Fulbright graduate students from around the world will be presenting a wide range of scholarly research topics on Aug. 11 at Bird Library from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
News
Study Abroad Experience Offers HEOP Student New Research Perspectives
Leondra Tyler takes in the lush landscape at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. She pops into the campus café and orders her usual coffee before walking through the forest path that leads to her classes. It’s her first time studying abroad, but she’s adjusted to campus life with ease. On the weekends, she explores South Korea, while weekdays are reserved for studying sociology, psychology, and Korean literature and language.
Tyler, a student of the University’s part-time Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), is the first part-time HEOP student to receive the Our Time Has Come (OTHC) scholarship. Back home, Tyler is a part-time neuroscience and psychology student at Syracuse University, but scholarships like the OTHC scholarship have allowed Tyler to push the limits of post-traditional learning and take part in studying abroad.
“What drew me into the OTHC scholarship program was that I really wanted an academically focused program for Black and brown students. This has given me a great opportunity to connect with Black and brown alumni and hear about their experiences and their post-academic lives,” Tyler says. “Although I just got the scholarship this semester, it’s been really nice knowing that I have a support system, not only at Syracuse but also here at Yonsei.”
A Diverse Learning Experience
Scholarships have not only offered Tyler access to an abundance of networking opportunities, but they have also opened doors that diversify her learning portfolio.
When Tyler wraps up classes for the day, she heads across campus to a PC café, a popular hangout spot for people to eat while they play computer games. While she waits for a game to download, Tyler orders lunch and reviews notes from her class about the history of Korean cinema. For Tyler, studying abroad has allowed her access to an array of engaging academic experiences and even expanded her viewpoint.
“We’re learning Korean history through film,” Tyler says. “I took the course because I wanted to learn more analytic skills, because that can translate into my research. But also, I wanted to learn more about Korea outside of pop culture.”
However, South Korea’s pop culture has also given Tyler a chance to analyze sociology and psychology from a new perspective. As the popularity of K-pop and K-dramas trickles their way into American media, Tyler uses K-pop artists like SHINee and 2PM in the course “Understanding K-pop” to examine global trends and parasocial relationships.
“Studying abroad has given me more opportunities to be creative with different projects,” Tyler says. “Sociology courses I’ve taken in the past have been about Western culture, so it’s been nice to learn about it through the lens of Korean society.”
Embracing Communities and Cultures
From attending K-pop concerts to taking part in traditional Korean practices, Tyler has also learned the value of community and the importance of embracing different cultures. Students from 53 different countries gathered at Yonsei University to participate in the study abroad program, giving Tyler the chance to learn about a myriad of cultures.
“I’m not just experiencing Korean culture but also culture from my friends that I met here that are from Australia, New Zealand, and Germany,” Tyler says.
On the weekends, Tyler and her friends take public transportation across South Korea and learn about the history of the country through its landscape. From visiting the coastal city of Busan to exploring the assortment of districts throughout Seoul, Tyler documents it all on her instant film camera and soaks up the unforgettable moments. While studying on the other side of the world has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, friendship has made Tyler’s study abroad trip an even richer experience.
“Even though we’re all from different parts of the world, I’m going to stay connected with the people I’ve met here for years to come,” Tyler says. “That’s what makes this experience so special.”
About the College of Professional Studies
The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience.
About the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
The College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University is the home of New York State’s only Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) program for part-time students. The program provides economically and educationally disadvantaged students from New York State with access to Syracuse University through academic support and financial assistance.
By Hope Alvarez
Syracuse University Offers Google’s New Cybersecurity Certificate
Today Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies is announcing it will offer Google’s new Cybersecurity Certificate.
The Google Career Certificates prepare learners for in-demand fields including Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, IT Support, Project Management, and UX Design—with no experience required. This offering will equip students with job-ready skills as they pursue their degree, while also connecting them to career resources and a network of over 150 companies through the program’s employer consortium.
“The certificate programs from Google are structured to address the skills gap being experienced by a number of employers,” said Arthur Thomas, executive director of the Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials at the College of Professional Studies. “What we’ve created is a hybrid learning experience that builds on the excellent foundations established by Google by adding a dimension of live online sessions with instructors, specific readings, additional videos and discussion groups guided by our faculty. This added perspective and interaction will give our students a distinct advantage as they approach the job market.”
The certificate in cybersecurity is the first of six Google Career Certificates that will be available through Syracuse University.
