athrivingfield · 2014-10-19 · 19, 2014 • The At lantaJournal-Constitution• 6 CyanMagentaYellowBlack 6 XSST Sunday,Oct19,2014EDUCATION6 Filename:6-EDUCAT-XSST1019-XSST-S Date/Timecreated:Oct142014

Bioscience:a thriving field

PAGE8COVER PHOTO BY PHIL SKINNER, PHILSKINNER.ORG

LEARNMORE. EARNMORE.

S u n d a y , O c t . 1 9 , 2 0 1 4

HelpfinishingschoolPAGE 4

Makingit workPAGE 6

Who’shiring?PAGE 13

Sunday,Oct.19,2014

•TheAtlantaJournal-Constitution•

2

Sunday, Oct 19, 2014 EDUCATION 2XSST2Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

Filename: 2-EDUCAT-XSST1019-XSST-S Date/Time created: Oct 14 2014 6:12:08:840PM Username: SPEEDDRIVER04

C O N TAC T U S >EDUAtlanta isamonthlyadvertisingspecial sectionaboutpostsecondaryeducation inmetroAtlanta.

EDITORIALLaneEdmondsonHolman: [email protected]

ADVERTISINGMattTeli:[email protected],404-526-2526

ONLINEForonlineversionsofthearticlesandaPDFofthecompletesection,go toajc.com/go/eduatlanta.EDUAtlantaalso runs in theAJCToday’sPaperapp.

E D U AT L A N TA

Fastest-growing industryin Georgia includes botany,technology and research jobs.

Should you consider a career inBioscience?

By Melanie Watson

Bioscience industry jobs span a wide range, inareas such as technology, pharmaceuticals, ma-rine biology, botany, veterinary medicine, clin-ical research and other cutting-edge disciplinesbeing created by fast-growing companies.

The bioscience industry is growing faster thanother job sectors, which means there are plenti-ful career options after you attain the educationand training sought by employers. When youchoose a career in bioscience, perks include sta-ble employment and opportunities for promo-tions and salary increases.

Biosciences is booming in Georgia:■ 1 out of every 40 jobs is within the realm of

life sciences, according to the 2012 Georgia LifeSciences Industry Analysis.

■More than 400 life science companies,some of which are spending millions on buildingfacilities, are in Georgia.

■ Construction is underway on the $14 millionGeorgia BioScience Training Center near Coving-ton to support the incorporation of more life sci-ence companies and boost job growth.

With the growing number of education pro-grams in bioscience, this is a strong field for any-one considering changing careers or looking toenter the workforce.

If you seek to enter the field in a timely andaffordable manner, pursuing one of these pro-grams or degrees is a solid route for your next ca-reer step.

Considering a career in the biosciences? We’ve gotyou covered — read on for more. IPHOTO / GETTY

3•TheAtlantaJournal-C

onstitu

tion•Sunday,

Oct.19

,2014



E D U AT L A N TA

Are you ready for a change?10Are you thinking about changing careersor looking for education in a differentfield? Find out if you’re ready to moveforward by taking this quiz.

1 Do you feel unsatisfied or even stuck in your job?

2 Are you intrigued by the latest “hot careers” inhealth, technology and science?

3 Is it tough to find a path for growth in your cur-rent position?

4 Do you enjoy working with a variety of compa-nies and people from different fields?

5 Have your life priorities changed (such as flex-ibility, autonomy, money, recognition, family),

and does your job hinder your progress in those ar-eas?

6 Do you enjoy asking questions about an issue orproblem and trying to find the answer?

7 Can you imagine yourself taking a step in a newdirection and making a change?

8 Do you consider yourself science or tech-savvyand intrigued by how processes work?

9 Do you value education as a personal asset thatcan further your career?

10 Do you like the idea of independence andworking for yourself to meet goals?

SCORINGYOURANSWERSIfyouanswered“yes”to5ormorequestions,youcouldbe ready foracareerchange. In fact, thebiosciencefieldcouldbeagreatfit foryou!People in thebiosciencefieldcanworkas laboratoryassistants, researchers, technologistsandpolicymakers topromotebetterhealth, technologyandscience forsociety.Theyaskquestionsandseekanswers,workon teamsand individualprojects,andsometimescreateproducts topreventortreatdiseases.Thefield isgrowing faster thanaverageforthenext 10yearsandwill offertonsof jobopportunities fornewemployees.

