Career Spotlight: IT Security Coordinator

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Cybersecurity and the role of the IT security coordinator routinely makes headlines and continues to grow in importance. Protecting computer systems and networks, connected devices, and the data that flows among them is of vital importance to organizations of all types. With nearly every endeavor relying on digital capabilities, from the running of our smart home appliances to keeping planes in the air to accessing our money, IT security is paramount.

Career options for someone with a security coordinator background are expanding. But what does an IT security coordinator do, and what is your potential in jobs involving cybersecurity program management? Here, we鈥檒l examine job duties, salary information, and education and certification that can make you competitive in the market.

What Does an IT Security Coordinator Do?

Security coordinators can take on many responsibilities, depending on the size and breadth of an organization鈥檚 IT footprint. The typical IT security coordinator oversees and manages security policies and frameworks, procedures and reports, and systems that ensure that data and infrastructure are protected from mistakes and crimes. They also manage the work involved in responding to any breach or breakdown.

Duties include:

  • Developing the policies and procedures for securing systems, as well as creating the documentation needed, from incident response processes to disaster recovery
  • Assessing and managing risks to uncover vulnerabilities, threats, and mitigation strategies
  • Monitoring systems and responding to incidents to keep an eye out for data breaches, malware infections, unauthorized access, and mistakes, like uploading error-filled updates or opening a phishing email
  • Training and conducting awareness campaigns to create a culture of security
  • Complying with various cybersecurity frameworks, preparing for audits, and providing required documentation
  • Managing security tools, technologies, and vendors
  • Providing firewalls, detection systems, antivirus software, and more
  • Managing access by various levels and types of employees and contractors, as well as managing third-party vendors, partners, and service providers
Advance your career with a BS in Information Technology from 杏吧原创.

How Much Does an IT Security Coordinator Make?

reports that the average salary for an IT coordinator in the United States is $85,404, with likely range from $77,084 to $94,312. Information security analysts saw a median salary of in 2023, according to U.S. government data.

This is a career area where demand for qualified people exceeds the supply. The government expects information security analyst jobs to grow a whopping 33% between 2023 and 2033. Top industries include computing, finance and insurance, information technology, consulting services, and overall management of companies and enterprises.

What Certificates Can Help You Stand Out?

The first step in starting a security coordinator career is earning your degree in a tech-related field, like a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. It鈥檚 a highly sought-after and flexible degree. Aside from security and program management, such a degree prepares you for myriad jobs in a wide array of industries.

To further stand out in the job market and command a higher salary, you can add a certification to your IT degree, such as:

What Is the Difference Between Information Security and Cybersecurity?

Working as an information security coordinator and working in cybersecurity are separate but overlapping career areas.

In information security, you primarily protect information systems and the data they contain. The focus is on confidentiality. That means keeping things secret. Integrity鈥攌eeping things complete, accurate, and up to date鈥攊s the second element. Lastly, you need to make sure that data is accessible when needed. Information security covers all data, even data that is not in digital form. Think of paper files and images, and potentially physical artifacts.

Cybersecurity is focused on digital data, along with electronic communications services and systems. It鈥檚 an area of specialization that includes onsite servers, cloud platforms, networks, and endpoints, as well as the infrastructure that makes it all work. Think of cybersecurity as a specialized subset of information security.

A career as a security coordinator is a rewarding one, working at the forefront of a highly needed area of expertise. When you earn an IT degree at 杏吧原创, you鈥檙e giving yourself the credentials you need to prosper in this field.

Career Spotlight: Nuclear Technician

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Working as a nuclear technician in a nuclear power plant puts you in a critical role.

As our power grid transitions off fossil fuels and demand grows, we need alternative sources of energy. Goldman Sachs predicts that power demand for AI will grow by , with quantum computing technology driving demand for electricity even higher.

Renewable energy sources cannot begin to keep up with demand, which has led to the resurgence of nuclear power as the go-to clean-power alternative. And every existing and new nuclear power plant needs skilled nuclear technicians.

What Do They Do?

As a nuclear technician, you will most likely be working at the site of a nuclear reactor at a power plant.

However, civilian and military nuclear laboratories also offer interesting positions involving next-generation reactors, radioactive waste management, and emergent technology of nuclear propulsion systems. Additional workplaces can include medical facilities that use radiation equipment for treatment and diagnostics.

