Computer Programming vs. Computer Science

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Computer programming and computer science, though overlapping in areas, differ in key ways. Understanding this distinction is crucial when considering a career in technology. It allows you to make informed decisions and choose the right career path.

What Is Computer Science?

Computer science includes the study of data, algorithms, and the principles of designing software and hardware systems. It encompasses various topics, from computational theory and artificial intelligence to practical applications like software development, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Computer scientists can be found in nearly every industry: In health care, they develop systems for managing patient data and personalized medicine; in finance, they create algorithms for trading and fraud detection; in entertainment, they enhance video game graphics and streaming services; in the automotive sector, they help optimize supply chains.

How Is Programming Different Than Computer Science?

The biggest difference between computer science and computer programming is that computer science involves testing and developing theories and concepts that create software, hardware, and operating systems. On the other hand, computer programming involves designing and building the actual computer programs and codes that help computer technology run.

A computer scientist’s main responsibilities include researching data and computer processes, developing models that allow the computer to interact with users, testing new computer systems, developing algorithms to help improve hardware and software performance, and sometimes writing code for programming software or websites.

On the other hand, a computer programmer reviews and fixes broken computer code; writes and tests codes for mobile applications, computer programs, and different systems; updates and fixes errors in software programs; and sometimes even identifies cyberthreats and helps combat cyberattacks.

What Is the Difference Between Coding and Programming?

At first glance, it might seem like coding and programming are the same. These are two distinct processes, though. Let’s explore these terms more deeply.

Coding. This refers to writing in a language the computer understands to perform a specific task. Coders need to be knowledgeable in programming languages and coding practices and be able to use tools like Sublime Text, Atom, Visual Studio Code, jQuery, React, Python, JavaScript, and more. The overall goal of coding is to write correct code that can be used in larger projects that the computer can read and understand.

Programming. Programming involves writing code, and it also involves planning, designing, testing, and maintaining computer software. Programmers should know how to develop software, including coding and creating algorithms, data structures, and software design. Programmers should know tools such as Angular, Ruby on Rails, Git, Jira, etc. Programming aims to create correctly functioning software that meets user requirements and needs.

You might wonder whether coding or programming is the better skill to learn and what career track to pursue. Well, it depends on your personal skill set and interests. You might consider pursuing coding if you want to be part of creating software. Alternatively, coding is only a small part of programming; you may consider becoming a programmer if you prefer taking on a more complex role.

Whether you want to be a coder, programmer, or computer scientist, you need the education to reach your career goals. A bachelor’s degree in computer science can provide you with the foundational skills in computer science, software development, and systems management to be prepared to meet the technical challenges in today’s ever-evolving workplaces.

Career Spotlight: Medical-Surgical Nurse

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Medical-surgical nurses are at the center of health care, playing a central role in hospitals, ambulatory surgical sites, clinics, and long-term care facilities in this exciting career specialty. Med-surg nurses also develop essential skills and experience as they grow in the field, opening opportunities in a wide range of nursing focus areas.

What Does a Medical-Surgical Nurse Do?

Medical-surgical nurse duties vary as you manage complex patient requirements. Typical roles cover several areas:

  • Patient care responsibilities include assessing and monitoring patient medical conditions, administering medications and therapies, and communicating with patients and their families about preoperative care, what to expect during surgery, and care during recovery.
  • Coordinating and collaborating, you will help interdisciplinary teams work together effectively and will help patients connect with their health care team.
  • Providing preoperative and postoperative care goes beyond preparing patients for surgery and helping prepare the operating theater, encompassing the monitoring of complications and setting patients up for successful recovery.
  • Managing the technical aspects of care, such as using medical equipment, wound care devices, and monitors, while handling IV insertions and catheters, are very much part of the job.
  • Recording and reporting patient vitals, status, and trends helps the rest of the team stay current on how well patients are responding.
  • You will also work as a problem-solver and must manage your time and that of other team members while maintaining your emotional resilience in potentially high-stress environments.
Start your career as a med-surg nurse with a nursing degree from Excelsior University.

