Tagged: continuing education

13 things you (probably) didn’t know about the 4th of July

If you will be spending this 4th of July with friends and family, you are not alone. Nearly 41 million Americans will spend the holiday at other people’s homes. As you gather around the grill, or are waiting for the fireworks to begin, you can impress your loved ones with these fun but little-known facts about this patriotic day:

Continue reading

Haylee Bacik

The Future of Construction: Haylee Bacik (MSCM ’18) shares her insights

Part I of Haylee Bacik’s story can be found here: Hardhat and Mortarboard

Haylee Bacik has been called the “future of construction,” and a role model for young women who want to get into the industry. She recently received a Master of Science in Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology and is currently employed by Gilbane Building Company as the lead project engineer on a $12 million expansion project in western Massachusetts.

Phil Hammond, Director of Graduate Programs in the College of Professional and Continuing Education at Wentworth Institute of Technology recently asked Bacik for her thoughts on the past, present and future of construction, particularly for young women. Continue reading

Haylee Bacik

Hard hat, mortarboard, softball cap: Haylee Bacik shares how she balances work, school, family and fun

To hear many of Haylee Bacik’s professors and colleagues talk, she is something of a superstar. A 2014 graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology, Bacik earned her Master of Science in Construction Management in 2018, while working full-time and keeping up with a busy social life. Along the way, she received numerous awards and accolades, including this year’s Dean’s Award from the College of Professional and Continuing Education.

But, like so many part-time learners, Bacik wears a lot of hats—full-time employee, student, family member, teammate. And she has faced her share of challenges. Still, she has managed to find time for the things she enjoys—softball, volunteering, and a cat named Bandit.

Below are excerpts from a recent interview with Bacik.

L/L: Tell us about yourself.

Bacik: I grew up in Lowell Massachusetts and attended Greater Lowell Technical High School where I fell in love with carpentry. I first came to Wentworth as an undergraduate because it offered the perfect blend of hands-on learning and real-world application that I wanted. Now, I am a Project Engineer at Gilbane Building Company. Being in the field and solving problems is something that I enjoy doing and that stems from my carpentry shop roots.

[Outside of work and school] I enjoy playing softball. When I was an undergraduate [at Wentworth] I was captain of the team and received the Sweeney Award. Currently, I play in a summer co-ed softball league. I also enjoy knitting, sewing, and all sorts of crafts. And I have traveled to some incredible places—Mexico, Jamaica, Ecuador, and Ireland—but would love to visit France, Africa, and Greece sometime.

And I have a cat named, Bandit.

L/L: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Bacik: When I was younger…I wanted to be a veterinarian. However, in high school, I fell in love with the carpentry trade [which] led me to my current path. In my spare time, I volunteer for the Lowell Humane Society where I help plan events and care for the animals in the shelter.

L/L: What was a typical day like for you while you were going to school?

Bacik: Balancing school and work is no easy task, but it can absolutely be done with good time management. Often, I would wake up very early in the morning, go to the gym, go to work all day, and then stay at work through the early evening until my homework was finished. Every week I planned what I would work on for homework each day based on the weekly deliverables. Chipping away at the work day by day is key, as weekends are never as free as you plan them to be.

L/L: What was the biggest challenge you faced? How did you solve it?

Bacik: The biggest challenge completing school while you are working full time is balance. The balance between work, school, your social life, family, and friends can be a real struggle. For me, it was making plans way ahead of time and fitting those planned events into my weekly schedule. There are going to be events and gatherings that you just won’t be able to attend. Knowing your limits and not stretching yourself too thin is so important, because making too many commitments is going to burn you out.

L/L: If you had to do it over again, what 3 things could you absolutely not do without?

Bacik: 1. A good, reliable laptop with a strong internet connection. (My classes were online)
2. A weekly/monthly planner. I used Outlook often to keep track of both work and school.
3. The support of my family, company, co-workers, and friends.

L/L: What is next for you?

Bacik: Post-graduation I have continued to work as a Project Engineer for Gilbane Building Company on a $12 million freezer/cooler expansion project in western Massachusetts. This is a great opportunity for me to learn about ground improvements, foundations, steel, and refrigeration systems as well as cost management. I look forward to gaining more field experience to further develop my career in project management.

L/L: Finally, If you were only allowed to post one Tweet what would it say?