The key tasks of the nuclear power technician include:

  • Operating nuclear power plant equipment, including the nuclear reactor. Central to this work will be adjusting the control systems to maintain the right conditions in the reactor core. You will also be responsible for radiation monitoring and the overall safe operation of the facility.
  • Maintaining and repairing all reactor equipment. You inspect and make sure that the reactor core, cooling systems, turbines, and other related equipment are working properly, initiating repairs and replacements as needed.
  • Ensuring safety compliance. Nuclear power plants must adhere to strict federal, state, and local regulations. Preventing exposure to radiation is a major focus of radiation protocols. Your role is to ensure that everyone stays safe and that the nuclear reactor is operating within regulatory limits.
  • Collecting and analyzing data is part of the safe and efficient operation of the power plant. Radiation monitoring can take the form of collecting air, water, and soil samples to test for potential contamination. You will also collect data about the operation of the reactor core and controls, analyzing them for trends and potential early warning signs of serious issues.
  • Preparing for an emergency response. You will create plans for responding to leaks, uncontrolled reactions, and any threats to plant and public safety.

In research, development, and design facilities in the field of nuclear power and in medical settings, your role may expand to take on a variety of additional tasks. There are many exciting career paths in nuclear engineering technology.

Help power the future with a BS in Nuclear Engineering Technology from 杏吧原创.

How Much Does a Nuclear Technician Make?

Given the high demand for nuclear technicians, it鈥檚 not a surprise to learn that they are well paid. The median income for a nuclear technician is $101,740 a year, or $48.92 per hour, according to the . Workers with more experience or specialized skills can earn even more. Since power plants run around the clock, they need workers at all hours. Working nights and weekends can often give you a bump in pay.

What Skills Do You Need?

To succeed in nuclear technician roles, you鈥檒l need strong skills in the fields of mechanical and electrical systems. Because you鈥檒l be collecting, analyzing, and making critical decisions based on data, you need to be good with numbers and statistics to glean insights from complex data sets. In addition, you must have the ability to focus on what matters, pay attention to details, and monitor systems and compliance with absolute precision. Lastly, you鈥檒l need strong interpersonal, communications, and management soft skills.

Career Outlook

The current job outlook shows a , primarily driven by the needs of nuclear power plants. Current employment in these workplaces has been limited primarily to replacing existing workers. It has been decades since new nuclear power plants have been built.

That is changing fast as the need for clean and safe electricity is booming. The U.S. Department of Energy touts 鈥溾�� for nuclear energy in 2023, including the first new reactor in nearly 10 years, the licensing of new plants, the vital role of nuclear power in the production of clean hydrogen, and more. signed in July of 2024 will advance the building of new reactors.

After years of no movement, the field is at the as part of the transition to net-zero emissions of the power grid.

How to Become a Nuclear Technician

In many cases, an associate degree is enough to start your career as a nuclear technician. However, many positions do require a more advanced degree, and certainly, a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nuclear engineering technology makes progressing into higher-paying positions possible within the field.

Most workplaces require significant on-the-job training. It typically involves practical, hands-on experiences along with formal instruction by the facility hiring you.

Earning a certification, such as the certificate, is required for some roles. The听听certification and the听 certification are additional credentials that can improve your job prospects.

Nuclear power is the key to many green technologies and advancements in computing capabilities. After years of being at a standstill, opportunities in this field are set to expand in scope and variety. Earning a bachelor鈥檚 in nuclear engineering technology is an ideal way to start on your own career adventure in this future-forward industry.

Building Smart Homes with Electrical Engineering

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

The growing integration of technology into smart homes is driving demand for people with an electrical engineering background. Smart technologies are becoming commonplace in nearly every home system. With an electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology degree, you can contribute to the design, integration, and smooth operation of smart home systems and components.

What Is a Smart Home?

Smart homes are residences that use to automate and control home systems, features, and appliances. The benefits that smart technologies promise are greater comfort and conveniences, enhanced security, and greater energy efficiency.

What makes a home smart? It is composed of smart devices linked to a central hub that have some or all of these elements:

  • Sensors to detect movement, sound, light, heat, or cold
  • Connectivity through wireless technology
  • Control through the central hub or remotely via a phone app
  • An actuator that performs the task (for example, locking a door)

Electrical engineers can design individual components and devices or entire systems.

Charge up your career with a BS in Electrical Engineering Technology from 杏吧原创.

What Smart Technologies Make a Smart Home?

New smart home technologies are being developed all the time, and existing applications are rapidly evolving. Here are some of the most common applications:

Home Security

Smart locks can be opened at specific times, operated by people with a specific and potentially time-limited key, or remotely controlled. Cameras can stream, record, and send alerts. Alarms for intruders, smoke, or carbon monoxide can be integrated into these systems.

Smart Thermostats

A combination of computing capabilities and sensors give these systems the ability to adjust automatically to changes caused by occupancy, sunlight, and weather. They can also be programmed or remotely controlled. These systems can open and close window treatments and turn on fans to optimize comfort and energy use.