How Much Can a Medical-Surgical Nurse Make?

The median annual advertised salary for med-surg nurses is $105,344, with the top 10% commanding $146,304, according to Lightcast. What you can actually earn depends on where you live, your level of education, and your experience. Nurses in California earn the highest average salaries at $137,690, with South Dakota nurses averaging the least at $69.303. Nurses in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut earn an average salary of $106,620, $101,960, and $101,840, respectively.

Naturally, nurses with experience can expect to earn more than those just starting out. And the continuing nursing shortage suggests that job availability and upward pressure on salaries will continue.

How Can You Start Your Career as a Medical-Surgical Nurse?

Your career starts with earning your nursing degree. You can start with an associate degree in nursing and go on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Your education pairs classroom learning with practical experience in clinical settings.

You will also need to be a registered nurse (RN) to become a medical-surgical nurse. You’ll need to pass your NCLEX-RN exam to get licensed as an RN. Your career in this specialty may also benefit from additional certifications like the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) credential and the Medical Surgical Nurse — Board Certified (MEDSURG-BC) credential. And as with any field, advancing in your career requires gaining experience and staying up to date on innovations in the field through continuing-education programs.

Find out how Excelsior University’s online nursing degree programs can put you on the path to a rewarding career as a med-surg nurse at the very heart of health care.

The Ever-Evolving Field of Criminology

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Criminology is a fast-changing field, with demand for expertise in the area continuing to grow. Our interconnected and mobile world, along with societal change and rapidly advancing technology, are influencing the nature of crime. Changes in its causes and consequences, perpetrators, and how law enforcement and legal systems respond are multiplying and coming faster than ever. Technical innovations are driving improved processes and policing.

Here’s a quick overview of how innovations in forensic science, and especially areas like digital forensics, cybercrime technology, and machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), are transforming how crimes are investigated and solved. When considering what you can do with a criminal justice degree, understanding the trends can help you plan your future.

State-of-the-Art Technologies Used in Criminology

The field of forensic science has seen rapid advances and increasing use of technology across all areas. The innovations cover how evidence is identified, preserved, analyzed, and presented. Companies may use it to help recover from an attack. Prosecutors may use it to get perpetrators off the street. And it may be used to prevent future attacks.

Here are some of the newest innovations:

  • IBIS (Integrated Ballistic Identification System) is a repository for sharing, comparing, and automating the identification of firearm and tool marks on ammunition.
  • BPA (bloodstain pattern analysis) software helps investigators reconstruct crime scenes.
  • LC-MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) facilitates analyzing complex biological samples to identify the presence of drugs.
  • Sensitive detection methods are able to find minute quantities of a wide variety of substances, even identifying specific genes.
  • Nanotechnology is a related area for examining substances at a molecular level.
  • Carbon dot powders use fluorescents to make it possible to see fingerprints under ultraviolet light, making low contrast and smudged prints easier to read.
  • The Foldscope is a disposable paper microscope providing low-cost and portable field analysis for on-the-spot examinations.
  • AI is used to detect fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, and other corporate white-collar crimes.
  • Cloud forensics enables the collecting, sharing, and collaborative analysis of data and evidence.
  • Blockchain technology to identify and trace transactions and digital assets is being used to fight fraud, money laundering, and ransomware.
  • Quantum computing is in its infancy but presents powerful opportunities for decrypting data, performing advance simulations, and more.
Lead the fight against cybercrime with a BS in Criminal Justice from Excelsior University.

Common Cybercrime Investigation Techniques and Tools

The explosion in the volume and types of cybercrime affects both businesses and their customers—and is a massive national security risk. Investigating cybercrime attacks involves advanced digital forensics and the collaboration of company staff and leaders, law enforcement agencies, and government regulators.

