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© Provided by Business Insider EY global chairman and CEO Carmine Di Sibio. Carmine Di Sibio

• Carmine Di Sibio is EY's global chairman and CEO.
• He shares lessons anyone can put into practice no matter how far along they are in their careers.
• Di Sibio says to be flexible, learn to collaborate more than compete, and commit to lifelong learning.

This time of year is always full of promise and new beginnings for me. It's university graduation time and bright minds are putting their hard-earned degrees and learnings into practice.

It's also when business graduates think about the positive impact they would like to make on the working world.

If my days at NYU Stern and my 38-year career at EY taught me anything, it's that you should never stop being a student and learn from everything – good and bad – that life throws at you.

Here are three lessons that are never too late for anyone to put into practice no matter where you are in your career.

1. Don't be afraid to change paths

In the classroom, you take the course. In life, you need to veer off course many times.

Curriculum is just another word for plan. Graduates not only demonstrate an ability to stick to the plan but excel at it.  They turn in every assignment, study for every test and fulfill every requirement. 

While that's an impressive achievement, in my experience, knowing when to adapt the plan, or move in another direction entirely, is just as important. 

A lot of people are surprised to learn that I didn't major in accounting or business. I majored in chemistry. When I was an undergraduate, I was convinced I wanted to be a doctor. 

I studied synthetic sequences in the library, and I ran titrations in the lab. By junior year, I was ready to put my new skills to the test: I scored an internship at a real hospital. 

Every day by 6 a.m., I was trailing attending physicians through their morning rounds. By lunchtime, I was scrubbed in to observe surgery. It was incredible. I learned a lot: First and foremost, that I'm not squeamish. I watched open heart surgeries, organ transplants and hip replacements — which, by the way, were done with a bone saw and mallet. Not for the faint of heart.  

But the most important thing I learned was that I didn't want to be a doctor. It took seeing medicine up close to realize it wasn't the life I wanted. After years of planning, I had to change course. 

Not everyone will have to alter their path completely, but I'm fairly confident that most will have to expand it. Technology is rapidly remaking the workplace. Some dream jobs may not exist today or may look completely different tomorrow. 

My advice is to be flexible, learn new skills and keep an open mind about the future. Which brings me to my second lesson.

2. Success will be as much — and maybe even more — about collaboration than it is about competition

Business schools often breed a competitive environment. But I've found that those who know how to collaborate, learn from others and contribute will better handle whatever challenge or opportunity comes next. Of course, you'll have to compete, but learning to successfully collaborate will help you succeed.  

Once I figured out that medicine wasn't right for me, I decided to pursue a career in business. There was only one problem: I had never taken a business, finance or accounting class. 

This led me to NYU and at the time, there was a program for liberal arts grads like me. By day, I worked at Arthur Young — one of predecessor member firms of the EY organization. By night, I took classes. Kind of like Batman, but with more spreadsheets. 

I learned a lot — both on the job and in the books. But really, I learned the most from my classmates. While most of us were all working for competing organizations during the day, in the evening we studied and produced projects together. We shared perspectives and helped each other out. This made each of us stronger and smarter. This has remained true throughout my career. 

Today, some of the most exciting work that we're doing at EY involves working with other organizations. We are collaborating with over 100 organizations in the EY alliance ecosystem to bring custom solutions and solve problems for clients and society.

For example, we've teamed up with Microsoft to help remove barriers to employment for young people in underserved communities. We've even worked with the competition. We collaborated with the other Big Four organizations to develop environmental, social and governance metrics for the World Economic Forum to help organizations consistently measure their non-financial performance. 

The bottom line is you won't always have all the answers. Neither will your organization. 

3. Don't ever stop asking bold questions and challenging the status quo

Re-entering the working world with a business degree not only sets candidates apart but sets them up to see the world differently and create a better future.

In business school you learn to ask tough questions of professors, business, society, fellow students and, of course, yourself. But to create a better future, you need to continue to ask bold questions throughout your career. You need to challenge the status quo.

This of course comes with challenges and setbacks. But the lesson often is that real change doesn't always come when you want it or even how you foresaw it in your plan. I know this from experience.

For the past year, EY had been working on a massive initiative: Project Everest. The idea was to split the EY organization into two separate organizations: to better serve EY clients in the long-term by providing more choice and removing conflicts and giving EY people new and more rewarding growth opportunities.

This was a bold move that would challenge the status quo and redefine the industry — something the competition has publicly said they would never do. 

Recently the EY organization decided not to move forward with Project Everest. 

Let me tell you, this was disappointing to me. 

But what we can't lose sight of is that we have uncovered unexpected learnings. We have unlocked a huge amount of innovation, identified people strengths, and opened new and better conversations with EY clients and regulators. 

No great change has ever taken place by defending the status quo. And to succeed, you must be prepared to fail and learn. I still believe we will transform to better serve EY clients, people and society — just at a different time, and in a different way.

Eventually, you'll attempt your own Everest. It won't be easy. The clue is in the name. Remember, be patient. Persevere. Learn. Even setbacks move the needle.

