When you join the Bachelor of Science in Computer Programming degree program at Grand Canyon University, you learn tech and business skills together. You’ll learn building software development and coding skills, along with the business fluency, that are in great demand in a world where technology is ever-changing.
By Kennedy Lane
Professional Writing Major, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
“The LORD is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me” – Psalm 118:6
The phrase “do not be afraid” shows up in the Bible 365 times. God tells us that we have no need to fear, yet we do it anyway. What do we have to fear if God tells us not to? Why do we go against his word and fear anyway? We have nothing to be afraid of.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) appear very similar at first glance, but they are actually different degrees that aim at different things. Understanding the differences between an MBA and a DAB helps people decide the distance and directions they are willing to travel in their academic and professional lives.
For professionals with a Master of Business Administration (MBA), it’s customary to work in the private sector. Opportunities in the C-suite can be both personally fulfilling and lucrative. However, there are also plenty of MBA graduates who choose meaningful work in the nonprofit sector. Nonprofit organizations must be skillfully led and carefully operated in order to further their objectives and MBA graduates are suitably positioned to take the helm.
One convicting quote states, “Great things never came from comfort zones.” Travelling is one avenue where comfort may not necessarily be present, but it is times when people learn about themselves in unfamiliar settings, challenge their deep-rooted worldviews, submerge themselves into the unknown and cognitively, spiritually and emotionally stretch their understanding of the world.
By Shawna Martino
Faculty, GCU
Having difficulty getting students to read about history, especially upper elementary and secondary students? They say textbooks are boring and confusing. For the most part, they are correct. As educators we know that expository text is more difficult to read and comprehend due to text structure, vocabulary development needed and the brain processes required.
An effective resume can help you stand out from the crowd and tell prospective employers that you’re the ideal person for that position. Crafting an effective resume is very important, so you should take your time with it. Seek the guidance of a career counselor and ask for feedback on your draft. You can also use the following tips to highlight your best qualities and accomplishments.
There are three common formats for resumes: functional (or thematic), reverse chronological and combined resumes.
As a psychology major, you may have previous job or internship expeience. Since you probably don’t have a long professional history, the combination resume may best satisfy your needs. Regardless of which format you choose, you should highlight your education.
Your professional history will likely take up a sizable portion of your resume. Depending on your experience, you may want to divide this section “Related Experience” and “Other Work Experience.” The first section will list all the work (paid and unpaid) you’ve done related to your psychology major or the job you’re applying for. The other section will list unrelated work experience.
You’ll also need a section labeled “Education,” which lists your university, degree, graduation date and GPA. You may want a section labeled “Accomplishments,” where you might list any of the following:
The objective statement is found at the top of the resume, underneath your contact information. It should be brief (about two to three sentences). When writing it, You should tailor your objective statement to the position you’re applying for.
Traditionally, the objective statement focuses on specifying the desired job, but there is a growing expectation that the objective statement be a few third-person sentences about yourself. Focus on what you have to offer the position, rather than how the position can benefit you.
Students at Grand Canyon University have access staff who can help identify career options and write effective resumes at the Academic and Career Excellence (ACE) Center, including Career Resources. To learn more about the counseling and psychology degrees offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, visit our website or click on the Request More Information button at the top of this page.
By Lily Cooper
Professional Writing Major, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Getting a foot in the door when it comes to the film and entertainment industry can be tough, especially when you are young and have close to no experience. It can seem overwhelming when looking at everything as a whole and while people tell you to “just get an internship,” it’s easier said than done.
Here are some tips to help every future filmmaker squeeze their way into the industry. Who knows, this may just lead to your journey in making the next big motion picture. Check them out below:
Professors provide the best connections with the industry and you never know who your professor may know. They also have good advice and knowledge on what internships you should apply for, how and what to do for it. They have been in this world longer than you so they can help you craft a solid resume and application.
If you look in The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, you can find weekly lists of every television and film production that is being shot. A majority of these lists will include numbers for the production office. Call the number and ask for the production coordinator and explain that you’re looking for an internship opportunity. From there, they can help you out.
