Blog

Your Guide to Remote Learning: 3 Tips to Elevate Your Online Learning Experience

How can you create the perfect at-home learning space? Start here. 

In the past, getting a degree online meant choosing between a narrow subset of options. In 2024, however, online learning is now a norm for many students, especially those looking to gain new skills or switch career paths. 

But while the rise of online learning has further normalized getting an online degree and learning from home, it isn’t without its challenges, including increased distractions, trouble connecting with peers, and overall boredom. 

To combat finding yourself in a remote learning slump, try these three tips to avoid burnout and help elevate your online learning experience.

1. Declutter your space 

Without the spatial structure of an office or classroom, concentrating on the task at hand can be even more difficult. And without the obligation to be somewhere in person, the temptation to log into class or work from your bed can be all the more alluring. However, creating an organized space to complete your work is a critical first step in ensuring success when learning from home. 

If possible, working from a desk (even one that’s in your bedroom) is ideal. To mimic the feeling of a traditional learning space, adding a calendar or even some personal photos to your desk set-up can recreate the essence of a typical work setting. If you are studying from your bedroom, make sure your room is free of clutter, and your bed is made. Going even further, taking a few minutes out of your morning routine to declutter your space can be a great habit to build. If you start doing this daily, the act of preparing your remote learning space will eventually feel as natural as brushing your teeth. While these may seem like minimal changes, they can make all the difference in your productivity.

While learning from home, it’s also just as important to declutter mentally and digitally as it is physically. This can mean different things for different learners. For example, turning your phone and laptop on “Do Not Disturb” while doing schoolwork is a great way to ensure your brain isn’t running in a million different directions and mentally cluttered with messages to respond to. 

Decluttering your digital space, as your laptop is now your classroom, can also be a major help. Start by archiving old assignments you don’t actively need and organizing school files into distinct folders on your computer. While your LMS, or Learning Management System, will facilitate where you can find and submit assignments, keeping track of your personal copies and files of assignments is a great way to stay organized and ensure academic success. To brush up on other online learning terms like LMS, read our virtual vocabulary blog post.

The Office of Online Student Success at the College of Professional Studies can also serve as a resource to help you navigate the ins and outs of remote learning. By offering a wide range of strategies to help you feel more comfortable in the online environment, OSS is there to provide students with resources that empower them to reach their goals while earning their degree online. 

2. Minimize external distractions

Whether it’s the barking of a dog, the buzzing of a TV, or the calls of a child, learning from home can present many more distractions than the traditional classroom setting. When learning remotely, it’s important to set boundaries with those that you live with to ensure a calm work environment that produces the same levels of productivity you would achieve in person. 

Investing in noise-canceling headphones, closing your bedroom or office door, and communicating with your household that work means work are just a few ways you can do this. 

Additionally, it’s important to limit digital distractions, such as scrolling through social media, texting friends, or engaging in other non-school-related activities. A 2019 study published in the Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning found that the use of technology in class for noneducational purposes was distracting to almost half of students, with 49 percent of students surveyed saying “off-task” technology use was distracting to them. For a refresher on what technology you should be using during online learning, check out our technical requirements guide.

Time-based focus strategies, such as the Pomodoro Technique, a time-management strategy based on 25-minute focused work intervals followed by five-minute breaks, have also proven successful in helping students lock in without distraction. While you might’ve heard of this method before, it’s worth revisiting— researchers at University of California, Irvine found it can take nearly 23 minutes to resume work after an interruption. So, time-blocking might just be your new best bet for minimizing distractions.

While online learning can be filled with distractions of everyday life, it’s important to minimize these distractions as much as possible to maximize the unique benefits of learning from home. Whether you’re a 9-5 working parent, a traveling entrepreneur, or just someone looking to revisit your education, remote learning is a great way to work towards your goals without disrupting your existing life. 

3. Develop a routine

Taking classes online means that you won’t be doing things like walking to class, driving the same route to campus, or beginning your day with some sort of journey that acts as a buffer between your morning and the beginning of your school day. 

