Course Feature: Gangs in America

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Gangs seems to be a prevalent theme in our country, from television shows to music to the clothing industry. CJ 315: Gangs in America explores this issue, covering topics including why gangs form, why people join gangs, and society鈥檚 response to the problem. Students also discuss the various types of gangs (street gangs, prison gangs, criminal gangs, etc.), gender and age-based gangs, outlaw motorcycle gangs, military gangs, and transnational gangs.

Many students who take CJ 315 are those currently working or interested in working in law enforcement, says Dr. Michael Verro, senior faculty program director for criminal justice and homeland security studies. Other students are interested in taking the course as an elective. Whatever the case, students who successfully complete the course will be able to 鈥渄emonstrate a working knowledge of gangs and gang membership; explain the concept of criminal enterprise and how it applies to organized crime and street gangs; discuss the importance of symbols, graffiti, recruitment, and tactics of street gangs and organized crime; and explain the methods used by law enforcement to combat and control these often-criminal groups,鈥� says Verro.

Students have gleaned much from the course and its instructor, a former police officer and security director. 鈥淚 really enjoyed learning from the instructor and he challenged the way I thought by requiring evidence to back up my statements,鈥� remarked one student; another said, 鈥淸The instructor] asked hard questions in order to make me think about what I was doing, which enhanced my understanding of what I was learning.鈥�

If you鈥檇 like to learn more about the fascinating topic of gangs in America, sign up for CJ 315 for the next trimester.

Quantum Leap: The Quantum Computing Revolution

Posted on by Ethan Prissler

Quantum computing is the term used to encompass the massive change underway in both computer hardware and digital computation. The basis for this revolution in computation is in the way in which information is processed by the hardware. While still in its infancy, quantum computing is poised to fundamentally change the way in which we interact with the digital world.

Currently, computers represent information in bits in a binary fashion, either as a one or a zero. A collection of bits, called a string, can be used to represent things like letters of the alphabet; using the American Standard Code for Information Interchange, {01000001} is the code for the letter A, for example. Using this binary system of bits, computations are done either serially (one after the other) or in parallel (multiple calculations are broken into multiple subtasks which are then worked through at the same time).

Quantum computing, on the other hand, deals with qubits, or quantum bits, instead of the traditional bit. Calculations involving qubits are worked through simultaneously, without breaking the computations into subtasks to be run in parallel processing models. In other words, using the current bit-based model, three bits together can be represented in eight possible combinations: 000, 001, 010, 011, 100, 101, 110, and 111. In the qubit-based model, all eight possible combinations of three qubits can be represented just by the qubits themselves, meaning that a three-qubit notation can encompass all the possible combinations of 1s and 0s.

In cases involving probabilistic computing (i.e. determining which combinations, out of all possible combinations of qubits, are the 鈥渃orrect鈥� ones), the qubits allow for simultaneous computation without the need to break down each computation into a smaller subtask before computing each outcome, and then having to compare or identify the 鈥渃orrect鈥� combination. This represents an enormous savings in computational time in many circumstances, once the number of bits or qubits in the calculation begin to increase. The greater the number of bits/qubits, the easier it is to see the time savings gained, computationally speaking, in many calculations. The progression of possible combinations using bits is expressed using the formula 2n: 2 bits = 4 combinations, 3 bits = 8 combinations, 4 bits = 16 combination, 5 bits = 32 combinations, and so on. While combinations can be worked through in parallel using bits, there is no need for the generation of subtasks when using quantum computing.

This means that for practical tasks, like encrypting and decrypting information, many possible passwords or character combinations can be checked in the fraction of the time it takes for current computers to work through them. Current encryption methods may no longer prove to be secure for long-term storage (think iCloud, GoogleDrive, DropBox, etc.). Current transaction-based encryption, like that used for online banking transactions, would still be relatively secure as the strength of the encryption is only necessary for as long as it takes for a transaction to be processed and the results recorded and posted.听 However, information security, both as a practice and as an industry, will require a paradigm shift in order to retain the current level of users鈥� expectations of privacy. To learn more about computing and technology earn your BS in Information Technology.

 

Working Remotely 9 to 5: Promises and Pitfalls

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

What matters most to you in your job? Is it the satisfaction of work well-done? Recognition? Salary and title? Collaborating in teams? The ability to work from home to achieve more work/life balance?

