Software engineering and other tech industry jobs are among the fastest growing in the country. However, many colleges are scrambling to attract computer science majors to their schools - and retain the ones they bring in.
Almost 40 percent of students who begin undergraduate computer science programs drop out by their sophomore year, according to the Chicago Tribune. It is not entirely clear why this is so, but a number of universities - anxious to educate competent computer scientists - are trying to figure this out.
Hard science
One proposed answer is a simple one: computer science isn't easy. With its reliance on math and its quickly changing nature, computer science can surprise incoming students with its difficulty. With only so much teacher-supervised classroom time available, online software courses could be a way to supplement the educational process for struggling students.
Still in its infancy
It is also a young discipline. Compared to other time-honored fields such as biology and chemistry, computer science has had to build new departments at universities from the ground up - and do so quickly.
Steep learning curve
Another reason for the high and early dropout rate could be the difficulty and density of early classes, according to the Washington Post. With a bevvy of important - but dry - fundamentals, many teachers are watching as their students lose interest with the major before they get to the interesting and useful components.
"There are a lot of freshmen or sophomores shopping around for a major," Eli Teilevich, a computer science instructor at Virginia Tech, told the news source. "It's very important that the entry-level courses catch their attention." Helping students anxious to get to the field's applicable stage, could be another role for free software training tutorials.
Combining creative approaches and online training could be a great way of promoting retention in the young, difficult field.
Total Training is the leader in software training solutions, offering video and interactive instruction on leading software products from Adobe, Microsoft, Apple, and more. Click here to learn more about Total Training and see how it works.
Using online training to close the skills gap
In a time of high unemployment, it is especially important to make sure that job seekers have the right skills for the market. Without up-to-date skills, the gap between what abilities employers are looking for and what their prospective employees possess will widen.
In Michigan, where unemployment remains stubbornly high, Governor Rick Snyder has explicitly mentioned that minimizing this gap is crucial.
"Tomorrow's opportunities cannot be realized with yesterday's skills," Snyder said in a speech that emphasized the opening of communication between job-hunters and -providers, according to The Detroit News.
Many of these unfilled jobs - such as IT and engineering - rely on a sound knowledge of computers and software that many currently lack. A report from the Center for Michigan found young job seekers especially lacking in computer knowledge and engineering skills.
Online software courses could provide a way to help these underskilled people get the skills that companies are requiring. By using free software training tutorials, many people currently out of work could put themselves in a position to find it.
In the changing economy - where almost all jobs require computer software familiarity - online training could be an effective way of shrinking the skills gap.
Total Training is the leader in software training solutions, offering video and interactive instruction on leading software products from Adobe, Microsoft, Apple, and more. Click here to learn more about Total Training and see how it works.
Getting animated: how animation skills can help you get a job
If you're looking for a job, it's a good idea to know what skills are being sought after. The demand for some skills decreases from year to year, while the demand for others rises. Animation proficiency is one attribute that's currently on the rise. Job market research firm WANTED Analytics found that this skill showed up in online job posts 4,000 times over the last 90 days.
Knowing this, it might be a great time to take some online software courses in programs like Adobe inDesign and Dreamweaver that can help you hone this skill and make your resume rise to the top of the pile - or inbox.
This fact is not lost on students who had the prescience to foresee this trend. Students in Washington State University Vancouver's Creative Media & Digital Culture program, for example, are feeling enthusiastic about their job prospects after obtaining degrees in high-demand fields like web design, 3D modeling and animation, according to The Columbian.
"I think [program graduates] are definitely in demand and filling a niche others don't fill," Amy Wharton, WSUV's liberal arts dean told the news source.
If you're feeling a little behind the graduates of that program, don't fret - Dreamweaver online courses can help you catch up.
If you're looking for even more of an upper hand, there are a few more things to keep in mind. For example, some markets - typically those in large metropolitan areas - have a disproportionate glut of open jobs in the field. WANTED notes that Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Washington D.C., and Seattle are the five top markets for jobs looking for applicants with animation experience.
Not only are these jobs more abundant in such cities, but they are also likely to pay more. Forced to compete over the small applicant pool, those that are hiring are often forced to offer competitive compensation to attract ideal employees.
Total Training is the leader in software training solutions, offering video and interactive instruction on leading software products from Adobe, Microsoft, Apple, and more. Click here to learn more about Total Training and see how it works.
Is the cloud filled with the careers of the future?
Evolving technology means ever-shifting career paths. Online startups, IT and social networking have all been hot jobs for a period of time. If you're looking for work now, you might be asking, "What's next?" At least one person thinks that the answer is in the cloud.
Allan Hackney, CIO of John Hancock Financial Services believes that getting a full grasp on the potential of the cloud might be the best way to set yourself apart from your peers.