Students who enroll in the Google Career Certificates through Syracuse University will unlock access to Syracuse University services, including personalized student support, career services and one-on-one instructor support. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to directly discuss course content through virtual live sessions that offer moments to engage with classmates and learn from industry experts who help illustrate how concepts are applied in real-life experiences.
When taking a Google Certificate through Syracuse University, students get the full Orange experience. The Google and Syracuse University partnership brings together two industry leaders to create a fully immersive professional development experience.
Originally designed and taught by Google employees, Syracuse University has added perspectives and information from both faculty and practitioners to build an even more comprehensive foundation in these areas. Each certificate program includes over 150+ practice and graded assessments, quizzes, or writing assignments to ensure rigor and mastery. To help prepare learners for jobs, the program provides resources including resume templates, coaching from Career Circle and interview practice with Big Interview. Graduates are also connected with an employer consortium of over 150 companies—including American Express, Colgate, T-Mobile, Walmart, and Google—that considers them for relevant roles.
“Global interest in cybersecurity jobs among job seekers has reached an all-time high on Google Search this year, yet businesses continue to report a large cybersecurity skills gap,” said Lisa Gevelber, Founder, Grow with Google. “The data is clear: we must create more pathways for people to enter the cybersecurity field and build a lasting career. Google is combining our industry-leading expertise in cybersecurity with our proven approach to training people for in-demand jobs to help create a solution. The Google Cybersecurity Certificate will help businesses fill cybersecurity roles and enable people to earn an industry-recognized credential that will qualify them for a great job.”
A Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) will be available for students who complete the Google Career Certificates through Syracuse University. This assessment awards college credits based on prior learning and experiences by identifying direct course overlaps in a specific for-credit program at Syracuse University to which the student is applying. The PLA allows students to personalize their learning pathway into a for-credit degree or certificate program.
Since Google launched the original Grow with Google program in 2018, over 200,000 people have graduated in the U.S. Seventy-five percent of them report a positive career impact—such as a new job, higher pay, or a promotion—within six months of completion, and over 50% of graduates identify as Asian, Black, or Latino.
To learn more about this program, visit professionalstudies.syracuse.edu/microcredentials/google-certificates/.
About the College of Professional Studies
The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience.
About Grow with Google
Grow with Google was started in 2017 to help Americans grow their skills, careers, and businesses. It provides training, tools, and expertise to help small business owners, veterans and military families, jobseekers and students, educators, startups, and developers. Since Grow with Google’s inception, it has helped more than 10 million Americans develop new skills. Grow with Google has a network of more than 9,500 partner organizations like libraries, schools, small business development centers, chambers of commerce, and nonprofits to help people coast-to-coast.
Become a Project Manager: How and Why
In today’s competitive business environment, project management skills are essential for success. Whether you are a project manager, a team member, or a manager, having strong project management skills can help you make a positive impact in your current role or future career.
What Does a Project Manager Do?
Project managers do not operate in a single domain; their skillsets are invaluable in all types of organizations, large and small, and roles, from the C-suite to company interns. Regardless of the industry in which they operate, effective project managers lead projects from conception through implementation, creating value and driving change.
At its core, a project manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing the execution of a project. They work with a team of people to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
How Project Management Skills Make a Direct, Measurable Impact
Many employees manage projects daily in their current roles, but likely don’t understand the value of a well-managed project and what it means to the bottom line of their employer.
“Project management is the art and science of getting stuff done using a proven set of tools, approaches and controls. Studies continue to show that project managers get tasks done more efficiently, and in today’s world, that translates into lower costs and better results,” says Arthur Thomas, executive director of professional acceleration and microcredentials in the College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University.
Here are some of the benefits that your project management skills can bring to an organization:
- Plan and execute projects more effectively. Project management skills can help you to break down complex projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. They can also help you to identify and manage risks, and to track progress and make necessary adjustments along the way.
- Improve communication and collaboration. Project management skills can help you to communicate effectively with project stakeholders, including team members, clients, and managers. They can also help you to build strong relationships with team members and to foster collaboration.
- Increase efficiency and productivity. Project management skills can help you to identify and eliminate waste, and to streamline processes. They can also help you to optimize resources and to get the most out of your team’s time.
- Make better decisions. Project management skills can help you to gather and analyze data, and to make informed decisions about project scope, budget, and timeline. They can also help you to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop contingency plans.