If you answered, 鈥渨ork from home,鈥� you are not alone. Recent statistics summarized by the indicate that between 30 percent and 45 percent of the labor force work remotely. In addition, 80percent to 90 percent of the U.S. workforce would like to work remotely at least part-time.

Are there benefits to employees who work remotely? Does remote work benefit employers? To answer these questions, the Chinese travel website, Ctrip, offered employees in the call center the opportunity to work remotely for nine months or to work on-site at the company. Survey results indicate that remote workers, in comparison to employees who came into the office, were happier, less likely to quit their job, had higher job satisfaction, and were more productive (i.e., completed more calls: 13.5 percent more calls, to be exact). Remote workers indicated they had more control over when and where they could conduct their work. The issue of control over one鈥檚 workday has been shown to avoid job stress and burnout. Furthermore, Ctrip reported it saved $1,900 per employee for the nine months.

Other studies also identify benefits of remote work to employees and employers alike, similar to the Ctrip research, including:听 productivity increases, more time with family, and the ability to work in less stressful environments, which helps to increase productivity. Absenteeism decreases and retention increases.

Are the benefits to employees identified in this research important to increasing productivity? In 2009, said yes. That year, 40 percent of 386 IBM employees in 173 countries worked remotely. IBM sold office buildings and regained approximately $2 billion. In 2017 however, IBM called all remote workers back to their offices. Why the change? IBM believes the most important predictor of increased productivity is 鈥渢ogetherness,鈥� where employees can build trust through decoding and encoding coworkers鈥� verbal and nonverbal communication. Critics of this strategy indicate working collaboratively doesn鈥檛 necessarily promote high performing teams, nor does face time. IBM will have to build a new culture; employees won鈥檛 assimilate back to their previous jobs automatically.

Still, many companies are offering employees remote work. Before you decide to accept a remote job, you will need to ensure your organization provides you with a remote work policy, as there are legal implications for working remotely. A remote work policy must be tailored to the employee鈥檚 specific job description; it is an agreement to be signed by the employee and her/his supervisor identifying work expected to be accomplished, how to document work completed, rules on working overtime, use of company equipment, and attendance at training programs. Additional components of the policy include: on-the-job injuries, inventory and office property agreement, damage, and theft.

Do you think you are a good candidate for working remotely? Research suggests the following skills are necessary for success in a remote job: critical thinking, being computer savvy, being well-organized, self-motivation, ability to avoid distractions, comfortable with working without colleagues, and having excellent written and verbal communication skills. Being in touch with what you want from work will also allow you to better judge if working remotely is the right career path for you.

Predatory Journals

Posted on by Larry Purnell, PhD, RN, FAAN

At least weekly, I receive an e-mail from a journal that starts out with “Esteemed Professor” or some such appellation that makes one feel important. The journal is inviting me to submit an article or to update a previous publication in what appears to be a legitimate journal. One journal, the International Journal of Oncology Science seemed familiar and promised to publish my paper within a month. 听The journal claimed to be an official journal of International Association Trust with a prime focus of publishing articles related to the current trends of oncology research (International Journal of Oncology Science, n.d.) If I were a new author eager to publish in the environment of “publish or perish in research intensive universities” and unfamiliar with standard publishing industry practices, I would most likely have submitted an article. Moreover, this journal is only one of over 10,000 predatory journals that have started in operation since 2010.

What is a Predatory Journal?

Students are expected to access only scholarly articles when writing formal papers. The following information will help ensure that you use information from respected academic publications. Predatory open access publishing is an exploitative form of academic publishing, in which publication fees are charged to the authors. Predatory publishers do a token peer review or none at all; the primary aim is profit. The article processing fees typically are not disclosed until after an article has been accepted and the author has signed a copyright agreement granting the publisher all rights. The article is published only upon payment of the processing fee: frequently $1,000 but can be as high as $3,000.

听How to Recognize Predatory Journals

No one sure way exists that a student can know how to recognize a predatory journal. However, some red flags exist. A journal you have never heard of with a generic name soliciting papers is a dead giveaway. Broken or poor English is also a red flag. Peer reviewed journals undergo a strict editing process before an article is published. To assure that you are not referencing articles from predatory journals, go to Stop Predatory Journals: List of Predatory Journals (n.d.). This site is regularly undated. When in doubt, check with the excellent.

References

Stop Predatory Journals. List of Predatory Journals. 听(n.d.) Retrieved from https://predatoryjournals.com/journals/

Employability Skills: 8 Strengths to Master for Career Success

Posted on by Maribeth Gunner

Do You Have the Essentials Skills Hiring Officers are Looking For?