"You can really distinguish yourself as the cloud expert in your company," he told Computer World.
One way to start to understand the cloud is by taking some online software courses as a way of developing familiarity with different services. Adobe cs6, for example, has a substantial core component that would be a great training ground for nascent cloud explorers.
Right now, there is a cloud computing skills shortage, according to PC Advisor. The lack of IT professionals with a solid understanding of the cloud has forced companies to adapt to it on the fly, losing valuable time in the process.
"People who understand cloud operations and how to deploy cloud solutions are really sought after right now," Greg Pierce, a cloud strategy officer at TriBridge, told the news source.
Due to this shortage, technology companies are scrambling to find suitable candidates - and they are willing to pay dearly for such professionals. Mastering the way software and hardware interact with cloud-based computing could be a great way to take advantage of this dearth, according to Pierce.
Showing a company a successful track record with the cloud can allow you to "write your own ticket," Pierce told the news provider.
It's another great reason to get some adobe cs6 training and aim for the clouds.
Total Training is the leader in software training solutions, offering video and interactive instruction on leading software products from Adobe, Microsoft, Apple, and more. Click here to learn more about Total Training and see how it works.
Minnesota invests in implementing Microsoft Office 365
The state of Minnesota is moving toward upgrading its communication and collaboration systems to Microsoft Office 365. The investment is aimed at increasing worker productivity, delivering encompassing services and improving overall workflow – while not disrupting business for the integration.
"One of our requirements for adopting Office 365 cloud services was seamless end-user adoption,” said Tarek Tomes, assistant commissioner, Minnesota Office of Enterprise Technology (OET). “Microsoft migration methodology allowed us to achieve that."
State employers unsure of how to use the new integrated tools available to them may wish to invest in online training. While Microsoft Office 365 offers all of the same tools a majority of staff already know, and use on a daily basis, there is a number of new sharing features such as collaborative tools, that may need further explanation.
"The collaborative tools within this suite are excellent, and we have already started using Microsoft SharePoint Online for capturing what’s going on in agencies," said Carolyn Parnell, State of Minnesota chief information officer.
The audio, visual and written instructions can successfully teach a variety of people to use these collaborative tools to the best of their ability. By implementing the online training while the migration to Microsoft Office 365 is going on, workers will be able to smoothly transition. The instructions decrease lag time, increase efficiency and can get projects done quicker than ever before thanks to the proper use of new programs.
Adopt the tools that will serve the agency the best over time. Already 35,000 state worker’s Microsoft Outlook mailboxes were moved to the cloud, resulting in 50 times more storage capacity. Combined with increased security and cost effectiveness, the change could save the state funds previously used for operational costs.
Total Training is the leader in software training solutions, offering video and interactive instruction on leading software products from Adobe, Microsoft, Apple, and more. Click here to learn more about Total Training and see how it works.
Adobe Unveils Photoshop CS6 Beta
Designers and Photographers have been buzzing since the release of Adobe Photoshop CS6 Beta on March 22. Professionals and casual users can now enjoy a sneak peek of the incredible performance enhancements that were made to the beloved industry standard.
The newest version of the image editing software has added grand effects and sweeping changes to facilitate a professional’s workflow and of course Total Training will have comprehensive materials available when Photoshop 6 ships, so that our subscribers receive the instruction they need to quickly implement the software into their daily creations.
Here are a few highlights of what Adobe Photoshop CS6 Beta includes:
1. Content Aware Patch. As the newest member of the Content-Aware grouping provided by Adobe products, the patch helps integrate image details without any direction from you. The original Content Aware allowed users to grab an object in a photo and relocate or duplicate it, while recreating the existing background. The new patch can remove an object in an image and replace it with a background consistent with the rest of the photo by blending pixels together.
2. Increased speed. The new Mercury Graphics Engine gives users near-instant results with the key tools of the graphics editing trade such as Liquify, Puppet Warp and Crop. No longer will users have to wait for effects to implement as they configure. The new speed will come in handy for those large projects that require multi-stepped effects.
3. New tools available. The updated interface creates a simplified and near seamless integration of key tools for a professional. Combined with new layer options such as layer search, font and paragraph styling, the tasks you need to get done will get completed faster than ever and with less hassle. In addition, there is a new Camera-Raw sub-application, which will allow photographers to have better control over corrections that are common for the industry. The new feature provides greater control over lighting, geometry and can even automatically corrects photos based on lens profiles for a wide variety of camera models.
The new Adobe Photoshop CS6 Beta includes all of the features that will be in Photoshop CS6 and Photoshop CS6 Extended. The beta version is released to allow professionals the opportunity to test out the new editions to the program before purchase. Photoshop CS6 and Photoshop CS6 Extended will be a part of the next installment of Creative Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Get prepared for the next industry standard by investing in comprehensive online training that is easy-to-use and affordable. Keeping up with new software programs and effects allows for greater professional success, and the Adobe Photoshop CS6 Beta is just the beginning of the new wave of tools available to graphic designers.