Questions

Piedmont College student Randy Persaud pauses between classes. See page 8 for his story and more. CONTRIBUTED

Many optionsin thrivingbiosciences field

C OV E R S T O RY

Sunday,Oct.19,2014


4



E D U AT L A N TA > N EW S

Free Tuition forGwinnett Tech Bioscience Students

Gwinnett Technical College’s articulation agree-ment with Southern Polytechnic State University (SP-SU) enables GTC bioscience graduates to earn theirbachelor’s degree — with tuition, fees and expensescovered.

Gwinnett Tech’s Bioscience Technology programformed a partnership with SPSU, which recent-ly merged with Kennesaw State University, in 2013.The 2 + 2 Agreement allows Gwinnett Tech studentswith an associate degree in Bioscience Technologyto transfer all of their coursework to SPSU and com-plete a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Biotech-nology at the university in two additional years.

The SPSU degree is supported by a federal grantthat covers tuition, fees and additional expenses forstudents accepted to the SPSU program.

Bioscience vocations include a broad range of op-portunities, including those in health care, food sci-ences, industrial and environmental workplaces. Forbioscience graduates who want to continue their ed-ucation beyond the associate degree, the partner-ship with SPSU offers a path to higher degrees.

Gwinnett Tech’s Bioscience Technology programis laboratory-centered and produces graduates whocan work effectively in modern, state-of-the-art lab-oratories in careers such as research, quality assur-ance and medical diagnostics. GTC’s labs feature thelatest in lab technologies, including two mass spec-trometers, a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrome-ter, inductively coupled plasma spectrometer, liquidand gas chromatography, and several polymerasechain reaction cyclers.

GTC students also have the opportunity to becomeindependently involved in an active research projectthat seeks new anti-cancer molecules and have an op-tion for extended internships in labs in the industry.

Five Gwinnett Tech bioscience grads have alreadybeen accepted into the SPSU program, includingKristina Palermino and Gabrielle Holenstein. Whileat GTC, Palermino, completed her internship at Yer-kes Regional Primate Center Veterinary Labs at Em-ory University. Holenstein was as an intern for CSILaboratories, a large medical diagnostic service labin North Fulton.

Georgia’s bioscience and life sciences sector is one

the state’s fastest growing, with strong job demand an-ticipated for the future.

Currently, Georgia is home to more than 360 lifesciences companies, most of them focused on healthcare applications, ranging from established to start-uppharmaceutical biotechnology, medical device, diag-nostic, medical supply and medical informatics com-panies; and contract laboratory, preclinical and clini-cal research organizations.

Gwinnett Tech offers a degree program in

Bioscience Technology, plus certificate options inBioscience Environmental Laboratory Technology,Bioscience Regulatory Assurance Technology andHealthcare Science.

GTC offers more than 50 degree, diploma andcertificate student options that can be complet-ed in two years or less. For more information, visitwww.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.

Get the latest news about Gwinnett Tech: http://www.gwinnetttech.edu/news.

Gwinnett Tech and SouthernPolytechnic PartnershipOffers Big Opportunities.

Many of Georgia’s technical colleges offer programs in the bioscience field. CONTRIBUTED


onstitu

tion•Sunday,

Oct.19

,2014



E D U AT L A N TA > C O L L A B O R AT I O N

Mercer University admitted toGeorgia Research Alliance

Mercer University has been admitted to the Geor-gia Research Alliance, whose mission includes ex-panding research and commercialization capacity inGeorgia’s universities to launch new companies andcreate jobs.

Mercer becomes the first Georgia institution southof the Interstate 20 corridor to join the alliance.

Over the past decade, Mercer’s annual research

and development expenditures have grown fromless than $18 million to more than $30 million, andthe number of doctoral students enrolled has grownfrom fewer than 25 to more than 350.

“The Georgia Research Alliance is an importantorganization that is contributing in significant waystoward building a 21st century economy in Georgia,”Mercer President William D. Underwood said in astatement. “Mercer scientists are already doing im-portant work that is contributing to this endeavor,particularly in the areas of biosciences and engineer-ing. The university’s membership in GRA will openup even more opportunities for our researchers tocollaborate with other scientists as well as businessleaders and make even more significant contribu-tions to building our economy in Georgia.”