Bacik: Be Kind. Be Driven. Be Humble.

a man and woman kneel next to a car with the Lowell Humane Society logo men and women pose on a softball field 

Check back for Part II of our interview with Haylee Bacik as she shares her thoughts on a career in construction management and the past, present and future of construction.

Additive Manufacturing: 3D printing grows up

Professor Chomyszak Additive ManufacturingAn interesting thing happened in my Computer Aided Manufacturing class recently.  In the spirit of EPIC—an initiative at Wentworth which promotes collaborative, interdisciplinary learning–this class combines engineering and industrial design students in mixed teams, taught by faculty from both disciplines who challenge students to employ engineering, design and manufacturing solutions.

During this particular session we were critiquing the concepts of each of the student teams and, as is customary at the early stages of the design process, the work that we were looking at consisted of conceptual sketches.  We asked the students to come to class the following week with prints which would reflect deeper thought and less ambiguity so that we could begin to focus our critiques on the details of their solutions.

Then it happened . . . “Professor? By prints, do you mean 2D prints or 3D prints?”  It occurred to me at that very instant that we were talking about removing ambiguity from their designs and yet the very word that we have used for years, “prints,” was suddenly ambiguous.

3D printing has become so pervasive and commonplace that we must now qualify what we mean when we use the word “print.”  For those of us in the engineering and design profession, this is no surprise and it is an indication that 3D printing is here to stay.  However, 3D printing is no longer just the little darling of the prototyping world.  It has grown up and has a new name: Additive Manufacturing.

In fact, not only does it have a new name, but it now has a newly approved, one semester, four credit course at Wentworth, Intro to Additive Manufacturing, dedicated to providing students with a useful foundation of knowledge and experience on which to build their careers.  Wentworth is one of a number of higher education institutions that is a member of the Stratasys Educational Customer Advisory Board (eCAB).  As a group we have worked together to create the curriculum, content, and examinations leading to a Level 1 Certification Exam in Additive Manufacturing.

According to McKinsey & Company, Additive Manufacturing is poised to have an economic impact of $100B – $250B per year beginning in 2025.  That’s right, somewhere in the neighborhood of a quarter of a trillion dollars per year and 2025 is just around the corner.  In preparation for this, not only has Wentworth approved a new course (with more to follow), but it has committed nearly 2500 square feet of lab space and well over $1M of additive manufacturing equipment to be located in its new Multi-Purpose Academic Building scheduled to open in January 2019.

This lab will house equipment capable of printing in standard, engineering, and high-performance thermoplastics; continuous carbon fiber, Kevlar, and fiberglass composites; multi-material, multi-color photopolymers; metals and ceramics.  It will provide hands-on experience with FDM, PolyJet, SLA, SLS, MJF, sintering, and post-processing equipment.

Why is this so important to Wentworth?  As the opportunities for additive manufacturing continue to grow, so too will the demand for a knowledgeable and skilled workforce. A leader in education for the built environment, Wentworth wants to be proactive in meeting that demand and preparing students to actively participate in this important field with so many potential opportunities.

Here is a sample of the industries that are already being impacted and are taking advantage of additive manufacturing: Aerospace, Automotive, Consumer Products, Medical, Dental, Robotics, Pattern Making/Foundry, Injection Molding, Industrial Design, and Architecture.  The list goes on and is only limited by the number of creative people who have the knowledge base to apply all of this new technology.

The demand is growing, the time is right; be a part of it.

Oh yeah, we really meant 2D prints when we were speaking to the students.  The 3D printing comes a little later in the course.

Steve Chomyszak is an Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, at Wentworth Institute of Technology and has his Bachelor of Industrial Design from Syracuse University and his Master of Science, General Engineering from Stanford University.  Steve has 25 years of industrial experience designing, engineering, building, and testing unique positive displacement machines. He has been at Wentworth since 2012.

a few things (and people) facility managers should know!

Do you know what the top security threats for facility managers are? Would you like to reduce your energy operating costs? Are you wondering about ways to advance your education and your career in facility management?

Then come to the NORTHEAST BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SHOW AND CONFERENCE, June 13-14, 2018 at the Boston Exhibition and Convention Center.

