For another look at the information, check out the BLS' interactive graphs.

Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC)  Industry 

Planning a trip? Whether the purpose is to conduct business, sight-see or relax and recharge, there are a growing number of cyber risks. According to a recent CSO Online article, travelers should take precautions to minimize threats.

Know your rights. 

Educate yourself on local laws and customs before you go, particularly when traveling outside the country. Do not assume that you will be shown the same courtesies or afforded the same protections as American Citizens within U.S. boarders. 

Protect private information. 

Whether you misplace a mobile phone or have a laptop confiscated in a foreign country, you don't want to lose or leak anything sensitive. Backup your files before you leave, remove confidential data (when possible), update / install antivirus software and e nsure it isn't easy for unwanted eyes to view your devices' content by using password protection and data encryption. 

Connect carefully. 

Turn off your devices' wireless auto connect functionalities. Avoid connecting to public WiFi (e.g. airports, hotels, cafes, etc.) and use a personal MiFi whenever possible. If use of a public network is unavoidable, confirm its legitimacy  and exact details with staff before connecting. Only use secure sites (those that begin with https://) and avoid sharing any sensitive data, such as credit card information.

Surf safely. 

As always, use caution when opening emails / attachments, downloading / installing files and using the internet. If anything looks suspicious delete it as soon as possible and check for malware. Be conscientious  of physical surroundings  and other individuals . Guard your screen from on-lookers and never leave your devices unattended . 

Market volatility may seem frightening, but it is a natural cycle. Changes are inevitable, and anticipated fluctuations should not create a fear of investing. Instead of avoiding the investment market entirely, be prepared for shifts with the following four tips. 

1. Stay Calm

Rest assured that the domestic and global markets, which are comprised of thousands of businesses, remain strong. With a well-diversified portfolio that is uniquely situated for your specific long-term goals and objectives, you can take a deep breath and know you have a plan that factors in market volatility.

Historically, markets have recovered very well in times of turmoil. Downward turns in the markets have inevitably been followed by upward movement; thus, is the nature of markets! For example:

*This chart reflects adjusted close price adjusted for both dividends and splits. Data is historical. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

The blue line represents the actual growth of the S&P 500 over the past 30 years. On April 1st 1988 the S&P closed at 261.33 and on April 1st 2018 the S&P closed at 2639.4. While there were bumps along the way the overall trend has been upward.  The orange line represents what many investors want and sometimes expect: no market turbulence and only upward movement. While the latter is unrealistic, both scenarios produce the same result.  If an individual made an investment on April 1, 1988, and stayed in the market for 30 years, the amount would have grown over 1,000 percent. The moral: when approaching long-term retirement plans,  stay calm and invested through market movement. 

2. Stay Invested

Remaining calm and invested is vital to maximize the performance of an investment. While cyclical, exact market shifts are not predictable. Missing just a few good days can cost thousands of dollars.  Consider the example below: 

*Data is historical. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Remember, investing is a long-term plan. While markets may move from day-to-day, you are in it for the long-haul. Market volatility may be an emotional experience. However, pulling out of the market at the first sign of volatility can result in lost money and cause damage to an overall financial plan.

3. Do Not Make an Emotional Decision

Investors may struggle to separate their emotions from their investment decisions. When the market is high, investors may feel excited and invest at high prices. Once there is a downturn, fear can set in leading investors to offload their investment at a lower cost. This dangerous cycle of excessive optimism and fear leads to poor decisions at the worst time.  Time, not timing, is the best way to capitalize on the stock market's gains. 

4. Take Advantage of Opportunities 

Talk to your financial adviser to see if there are any opportunities during volatile market conditions. In a diversified portfolio, you may have a mix of large-cap, small-cap, foreign and domestic investments along with bonds and cash. The movement of the market could have changed the proportions of your holdings in each of these categories. You may want to re-balance to get back to your original investment strategy. This approach may also allow you to take advantage of lower prices during market turmoil.

The aforementioned content was sourced from Prosperity Consulting Group, LLC.

While the U.S. is a nation comprised of high-speed multi-taskers, using a cell phone when driving is often an unnecessary and dangerous undertaking . After all, it only takes a moment with your eyes off the road for an accident to happen. Help mitigate risks and avoid accidents when driving with the following tips.

General Tips for Driving Safer with Cell Phones

• Abstain from talking on a cell phone while you are actively driving. However, anything that interrupts a driver's concentration is potentially unsafe. Additional distractions include changing the radio station, eating, drinking and carrying on a conversation with a passenger.
• If you need to make or answer a call, carefully pull off the road into a safe parking area.
• Make sure your phone is within easy reach, not in the glove compartment or a purse where you might have to dig for it.
• Use a hands-free device like a Bluetooth headset or earpiece that allows you to talk while both hands remain on the wheel.
• Hands-free or not, postpone emotional and complex conversations until a later time.
• Practice driving while using your hands-free device in an open parking lot so you know how to use it properly without fumbling.
• Do not type, send or read incoming messages while driving.
• Use a phone that offers talk-to-text, voice activated dialing and other safety features.
• Only use your cell phone in the event of an emergency.
• In emergency cases where wireless frequencies are jammed, the Cellular and Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) recommends that mobile phone users send texts for assistance.

The aforementioned tips are c ourtesy of Cell Phone Safety.