Since its formation in 1990, the alliance, an inde-pendent nonprofit organization aligned with Geor-gia’s Department of Economic Development, has lev-eraged $595 million of state funding into:

■ $2.6 billion of direct federal and private invest-ment in Georgia;

■More than 150 newly launched companies;■More than 6,000 high-skill, high-value jobs;■ A portfolio of beneficial inventions, processes

and technologies.The alliance’s work is accomplished in part by re-

cruiting world-class scientists to Georgia universitiesas GRA Eminent Scholars, by investing in state-of-the-art research technology for university labs andby fueling commercialization of university-based dis-coveries and inventions.

Research and developmentexpenditures are $30million;doctoral students exceed 350.

Sunday,Oct.19,2014


6



Gwinnett Tech’s Rasheeda Lake

Making itWorkBy Hunter Lacey

Rasheeda Lake, 35, found her pas-sion for radiology in the X-ray lab-oratory at a veterinary clinic. TheGwinnett Tech Radiologic Technologyprogram is helping her move from onespecies to another.

Lake plans to graduate in April withher associate degree from the pro-gram. Since 1986, the program hasachieved a 99.9-percent overall passrate from the American Registry of Ra-diologic Technologies certifying exam.

My interest: I worked for about 11years as a vet tech. I found myself en-joying doing X-rays on animals. I want-ed to do that (X-rays) only, so I decid-ed to go back to school to be able tohone in on one profession. Let’s sayyou take a regular X-ray of a foot. Youget to see all the individual bones andthe joints in between the bones, andyou know you could be making the dif-

ference between their doctor knowingif something is broken or misplaced.It’s good to know you’re helping out apatient in such a quick way.

My time management: Our pro-gram is a 40-hour workweek, so it’s afull-time job, but it’s doable. I work onthe weekends as a vet tech. I also havetwo kids, and I’m married, so you re-ally have to juggle to make sure youcan give enough time to everyone andnot feel bad when you can’t, becausethere’s only so much you can do inone week. I try to study every day in-stead of the night before a test, and Imake time either before or after study-ing to have fun with my family or re-lax.

My experience: I think back tothe beginning interview process toget into the program, when they askyou what happens if you don’t get

E D U AT L A N TA

BrianLake, hiswife Ra-sheeda,son Cam-eron (age16) anddaughterKennedi(9) playa gameof Unoat theirHoschtonhome.CONTRIB-

UTED BY PHIL

SKINNER

continuedon7


onstitu

tion•Sunday,

Oct.19

,2014



E D U AT L A N TA

accepted. My answer tothem was, I will see younext year, because I willkeep applying until I getinto this program. I hadheard nothing but goodthings about the repu-tation of the instructorsand then I got to actu-ally experience it first-hand.

My advice: This hasto be something youare passionate about.You can’t go into thisthinking, “I just wantthis as a job because itlooks neat.” You won’tbe able to give it thetime needed to be real-ly great.

continued from6 The Lake family gets be-hind mom’s educationaljourney. Rasheeda Lakewill graduate with an as-sociate degree from theGwinett Tech RadiologicTechnology program inApril. CONTRIBUTED BY PHILSKINNER

Sunday,Oct.19,2014


8



E D U AT L A N TA > C OV E R S T O RY

Biosciences:A field growing to include youBy Rachel Brannon, Laura James and Melanie Watson

Whether you envision working with patients, poring overhealth exams, records and statistics, or conducting researchin a lab, the biosciences industry offers opportunities tomoveyour career in a new direction.

Randy Persaud works in the Piedmont College Instrumental Analysis Lab in Demorest. CONTRIBUTED


onstitu

tion•Sunday,

Oct.19

,2014



Baxter International Inc. is building a bioscience facility in Covington. Baxter predicts its investments at the site toexceed $1 billion by the time the facility is fully operational in 2018. The company expects to create 1,500 full-timepositions locally to operate the plant. CONTRIBUTED

The starting salary for various jobs in bioscienceranges from $30,000-$40,000 a year. With a techni-cal college education, you can move from the class-room into a career within two years.

Georgia is poised for a surge in biosciences hir-ing, which is another reason to explore this field. Jobopportunities include cardiology technician, bio-tech instrumentation and calibration, life science labtechnician, biology lab assistant or technician, radi-ology technician and veterinary technician, amongothers.