The saying goes, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” and this is true in this situation! Apply to internships that are all over the country. Not only will it let you travel and explore if you get the internship, but it will give you different perspectives and push you outside of your comfort zone.
Yes, you can even intern at film festivals! Whether it’s a local film festival or one in Los Angeles, it’s a great opportunity to network and gain experience. It is also a great way to meet indie directors and producers in your city. You will potentially have access to several industry professionals and access to several creative films before they get picked up. Imagine how cool of an experience that would be!
Check out a television network for internships. It is a good way to get your foot into the world of filming and depending on the network, there are a variety of departments to choose from. Going this route usually allows for stable hours and gives you lots of options. Even Hulu offers internships.
A majority of internships are unpaid but don’t let that stop you from applying. While you will probably do some sort of menial work sometime during it, you will also be exposed to so many things and have something to put on your resume. An internship practically pays for itself in experience and getting you through the door.
Sometimes a company may offer a stipend or minimum wage, but don’t expect it. You can’t expect to start at the top of the chain so be prepared to work your way up.
The most important thing when it comes to internships is to never give up. You may have to fill out a lot of forms and apply to a bunch of places, but it only takes one yes in a sea of no’s to jumpstart your career. Search through Google, do your research and dig for the internships. They won’t come to you so you will have to put in the work. It’s all worth it in the end though.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in film, learn more about the programs within the College of Fine Arts and Production and check out our website or click the Request More Information button on this page.
By Samuel Sprague
State and Local Public Policy Major, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Learning to organize your Outlook inbox is an important skill that every student should learn. A tidy inbox makes it easy to reference of the countless emails students send and receive when earning their degree.
Cybersecurity is among the most pressing issues of modern times. In virtually any industry, IT graduates can pursue opportunities in protecting sensitive digital information. From banks to retailers to educational institutions, cybersecurity is of paramount importance. While there are many rewarding opportunities in the private sector, graduates with a Master of Science in Cybersecurity might consider looking to the public sector to find a rewarding job.
You might already be familiar with financial incentive programs that seek to entice teachers to work in socio-economically depressed areas. There is a similar program in place for cybersecurity professionals. The CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) program, established by the National Science Foundation, offers generous academic stipends for undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in cybersecurity degree programs. In return for the stipend, the student agrees to work in federal, state, local or tribal governments when they graduate.
Cybersecurity professionals can benefit from other financial incentives if they decide to secure employment in the public sector. Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, administers the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. You may be able to qualify for student loan forgiveness if, after graduation, you work on a full-time basis for a federal, state, local or tribal government organization. If you wish to apply for this loan forgiveness program, you will have to demonstrate that you’ve already made 120 qualifying payments on your student loans.
There are countless meaningful opportunities in the private sector. You would be helping to safeguard the sensitive information of hundreds or thousands of consumers, after all. However, a government job may be more personally fulfilling for individuals who are driven by a sense of duty to the country. Your work at a government agency may help protect the nation’s secrets and thwart cyber-attacks by foreign or domestic groups. If this type of work interests you, you might consider exploring STEM opportunities at the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security.
One of the reasons why STEM master’s degrees are so popular these days is because of the considerable demand for qualified computer scientists in the job marketplace. Cybersecurity jobs are no exception. In both the public and private sector, the projected rate of growth in this field is favorable. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the demand for cybersecurity professionals is expected to grow by 28 percent from 2016 through 2026. This rate is much faster than average.
It’s true that cybersecurity jobs in the private sector tend to command higher salaries. However, public sector cybersecurity jobs tend to offer superior benefits packages. In addition, once you get your foot in the door in the public sector, you can generally expect a smoother transition from one job to the next, compared to the private sector. This enables graduates to easily chart a reasonable course to obtain their dream job in cybersecurity.
Propel your career forward by earning your master’s degree online at Grand Canyon University. The Master of Science in Cybersecurity prepares students to pursue high-level cybersecurity positions across a range of industries. Begin your journey today by clicking on the “Request Information” button at the top of your screen.
