It’s a different world than it was ten years ago. The spread of cell phones, the Internet and other wireless devices have literally, permanently changed the way employers look to hire.

A good example is The Registry itself. In order for us to communicate with our members and fulfill our mandate and obligations to the state of Wisconsin, we have to rely on technology like email.

An important part of what The Registry does is help with professional development. To stay competitive in any industry these days, basic computer skills are necessary. You know its true – just look around at how many computers, tablets, smartphones and other technology you see. Everyone has got something and many, more than one device.

On top of all that, the jargon is confusing. Windows, browsers, emails, attachments, dot-com, Mac, Apple, tablet, OS, XP, what does all this mean?  Well, don’t let it get overwhelming. All over Wisconsin, in every community, there are classes available to help you learn or improve your existing computer skills.  Check out the links below.

·      http://www.wisconsin.edu

·      http://www.witechcolleges.org/

Don’t let opportunity and career growth pass you by. Stay current!

What are transcripts and why do they matter? That’s one of the most common questions we get at The Registry. So, what are these things?

Well, Wikipedia has this to say:

“In United States education, a transcript (Cumulative Record File, CRF, Permanent Record, or simply Record) is a copy of a student's permanent academic record which usually means all courses taken, all grades received, all honors received and degrees conferred to a student. A transcript may also contain the number of people in a class, and the average grade of the class. An official transcript is prepared and sent by the issuing school (usually by the Student Registrar or an equivalent) with an original signature of a school official. When students are thinking about changing schools, the cumulative transcripts usually get mailed from school to school. Transcripts usually consist of grades 9-12 when applying to colleges.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcript_(education)

Okay, that’s a start. But in our profession, people come from many different backgrounds with a lot of different training and skills. Not everyone has transcripts or is familiar with them and why they are important. So here are some quick tips about transcripts.

Transcripts are official documents. They are difficult to reproduce and most schools charge a fee for copies. They are important because they help us at The Registry determine what training members need to qualify for certain positions. So it’s best for you if you get them to us as soon as you can.

Making sure The Registry receives up-to-date and official transcripts is very important.

There’s often confusion about what official transcripts are as well. Official transcripts come from each school (university or college) you attended. They often have a seal or watermark on them. They list your current status as a student all the classes you’ve ever taken, your grades and credits earned.

Many schools offer grade reports or lists you can print online. The Registry cannot and will not accept grade reports or any form of class list. Only official transcripts will work. However, we can accept copies of your official transcripts. All colleges and universities charge a fee for transcripts – that’s how you know they’re official.