Blockchain: The Next Step in Cybersecurity

Most people associate the term “blockchain” with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, or maybe with nonfungible tokens, also known as NFTs. But blockchain technology is used in a vast number of different applications, one of the most notable being in the field of cybersecurity. The fact that blockchain is trustless, works through decentralization, and is consensus-driven, makes it potentially useful in fighting cybercrime.

That said, blockchain is also a potential tool for cybercriminals.

It’s no wonder that the cybersecurity field, especially in relation to blockchain technology, is exploding.

What Is a Blockchain?

To understand the promise and the threat, it’s necessary to understand what a blockchain is. It’s basically a list of interactions or transactions shared between and across many users. Each interaction or transaction is a block on that list, or chain, of interactions—hence the name “blockchain.”

Imagine hundreds or thousands of people having that same list or ledger. That is the decentralized element. When someone makes a new transaction, everyone sees it, providing transparency. Everyone then must agree and record this entry on their list or digital ledger, making it resistant to fraud or manipulation. When thousands of people record and agree the transaction took place, that transaction and its details have a high degree of trust.

The decentralized list, or ledger, that is transparently shared by thousands for trust is the essence of the blockchain.

How Does Blockchain Technology Work with Cybersecurity?

The ability to resist manipulation and maintain trust is what makes blockchain technology so useful in cybersecurity. Here are six ways cybersecurity experts use blockchain today:

  1. Protecting data integrity. When data is recorded in a blockchain, any attempt to alter or delete it would be highly challenging and would leave a clear audit trail of that effort.
  2. Identity management. Creating a secure and decentralized identity makes identity theft and identity fraud much more challenging. Individuals are in control of their own identity management without having to go through a centralized, possibly untrustworthy authority or company.
  3. Securing transactions. Secure and automated transactions that don’t go through intermediaries are highly resistant to hacking or access that isn’t authorized.
  4. Network security. Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are harder to mount when data is decentralized. Decentralization makes it harder for attackers to affect or control the entire network of the blockchain.
  5. Securing devices. The Internet of Things (IoT) opportunity has been slowed by the inherent security risk of these devices. Decentralization of device communication on the blockchain will reduce the risk of being hacked.
  6. Securing supply chains. You can imagine the lure that moving goods from manufacturer to consumer presents. Things can fall off the back of digital trucks with ease. Creating a record of each item and each step of custody in the supply chain keeps valuables safe from hackers and also ensures that counterfeit goods don’t enter it.

Blockchain-Related Threats

As with any technology, blockchain has attracted criminals who are intent on using it, abusing it, and breaking it. Other threats are inherent to blockchain technology and cybersecurity. Some examples include:

  • 51% attacks. If a group of blockchain participants, called miners, conspires to take over enough of the blockchain, they can control it, preventing transactions, reversing transactions, or stealing data and valuables.
  • Cryptojacking. If a criminal can gain control of mining machines, they can create bogus cryptocurrency.
  • Rug pulls. A criminal creates a cryptocurrency and hypes it, only to run off with investor funds in a new twist on the old pump-and-dump ploy.
  • Social engineering. Another tried-and-true hacker technique is to use phishing and other exploits to get users to reveal usernames, passwords, private keys, etc. to access a blockchain.
  • Lack of regulation. The global and decentralized nature of the technology makes it difficult to regulate, creating an environment ideal for criminal enterprise.
  • Cybersecurity talent crisis. The digital industry suffers from a severe talent shortage of people with cybersecurity skills—particularly in the blockchain space. Staying ahead of cybercriminals when decentralization is rapidly becoming the norm will require trained professionals.

If you’re interested in a challenging and rewarding career working with blockchain and other state-of-the-art technologies protecting organizations and the government from cyberattacks, a great first step is earning a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. This degree, among other technology degrees, will not only give you deep relevant knowledge but also ensure that you are up to date on the constantly changing cybersecurity landscape. Armed with the right education and skills, you can do your part to keep our digital systems safe.