The Northeast Buildings & Facilities Management Show & Conference, now in its 13th year, features over 250 exhibitors displaying products and services necessary for the operation, management, maintenance and renovation of buildings and facilities in the greater New England region. Running concurrently with the trade show will be an educational conference featuring 22 individual one-hour talks covering a wide range of topics including: LEED, Green, Sustainability, Energy, Building Commissioning, Facility Maintenance, Construction and Renovation Planning.

For the third year in a row, the College of Professional and Continuing Education from Wentworth Institute of Technology will be among the exhibitors. This fall, Wentworth will launch (2) new degree programs: a Bachelor of Science in Facility Management (BSFM); and a Master of Science in Project Management (MSPM). The Bachelor of Science in Facility Management (BSFM) offers instruction which reflects the integrated nature of today’s FM environment and is designed to prepare students for professional careers in facility management for  in a wide spectrum of organizations. The new Master of Science in Project Management (MSPM) will help working FM professionals elevate their business acumen, strategic thinking and interpersonal skills, all within the context of an increasingly complex and strategically critical technical world.

There will also be a networking event on Wednesday, from 4:00pm – 5:00. Attendees & Exhibitors are invited to join all the Show Sponsors for drinks and hors d’oeuvre

The Northeast Buildings & Facilities Management Show & Conference brings together a wide range of trade associations including;

  • Association of Energy Engineers New England
  • Association for Facilities Engineering Region 8 New England
  • Building Commissioning Association – Northeast Chapter
  • Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts
  • BOMA Boston
  • Boston Society of Architects
  • Community Associations Institute – New England Chapter
  • IREM of Boston
  • National Fire Protection Association
  • USGBC – MA Chapter

With a mission to educate and inform, Northeast Buildings & Facilities Management Show & Conference serves varied markets and professions, for example;

  • Schools & Universities
  • Hospitals & Healthcare Facilities
  • Municipal & Government Buildings
  • Commercial Buildings
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Shopping Malls
  • Manufacturing Facilities
  • Multi-Housing Complexes
  • Major Sports Facilities
  • Warehouses
  • Airports & Seaports
  • Worship Facilities

Whether you are exploring Smart Energy Tips for Facility Managers and Practical Action Steps to Reduce Your Energy Operating Costs; or are concerned about the Top Security Threats for Facility Managers;     or you want to learn about the basics of Commissioning Control Systems, the Northeast Buildings & Facilities Management Show & Conference is the place to be! Mark your calendars for June 13-14 and register at  http://proexpos.com/NEBFM.

Where will you be in 3 to 5 years?

Get Back on Track with a MS in Project Management

Where will you be in 3 to 5 years?  If you have an undergraduate degree in computer science, computer networking or computer engineering you might be building networks and computers, or coding programs.  And, while you might find the work satisfying, you might be starting to wonder if there is something more; something with more responsibility and a higher salary.  Because, often times, even the very best programmers can find themselves stuck in a rut if they lack the managerial and project management skills they need to advance in their careers.

Undergraduate programs in technology don’t always provide basic managerial and project management training.  But, today’s project managers must learn how to manage people (team members and stakeholders), deliver projects on-time and within the constraints of a budget, which are skills that take time and experience to develop.

The discipline of project management teaches how to manage the triple constraints of scope, time and cost.  Project managers work collaboratively with their team and give them the vision of the project’s intended final outcome.  A project manager leads with a common project vision and empowers and assists their project teams, in order to make each team as effective as possible.

Could this be you? If you are ready to advance in your career, and you would like to develop skills that will complement your technical knowledge and experience, you might want to consider an advanced degree in project management. At Wentworth, our program includes courses  that are especially well-suited to those in a technology environment including Global and Virtual Project Management, Troubled Projects, Agile Project Management and Managing ERP systems.  Wentworth is proud to offer one of the only Master’s of Science in Project Management degrees with a strategic focus, which is strongly recommended by the Project Management Institute (PMI.)

Don’t wonder if there’s something more; do something about it, today.  And be sure to check back here in the coming weeks for a list of the 7 most important qualities you should look for in a Project Management degree program.

 

Hollis Greenberg, PMP, CSM is an Associate Professor in the Department of Management at Wentworth Institute of Technology.

 

 

 

How Can I Tell if Online Learning is Right for Me?