Whether you are a new graduate conducting a job search or an experienced professional pursuing a career change, there are important competencies and knowledge you鈥檒l want to hone or acquire to rise above the competition. Hiring officers are seeking certain essential employability skills. Most of these coveted skills are often referred to as 鈥渢ransferable鈥� skills because they can easily apply to any job or work setting.

As you advance in your career, it is important you have a strong command of all the elements employers seek: academic credentials, job content, employability skills, and career awareness. One area to pay particular attention to is your employability skills. Based upon consecutive multiyear surveys from the (NACE), it is these types of skills that are reported as traits employers deem as high priority in the workplace.

KEY EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

The concept of career readiness in the workforce has become an exceptionally important issue that has raised concern in both higher education and the labor market. Educators want to ensure students are learning the knowledge and skills necessary for sustaining a living in the 21st century. In conjunction with a task force of college career services personnel and human resource staffing professionals, and based upon extensive research, NACE identified eight competencies associated with career readiness that target the employability skills:

  • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: Exercise sound reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems.
  • Oral/Written Communications: Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms to persons inside and outside of the organization.
  • Teamwork /Collaboration: Build collaborative relationships with colleagues and customers representing diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, religions, lifestyles, and viewpoints.
  • Digital Technology: Leverage existing digital technologies ethically and efficiently to solve problems, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.
  • Leadership: Leverage the strengths of others to achieve common goals, and use interpersonal skills to coach and develop others.
  • Professionalism/Work Ethic: Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits, e.g., punctuality, working productively with others, and time/workload management, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image.
  • Career Management: Identify and articulate one鈥檚 skills, strengths, knowledge, and experiences relevant to the position desired and career goals, and identify areas necessary for professional growth.
  • Global/Intercultural Fluency: Value, respect, and learn from diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and religions.

ENHANCE YOUR CAREER READINESS

As you review the list of competencies, you may note some of the skills in which you are proficient, and others that you wish to develop further. Here are a few tips on how to get started:

  • Advance your education and training
  • Augment your knowledge and skills through additional coursework, degrees, or certifications in the subject areas where you believe you are deficient.
  • Seek additional opportunities to expand your mindset and your skillsets.
  • Adopt a growth mindset. With the right training, practice, and dedication, you can master new skills and increase your professional development.
  • Want to strengthen your leadership and/or teamwork skills? Seek out a mentor who has refined these skills, and solicit advice and assistance.
  • Read, or attend webinars or conferences, to gain more knowledge and strategies to improve your skillsets.
  • Inquire about career assessment and exploration tools that will expand your personal and professional knowledge and increase your job search techniques.

Taking these steps can positively impact your professional growth employability skills鈥攖hose qualities and talents that will provide you with an edge in the job market and allow for greater potential. Once you have acquired and refined these skills, be ready to illustrate them on your resume and promote them in an interview.

For more information on the NACE competencies and other career-readiness information, visit the Excelsior Career Center.

Faculty Focus: Bonny Kehm

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

In October 2017, Bonny Kehm, PhD, RN, was appointed by the governor of Missouri and in January 2018, confirmed by the full state Senate, to the 鈥淚t is my intent to uphold the mission of the Missouri State Board of Nursing, which is to protect the public鈥檚 health and safety through regulation of nursing education, licensure, and practice,鈥� says Kehm. Through her time spent with Excelsior, Kehm has already proven her dedication to the field of nursing.

Kehm is the faculty program director in the baccalaureate and Master of Science programs for the School of Nursing, where she does research and designs curriculum. She has been an instructional faculty member with Excelsior since January 2012 has been a faculty program director since March 2014.She earned her bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in nursing from Webster University, her doctorate in nursing education from Capella University, and her graduate certificate in Health Care Informatics from Excelsior College.

鈥淚 was inspired at a young age to become a nurse when I found a photograph in my mother鈥檚 photo box of a young girl in an iron lung,鈥� says Kehm. She learned the girl was her Aunt Lilly at just 10 years old. The young girl had contracted polio and had become completely paralyzed, unable to breathe on her own. Lilly passed away two years later, a few months before the first polio vaccine came into use.

鈥淢y Aunt Lilly鈥檚 story inspired me to become a nurse and help others. I began my nursing journey as an LPN. I wanted to take care of people sick and healthy. I鈥檝e witnessed how much people can overcome and accomplish through the power of caring relationships,鈥� says Kehm. She adds that when she completed her PhD in nursing, her mother gave her a bouquet of lilies as a reminder of her journey.