Institutional Recognition for Preprints: Recommendations for Policies and Practices

As part of her Fellowship with Accelerating Science and Publication in Biology (ASAPbio), Scholarly Communications Librarian Melissa Chim co-authored a white paper entitled Institutional recognition for preprints: Recommendations for policies and practices. This paper explores how universities can encourage open science practices by recognizing preprints in their graduation, hiring, and promotion guidelines.

5 Ways to Build a Strong Organizational Culture

A strong organizational culture is critical to the success of any business. A robust culture fosters employee engagement, enhances productivity, and attracts top talent. Moreover, it promotes innovation, collaboration, and resilience, enabling the company to navigate challenges effectively. The right culture can boost morale and satisfaction and drives performance and growth.

Read on to learn more about what makes a strong organizational culture and how you can foster one in your workplace.

What Is Organizational Culture?

Organizational culture is the combination of core values, beliefs, attitudes, systems, and rules that outline and influence employee behavior. It is created through consistent and authentic behaviors, such as how a CEO responds to a crisis, a team adapts to new customer demands, or a manager handles an employee who makes a mistake. Additionally, the industry, benefits packages, politics, local culture, and community involvement all significantly shape organizational culture. When workplace culture aligns with employees’ values, they feel more comfortable, supported, and valued, enabling the organization to successfully weather difficult times and changes in the business environment. There are several different ways employees can feel valued in their workplaces. Let’s explore a few of them.

Positive Work Environment

Employees’ work environment directly impacts job satisfaction, productivity, and retention. Natural lighting, comfortable furniture, recreational activities, and a supportive atmosphere contribute to a positive environment. Recognizing and rewarding employees, offering constructive feedback, and maintaining strong relationships are essential for sustaining a healthy organizational culture. These factors make employees feel valued, motivated, and willing to help one another, ultimately driving the company’s success.

Communication

Effective communication in the workplace significantly impacts employees’ experience, motivation, and engagement. Organizations with open, honest, and transparent communication enjoy the benefits of happy and satisfied employees. Utilizing modern communication tools, segmenting internal audiences, providing personalized content, driving engagement, ensuring two-way communication, involving leadership, consolidating communication channels, and measuring the impact on business results can help improve communication.

Unified Purpose

A unified purpose significantly affects a company’s culture and success by fostering shared core values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors among employees. When employees feel a sense of purpose and belonging, their engagement and satisfaction increase, leading to enhanced collaboration and agility within the organization. Additionally, an inspiring purpose attracts talent aligned with the company’s cause and forms the foundation for high-performing teams, ensuring clarity and alignment in meeting goals.

Leadership

Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping and cultivating an organization’s culture. Leaders set the tone for the workplace through their values, behaviors, and decisions, helping employees understand the company’s mission and their roles in contributing to success. Influential leaders communicate, especially during challenges, to maintain confidence and morale. They also foster an innovative culture by encouraging experimentation and learning from mistakes. Leaders influence team culture by prioritizing employee well-being, demonstrating transparency, and maintaining a positive and inclusive environment.

Diversity and Inclusion

When a workplace is inclusive and diverse, everyone feels equally supported and involved in all facets of the organization, regardless of their identity or role. Inclusion is critical for retaining talent because employees are more likely to stay with a company where they feel valued and are treated fairly. Diverse teams bring unique perspectives that drive creativity, which gives companies a competitive edge in attracting talent and relating to diverse customer bases. Research indicates that diversity and inclusion in the workplace can lead to higher revenue growth and improved employee retention.

How Can You Promote a Strong Organizational Culture?