Digital forensics is the art and science of identifying a potential cybercrime, how it started, who perpetrated it, how it was done, and the impacts it had. Common tools include:

  • Digital forensics software, such as EnCase, Forensic Toolkit (FTK), and Autopsy, for recovering data and analyzing exploits through metadata and network logs
  • Network analytics such as Wireshark, tcpdump, and Netscout for monitoring traffic, dataflow, and patterns
  • Malware tools like IDA Pro, OllyDbg, and Binary Ninja to reverse engineer malicious code and therefore understand how it works and possibly discover its source
  • Password discovery utilities like Cain and Abel, John the Ripper, and Hashcat to get passwords out of encrypted files and databases
  • Data recovery tools like EaseUS, Stellar, Disk Drill, and AnyRecover to recover from theft, sabotage, lockouts, and other data loss cyberattacks
  • Social media tools like Hootsuite, Followerwonk, and Mention can track suspects’ posts and gather evidence

How Does Machine Learning and AI Contribute to Criminology?

Predictive policing is made possible through the adoption of machine learning to process massive volumes of data. Machine learning, which is a type of AI, can find patterns and connections in data and even make predictions and suggest probabilities to power preventative action. Machine learning tools never get tired and stay accurate as they churn through data. They perform tasks with speed and precision that humans could never match.

The top advantages of including machine learning in the digital forensics arsenal include:

  • Accurate crime prediction to make it possible to efficiently allocate resources and stop crime before it starts
  • AI used to slash the time it takes to investigate crimes, speeding up investigations and reducing labor costs
  • Use of AI by medical examiners to pinpoint the cause and manner of death
  • Faster and more precise DNA analysis
  • Advanced video and image analysis, which make it possible to sort through millions of images and videos to capture potential perpetrators
  • Predicting crowd behavior and managing crowd dynamics
  • Effectively capturing data and evidence for successful prosecution of criminals
  • Ultimately enhancing the safety of communities

Why Is Digital Forensics Important?

Technology advances in the field of criminology and innovation in digital forensics are revolutionizing how authorities prevent, discover, and solve crimes. Whether you work as a digital forensics analyst or other role in criminology or cybersecurity, having technology expertise is mandatory, and a background in computer science is invaluable.

For cybercrime and other kinds of criminal investigations, for preventing and recovering from attacks, and for providing evidence that could lead to the capture of bad actors, a career in criminology is both challenging and rewarding. And Excelsior University’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program opens the door to this dynamic and exciting field. You’ll learn about the latest tools and techniques to become a valuable member of any team. Starting your career here, you can make your mark in securing communities, advancing technology, and supporting justice.

What Can You Do with a Technology Management Degree?

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Technology management, or the management of technology (MOT), is a component of enterprise resource management (ERM) that involves integrating technology to align with business goals. ERM refers to efficiently managing an organization’s resources. MOT involves managing engineering, research and development, information systems, and the commercialization of innovations. Pursuing a degree in technology management can help you thrive where technology meets business, making your mark in today’s tech-driven world.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Technology Management Degree?

If you want to pursue a technology management degree, you might wonder how long it’ll take to reach your goal. Most programs take two to four years to complete, but this depends on what kind of program you enter and whether you’re a part-time or full-time student. For full-time students, some associate degree programs can be completed in as little as two years, bachelor’s programs can be completed in four years, and master’s programs can be completed in 15 months.

Online programs can help you reach your goals in 18 months to two years if you prefer to take the virtual route.

Make your mark in the tech world with a technology management degree from Excelsior University.

What Will You Learn in a Technology Management Program?

In a technology management degree program, you’ll gain practical skills in IT infrastructure, emerging technologies, project management, and strategic planning. These programs equip you with the skills needed for the tech-driven business world, emphasizing innovation, data-driven decision-making, cybersecurity, and technology governance. You’ll also develop research, development, and organizational leadership skills, preparing you for various roles in the field. There are several concentrations you can choose from when you pursue this degree. Here are a few of them:

Electrical Technology

This concentration covers electrical components’ design, assembly, testing, maintenance, and enhancement while balancing management and leadership strategies to address technological challenges. Students study power systems, electronics, and energy management; explore emerging technologies like renewable energy systems, smart grids, and IoT applications; and manage electrical projects with attention to reliability, safety, and risk.

Information Technology

In an information technology program, students are prepared to design, assemble, test, and maintain computer circuitry and hardware, analyze and solve IT challenges, and apply standard IT practices to develop computer-based applications for business or military purposes. Students also learn to integrate IT strategies with business goals, address ethical and regulatory considerations, and develop leadership skills.

Nuclear Technology

A Nuclear Technology concentration combines nuclear science with strategic management to tackle energy, health care, defense, and industry challenges. Students learn to design, operate, and maintain nuclear processes, including radiation shielding, detection, and power systems, while covering safety, compliance, and equipment testing. The program explores medical, industrial, and energy applications of nuclear technology, advancements in materials and waste management, and emerging trends like small modular reactors (SMRs).

Renewable Energy Technology

In this concentration, students study renewable energy technologies and strategic management to address global energy challenges. Students gain expertise in solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal systems while exploring the political, economic, and cultural factors shaping the industry. Students also learn about energy storage, distribution, and project management, which prepares them to lead large-scale renewable energy projects and drive sustainable energy solutions.

What Are Some Jobs You Can Get with This Degree?

With a technology management degree, you’ll have numerous career opportunities to explore, with myriad settings in which you could apply your hardware and software knowledge. Let’s explore a few jobs you can land with this versatile degree.

Supply Chain Analyst

A supply chain analyst manages, analyzes, and improves a company’s supply chain by using data to enhance production, transportation, and inventory processes. They analyze supply chain data, conduct inventory assessments, coordinate with staff, and maintain vendor relationships. They also collaborate with other departments, monitor route schedules, and seek out opportunities to optimize supply chain operations.

Electrical Equipment Operator

These professionals manage construction and maintenance machinery to dig, pave, compact, and piledrive. They handle maintenance issues, transport equipment, and materials, and perform manual labor like digging and hauling. They work on construction sites and are usually licensed and trained.

Network Manager

Network managers design, implement, maintain, and secure computer networks, including LANs, WANs, and cloud-based systems. These professionals plan network infrastructure, monitor performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure security by enacting protocols to prevent unauthorized access. They also provide technical support, manage backups and recovery plans, optimize performance, and predict network needs for upgrades.

Information Technician

IT technicians install, maintain, and troubleshoot an organization’s technology systems, including hardware, software, networks, and devices. They resolve technical issues, manage network access, perform system backups, and provide user training. Information technicians need a strong understanding of computer systems, hardware, and networking, as well as problem-solving and communication skills.

Get your Technology Management Degree at Excelsior University

If you want to enter the world where technology meets business, consider pursuing a technology management degree with Excelsior University. The Bachelor of Professional Studies in Technology Management emphasizes the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values required for students to meet the demands of today’s workforce.

Contact an admissions counselor to get started on your path today.

Career Spotlight: Nurse Case Manager

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Case management in health care involves assessing, planning, coordinating, and monitoring services to meet an individual’s health and wellness needs. The goal is to ensure appropriate patient advocacy. Nurse case managers assess needs, develop plans of care, schedule appointments, and provide effective collaboration among health care professionals, providers, and patients. By educating patients and families and streamlining care, nurse case managers help individuals achieve their wellness goals efficiently.

For registered nurses seeking to apply their expertise outside the examination room, this career offers an opportunity to improve patient outcomes through coordination and advocacy.

What Does a Nurse Case Manager Do?

Nurse case managers evaluate patient medical histories, assess health needs, and identify existing support networks. They conduct interviews with clients, design treatment plans, schedule appointments, and explain health care options to patients, families, and caregivers, and they act as liaisons between patients, health care providers, and insurers. Case managers also educate patients and their families on health-related matters. Additionally, they maintain documents, review test results with physicians, and support health care aides.

Pursue a career in nurse case management with a bachelor’s in nursing from Excelsior University.

What Skills Do You Need in Case Management?