- Meet deadlines and budgets. Project management skills can help you to track progress and to identify potential problems early on. They can also help you to make adjustments as needed to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
How to Get Started as a Project Manager
If becoming a project manager is one of your career goals, you’ll need more than a basic understanding of the general approaches of managing projects. You will need to start by building key professional skills and experience.
“The complexity of large-scale projects is growing, and not only does a candidate need to have experience under their belt, but they must know fundamental project management principles to succeed,” Thomas says.
- Earn a project management degree or credential.
Project management specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Although not always required, a certification may also be beneficial. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a specific field, consider adding a more advanced credential in project management.
Project Management, Bachelor of Professional Studies
Project Management, Undergraduate Credit Certificate
Project Management, Certificate of Advanced Studies
Project Management, Master of Professional Studies
Google Project Management Certificate at Syracuse University
All project management degrees and certificates offered through the College of Professional Studies meet the education/training requirement for the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exams. - Gain experience.
The best way to become a project manager is to gain experience in project management. You can do this by volunteering for projects at work, taking on leadership roles in extracurricular activities or starting your own projects. - Build key soft skills.
Project managers need to be able to communicate effectively, motivate team members, and resolve conflicts. Some of the most impactful soft skills for project managers include:
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- Communication: Project managers need to be able to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including team members, clients, and managers. They need to be able to clearly articulate project goals, objectives, and timelines. They also need to be able to listen to feedback and to resolve conflicts.
- Planning: Project managers need to be able to plan and execute projects effectively. This includes breaking down complex projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. It also includes identifying and managing risks, tracking progress and making necessary adjustments along the way.
- Organization: Project managers need to be organized and efficient. They need to be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to keep track of deadlines, budgets and resources.
- Problem-solving: Project managers need to be able to identify and solve problems quickly and efficiently. They need to be able to think critically to come up with creative solutions.
- Leadership: Project managers need to be able to lead and motivate team members. They need to be able to set a clear vision for the project and to inspire team members to achieve their goals.
Career Opportunities in Project Management
“The Project Management Institute has reported in a recent 2022 jobs report that we can anticipate growth of about 2.3 million annual job opportunities in project management through 2030. Now is the time to be a project manager,” says Thomas.
The field of project management is vast, and individuals with project management skills and credentials have opportunities to work in many industries. As organizations seek ways to maintain and improve productivity to stay competitive, the need for skilled project managers is expected to increase. Some notable roles where project management skills are necessary are:
- Project Manager: Project managers are responsible for the planning, organizing, and execution of projects. They work with a team of people to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
- Program Manager: Program managers oversee multiple projects that are related to each other. They ensure that the projects are aligned with the organization’s goals and that they are completed in a coordinated and efficient manner.
- Product Manager: Product managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with a team of people to define the product requirements, develop the product plan, and launch the product to market.
- Engineering Manager: Engineering managers oversee a team of engineers. They are responsible for ensuring that the team is meeting the organization’s goals and that the projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
- Construction Manager: Construction managers oversee the construction of buildings, bridges, and other structures. They work with a team of people to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
- IT Manager: IT managers combine project management, operational management, computer systems, networking, and people skills to successfully design, implement and maintain IT solutions.
Discover more about the College of Professional Studies’ project management credentials: Find out what courses you’ll take, skills you’ll learn and how to request information about the program.
College of Professional Studies Announces New Faculty Member, Austin Zwick, Ph.D.
Austin Zwick, Ph.D., joins Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies as an assistant teaching professor and program director of the B.P.S. in Policy Studies program.
Zwick will teach and develop courses on public policy, information management, creative leadership, and other areas of professional studies.
Prior to joining the College of Professional Studies, Zwick was an assistant teaching professor at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs for five years and taught courses on policy methods, smart cities, and community benchmarking. Zwick continues to do research and teach executive education courses with Maxwell’s Autonomous Systems Policy Institute (ASPI), focusing on how technology is regulated and implemented by local governments.
Zwick earned a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in Urban Planning in 2018, an M.P.A. in Public Finance and Fiscal Policy in 2012, and a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations in 2009 from Cornell University.
Zwick’s research focuses on urban planning and policy challenges arising from emerging industries, with an emphasis on transportation and economic development.
In 2021, he co-edited the book “The Platform Economy and the Smart City: Technology and the Transformation of Urban Policy,” which was published by McGill-Queen’s University Press.
About the College of Professional Studies
The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience.