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Comparing Two Key Careers: Software Developer vs. Programmer

July 31, 2020 

Every fall, millions of people come together for a sports tradition: fantasy football. They create leagues on websites such as ESPN and Yahoo, spend hours poring over statistics, and carefully select teams in the hopes of winning money and bragging rights. Behind this billion-dollar industry is a complex series of computer systems and software that ensure that leagues across the country run as planned. Deft computer programming allows for accurate statistics, score tracking, player updates, and trade management. The online fantasy football user experience is seamless, but it takes a lot of work for that to happen. Fantasy football is […]

Security Engineer vs. Software Engineer: A Guide

July 31, 2020 

Individuals who want to pursue a career in computer science have a number of paths to choose from. For example, those with an affinity for developing smartphone apps and computer programs may be interested in software engineering. On the other hand, students who are interested in cybersecurity and want to help businesses protect their networks from security threats, such as computer viruses and spyware, may find that security engineering is more aligned with their goals. Individuals interested in either field will find that a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and an advanced degree such as a master’s in cybersecurity, […]

Provost vs. Dean: Differentiating Two Key Higher Education Roles

July 31, 2020 

The United States higher education system is in a state of evolution. As the Pew Research Center reports, state and federal government funding has shifted, with state investments in colleges and universities declining and federal support growing. Additionally, there is the expanding role of technology in education: According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology, cutting-edge tools such as virtual reality will change how, when, and where students learn (for instance, by further promoting the growing trend toward distance learning). Finally, universities and colleges are facing greater calls to support diversity and inclusion across their student bodies. […]

MHA vs. MBA: Which Is Right for You?

July 31, 2020 

A strong leader can make a world of difference in any business or organization. However, learning how to become one can be challenging, requiring the foundational knowledge and practical skills to take on the job. MHA: Master of Health Administration Overview An advanced degree ideal for candidates interested in healthcare administration careers, an MHA prepares graduates to handle the day-to-day operations of medical facilities and make a positive impact through careers in healthcare policy. With opportunities to work in a variety of institutions, from medical facilities to private or public practices, in community clinics or government agencies, MHA graduates can […]

Versatile Management Development: Executive MBA vs. MBA

July 31, 2020 

The speed at which businesses can grow and diversify in the 21st century is incredible. An entrepreneur can launch a startup in January, have a product on the market within months, and go international shortly thereafter. In that time, the entrepreneur could secure funding, hire an entire staff, and turn the startup into a profitable company. Within two years, that company could have several C-suite executives and a team of directors, managers, and other staff members overseeing business functions. Navigating that kind of growth requires education and experience. Business professionals who want to meet the challenges of development often find […]

Guiding Higher Education: The Job of a Department Chair vs. Dean

July 31, 2020 

Colleges and universities thrive when guided by dedicated higher education professionals. In particular, department chairs and deans take on administrative challenges that determine the future success of their schools. Department chairs work as professors who also perform administrative duties. They set the department curriculum, interview potential new professors, manage faculty schedules, settle faculty and student disputes, and sometimes oversee research. In this role, the department chair liaisons between a department and the administration, reporting to the dean. Department Chair Salaries and Job Outlook The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have a specific category for postsecondary department chairs. […]

Data Visualization vs. Data Analytics: What’s the Difference?

July 31, 2020 

The modern world has created petabytes of data stored in servers, devices, and networks all over the globe. Each day, we generate another 2.5 quintillion bytes of data, according to research published in Forbes. Much of this data has applications in diverse industries, from healthcare networks and retailers to sports franchises and everywhere in between. Yet all that information is useless without skilled professionals who understand how to interpret the data to produce meaningful insights. Two types of data professionals whose work is valuable in the current job market are data visualization experts and data analytics experts. Both types of […]

Careers in Money Management: Controller vs. CFO

July 31, 2020 

Making prudent financial decisions is about more than just knowing the present financial situation. It’s about understanding the past and all the possibilities the future holds. These decisions require a big-picture approach, and the experts who make them must keep an eye on all types of revenue and expense streams to paint the most comprehensive financial picture possible. Such professionals need a specific mix of technical abilities and analytical skills to perform their work. Controller Overview Controllers oversee a company’s financial picture. They are in charge of the accounting and bookkeeping. Controllers ensure the work done by accountants is accurate […]

Comparing Careers in Tech: Coding vs. Programming

July 31, 2020 

In the early days of computing, programmer and coder referred to the same job: someone who could command a computer to do things. However, the business world has redefined the two fields, separating programmers and coders. Both are necessary in any company interested in application development, and businesses that maintain custom-coded apps are key employers. So, where does the split of coding vs. programming stem from? What Is Coding? Coding is the art of writing computer code that will compile and run to produce a desired output if given a valid input. Coders might be involved in directly using computer […]

Active vs. Reflective Leadership: Two Educational Styles

July 31, 2020 

The authoritarian style of leadership no longer has the influence it once did in classrooms or businesses. This shift is particularly important in higher education, where faculty and staff have the potential to influence thousands of students. Why Leadership Styles Matter How leaders act plays a major role in the environments they create. Poor leaders can destroy morale and hold an entire business back from reaching its potential. Strong leadership can push a group of successful employees to new heights. In higher education, leadership styles at the top have a direct impact on students. Professors who feel motivated by their […]