om shanti : motivational speaker
September 23, 2022
Meet Anne! She’s the Senior Instructor and Associate Chair at the University of Colorado, Department of Applied Mathematics, and has been an educator since 1984. This semester, she’s teaching a Foundation for Data Science course on Coursera and was kind enough to offer four tips to learners interested in the field of Data Science.
Self-motivation
Anytime you’re learning online, you need to be self-motivated. You have to really want to spend the time on the material. It helps if you have an end goal in mind – a specific type of job – or you want to move into a new field.
Knowledge of Mathematics
This material can be challenging, but we’ll work with you and we try to help you get to that Aha! moment where you start to see how the various topics that we’re covering are connected. At the most fundamental level, the language is mathematics. If you understand that language, then you’re able to create all sorts of stories in whatever field you’re interested in. That applies to every technical discipline. Data science is not an impossible field, but it does require a good understanding of mathematics and a willingness to learn new material. So you really need to be successful from a mathematical standpoint. You need to have a good understanding of calculus One and Two and some linear algebra, even in the introductory courses in the statistics and data science track.
Determination
As a student in a program like this, you have to find a way to balance life, work, and school. Learners have had family issues come up, and we’ve made accommodations for them. With Coursera, we’re able to offer you flexibility that you won’t find at a traditional institution. That’s what allows you to receive an education while managing work and family. In the long run, your success will result in an increase in self-confidence and self-worth, and you’ll gain new skills that you can apply in your current job, or to move to a different job.
Self-awareness
I always tell students that you need to follow your interests. Be interested in the area. You shouldn’t do it because you think it’ll get you a better job. That’s an excellent byproduct, but if you’re not truly interested in the material, I think it’s really hard to make that long term commitment to go through this program. If you really like the material and you’re curious about it however, I think it’s a great program at an absolutely top notch university, and can really help set you up for success down the road.
Thanks so much, Anne!
We hope you enjoyed hearing from Anne as much as we did. If you’re interested in learning data skills and possibly earning a credential, check out theProbability Theory: Foundation for Data Sciencecourse – part of theData Science Foundationsspecialization available on Coursera. You’ll learn the foundations of probability and its relationship to statistics and data science from leading industry professionals like Anne.
om shanti : motivational speaker
September 23, 2022
With the Digital Transformation Certificate from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth, you can become a digital transformation leader with the skills to deliver high-impact organizational change. To celebrate the launch of this new certificate, we’re hearing from two learners who enrolled in the program’s first cohort in January 2022.
Marcin Dembowski, an Organizational Transformation and Change Specialist based in Poland, enrolled in the Digital Transformation Certificate to deepen his understanding of corporate innovation challenges and digital transformation. “I work in change management consulting in the academic publishing business, and privately, I’m very much involved in real estate business and residential estates building projects. When I noticed that Dartmouth College was planning to offer comprehensive certificates on the Coursera platform starting in 2022, I enrolled straightaway.”
“Digital transformation is a real challenge for organizations and, unfortunately, not many know how to handle it,” said Marcin. “Many companies are mainly focused on the technical part of it, completely ignoring other aspects.”
Natasha Vincent, the Director of Partnerships for a national health charity, also enrolled in the certificate in January 2022. Her goal was to leverage her interest in technology and coding as part of either senior leadership or executive teams. “The intersection between communications, health, and technology is where I thrive. Enrolling in this program was a terrific way to learn about digital transformation from a variety of angles ranging from case studies to coding.”
In today’s current world, it’s not a matter of if (or even when) learners should begin focusing on digital transformation. It’s a matter of how.
According to McKinsey’s 2021 report, The New Digital Edge: Rethinking Strategy for the Post-Pandemic Era, 89 percent of top executives believe that by 2023, they will need to build new digital strategies or implement existing technology to stay competitive. Building up the necessary skills to help carry out this digital transformation is key for learners looking to seize new market opportunities in the future.
That’s where Dartmouth’s certificate comes in. Over four courses, you will learn how to harness AI, machine learning, and design solutions to implement strategies in your organizations to boost innovation and streamline operations.
“The program is very comprehensive and delivered very well, all four subjects,” said Marcin. “Of course, having a chance to watch the live session with Professor Geoffrey G. Parker, academic guru of the platform business strategy, was an extremely valuable experience.”