Creating a sound workplace culture requires a clear plan. Here are some steps to follow if you want to help your organization benefit:

  • Recognize employees. Frequent, specific recognition of employees enhances engagement, retention, and productivity. Leadership should actively participate in recognition efforts.
  • Listen to employees. A culture that values feedback and encourages the employee’s voice is crucial. Use pulse surveys and chatbots to collect feedback, analyze the results, and take timely action.
  • Make your leaders advocates. Leaders should exemplify the company’s core values and incorporate employee feedback into their cultural advocacy efforts.
  • Focus on learning and development. Invest in employee development through training, coaching, and new responsibilities to demonstrate a commitment to their success.
  • Keep culture in mind. Ask cultural fit questions during interviews and focus on building social relationships early to ensure that new hires align with company values and culture.

A strong organizational culture is fundamental to achieving long-term success, as it drives employee engagement, retention, and overall productivity. Organizations can create a vibrant and cohesive workplace environment by following strategic steps to recognize contributions, value employee feedback, advocate for company values, and promote continuous learning.

Earning a degree in administration and management equips you with the essential skills and knowledge to effectively implement these strategies. This educational background empowers you to develop leadership capabilities, understand organizational dynamics, and apply best practices to support a culture that attracts the right talent and ensures their long-term satisfaction and commitment.

What’s the Difference Between Health Care Management and Health Care Administration?

To the layperson, health care management and health care administration may sound interchangeable, but these career paths differ in focus. Whether you seek a broader role in organizational leadership or want to manage the day-to-day operations of a department or unit, both tracks offer exciting work opportunities.

What Is Health Care Management?

Health care management includes roles in which you’ll be responsible for overseeing the activities of an entire health care organization or a company that runs multiple health care organizations. Success in this area of health care depends on many factors:

  • Strong organizational leadership and business skills are key to these roles.
  • You’ll need to gather information; plan strategies; manage finances, people, equipment, and facilities; and make decisions that affect the organization as a whole.
  • You’ll need specific business strategy skills to analyze information, develop a strategic response, and then work with various teams to implement the strategies.
  • Planning how you’ll use financial resources, setting up and managing budgets, allocating resources, and measuring return on investment will be key to your success.
  • In some cases, you’ll both develop organizational policies and see that your organization is adhering to health care laws and regulations.
  • In providing operational oversight, you’ll need to care about a diverse array of functions, from procurement to human resources to marketing, food services, maintenance, scheduling, and more.
  • Value-based care may drive much of your top-level decision-making, as will managing patient outcomes, equity of access, and cost of care.

How Is Health Care Administration Different?

A role in health care administration is still highly focused on management. Yet instead of managing a large organization like a hospital or a group of hospitals, you’ll focus on the details of a specific unit or department.

In this role, you’ll interface with human resources, finance, patient services, facilities management, and more. You’ll need the input of various parts of the organization to effectively manage your department or unit. You’ll serve many constituencies, including upper management, patients and families, doctors and nurses, and operational staff. Your job will be to make sure everything runs smoothly for optimal results.

Typical health care administration responsibilities include:

  • Managing staff, including creating a staffing plan, organizational chart, and job descriptions.
  • Leading the functions around hiring, training, supervising, and staff development.
  • Working within your department and the rest of the organization to ensure that operations are smooth and efficient.
  • Staying on top of equipment, facilities, and supplies specific to your department. In addition to capital expenditure planning, maintenance, and obsolescence, you’ll need to monitor everything, plan, and make decisions.
  • Providing quality care that leads to superior outcomes, managing patient records, scheduling care, and coordinating tests and procedures, all as part of end-to-end patient experience management. Again, value-based care is now part of the role.
  • Leading in regulatory compliance may also be required, tracking requirements and documenting actions, along with maintaining records to prove your department’s adherence to rules and standards.

Which Health Care Path Is Right for You?

Deciding whether you want a career in health care management versus health care administration is a highly personal decision. Here are some key considerations:

What drives your sense of accomplishment? If you like having a broad impact, you may enjoy managing a facility or larger holding company that manages many facilities. If you enjoy making a difference in a specific area and with people you interact with directly, becoming an administrator may be more appealing.

