Money was tight. Full-time work coupled with a full class load meant little time off to take. It was not a good idea. But at some point, Leah Doperalski and her friend decided to just go for it. And the pair headed to the steep mountains of Jamaica for a week with a non-profit troupe of medical volunteers.

That was the moment that changed Doperalski’s life.

“I fell in love with it,” she said of the quiet village of Hagley Gap, which teeters at the top of the island destination amid the Blue Mountains. While tourists fill the beaches below, villagers here live an anachronistic life, without cars, running water or medical facilities.

As a second semester nursing student at Bryant & Stratton College’s Wisconsin campus, Doperalski was already able to give the villagers more medical attention than they had ever received.

“We go house to house, we do blood pressure screenings, zika virus education … we’re really huge on education in the community,” she said. “We find people living in the village who haven’t seen anyone in a long time. There are two clinics but they are too far to walk. It’s nice for us to go so they can have a yearly checkup.”

Doperalski traveled as a volunteer for Blue Mountain Project. The non-profit brings medical care to the villages in the region but also supports the local schools by providing tutors, computer labs and library materials. In addition, the group is working to establish a chamber of commerce and grow the local craft industry in hopes of re-routing some of the tourist flow, and income, to the Blue Mountain villages.

After Doperalski returned from the region, she was hooked. She organized a trip in January of 2016 and escorted 18 Bryant & Stratton students to the Blue Mountains.

“It was amazing,” she said. “It was a great opportunity for the community and the students got to have this service on their resume.”

Students stay on the island for one week, and live with host families. Fundraising is a key component of the preparation. Volunteers pay $99 per day for room and board (much of which goes to the host family) as well as their flight. Once there, first year nursing students are partnered with older students as they tend to the villagers.

“It’s good experience to get down there and practice what we are learning,” Doperalski said. “It’s a good learning experience, a good bonding experience, it’s good for Bryant and Stratton. I love it.”

Rosie Gourdine was building her home healthcare business. The mother of five, who children ranged in age from 23 to five, had just finished medical assisting school and was deciding her next step. Bryant & Stratton College recruiters called. And called. And called. and after six months, rosie decided this was the right move for her and her business. she enrolled in the associate degree in medical reimbursement and coding and set her sights on graduation. then, her mother died. and, her house burned down. and, she moved across country. but Rosie, was back in class the next day – after every single incident.

“I alerted my instructors and everyone was helpful, but that didn’t stop me,” Rosie said. “they told me i could push my work back but i made sure my homework was done on time. “life comes with all kinds of challenges. people kept telling me, ‘i can’t believe you are back in school, i would fall apart’. i said, ‘really? when you go to pieces and you are the leader in your household, what does that show your kids?’.”

Rosie was no stranger to managing difficult waters. Soon after her youngest son was born, her mother fell ill with cancer. then, her mother-in-law fell into a coma and lost the use of both of her arms and legs when she awoke. for two years Rosie shuffled between Massachusetts and new jersey, with a newborn in tow, to take care of the two ailing women. When her mother finally succumbed to the disease, she dismissed the sentiments of others that she needed to stop her own life too.

“She suffered for five years. She went through chemo but I’m going to cry now? That’s selfish,” she said.

When their home burned down, due to faulty wiring in the attic, rosie and her family spent time in hotels and at various relatives’ homes. she was constantly bouncing between internet connections and computers to complete her schoolwork. “It didn’t stop me, i kept going,” she said. Now, she has moved her family across country to Minnesota, where she grew up and where her parents operated their own construction and real estate firms. being a small business owner is the life Rosie knows.

She hopes to have her home healthcare business up and prospering there by the end of the year. “If you are determined you can make it happen,” she said. And after six months, Rosie decided this was the right move for her and her business. She enrolled in the associate degree in Medical Reimbursement and Coding and set her sights on graduation.

Then, her mother died.

And, her house burned down.

And, she moved across country.

But Rosie, was back in class the next day – after every single incident.