A commitment to lifelong learning will set you up for success at work and in life. Remember to stay curious about new possibilities, collaborate with competitors and persevere when faced with challenges. Even when your plan doesn't go as expected, the best thing about being a student is that you never stop learning. 

Carmine Di Sibio is the global chairman and CEO of EY.

The views reflected in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organization or its member firms.

• Database technology is crucial in multiple applications and computing tasks, and certifications help demonstrate job readiness and core competencies. 
• Before pursuing a database platform certification, you should have a solid background in relational database management systems and the SQL language. 
• Valuable certifications are typically tied to specific technology companies and their platforms, such as IBM, Microsoft, Oracle and SAP.
• This article is for IT professionals considering database certifications to further their careers. 

While database platforms have come and gone through the decades, database technology is still critical for multiple applications and computing tasks. IT professionals often seek database certifications to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise as they navigate their career paths and pursue professional growth. 

While database certifications may not be as bleeding edge as Google cloud certifications, cybersecurity certifications, storage certifications or digital forensics certifications, database professionals at all levels possess in-demand career skills — and a plethora of database-related jobs are waiting to be filled.

We’ll look at some of the most in-demand certifications for database administrators, database developers and anyone else who works with databases.

What to know about database roles and certifications

To get a better grasp of available database certifications, it’s helpful to group these certs around job responsibilities. This reflects the maturity of database technology and its integration into most aspects of commercial, scientific and academic computing. As you read about the various database certification programs, keep these job roles in mind: 

• Database administrator (DBA). A DBA is responsible for installing, configuring and maintaining a database management system (DBMS). The job is often tied to a specific platform, such as Oracle, MySQL, DB2 or SQL Server.
• Database developer. A database developer works with generic and proprietary application programming interfaces (APIs) to build applications that interact with a DBMS. Like DBA roles, database developer positions are also often platform-specific.
• Database designer or database architect. A database designer or architect researches data requirements for specific applications or users and designs database structures and application capabilities to match.
• Data analyst or data scientist. A data analyst or scientist is responsible for analyzing data from multiple disparate sources to discover previously hidden insights, determine the meaning behind data, and make business-specific recommendations.
• Data mining or business intelligence (BI) specialist. A data mining or BI specialist focuses on dissecting, analyzing and reporting important data streams, such as customer, supply chain and transaction data and histories.
• Data warehousing specialist. A data warehousing specialist assembles and analyzes data from multiple operational systems (such as orders, transactions, supply chain information and customer data) to establish data history, analyze trends, generate reports and forecasts, and support general ad hoc queries. 

These database job roles highlight two critical issues to consider if you want to be a database professional:

1. You need a solid general background. First, a background in relational database management systems, including an understanding of Structured Query Language (SQL), is a fundamental prerequisite for database professionals of all stripes. 
2. There’s a focus on proprietary technologies. Second, although various efforts to standardize database technology exist, much of the whiz-bang capability that databases and database applications deliver comes from proprietary, vendor-specific technologies. Serious, heavy-duty database skills and knowledge are tied to specific platforms, including various Oracle products (such as the open-source MySQL environment and Oracle itself,) Microsoft SQL Server and IBM DB2. Most of these certifications relate directly to those enormously popular platforms. 

Best database certifications

Here are details on our five best database certification picks for 2023.

1. IBM Certified Database Administrator — DB2 12

IBM is one of the leaders in the worldwide database market by any objective measure. The company’s database portfolio includes industry-standard DB2, as well as the following:

• IBM Compose
• Information Management System (IMS)
• Informix
• Cloudant
• IBM Open Platform with Apache Hadoop

IBM also has a long-standing and well-populated IT certification program that has been around for more than 30 years and encompasses hundreds of individual credentials. 

After redesigning its certification programs and categories, IBM now has a primary data-centric certification category called IBM Data and AI. It includes a range of database credentials: 

• Database Associate
• Database Administrator
• System Administrator
• Application Developer 

IBM’s is a big and complex certification space, but one where particular platform allegiances are likely to guide readers toward the handful of items most relevant to their interests and needs. 

Database professionals who support DB2 (or aspire to) on IBM’s z/OS should check out the IBM Associate Certified DBA — Db2 12 certification. It’s an entry-level test that addresses routine planning, working with SQL and XML, security, operations, data concurrency, application design, and concepts around database objects.

This certification requires candidates to pass one exam. Pre-exam training and familiarity with concepts, or hands-on experience, are recommended but not required. 

IBM Certified Database Administrator — DB2 facts and figures

Did you know? IBM’s certification offerings are among the best system administrator certifications IT professionals can achieve.

2. Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure offers a broad range of tools and add-ons for business intelligence. Azure is a cloud computing platform for application management and Microsoft-managed data centers. Microsoft certifications include various Azure offerings based on job role and experience level.

Microsoft’s certification program is role-centric, centered on the skills you need to succeed in specific technology jobs. Because Azure has such a broad scope, Azure certifications span multiple job roles. However, specific certifications exist for the following positions:

• Data Analysts
• Data Engineers
• Data Scientists
• Database Administrators 

There are also certifications for learners at different experience levels. 

For those looking to take their Azure knowledge to the next level, the Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals certification is the perfect place to start. This certification is for beginner database administrators interested in using Azure and mastering data in the cloud. It offers foundational knowledge of core concepts while reinforcing concepts for later use in other Azure role-based certifications, such as those listed below: 

• Azure Database Administrator Associate
• Azure Data Engineer Associate
• Data Analyst Associate 

Azure Data Fundamentals certification facts and figures

3. Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator 

Oracle runs its certifications under the auspices of Oracle University. The Oracle Database Certifications page lists separate tracks depending on job role and product. MySQL is perhaps the leading open-source relational database management system (RDBMS). Since acquiring Sun Microsystems in 2010 (which had previously acquired MySQL AB), Oracle has rolled out a paid version of MySQL and developed certifications to support the product. 

If you’re interested in pursuing an Oracle MySQL certification, you can choose between MySQL Database Administration and MySQL Developer. 

The Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator (OCP) credential recognizes professionals who can accomplish the following tasks:

• Install, optimize and monitor MySQL Server.
• Configure replication.
• Apply security.
• Schedule and validate database backups. 

The certification requires candidates to pass a single test (the same test can be taken to upgrade a prior certification). Oracle recommends training and on-the-job experience before taking the exam.

Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator facts and figures

Did you know? According to Oracle, approximately 1.8 million Oracle Certified professionals globally hold certifications to advance their networking careers and professions to validate their IT expertise. 

4. Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification

For individuals interested in working in the Oracle environment who have the necessary experience to become a database administrator, Oracle’s Database SQL Certified Associate Certification is another top Oracle certification and an excellent starting point. This test encompasses an understanding of fundamental SQL concepts that individuals must grasp for database projects. 

By earning the certification, individuals demonstrate that they have a range of knowledge in core SQL concepts:

• Familiarity with queries, data modeling, and normalization
• Strong base understanding of the underlying SQL language
• An ability to create and manipulate Oracle Database tables 

This certification also requires candidates to pass a single exam. While Oracle does not specify any prerequisites, the company does state candidates should have familiarity working with the command line. 

Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification facts and figures

5. SAP HANA: SAP Certified Technology Associate — SAP HANA 2.0 SPS05

SAP SE has an extensive portfolio of business applications and analytics software, including cloud infrastructure, applications and storage. The SAP HANA platform’s foundation is an enterprise-grade relational database management system that can be run as an appliance on-premises or in the cloud. The cloud platform lets customers build and run applications and services based on SAP HANA. 

SAP offers a comprehensive certification program built to support its various platforms and products. We’re featuring the SAP Certified Technology Associate — SAP HANA cert because it aligns closely with other certifications we’ve highlighted and is in high demand among employers, according to job board surveys. 

This certification ensures database professionals can install, manage, monitor, migrate and troubleshoot SAP HANA systems. It covers the following skills:

• Managing users and authorizations
• Applying security
• Ensuring high availability 
• Effective disaster-recovery techniques 

SAP recommends that certification candidates get hands-on practice through formal training or on-the-job experience before attempting this exam. The SAP Learning Hub is a subscription service that gives certification candidates access to a library of learning materials, including e-learning courses and course handbooks. 

The annual subscription rate for individual users on the Professional certification track is $2,760. This online training program is designed for those who run, support, or implement SAP software solutions. Though this may seem like a steep price for online training, you will likely be able to pass any SAP certification exams you put your mind to by leveraging all the learning resources available to SAP Learning Hub Professional subscribers. 

Typically, SAP certifications achieved on one of the two most latest SAP solutions are considered current and valid. SAP contacts professionals whose certifications are nearing end-of-life status and provides information on maintaining their credentials.

SAP Certified Technology Associate facts and figures

Tip: To broaden your skill set, consider pursuing the best sales certifications to better sell and implement various IT solutions, including databases.

Beyond the top 5 database certifications

Additional database certification programs can further the careers of IT professionals who work with database management systems. 

While most colleges with computer science programs offer database tracks at the undergraduate, master and Ph.D. levels, well-known vendor-neutral database certifications exist, including the following: 

• ICCP certifications. The Institute for the Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) offers its unique Certified Data Professional and Certified Data Scientist credentials. Learn more about ICCP certifications from the ICCP website.
• Enterprise DB certifications. EnterpriseDB administers a small but effective certification program with two primary certs: the EDB Certified Associate and the EDB Certified Professional. 

These are some additional certifications: 

These credentials represent opportunities for database professionals to expand their skill sets — and salaries. However, such niches in the database certification arena are generally only worth pursuing if you already work with these platforms or plan to work for an organization that uses them.

Key takeaway: Pursuing additional database certifications can be helpful for professional development if you already work with these platforms or plan to work with them in the future. 