Smart Appliances

Devices such as refrigerators, ovens, and washing machines can be remotely controlled, send out notifications, and be programmed to operate in ways that optimize energy use. Lights can be programmed to turn on at specific times or can be remotely controlled via an app.

What Role Does Electrical Engineering Technology Play in Making Smart Homes?

Smart home technologies are opening new opportunities when it comes to what you can do with an EET degree. Some of the areas where this kind of background are valued include:

  • Designing the layout of a home鈥檚 electrical system and implementing advanced wiring and circuit designs so that they can accommodate smart devices.
  • Developing and integrating smart home automation systems that might include entertainment systems, HVAC, home security, and lighting. Part of this work may also include designing the interfaces for programming, managing, monitoring, and controlling these systems.
  • Configuring a home network using technologies like Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, and others that provide the connections and communications across devices.
  • Integrating systems for energy monitoring and management, from to smart thermostats to the smart devices that connect to them.
  • Planning advanced home security systems and components, including sensors, locks, cameras, and alarms.
  • Developing smart lighting, control components, and smart devices of all kinds.
  • Collaborating with architects, designers, engineers, and tradespeople to implement, test, and troubleshoot systems to ensure that everything works together flawlessly.

Earning a BS in Electrical Engineering Technology from 杏吧原创 prepares you for work in this field, whether implementing, integrating, or designing smart home systems or their various components. Because of rapid innovation, you may find the work to be truly engaging, with the opportunity to make substantive contributions and even breakthroughs.

Blockchain: The Next Step in Cybersecurity

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Most people associate the term 鈥渂lockchain鈥� with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, or maybe with nonfungible tokens, also known as NFTs. But blockchain technology is used in a vast number of different applications, one of the most notable being in the field of cybersecurity. The fact that blockchain is trustless, works through decentralization, and is consensus-driven, makes it potentially useful in fighting cybercrime.

That said, blockchain is also a potential tool for cybercriminals.

It鈥檚 no wonder that the cybersecurity field, especially in relation to blockchain technology, is exploding.

What Is a Blockchain?

To understand the promise and the threat, it鈥檚 necessary to understand . It鈥檚 basically a list of interactions or transactions shared between and across many users. Each interaction or transaction is a block on that list, or chain, of interactions鈥攈ence the name 鈥渂lockchain.鈥�

Imagine hundreds or thousands of people having that same list or ledger. That is the decentralized element. When someone makes a new transaction, everyone sees it, providing transparency. Everyone then must agree and record this entry on their list or digital ledger, making it resistant to fraud or manipulation. When thousands of people record and agree the transaction took place, that transaction and its details have a high degree of trust.

The decentralized list, or ledger, that is transparently shared by thousands for trust is the essence of the blockchain.

Prepare for your next big career move with 杏吧原创鈥檚 BS in Cybersecurity.

How Does Blockchain Technology Work with Cybersecurity?

The ability to resist manipulation and maintain trust is what makes . Here are six ways cybersecurity experts use blockchain today:

  1. Protecting data integrity. When data is recorded in a blockchain, any attempt to alter or delete it would be highly challenging and would leave a clear audit trail of that effort.
  2. Identity management. Creating a secure and decentralized identity makes identity theft and identity fraud much more challenging. Individuals are in control of their own identity management without having to go through a centralized, possibly untrustworthy authority or company.
  3. Securing transactions. Secure and automated transactions that don鈥檛 go through intermediaries are highly resistant to hacking or access that isn鈥檛 authorized.
  4. Network security. Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are harder to mount when data is decentralized. Decentralization makes it harder for attackers to affect or control the entire network of the blockchain.
  5. Securing devices. The Internet of Things (IoT) opportunity has been slowed by the inherent security risk of these devices. Decentralization of device communication on the blockchain will reduce the risk of being hacked.
  6. Securing supply chains. You can imagine the lure that moving goods from manufacturer to consumer presents. Things can fall off the back of digital trucks with ease. Creating a record of each item and each step of custody in the supply chain keeps valuables safe from hackers and also ensures that counterfeit goods don鈥檛 enter it.

Blockchain-Related Threats

As with any technology, who are intent on using it, abusing it, and breaking it. Other threats are inherent to blockchain technology and cybersecurity. Some examples include:

  • 51% attacks. If a group of blockchain participants, called miners, conspires to take over enough of the blockchain, they can control it, preventing transactions, reversing transactions, or stealing data and valuables.
  • Cryptojacking. If a criminal can gain control of mining machines, they can create bogus cryptocurrency.
  • Rug pulls. A criminal creates a cryptocurrency and hypes it, only to run off with investor funds in a new twist on the old ploy.
  • Social engineering. Another tried-and-true hacker technique is to use and other exploits to get users to reveal usernames, passwords, private keys, etc. to access a blockchain.
  • Lack of regulation. The global and decentralized nature of the technology makes it difficult to regulate, creating an environment ideal for criminal enterprise.
  • Cybersecurity talent crisis. The digital industry suffers from a severe talent shortage of people with cybersecurity skills鈥攑articularly in the blockchain space. Staying ahead of cybercriminals when decentralization is rapidly becoming the norm will require trained professionals.