Baxter International, which is building a $1 billionplasma products manufacturing campus near Cov-ington, expects to hire 1,500 technicians, and thoseare likely to include graduates of the state’s technicalcolleges, said Jeff Rapp, chair of the Athens Techni-cal College biotechnology program.

Due to the expected expansion of jobs, schools


BIOSCIENCEPROGRAMSGROWINGSomeofGeorgia’s technical collegesareboostingtheirbiosciencesprograms.Here’saquicksnapshotofsomeofthenewestofferings–eitheravailablenowor in2015.CentralGeorgiaTechnicalCollege■Bio-TechnologyLabAssistant■Echocardiography■HealthcareScienceGeorgiaNorthwesternTechnicalCollege■VascularTechnologyGeorgiaPiedmontTechnicalCollege■Opticianry■MedicalAssistingNorthGeorgiaTechnicalCollege■ParamedicineCoastalPinesTechnicalCollege■HealthcareScience

continuedon 10

Sunday,Oct.19,2014


10




within the Technical College System of Georgia andother colleges are striving to provide training thatemployers seek when hiring.

Some of the metro area’s technical colleges havepartnerships with employers that offer students real-life experience before graduating and help graduatessecure jobs. WellStar, for example, donated equip-ment for a radiography lab at Chattahoochee Tech-nical College that has the setup of an actual hospital.Graduates of the radiologic technology programs atChattahoochee Tech and Gwinnett Technical Collegecontinue to achieve 100-percent pass rates on theAmerican Registry of Radiologic Technologies certi-

fying exam, demonstrating how metro area studentsare being prepared for jobs.

THE EXPERTAtlanta Technical College began its bioscience pro-

gram in 2012 after receiving a $4.8 million grant fromthe Georgia Department of Labor. Changes continue,as it is preparing for student growth by renovatingfive laboratory spaces within the college. Bioscienceis a recession-proof industry, said Barry Bates, theprogram coordinator for the Atlanta Technical Col-lege’s bioscience program, which is grooming stu-dents for this booming job sector.Q: Why should someone be interested in the bio-sciences field?

A: I call bioscience the science of now. This is theway that both science and the industry are moving.This is a global field, and a lot of these jobs will beneeded over time, so these skill sets are going to bein high demand.Q: Can you speak of any unique successes thathave resulted from your program?A: One of our students participated in a SEA Semes-ter study abroad program where she lived on a boatfor several months while conducting research in thePacific Ocean. To be a relatively new program (at At-lanta Tech), it was phenomenal to have a studentparticipate in such a prestigious opportunity.

continued from9

continuedon 11

Barry Bates helps student Yolanda Betton conduct an experiment in the Atlanta Technical College Lab. CONTRIBUTED BY PHIL SKINNER


onstitu

tion•Sunday,

Oct.19

,2014



Q: What kind of training does Atlan-ta Tech offer?A: We offer a heavy focus on laborato-ry experiences. We have connectionswith Georgia Bio, Baxter and National,the Morehouse School of Medicine andthe Centers for Disease Control andPrevention. We also have a cell culturelab, which is not very common on thislevel at a number of institutions. We of-fer technical certificates of credit thatcan be earned in as little as two semes-ters. We’re preparing students direct-ly for the workforce while also givingthem a foundation they can expand on.

THE GRADUATEAt Athens Technical College’s bio-

technology program, students earn atwo-year associate of applied sciencedegree, which can lead to jobs in bio-manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, di-agnostics, and research or environ-mental labs.

The typical annual salary of the col-lege’s biotechnology program grad-uates is $30,000-$32,000, but somebiotech companies pay up to $42,000,according to school officials. In fall2013, 88 students were enrolled in thebiotechnology program, out of 6,349total at Athens Tech students.