Job board search results

Before pursuing certifications, consider their popularity with employers to gain a helpful perspective on current database certification demand. Here’s a job board snapshot to give you an idea of what’s trending.

If the sheer number of available database-related positions isn’t enough motivation to pursue a certification, consider average salaries for database administrators. SimplyHired reports $91,949 as the national average in the U.S., ranging from $64,171 to over $131,753. Glassdoor’s reported average is somewhat lower at $84,161, with a top rung for experienced senior DBAs right around $134,000.

Choosing the right certification

Choosing the best IT certifications to enhance your skills and boost your career can be overwhelming, especially as many available certifications are for proprietary technologies. While picking a database certification can feel like locking yourself into a single technology family, it is worth remembering that many database skills are transferable. Additionally, pursuing any certification shows your willingness to learn and demonstrates competence to current and future employers. 

Ultimately, choosing which certification to pursue depends on the technologies you use at work or would like to use at a future employer.

Jeremy Bender contributed to the reporting and writing in this article. 

ChatGPT has made a name for itself these days, it’s seemingly everywhere. Google and Microsoft have released their own versions of large language models (LLMs), and a multitude of other chatbots and complementary technology are in active development. As a result of how much buzz generative AI has received from the media, organizations and people alike, it makes sense that IT security companies are also hoping to benefit from these technologies.

And while this emerging technology has the potential to make software development more convenient, it’s equally as likely to become a source of potential threats and headaches for security-minded organizations.

Here are four potential threats and headaches that security teams can expect from ChatGPT:

1. ChatGPT does not replace security experts

The tool takes a massive amount of text and other data that it finds online and uses various mathematical models to create its responses. It isn’t a security expert, but it’s good at locating what human security experts have posted. However, ChatGPT lacks the ability to think for itself and it’s often influenced by user decisions, which can change everything related to remediation in security. And while the code generation features are tantalizing, ChatGPT does not code to the same level of sophistication as a seasoned security expert.

2. ChatGPT isn't very accurate

Despite the fanfare over passing a law school bar test and other college tests, ChatGPT isn’t all that smart. Its database only dates back to 2021, although new data gets uploaded all the time. That’s a big issue for delivering up-to-the-minute vulnerabilities for example. But it doesn’t always offer up the right answers because it depends on how the users frame their questions or describes the context of the queries. Users have to take the time to refine their questions and experiment with the chatbots, which will require new skills in how we formulate our queries and develop our own expertise.

3. ChatGPT can cause extra work for coders

It cannot serve as a no-code solution or bridge the talent gap as non-experts put in charge of the tech cannot verify the generated recommendations ensuring they make sense. In the end, ChatGPT will create more technical debt as security experts will have to vet any AI-produced code to ensure its validity and security bona fides.

4. ChatGPT could potentially expose sensitive information

By its very nature, the inputs to all chatbots are continuously used to retrain and Improve the models themselves. ChatGPT can potentially exploit an organization’s vulnerabilities and create a single place for hackers to access the data generated by a chatbot. We have already seen an early compromise where user chat histories were exposed.

Given these issues, what should IT security managers do to protect their organizations and mitigate risks? Gartner has offered a few specific ways to become more familiar with the chatbots and recommended using Azure’s version for experimentation because it does not capture sensitive information. They also propose putting the right policies in place to prevent confidential data from being uploaded to the bots, such as the policies Walmart enacted earlier this year.

IT managers should also work on better and more targeted awareness and training programs. One consultant suggests using the chatbots themselves to generate demo training messages. Another technique: generate reports and analysis of cybersecurity threats that security experts can rewrite for the general public.

As ChatGPT continues to make headlines, we will need be careful with which technology we embrace. In the coming years, investment priorities will likely change so that privacy and compliance teams lean on security teams even more to ensure their privacy controls are compliant with new regulations. ChatGPT may or may not fit into this plan. Either way, security analysts need to weigh the pros and cons of the AI interface and determine if it’s truly worth the risk of integration.

Ron Reiter, co-founder and CTO, Sentra

© Provided by Investopedia xefstock / Getty Images Reviewed by Chip StapletonFact checked by Timothy Li

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren popularized the 50/20/30 budget rule in her book, All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan. The rule is to split your after-tax income into three categories of spending: 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings.

This intuitive and straightforward rule can help you draw up a reasonable budget that you can stick to over time in order to meet your financial goals.

Key Takeaways

• The rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must-have or must-do.
• The remaining half should be split up between 20% savings and debt repayment and 30% to everything else that you might want.
• The rule is a template that is intended to help individuals manage their money and save for emergencies and retirement.
• The purpose of the 50/30/20 rule is to balance paying for necessities while being mindful of long-term savings and retirement.
• The 50/30/20 rule can be simplified by setting up automatic deposits, using automatic payments, and tracking changes in income.

• Creating an emergency funds
• Making IRA contributions to a mutual fund account
• Investing in the stock market
• Setting aside funds to buy physical property for long-term holding
• Making debt repayments beyond minimum payments

If emergency funds are ever used, the first allocation of additional income should be to replenish the emergency fund account.

