Extensions

Using a calendar keeps you organized and helps avoid scheduling conflicts.

In this extension, you will: Add your work schedule to your Google calendar, And set up notifications to remind you when to go to work.

To begin, open Google Calendar.

Create a new event.

Add a title that will appear on your Calendar.

Select the next day you are scheduled to work.

Select the time of day when your shift starts.

If you do not have a job yet, select a time that will work for a job in the future.

Select the time your work shift ends.

Go to “More options” to set up repeat events and notifications.

Does your shift schedule repeat?

If so, change the repeat option to “Daily” if your shift is the same every day, or “Weekly” if this schedule is the same day and time every week.

By default, your schedule shows a 30-minute notification.

A notification is like an alarm, which reminds you of something that will happen in the future.

If your commute time to work is more than an hour, change the reminder to one or more hours.

Add another notification to remind you when it is time to get ready to leave.

This second notification gives you time to prepare before you have to commute.

Your email listed below shows where the notification will be sent.

Save your Calendar event.

Your work shift appears with the time you work blocked out on the schedule.

Click once to open the Calendar event.

Double clicking the event takes you to more options if you wish to modify the notifications.

Repeat this process to add more events to the calendar for an entire week.

Using your calendar helps you start off your day with enough time to do everything you need to do to be successful at your job.

Now, it’s your turn: Create a new Calendar event, Enter the date and time of your next work day, And add notifications.

In this extension, you will look for online resources to help you prepare for your new job.

During this activity, you will: Search online for how to be a better employee, Create a new table in your document, And enter information from your search results.

By searching online, you discover resources and training that help you perform better as an employee.

To begin, open a new browser tab and go to Google.com.

Perform an online search using the words “how to be a better employee in” and add the type of job you will be doing.

For example, you might be working in a restaurant or a movie theater or retail if you’re working in a store.

Look through your search results for some positive advice such as “how to be a great employee” or “things to know.” You also have the option to filter your search results by videos if you prefer to watch an advice video over reading.

Open your job document from the main lesson.

Type a title for your new section.

Format the title to make it stand out.

Create a new table in your document below your list of questions.

Insert a new table with two columns and two rows.

In the first column, write the title of the article, blog post, or video you found.

Copy the web address of the article, blog, or video.

Select the title in your table and turn it into a link.

In the second column, write what you found in the blog post or video.

When you take the time to prepare for your new job, you become a better employee.

And when you make an extra effort on your job, you are often rewarded with promotions and raises in the future.

Now, it’s your turn: Search online for how to be a better employee, Create a new table in your document, And enter the information from your search results.

In this extension, you will use Google Maps to look at traffic and plan your drive to work each day.

During this activity, you will plan different routes to work: For different times of the day when your schedule changes, and when traffic, construction, or accidents create delays.

Some routes are busier and slower depending on the time of day.

Problems occur that slow traffic down even more, such as accidents or road construction.

Checking the map each day before you start your commute gives you time to plan a new route if problems occur.

To begin, go to maps.google.com.

Search for the directions to your workplace or the business you chose.

Add your starting address and your destination.

The directions are based on leaving now, but roads could be busier at different times of day, making the trip take longer.

Enter the time you need to arrive at work.

Go through your schedule and check the route for each day of the week.

Select different arrival times, in case you work a different shift.

What patterns do you see in the traffic?

Does the route seem to be delayed at particular times, or on certain days?

Where do you see trouble spots that tend to have accidents?

Areas with high traffic or slow-downs show up in red on the map.

If you see a trouble spot, you may need to select an alternative route and plan extra time for this new way to work.

Select a new route that avoids the problem area.

Check your route on Google Maps each time you start a trip to help you avoid delays by accidents and construction.

Planning ahead helps you arrive at work on time, and reduces the anxiety caused by slow traffic and being late.

Checking traffic could also help you: Make it to a movie on time, Plan the quickest way to complete errands, Or plan the best roads to take on vacation.

Now, it’s your turn: Open Google Maps, Choose a starting point and a destination, Explore different arrival times, And select an alternative route if needed.