Articles

Certificate vs. Degree: Which Path Is Best for You?

August 16, 2021 

You’ve been thinking about going back to college for a while, and the time is right. A 2020 report from the World Economic Forum projects that 42% of the core skills required to perform existing jobs will change by 2022. Returning to school can help you update the skills necessary for your current job, get ready to apply for a higher position, or prepare for a new career. Colleges today are increasingly offering certificates and degree programs for nontraditional students that suit their needs and meet their requirements for flexibility. You can choose an online certificate program tailored to working […]

Diversity in STEM: An Evolving Industry

August 3, 2021 

Professionals working in STEM fields — science, technology, engineering, and math — fuel our nation’s economic growth and drive innovation. In fact, STEM jobs are directly responsible for 39% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the U.S., according to the STEM and the American Workforce report from FTI Consulting. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects STEM jobs to grow twice as fast as all occupations combined between 2019 and 2029 (8% vs. 4%). As a result, those trained in sought-after STEM skills serve vital roles across these flourishing fields. However, maintaining this growth trajectory isn’t possible without thoughtful […]

4 Benefits of Data Analytics in Healthcare

August 3, 2021 

Tables of Contents What is data analytics in healthcare?What are the benefits of data analytics in healthcare? Benefit #1: Analyzing clinical data to improve medical research Benefit #2: Using patient data to improve health outcomes Benefit #3: Gaining operational insights from healthcare provider data Benefit #4: Improved staffing through health business management analytics Applying health data to improve patient outcomes The world is being inundated with data: The amount of data in the world grew by 5,000% between 2010 and 2020.The total amount of data generated each year doubles about every three years and is estimated to reach 79 zettabytes […]

Rural Hospital Closures: How COVID-19 Impacted Hospitals

August 3, 2021 

Tables of Contents Hospital Closures Across the U.S. from COVID-19What Is a Rural Hospital?Why Are Rural Hospitals Closing?U.S. Hospitals: Closing StatisticsWhat Rural Small Town Hospitals Can Do to SurviveRural Hospitals: A Vital Healthcare Provider Working to Overcome COVID-19 Challenges Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are critical to the American population — and the economy. In 2018, U.S. hospitals and health systems provided emergency care to 143 million people, performed more than 28 million surgeries, and delivered nearly 4 million babies, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reports that in the same […]

Entrepreneur vs. Intrapreneur

August 2, 2021 

Tables of Contents Business Owner vs. EmployeeSuccess or Failure: Who’s More at Risk?Critical Role in Economic GrowthWhat Is Entrepreneurship?Principles of EntrepreneurshipLaunching a CompanyExamples of EntrepreneurshipWhat Is Intrapreneurship?Moderate Risk vs. Reward Almost every company in business today was started by someone who saw a market for a product or service and launched an enterprise to fill that need. While not every new business idea is innovative or industry changing, the entrepreneurial spirit driving new businesses is a marker of a healthy economy. Nowadays, the title of entrepreneur — and its counterpart, intrapreneur — is specifically assigned to business leaders who take […]

4 Healthcare Cybersecurity Challenges

August 2, 2021 

Tables of Contents Issues faced in healthcare cybersecurity#1: Patient privacy protection#2: Vulnerabilities of legacy systems in healthcare#3: Challenges of IT in healthcare#4: Security breaches in healthcareModernizing healthcare to reduce risk and improve care outcomes Digital technologies make it easier and more efficient to deliver patient care and provide better outcomes. However, the rise of digital technologies and the growing interconnectedness between different healthcare systems come with increasing healthcare cybersecurity threats. The benefits of healthcare technology advancement are undeniable. Electronic health records (EHRs) have become critical to improving diagnostics and patient outcomes, with 75% of healthcare providers reporting that EHRs help them […]

Work from Home Safety Tips for Online Security

August 2, 2021 

A recent Upwork report projects the number of Americans working remotely will climb 87% from pre-pandemic levels. This increase may profoundly impact the online security of organizations that employ remote workers. While workers may welcome the flexibility offered by remote work, hackers may see the increase as an opening to attack companies more easily, given home offices can lack robust online security. However, understanding the way criminals exploit online working environments can help both companies and employees protect themselves from security threats. Consider how implementing work from home safety tips can keep hackers at bay. Security challenges for a remote […]

Data Science vs. Data Analytics: Understanding the Differences

August 2, 2021 

As more organizations recognize the need to understand and manage the data they produce, demand for data scientists and data analysts continues to grow. Students who are interested in a career that makes use of data modeling, statistics, programming, and other analytical skills have likely seen data science bachelor degree online and job listings that focus on data science or data analytics. However, while the data science and data analytics fields both involve working with and manipulating data, they are not interchangeable. When it comes to data science vs. data analytics, what are the differences, and how can a student choose the […]

Notable Women in American Politics: Achievements, Evolution, and Impact

August 2, 2021 

Tables of Contents A history of women in American politicsAfrican American women in politicsOther women of color in politicsHow women politicians continue to shape American politicsResources for women in American politicsThe future of women in American politics A record number of 142 women are serving in Congress in 2021 following a landmark election that saw more women, including women of color, running for office than ever before. Still, women make up just a quarter of Congress, while comprising more than half the U.S. population. Throughout U.S. history, women have played an important and evolving role in the political landscape — […]

Remote Teaching Tips for K-12 Students in 2021

August 2, 2021 

Remote teaching of K-12 students has increased dramatically since the pandemic started in early 2020. According to an August 2020 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, 93% of households with school-age children reported some form of virtual learning during COVID-19. While remote teaching makes school accessible for many children during this crisis, it also presents unique challenges for teachers, students, and parents who are new to this format. This is why it’s important for current and future teachers, such as those pursuing an online Bachelor of Arts in English degree, to learn strategies for keeping students engaged in remote classrooms. […]