What are your interests? If you enjoy business, health care management will be satisfying. If you have a specific area of interest, such as improving the trauma experience, advancing cancer care, or working in specific treatment areas, like joint health or pediatric care, administering these departments will be rewarding.

How important is money and advancement? It is a fact that health care management positions more directly lead to upper management roles and higher salaries. You certainly can make good money in administration, too, but you’ll have to move out of a departmental role if you’re seeking a bigger title and more money.

Whichever path you choose, your career will benefit from earning a master’s degree in health care administration. And to get started on either track, it helps to earn your bachelor’s degree in health care management. You may also pursue this field with other health sciences undergraduate degrees. The right undergraduate degree will give you a solid foundation for further study and professional development.

What Is a Technical Studies Degree?

A technical studies degree covers a wide field—and one that is also incredibly interesting. Acquiring technical skills and earning a degree in the concentration that interests you is an ideal path to a well-paying and secure career, without having to devote four years of spending many thousands of dollars for your education. An associate degree in technical studies also provides you with a solid foundation if you later want to pursue advanced degrees.

Technical Studies: A Definition

An associate degree in technical studies, among other technology degrees, can take you in many fascinating directions. These include working in technology, manufacturing, construction, engineering, and applied sciences. You might work in computer and digital technology, electromechanical technology, manufacturing, and nuclear technologies, to name a few.

Employers in many fields are hungry for workers with practical technical know-how. A typical technical studies program will include general education courses, particularly in problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication. You will need mathematics and science. These programs round out with core technical courses in your area of concentration. Several elective options allow you to pursue your personal interests.

What Concentrations Are Available?

Given the breadth of the technical studies field, you have your choice of concentrations. Graduating from Excelsior’s Associate in Applied Science in Technical Studies program with one of the following concentrations can open myriad career opportunities.

Computer Technologies

This concentration gives you technical skills for building, testing, operating, and maintaining computer networks, as well as installing, configuring, and updating software applications. Your classes will include programming fundamentals and IT hardware and software essentials. You’ll learn about business data, cloud computing, and innovation in virtualization.

With this degree concentration, you can work as a systems support technician, a software technical support specialist, an IT field technician, and more.

Electromechanical Technologies

If you’re fascinated by how things work, this degree concentration is for you. You’ll learn about various types of mechanical technology, including electrical and electronic circuits, and also automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical tools, equipment, and processes. The design, assembly, testing, system maintenance, and troubleshooting of mechanical components and instruments are key areas of study.

Jobs include work as a machine operator, an equipment and electronics sales associate, a maintenance manager, a generator technician, a facilities manager, a service technician, and more.

Electronic/Instrumentation Technologies

If circuits, microprocessors, programmable controllers, and electronic components are your thing, this concentration will intrigue you. You will learn about electronic systems and how to assemble, test, maintain, repair, and upgrade their various parts.

Find work as an instrumentation specialist, electrical maintenance technician, automation specialist, electrical and instrumentation troubleshooter, and other roles in a wide variety of industries and sites.

Nuclear Technologies/Power Plant Technologies

This fast-growing area of clean energy is driving demand for people with nuclear technology skills. Learning how to manage radiation shielding, about radiation detection instrumentation, and how to plan and implement radiation protection procedures are the key to safe nuclear power facilities. The concentration also includes renewable energy technologies, including solar, geothermal, wind, and water, along with the basic operation of electrical generation equipment.

Examples of jobs with this degree and these technical skills include field testing technician, calibration technician, radiation protection monitor, instrumentation and control specialist, control room operations team member, and nuclear equipment operator.

How Can You Get Started in a Technology Career?

The Excelsior Associate in Applied Science in Technical Studies program combines classroom and hands-on learning opportunities that prepare you for your career. And as you progress and need further credentials, you are on the right path for other technology degrees at Excelsior University.