When we asked our learners to offer one tip for students who are starting the certificate program, Natasha told us, “Polish up on your Python and people skills. Python will help you get up to speed with the coding aspect of the program, and people skills will help you interact with all of the fascinating students you will be meeting around the world during your group projects.”
Marcin had this to add: “If you decide to start the program, dedicate as much time as possible. Watch all videos carefully and make notes, read all that is recommended, and participate in office hours. This is just the beginning, so the more you invest, the more you get back.”
om shanti : motivational speaker
September 22, 2022
Luis Plata was a senior mechanical engineer before joining CU Boulder’s MS-EE on Coursera Program. In January 2021, Luis obtained the Internet of Things Certificate on Coursera, and in December 2021, Luis graduated from the MS-EE program and was able to attend CU Boulder’s May 2022 graduation ceremony. Read more to learn about his experience with the MS-EE program!
When did you enroll in the MS-EE on Coursera Program?
I enrolled in the summer of 2020, in the middle of the second summer semester.
Were you in the non-credit version prior to enrolling in the for-credit version?
I attempted the free course for the sensor course, and I was hooked and wanted to pursue this further.
What was your educational and work experience background before you enrolled in this program?
I was in a multidisciplinary role, I did quite a bit of mechanical engineering, software engineering, but a big focus of my role was in electrical engineering and so it felt very natural to continue to pursue that in an academic way and solidify my background understanding.
What attracted you to this program in the first place?
Definitely the content. I felt the content offerings at the time and what they were advertising for the future was very attractive. To give you an example, one of the pathway courses, the Sensors and Motors courses, was basically what I was doing in my career at the time. I was able to take a lot of what I was doing in my Day-to-Day career and really be able to see a lot of background information I didn’t have, things that I learned while doing on the job, later I was able to go through the lecture and see why that works that way. Seeing the quality and extent of the content was a big selling point for me. Second big selling point was that it was an online, asynchronous master’s program. There’s a lot of master’s programs out there for softer sciences and for computer science with this set up but for Electrical Engineering not so much. When I first saw it, I wondered why there aren’t that many out there and how CU Boulder is pulling it off but when you see what exactly is being taught in these courses you understand why this was a good thing and why it worked for me at the time.
What are your thoughts about performance-based admission?
I did not know about this before starting. I took the first course (free Sensors Course) and began reading through the website and it became apparent. At first, I was confused because it was not traditional. I am aware of a couple more programs that are doing this now, but it was not something I was accustomed to at the time. So, to be able to really jump at it without having this soft barrier of entry was helpful. It really made it easier for me to see the value of the program without having to consider, do I really want to pay this application fee for something I might not get into.
I think what really helped sell that it was real for me was that it was during the pandemic and a lot of places were getting rid of GRE requirements and that type of set up.
The performance-based admissions were very useful in getting started and being able to tell this is something I want to keep doing.
How did you learn/hear about CU Boulder’s MS-EE on Coursera Program?
I was researching remote and asynchronous opportunities in the field I work in. I previously worked in a multidisciplinary environment. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do but knew that electrical engineering was definitely an option. While I was exploring my options from reputable companies, I came across Coursera and all the different degree options available, including Electrical Engineering, which is a topic I particularly enjoy and had previous experience in which is why I choose to pursue that.
Can you tell me how the MS-EE on Coursera program fits into your life?
I think this is the greatest strength of the program, the fact that it is asynchronous and has the flexibility that has allowed me to succeed. It would have been extremely difficult to go through a traditional program where I know I would have to be at school at a certain time and work around having a career and a kid. Let me give one example of this. Not all courses were good for this but many courses I would have the lecture playing in the background while commuting to work and when I get home and my kid is asleep, I could listen to it a second time and I can really pay attention and am no longer hearing it the first time so the content can get really deep in my mind and I am really understanding it much better that way.
What are your favorite parts of the program?
There is so much. One of my concerns starting this program with it being remote, especially at the master’s level, was how much collaboration and interaction am I going to be able to have with classmates, but that was not something I felt I was lacking as I was going through the program. The Forums and use of Slack really helped create a sense of community, such as there are a lot of other students struggling with the same problem I am, and we can all get in together and chat about it. The availability of the course facilitators was also great, to be able to know that there was always someone there so I can hop online, and someone will be there to help me with whatever problem or roadblock I am facing, was a great part of the program for me.
