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How to Mail a Photo Print

Devon Berry spent four years as executive associate dean at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing, where he oversaw strategy implementation and provided leadership for the school’s six Advanced Practice Nurse Registration programs. He recently received his MBA from Western Governors University and resides in Happy Valley, Oregon with his family. In his free time, Devon Berry likes to practice photography.

There are few things more satisfying for photography enthusiasts than sharing their photos with others. While many opt for sending online albums these days, there is still value in the tangible photo print. After getting a photo developed, packaging it property to ensure it doesn’t get bent or damaged in transit is a process that can prove difficult depending on size, quantity and type. Below are effective tips for how to mail a photo print:

Step 1: Place in a plastic sleeve

Package a print flat if you can, as bending it can cause cracks on the finished coating of the paper. The exception is large prints like posters around 16×20, when packing it flat can be impractical and mailing in a cardboard or PVC tube will suffice. When working with photos sized 11×14 and under, put your print in a clear plastic sleeve and tape it shut, that way it is easier to handle and you don’t get your fingerprints on it.

Step 2: Secure between board

Use two sheets of sturdy surface slightly larger than the photo such as mat board or mounting board. Tape the plastic sleeve directly to one of the boards so the print is sitting in the middle, and cover with the other board, taping the edges together so you have one unified piece. Tape around all four edges again so you have one finished package ready for the mail.

Step 3: Add security

While it’s technically out of your hands how the package gets treated once it’s in the mail, you can add caution by writing phrases like “do not bend” and “fragile, photo enclosed” on the front. Or if the package is extra-precious, opt for signature required upon delivery or insurance in case something happens to it.

The Most Scenic Hikes Near Portland, Oregon

Devon Berry is an academic nursing professional most recently serving as executive associate dean at Oregon Health and Science (OHSU) School of Nursing. Before that, he held leadership positions at institutions in the Midwest including Wright State University, University of Cincinnati, and Cedarville University. Devon Berry resides in Portland, Oregon with his family, where they often like to get out and explore the outdoors.

Portland has a bounty of hiking options less than two hours from the city, many of which offer diverse terrain and sweeping views of the mountains, city, and beaches. Some trails don’t require much effort by way of mileage and elevation, while others make you work for it—either way, the payoff is more than worth it. Read on for the most scenic hikes near Portland, Oregon.

Clatsop Loop Trail

In Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach, 90 minutes from the city, the Clatsop Loop trail is a 2.8-mile loop that offers expansive views of the ocean. On a clear day, you can even see the Tillamook Lighthouse. To maximize ocean scenery, it’s best to use the trail as an out-and-back on the western side. Simply go left at the trailhead, follow the switchbacks up and turn around at hikers camp.

Grouse Vista Trail to Silver Star Mountain

Just over an hour northeast of Portland near Camas, Washington is Grouse Vista Trail to Silver Star Mountain, a six-mile hike with over 2,000-foot elevation gain. Though strenuous, the steep rocky trail leads to a satisfying view of four mountains—St. Helens, Baker, Hood, and Rainer. Make sure to take a car that can withstand miles of uphill gravel—there is about 20 minutes’ worth off the highway to the trailhead.

Lower Macleay Trail

Get a view of Portland’s cityscape at the top of this 5-mile hike, which peaks at the Pittock Mansion. The trailhead starts at the end of NW Upshur street and is one of the entry points to the city’s largest greenspace, Forest Park. It’s an easy, well-trodden out-and-back path with a steady incline that amasses just over 900 feet in elevation.

The Most Unique Museums in Portland, Oregon

Devon Berry, PhD, RN, recently received his MBA from Western Governors University. He has served in executive leadership positions at academic institutions such as Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), Wright State University, University of Cincinnati, and Cedarville University. Devon Berry currently resides in Portland, Oregon with his family.

A mural in downtown Portland reads “Keep Portland Weird” and one of the many ways the city lives out the slogan is through its museums. There are odd finds everywhere—from the confusing to the fascinating—at the most unique museums in Portland:

Freakybuttrue Peculiarium

Not for the easily squeamish, this small museum pays homage to horror movies and sci-fi myths like aliens and bigfoot. There are interactive elements, where you can stand inside a spaceship or oversized shoe, hit a gong, or play the xylophone.

Hippo Hardware

Though not technically a museum, the goods you’ll find at this place are truly one of a kind, with hardware, lighting, and plumbing dating back to the 1860s—often salvaged from local homes and public buildings. Hippo Hardware has also been known to sell more eccentric pieces, like coffins and old elevator light sconces. To no surprise given the store’s name, there are over 3,000 clay, leather, and stone hippos spread throughout its interior.

The National Hat Museum

Those who are as excited about what goes on the head as what goes in it will find Lu Ann Trotebas’ curated collection of over 2,200 hats a sight to behold. The extra-enthused can take a 90 minute tour detailing the hats and their history that spans back to the early 1900s.

2 Important Ways To Build a Strong Career Network

Devon Berry has spent over 20 years in higher education, most recently serving as the executive associate dean at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing. He received his MBA from Western Governors University and has held leadership positions at Wright State University, University of Cincinnati, and Cedarville University. Devon Berry resides in Happy Valley, Oregon with his family.