Some students may wonder why there is such a focus on reflection.  Reflection is not only about helping you remember what you learned, it is learning. The results from a Harvard Business School study confirm that reflection is essential to learning.  A study was done with two groups of people. Both groups were given a test. One group was asked to write down strategies that would be helpful in a future test. The other group was not. The group that reflected performed significantly better (Christensen, n.d., para. 5).  You can follow the link below to read more and also follow a link to the study itself.

Reflection serves two main purposes. By reflecting on content again, you are helping it move from short term to long term memory. Connecting learning to how you will use it in your field helps it become more relevant. Also, by reflecting on strategies, you are becoming a stronger learner. This process is also known as metacognition, which is thinking about thinking.  This sounds really academic, but it means asking questions like “Did I study enough? Did I study effectively? What can I do differently next time?”

While courses are structured to encourage reflection, students will get the most benefit by putting reflection into action. At the end of session, many students say they will log in to the course on Sunday to look at the week’s assignments, or begin assignments sooner. Obviously, this knowledge is only valuable for students who actually implement these strategies.

Even beyond courses, the habit of reflection is part of being a successful professional.  In the workplace, there will be approaches to procedures. Taking the time occasionally to examine whether or not a process could be improved is valuable.  Also, after a problem arises, reflecting afterwards can help prevent the same issue from occurring. This would be asking questions like “Is email the most effective way to handle this issue? Should a manager have been alerted sooner? “ An article titled “Understanding Yourself and Increasing Your Professional Value through Self-Reflection” offers some additional insight on what it looks like to reflect in the workplace and why the skill is valuable. Read about it here: http://intercom.stc.org/2014/01/understanding-yourself-and-increasing-your-professional-value-through-self-reflection/

By taking full advantage of the opportunity to reflect and make changes based on those reflections, you will be able to present that critical thinking skill to future employers in an interview. Reflection is one more skill to set you apart from other candidates!

The most important word in this student groups’ title, is “allied”. Together, they raise money to help local nonprofits. Together, they host blood drives to bring much needed blood to the sick. Together they are students in both medical and non-medical fields driven by a single mission: to help their community. 

“I personally like the enthusiasm our club brings to brain storm ideas on fundraisers and where to donate our fundraising funds to,” said Len Lukasik president of the Allied Health Club, at the Bryant & Stratton College Milwaukee campus. “we work together to help out each other in so many different ways, that we are almost like a big family. it shows how our club members get behind one student who is asking for club participation and then receives a bunch of volunteers to help out in an event,” he said.

every year the club holds a minimum of six fundraisers. each time, the profits are donated to a local organization such as the american red cross, the aids resource center or the milwaukee women’s center, among others. and, each time you see a blood drive on campus, that too is the work of the allied health club as they partner with the blood center of wisconsin. student membership is free. each member is only asked to give “time, treasure or talent,” lukasik said.

what they gain is immeasurable. lukasik said through their volunteer work, the students have an opportunity to build soft skills in teamwork and leadership roles. they are also able to network with executives in each of the local organizations and build connections that will help them in the workplace after graduation. allied health club director, boakai paasewe, md, said this opportunity for students to work in the community gives them a competitive advantage.

“these students learn the importance of giving back to the community which is very important for their chosen field of work,” he said. “in addition, they learn about time management and prioritizing.”

club members not only help the community outside campus walls, but inside their own classrooms as well. students in this club look to each other for guidance when they are struggling with a class assignment. paasewe said since the club is made up of students from various academic levels, it is easy to find a mentor or tutor in the group if you need help.

“a student who is working (and going to school) and finding it difficult to find time to study, will find a student with a similar situation who is succeeding,” he said. and working together, they will both succeed.

She had moved to a new city with her 3-year-old son. There was no family nearby who could help watch him while she went back to school. Her son had speech impediments and needed to be in a daycare she could trust to work with his special needs.

And, there was little extra money to pay for daycare while she worked and attended classes.

When she applied to Bryant & Stratton College in Hampton, Va., the flexible schedule and personal service were not the only perk. Her campus also offered on campus childcare.

“My son loves it. He really loves it,” she said. “I can be at home and tell him to get ready and he won’t move. Then I say we are going to class and he jumps up.”

