mapping the planets

Sampling the ocean floor

Protecting wildlife

Forecasting volcanic eruptions

Resource Twelve: Want To Be a Scientist?

Source: Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of the Agriculture

Want To Be a Scientist is a career exploration web site for kids about 8 to 13 years old. Want To Be a Scientist has a series of job descriptions, stories, and other resources about what scientists do here at the ARS.

These stories include information about:

Plant Pathologist

Chemist

Soil Scientist

Entomologist

Animal Scientist

Microscopist

Plant Physiologist

Specific Science Careers

The last group of web sites is dedicated to providing information on specific science careers, for example veterinarians,

Resource Thirteen: About Veterinarians

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

About Veterinarians has facts about:

What is a Veterinarian?

Becoming a Veterinarian

Making a Career Decision

What Personal Abilities Does a Veterinarian Need?

What Are the Pluses and Minuses of a Veterinary Career?

Veterinary Education

General Information

After Graduation From Veterinary School

General Information

School Statistics

Preparation Advice

Preveterinary Coursework

Where Most Schools Are Located

About School Accreditation

The Phases of Professional Study

The Clinical Curriculum

The Academic Experience

Roles of Veterinarians

Private Practice

Teaching and Research

Regulatory Medicine

Public Health

Uniformed Services

Private Industry

Employment Outlook

Employment Forecast

The Advantage of Specializing

Statistics

Greatest Potential Growth Areas

Other Professional Directions

AVMA Veterinary Career Center

Becoming a Veterinary Technician

Your Career in Veterinary Technology

Duties and Responsibilities

Career Opportunities

Education Required

Distance Learning

Salary

Professional Regulations

Organizations

Further Information

Resource Fourteen: Aquarium Careers

Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium

Aquarium Careers features careers information. For each Staff Profiles, there is Educational Background and Skills Needed. The Staff Profiles include:

Aquarist

Education Specialist

Exhibits Coordinator

Exhibit Designer

Research Biologist

Science Writer

The Aquarium Careers web site answers the following questions:

What should I do now to prepare for a career in marine biology?

Where can I find a good college for marine biology?

What should be my college major?

How do I pick a graduate school?

I’m not sure of my area of interest. What should I do?

Marine Science Career Resources include information on:

Marine Advanced Technology Education

Marine Mammal Center, California

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, California

Scripps Library

Sea Grant

Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station

State University of New York at Stony Brook

Resource Fifteen: Engineering The Stealth Profession

Source: Discoverengineering.org

Engineering The Stealth Profession has a lot of information about engineers:

Types of Engineers

Aerospace Engineering

Ceramic/Materials Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Civil Engineering

Electrical/Computer Engineering

Environmental Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Manufacturing Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Other Engineers

True Stories

Salaries

Education Required

Work Schedules

Equipment Used

Resource Sixteen: Sea Grant Marine Careers

Source: Marinecareers.net

Sea Grant Marine Careers gives you facts about marine career fields and to people working in those fields. Sea Grant Marine Careers outlines information on:

Marine Biology

Oceanography

Ocean Engineering

Related Fields

In each area, there is a detailed description of the type of the work that the scientists do. There are feature stories for different scientists in the career field.

The career profiles include information on:

What is your current job and what does it entail?

What was the key factor in your career decision?

What do you like most about your career?

What do you like least about your career?

What do you do to relax?

Who are your heroes/heroines?

What advice would you give a high school student who expressed an interest in pursuing a career in your field?

Are career opportunities in your field increasing or decreasing and why?

What will you be doing 10 years from today?

What is the salary range?

Resource Seventeen: Do You Want to Become a Volcanologist?

Source: Marinecareers.net

Do You Want to Become a Volcanologist? provides the following descriptions:

The Word Volcanologist

Daily work

Traits for success

Education

Salaries

Career web sites help you build awareness of the different aspects of careers: the tasks, wages, career outlook, interests, education, knowledge, and skills. We know that you will be fun exploring careers.

Magnesium Alloy Castings

Magnesium alloy castings

Magnesium alloy castings can be made by almost all methods of castings. The casting method to be used depends on to what use magnesium is going to be put. Some of its casting processes are as given below:

Sand casting:

Magnesium alloy’s sand castings are used in aerospace uses because of clear advantage they have in weight over aluminium and other metals. A great deal of research and development on these alloys has led to terrific changes in general properties compared with earlier AZ types. There has been and still a very large amount of castings for aerospace uses being made in AZ type alloys, the trend is for making maximum share of aerospace castings in latest zirconium types.