鈥淲hat I love most about being in the nursing field is the impact you can make globally as a global advocate for health and access to quality nursing care,鈥� says Kehm. She is a strong advocate of strengthening the relationships between academic education and clinical practice, and serves as a capstone chair to students pursuing their doctoral degree in nursing practice. In one instance, she encouraged a student to explore the effect of RN undergraduate educational levels on perceived barriers to evidence-based practice using Chi-square testing. 鈥淭his allowed the student to work with organizational leaders to develop interventions specific to ambulatory areas which addressed the barriers and supported nurses in their use of evidence-based practice,鈥� she explains.

Most recently, Kehm volunteered as a virtual practicum mentor for an MSN student currently living and working on the U.S. Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan. She outlines the project: 鈥淚 worked with the student to develop a needs assessment of veterans鈥� health needs and health disparities while living overseas. We were able to identity the risk factors for type 2 diabetes for the military and their family members living overseas.鈥�

As one of the nine gubernatorially appointed members of the Missouri Board of Nursing, and the Board鈥檚 elected secretary, 鈥淚 attend full board meetings and assist in the Board鈥檚 mission of protecting the public鈥檚 health and welfare by ensuring that competent and safe nursing care is provided by licensed nurses in the State of Missouri. Board members achieve this mission by outlining the standards for safe nursing care, regulating nursing education, and issuing licenses to practice nursing.鈥� As a nurse educator, Kehm also serves on the Board鈥檚 Nursing Education Committee, which regulates and oversees nursing education programs. 鈥淚 am proud of my professional achievements during the last 22 years as a nurse. I hope to bring my experiences and knowledge to the Board of Nursing,鈥� says Kehm.

If she鈥檚 not teaching a course, Kehm is enjoying the outdoors with her family, or reading a good novel. Kehm says that in her 20+ years in nursing, she thinks the most important skill for a nursing student to succeed is time management. 鈥淓xcelsior College offers tremendous learning opportunities and time management resources to groom the next generation of professional nurses. I am pleased to be a part of that success,鈥� she says. And the best piece of advice she鈥檚 ever received is 鈥淵ou are never too busy or too important to be kind to people.鈥� She adds that, 鈥淥ne thing I have learned now that I wished I鈥檇 known when I was younger is that you never truly lose. You win or you learn. Each challenge I鈥檝e had serves as a valuable insight into myself.鈥�

Degrees at Work: Stephanie Jump鈥檚 Path from Pre-Law to Entrepreneur and Mom

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

The scene should be familiar to many Excelsior College students: Stephanie Jump is feeding her baby boy with one hand, and completing her homework on her laptop with the other. It鈥檚 1 a.m., and she鈥檚 exhausted, but her motivation is clear. 鈥淚 wanted my son to see me graduate,鈥� she says.

She completed many challenging assignments in the quiet overnight hours as her son slept. But after she graduated from Excelsior with her Bachelor of Science in psychology, Stephanie knew it was worth it.

鈥淚t was for him,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 wanted to be able to say to him some day, 鈥榊ou were at mommy鈥檚 graduation, and you can do it, too.鈥欌��

Stephanie鈥檚 journey to her Excelsior graduation, and her professional life, have been marked by unexpected, sometimes difficult circumstances.

After graduating from high school in 2007, Stephanie attended , a community college in Binghamton, N.Y., to attain her associate degree in criminal justice, a field she鈥檇 always held a deep interest in. This drove her to in 2013, where she pursued a bachelor鈥檚 degree in pre-law.

But life had different plans. While studying at Binghamton, she became pregnant with her son, Braydon. Pursuing higher education became more difficult, but Stephanie knew remaining in school would help her provide the best life for herself and, most importantly, her son. She remembered her SUNY Broome academic advisor Terri Fadden mentioning Excelsior College and the convenience, accessibility, and affordability of its online curriculum.

She knew it was the right fit for her, and seamlessly continued her education without taking time off. After taking a few prerequisite classes at SUNY Broome, she enrolled in Excelsior鈥檚 online program for psychology.

鈥淓xcelsior is so great because of the flexibility it offers in your course work,鈥� Stephanie says. 鈥淚 was able to work around being a mom, which was incredibly important. You can鈥檛 really take a baby to class, but you can take him to the computer.鈥�

With Braydon to care for, it was challenging. But she did it. After hard work, dedication, and many hours of late-night multitasking, Stephanie graduated from Excelsior College in 2016 with her Bachelor of Science in psychology.