Are you interested in becoming a nurse case manager? To be successful in this field, you must possess specific skills and traits. Among these are:

  • These types of nurses need to understand patient needs to best advocate for them in case management.
  • Communication skills. These nurses need to be able to use written and verbal communication to coordinate patient services and work with health care providers, clients, and insurers.
  • Problem-solving skills. Case managers sometimes need to be good critical thinkers to devise the best course of action for patients.
  • Organizational skills. Nurse case managers need to manage their time effectively and coordinate treatment plans smoothly to best fulfill their job duties.

How to Become a Nurse Case Manager

To become a nurse case manager, you must become a registered nurse. This involves earning your associate degree in nursing or a bachelor’s degree in nursing and passing the NCLEX-RN examination.

It’s also a good idea to become certified in case management. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Nursing Case Management certification and the Accredited Case Manager certification are two options that would benefit you in pursuing your career in case management and patient advocacy.

Career Spotlight: Neonatal Nurse

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Nurses are like heroes of the medical world, constantly offering compassion and expert care to patients in times of need. A nurse’s work is demanding and challenging, and one area that can be as rewarding as it is demanding is neonatal care. Neonatal nurses tend to the tiniest patients: the newborns who arrive too soon, too small, or with critical conditions. Let’s explore what makes this nursing field so unique.

What Does a Neonatal Nurse Do?

Neonatal nurses specialize in newborn care. It’s important to note that some neonatal nurses care for healthy infants in well-baby units, while others, known as NICU nurses, who work in the neonatal intensive care unit, care for infants with medical problems. Work environments are divided into four levels. Let’s break them down:

  1. Level I Well-Baby Unit: This unit is a nursery in a hospital where newborns at 35–37 weeks’ gestation receive routine care immediately after birth. Infants born at less than 35 weeks’ gestation are cared for until they can be transferred to a different location. Pediatricians, family physicians, and nurse practitioners usually work in these units.
  2. Level II NICU: Neonatologists, neonatal nurses, and Level I health care providers work on Level II units to care for moderately ill infants born at 32 weeks’ gestation or older who need close monitoring of vital signs and weight and administration of IV fluids and medications.
  3. Level III NICU: Level III units provide sustained life support and comprehensive care for infants born at gestational ages and weights with critical illnesses. Pediatric practitioners, neonatologists, nurse practitioners, neonatal nurses, pediatric surgeons, pediatric anesthesiologists, and other providers with specialties work in this unit.
  4. Level IV NICU: This regional NICU unit is the highest level of neonatal care and has the capacities of all other units as well as the capabilities to care for newborns needing major surgery or procedures for congenital heart defects and cardiopulmonary failure. These units can also provide extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
Make a difference in a newborn’s life with a nursing degree from Excelsior University.

What Skills Do Nurses Need in This Specialty?

Nurses in this critical specialty must possess certain traits and skills to care for such small and delicate patients and their families. Some of these traits include:

  • Ability to provide family support
  • Compassion
  • Critical thinking
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Ability to teach and provide knowledge
  • Empathy and the ability to nurture
  • Effective communication skills

How Much Do These Nurses Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2023, registered nurses made a median annual salary of $86,070, and the profession is expected to grow 6% from 2023-2033. For RNs who go on to become neonatal nurse practitioners, as of October 2024, those nurses commanded a median annual advertised salary of $144,128, according to Lightcast. That means you have a chance for significant financial growth if you make a career of this nursing specialty.

Do All Neonatal Nurses Work in the NICU?

Not all neonatal nurses work in the NICU. Neonatal nurses work with newborns; some are responsible for healthy infants, whereas others care for infants with medical complications. The specific nurses who care for infants who need critical care are the ones who work in the NICU.

What Is It Like to Work in the NICU?

Working in the NICU is a fast-paced environment where every moment matters, requiring nurses to manage critical equipment and monitor subtle changes in the most fragile patients. Every detail, from adjusting oxygen levels to offering kangaroo care, plays a vital role in a baby’s healing journey. These nurses also serve as a lifeline for families, providing education, comfort, and emotional support. Nurses collaborate with specialists and continuously learn to adapt to new technologies to give each baby the best chance at life.

