Joint presentation with Erin Coufal, Emily Miller, and Ermenita Kacani presented at UPCEA Mid Atlantic Regional Conference 2022 on how to use storytelling and social media to increase brand awareness as an entirely online brand.
So You Want to Be a Medical Assistant?
Career Spotlight: Human Resources Generalist
Human resources departments help businesses and organizations with all aspects of the employee experience. A human resources generalist and a human resources specialist are two roles you can pursue within a HR team. A specialist focuses on specific aspects such as payroll or training, but a generalist contributes to many areas.
Because they are so knowledgeable, HR generalists are important to any organization. Are you a good multitasker who has a knack for the human side of an organization? Read on to see if HR generalist is the right position for you.
What Does a Human Resources Generalist Do?
Human resources generalists work for any organization, small or large, from an auto store to a zoo, Fortune 500 Company, or anything in between.
These professionals keep track of hiring, employee compensation, employee evaluation, employee firing, employee well-being, and HR policies and procedures. They also help to connect management and employees and work out any differences.
What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of an HR Generalist?
HR generalists report to human resources managers or the HR director. They have many important duties and responsibilities. Here are a few of them:
HR Generalist Qualifications
To become a good HR generalist, it鈥檚 important to have several soft skills, such as problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and strong empathy. It鈥檚 important to also know advanced computer skills and have familiarity with labor laws.
Good HR generalists have a balance of education, training, and certification. Most HR generalists have at least a bachelor鈥檚 degree in human resources, business, or organizational development. 91直播鈥檚 Bachelor of Professional Studies in Business and Management or Bachelor of Science in Business can prepare you for a role in human resources.
Some employers also require training in organization development, employee relations, safety, and other areas. You may also need a Professional in Human Resources Certification.
According to Glassdoor, the median yearly salary for a human resources generalist is $59,517.
If this sounds like the job for you, consider pursuing a career as a HR generalist today.
5 Great Entry-Level Jobs You Can Get with a Marketing Major
A marketing degree offers many different career opportunities that allow for diverse interests, goals, and skills that can transfer to almost any industry and offer endless earning potential. Marketing professionals are needed now more than ever due to great technological and social media advances made in the last several years. The field is expected to grow more due to the ever-changing ways we use technology and social media to get information to people, grow brand reputation, sell goods and services, and more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers in marketing and advertising are expected to grow 10 percent by 2030, which is must faster than the national average for all occupations.
Every industry, from health care, education, and government to music and fashion, requires marketing professionals. Marketing professionals can work for marketing or advertising agencies or work for a company that has its own marketing department. With the market constantly changing, many companies are hiring their own in-house marketing team, and only outsourcing certain projects. In the long run, this saves the company money. Check out the most common marketing careers you can obtain with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in marketing, business, or a related field.
Jobs for Marketing Majors:
Copywriter
Copywriters are responsible for writing copy ads and marketing materials, as well as content for websites. They think of catchy ways to draw in consumers and ensure the success of their company鈥檚 product or service. Copywriters must be strong writers and editors, and stay up to date with trends and be creative. Copywriters can work for marketing departments within any organization or for marketing and advertising agencies. Learn more about copywriting to become a key member of any marketing team.
Marketing Manager
A marketing manager is responsible for leading the marketing efforts for a business, service, or product. They need to be experts in their field to create a marketing strategy. Marketing managers work with many members of a marketing team, including coordinators, graphic designers, content writers, social media specialists, and others. Many marketing managers have years of experience in their field, as well as a bachelor鈥檚 degree in marketing or business. Marketing managers are natural leaders, priority orientated, creative, and great team players. They can think on their feet and pivot when necessary to ensure the success of their company鈥檚 product or service. Check out more on how to become a marketing manager here.
Market Research Analyst
Marketing research analysts gather and analyze information on consumers and competitors that allow the marketing team to make smart, strategic decisions based on data. For any industry, the market is always changing. It is important to have a dedicated member of your team available to focus on finding new information that allows informed decisions to be made. People who consider themselves Excel wizards, love data, and enjoy research should explore becoming a market research analyst.