鈥淥n graduation day, I felt relieved. I was finally done with my degree, and I did it with many obstacles in my path,鈥� says Stephanie. 鈥淏ecoming a new mom made it a struggle, but Excelsior made the challenge a little easier. When I got my degree, I saw my son and my son鈥檚 father cheering me on. It was the best moment of my life.鈥�

Armed with her degree, Stephanie embarked on the job search. She wanted to use her psychology skills and training with children in the foster care system, a field she was drawn toward after having her son.

Even though Stephanie had her hands full raising Braydon and looking for a job, she also volunteered to photograph performances at the Endicott Performing Arts Center (EPAC), a local theatre organization where she also performed. Not one to do anything half-hearted, she taught herself the best practices and nuances of photography through YouTube videos and online articles 鈥� and would actually run between acting on stage and photographing the same performances.

Stephanie continued to search for jobs in foster care, but opportunities in the Binghamton area were scarce. However, as she continued to volunteer at EPAC, her photography evolved into much more than she could鈥檝e thought.

鈥淧eople at the theatre started asking me 鈥楧o you do this outside of here?鈥欌�� she says. 鈥淚 told them I did it as a hobby, and they started asking me to take pictures for them.鈥�

So, rather unexpectedly, Stephanie began taking photos for the people she knew through EPAC. She photographed their children, families, weddings, birthday parties, and more. As word spread about the quality of her services, Stephanie grew a large enough client base to officially start her own business, .

Though Beyond the Stage is still relatively new for Stephanie, its early success has been promising. As her business continues to grow, Stephanie plans to establish a physical location for a studio, hire a full-time assistant, and construct a brand that will help her reach an even wider audience.

Professional photography may not have been what she originally had in mind 鈥� and she鈥檚 continually learning about the craft and entrepreneurship 鈥� but Stephanie uses her Excelsior education every day to grow and strengthen her business.

鈥淢y psychology degree really taught me how to talk to different kinds of people,鈥� she says. 鈥淜nowing how the human mind works helps me get people to feel comfortable when I鈥檓 taking their picture. Excelsior also prepared me to be a business owner. You have to be a self-starter and hold yourself accountable to be successful in online classes, and the same holds true as an entrepreneur.鈥�

Stephanie had a much different plan coming out of high school, but now well-equipped with the education and support she received from her Excelsior instructional faculty members, she uses her psychology degree every day and she鈥檚 loving the flexibility of her life as a solopreneur and young mother.

Her journey, one of versatility, tenacity, and ingenuity, is well-summarized by her slogan for Beyond the Stage Photography: 鈥淟ife鈥檚 a stage. Go beyond it.鈥�

 

Professional Advice from Stephanie Jump:

On time management:

Don鈥檛 wait until the last minute to do things. I was the queen of that. Plan accordingly for your deadlines so you鈥檙e not rushing to finish everything right before it鈥檚 due.

On having thick skin:

Have a strong backbone. There will be some people who like your work, and some people who don鈥檛. You have to learn not to take things personally. You also have to be willing to put in the work. Things don鈥檛 happen overnight. I spent hours photographing shows, editing pictures, and learning the trade. You have to be dedicated to find success.

On balance:

Take a day that you don鈥檛 do any schoolwork. You need a day for you, a brain break.

On entrepreneurship:

I had to Google everything. I had no idea what I was doing, especially at tax time. I can鈥檛 be afraid to ask questions. I know self-management from Excelsior, so that really has helped me run a business. I like to do my own thing and be in control of what I鈥檓 doing and how I make my money. I also prefer to make my own schedule, especially with a three-year-old.

On her psychology degree:

I know how to talk to people because I know how people鈥檚 brains work. I know how to talk to people with certain anxiety disorders or depression. I can get people to open up because I know how they鈥檙e feeling.

On improving as a photographer:

Learn how to utilize different camera setups for various situations. For example, learning how to use manual mode on your camera will help when you鈥檙e taking pictures in low-light situations. Being able to adjust your approach for different light hues and intensities is incredibly helpful. You should also familiarize yourself with where you鈥檙e shooting pictures, because many times that will dictate what photography techniques will be most effective. If you鈥檙e looking for a good place for photography tips, I learned most of what I know through YouTube videos.