Randy Persaud, 21, graduated in2014 with an associate’s in biotechnol-ogy and certificates in both laboratorytechnician, and water and wastewatertreatment. Through the Technical Col-lege System of Georgia’s articulationagreement with four-year institutions,Persaud, of Monroe, plans to gradu-ate in two years with a bachelor’s inchemistry from Piedmont College.Q: What’s exciting about this indus-try?A: The field is massive and it’s grow-ing, and there are so many applica-tions. It’s almost hard to even find aplace to start.Q: What’s your dream job?A: Something along the lines of instru-mental analysis. It could be anythingfrom carbohydrates to proteins. I thinkthis is something I’d really enjoy.Q: What did you learn in this pro-gram?A: Wow, I learned a lot. The biosci-ence field was geared toward a lot ofhands-on training and training in awork environment. We learned every-thing from microbiology, cell cultures,proteins to analytical chemistry work-ing with machines like HPLC (high

performance liquid chromatography).It was a wide spectrum and a lot ofhands-on opportunities and lab work.Q: Do you have any tips for studentstaking this program?A: You get what you put into the pro-gram. If you go there with the intentto actually learn and pick up the sci-ence, it will be a great experience. Ifyou don’t have the love for it, then Iwouldn’t recommend this program.It’s a field where you’ve got to dedi-cate yourself conceptually to the sci-ence instead of going in there withyour blinders on.

THE STUDENTAfter serving in the U.S. Air Force,

Tiffany Journey, 24, enrolled in Her-zing University’s online health infor-mation management program. Withprevious college credits, the four-yearprogram only took Journey two yearsat Herzing, which has an Atlanta cam-pus. Journey plans to take her Regis-tered Health Information Administra-tor (RHIA) certification test and gradu-ate in December.Q: What opportunities did you seein the health information manage-ment field?A: Coming from dealing with recordsmanagement (while working for theAir Force), I know that I actually likethe organization part about it. I didmy research and in the next, what,probably five to 10 years, this is go-ing to be the career field that’ll growbecause of the new law of having toswitch from paper records to elec-tronic records. It’s one of those fieldswhere you have so many job descrip-tions, so many titles; you can do a lotof stuff in this field.Q: What kind of job are you lookingto get after graduating?A: I wouldn’t mind being a healthcareprivacy officer in a hospital. Thosewould be the people who if you wantto request records or something likethat.Q: What type of salary are you ex-pecting?A: They can actually start around$35,000, and it increases with educa-tion and experience.Q: What challenges come with try-ing to get into this field?A: The only challenge is that althoughit’s a growing career field, it’s hard toget into because it’s one of those jobsthat people get in and they stay in. It’shard to get in, and they always wantpeople with a lot of experience.

continued from10


Piedmont College student Randy Persaud keeps on top of his work between classes.CONTRIBUTED

Sunday,Oct.19,2014


12



Students go to these websitesand poke around until theyfind courses that interestthem.

Online Learning OpportunitiesContinue to ExpandBy George AvalosContraCostaTimes

Education is getting a boost from the online worldand mobile broadband communications, which

helps introduce learning techniques that stray fromtraditional methods.

Several up-and-coming companies that provideonline tutorials _ including Udemy, Udacity, KhanAcademy, 2U and Coursera _ are offering ways for

people to educate themselves online, with manycourses geared toward practical knowledge andskills for a fast-changing and often forbidding eco-

continuedon 15

E D U AT L A N TA

Experts say that taking advantage of online education means more of us can focus on lifetime learning. CONTRIBUTED


onstitu

tion•Sunday,

Oct.19

,2014



E D U AT L A N TA > J O B S

By Brittini Ray

Atlanta Center for Medical Research(ACMR), which conducts clinical tri-als to research central nervous systemdisorders and other therapeutic areas,is among the Georgia companies ex-panding its workforce. ACMR, whichwas founded in 1980, is moving into anew $25 million facility with 150,000square feet in southwest Atlanta thismonth.

The company has 115 employees, in-cluding hourly and salaried, and part-time and full-time workers, and ex-pects to grow to a total of 300 employ-ees in the next year. Positions rangefrom research assistants to doctors,and human resources representativeKatie Jones discussed the opportuni-ties.Q: What kind of workers does ACMRlook for?A: We are looking for people whohave a real drive and interest in re-search and advancing medication tohelp people with — particularly at thistime — mental disorders. As we ex-pand, we will be able to do a lot morein other capacities such as expand-ing into other types of medical trials.We’re looking for a passion with thesefields. Educational backgrounds varywith the type of position. We do haveentry-level positions for which we hirepeople with bachelor’s degrees, and