The Role of Forensics in Crime Solving

It’s 3 o’clock in the morning and an alarm starts ringing in the art museum. By the time the police arrive, a priceless painting has been stolen. The gallery is a mess. Shards of glass, dirty footprints, fabric scraps, and a few strands of hair are the only clues that remain. The art world despairs—but detectives on the case don’t because they know that even this bloodless crime scene contains all the evidence they need to track down the thief.

As long as crimes have been committed, people have been using crime scene evidence to help solve them. Today, with increasingly detailed analysis tools at scientists’ disposal, forensics is a powerful asset in not only catching criminals but also providing insight into the motives and methods behind the crime.

What Is Forensic Science?

Forensic science uses scientific analysis to examine criminal evidence and support decision-making in a court of law. Because “evidence” can range from the biological, like hair and blood, to the digital, such as financial records and online search histories, to the physical, like tire tracks and handwriting, forensic science employs a variety of disciplines that include toxicology, molecular biology, chemistry, and even information technology.

During an investigation, forensic specialists carefully collect and preserve crime scene evidence for testing. After an investigation, they are also frequently called upon to present their findings in court.

How Can Using Forensics Help Solve a Crime?

Forensics can help solve a crime by finding and analyzing everything a culprit leaves behind. This trail of impact creates a wealth of evidence, large and small, that can be invaluable in an investigation.

For centuries, crime scene investigations were limited to the senses. This meant that only immediately observable clues, like footprints and murder weapons, were solely what we had to go on. Lacking ways to accurately capture or analyze evidence, crime scene hygiene was an afterthought, with members of the public and careless investigators trampling over what today would be valuable evidence.

Modern forensic scientists still rely on the observable clues, but the invisible is what often ultimately breaks a case. Three of the most commonly used forensic techniques are DNA analysis, fingerprint matching, and forensic psychology. In the example of our art heist, investigators could look at the damage in the gallery to figure out what tools the thieves used to break in. Hair and fingerprints could be collected for DNA evidence to test against any potential suspects. Footprints and fibers found at the scene could also be potentially matched to what the criminals were wearing.

DNA Analysis

Of these three forensic methods, DNA analysis is the most recently developed, though, and thanks to television shows like “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” it’s probably the technique most people think of first. DNA was only able to be fully sequenced in 1977, which was the first step in being able to identify individual people by their genetic material. This eventually led to the pioneering use of DNA in a successful U.S criminal conviction in 1987.

Usable DNA can be collected from a sample as small as the trace amounts of saliva on the rim of a glass, and some forms of DNA can be viably stored for years. Famously, the Golden State Killer was caught more than 40 years after his first known murder by matching DNA from a distant family member.

Fingerprint Matching

People have long recognized that our fingerprints are unique. There is even evidence of fingerprints being used to sign clay tablets in ancient Mesopotamia. The first person to be found guilty of a crime using fingerprint evidence is believed to be Francisca Rojas of Buenos Aries in 1892. Fingerprints are left on smooth surfaces by the natural oils on our skin, and they can be captured by “dusting” with fine powder, a technique developed in the 19th century that forensics experts still use today.

Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychologists try to answer the eternal question of why people act the way they do and assess the unseeable clues within a person’s mind during the time surrounding a crime. Forensic psychologists bridge the gap between mental health and legal procedures, often serving as expert witnesses in court proceedings. They interview witnesses, defendants, and victims to analyze behavior, assess mental states, and provide insights to inform legal decisions like sentencing and treatment recommendations.

What Is Cyber Forensics?

Was the museum guard searching “how to disable a security camera” just days before the theft? Did one of the suspects receive a large bank transfer from an unscrupulous art collector? Did a suspected getaway car’s GPS place it near the museum the night the painting was stolen? These are all questions we can answer today with cyber forensics.

As more crime moves online, digital evidence is an increasingly important part of criminal investigations. Cyber forensic specialists extract data from computers, cellphones, and other electronic devices, as well as monitor network traffic and potentially malicious code.

Are you interested in starting a crime-fighting career of your own? Excelsior has degree programs in criminal justice and cybersecurity perfect for future forensics pros.