If you鈥檙e interested in a challenging and rewarding career working with blockchain and other state-of-the-art technologies protecting organizations and the government from cyberattacks, a great first step is earning a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. This degree, among other technology degrees, will not only give you deep relevant knowledge but also ensure that you are up to date on the constantly changing cybersecurity landscape. You can also expand your knowledge and skills through certificate programs offered through Excelsior鈥檚 partnership with . Various IT training certificates can help you grow your career while potentially earning credit toward your Excelsior degree. Armed with the right education and skills, you can do your part to keep our digital systems safe.

5 Ways to Build a Strong Organizational Culture

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

A strong organizational culture is critical to the success of any business. A robust culture fosters employee engagement, enhances productivity, and attracts top talent. Moreover, it promotes innovation, collaboration, and resilience, enabling the company to navigate challenges effectively. The right culture can boost morale and satisfaction and drives performance and growth.

Read on to learn more about what makes a strong organizational culture and how you can foster one in your workplace.

What Is Organizational Culture?

is the combination of core values, beliefs, attitudes, systems, and rules that outline and influence employee behavior. It is created through consistent and authentic behaviors, such as how a CEO responds to a crisis, a team adapts to new customer demands, or a manager handles an employee who makes a mistake. Additionally, the industry, benefits packages, politics, local culture, and community involvement all significantly shape organizational culture. When workplace culture aligns with employees鈥� values, they feel more comfortable, supported, and valued, enabling the organization to successfully weather difficult times and changes in the business environment. There are several different ways employees can feel valued in their workplaces. Let鈥檚 explore a few of them.

Foster a strong organizational culture in your workplace with a management degree from Excelsior.

Positive Work Environment

Employees鈥� work environment directly . Natural lighting, comfortable furniture, recreational activities, and a supportive atmosphere contribute to a positive environment. Recognizing and rewarding employees, offering constructive feedback, and maintaining strong relationships are essential for sustaining a healthy organizational culture. These factors make employees feel valued, motivated, and willing to help one another, ultimately driving the company鈥檚 success.

Communication

Effective communication in the workplace significantly impacts employees鈥� experience, motivation, and engagement. Organizations with open, honest, and transparent communication enjoy the benefits of happy and satisfied employees. Utilizing modern communication tools, segmenting internal audiences, providing personalized content, driving engagement, ensuring two-way communication, involving leadership, consolidating communication channels, and measuring the impact on business results can help improve communication.

Unified Purpose

A unified purpose significantly affects a company鈥檚 culture and success by fostering shared core values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors among employees. When employees feel a sense of purpose and belonging, their engagement and satisfaction increase, leading to enhanced collaboration and agility within the organization. Additionally, an inspiring purpose attracts talent aligned with the company鈥檚 cause and forms the foundation for high-performing teams, ensuring clarity and alignment in meeting goals.

Leadership

Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping and cultivating an organization鈥檚 culture. Leaders set the tone for the workplace through their values, behaviors, and decisions, helping employees understand the company鈥檚 mission and their roles in contributing to success. Influential leaders communicate, especially during challenges, to maintain confidence and morale. They also foster an innovative culture by encouraging experimentation and learning from mistakes. Leaders by prioritizing employee well-being, demonstrating transparency, and maintaining a positive and inclusive environment.

Diversity and Inclusion

When a workplace is inclusive and diverse, everyone feels equally supported and involved in all facets of the organization, regardless of their identity or role. Inclusion is critical for retaining talent because employees are more likely to stay with a company where they feel valued and are treated fairly. Diverse teams bring unique perspectives that drive creativity, which gives companies a competitive edge in attracting talent and relating to diverse customer bases. Research indicates that diversity and inclusion in the workplace can lead to and improved employee retention.

How Can You Promote a Strong Organizational Culture?

Creating a sound workplace culture requires a clear plan. Here are some steps to follow if you want to help your organization benefit:

  • . Frequent, specific recognition of employees enhances engagement, retention, and productivity. Leadership should actively participate in recognition efforts.
  • Listen to employees. A culture that values feedback and encourages the employee鈥檚 voice is crucial. Use pulse surveys and chatbots to collect feedback, analyze the results, and take timely action.
  • Make your leaders advocates. Leaders should exemplify the company鈥檚 core values and incorporate employee feedback into their cultural advocacy efforts.
  • Focus on learning and development. through training, coaching, and new responsibilities to demonstrate a commitment to their success.
  • Keep culture in mind. Ask and focus on building social relationships early to ensure that new hires align with company values and culture.

A strong organizational culture is fundamental to achieving long-term success, as it drives employee engagement, retention, and overall productivity. Organizations can create a vibrant and cohesive workplace environment by following strategic steps to recognize contributions, value employee feedback, advocate for company values, and promote continuous learning.

Earning a degree in administration and management equips you with the essential skills and knowledge to effectively implement these strategies. This educational background empowers you to develop leadership capabilities, understand organizational dynamics, and apply best practices to support a culture that attracts the right talent and ensures their long-term satisfaction and commitment.

What鈥檚 the Difference Between Health Care Management and Health Care Administration?

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

To the layperson, health care management and health care administration may sound interchangeable, but these career paths differ in focus. Whether you seek a broader role in organizational leadership or want to manage the day-to-day operations of a department or unit, both tracks offer exciting work opportunities.

What Is Health Care Management?

Health care management includes roles in which you鈥檒l be responsible for overseeing the activities of an entire health care organization or a company that runs multiple health care organizations. Success in this area of health care depends on many factors:

  • Strong organizational leadership and business skills are key to these roles.
  • You鈥檒l need to gather information; plan strategies; manage finances, people, equipment, and facilities; and make decisions that affect the organization as a whole.
  • You鈥檒l need specific business strategy skills to analyze information, develop a strategic response, and then work with various teams to implement the strategies.
  • Planning how you鈥檒l use financial resources, setting up and managing budgets, allocating resources, and measuring return on investment will be key to your success.
  • In some cases, you鈥檒l both develop organizational policies and see that your organization is adhering to .
  • In providing operational oversight, you鈥檒l need to care about a diverse array of functions, from procurement to human resources to marketing, food services, maintenance, scheduling, and more.
  • may drive much of your top-level decision-making, as will managing patient outcomes, equity of access, and cost of care.
Advance your career in health care with a health sciences degree from 杏吧原创.

How Is Health Care Administration Different?

A role in health care administration is still highly focused on management. Yet instead of managing a large organization like a hospital or a group of hospitals, you鈥檒l focus on the details of a specific unit or department.

In this role, you鈥檒l interface with human resources, finance, patient services, facilities management, and more. You鈥檒l need the input of various parts of the organization to effectively manage your department or unit. You鈥檒l serve many constituencies, including upper management, patients and families, doctors and nurses, and operational staff. Your job will be to make sure everything runs smoothly for optimal results.

Typical health care administration responsibilities include:

  • Managing staff, including creating a staffing plan, organizational chart, and job descriptions.
  • Leading the functions around hiring, training, supervising, and staff development.
  • Working within your department and the rest of the organization to ensure that operations are smooth and efficient.
  • Staying on top of equipment, facilities, and supplies specific to your department. In addition to capital expenditure planning, maintenance, and obsolescence, you鈥檒l need to monitor everything, plan, and make decisions.
  • Providing quality care that leads to superior outcomes, managing patient records, scheduling care, and coordinating tests and procedures, all as part of end-to-end management. Again, value-based care is now part of the role.
  • Leading in regulatory compliance may also be required, tracking requirements and documenting actions, along with maintaining records to prove your department鈥檚 adherence to rules and standards.

Which Health Care Path Is Right for You?

Deciding whether you want a career in health care management versus health care administration is a highly personal decision. Here are some key considerations:

What drives your sense of accomplishment? If you like having a broad impact, you may enjoy managing a facility or larger holding company that manages many facilities. If you enjoy making a difference in a specific area and with people you interact with directly, becoming an administrator may be more appealing.

What are your interests? If you enjoy business, health care management will be satisfying. If you have a specific area of interest, such as improving the trauma experience, advancing cancer care, or working in specific treatment areas, like joint health or pediatric care, administering these departments will be rewarding.

How important is money and advancement? It is a fact that health care management positions more directly lead to upper management roles and higher salaries. You certainly can make good money in administration, too, but you鈥檒l have to move out of a departmental role if you鈥檙e seeking a bigger title and more money.

Whichever path you choose, your career will benefit from earning a master鈥檚 degree in health care administration. And to get started on either track, it helps to earn your bachelor鈥檚 degree in health care management. You may also pursue this field with other health sciences undergraduate degrees. The right undergraduate degree will give you a solid foundation for further study and professional development.

What Is a Technical Studies Degree?

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

A technical studies degree covers a wide field鈥攁nd one that is also incredibly interesting. Acquiring technical skills and earning a degree in the concentration that interests you is an ideal path to a well-paying and secure career, without having to devote four years of spending many thousands of dollars for your education. An associate degree in technical studies also provides you with a solid foundation if you later want to pursue advanced degrees.