On her Excelsior experience:

My Excelsior professors were always very encouraging. Any time I had an issue with an assignment, they were always very helpful and understanding. They truly make you feel good about yourself and the classwork you鈥檙e doing. My experience at Excelsior has helped me learn to manage myself and my business, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Stephanie Jump transferred all the credit she earned at SUNY Broome to Excelsior College as part of our 3+1 bachelor鈥檚 completion program.

Health Coaching- Empowering Change

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Carole Heaney, RN, Adjunct Faculty, School of Health Sciences

Health and public health officials have long been tackling the growing numbers of chronic health issues responsible for high numbers of preventable deaths. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization, many deaths are related to non-communicable diseases, particularly chronic disease, and contribute to approximately 70 percent of deaths in the U.S. and worldwide. If we focus on lifestyle-related illnesses alone in the U.S., heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, and diabetes top the list. Behaviors such as smoking, lack of exercise, and unhealthy eating habits are common culprits in these illnesses.

Health education听aims to positively shift these the behaviors to prevent these illnesses from becoming debilitating and life-threatening. But, the current paradigm of 鈥淚 talk, you listen,鈥� hasn鈥檛 been successful in changing behavior enough to encourage people to improve their health.

Enter, Health and Wellness . Health and wellness coaching is designed to elicit behavior change by identifying what motivates and empowers people to change, rather than a hierarchical educational approach.

Excelsior College鈥檚 School of Health Sciences听recognized the importance of health and wellness coaching and, in 2017, premiered a new undergraduate course, Introduction to Health and Wellness Coaching. Creating and teaching this course has been a wonderful journey for me. As each week passed in teaching the course, I could feel students鈥� perceptions change from professionals needing to have all the answers to the clients already having the answers within.

Some student comments have included, 鈥淭his course has further encouraged me to become a health coach.听The tools acquired here, and the technique of Motivational Interviewing has added to my excitement about this field.鈥� and 鈥淭his course gave me a well-rounded basis of what the coach does and how different it is from other, similar health careers.听It takes a bit from many disciplines and uses them to gain insight into the individual. I really enjoyed it and made me more interested in this career.鈥�

Concepts such as mindfulness, attention to the whole person, active listening, and motivational interviewing deepened the students鈥� personal experiences of communicating more effectively with family, friends, and co-workers. It shifted their perspective on how to influence positive behavior change toward wellness. This course is about preparing people to embark on a journey with a client and empowering that person to create and sustain change from within.

 

Course Feature: SOC 247: Sports in American Society

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

In many ways sports are not just a metaphor for life, but are the very beating heart of the life of our society. Because sports are such an important part of U.S. society, we seldom reflect on how or why they became such a force, why we in engage them, and how, even if we dislike sports, they shape so much of what goes on around us every day. In SOC 247, students explore how sport in the U.S.A. is an institution that affects virtually all aspects of society, and examine sports from a variety of social science perspectives, including from historical, political, economic, and sociological viewpoints.

According to Ted Lehmann, faculty program director for the social sciences, students in Sports in American Society look at sports and American culture, including the topics: sports at the youth, collegiate, and professional levels (i.e. their role in the family, the community/society, the economy, etc.); sports icons (e.g., LeBron, Brady, etc.) and their role in popular culture; performance-enhancing drugs; sports as business, even at the college level; and American sports across the world and world sports inside America.

鈥淢ilitary students seeking lower-level social science/history credit, in particular, should be most interested in this course,鈥� says Lehmann, 鈥渂ut, really any student interested in sports of any kind, and the role of sports in society, from the local level to the international one.鈥� It鈥檚 especially meaningful for students who wish to gain a broader understanding of sports culture.

SOC 247: Sports in America helps students see the bigger picture, says Lehmann. 鈥淚t is a very enjoyable course which opens the eyes of students to the importance of sport in American society, at all levels of our society, and across all key demographic groupings,鈥� he adds.