Social Media Specialist
Social media specialists are responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring a company鈥檚 social media strategy. Their main goal is to increase brand awareness and sales across all social media platforms by providing accurate, catchy, and fun information to consumers. If you are a TikTok and Instagram lover, follow all the trends, and are always coming up with new ideas, check out this guide to becoming a social media specialist.
Marketing Coordinator
Marketing coordinators work side-by-side with marketing managers and other members of the marketing team to ensure all marketing plans are going as designed. They often assist with budget management, campaign creation, content, and project management. This is a great first step into the marketing field if you are unsure what area you are interested in. Marketing coordinators work with all members of the marketing team, and have their hands in a lot of projects, which allows them to truly find what to specialize in. Follow this guide to become a marketing manager today.
Earn your degree in marketing or business today to start your career in marketing!
What Is a Social Media Specialist?
Do you find yourself recreating the latest TikTok dances? Are you a serial #hashtagger? Do you get your news from Twitter and Instagram? If any of this sounds like you, a social media specialist role might be right for you! Follow along to learn what a social media specialist is, what they do, and what you need to do to become a social media specialist.
Social media has come a long way since the early 2000s (anyone remember MySpace?). Today, it is a very powerful tool for individuals and companies to share their stories, messages, and products or services. In 2021, Statista reported more than four billion people worldwide were using social media. With these numbers, all companies need to use social media to successfully sell their products or services.
What is a social media specialist?
A social media specialist is a key teammate of the marketing team. They use social media platforms to create and share content online to benefit the organization. They are responsible for using their company鈥檚 social media accounts to enhance and maintain brand reputation.
What does a social media specialist do?
Social media specialist roles tend to be entry-level positions or only require a minimum amount of experience; therefore, they spend a lot of time executing rather than strategizing. Social media specialists work with the marketing team and leadership to execute the message they want to get across. This position is the liaison between the operations side of marketing and the creative department.
Job responsibilities include:
- Execute social media strategies that build brand awareness, generate inbound traffic, and increase sales.
- Research new trends, best practices, and social media platforms.
- Generate and oversee the content calendar.
- Create and share content daily across various platforms.
- Build a consistent brand presence and voice across all social media platforms.
- Track, measure, and analyze campaign results. Report results to leadership and clients.
- Triage messages, mentions, and comments on all platforms.
- Manage new followers and users.
- Act as the face of the brand by responding to all reviews, comments, and feedback.
What education and skills are needed to become a social media specialist?
Typically, hiring managers look for candidates with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in marketing, business, communications, journalism, or another related field. The skills you bring to the position are equally as important as your education. Hiring managers look for outgoing, organized, and creative people, as well as the following skills:
- Great time management and organization: You will work with multiple clients or team members daily. The ability to manage your time, set priority lists, and organize across all platforms for all projects is a must!
- Stay up to date on trends: Keeping up with new social media platforms and the latest trends is second nature for social media specialists. You will be responsible for bringing these new trends to your leadership team to create content that is hot and pertains to your audience!
- Creativity: Social media specialists are storytellers. Your main goal is to get your brand鈥檚 message to the right audience in a fun, persuasive, original way.
- Understanding statistics and analytics: Some call this the 鈥渘ot so fun鈥� part of a social media specialist role. However, if you think of it as tracking your progress and seeing what impact your designs and content have on people, it can be really eye opening and exciting. Understanding what your posts are doing, and how your audience interacts with them, will help you create a strategic plan that will excel.
Is social media a growing field? Will I get hired?
The simple answer to this question is yes! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social media specialist positions are expected to grow 11 percent by 2030 (much faster than the average for all occupations). The average annual salary is $62,810. Demand for social media specialists is always increasing, as companies are learning that this position is necessary. Social media platforms are an easy, cost-effective way to build brand reputation and promote a product or service. Check out the bachelor鈥檚 degree in business at 91直播 to kick-start your career as a social media specialist!