Porter earned her counseling associate degree and is now working at the child care center on campus helping other working parents achieve their goals.

“People come in the middle of the semester when their other childcare plans fall through,” she said. “People come and say, ‘if this wasn’t here, I wouldn’t be able to go to class. It’s a lifesaver.’”

It is a sentiment that the staff at the children centers on several Bryant & Stratton College campuses hear on a daily basis.

“I’ve heard quite a few of my parents say, ‘Thank God we have children’s college. We have nowhere for our children to go. This is a lifesaving place for a lot of people,” said Denisetrica Lankford, Children’s Center Coordinator at the Richmond, Va. campus.

The centers are not curriculum-based preschools but are more than simple babysitting. Lankford said children who attend in the morning do follow a schedule and work on pre-kindergarten skills. Children who attend in the afterschool and evening hours receive homework help and can play educational games on the center’s computers.

Many of the centers are open as late as 10:30 p.m. After dinner, children are treated to a movie and given time to wind down while they wait for their parents to finish class. The majority of the centers are open five days a week and available to part-time and full-time students. The stipulation is that parents must remain on campus while their child is in the center.

Cost is roughly $4 an hour, depending on the location; students can use their financial aid dollars to pay should they qualify. To find out more about using financial aid for childcare, visit your campus financial aid office or childcare center.

Lankford said she loves working at the center and making a better life possible for working parents and their children.

“They are learning and growing, that is the best part,” she said. “You know you made a difference in a child’s life.”

Want to go back to college but are struggling with how to manage daycare? Check out the degrees available at colleges with daycare like Bryant & Stratton College.

As the summer continues, your mind may begin to return to more academic topics. After all, the fall semester will be here before you know it. Chances are that you have already selected all or most of your fall courses, but perhaps you are now reconsidering your class schedule—whether by choice, or because circumstances demand it. As you ponder your schedule, consider adding an online course to the mix. Why? Here are five reasons to take an online course this fall:

Registering for multiple preferred courses during a single semester can often be near-impossible. Luckily, online classes offer scheduling flexibility that traditional courses simply cannot rival. For instance, certain online classes allow you to complete work on your own time. This flexibility can enable you to squeeze another course into your schedule, or to balance school with full-time work.

In addition to offering scheduling flexibility, online class catalogues may have a wider reach than in-person class catalogues—in other words, they may boast a larger variety of courses. This may even allow you to sign up for a class that is not offered on campus at your school. Such a course may be essential to your career path and major/minor, or it may be in a subject of personal interest.

Online courses are often less expensive than traditional in-person classes (though this is not always the case). Given the cost of college tuition and the likely possibility of graduating with debt, this can be a very appealing quality of online courses. Set aside time to compare costs, and if you believe that it will save you a significant amount of money, consider at least one online class this fall.

You may be taking an online course to supplement your existing class schedule, or it may be a task that you are completing while you work full-time or embark on a gap year. Whatever your situation, the credits you acquire may be transferable to multiple colleges and universities. Just ensure that the course you select is offered by an accredited program.

Because online classes do not meet in a physical classroom, you may be nervous about the lack of structure. However, online courses can build crucial skills that you will require for almost any job. Since classes are conducted electronically, there is perhaps a greater need for communication than in a traditional class. You will learn the best ways to communicate with peers and professors, and working digitally will also boost your technology skills—which are becoming increasingly important in nearly every industry. If you are still uncertain about online courses, speak with someone who has taken one, and ask for his or her feedback. Even if you have some hesitation, why not register for one online class this fall? You never know what you may learn about yourself as a student.

Catherine Martin is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world’s largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

If you are stepping into your first “real” job after college you probably have a mixed bag of feelings about it. It’s exciting to meet new people, have new responsibilities and contribute to your new company’s goals. And it’s also little scary. That’s just how it goes when you’re a newbie, but that’s a bad thing. Some mistakes are expected and they are easy to avoid or correct as long as you are aware of them. Here are a few:

“Although you’re new to the company, you’ll need the support of others to succeed in your career,” said Ericka Spradley, career coach and author. “Oftentimes, new employees fail because they don’t have a success team. As you partner with your leader, discuss mentoring options; as you progress in your role, identify those who have succeeded where you see yourself,” she added. And remember, employers hire a diverse workforce on purpose. Interact with people who have diverse thoughts, ideas and perspectives, not only with other recent grads.