Importance of Savings

Americans are notoriously bad at saving, and the nation has extremely high levels of debt. As of April 2023, the average personal savings rate for individuals in the United States was just 4.1%.

The 50-20-30 rule is intended to help individuals manage their after-tax income, primarily to have funds on hand for emergencies and savings for retirement. Every household should prioritize creating an emergency fund in case of job losses, unexpected medical expenses, or any other unforeseen monetary cost. If an emergency fund is used, then a household should focus on replenishing it.

Saving for retirement is also a critical step as individuals are living longer. Calculating how much you will need for retirement and working towards that goal, beginning at a young age will ensure a comfortable retirement.

Benefits of the 50/30/20 Budget Rule

The 50/30/20 rule can guide individuals to financial prosperity in a number of different ways. Potential benefits from these guidelines include:

• Ease of Use: The 50/30/20 rule offers a straightforward framework for budgeting, making it simple to comprehend and apply. You may distribute your income immediately without the need for intricate calculations. This makes it so even the least financially-savvy person can still adhere to these rules.
• Enact Financial Balance: By using a budget, you may manage your money in a balanced way. You may make sure that your necessary costs are covered, that you have money for discretionary spending, and that you're actively saving for the future. In this way, you'll be able to save for the future, save for current needs, and still have a little fun with finances.
• Prioritize Vital Expenses: You can make sure that you cover your fundamental needs without going over budget or taking on too much debt by giving these basics top priority. As these rules stipulate that half of your budget goes towards needs, this plan makes sure your essentials are more likely to be met.
• Emphasize Saving Goals: By allocating 20% of your income to savings, you can set up an emergency fund, prepare for retirement, pay off debt, invest, or pursue other financial goals. By consistently saving this amount, you establish sound financial practices and build a safety net for unforeseen costs or future goals.
• Promote Long-Term Financial Security: Using these rules, you give your financial future priority by continuously setting aside 20% of your salary. This expenditure on savings can help you accumulate money, meet long-term financial objectives, and give yourself and your family a sense of security as you approach retirement in either the short-term or long-term timeframe.

The idea behind the 50/30/20 rule is that anyone can use these proportions, regardless of their income. However, be mindful how those with lower income or those living in higher cost of living areas may need to adjust these percentages.

How to Adopt the 50/30/20 Budget Rule

No single way of tracking to a budget will work for everyone. However, here are some high-level tips on adopting a 50/30/20 budget relevant to all individuals.

Track Your Expenses

To better understand your spending habits, start by keeping track of your expenses for a month or two. Analyze your spending to determine how well it adheres to the 50/30/20 breakdown by classifying it into needs, wants, and savings. This will set the groundwork for better understanding how far off from budget you will be starting off at. Also, the only way you'll know you're being successful at adhering to this budget is by tracking your real spend. Most often, this can be done fairly easy using spreadsheet solutions such as Microsoft Excel.

Understanding Your Income

The basis of the 50/30/20 budget is rooted in understanding what your income is. Take caution that your gross income may be vastly different from your net income as Federal income taxes reduce what you'll take home. By understanding what you earn and what actually hits your bank account each pay period, you'll be better positioned to establish the correct budget amounts for the three categories.

Identify Your Critical Costs

This includes expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, transportation expenses, insurance premiums, and debt repayments. These costs are non-negotiable, and these must be expenses necessary for your daily living. Because these expenses may take up the largest portion of your budget, it's important to be most mindful with this group. In addition, these expenses must be incurred, so you likely have the least amount of flexibility once they are committed to. For example, locking into a rental agreement may require a 6-month or 12-month requirement.

Automate Your Savings

By automating the process, saving will be simpler. Set up monthly automated payments from your checking account to your investment or savings accounts. This guarantees that your funds increase steadily without requiring manual labor. This may also make it easier to regularly review your budget to make sure it is in line with your lifestyle and financial objectives as there is less of a burden to administratively manage your savings.

Maintain Consistency

Adopting the 50/30/20 budget guideline successfully requires maintaining consistency. Over time, stick to your spending strategy and resisted the want to go over budget or depart from your percentage allocations. Like any other form of budget, this plan is often most successful when there are clear guidelines that can leveraged every month. Be mindful to reset your spending limits each month, and strive to maintain consistency from one period to the next.

Example of the 50/30/20 Budget Rule

Imagine a person recently graduated from college and started her first full-time job. She wants to develop good financial habits from the beginning and has heard about the 50/30/20 budget rule. Eager to take control of her finances, she decides to set up a 50/30/20 budget.

To understand her spending patterns, the person starts tracking her expenses for a month. She uses a budgeting app that categorizes her expenses automatically into needs, wants, and savings. The person calculates her monthly after-tax income, which amounts to $3,500. This will be her basis for allocating her budget according to the 50/30/20 rule.

After analyzing her tracked expenses, the person realizes that her essential expenses like rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and student loan payments add up to approximately $1,750 per month. She allocates exactly 50% of her income, which is $1,750, to cover these needs. The person then allocates $1,050 to discretionary items and $700 each month to retirement and savings. The person sets up an automatic transfer from her checking account to her savings account on her payday.