Dealing with ADHD as an Adult in College
Going back to school as an adult to earn a college degree is a challenging task under any circumstance. This can be even more challenging for those with different abilities, particularly those with attention-deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
As someone diagnosed with ADHD well into my adult life, and after completing an associate and a bachelor鈥檚 degree, and subsequently a master鈥檚 degree at 91直播, I look back on the challenges I faced as a student and realize many could have been eased had I realized why I struggled and how much of those challenges related to my ADHD diagnosis.
How ADHD Can Affect College Workloads
According to the CDC, ADHD has three main presentations: hyperactive, impulsive, or combined, meaning the individual shows ongoing patterns of both presentations. The disorder interferes with functioning and development. This can mean it is hard for individuals affected by ADHD to become motivated or start work on a project, sustain the long-term focus and attention to detail they may need for an assignment, or even keep track of deadlines and due dates.
Strategies to Overcome ADHD as a College Student
It is important to note that ADHD is classified as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, but it is not considered a learning disability. Many colleges and universities offer accessibility services to their students, which is the best place to learn about the specific accommodations that are available to you as a college student with ADHD.
So, how does someone with ADHD succeed in going back to college? Try using these strategies:
1. Choose an Institution that Understands You
Where you go to school is just as important as the steps you take to make yourself successful. Personally, I was not successful in a traditional brick-and-mortar setting because the in-person classes just didn鈥檛 work for me. They offered a lot of distractions, sensory issues, and troublesome noise levels. I found that an online curriculum worked best for finishing my associate degree, and I sought to complete my bachelor鈥檚 and my master鈥檚 degrees fully online where I could control my learning environment more closely.
Where you choose to go to school and the format of school are extremely important because you need to first make sure you will complete the work and be present with the material.
2. Choose Courses That Interest You
One skill that many people with ADHD possess is the ability to hyperfocus. In a broad sense, the ability to hyperfocus enables someone to become completely absorbed by a topic or activity for an extended period of time. This can be a great strategy to employ when it comes to being successful in school. The ability to hyperfocus becomes a strength when individuals use it to engross themselves in readings and materials, participate in discussions, and work on assignments.
3. Set Specific Time in Your Schedule for School
Another challenge many individuals with ADHD struggle with is time blindness. Time blindness refers to an individual鈥檚 unawareness of the passage of time. Particularly, in cases of a topic or activity that is the subject of hyperfixation, it鈥檚 not uncommon for those with ADHD to lose hours of time. Blocking specific time periods on your calendar (or digital, planner, etc.) for school work can help ensure there is enough time allotted for you to complete the work you need.
4. Make a List, Check It Twice鈥攐r 10 Times!
In addition, those with ADHD can lose sight of tasks they need to complete due to inattentiveness or lack of focus. The old adage, 鈥渋f you fail to plan, you plan to fail鈥� comes into play here. To ensure everything gets done on time, it helps to make a list of all the work needed for your courses that week, or even in that day or chunk of time you鈥檝e carved out for yourself. This list helps keep you accountable as you work through the coursework. It also allows for the dopamine hit when you cross off the pieces you have completed!
One way to ensure you don鈥檛 fall prey to time blindness is to set alarms. Set an alarm or a reminder on your phone or your computer for each step and task you need to complete, when to start it, and when you think you should be finished. This will help you remember what is next and give you the push to keep going. It also helps you to learn how to manage your time, if you鈥檝e set enough time aside for each type of schoolwork, and to be able to adjust accordingly.
5. Get Comfy and Minimize Distractions
Be sure that you have a comfortable place where you can do your coursework. You鈥檒l be spending a lot of time there focusing on getting the work done. Make sure it has all the supplies you will need, from your computer to the extras, like water and snacks so you don鈥檛 have to get up and be distracted by something else. Be careful to avoid inadvertently creating distractions for yourself in your work area, but if there are things you use to help you focus, be sure to have them on hand. For instance, if you need a specific fidget device like a pop fidget toy, or ring spinner; or if you are someone who needs clicky pens, or toothpicks to chew on, have these in your space to help you release that additional energy and increase your ability to focus.
6. Everything Is Better With a Buddy!
Find a trusted individual who can be your accountability partner. By telling someone you have a task to complete and you need to get it done, you鈥檝e created a person who will keep checking in and asking if you鈥檝e been successful.