Nurses in this specialty find deep purpose in their work, knowing they play a pivotal role in protecting and nurturing vulnerable lives. If working in newborn care is your calling, consider earning your bachelor’s degree in nursing and starting on your career path to a rewarding career as a neonatal nurse.

How to Capitalize on Cannabis Control with an MBA

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

The past decade of slow and steady cannabis legalization across the United States has turned what was once considered the Wild West into an established industry primed for skilled leadership. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) can help you capitalize on this growing market by developing the skills and entrepreneurial spirit needed to navigate the complicated world of cannabis control or even start your own cannabis business.

How Can an MBA Prepare You for a Career in Cannabis Control?

A business degree is a valuable asset in the cannabis business, particularly as the industry continues to mature. Excelsior University’s MBA offers a Cannabis Control concentration that gives you the opportunity to dive deeper into some of the specific facets of business administration in the cannabis industry. Here are more ways an MBA prepares you for a career in cannabis control.

Develop Core Business Skills

An MBA provides a solid foundation in analysis, budgeting, and forecasting—essential knowledge considering the unique challenges of banking and taxation in the industry.

Learn Marketing Strategy Development

Advertising, branding, and customer acquisition plans are crucial for success in the increasingly competitive market, which still features a direct-to-consumer product at the dispensary level.

Master Supply Chain Management

Mastering the supply chain, inventory control, and quality assurance is vital for efficient cannabis operations in a highly regulated environment.

Understand Regulations and Compliance

An MBA isn’t a law degree, but it can help you understand the legal and political landscape and develop the skills to navigate strict compliance requirements and cannabis licensing.

Accelerate your career in the cannabis industry and beyond with Excelsior University’s MBA.

What Jobs Can You Get with a Cannabis Specialization?

From cultivation to retail to logistics and licensing, there are jobs across the spectrum of the industry that you can get with a cannabis specialization.

Dispensary Manager

Dispensary managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a cannabis retail location, including staff management, inventory control, and service.

Compliance Manager

A cannabis compliance manager is responsible for ensuring that a business operates within federal, state, and local regulations such as those around cannabis licensing. This includes training staff, communicating with regulators, and managing risk.

E-Commerce Manager

An e-commerce manager is the driving force behind a brand’s online presence and sales. In the cannabis control industry, this also means being aware of local and state regulations that shape how cannabis products can be marketed, sold, and shipped.

Cannabis Control Industry Outlook

On January 1, 2014, Colorado because the first U.S. state to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana. Ten years later, Pew Research Center reports that 74% of Americans now live in a state where marijuana has been legalized for either medical or recreational use.

Industry growth has been recent and rapid, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which Fortune Business Insights reports accelerated both cannabis sales and changes in legislation that relaxed regulations in states with legalized use and even criminal penalties in states without it. They also project the industry to continue to grow to a market valuation of $444.34 billion by 2030.

How to Get Started in the Cannabis Business

Getting your start in the cannabis business may look different depending on what part of the cannabis control industry you’re interested in. Even if you’re familiar with how a dispensary works, you’ll have to commit yourself to continuing education on consumer trends, different plant strains, and cultivation techniques. In addition to product education, a firm understanding of business fundamentals and the skills you build in an MBA program are essential.

Regardless of what career path you pursue, you’ll need to understand the cannabis laws in your area. Regulations vary significantly by state—and even by county. It’s important to remember that cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, which impacts banking, taxation, and interstate commerce.

And don’t forget the importance of people. Networking is important to building a career in any industry. Cannabis-focused conferences, online communities, and networking events are great places to connect with others in the business.

Learn more about how you can become a leader in the industry with Excelsior University’s MBA program and Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control.