Though, the magnesium-aluminium and magnesium-aluminium-zinc alloys are generally easy to cast they are limited in certain respects. They show microshrinkage when sand cast and they are unsuitable for uses where temperatures of 95°C are felt. The magnesium rare earth-zirconium alloy do in fact show very good pressure tightness. The greater tendency of zirconium containing alloys to oxidize is overcome by utilizing special melting processes.

The two magnesium-zinc-zirconium alloys originally developed ZK51A and ZK61A show good mechanical properties, but they suffer from heat shortness cracking and are unweldable.

When a demand arose in aerospace engine uses for having metal of high mechanical properties at high elevated temperature (up to 205°C), thorium was replaced for rare earth metal content in alloys of the ZE and EZ type, giving rise to the alloys of the type ZH62A and HZ32A. Not only the mechanical properties improved greatly at elevated temperatures but they also retained their features of good castability and welding. The thorium containing alloys however showed a greater tendency for oxidation, requiring greater care in meltdown and pouring. A further development aimed at improving both room temperature and elevated temperature mechanical properties produced on alloy named QE22A. In this alloy silver replaced some of the zinc, and high mechanical properties were obtained by grain refinement with zirconium and by a heat treatment to the full T6 condition. But problems were experienced with both these alloys.

Permanent mould casting:

Normally alloys which are sand cast can also be permanent mould cast. The exception to this are the alloys of magnesium-zinc-zirconium type which show strong hot-shortness tendencies and are therefore unsuitable for processing by this method.

Die casting:

The alloys from which die castings are normally made are of magnesium- aluminium zinc type. Two versions of this alloy which were die cast for many years are AZ91A and AZ91B. The only difference in these two alloys is higher copper impurity in AZ91B.

The most important reason for using magnesium castings is their lightweight. Due to this magnesium castings have been greatly in use since World War II in aircraft and aerospace industry both military and commercial. The latest trend is magnesium’s use in auto field basically as die castings due to demand for lightweight cars to save petrol.

Magnesium has other important casting advantages over other metals:

a) It is an abundantly available metal

b) It is easier to machine than aluminium

c) It can be machined faster than aluminium, preferably dry.

In die casting process it can be cast four times quicker than aluminium. Die life is much more than with aluminium alloys because there is very little welding on the die surfaces. When protected correctly, especially against galvanic effects it behaves in a very satisfactory way. Modern casting methods and by applying protective coatings ensure long life for well designed components.

Different Aviation Careers And How To Get Into It

One of the most sought after jobs today are aviation jobs. It is undeniable that these jobs are one of the highest paid jobs of all. Moreover, travel opportunities can be enjoyed with aviation jobs. Summing it all up, aviation jobs provide a great way of enjoying oneself while earning adequately. The amazing thing about aviation jobs is that there are a lot of options for one to take. Therefore, for those who cannot afford to become a pilot, there are a lot of other options available.

Generally, aviation jobs are categorized into two types: flying and non-flying. Obviously, flying jobs pertain to all aviation jobs that has something to do with flying. These include pilots, flight engineers or second officers, and flight attendants among others. A pilot captain is one of the highest paying jobs in the aviation career. This is probably the reason why despite the long journey toward becoming a pilot, many are still trying to become one. Flying jobs provide travel opportunities as the ultimate function of an airline is to take people to various destination. Thus, if you desire to travel to different parts of the world, you need to seek for a flying job.

On the other hand, non-flying jobs provide a number of careers as well. In fact, there are more non flying jobs options than flying jobs. One of the most common non flying jobs is a flight dispatcher. A flight dispatcher is basically responsible for coordinating the flight schedules with the flight crews. Other non flying jobs include aerospace engineers, meteorologists, flight coordinators, aircraft mechanics, ramp planners, aircraft maintenance, ticket agents, and ground attendants. The list just seems to go on. Indeed, aviation jobs are so varied and vast.

However, despite the number of opportunities available for aviation jobs, there are also hundreds applying for vacancies; making the competition stiff. In order to get into an aviation job therefore, you should take note of some tips that will help you get the job easily.

Set-up an impressive resume. Any job requires a diploma or a degree depending on the job specification. It is therefore important to set-up an impressive resume which would include your educational background, trainings and certificates. All of these will determine if you are qualified for the job.

Review basic concepts and theories. Always expect the unexpected. Some employers require applicants to take an exam. As such before applying for the job, it is helpful if you review some important concepts and theories related to the job that you are applying for.

Make a good impression. First impressions last. Make sure that you are dressed decently and look presentable when applying for a job. Bring with you dosages of confidence, honesty, and determination. Most of all be yourself and impress employers with who you truly are.

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