While cutting out commuting time is great for time-saving, it’s still important to develop a sense of routine, even if you’re online. If you’re enrolled in one of our many online undergraduate programs, which feature synchronous classes, you can organize your schedule around the times you know you’ll be logged into class. 

For example, if you have class at the same time every Monday morning, it can be tempting to wake up 10 minutes before your lesson starts. However, taking the extra time to wake up 30 minutes earlier to clean your space, make breakfast, and review your to-do list for the class, can not only ensure you feel more prepared and productive but also aid in creating a sense of routine while learning from home. 

Remote learning is the perfect route for those who want to expand their knowledge while also juggling multiple commitments in their lives. There are countless benefits— you can continue working, pursue your side gig, or take care of your family, all while completing a degree. 

At the College of Professional Studies, our online undergraduate programs were designed to fit into your routine, not reroute it. With the addition of some new habits, you can develop a routine that accommodates your existing life, while also serving you on your new educational journey. 

The next time you find yourself in a rut while studying from home, try incorporating these tips into your week— after all, when you’re doing something as significant as getting an education from the comfort of your bedroom, small changes can make a big difference!

To learn more about our online programs, visit our academics page to see how learning from home can work for you.

By Isabel Bekele 

Career Corner: Fast Facts About a Career in Cybersecurity

Considering a career in cybersecurity? Here’s what you should know about this lucrative and exciting field.

When you picture a “cybersecurity expert,” you may envision the Hollywood version: a person typing away in a white van or surrounded by computers in a control room. 

In reality, cybersecurity is not a career path that exists solely on the big screen. As more of our professional world becomes digitized, cybersecurity experts are the key to ensuring that the data businesses, organizations, and governments share stays private and uncompromised. 

Cybersecurity is a career path growing in both need and popularity. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were over 700,000 open roles in cybersecurity as of August 2022. Jobs for information analysts are expected to jump 32 percent from 2022 to 2032, a clear indication the field is on the rise. According to staffing agency Mondo, the average salary for a cybersecurity analyst in the U.S. can be anywhere from $102,000 to $208,000.

What can you do with a degree in cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is a diverse field with a wide range of roles. Virtually every organization– from hospitals to universities– has data they need to protect, which means the need for cybersecurity analysts exists in every sector. Below are just a few examples of what a role in cybersecurity can look like for you:

  • Computer forensic analysts evaluate technology to recover data. They often aid in gathering information that police can use during criminal investigations, mainly focused on cybercrime.
  • Security consultants are professionals who inform businesses on how they can upgrade their security protocols. They develop strategies for making businesses keep their data more secure.  
  • Security specialists are those in charge of monitoring a company’s potential breaches. They address cyberattacks in real time and edit security measures to prevent attacks in the future.

Beyond these roles, cybersecurity can also venture into related fields such as:

  • Information Security
  • Network Setup
  • Core Database, Coding and Scripting
  • Auditing
  • Network Protocols
  • Systems Administration
  • Health Care 
  • Finance and Accounting

Is Cybersecurity right for you?

Being a cybersecurity professional may be the right field for you if you’re passionate about technology, but are more interested in the privacy side, and don’t see yourself studying in a program such as software engineering or computer science. 

For those with an interest in compliance, national security, or data protection, cybersecurity is a career path that can provide both personal and professional fulfillment. A career in cybersecurity means that you’ll play a vital role in whatever business or organization you become a part of, and can rest assured in knowing that you’re keeping your coworkers’ work safe and secure. 

At Syracuse University, our Bachelor of Professional Studies program in Cybersecurity Administration provides essential skills for managing the people and technologies that protect information, information systems, and infrastructures. The 120-credit program gives students an understanding of network setup, database coding, and systems administration. It’s also 100 percent online, has six start dates, and is accommodating to part-time students.

A B.P.S. degree is different from a normal degree in that it’s more career-oriented, meaning the program is hyper focused on providing you with the necessary skills for your intended profession. If a full degree isn’t the right choice for you at this time, Syracuse University also offers a 15-credit Cybersecurity Certificate. 