Excelsior University and STRIVE Community Health Institute Announce New Partnership

ALBANY, N.Y. — Excelsior University and STRIVE Community Health Institute are proud to announce a new partnership dedicated to offering students seamless advancement pathways in their education and careers. The new partnership will present opportunities for STRIVE students to save time and money as they work toward degrees in Excelsior’s online Liberal Arts and Public Health Bachelor of Science programs.  

STRIVE Community Health Institute is a nonprofit organization in Sacramento, California, providing education and training to students. STRIVE is a state and federally registered and approved academic apprenticeship program that specializes in providing nontraditional pathways into health care, education, and management sectors. STRIVE Institute partners with accredited colleges and universities that provide related supplemental instruction leading towards a college degree. 

Headquartered in Albany, New York, Excelsior University was founded in 1971 as the Regents External Degree Program, which evaluated credit earned from college courses, proficiency examinations, military educational programs, and the assessment of knowledge gained from experience and nontraditional approaches to education to help students achieve degree completion. While evolving to offer more than 40 degree programs fully online, Excelsior has maintained its commitment to awarding credit for approved workplace and military training, health care credentials, and industry certifications. 

“STRIVE serves students with the greatest need and the greatest potential, with our post-secondary apprenticeship program providing opportunities to earn certifications, college credit and on-the-job training in the fields of social science and allied health,” said Dr. Arrickia McDaniel, Ed.D., LCSW, STRIVE’s director of clinical education. “The majority of STRIVE students are working professionals looking to advance their career trajectory with a desire to finish their college education. We are excited to expand degree and workforce development opportunities for our students within maternal and behavioral health care sectors through this exciting partnership with Excelsior University.” 

“The partnership between Excelsior and STRIVE represents our shared commitment to student-focused, career-oriented education,” said David Schejbal, president of Excelsior University. “The collaboration will allow students flexibility in customizing the best learning experience to meet their needs, while developing important skills for the workplace through both STRIVE’s apprenticeship programs and Excelsior’s robust online curriculum.” 

Through a shared partnership with online education source StraighterLine, Excelsior University and STRIVE Community Health Institute will present even more opportunities for learners to find their own unique paths toward achieving educational and professional goals.  

For more information on the partnership between Excelsior University and STRIVE Community Health Institute, visit https://www.excelsior.edu/partner/strive-community-health-institute/.
 

# # #  

Media Contact Excelsior University:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446  

Media Contact STRIVE Community Health:
Arrickia McDaniel, strivecommunityhealth@gmail.com, 916-538-7719
  

ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY 
Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit online institution focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.   

ABOUT STRIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH INSTITUTE
STRIVE Community Health Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides education and training to students. STRIVE is a state and federally registered and approved academic apprenticeship program that specializes in providing nontraditional pathways into health care, education, and management sectors. STRIVE Institute partners with local and regional accredited colleges and universities that provide related supplemental instruction leading towards a college degree.

Workplace Leadership

Joe Levy, associate vice provost of accreditation and quality improvement, contributed a chapter to the book “Workplace Leadership,” edited by Robin Lindbeck and Vince Nix.

Through an engaging selection of scholarly articles, “Workplace Leadership” provides students with valuable insight into practical leadership skills and capabilities. It articulates leadership as a vital influence within organizations and delves into the multidimensional competencies necessary for effective workplace leadership.

Learn more and order the book here.

Career Spotlight: Training and Development Manager

Training and development is crucial because it affects individual and organizational improvement. Investing in employee development ensures that the workforce remains skilled, knowledgeable, and capable of adapting to evolving industry demands. The professional responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing training programs that align with the company’s goals and objectives is a training and development manager. Learn more about this important position and find out whether it aligns with your career goals.

What Is a Training and Development Manager?

T&D managers (as these professionals are sometimes called) plan, coordinate, and direct skills and knowledge developmental programs for an organization’s staff.

What Does a Training and Development Manager Do?