With years of academic leadership experience, Devon Berry is familiar with networking. Networking is often associated with being performative and transactional, as if the only point of being friendly with another is to get a job lead out of them. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are ways to get to know other people in your field (or the field you want to be in) without being pushy, calculating, or disingenuous. All in all, networking is simply about making genuine connections with others. Below are two important ways to build a strong career network.

Make Yourself Open

You don’t have to go to a designated networking event in order to meet other professionals in your area of interest. Joining an industry club or even sports league can introduce you to more people. You can also forge relationships with your built-in network at work—if there is a group coffee break or outing, participate. Conferences can also be a good setting to get your face out there and learn industry insights along the way.

Focus on Others

A study by Harvard Business Review found that people who focus on how they can help others instead of how others can help themselves enjoy networking more. Another way to improve your mindset is to adjust expectations—don’t plan to meet someone in order to get a job or connect you to someone they know. Look for those you have something in common with and would genuinely like to know. Then stay in touch, maybe asking them questions that show respect for their expertise and congratulating them on LinkedIn when they hit career milestones—that way when you do ask for a recommendation letter or job help, it won’t seem forced.

3 Tips for a Video Job Interview

An experienced academic nursing leader, Devon Berry most recently served as the executive associate dean at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing. He received his MBA from Western Governors University and resides in Happy Valley, Oregon with his family.

With more than 20 years of consulting and academic leadership experience, Devon Berry, PhD, RN, is familiar with the job interview process. Many jobs require a preliminary video call via Zoom or Skype before meeting in person. When talking virtually, it can be hard to pick up on body language and establish a conversational cadence—with the potential for the video to cut out or end unexpectedly. Below are three tips for a video job interview so you can come prepared and leave a good impression.

Create a Quiet and Neutral Environment

Remove anything that may distract the interviewer. That can be visual—a dirty plate of food or fan within the camera shot, as well as auditory such as a dog or kids. Hire a sitter if you can, or put them in another part of the house.

Test the Equipment

Download the software you’ll be interviewed on ahead of time, both on your phone and computer in case one device fails. Make sure to do a test run a day before and the day of to make sure audio and video are working properly.

Look Forward

Though uncomfortable, look at the camera when talking, not at the video image of your interviewer. It will appear more like eye-contact, whereas looking at the screen will appear as if you are looking elsewhere. It’s also useful to make a cheat sheet of questions you want to ask or points you want to make on a sticky note or notes app on your screen, taking advantage of what the interviewer can’t see and help keep you focused.

3 Elements of a Good Cover Letter

Devon Berry, RN, PhD, is a nursing leader in Portland, Oregon, who has served in multiple academic nursing executive positions across the U.S. Most recently, Dr. Berry served as the Executive Associate Dean for the Oregon Health and Science University’s School of Nursing. He has also held director and senior consultant level positions at other universities including Cedarville University, Wright State University, and University of Cincinnati.

With over a decade of leadership experience, Devon Berry is well-versed in the hiring process and what makes a good candidate. The cover letter is a crucial aspect of an application because unlike a resume, it gives employers a big-picture view of your communication skills, personal traits, and enthusiasm for the job. While there are many approaches that vary by industry, there are three elements of a good cover letter each must have:

Show Your Skills

Saying you are detail-oriented and proactive doesn’t only prove little, but also isn’t very interesting to read. Instead, give an example of when you demonstrated those skills at one of your jobs.

Provide Context

If there’s anything that may confuse a hiring manager when looking at your resume, address it in the cover letter. For instance, if you are overqualified for the job but really want it regardless or if you are underqualified and think you could excel—state your case up front.

Make it Personal

When applying for very similar jobs in the same field, there are parts of your cover letter you can reuse, but for the most part the letter should be tailored to the nuances of the position and place you are applying. A good question to ask yourself is if another applicant could send the same letter. If so, make it more specific to you.

How to Socialize While Working Remotely

Oregon Health and Sciences University’s (OHSU) former Executive Associate Dean of Nursing, Devon Berry, RN, PhD has over a decade of leadership and nursing experience. He has held executive positions at academic centers of higher education across the country including Cedarville University, Wright State University, and University of Cincinnati.

Devon Berry has years of experience working on a team and understands the importance of social interaction, especially when working from home. As the pandemic has required many to work from home, fitting in social time can be tricky, but there are a few creative ways to engage with others to keep morale up through uncertain times. Read on for tips on how to socialize while working remotely.

Lunch Break Together

Many have gotten used to working through lunch and eating at their desk. Now is a great time to give that habit a rest—was it very productive anyway? Whether with your immediate family, housemates, or virtually with a colleague, eating with others on your lunch break gets your eyes off a screen and gives your mind a break from tasks at hand. You may even return to work refreshed.

Walk and Talk

If you go for a walk or coffee break, schedule a short call with a friend or catch up with a colleague via cell. Making your break social can be a better alternative than scrolling through your phone and adding more screen time.