Traditional Marketing vs. Digital Marketing

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

The pair of sneakers advertised in the magazine in your dentist’s office; the 15-second ad about a new weight loss medicine popping up as you scroll on Facebook; the picture of a faraway beach, as well as the travel agency that can get you there, on the bus passing on the street—all of these are examples of marketing. Marketing involves promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service that customers desire.

Traditional marketing and digital marketing are the two types of marketing that businesses use to connect to their consumers. Let’s take a closer look at them.

What Is Traditional Marketing?

Traditional marketing as we know it can essentially trace its roots back to the 1950s, when television gained massive popularity. As opposed to newspapers and other print media, companies could reach larger audiences in their homes with television. As you might have guessed by now, this type of marketing involves any offline, nondigital method to advertise products and services. Some specific examples include:

  • Print marketing. This involves advertising in newspapers, magazines, brochures, posters, etc.
  • Broadcast marketing. Television and radio advertising can reach greater audiences than other traditional means.
  • Direct mail. Some businesses send letters, catalogs, etc. directly to consumers.
  • Outdoor marketing. Examples of outdoor advertising are billboards, banners, ads on public transportation, and signs.
  • Cold calling. Another popular traditional marketing strategy involves reaching out to consumers via phone calls.

Key components of traditional marketing are that it usually involves tangible products and is targeted to a specific geographic area or audience.

What Is Digital Marketing?

On the other hand, digital marketing uses the internet and other digital strategies to reach consumers. This type of marketing has become increasingly popular with the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), AI in marketing, and the overall ability to connect faster and easier with others. This type of marketing includes:

  • Content marketing. This refers to developing and sharing content in blogs, videos, infographics, etc. for lead generation.
  • Social media marketing. Promoting products and branding efforts using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and more can be effective.
  • Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. PPC includes running ads on platforms like Google, Meta, and Bing to drive more traffic to your product or service.
  • Search engine optimization (SEO). Optimizing your website content, as well as making it easier to engage with, can result in improved search engine rankings and lead generation.
  • Mobile marketing. This involves reaching consumers through applications, SMS, or push notifications.
  • Affiliate marketing. This means collaborating with industry experts, social media influencers, and other third-party members to promote your product in exchange for compensation.
  • Analytics. You can measure the success of digital marketing campaigns through digital analytics tools like Google Analytics to track consumer behavior, return on investment (ROI), and overall campaign performance.

Which One Is Better Suited for Your Business?

What type of marketing works better for your business depends on the audience you want to reach and what kind of product or service you’re selling. Traditional marketing can effectively reach audiences who are less engaged with the internet; however, communication with consumers is usually one-sided. With digital marketing, campaign success can be easier to evaluate, but strategy and creativity are required to stand out in an already crowded online space.

Combining digital and traditional marketing can be the most effective way to reach consumers. Using both strategies together is called integrated marketing. Successful businesses use various traditional and digital marketing techniques in harmony to reach their target audience.

What Skills Do You Need for a Career in Marketing?

If you’re ready to enter the world of marketing, take note: You need a degree in marketing, business, or a related field to get started, and it also would benefit you to possess certain traits and skills, including:

  • Good communication
  • Creativity
  • Attention to detail
  • Adaptability
  • Leadership skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Project management
  • Analytical knowledge
  • Social media knowledge

Are you ready for a career in marketing? Get started with a business degree and be prepared to use traditional and digital marketing in your branding and lead generation efforts.

Disparities, Inequities, and Injustices in Populations With Pain: Nursing Recommendations Supporting ASPMN’s 2024 Position Statement

Posted on by Brian Pervis

Brian Pervis, department chair, School of Nursing, recently published a new article in Pain Management Nursing titled “Disparities, Inequities, and Injustices in Populations With Pain: Nursing Recommendations Supporting ASPMN’s 2024 Position Statement.” The article follows up on Brian’s earlier publication, “Disparities, Inequities, and Injustices in Populations With Pain: An ASPMN Position,” examines the disparities marginalized groups face in pain assessment and management, and offers nursing recommendations that align with the 2024 Position Statement of the American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN).

Read the article here. 