Six months later, the person is promoted. Because the person's income has changed, she reevaluates each budget amount. In addition, the person reviews her budget and adjusts as needed. She also realizes that her transportation expenses are higher than expected, so she decides to start carpooling with a colleague to reduce costs.

The person remains disciplined and consistent with her budgeting practice. She prioritizes financial well-being and regularly evaluates her progress toward her goals. As she progresses in her career, she continues to adjust her budget to reflect changes in her income and priorities. In the long run, the person has taken steps to not only have their needs met but have sufficient funds available for their future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Modify the Percentages in the 50/30/20 Rule to Fit My Circumstances?

Yes, you can modify the percentages in the 50/30/20 rule based on your circumstances and priorities. Adjusting the percentages can help you tailor the rule to better suit your financial goals and needs. This is especially relevant for people living in places with higher cost of living or for people that have loftier, higher long-term retirement saving needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Include Taxes in the Calculation of the 50/30/20 Rule?

Taxes are typically excluded from the calculation of the 50%, 30%, 20% rule since it focuses on allocating income after taxes. You should consider your after-tax income when applying the rule. If you do decide to factor in taxes, be mindful to use gross income and appropriately forecast what your taxes will be.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Budget Effectively Using the 50/30/20 Rule?

To budget effectively using the 50%, 30%, 20% rule, track your expenses, prioritize essential needs, be mindful of wants, and consistently allocate savings or debt repayment within the designated percentage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use the 50/30/20 Rule to Save for Long-Term Goals?

Yes, the 50/30/20 rule can be used to save for long-term goals. Allocate a portion of the 20% to savings specifically for your long-term goals, such as a down payment on a house, education funds, or investments. The rule is intentionally meant to bring focus to savings.

The Bottom Line

Saving is difficult, and life often throws unexpected expenses at us. By following the 50-20-30 rule, individuals have a plan with how they should manage their after-tax income. If they find that their expenditures on wants are more than 30%, they can find ways to reduce those expenses that will help direct funds to more important areas such as emergency money and retirement.

Life should be enjoyed, and it is not recommended to live like a Spartan, but having a plan and sticking to it will allow you to cover your expenses, save for retirement, all at the same time doing the activities that make you happy.

ISA offers a variety of resources to help you prepare for the Certified Automation Professional (CAP^®) exam.

Primary Textbook

A Guide to the Automation Body of Knowledge is the primary text resource for the CAP test and provides a complete overview of all technical topics. Order the Guide to the Automation Body of Knowledge.

Study Guide

The CAP Study Guide is a comprehensive self-study resource that contains a list of the CAP domains and tasks, 75 review Questions Answers complete with justifications. References that were used for each study guide question are also provided with the question. The Study Guide also includes a recommended list of publications that you can use to do further study on specific domains. Order the CAP Study Guide.

Review Courses

A CAP review course is available in several formats as preparation for taking the certification exam. This course is offered by ISA and can also be offered at your location.

ISA also has a variety of training courses that would be helpful in preparing for CAP. Visit the Automation Professional Training page for a complete list.

Additional Resources

Exam Topics

1. Basic Continuous Control: Process Instrumentation, Analytical Instrumentation, Continuous Control, Control Valves, Analog Communications, Control System Documentation, Control Equipment
2. Basic Discrete, Sequencing, and Manufacturing Control: Discrete Input & Output Devices and General Manufacturing Measurements, Discrete and Sequencing Control, Motor and Drive Control, Motion Control
3. Advanced Control Topics: Process Modeling, Advanced Process Control, Control of Batch Processes, Environmental, Environmental Monitoring, Building Automation
4. Reliability, Safety, and Electrical: Alarm Management, Reliability, Process Safety and Safety Instrumented Systems, Electrical Installations, Safe Use and Application of Electrical Apparatus
5. Integration and Software: Digital Communications, Industrial Networks, Manufacturing Execution Systems and Business Integration, System and Network Security, Operator Interface, Data Management, Software, Custom Software
6. Deployment and Maintenance: Operator Training, Checkout, System Testing, and Startup, Troubleshooting, Maintenance, Long-Term Support and System Management
7. Work Structure: Automation Benefits and Project Justifications, Project Management and Execution, Interpersonal Skills

CAP demo Questions

Questions on the test were derived from the real practice of automation professionals as outlined in the CAP Role Delineation Study and job task analysis. Using interviews, surveys, observation, and group discussions, ISA worked with automation professionals to delineate critical job components to develop test specifications to determine the number of questions related to each domain and task tested. This rigorous program development and ongoing maintenance process ensures that CAP certification accurately reflects the skills and knowledge needed to excel as an automation professional.

The following six questions were taken from the CAP test question item bank and serve as examples of the question type and question content found on the CAP exam.