Take Things Offline

Social media promises connection, but often gives the opposite. Though counterintuitive, research has found that social media can be linked to loneliness. If you want to connect with others, try scheduling distanced in-person meetings or at least video calls. Those interactions are more likely to give you a sense of belonging than virtually liking a photo.

4 Things to Know Before Taking a Hot Yoga Class

Nursing professional Devon Berry is a Midwest native who recently put roots down in the Pacific Northwest. After occupying leadership and faculty roles at Wright State University, University of Cincinnati, and Cedarville University, he has most recently served as the executive associate dean at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing. An experienced associate dean in nursing, Devon Berry prioritizes health in his daily life by trying different exercises such as yoga.

For the uninitiated, yoga can be intimidating. There are twisty positions like pigeon and frog, and with many studios being brightly lit with wall-to-wall mirrors—you can see every move you and everyone else makes, good and bad. Hot yoga classes add another layer of complexity. With a heated environment comes new benefits (deeper stretching, greater flexibility) and challenges (lots of sweat and feeling hot). Below are four things to know before attending a hot yoga class.

Time Hydration and Eating

For rooms that range from 98-100 degrees, hydrating up to 24 hours beforehand is ideal to dispel heat more efficiently during class time. Eating at least two hours beforehand will also help prevent lightheadedness. Make sure to keep the food light, especially the closer you get to class time. Think fruit, nuts, and peanut butter toast, less pasta and pizza.

Read Up on the Lingo

Crow pose, pigeon, child’s pose—the instructor can help you with these positions and more if you’re unfamiliar. But going in with some knowledge beforehand will help your confidence, which in turn may help you focus more on how you feel and less on mechanics.

Arrive Early

Regardless if it’s your first time, try to arrive 10-15 minutes early so you can have enough time to find a locker, fill your water bottle, and grab a spot you’ll feel comfortable practicing. If the instructor is available, it’s also a good time to ask them any questions you may have.

Come Equipped

Bring a water bottle, towel, and mat if you can. Most places have mat rentals and water if you prefer to travel minimally. Wear sweat-wicking clothes that won’t billow out when moving through poses, and make sure to bring clothes to change into after or a towel to put on your seat if driving home.

3 Unconventional Pantry Staples for a Well-Stocked Kitchen

Most recently serving as executive associate dean at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing, Devon Berry has over 20 years of experience as a nursing professional. He has also been on staff at Cedarville University, Wright State University, and University of Cincinnati. Devon Berry currently resides in Happy Valley, Oregon with his family.

When cooking for a family, it’s good to have a well-stocked kitchen with items in the pantry that can assist in whatever recipes you plan for—or don’t. The best pantry staples are versatile. They should be able to function at a moment’s notice in a variety of contexts—breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In a stew or stir-fry. While some that come to mind are obvious—olive oil, salt, and pepper—there are a few unconventional pantry staples that can enhance a variety of dishes.

Nutmilk Concentrate

Though not as easy to find in the grocery store, a shelf-stable nutmilk concentrate is versatile especially for those practicing minimal lactose or vegan lifestyles. You can put it in a blender with water for thirty seconds to make nutmilk, add to pancake batter for a nutty flavor, or as a protein-rich way to thicken up a tzatziki dip.

Tahini

Often found near nut butters at the grocery store, this sesame seed paste can be used in so many ways to add a savory, umami flavor to cookies, salad dressing, sauce, or as a spread on toast.

Canned Pumpkin

Apart from being a great pie filling come thanksgiving, canned pumpkin can be useful year-round. Use it as the main ingredient for a soup or to make a pasta alfredo sauce more creamy.

3 Benefits of HIIT Workouts

Devon Berry, PhD, RN, is an academic nursing leader based in the Pacific Northwest. He most recently served as the executive associate dean at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing. Devon Berry is currently training for the Portland marathon, which involves running a number of miles per week and incorporating cross-training workouts.

One workout that’s gained popularity over the past few years is high intensity interval training (HIIT). Lauded for its efficiency, HIIT is any workout that alternates between intense bursts of activity and fixed periods of rest—often totaling 30 minutes or less. The format is extremely adaptable for any lifestyle, requiring little to no equipment and space no larger than the average room. For example, you can do a HIIT workout at home on a yoga mat, resting for one minute between two minutes of pushups and jump squats, repeating the set five times for a 15-minute, full-body workout. Below are three benefits of this versatile training style:

Increased Aerobic Capacity

Many studies, including one published by The Physician and Sports Medicine Journal, have found that HIIT can have the same aerobic benefits of longer, steady-state workouts—including an increased V02 max (how much oxygen your body uses during exercise, a common marker of athleticism) and lower blood pressure.

A Stronger Heart

Though HIIT workouts are short—you’re going as hard as you can for a few minutes at a time—your heart is still building endurance. A 2006 study found that following eight weeks of HIIT workouts, subjects could bicycle twice as long as they could before the study while maintaining the same pace.

Longer Calorie Burn

HIIT may be able to help you burn calories even after the workout is over. Research has found that HIIT can increase the metabolism after exercising more than jogging.