Technical Studies: A Definition

An associate degree in technical studies, among other technology degrees, can take you in many fascinating directions. These include working in technology, manufacturing, construction, engineering, and . You might work in computer and digital technology, electromechanical technology, manufacturing, and nuclear technologies, to name a few.

Employers in many fields are hungry for workers with practical technical know-how. A typical technical studies program will include general education courses, particularly in problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication. You will need mathematics and science. These programs round out with core technical courses in your area of concentration. Several elective options allow you to pursue your personal interests.

Advance your career with an AAS in Technical Studies from 杏吧原创.

What Concentrations Are Available?

Given the breadth of the technical studies field, you have your choice of concentrations. Graduating from Excelsior鈥檚 Associate in Applied Science in Technical Studies program with one of the following concentrations can open myriad career opportunities.

Computer Technologies

This concentration gives you technical skills for building, testing, operating, and maintaining computer networks, as well as installing, configuring, and updating software applications. Your classes will include programming fundamentals and IT hardware and software essentials. You鈥檒l learn about business data, cloud computing, and innovation in virtualization.

With this degree concentration, you can work as a systems support technician, a software technical support specialist, an IT field technician, and more.

Electromechanical Technologies

If you鈥檙e fascinated by how things work, this degree concentration is for you. You鈥檒l learn about various types of mechanical technology, including electrical and electronic circuits, and also automated, , or electromechanical tools, equipment, and processes. The design, assembly, testing, system maintenance, and troubleshooting of mechanical components and instruments are key areas of study.

Jobs include work as a machine operator, an equipment and electronics sales associate, a maintenance manager, a generator technician, a facilities manager, a service technician, and more.

Electronic/Instrumentation Technologies

If circuits, microprocessors, programmable controllers, and electronic components are your thing, this concentration will intrigue you. You will learn about electronic systems and how to assemble, test, maintain, repair, and upgrade their various parts.

Find work as an instrumentation specialist, electrical maintenance technician, automation specialist, electrical and instrumentation troubleshooter, and other roles in a wide variety of industries and sites.

Nuclear Technologies/Power Plant Technologies

This fast-growing area of clean energy is driving demand for people with nuclear technology skills. Learning how to manage radiation shielding, about radiation detection instrumentation, and how to plan and implement radiation protection procedures are the key to safe nuclear power facilities. The concentration also includes renewable energy technologies, including solar, geothermal, wind, and water, along with the basic operation of electrical generation equipment.

Examples of jobs with this degree and these technical skills include field testing technician, calibration technician, radiation protection monitor, instrumentation and control specialist, control room operations team member, and nuclear equipment operator.

How Can You Get Started in a Technology Career?

The Excelsior听Associate in Applied Science in Technical Studies program听combines classroom and hands-on learning opportunities that prepare you for your career. Excelsior also partners with , which offers programs like IT Support Professional and IT Security and Network Technician that can help you gain experience and grow your knowledge while potentially earning credit toward your Excelsior degree. And as you progress and need further credentials, you are on the right path for advanced听technology degrees听at 杏吧原创.

The Role of Forensics in Crime Solving

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

It鈥檚 3 o鈥檆lock in the morning and an alarm starts ringing in the art museum. By the time the police arrive, a priceless painting has been stolen. The gallery is a mess. Shards of glass, dirty footprints, fabric scraps, and a few strands of hair are the only clues that remain. The art world despairs鈥攂ut detectives on the case don鈥檛 because they know that even this bloodless crime scene contains all the evidence they need to track down the thief.

As long as crimes have been committed, people have been using crime scene evidence to help solve them. Today, with increasingly detailed analysis tools at scientists鈥� disposal, forensics is a powerful asset in not only catching criminals but also providing insight into the motives and methods behind the crime.

What Is Forensic Science?

Forensic science uses scientific analysis to examine criminal evidence and support decision-making in a court of law. Because 鈥渆vidence鈥� can range from the biological, like hair and blood, to the digital, such as financial records and online search histories, to the physical, like tire tracks and handwriting, employs a variety of disciplines that include toxicology, molecular biology, chemistry, and even information technology.

During an investigation, carefully collect and preserve crime scene evidence for testing. After an investigation, they are also frequently called upon to present their findings in court.

Start your forensics career with 杏吧原创鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

How Can Using Forensics Help Solve a Crime?

Forensics can help solve a crime by finding and analyzing everything a culprit leaves behind. This trail of impact creates a wealth of evidence, large and small, that can be invaluable in an investigation.