we do have positions that require on-ly high school diplomas. We have a lotof opportunities for a variety of back-grounds.Q: Does ACMR offer onsite trainingor education?A: We do train our staff and we al-so offer employees financial supportto obtain their Certified Clinical Re-search Coordinator, which is our pro-fessional certification in this field.Q: Are there opportunities forgrowth within ACMR?A: I think growth within the com-pany is one of our strongest assets.We really encourage our employeesto grow within the company. For ex-ample, I started out as a research as-sistant, which is a great way to learnabout the company, to learn abouthow we operate and to learn about re-search in general. There are many av-enues for those in an entry-level po-sition to grow. We do like to promotefrom within.Q: Why would someone want towork for ACMR?A: ACMR is one of the leaders in ourindustry. We have definitely madeprogress and have helped advance theindustry. We work for pharmaceuticalcompanies and we currently primarilyfocus on central nervous system disor-ders. Our staff really enjoys the workthat they do. They really enjoy makinga difference at a larger scale.

Atlanta Center for Medical Research (ACMR)

Who’s Hiring?

Atlanta Center for Medical Research (ACMR) has 115 employees and plans to grow to300 employees in the next year. CONTRIBUTED

Alyssa Y. Stark, a Ph.D. candidate in the integrated bioscience program in the biologydepartment at the University of Akron in Ohio, appears with one of the many geckosshe is studying for the adhesive capabilities of their toe pads. KAREN SCHIELY / AKRON BEACONJOURNAL

In thebiosciences, younever knowwho—orwhat—you’llmeet

Sunday,Oct.19,2014


14



Georgia’s Go Back, Move Ahead seeks studentsDid You Know?

By Brittini Ray

The state is looking to enroll more than just its2014 graduating high school class in postsecondaryeducation this academic year.

The new “Go Back. Move Ahead.” program is partof the Complete College Georgia Initiative, whichstrives to make it easier for older, non-traditionalstudents to return to college.

The program, also referred to as GBMA, aims tosimplify the enrollment process, offer ways to trans-fer credits, and provide flexible scheduling as well asa personal academic advisor for students.

“The goal is to get as many as we can of the 1.2 mil-

lion Georgians who have some college, but have yetto achieve some sort of credential, whether it’s atechnical college certificate of diploma, or a degreefrom a university system college,” said Mike Light,TCSG spokesman.

With a degree, students will be qualified for betterjobs and higher pay, and will help attract more com-panies to Georgia, Light said.

Here’s what you should know about “Go Back.Move Ahead.”:

■ Launched in July 2014, the program is a col-laborative effort of the Technical College System ofGeorgia (TCSG) and the University System to Georgiato encourage residents to earn a one-year certificate,

associate degree or bachelor’s degree.■ Requirements include a high school diploma,

GED or current enrollment in GED program.■ Residents can take courses online and on cam-

pus at 53 state institutions.■ Residents can apply for state financial aid such

as the Zell Miller Grant and HOPE Grant. The ZellMiller Grant covers full tuition at any TCSG institu-tion and requires a 3.5 GPA after enrollment. TheHOPE Grant covers 67 percent of tuition costs atmost TCSG institutions and does not have a highschool GPA requirement.

Website: gobackmoveahead.orgPhone: 1-844-GOBACKNOW

E D U AT L A N TA

Georgia’s Go Back MoveAhead can help youfinish your degree. Formore information, visitgobackmoveahead.org orcall 1-844-GoBackNow.CONTRIBUTED


onstitu

tion•Sunday,

Oct.19

,2014



nomic landscape.“This is all part of lifelong learning,” said Den-

nis Yang, president of San Francisco-based Udemy.“People feel they must train endlessly just to stay inthe game.”

Courses at the online schools include basic alge-bra, computer science and physics, along with skilltraining for Web development and launching start-ups. Courses on artificial intelligence and how tobuild a computer language are also available.

“Online learning is not new, but what is new iswhat is possible now with the technology that isavailable to us,” said Clarissa Shen, a vice presi-dent with Mountain View, California-based Udacity.“There is a huge amount of scale and the experienceis very rich.”

Students typically go to these websites and pokearound until they find courses that interest them. Atleast that’s what San Francisco resident Tyler DylanBrown did when he connected with Udemy. While ona mission as an Army Airborne Ranger, Brown brokehis ankle, and later broke his leg in 2012 when he felldown a hill. His forced convalescence enabled him toexplore the Internet, where he came across Udemy.