Total Training is the leader in software training solutions, offering video and interactive instruction on leading software products from Adobe, Microsoft, Apple, and more. Click here to learn more about Total Training and see how it works.
Students show off artistic portfolios to community
Seniors at Lakeland College in Herman, Wisconsin, put their work on display during an open reception on Friday, March 9. The Senior Art Student Portfolio Exhibition in the Bradley Fine Arts Building featured the work of Jenni Heinrich, Cindy Short, Ross Soukup, Zhiheng Gu, Brooks Haas and Mai Lee, reports the Sheboygan Press.
"My favorite programs to work with are Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign," Heinrich told the news source. "I love taking pictures, and now that I have been working with Adobe Photoshop, I have learned some astounding ways to manipulate photos and make them more eye-catching."
Graphic design offers plenty of opportunity for art students looking to transform their creative eye into a career. Even an amateur level of experience in Adobe Photoshop and InDesign can be developed with Adobe training. The color, shape and contextual skills are there and ready to be developed into professional career options.
Advancing a skill can take time. However, with online training, these art students could find themselves exceeding their own expectations. The audio, visual and written direction provides something for everyone and enhances a person’s ability to comprehend and retain information for the future.
Total Training is the leader in software training solutions, offering video and interactive instruction on leading software products from Adobe, Microsoft, Apple, and more. Click here to learn more about Total Training and see how it works.
Discount Adobe software made available to university students
Current and soon-to-be students entering the graphic design program at Longwood University will be required to purchase Adobe software starting fall 2012, reports The Rotunda. The Adobe Creative Suite sells for $1,889 at retail price. However, a student and teacher discount will drastically reduce the price to $448.95 - a savings of $1,440.05 or approximately 75 percent.
According to the news source, the new requirement comes after much deliberation over the cost versus properly preparing students for industry standards. Longwood University’s current Mac lab currently runs Adobe Creative Suite CS3, instead of the updated CS5 or CS5.5 versions. The program incompatibility makes developing skills for the workforce difficult. In addition, it increases the chance students will create a project on their personal upgraded version and be unable to run it on school property.
Students wishing to get ahead and ready themselves for the competitive job market may wish to invest in Adobe Creative Suite CS5.5 and online training tutorials. Working on up-to-date software enables greater understanding and gives students new effects to integrate into their work. Combined with the additional instruction of online training, students may find themselves growing professionally by leaps and bounds.
Total Training is the leader in software training solutions, offering video and interactive instruction on leading software products from Adobe,Microsoft, Apple, and more. Click here to learn more about Total Training and see how it works.
Teacher readies students for real-life careers
Students at Lake City High School are getting the opportunity of the lifetime to access, use and explore professional level graphic design software and equipment in Dan Armstrong’s media productions and computer graphics class, reports The Coeur d’ Alene Press.
"I wanted to give students exposure to career opportunities and needed to update classroom technology so students had access to Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign - a professional level suite of programs that sets the standard for the world of graphic design," Armstrong told The Coeur d' Alene Press.
Armstrong received an outstanding performer award for K-12 education worldwide from Adobe Education at a Texas summit this February 2012. The teacher is constantly looking for new ways to give students the opportunity to explore Adobe’s Creative Suite. He and other teachers may find online training tutorials an easy-to-use addition to the lesson plans.
Equipping students with greater control over project designs may allow them to branch out and use the tools in new ways. Having the software is just one step, innovative and unique learning opportunities through online training could prompt further exploration from the basics to the more complex skills.
Total Training is the leader in software training solutions, offering video and interactive instruction on leading software products from Adobe,Microsoft, Apple, and more. Click here to learn more about Total Training and see how it works.
Adobe to open new development campus in Utah during 2012
Recently, Adobe announced the latest development in its plans for constructing a design and development campus in Lehi, Utah. Although construction has broken ground, the first phase of the new facility is not expected to be ready until the closing months of 2012, according to the Daily Herald.
The news source reports that despite the fact that construction is still in the early stages, this is seen as a positive development. The town of Lehi and the surrounding areas have a history of being chosen for complex construction projects that are well-planned and viable in theory, but fail to get off the ground or become abandoned in the early planning stages. Adobe gave local politicians a tour of the site on October 25.
Jonathan Francom, an Adobe executive, spoke to the complexity of the campus construction project, while also characterizing it as a vital operation for the company.
"This is not a five-year plan, this is a 10 to 20 year investment for Adobe," Francom told the news source. "We have a long view."
At the beginning of October, Adobe revealed some of its product development plans for the year at its MAX user conference, according to the International Business Times.