As noted in Part One of this series, a growing number of colleges and universities are adding online learning opportunities to their course offerings, especially for part-time students. In addition, more and more students are turning to online learning as a way to fit their educational goals into their busy, professional lives.

For many online students, job and employment goals play an important role in their decision to pursue online learning opportunities. Seventy-three percent of online students reported that job and employment goals are the most important reasons for enrolling in an online program, according to this 2018 survey published by Best Colleges.com

Whether they are “Industry Switchers,” students transitioning to a new career (35%), or “Career Accelerators,” students who want to strengthen their professional skills and credentials (30%), students report that online learning offers them the best opportunity to advance their career on a schedule that fits their lifestyle.

But is online learning right for everyone? In this post we will look at some characteristics of online learners to help you determine whether an online learning environment is the right choice for you.

Characteristics of Online Students:

Depending on the format of the online program, students who interact and participate in an online learning environment require a different set of characteristics and study habits to ensure academic success than their counterparts in a more traditional, classroom-based environment.

To see if you have what it takes, ask yourself these questions:

Am I self-disciplined and self-motivated?

Unlike a classroom-based environment in which the instructor meets with students once or multiple times a week, most of the learning activities and communication in an online course are asynchronous, or self-paced. Students can participate and complete online assignments without any time or place constraints. In an online learning environment, consequently, it is possible for students to complete their course work at a time and place that is convenient for them.

However, with increased flexibility comes greater responsibility. Without the structure of the traditional classroom environment, online learners must be disciplined and self-motivated to keep up with the pace of the online course and complete all assignments on time.

Am I able to commit and set aside time each week for my online course(s)?

Online courses often require at least as much, if not more, time and commitment than classroom-based courses. Online courses, on average, require 10 to 12 hours of time per week for a three-credit course. While there is greater flexibility around when to complete an assignment within a given week, there is rarely time to procrastinate in an online learning environment. Before enrolling in an online program, make sure you can set aside enough time each week to keep up with your assignments.

Do I have good communications and writing skills?

In online courses, nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that you feel comfortable expressing yourself in writing to the instructor and your classmates. Find out how much writing is required and consider ways to improve your writing skills, such as working with a tutor, if necessary, before enrolling in an online course.

Will I miss the interactions of the classroom experience?

Depending on the course, the level of interaction between the student and instructor can vary in the online learning environment.  Online learning is often supported by a Learning Management System (LMS). Depending on the LMS students will have a number of tools to engage and communicate with their instructor and classmates such as threaded discussions, email, and web meetings. Before the start of the course, refer to the syllabus to determine the instructor’s expectations regarding participation and assignment guidelines. The carefully consider whether the tools available suit your interaction style and will help you meet the instructor’s expectations.

Am I comfortable using a computer?

Regular access to a reliable computer and internet connection is essential for any online learning program. You do not need to be a computer guru to be successful, however, you do need to have some basic technology skills, such as word processing, using a web browser, and downloading and installing software or hardware needed to meet the course requirements. Additionally, you should be comfortable navigating the LMS, uploading files for assignments, and participating in online discussions which are a significant part of the online learning experience.

After reflecting on your answers to these questions, you should be able to determine if an online learning environment is right for you. Keep in mind that while the online learning environment provides a number of advantages and is becoming increasingly popular among colleges and universities as well as employers, your own learning preferences and lifestyles should determine the ideal learning environment for you. If you are self-disciplined, have strong written communication skills, can set aside a sufficient amount of time each week and are comfortable using a computer and interacting with peers online, then an online learning environment might just be right for you. If so, why not give it a try?

About the Author

Ke’Anna Skipwith is the Director of Online Learning in the College of Professional and Continuing Education at Wentworth Institute of Technology. She holds a MS in Learning Technologies from Drexel University and is pursuing her Ed.D at Northeastern University in Higher Education Administration. She is a member of EDUCAUSE and the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA). Ke’Anna is also the co-author of the book: Best Practices in Engaging Online Learners Through Active and Experiential Learning Strategies (2017).

References:

BestColleges.com. (2018). Annual Trends in Online Education.

https://www.bestcolleges.com/perspectives/annual-trends-in-online-education/ Accessed April 26, 2018.

Let’s Be Honest: Why Does Online Learning Matter?