These professionals have many important organizational roles, including:

  • Assessing employees’ training needs
  • Developing and implementing training programs
  • Reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of training programs
  • Creating and managing training budgets
  • Reviewing and selecting materials from vendors
  • Updating training methods to ensure relevancy
  • Teaching training methods to instructors and supervisors

Training and Development vs. Management

Training and development and management are two distinct but interconnected aspects of an organization. With training and development, you focus on improving specific professional skills and knowledge of employees. Management involves planning, organizing, directing, and controlling organizational resources to achieve the organization’s goals and objectives.

Training and Development

Training and development focuses on improving employees’ professional skills and knowledge to enhance their performance and prepare them for future responsibilities. It involves programs such as workshops, seminars, e-learning courses, and on-the-job training. It targets immediate skill gaps or knowledge needs to increase efficiency, productivity, and job satisfaction while fostering personal and professional growth. The focus is on individual growth and development within the organization.

Management

Management encompasses various activities, including strategic planning, decision-making, leadership, and performance management. Management operates on both short-term and long-term time frames, concentrating on daily operations, future planning, and sustainability. The objective is to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the organization, driving it toward its strategic goals, with a focus on coordinating and optimizing the use of resources to achieve organizational success.

How Much Does a Training and Development Manager Make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for training and development managers was $125,040 in 2023. The range for this occupation spans from less than $73,410 for the lowest 10% to $220,060 for the highest 10%.

Career Outlook

Employment in this in-demand occupation is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, more rapidly than the average for all occupations combined. Furthermore, around 3,600 annual job openings for this role are projected over that same 10-year period.

How to Become a Training and Development Manager

To become a training and development manager, you need the right combination of knowledge, skills, and experience. Let’s consider some requirements if you’re thinking of pursuing this career path.

Skills You Need for a Career in Training and Development

To become a successful T&D manager, you’ll need skills in:

  • Verbal and written communication
  • Presentation
  • Business
  • Critical thinking
  • Leadership
  • Collaboration
  • Decision-making
  • Instruction

Degree Requirements to Be a Training and Development Manager

Typically, employers prefer you to have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as business, social science, communications, or human resources. Earning a master’s degree in a field like management or a professional certification is also a good idea if you want to showcase your skills and knowledge. In addition to education, you’ll also need relevant work experience, such as in management, teaching, human resources, or training and development.

A training and development manager is an indispensable asset to any organization, playing a crucial role in shaping a competent and motivated workforce. Consider pursuing this career if you’re passionate about organizational improvement, supporting continuous learning, and personal and professional growth.

20 Useful Storytelling Techniques And Tools For Nonprofits

Scott Dolan, executive dean of Excelsior University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, contributed to a Forbes Nonprofit Council article titled “20 Useful Storytelling Techniques and Tools for Nonprofits.” Dolan discusses the importance of telling the stories of the people that nonprofits serve in their own words.

Read the article here.

It’s Time for an Increase in the Military’s Tuition Assistance Program

Excelsior University president David Schejbal was interviewed by Forbes journalist Michael Nietzel for an article on the importance of the U.S. military tuition assistance program. The article, titled “It’s Time For An Increase In The Military’s Tuition Assistance Program,” makes the case for increasing the reimbursement benefit to military students.

View the article here.

The Power of Strategic Accreditation: Driving Institutional Impact

“The Power of Strategic Accreditation: Driving Institutional Impact,” edited by Kristina Powers, includes a chapter contributed by Excelsior University chief of staff Lori Williams and an endorsement by associate vice provost of accreditation and quality improvement Joe Levy.

In today’s fast-paced educational landscape, institutions are under increasing pressure for excellence, innovation, and improved outcomes. Accreditation serves as a vital benchmark, yet its full potential often remains untapped. “The Power of Strategic Accreditation: Driving Institutional Impact” seeks to remedy this by providing educational leaders with a roadmap for strategically leveraging accreditation to enhance institutional success.

Learn more and order the book here.