Making Degrees More Accessible Through Innovation and Cost Control

Posted on by David Schejbal

Excelsior University president David Schejbal was interviewed by Presidents Forum for a video podcast titled “Making Degrees More Accessible Through Innovation and Cost Control.”  President Schejbal discusses the future of higher education in the podcast, emphasizing the enduring value of college degrees while highlighting innovative approaches to accessibility and affordability.

Watch the podcast here.

Career Spotlight: Digital Forensics Analyst

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

If you enjoy the intellectual challenge of solving puzzles and seek a career where you can have a positive impact on society while serving justice, consider a career as a digital forensics analyst. You will find diverse career paths, job security in a high-demand field, and competitive salaries. Given the always-evolving nature of cybercrime and threats that continue to explode in number and variety, this career choice will keep you engaged and well rewarded throughout your career.

What Is Computer Forensics?

The field of computer forensics deals with the recovery, analysis, documentation, and safeguarding of cybercrime evidence on computers, networks, and other data storage devices.

Computer forensics involves investigating how a cybercrime was committed, as well as the extent of the exploit; analyzing malware and other types of analysis; calculating losses incurred; helping with an effective incident response; assessing threats; and, ideally, finding out who conducted the incursion.

Corporate investigators, regulators, and law enforcement may be involved. It’s possible the evidence you recover will be used in criminal and civil court, requiring you to also understand chain-of-custody issues. Your findings will further inform improvements to cyber defense measures.

Advance your career in computer forensics with a cybersecurity degree from Excelsior University.

What Does a Digital Forensics Analyst Do?

Your role as a digital forensics analyst will generally be to discover, analyze, and investigate digital security breaches. You’ll support corporate and law enforcement investigations and will contribute to mitigating vulnerabilities in the future.

When it comes to your core tasks as a digital forensics analyst, the details vary depending on your industry and seniority. Typical work responsibilities in computer forensics include:

  • Checking log files and analyzing data for evidence of the intrusion, methods used, and the identity of the cybercriminals
  • Using dynamic analysis, diving deep into the intrusion to chase down new information
  • Performing file signature analysis, file system forensic analysis, volatile data analysis, bit-level and binary analysis, and malware analysis
  • Reporting findings required by the applicable cybersecurity frameworks and regulations
  • Recovering data and restoring data integrity whenever possible
  • Discovering the clues that intruders leave in source code, malware, system configurations, and more
  • Supporting incidence response teams
  • Strengthening your organization’s cybersecurity protections against future attacks
  • Conducting threat assessment audits for known risks

How Much Do Digital Forensics Analysts Make?

Given the high demand for people with the skills to work as a digital forensics analyst, you can command a salary ranging from $62,720 as the lowest advertised salary to $161,536 in the 90th percentile of earners. The median annual advertised salary is $104,192, according to Lightcast in October 2024.

What Skills Will You Need?

You’ll need to develop competencies in computer forensics, network defense, compliance with security frameworks, system administration testing and evaluation, and threat analysis.

It’s vital to have knowledge of software, operating systems, network technologies, forensic tools, and the tactics, techniques, and procedures of threat actors, including obfuscation techniques.

Once you have evidence, you’ll need to know how to analyze it while preserving evidence integrity.

Skill in reporting data and implications to internal teams, cybersecurity frameworks, and regulators will help prevent future losses and may save your organization from hefty fines.

How Can You Start Your Career in Computer Forensics?

Your career as a digital forensics analyst in the field of computer forensics starts with education. We invite you to explore the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program at Excelsior University.

Most positions require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or digital forensics. Higher-paying positions and leadership roles typically require a master’s degree. Because the field of cybercrime is evolving so fast, you may wish to continue your education with cybersecurity certifications such as Certified Computer Examiner, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Ethical Hacker, and others.

Gaining practical experience in law enforcement, at private firms specializing in cybersecurity, with digital forensics labs, and on in-house corporate cybersecurity teams will help you build skills. With a commitment to formal and informal learning, you can build a rewarding career as a digital forensics analyst.