If the idea of just reminders and check-ins is not enough to keep you on task and focused, use a body double. This person might be a friend, a spouse, a roommate, or a parent. A body double is another person who sits with 鈥� in person or via a video call 鈥� or web chats with the person with ADHD as they do the task that may be difficult for them to complete. For instance, if you have a hard time completing your discussion posts for a course, call a friend who needs to clean their house. While they clean, you can work on the discussion. This creates instant accountability to the task at hand and support if you need it.
7. Talk It Out
The key to being successful also lies in open communication with your instructors. If you鈥檙e comfortable, share your diagnosis with your instructor and where you face challenges. If you鈥檝e requested or been granted accommodations, remind them and help them understand the ways ADHD impacts you. Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask for help. Your advisors and your instructors are there to help support you and ensure your success They want to see you thrive in your coursework, but they cannot do that if they do not understand what is going on. Keep the lines of communication open and stay ahead of any challenges that may arise.
8. Be Kind to Yourself
Above all else, be kind to yourself. Going back to school is a challenge and if you have different abilities such as ADHD, it can be even more challenging. That doesn鈥檛 mean you can鈥檛 do it, but it鈥檚 important to take the time to celebrate the wins, big and small. Create rewarded incentives. When you finish your assignments for the week, treat yourself to your favorite ice cream. When you successfully complete a course, maybe participate in an activity you鈥檝e been looking forward to or a new movie you wanted to see. By creating milestones and rewarding yourself along the way, you鈥檙e creating pathways to increase the dopamine your brain is so desperately craving as well as build habits that you can sustain throughout your educational journey.
How Can I Become a Registered Nurse Online at 91直播?
91直播 provides nursing students the best pathway toward earning a degree and starting their career as a registered nurse. Adult learners already in the workforce will find online nursing programs designed with flexibility in mind so that students can continue working while pursuing their associate in applied science degree in nursing.
There鈥檚 never been a better time to enter this in-demand profession. Federal government call for almost 222,000 new nurses to join the workforce by 2029. New York ranks among the top states for both nursing employment and salary.
Associate Degree in Nursing
91直播’s online Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (AAS in Nursing) program educates students for a career as a registered nurse with competencies in nursing theory and clinical performance comparable to those who graduate from traditional, on-campus associate degree nursing programs. Graduates emerge prepared to take the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN) and launch a successful career as a registered nurse.
A Phased Approach to Nursing Education
91直播 incorporates a phased approach that prepares nurses for a successful career in contemporary health care environments, including hospitals, health care providers鈥� offices, home health services, outpatient clinics, and assisted living facilities.
In Phase I, nursing students complete four online courses focusing on different nursing theory areas. They include:
- Transition to the Professional Nurse Role
- Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Safety
- Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Differences
- Foundations in Nursing Practice
In Phase II, students build on the foundational knowledge established in Phase I in four online specialty nursing courses and a hybrid course. The hybrid course is the last course in Phase II and blends online learning with virtual patient simulations and a live, hands-on patient care experience in an acute care setting. The courses in Phase II include:
Reproductive Health
- Health Differences Across the Lifespan (three courses)
- Clinical Nursing Practicum: Care of Patients Across the Lifespan
In Phase III, students apply the theoretical knowledge from Phases I and II to real patient care situations. Competencies for Contemporary Nursing Practice is the first course in Phase III. It is an online course with weekly virtual simulations facilitated by 91直播 faculty. Nursing Capstone: Advanced Clinical Practicum is the final course in Phase III. It is a hybrid course that integrates online learning with a live Capstone clinical experience caring for multiple patients over two days in an acute care setting.