I really enjoyed the Sensors courses, but I am biased towards them as that was what I was doing, so I could really immediately see I am reading about temperature sensors and tomorrow I am going to go to work and install some temperature sensors and so that worked great.
The battery management courses were fantastic. I really enjoyed these courses. I thought the professor was really engaging and the material was very interesting, especially how it relates to all the changes in technology that we are seeing nowadays. Plus, the assignments were particularly enjoyable, as far as not only learning about the content but also applying it, there was quite a bit of software involved with it and I enjoyed this interaction between the two. Knowing how to do Electrical Engineering and applying it by writing software.
I also enjoyed the Optics course, but I have a personal bias as there was a project, I was working on at work that wasn’t going anywhere and we couldn’t figure out why and then I learned why through the optics courses, there was some fundamental issues that my team just didn’t have the background knowledge. I was able to go back to work and say “this is why that project failed, we had this incorrect assumption.”
What do you hope to do with your MS-EE degree?
Career changes and advancements have already materialized which is great for me and my family. One of the courses that I learned, developing industrial internet of things specialization courses, the professor, David Sluiter, one of things he talked about was getting the project management professional certificate. He talked a lot about how those fits into the general realm of project engineering. I saw that as a great thing to pursue and so I went out and I got a PMP and using my Master of Science in Electrical Engineering plus the certification that I learned about through the program, I was able to pursue the job I currently work at, at Boeing as a Project Engineer. It was really a great step up in my career at that point. If I hadn’t made that switch, I know I would have been able to use this degree to advance at my previous employer too.
Would you recommend this program to others? Why or why not?
I actively recommend this program to anybody that I feel may be interested in, pursuing, or is looking into something like this. The content is fantastic, I learned a lot, and the flexibility of having an asynchronous program, and really being able to fit it into a busy schedule was enabling. It would have been difficult to do otherwise.
The performance-based admission part of it is something that really opens a lot of doors for people like me who didn’t really have them before. I didn’t complete my bachelors before this program. I was really close to finishing and I started my career and was not able to finish it before because I could not fit in going to school at a traditional program and work full time, which I needed to do at the time and so the performance-based admission was life changing for me.
What is one tip you have for students who are starting?
Take your time. Beyond the fantastic content, the great instructors, the name that CU Boulder has, at the end of the day, you have got to use whatever tools and advantages you have and the biggest one with this program is the flexibility that this program allows you to have. So, take your time. There is no shame in taking it one course at a time.
This is the first time in the history of the University of Illinois that a degree can stack into another degree, and it’s one of the very rare examples of this being done at any business school in the country. With the implementation of this new stackable model, you can complete the iMBA program with greater flexibility while balancing higher education with a job, family, and personal life.
Join a top-tier public U.S. university and take advantage of the opportunity to pursue higher education while advancing your career. As a leader in business education committed to creating life-changing accessy, Gies offers some of the most affordable online graduate business degrees from any major university.
Earning a graduate degree or career credential from a highly regarded institution like the University of Illinois can be transformative for both your life and career. We are eager to open the door for more learners and to deepen our partnership with Gies as we strive to support learners across the globe.
om shanti : motivational speaker
September 08, 2022
After earning his culinary degree in Washington, Steven Schmidt went to work as a chef at the University of North Texas. There, Steven also enrolled in the online program for the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) from UNT in the fall of 2020.
After earning his culinary degree in Washington, Steven Schmidt went to work as a chef at the University of North Texas. There, Steven also enrolled in the online program for the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) from UNT in the fall of 2020.
Steven chose UNT for its prestigious reputation. And along with learning from the respected faculty of UNT, Steven has also enjoyed doing group projects on Coursera with students in his program from across the country and the world.
With the flexible online learning experiences offered by his program through Coursera, Steven has been able to keep his commitments to his job and be present at home with his family. He even notes how his daughters sometimes join him around the table at home so they can all do their schoolwork together. He says with other programs, he would only be able to take one course a semester.