1. The method by which the tasks and hazards associated with a machine or process are analyzed is known as:
   • A. Risk assessment.
   • B. Machine assessment.
   • C. Risk reduction.
   • D. Risk abatement.
2. To test controller tuning or prototype new control strategies offline, the model should be a(an):
   • A. Tie-back (loopback) simulation.
   • B. Artificial neural network.
   • C. Dynamic process simulation.
   • D. Steady state process simulation.
3. The temperature measurement with the BEST repeatability and resolution is the:
   • A. Thermocouple.
   • B. Resistance temperature detector (RTD).
   • C. Dial thermometer.
   • D. Capillary system.
4. Which of the following is NOT a variable speed drive setup parameter?
   • A. Acceleration rate.
   • B. Motor winding type.
   • C. Output frequency.
   • D. Maximum speed.
5. A complete test plan for system integration testing MUST include:
   • A. Comments for the application programmer.
   • B. Multiple test cases for each mode of operation.
   • C. At least five test cases for each test.
   • D. Expected results for each test case.
6. Frequency of maintenance should be determined by:
   • A. Failure rates of components.
   • B. Availability of personnel and parts.
   • C. Management targets for efficiency and productivity.
   • D. Effectiveness of maintenance personnel.

Sample Questions Answer Key

May 19 (Reuters) - California could design its own bar exam—replacing the national lawyer licensing test it has used for years.

The Board of Trustees of the State Bar of California on Friday endorsed a plan for the state to begin developing its own bar test to test federal and California law instead of using an overhauled version of the national bar test that is set to debut in 2026. The board voted to send that recommendation to the California Supreme Court, which has the final decision on which bar test to use.

That recommendation comes from the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Future of the Bar test — a joint effort between the California Supreme Court and the state bar. The 19-member commission issued a series of attorney licensing recommendations in February after nearly two years of study. Developing its own bar test would give California more control over the test, such as whether to give it remotely or in person, the commission concluded. And it would give the state more flexibility in testing California-specific law, it found.

Among the other recommendations is one pertaining to lawyers licensed in other states who are seeking admission in California. The commission suggested dropping the requirement that they sit and pass California's bar test provided they meet certain criteria such as having practiced for a minimum number of years.

The commission was unable to reach a consensus on establishing an alternative pathway to licensure that does not involve a bar exam, such as requiring law graduates to practice under the supervision of an experienced lawyer or requiring specific coursework in law school.

Several state bar board trustees and members of the public expressed disappointment during the meeting that the commission had not put forth an alternative pathway to licensure, and the board directed commission members who had worked on alternative pathways to reconvene and develop proposals for it to consider later this year.

Read more:

California panel wants state to keep bar test but design its own test

Old bar test or new one? States will have a choice in 2026

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

British Council, the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural exchange and Microsoft India Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a co-developed three-year partnership programme, 'English Skills for Youth'. The programme aims to enhance the life opportunities of young people, aged 18-25, particularly women, in socio-economically marginalised communities across India.

The primary objective of the 'English Skills for Youth' project is to enhance employability opportunities for the youth. Microsoft and the British Council have co-developed this programme to impart one of the most in-demand skills –English language– to the students. The beneficiaries will also be equipped with essential underpinning skills, including collaboration, critical thinking, soft skills, and leadership abilities, offering a holistic development plan for the youth. These skills are crucial for improving employment prospects and facilitating further education opportunities.

The English Skills for Youth solution will be integrated into rural engineering colleges linked to Microsoft’s existing NGO/partner skilling projects for the underserved. By adopting this innovative approach, the project seeks to benefit 60,000 youth and 600 teachers during the initial three-year pilot phase, with a long-term goal of reaching 400,000 young people engaged in Microsoft Philanthropies funded projects. The programme will focus on building English communication skills and soft skills to equip students to present themselves confidently at job interviews and/or sustain their jobs in companies with a global customer base.

The project has been designed to cover three key aspects:

• Capacity building of English faculty and placement officers in state engineering colleges across India.
• Facilitating the development of English skills for students, particularly women, adopting a community of practice approach through student club meetings.
• Establishing an interface with industry through joint thought leadership forums organised by Microsoft and the British Council, focusing on multilingualism in the workplace.

Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council, said, “Enabling young people, particularly women, with life and employment opportunities is at the core of all our work in culture, education and English so we are delighted to announce the 'English Skills for Youth' programme with Microsoft India. This partnership model brings together expertise in developing the range of skills such as working collaboratively, critical thinking, English communication and soft skills, and leadership skills that are crucial for the age group of 18-25 years to Improve their employability opportunities. We are very excited about the long-term positive impact that will be delivered at scale through the expansive network of Microsoft Philanthropies, preparing young women and students to take charge of their learning and livelihoods.”

Present at the signing, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, UN at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, said:

"The UK-India relationship has flourished over many decades, expanding once again through our commitments in the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK’s future relations.”

“India and the UK are united in valuing the importance of a good education, which is why we are launching a new ‘English Skills for Youth’ programme. We aim to equip India's younger generation with the right skills to increase their focused chances of employment and prosperity - of young women and girls in particular.”