“Udemy gives you the information in a no-non-sense manner,” Brown said. “You can rapidly learnthe skills, apply those skills, then train others inthose skills.”

The online classes mirror a great strength of theInternet: while the Web has a vast reach, much like abroadcast, it also enables people to access informa-tion on a very narrow topic.

“Udemy is for applied skills, it’s not just to golearn something new,” Brown said. “It’s very practi-cal. You are learning something so you can do some-thing.”

Brown has taken about 50 courses at Udemy andis currently working on five or six others. The greatmajority of those, he said, are about business andstartups. He’s also taken some design classes.

“I’m working with a fellow veteran, and we areworking with a doctor to develop wellness programsfor veterans,” Brown said.

At Udemy, about 75 percent of the courses arefree. Others are available for a fee ranging from $10to $500.

For $500, for example, students can take a courseon management the “Welch Way,” a reference to for-mer General Electric top boss Jack Welch. A fee of$499 gets you a class on developing iPad and iPhoneapps in one hour. For $19, you can take a course onraising money for startups or learn about social me-dia marketing for startups. In between those prices,you can pay $99 for a Microsoft PowerPoint tutorialor $199 to become a certified Web developer.

Brown says he often looks for online coupons tohelp slash the costs of the courses. A Web search forUdemy coupons brings up several sites including Re-tailMeNot, ProCouponCode and CouponsPower.

The instructors who offer these online courses en-joy being able to provide an eclectic menu of itemsfor their online students.

“My courses are very consumer-oriented,” saidChet Davis, a Udemy instructor. These consumer-ori-ented courses include learning to use your iPhone,using your camera phone and basics on electroniccables and connectors.

The courses also are offered in small chunks, Davissaid, with each section lasting 10 to 15 minutes.

“You can learn a little bit at a time,” he said. “Peo-ple with busy schedules want to learn somethingspecific, but not necessarily spend a whole lot oftime on it in a session.”

But it is the wide availability of broadband net-works that makes it possible for instructors to usevideo and stream their courses. Basic courses suchas Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint training, as wellas more complex courses such as the managementclass, use streaming video for the classes.

“Video is a very engaging way to connect with thecontent,” Yang said.

Udacity estimates that about 1.3 million studentsare enrolled in its online courses. The student baseat Udemy is 500,000.

Increasingly, online schools are offering cours-es that are accredited and count for college cred-it. Udacity has launched a partnership with San Jo-se State University to offer some online courses. Theclasses cost $150 each and include Introduction toProgramming, Introduction to Psychology, Elemen-tary Statistics and College Algebra.

Moreover, in an effort to fill perceived gaps inskills for the Bay Area workforce, technology compa-nies such as Google Inc., Nvidia Corp. and AutodeskInc. have developed and co-developed courses incertain subjects.

“Technology has made this very accessible,” Da-vis, the instructor said. “You could be at home, or onthe bus, or on the train, on BART, and you could belearning something.”

E D U AT L A N TA

PLACESTOGETONLINEEDUCATION■Udemy:TheSanFrancisco-basedsiteoffersa rangeofcourses, includingsomeoncomputerprogramming,computer languages,MicrosoftExcel,howtocreateastartupandhowto raisecapital fornewcompanies.About 75percentof its coursesarefree.Fees range from$10toasmuchas$500foracourse.Theonlineeducationservicehadabout500,000studentsat theendof2012.■Udacity:TheMountainView,California-basedsiteofferscourses incomputersciences,algebra,physics,buildingstartupsandartificial intelligenceamongothertopics.Someclassesareoffered forfree,although thesitechargesa fee forcollege-credit coursesacceptedatpartnerSanJoseStateUniversity.Udacityhasabout 1.3millionstudents.■KhanAcademy:TheMountainView,California-basedsiteoffersawidearrayofcoursescoveringsubtopicsunderthemath,science,history,art andcomputerscienceumbrellas.All coursesare free.Thesitehasabout6millionuniqueuserseachmonth.

continued from12

Sunday,Oct.19,2014


16



Documents

athrivingfield · 2014-10-19 · 19, 2014 • The At lantaJournal-Constitution• 6 CyanMagentaYellowBlack 6 XSST Sunday,Oct19,2014EDUCATION6 Filename:6-EDUCAT-XSST1019-XSST-S Date/Timecreated:Oct142014