Ready to learn how you can start your journey in this exciting field? Read more about our programs here, and see how you can get started in cybersecurity today.

By Isabel Bekele 

How a Diverse Classroom Benefits All Students and Instructors

More than just a recent buzzword, diversity is a crucial part of success in the classroom. While typically discussed in relation to race, diversity encompasses a host of differences. These include, but are not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, learning style, country of origin, disability, political ideology, religion, and cultural perspectives. 

“Diversity is difference in thought and experience,” says Noura Allen, Director of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence for the College of Professional Studies.

 “As faculty, we must prioritize sharing content and research about and from a variety of lived experiences,” says Allen. “In doing so, we share with our students the importance of reflecting critically about our own beliefs.” 

When diversity is effectively implemented and championed within the classroom, it can teach students to become more self-aware, engage in cultural dissonance, and navigate nuance in various settings. 

Increasing self-awareness:

Different perspectives aid in creating a more holistic view of the world. By creating an educational space with a variety of identities, diverse classrooms inherently produce students that are more self-aware. When exposed to those with a different lived experience than themselves, students are challenged to not only see the world from someone else’s point of view, but also think more critically about their own. Being confronted with a variety of viewpoints challenges us to understand ourselves better, and check our unconscious biases at the door. 

But it’s not just students that benefit from this increased awareness— instructors do too, as they learn to be culturally aware and adapt their teaching style to address the needs of their audience. Becoming self-aware of one’s biases is just as important for instructors as it is for students, if not even more so. 

A one-size-fits all approach is rarely fitting in our increasingly diverse society, and instructors are now more than ever required to understand cultural nuance. Diversity in the classroom allows for instructors to center various voices, and provide representation that is reflective of the lived experience of students present. 

Experiencing cultural dissonance:

Classrooms that are diverse also welcome discourse and dissonance. By inviting productive debate, varying perspectives are allowed to coexist without the fear of an absolute “right or wrong” way of thinking.  Having a diverse classroom encourages the vocalizing of different opinions, and learning that the world often operates in the “gray” is imperative for success. 

For example, if there is only one student of a specific identity, they may feel alienated in classroom debates for fear of being isolated. However, in a classroom with multiple perspectives and identities, that student may feel more comfortable voicing their perspective, because they know their classroom values different viewpoints.

Navigating nuance:

Along with discourse, giving students the space to “grapple” with their lived experiences and examine how that affects their choices is crucial, as it helps students understand how they can uniquely navigate the world. Having a diverse classroom allows for students to do that while making their identity a pillar for decision making.

Although it may seem intimidating or uncomfortable at first, learning how to have difficult conversations should be a skill that is honed and continually tweaked throughout one’s life. In a diverse classroom, instructors have the opportunity to help students learn to “lean in” to difficult discourse, leading to increased understanding and empathy for all present. Understanding nuance is key in all situations, but especially when addressing different identities. Through engaging in cultural dissonance, students learn tools and communication skills to advocate for the liberation of one another. 

Now more than ever, our workforce needs employees who have the ability to practice self-awareness, engage in cultural discourse, and navigate nuance. In a society that is more polarized than ever, it is crucial to remain empathetic towards those with different identities than ourselves— whether that’s in the classroom, the office, or beyond. By laying the foundation with a diverse classroom, educators can support students of all identities, while also setting them up for success.

By Isabel Bekele and Noura Allen

The On-Ramp to Scaling Microcredentials: Advice from the Acceleration Lane

By Arthur Thomas, executive director of the Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials at the College of Professional Studies | Reposted from evolllution.com

Depending where your institution seems to be along the continuum—from offering just a few microcredentials to offering many—there are some things to keep in mind if you want to achieve large scale with these types of offerings. Every institution is different, but there are some common principles that can determine how this sort of transformation will evolve. So, as you turn onto the entrance ramp, destined for a significant offering of microcredentials at scale, let’s review a few approaches that can help you pick up speed.

Read More

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

  1. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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:
    • 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.