In the associate degree program, students demonstrate the following competencies prior to graduation:
Safety
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Evidence-based practice
- Quality improvement
- Leadership and delegation
- Informatics
- Professional role development
91直播 offers a unique and user-friendly platform for students to become a registered nurse. The majority of the program is online, which offers a flexible schedule to working adults. The two clinical practicums are concentrated sessions, each over two and half days, eliminating the need for excess travel. They are facilitated by expert 91直播 faculty in state-of-the-art health care facilities. Graduates from either 91直播 associate degree program are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Passing the exam earns nurses their Registered Nurse (RN) license. To prepare students for the exam, 91直播 offers free NCLEX-RN test preparation to all nursing students in the Nursing Capstone: Advanced Clinical Practicum course.
Why Earn an Associate Nursing Degree at 91直播?
There鈥檚 never been a better time to fulfill your ambition to become a nurse. Federal projections show the demand for nursing will only increase in the coming years. Salaries also have risen, with the average salary for all nurses nationwide $94,980 in 2023.
Graduates from 91直播 nursing programs are well-prepared to excel in the profession. In addition to the phased approach, virtual and live clinical experiences, and NCLEX-RN test prep, 91直播 offers support to every online student, including military veterans.
No matter where you live or work, online degree programs provide a more convenient way than ever to earn a degree. 91直播 offers the options, clinical experience, theoretical knowledge, and support to help students who aspire to become a registered nurse realize their ambitions.
What Is Big Data and Why Does It Matter?
We are living in a really unique time where we have access to texts, calls, emails, photos, videos, a world鈥檚 worth of information, and music all on one tiny device. This mass amount of data we create every minute, multiplied by the world, makes data very valuable, especially because our phone company and many of our apps also have access to this data. And this is only one device. Our daily habits are also collected every time we buy groceries, go for a run, visit a doctor, go shopping, or order pizza.
鈥楤ig data鈥� is the term used to describe the large volumes of data being collected by a variety of sources. The size of big data is beyond the ability of typical database software tools to capture, store, manage, and analyze. Collecting and analyzing this data is also evolving rapidly to keep pace with the increasing volume. What we called big data 10 years ago is not what we call big data now because the typical tools and technologies have changed. And what we call big data now may not be big data in five years.
The Five Vs
There is a framework for analyzing data as big data. The five most commonly defined V dimensions are volume, variety, velocity, veracity, and value. These five variables not only make data big data, but also present both possibilities and challenges.
These are the lines leaders must walk. How can they leverage the possibilities of big data to close the gap on their goals and increase sales? How can they protect company and customer data from being misused?
Big Data in Our Lives
Big data shows us, with patterns that are predictive, who talks to who, how happy you are, and when you are having a baby. And big data doesn鈥檛 just reflect what is going on online; it can also show us what you are doing in the real world and who you are meeting up with. Some research has even found that face-to-face interactions still matter in terms of persuading people to do things 鈥� and it鈥檚 digital data that tells us that.
These are big data trends that are so highly valuable to companies because they have the ability to identify and change customer patterns, increase access to the customer base and create competition, and affect the workforce.
The audiences affected by changing patterns, increased competition, and workforce shifts include customers and the workforce. Accessing, marketing to, and maintaining customers has dramatically changed in the past 20 years. Companies and organizations can leverage data to predict customer desires and offer support 24/7. They can also help their workforce to adapt to work alongside machines, and career shift when needed.
Big Data Impacts Organizations and Leadership
Having a well-thought-out brand strategy is a key contribution to a company鈥檚 success. A brand鈥檚 image is constantly shifting, and it is influenced by the decisions a company makes over time. Brand extensions are a frequently adopted strategy. Brand extensions are great expansion options for companies because they are usually quicker, cheaper, and less risky than creating a new brand. Some of the big data trends on the market today are impacting strategic brand extensions for many companies.
Today, companies are relying on household Alexas to connect with customers and allow them to order refills, play music, and even control the lights with the sound of their voices. Machine learning allows humans to train computers. Physical objects, like thermostats, cars, and Fitbits that are equipped with sensors provide companies new ways to connect with customers and feed data that provides a more customized experience. Physically connected objects equipped with sensors help to form the 鈥業nternet of Things鈥� (IoT). Analyzing data helps companies like Amazon to suggest your next purchase. If you purchased a printer, chances are you will need ink in a month. Layering and analyzing data helps machines to predict our next moves and purchases.