“I firmly believe that all young people, regardless of their background, should be able to access opportunities for a better future – and I commend the British Council and Microsoft India for their collaboration on this important initiative."

Navtez Bal, Executive Director, Public Sector, Microsoft India, said,“Bridging the skills gap is foundational to building towards inclusive economic and societal progress in today’s digital economy. Beyond imparting digital skills, it is critical to provide holistic training content including soft skills to job seekers of tomorrow. We are excited to partner with the British Council and have a deep impact on the country’s youth with in-demand skills for future-ready jobs.”

Astrology has been practiced for centuries as a tool to understand our personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and potential. But did you know that it can also help guide you in choosing the right education stream? Yes, you read that right! Your zodiac sign can give insights into which field of study aligns with your natural abilities and interests. Read on to discover how astrology can assist you in selecting the perfect education path for your future success.

Aries: You are known for your boldness, leadership skills, and competitive nature. Consider fields that allow you to take charge and showcase your individuality. With a natural talent for athletics and physical activities, you can excel in sports-related courses or degrees in kinesiology. You thrive on challenges and enjoy taking risks which makes you well-suited for studying subjects like law enforcement or military service.

Taurus: You are known for practicality and determination, making you excellent candidates for careers in finance or business. However, you also have a creative side that can lead you to pursue subjects in the arts or design. Your attention to detail means you can excel at tasks requiring precision and accuracy. Your love for worldly pleasures makes you suited to study management or hospitality as well as fashion designing or interior decoration.

Gemini: When it comes to choosing the right education stream, you should consider careers that allow you to use your natural talents. Your curiosity can make you great researcher or journalist while your strong communication skills make you well-equipped for studying sales, marketing and public speaking. However, you may struggle with sticking to one thing for too long as you tend to get bored easily. Therefore, choose subjects that allows room for growth and change.

Cancer: You have a high sense of sensitivity and caring nature towards others. You are usually drawn to fields that involve helping people or working in creative industries. Due to your nurturing skills, you excel in fields such as nursing, teaching, social work or counselling. You have an innate ability to connect with people on an emotional level and offer comfort during difficult times.
Your creativity can also lead you down paths of artistry, music or writing.

Leo: In terms of education streams, you would excel in fields that allow you to take charge such as business management or politics. You also have a flair for creativity and would do well in fields like fashion designing or acting. However, avoid subjects that require you to work behind-the-scenes or take orders from others. You thrive on attention and need recognition for hard work.
You can also make study entrepreneurship.

Virgo: You have a natural ability to break down complex information into smaller parts and analyse them thoroughly. You should consider pursuing streams that require precision and attention to detail such as medicine, law or engineering. Your critical thinking skills will also make you an excellent researcher or analyst. You can also excel in creative subjects such as writing or graphic design where your eager eye for detail can be put into practice.

Libra: When it comes to choosing an education stream, you should focus on subjects that allow you to use your communication skills and work with others. Some ideal education streams for you include law, public relations, marketing, psychology, counselling, or even event planning. These fields all require excellent communication skills and the ability to work well under pressure.
In addition, you are well-suited for creative fields like fashion design or interior decorating.

Scorpio: As far as education streams go, you have varied interests ranging from science to psychology to law. Your analytical skills make you an excellent researcher while your curiosity makes you a great problem solver. You are drawn towards streams where you can use your investigative abilities such as criminology or forensic sciences. However, you also possess a creative streak which makes you excel in fields like art and music.

Sagittarius: You are always looking for new experiences and learning opportunities, which makes you a perfect candidate for studying subjects related to travel or education. You have a passion for exploration and finding meaning in life. You often pursue higher education or seek out spiritual guidance to deepen understanding of the world around you. Look for careers in the field of teaching, spiritual learning or writing and study subjects related to them.

Capricorn: When it comes to choosing the right education stream, you should consider programs in business administration, accounting or economics. These fields align with your natural abilities and will provide you with ample opportunities to climb the corporate ladder. Another area of interest for you can be law. Your logical thinking skills coupled with sense of responsibility can make you successful judge or lawyer. Additionally, engineering or medicine also suits you well.

Aquarius: When it comes to choosing an education stream, you should consider pursuing degrees in fields that align with your values of innovation and social justice. Some examples include environmental studies, sociology, psychology, or any other discipline that promotes individuality while serving the community at large. Your innovative mindset also makes you a good fit for studying subjects related to technology, science, or research.

Pisces: When it comes to choosing an education stream or field of study, you thrive in areas that allow you to express your imaginative and compassionate nature. Pursuing studies in fine arts, literature, theatre, music, or philosophy can provide an outlet for your creative expression and emotional depth. Further, studying sociology, anthropology, or political science can provide you with a deeper understanding of societal dynamics.

Neeraj Dhankher

(Vedic Astrologer, Founder - Astro Zindagi)

Email: info@astrozindagi.in, neeraj@astrozindagi.in

Url: www.astrozindagi.in

Contact: Noida: +919910094779