New employees often have to do a lot of reading and that can get quite boring and confusing. Mix things up a little to show interest in learning all you can. Jot down questions that come up while reading and use them as conversation starters that help enlighten you about things that are unwritten or not so obvious. “The beginning of your job is the time to ask questions. Your new co-workers expect you to be curious and are willing to help if you ask them. Plus, this will help you build professional relationships,” said Deborah Brown-Volkman, career coach and president of Surpass Your Dreams (www.surpassyourdreams.com).

You don’t have to be a know-it-all or expert when you walk in the door, but know that you were hired for a reason: your employer is making an investment to fill a need. That investment in you is evidence that you bring something of value to the table. It may be hard skills, like computer programming or dental hygiene techniques, or equally valuable soft skills that newbies often bring:  energy, enthusiasm, passion and new ideas.

“Because you’re new and may not be able to function independently for the first 90 days or so, you may have “breaks” in your day. These breaks occur because tasks are completed sooner than anticipated but employers still expect productivity,” said Spradley. “New grads may use these breaks to surf the internet or share social media updates, but a better use of this time may be: navigating the company’s intranet to understand policy, relevant news, employer updates; asking for more tasks or staying abreast of training,” she added. Brown-Volkman believes being a newbie is a state of mind. “If you feel bad about it, then it will be harder for you to adjust. Hold you head up high, put your shoulders back and watch how you carry yourself,” she said.

Are you doing your homework at the kitchen table? On the couch? In your bed?

Feeling overwhelmed and unprepared for classwork?

Where you study could be having a huge impact on how you study. You need to give yourself permission to have a home study environment. Regardless of how small your home is, you can and need to carve out a space to handle the business of life.

“You don’t need to own a business to have a home office and you should have one even if your business is raising kids,” said Darla DeMorrow, professional organizer. “You need a place to sort mail, pay bills and study without having to move it off the table for dinner and back to the table again.”

And a home study office, doesn’t necessarily need to be an entire room.

DeMorrow suggests repurposing old TV cabinets. The large, beautiful oak ones that were pricey and popular back when televisions fit inside them 10 years ago. Now, you can get them for pennies on the dollar at thrift stores. Use shelving inside the cabinet to make spaces for your books and paperwork. Ta da, an office that you can close for the day when you finish.

Another popular home office space for studying is a hall closet. If you own the home, use simple shelves and cabinets to build a place to sit and store paperwork. If you are in a rental, buy a small, inexpensive desk and set the entire thing inside the cabinet. Again, when you finish for the day, you close the door.

Closing the door is important, DeMorrow said, because the space should be yours alone.

It is not where the kids get their paper, pens and craft supplies. Have a separate box of craft supplies for them, elsewhere in the house.

“That way they are not coming in stealing your stuff and then you have to waste time running around and looking for it,” DeMorrow said. “The same thing with chargers and cords. When you sit down you don’t have the extra energy or time to go looking. You need to be able to sit and study and do what you thought you were going to do.”

And as you design that study environment, stop looking at dreamy, pictures of perfect spaces on Pinterest.

You can certainly make the space your own by painting the area a color you like or hanging a picture or using a lamp you prefer. You can put your stamp on it without spending a lot of money. Keep in mind, the space needs to be functional, not magazine photo shoot ready.

Finally, make sure you have proper light.

“People always under estimate the importance of lighting,” DeMorrow said. “If you have one light in the room, and you are on the other side trying to read, that is not going to work very well.”

If you don’t have plentiful natural light, purchase extra lamps both for your desk top and overhead. DeMorrow said larger rooms should have at least three lights to give students the right atmosphere to study.

For more information on careers you can study for at home, check out the online degrees available at Bryant & Stratton College.