Big data goes beyond customers and the workforce. Data can be leveraged to improve financial performance, product market performance, social responsibility, and employee stewardship. When layered, things like smart technology can help have a big impact on society: like to add utility efficiencies, solve traffic jams, and optimize patient flow. Many leaders find themselves in a position where they need to learn more about data and technology to help their organization to perform better and make better decisions. The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Technology and Data Analytics program at 91直播 prepares leaders to manage change through a curriculum that supports a responsive, innovative, data-driven, and empowering approach to leadership. Leaders will learn about strategic technology innovation, data analytics, data visualization, and big data to provide them with the tools to expand their company vision and trajectory.
Gain Sought-After Technical and Leadership Skills with a Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics
贰虫肠别濒蝉颈辞谤鈥檚 Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics provides you with the valuable skillset of collecting, analyzing, and visually representing data. The certificate prepares leaders with the technical acumen to conduct data analysis and visualization and the management skills needed to implement the insights gleaned from data analysis.
Complete this three-course certificate in as few as six months as preparation for a career in the high-growth field of data analytics.
The courses in this certificate are also part of the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Technology and Data Analytics program, and students who complete the certificate can apply 9 credits toward the 30-credit program.
A bachelor鈥檚 degree is required for admission to this graduate certificate program.
What Is a Forensic Examiner?
Calling all TV crime junkies! Do you find yourself solving the mystery before the end of the show? Do your friends call you the investigator of the group? And a little blood doesn鈥檛 scare you? If so, then a career as a forensic examiner might just be for you! Follow along with this guide to learn how to become a forensic examiner.
What Is a Forensic Examiner?
A forensic examiner is one of the first people called to a crime scene. They investigate, record, analyze, and gather evidence to ensure the crime is solved accurately. The evidence they find and evaluate is key to law enforcement investigations and court cases.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for forensic examiners is $61,930 per year. Because forensic examiners can work a variety of shifts and overtime is usually available, there is a lot of room for additional compensation. Employment is expected to grow 16 percent by 2030, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
What Does a Forensic Examiner Do?
Most forensic examiners specialize in a specific area of forensics, crime scene investigation, or laboratory analysis. Forensic examiners can work for state and local governments as well as for private firms. Duties vary depending on what area you decide to work in.
Responsibilities of Forensic Examiners Working in a Lab Include:
- Analyze chemical, biological, and microscopic evidence
- Use DNA results and other scientific analyses to find potential links between suspects and criminal activity
- Collaborate with experts in specialized fields and other law enforcement professionals
Responsibilities of Forensic Examiners Working at Crime Scenes Include:
- Collect evidence at crime scenes including weapons and fingerprints
- Analyze evidence and preserve it to transfer to the crime lab
- Record observations and findings
- Capture photos and make sketches of crime scenes and evidence
In some cases, forensic examiners can be generalists, where they perform many or all of the duties in both the lab and at crime scenes. All forensic examiners are responsible for reporting their findings through written reports and meetings with lawyers, detectives, and other law enforcement professionals. In some cases, forensic examiners may be asked to testify in court about their evidence and the methods they performed.
How to Become a Forensic Examiner?
Forensic examiner positions typically require at least a bachelor鈥檚 degree in criminal justice, biology, psychology, or a related field. Education combined with work experience as well as the following qualities will set you up for success!
- Critical thinking skills: You must use your best judgment when matching physical evidence to suspects.
- Math and science skills: Forensic examiners must have a strong understanding of statistics and natural sciences to analyze evidence accurately.
- Communication skills: You write reports and could possibly testify in court. You must have strong communication skills to work with other law enforcement professionals.
- Problem-solving skills: As a forensic examiner, you will use scientific methods and tests to assist law enforcement officials with solving crimes.
A variety of licenses and certifications are also available to enhance your resume. Now more than ever, hiring managers are looking for forensic examiners with a graduate degree in criminal justice, biology, or other related fields. An advanced degree better positions candidates to secure a position and the opportunity for a leadership role. A master鈥檚 degree in criminal justice from 91直播 will prepare you for a position as a forensic examiner and set you up for advancement!
Career Spotlight: Instrumentation Engineer
Gaming is the sport. Now more than ever, many children are more interested in playing a new video game with their friends than they are in meeting up for an on-field game after school. While some parents and grandparents may look at this as a negative, there are actually huge benefits to students who know how to 鈥済ame.鈥� The skills learned through video games transfer to the skills you will learn as an instrumentation engineer. So, if you are one of those students who love to game, check out an instrumentation engineer career to see if it is right for you!
What Is Instrumentation Engineering?
Instrumentation engineers are responsible for installing, monitoring, and maintaining control systems and machinery needed in the manufacturing environment. Their primary focus is on control processes that use sensors as an input. Instrumentation engineers ensure that control machinery and processes are working effectively and efficiently, while working in a safe and reliable manner.
Roles and Responsibilities of an Instrumentation Engineer
Instrumentation engineers are responsible for any part of the control process, including the planning, design, development, and installation of a new process. They are also responsible for ensuring systems that are already in place are working safely and effectively.
While the tasks will vary depending on where you work, check out a few of the most common responsibilities:
- Install new control processes
- Develop instrumentation testing protocols
- Monitor sensor outputs and process operations
- Ensure instrumentation operation is compliant with regulations
- Complete routine and planned maintenance
- Work with leadership and other key members of the team to design and develop new control processes
- Supervise instrumentation technicians and other team members
- Collect data, analyze, and create reports for leadership
- Train staff members if required
In addition to these responsibilities, instrumentation engineers lead a team and can be responsible for procurement and budgetary operations.
Where Do Instrumentation Engineers Work?
Instrumentation engineers can work in a variety of organizations that specialize in specific industrial industries and facilities. They may work in an office, a laboratory, on a factory floor, or all three depending on their job responsibilities. Employers of instrumentation engineers must meet standards for lower emission levels. Instrumentation engineers are hired for the following industries to ensure levels are standard and up to date:
- Manufacturing firms
- Oil and gas refineries
- Energy companies
- Pharmaceutical development and production companies
- Food and chemical processing plants
According to Salary.com, instrumentation engineers make $82,068 on average per year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported positions in this field could rise by 7 percent by 2030; therefore, it is a great time for people to enter this field.
What Skills and Education Requirements Does an Instrumentation Engineer Need?
Instrumentation engineers need a range of skills and education to ensure success. A bachelor鈥檚 degree in electrical engineering or a related field are required for entry-level instrumentation engineer positions. Recruiters also look for the following skills during the hiring process:
- Teamwork: As an instrumentation engineer, you are required to work closely with people across different departments and at a variety of levels.
- Problem-solving skills: You must be able to assess problems and come up with new and innovative solutions.
- Communication: Strong verbal communication skills are necessary to work with the rest of the manufacturing team.
- Organizational skills: As an instrumentation engineer, you must be able to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and ensure systems are up and running for all manufacturers.
Because of the continued rise in the manufacturing, electrical, computer, and control system fields, instrumentation engineers will always have a job in the labor field. A bachelor鈥檚 degree in electrical engineering technology from 91直播 will prepare you for a job in any of these fields. The degree program is designed specifically to advance job skills by ensuring a range of knowledge in technology as well as by giving you an opportunity to choose a concentration in electronics or power systems. Check out how you can get started with this degree today!
Tablets vs. Laptops: Which Is Best for Online Learning?
To buy the tablet or to buy the laptop, that is the question. Especially when you鈥檝e just signed up for your first online course.
One of the biggest perks of earning your degree online is the ability to work from anywhere, and if you plan on learning wherever you are, you鈥檙e going to a need a device that goes everywhere with you.
The options are obvious, but the right choice might not be. At the very minimum, you are going to need a device that:
- Handles large files. You will be sharing, saving, submitting, and presenting assignments in a variety of formats.
- Supports a variety of apps. Find out which apps and platforms your institution uses for online learning.
- Is comfortable for reading and writing. You鈥檙e going to be doing a lot of this! Think about where you may have to work and what your needs are.