For centuries, crime scene investigations were limited to the senses. This meant that only immediately observable clues, like footprints and murder weapons, were solely what we had to go on. Lacking ways to accurately capture or analyze evidence, crime scene hygiene was an afterthought, with members of the public and careless investigators trampling over what today would be valuable evidence.

Modern forensic scientists still rely on the observable clues, but the invisible is what often ultimately breaks a case. Three of the most commonly used forensic techniques are DNA analysis, fingerprint matching, and forensic psychology. In the example of our art heist, investigators could look at the damage in the gallery to figure out what tools the thieves used to break in. Hair and fingerprints could be collected for DNA evidence to test against any potential suspects. Footprints and fibers found at the scene could also be potentially matched to what the criminals were wearing.

DNA Analysis

Of these three forensic methods, DNA analysis is the most recently developed, though, and thanks to television shows like 鈥淐SI: Crime Scene Investigation,鈥� it鈥檚 probably the most people think of first. DNA was only able to be fully sequenced in which was the first step in being able to identify individual people by their genetic material. This eventually led to the pioneering use of DNA in a successful .

Usable DNA can be collected from a sample as small as the trace amounts of saliva on the rim of a glass, and some forms of DNA can be viably stored for years. Famously, the was caught more than 40 years after his first known murder by matching DNA from a distant family member.

Fingerprint Matching

People have long recognized that our fingerprints are unique. There is even evidence of fingerprints being used to sign clay tablets in . The first person to be found guilty of a crime using fingerprint evidence is believed to be . Fingerprints are left on smooth surfaces by the natural oils on our skin, and they can be captured by 鈥渄usting鈥� with fine powder, that forensics experts still use today.

Forensic Psychology

try to answer the eternal question of why people act the way they do and assess the unseeable clues within a person鈥檚 mind during the time surrounding a crime. Forensic psychologists bridge the gap between mental health and legal procedures, often serving as expert witnesses in court proceedings. They interview witnesses, defendants, and victims to analyze behavior, assess mental states, and provide insights to inform legal decisions like sentencing and treatment recommendations.

What Is Cyber Forensics?

Was the museum guard searching 鈥渉ow to disable a security camera鈥� just days before the theft? Did one of the suspects receive a large bank transfer from an unscrupulous art collector? Did a suspected getaway car鈥檚 GPS place it near the museum the night the painting was stolen? These are all questions we can answer today with cyber forensics.

As more crime moves online, digital evidence is an increasingly important part of criminal investigations. Cyber forensic specialists extract data from computers, cellphones, and other electronic devices, as well as monitor network traffic and potentially malicious code.

Are you interested in starting a crime-fighting career of your own? Excelsior has degree programs in criminal justice and cybersecurity perfect for future forensics pros.

杏吧原创 and STRIVE Community Health Institute Announce New Partnership

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

ALBANY, N.Y.听鈥� and are proud to announce a new partnership dedicated to offering students seamless advancement pathways in their education and careers. The new partnership will present opportunities for STRIVE students to save time and money as they work toward degrees in Excelsior鈥檚 online Liberal Arts and Public Health Bachelor of Science programs. 听

STRIVE Community Health Institute is a nonprofit organization in Sacramento, California, providing education and training to students. STRIVE is a state and federally registered and approved academic apprenticeship program that specializes in providing nontraditional pathways into health care, education, and management sectors. STRIVE Institute partners with accredited colleges and universities that provide related supplemental instruction leading towards a college degree.听

Headquartered in Albany, New York, 杏吧原创 was founded in 1971 as the Regents External Degree Program, which evaluated credit earned from college courses, proficiency examinations, military educational programs, and the assessment of knowledge gained from experience and nontraditional approaches to education to help students achieve degree completion. While evolving to offer more than 40 degree programs fully online, Excelsior has maintained its commitment to awarding credit for approved workplace and military training, health care credentials, and industry certifications.听

“STRIVE serves students with the greatest need and the greatest potential, with our post-secondary apprenticeship program providing opportunities to earn certifications, college credit and on-the-job training in the fields of social science and allied health,鈥� said Dr. Arrickia McDaniel, Ed.D., LCSW, STRIVE鈥檚 director of clinical education. 鈥淭he majority of STRIVE students are working professionals looking to advance their career trajectory with a desire to finish their college education. We are excited to expand degree and workforce development opportunities for our students within maternal and behavioral health care sectors through this exciting partnership with 杏吧原创.鈥�听

鈥淭he partnership between Excelsior and STRIVE represents our shared commitment to student-focused, career-oriented education,鈥� said David Schejbal, president of 杏吧原创. 鈥淭he collaboration will allow students flexibility in customizing the best learning experience to meet their needs, while developing important skills for the workplace through both STRIVE鈥檚 apprenticeship programs and Excelsior鈥檚 robust online curriculum.鈥�听