More and more, colleges and universities are moving away from traditional, classroom-based learning models to more convenient and affordable online offerings. According to a recent study, distance—or online—learning in the United States has seen a steady increase over the last 5 years, while on-campus class attendance has decreased by 6.4 percent. And given the advantages of online learning, for both students and colleges and universities, the trend is likely to continue.

To review the Babson Survey Research Group report, “Grade Increase: Tracking Distance Education in the United States” visit: https://www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/highered.html

What does that mean for students? In this post we will look at what online learning is, how it works and the benefits it offers learners and, in particular, part-time, working adults. Next week, we will look at whether or not online learning is right for you.

What is Online Learning?


Let’s face it; there is no formal definition of online learning. The evolving landscape of online learning is a contemporary form of e-learning where students engage with course content via the internet. Online learning offers meaningful learning experiences using a wide variety of teaching formats including fully online, in which all activities are online, hybrid/blended, combining online and classroom learning, asynchronous or self-paced learning, and synchronous, or real-time group learning (see chart).

Course content and learning activities are provided online through a Learning Management System (LMS) which is easily accessed by both instructors and students. Because online and hybrid courses are available via the internet, they are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week and  provide opportunities for innovative and practical experiences where students can apply their knowledge and skills.

What are the benefits of online learning?

Whether students are engaged in group or self-paced activities, online or a combination of online and classroom instruction, new and often innovative learning experiences take place. Online learning allows students various ways to communicate and process information from a variety of sources including the internet, web resources, and the learning community created within the LMS.

There are numerous benefits to learning in an online environment:

    • Convenience: Students have the opportunity to learn from anywhere and at any time. Online course materials are easily accessed and can be downloaded from the LMS allowing students to create a schedule and select a location that fits their needs.

 

    • Confidence Participating in online courses can be less intimidating for some students than in a face-to-face environment. Students who may be shy are much more likely to participate in an online course environment. This produces a greater diversity of opinion and shared perspectives as well as creates an engaging student learning experience.

 

    • Credits: Today, many colleges and universities are accepting transfer credits for online courses. Depending on the program, students may be eligible to transfer in college credit and complete their online degree faster.

 

    • Cost Effective: Online learning is less expensive than traditional classroom-based courses. Students who work either full time or go to school part time would not have to take time off or waste time commuting to campus. This allows students to be committed to their learning without having to worry about missing a class.

 

    • Communication: Online learning makes is easier for students to reach out to their instructors with questions, support and feedback. Students can connect with their instructors in a variety of ways such as through online discussion forums, email, or by scheduling a web meeting or phone call.

 

    • Career focused: Employers are seeking more online learning opportunities to help employees develop new skills, provide new career paths for professional growth and advancement. Students would have the opportunity to take online courses that allows them to be remain competitive and improve their job performance.

 

Simply put, online learning is a win-win for everyone. For colleges and universities, it presents the opportunity to offer new and innovative learning experiences to more and more students. For students, and in particular, part-time students trying to balance work and family, it opens the door to the education and training they need to reach their personal and professional goals. And for employers, it provides a steady stream of well-trained and educated employees to fill much needed positions.

With all of that going for it, online learning is sure to continue to grow and will likely be the wave of the future in higher education.

 Next week, we will discuss ways to determine if an online learning environment is the right choice for you.

About the Author

Ke’Anna Skipwith is the Director of Online Learning in the College of Professional and Continuing Education at Wentworth Institute of Technology. She holds a MS in Learning Technologies from Drexel University and is pursuing her Ed.D at Northeastern University in Higher Education Administration. She is a member of EDUCAUSE and the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA). Ke’Anna is also the co-author of the book: Best Practices in Engaging Online Learners Through Active and Experiential Learning Strategies (2017).

 

About

The College of Professional and Continuing Education at Wentworth Institute of Technology is committed to the success of people who want to learn–and to lead–in new and innovative ways. People just like you.

We offer degrees in science, technology, engineering, and management, both online and on campus, to help you get ahead in today’s competitive job market . We also offer workforce training and professional certificates that will enhance your skills and improve your credentials in as little as 6 months!

Whether you are starting a new career or want to go further in the career you love, we can help. Check us out and let Wentworth, a leader in innovation and education for the built environment, bring out the leader in you.

For more information, visit our website, www.wit.edu/continuing-ed or contact one of our Admissions Counselors at 617-989-4300 or cpce@wit.edu.