- Is on the list of supported devices at your institution. Contact your school鈥檚 technical support department for a list of devices and operating systems they do and do not support. For example, 91直播 does not support mobile operating systems.
- Works with your budget.
So, tablet or laptop? Which one is better? Let鈥檚 take a look at the pros and cons of each.
Using a Laptop over a Tablet
Laptops give you all the power of their bulkier desktop siblings in a portable package. But should you spend all that cash for your online class?
Laptop Pros:
- Can handle a larger number and greater size of files
- Uses desktop apps and operating systems more likely to be supported by your institution鈥檚 online tech support
- Features built-in keyboards, cameras, and multiple ports for USB drives, memory cards, and ethernet cables
- Larger screen
- Comfortable for extensive writing and researching at the college level
Laptop Cons:
- Shorter battery life
- Can cost more to buy and more to repair
- Heavier
- May not have a touchscreen
Pros and Cons of Using a Tablet for Online Coursework
Tablets are light, versatile devices that have come a long way in terms of functionality within the past few years. But are they best for taking online courses?
Tablet Pros:
- Extremely portable
- More affordable
- Great for drawing and designing
- Easy to consume audio, video, and text
- Long battery life
Tablet Cons:
- Smaller screen makes it difficult to see some content fully or to multitask, like taking notes while watching a video lecture
- Can be difficult to use for long periods without added accessories like stands, keyboards, or a mouse
- Not practical for college-level writing assignments
- Uses mobile apps and operating systems, which are less likely to be supported by a higher ed institution
- Not enough processing power for storing and organizing multiple large files
Is a Laptop Better for Online Learning?
The short answer is yes!
贰虫肠别濒蝉颈辞谤鈥檚 tech support team recommends laptops for its courses and does not support tablets or other devices like phones, which run on mobile operating systems, for your primary device. As an online student, you鈥檒l be logging into Canvas, 贰虫肠别濒蝉颈辞谤鈥檚 online learning system, to interact with your instructors, participate in weekly discussions, access your course materials, and submit your assignments, so having a keyboard is a must. Plus, you鈥檒l need a device that can handle files, videos, and presentations well.
While tablets are great for consuming content, they are just not going to work well in the long run for the type of work students in college degree programs will have to do.
a computer that is five years old or newer, but that doesn鈥檛 mean you have to run out and spend a small fortune on the latest MacBook. There are options for every budget and don鈥檛 discount buying used or refurbished either. Just make sure you speak to your school鈥檚 tech support team to make sure you鈥檙e set up for success and ready for your first online course!
Want to learn more about 贰虫肠别濒蝉颈辞谤鈥檚 online courses? An admissions counselor can help answer your questions and help you choose the best next steps for your education goals.
Honoring U.S. Indigenous Peoples鈥� Day
What is U.S. Indigenous Peoples鈥� Day?
U.S. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October to honor the cultures and histories of the Native American people. Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the past, present, and futures of Native peoples across the country. The ancestors of living Native Americans arrived in what is now the United States at least 15,000 years ago, possibly much earlier, from Asia via Beringia.
According to the , many Indigenous people (Native Americans) live in NY and are citizens of the following nine state recognized nations: Cayuga Nation, Oneida Indian Nation, Onondaga Nation, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Seneca Nation of Indians, Allegany Reservation, Cattaraugus Reservation, Shinnecock Indian Nation, Tonawanda Seneca Nation, Tuscarora Nation and Unkechaug Indian Nation. Other Indian Nations that were located within New York State in the past and maintain ties to the area are federally recognized nations and include Delaware Nation (Oklahoma), Delaware Tribe of Indians (Oklahoma), and Stockbridge-Munsee Band of the Mohican Nation of Wisconsin. Others include the Ramapough Lenape and Montaukett, that live in New York or surrounding states.
On Indigenous People鈥檚 Day, we recognize the history and impact of colonialism on Native communities, and we celebrate the cultures, contributions, and resilience of contemporary Native peoples. More than a dozen states and the District of Columbia now recognize Indigenous Peoples Day. Those states include Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
How can you become an ally of Indigenous peoples?
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