Students agree it鈥檚 enjoyable. 鈥淭hank you for opening my eyes to everything that is more behind the scenes about sports. I understand now that it is more than just statistics of a player, but most importantly the global impact sports have,鈥� says one student. Another adds, 鈥淪ome of the topics concerning race inequality and also the economics behind sport were frustrating, but truthful nonetheless.听I was glad to have an opportunity to open my eyes into the issues.鈥� Furthermore, one student summed up the course well, saying, 鈥淭he course is full of enticing knowledge that invites the student as a fan to think outside the box and realize that there is more to sports than food, beverages, and friends.鈥�

Faculty member Jason Burns agrees. 鈥淭he course is a fun and interactive walk through sports and its close relationship to American life and society, both past and present鈥� Sports play such a large role in many of our everyday lives, and this course is a great way to show cultural and societal impacts in a format that is both fun and interactive.鈥� Alfred DeFreece, another faculty member, also says, 鈥淪tudents demonstrate a greater appreciation of why sport issues cross over into political and economic and cultural and social concerns. Students get that at the pro level, sport is about entertainment, but it runs much deeper.鈥�

If you鈥檙e interested in a deeper understanding of sports, considering signing up for SOC 247.

 

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5 Tips to Master Professional Networking

Posted on by Maribeth Gunner

By: Sarah Murphy & Maribeth Gunner Pulliam

One of the most important activities for a truly successful job search is networking. Career experts agree that career networking is one of the most effective ways to find and obtain a job. While classified ads and online job boards might give you a few places to start, the vast majority of job openings are never advertised. Job seekers need to have a network of contacts, or a career network, that can provide support, information, and job leads. Has been awhile since your last job hunt? Feeling a little rusty? Here are a few tips to oil those networking tools and techniques:

  1. Look at Who You Already Know

Career networking can begin with the people closest to you: friends, family, neighbors, community members, and past employers you have maintained relationships with. Let everyone know your overall career goals and the type of job you are seeking. You never know who will have a contact who is aware of an opening in your field. This primary group is also a good place to begin when you are creating leads for informational interviews, another networking strategy that is proven to be incredibly beneficial for job-seekers and explorers, alike. Which leads us to:

  1. Set Up an Informational Interview

Informational interviews can help job seekers gain firsthand knowledge in the career they are exploring. Not only will you become more well-informed, but you鈥檒l get to make a connection to someone in your field of interest. Setting up an interview with someone you already know, know through mutual contacts, or connected with through a cold call are all good ways to grow your professional network. Interviewing someone, whether you know them or not, can be an unsettling experience, but you鈥檒l find that most interviewees are excited to talk about their field and eager to lend advice.

  1. Become a Member

An additional resource not to be over looked when establishing a network is professional associations. Memberships to professional associations in your career field are not only beneficial for networking, but also keep you apprised of the most current information in the field.

  1. Have a Social Media Presence

We have all witnessed how social media has revolutionized life as we know it, and job networking is no exception, making it another source of network building. Social networking has already become deeply rooted in the vast majority of everyday life; we use it for entertainment, communication, and more often now for job seeking. The benefits to online networking are that most information is well-organized and can be accessed quickly. Job seekers can easily identify friends and acquaintances who can provide promising connections. Additionally, employers have also increasingly found online networks helpful in locating and screening new hires

Bonus Tip – There are a large selection of social networking sites to choose from, and LinkedIn.com is one of the largest and most popular networking sites. However, Twitter and Facebook are popular mediums, as well. As useful as social networks can be for job hunting, it is also important to be cautious when using these platforms. Knowing the basic 鈥榙os and don鈥檛s鈥� of social media will help maintain a professional and positive persona. It鈥檚 important to note that while many people have found online networking to be an extremely helpful tool, don鈥檛 put your entire job search hopes into online networking. It鈥檚 just one of the many tools in your networking toolbox.

And finally:

  1. Remember You鈥檙e Building a Relationship

All your network connections, traditional or online, are not just there to help you. It is a reciprocal relationship. Build the relationships within your network by staying in contact and offering to help others when you can. Whether you are actively job hunting or secure and satisfied in your current position, you should always remain engaged in your network. Then, if you are looking for a promotion, or perhaps find yourself without a job, you can rely on your network to give you job leads and provide references to help you take the next step in your career.

A strong network can give you an advantage in your job hunt. Building a professional network takes time and effort. However, it is well worth the effort. Successful people realize that one of the best ways to advance in your career is through networking. To learn more about this essential strategy, and how to further develop your career plan, check out the links below:

 

 

Visit the Excelsior College Career Center for more听 and other helpful tips and tools for your career.

5

Is a Health Sciences Degree Right for Me?