Through a shared partnership with online education source StraighterLine, 杏吧原创 and STRIVE Community Health Institute will present even more opportunities for learners to find their own unique paths toward achieving educational and professional goals.听听

For more information on the partnership between 杏吧原创 and STRIVE Community Health Institute, visit /partner/strive-community-health-institute/.
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Media Contact 杏吧原创:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446听听

Media Contact STRIVE Community Health:
Arrickia McDaniel, strivecommunityhealth@gmail.com, 916-538-7719
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ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY听
杏吧原创 is an accredited, not-for-profit online institution focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are 鈥� academically and geographically 鈥� removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.听听听

ABOUT STRIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH INSTITUTE
STRIVE Community Health Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides education and training to students. STRIVE is a state and federally registered and approved academic apprenticeship program that specializes in providing nontraditional pathways into health care, education, and management sectors. STRIVE Institute partners with local and regional accredited colleges and universities that provide related supplemental instruction leading towards a college degree.

Workplace Leadership

Posted on by Joe Levy

Joe Levy, associate vice provost of accreditation and quality improvement, contributed a chapter to the book “Workplace Leadership,” edited by Robin Lindbeck and Vince Nix.

Through an engaging selection of scholarly articles, “Workplace Leadership” provides students with valuable insight into practical leadership skills and capabilities. It articulates leadership as a vital influence within organizations and delves into the multidimensional competencies necessary for effective workplace leadership.

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Career Spotlight: Training and Development Manager

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Training and development is crucial because it affects individual and organizational improvement. Investing in employee development ensures that the workforce remains skilled, knowledgeable, and capable of adapting to evolving industry demands. The professional responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing training programs that align with the company鈥檚 goals and objectives is a training and development manager. Learn more about this important position and find out whether it aligns with your career goals.

What Is a Training and Development Manager?

T&D managers (as these professionals are sometimes called) plan, coordinate, and direct skills and knowledge developmental programs for an organization鈥檚 staff.

What Does a Training and Development Manager Do?

These professionals have many important organizational roles, including:

  • Assessing employees鈥� training needs
  • Developing and implementing training programs
  • Reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of training programs
  • Creating and managing training budgets
  • Reviewing and selecting materials from vendors
  • Updating training methods to ensure relevancy
  • Teaching training methods to instructors and supervisors
Train the next generation of professionals with a management degree from 杏吧原创.

Training and Development vs. Management

Training and development and management are two distinct but interconnected aspects of an organization. With training and development, you focus on improving specific professional skills and knowledge of employees. Management involves planning, organizing, directing, and controlling organizational resources to achieve the organization鈥檚 goals and objectives.

Training and Development

focuses on improving employees鈥� professional skills and knowledge to enhance their performance and prepare them for future responsibilities. It involves programs such as workshops, seminars, e-learning courses, and on-the-job training. It targets immediate skill gaps or knowledge needs to increase efficiency, productivity, and job satisfaction while fostering personal and professional growth. The focus is on individual growth and development within the organization.

Management

encompasses various activities, including strategic planning, decision-making, leadership, and performance management. Management operates on both short-term and long-term time frames, concentrating on daily operations, future planning, and sustainability. The objective is to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the organization, driving it toward its strategic goals, with a focus on coordinating and optimizing the use of resources to achieve organizational success.

How Much Does a Training and Development Manager Make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for training and development managers was . The range for this occupation spans from less than $73,410 for the lowest 10% to $220,060 for the highest 10%.

Career Outlook

Employment in this in-demand occupation is , more rapidly than the average for all occupations combined. Furthermore, around 3,600 annual job openings for this role are projected over that same 10-year period.

How to Become a Training and Development Manager

To become a training and development manager, you need the right combination of knowledge, skills, and experience. Let鈥檚 consider some requirements if you鈥檙e thinking of pursuing this career path.

Skills You Need for a Career in Training and Development

To become a successful T&D manager, you鈥檒l need skills in:

  • Verbal and written communication
  • Presentation
  • Business
  • Critical thinking
  • Leadership
  • Collaboration
  • Decision-making
  • Instruction

Degree Requirements to Be a Training and Development Manager

Typically, employers prefer you to have a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a relevant field, such as business, social science, communications, or human resources. Earning a master鈥檚 degree in a field like management or a professional certification is also a good idea if you want to showcase your skills and knowledge. In addition to education, you鈥檒l also need relevant work experience, such as in management, teaching, human resources, or training and development.

A training and development manager is an indispensable asset to any organization, playing a crucial role in shaping a competent and motivated workforce. Consider pursuing this career if you鈥檙e passionate about organizational improvement, supporting continuous learning, and personal and professional growth.