During his time in the BAAS program, Steven has also been promoted in his job. He’s now the Culinary Operations Chef at UNT and he plans to eventually get his master’s from UNT as well. Steven credits his time-management skills for his personal and professional success so far. His tip for students starting the program is, “Set your schedule and stick with it.”
If you’re a working professional who’s interested in getting your bachelor’s degree from a highly regarded institution, you’ll find the flexibility to do it with the BAAS program from UNT. Apply today and see just how successful you can be.
om shanti : motivational speaker
September 08, 2022
Manmit excelled at her career as a project manager. She was organizing conferences all around the world for global leaders in both the private and public sectors. But while her career was exciting, it was also very stressful. And, ultimately, Manmit felt that management consulting was her true calling.
Earning a master’s in management had been a personal goal for Manmit because of her interest in consulting, but she kept putting it off. That changed at the start of the pandemic when Manmit saw an opportunity to continue her education while spending more time at home. By the spring of 2021, she had started her online Master’s in Management (iMSM) from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).
Manmit chose the iMSM for its in-depth subjects, as well as its flexibility and affordability, and she’s learned empathy and leadership skills that she’s sure she’ll use for the rest of her career. Manmit has found the program both challenging and fun—with highly engaging and supportive experiences in live classes, group work, and forums. And, with the global access that Coursera offers, Manmit has been able to enjoy her fellow learners’ diverse thinking and backgrounds.
Gies College of Business students like Manmit can also be part of Illinois Business Consulting (IBC). This management consultancy is the largest in the US to be operated by students, and Manmit will have the opportunity to work on real projects for real clients around the world so that she graduates with incredibly valuable experience.
Manmit says she has had to find a new flow to life in order to earn her MSM. But with support from her family, she has taken the time to continue her education. Now, with graduation on the horizon, she’s about to take on her true calling of consulting. To others who want to go from liking their career to loving their career, Manmit says, “Take the plunge. You owe it to yourself.”
Explore the iMSM from UIUC and other programs today on Coursera.
om shanti : motivational speaker
September 06, 2022
by Anthony Tattersall, Vice-President for EMEA, Coursera
As the United Kingdom’s further education sector seeks to empower learners to thrive in the digital economy, collaborating to scale up the delivery of high-demand technology, business, and data science skills is essential. To help support the UK’s further education strategy, we are excited to announce that we are partnering with North East Surrey College Of Technology (NESCOT), to both enhance and expand teaching delivery, and to prepare the college’s 9000 students for in-demand careers in the digital economy.
With NESCOT being a partner in the new Coast to Capital region’s Institutes of Technology, access to Coursera will support the college’s aim to deliver a wider range of advanced technical qualifications and higher education courses. NESCOT’s staff will have access to the full Coursera catalogue, including 22 entry-level professional certificates offered by Google, IBM, Meta, and other leading industry partners. The partnership will thereby create additional opportunities for NESCOT’s staff to develop the skills needed to deliver courses on high-demand technologies including AI, data science, engineering and software development.
The partnership with NESCOT builds upon Coursera’s relationship with the TEC Partnership, one of England’s largest providers of further and technical education, to expand its contribution to the UK’s further and higher education sector. It will do so by filling curriculum gaps, expanding NESCOT’s provision of job-aligned vocational courses, and bridging the gap between student skills and employer needs.
By empowering faculty professional development and bridging this gap, Coursera and NESCOT seek to narrow the UK’s technology and data science skills gaps. The 2022 Global Skills Report, released in June by Coursera, found that the United Kingdom’s technology skills proficiency continues to lag behind a majority of European nations, ranking 42nd globally for technology skills, and 24th among the 33 European nations indexed in the report.
Coursera currently supports the skills development of 2.75 million UK learners. UK institutions already partnering with Coursera include Imperial College London, Queen Mary University of London, The University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Leeds, University of London and the University of Manchester. UK learners are able to access 2,500+ Guided Projects, 5,000+ courses, 625+ Specializations, more than 75 Certificates (of which 22 are Entry-Level Professional Certificates), and 35+ degrees. In the first eight months of 2022, UK learners spent more than 1.1 million hours upskilling and reskilling on Coursera’s platform.
We look forward to supporting NESCOT’s faculty to deliver high-quality, job-relevant skills training to their students, and to evolve the college’s blended learning provision.