Posted on by Anna Zendell

By Anna Zendell, Faculty Program Director

You might have chosen the health science field because you like working with people and want to make a difference. So why is a health sciences degree important? Here are several reasons:

  1. Health sciences degrees are extremely versatile. You can work in clinical care, management, health education, information management, public health, and so much more. As you grow in your career, you can choose to diversify your career or become a true expert in your chosen area.
  2. Health sciences professionals work with individuals and groups of all ages and backgrounds. Do you like working with children? Seniors? Community groups? As a graduate of Excelsior鈥檚 School of Health Sciences, you will typically work with a highly diverse clientele and within a diverse workforce. Opportunities abound in an array of settings, ranging from home and community, workplace wellness programs, government agencies, and research and development, to health care organizations.
  3. Health sciences degrees put you on the cutting edge of health care. Health sciences professionals are trained to innovate; to think creatively while applying best practices and the latest research to find solutions to individual and community health problems. These professionals know how to leverage 21st century information, data, technology, and the human experience to make positive change.
  4. Health sciences professionals love what they do. People who work in the health sciences tend to be highly satisfied with their careers. Many of our students in the School of Health Sciences want to help others. With this career, they can do just that, no matter where they work!
  5. Health sciences careers provide employment stability. There are many positions available in all sectors of health and public health, in all regions of the country鈥攁nd globally! The need is so great that graduates of our programs tend to find jobs quickly and remain employed.

A career in the health sciences has something for everyone, no matter what their interests and passions. When you graduate with a degree in health sciences from Excelsior College, you will be ready to work with individuals and communities to meet their health and wellness needs.

Veteran Tomas Serna Gives Back

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Tomas Serna may have left active duty in October 2016, but his life remains anything but calm. Nowadays, the former lieutenant colonel is teaching, coaching, and mentoring the next generation of nursing leaders鈥攚hat he claims was the best choice he could have made.

Serna initially joined the Army in 1983 because his business degree gave him little job prospects. When he briefly left the Army eight years later, he attended college at the University of Texas at El Paso and attained his bachelor鈥檚 in nursing. 鈥淚 chose nursing because it gave me better career opportunities,鈥� he says. Now he works as an employee for the federal government. 鈥淚 just changed uniforms and returned to work,鈥� says Serna. 鈥淢y military and my civilian life is pretty much interconnected. I would not change it. I would rather continue to serve than to work in a civilian hospital.鈥�

It wasn鈥檛 easy to transition to civilian life, however. 鈥淚 think the most difficult thing for me was losing control. As an Army officer, I had a lot of responsibility, but I also had a lot of respect. I could make things happen with a single order,鈥� Serna explains.鈥� Understandably, now it鈥檚 not so much the case, and Serna says a certain level of diplomacy must be mastered in order to get things done.

That doesn鈥檛 take away from his love of teaching. Serna teaches NUR338 Introduction to Nursing Informatics and NUR456 Leadership and Management in Nursing at Excelsior. 鈥淚 enjoy dedicated students. I can work with students who are committed to succeed in the course. I can help them become successful in the class. I look for those students who work hard,鈥� he says. It runs in the family, too. One of Serna鈥檚 greatest personal achievements is raising two wonderful nurses鈥攈is son and daughter. He 鈥減rovided effective teaching, coaching, and mentoring. I could not give the profession more than my own two children.鈥� One of Serna鈥檚 greatest military achievements is that in 2004, Serna took 450 soldiers to Iraq and brought them all back safely. Both accomplishments are a testament to Serna鈥檚 strong will and dedication to lead others to thrive and succeed.

Serna鈥檚 advice extends far beyond the paternal. He encourages veterans to take advantage of every possible program available to them; for instance, the VA has many programs, including job placement opportunities. 鈥淭he transition center can also help them [veterans] before they get out of the service,鈥� Serna explains They need to find a way to transfer their military experience, education, and training to the civilian job force. They need to dress to impress.鈥�

In addition to helping fellow veterans, Serna is a member of a variety of local community organizations. He is also a member of the and the 鈥淲e conduct bi-yearly health fairs, seminars and educational activities within the community. The goal is to promote the profession within the community,鈥� he explains. As a former Army Nurse Corps officer, he is a member of the Army Nurse Corps Association. In this capacity, he helps mentor young officers. 鈥淔urther,鈥� continues Serna 鈥渁s a certified medical surgical nurse, I help our clinical nurse specialists develop and present in-services to help our young nurses attain medical surgical certifications.鈥�

When he鈥檚 not dedicating his time to helping others, where would you find such a busy guy? Probably the beach, says Serna. 鈥淚 have a variety of classic cars. I like to work on them and drive them around. I also like to spend time on the beach. It is relaxing and very satisfying.鈥� After the days he has, it sounds like a good time to us.