Bryant & Stratton College men’s soccer took the second spot in the first USCAA poll for the 2015 season, falling six total points short in the voting to West Virginia Tech. The lone blemish on the Bobcats’ 4-1 record was a 2-1 loss to the first-ranked WVU Tech while BSC has scored 17 goals in their other four contests this season.

The goal scoring flurry to start the year has been paced by Zino Zampach’s four tallies while Kevin Beaton, Erickson Alevs and Lucas Hefferon each have a trio on the season. Zampach, Beaton and Alves each hold a share of the team lead in assists (4) as the three players have quickly formed the offensive engine of the Bryant & Stratton College team. The Bobcats climb to the top of the USCAA rankings continues this weekend against Alfred State and SUNY ESF on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

The Lady Bobcats have also begun climbing up the USCAA rankings as they slot in at number seven in the first women’s rankings. BSC took on SUNY Canton this past weekend and despite a number of injuries, pulled away with a 1-0 triumph. Adela Racic’s 27th minute goal would be the game’s lone tally as the Lady Bobcats picked up their third-straight win. They’re in action again this evening against Mohawk Valley CC at 4:00 pm.

The September edition of Around the Web takes a look at a host of resources for our students. Everything from thank you notes to identity theft protection is covered this time around. Have a look.

When is it too Late to Send a Job Interview Thank You Note – Sioux City Journal Sending a thank you note after an interview is an important piece of etiquette for job seekers to remember. Not only should you send a professional thank you to the person you interviewed with, but you need to ensure you send it in a timely manner.
Tips for Balancing College, Work and Life – News Press Now Adding your responsibilities for class is tough enough when your only focus is earning a degree. Add in work or family duties and it can be a recipe for disaster. Check out these tips for finding a happy work/school/life balance.

A Very Simple Recipe for the Perfect Job Search – LinkedIn An interesting take on the often maddening process of job searching. Keep this advice in mind as you conduct your job search.

Outdated Job Search Myths that Stifle Your Success – Forbes As with any long-standing practice, there are a few myths surrounding the job search process that you need to put out of your mind.

Revamp Your Resume in 30 minutes – USA Today At the end of the day your resume is going to be one of the biggest determining factors of landing a job. Make sure you’re taking proper care of your resume so you’re not left behind.

How to use Facebook to Land a Job – US News and World Report Typically social media is seen as something that can hamper your job search far more than it can help. However, that doesn’t mean that certain practices can’t help you land a job either.

Is Your LinkedIn Picture Helping or Hurting Your Job Search? – Business 2 Community Since LinkedIn is the most professional and straight-laced off all the social networks, you should make sure your presence on the site reflects that. An unprofessional profile picture is a sure-fire way to create a bad first impression.

Nine Tips for College Students to Protect Against Identity Theft – Kenosha News College students aren’t immune from identity fraud and it’s important for you to know a few important tips to prevent from becoming a victim.

5 Common Pieces of Job Search Advice You Should Ignore – News OK Much like the myths we provided above, not all you hear in terms of a job search is going to be a foolproof way to land a job. Keep this bad advice in mind as you’re sending out resumes.

A degree in Medical Reimbursement & Coding provides students with distinct career options within the medical field. Bryant & Stratton’s Medical Reimbursement and Coding degree program prepares students for work in either a physician or hospital setting.

If you are earning an associate degree in medical billing and coding, you could be on track for a rewarding career. The field is expected to continue to grow, despite advancements in technology that help make the process of reimbursement and coding more efficient. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment of professionals in this field is expected to grow by 15 percent between 2014 and 2024. This expansion demonstrates the need for qualified and trained professionals in the field.

Students attending medical billing and coding schools will have options in terms of work environment after graduation. For example, did you know that medical reimbursement and coding professionals sometimes work in insurance offices? More commonly though entry level medical billing and coding jobs are in a hospital or a physician’s office and understanding the difference between the two environments could help you better prepare for a career that fits your professional interest and personality.

In 2015 the BLS reported 188,600 people held jobs as medical records and health information technicians, 38 percent of those people held jobs in hospitals. There are two types of hospital jobs for medical coders, in-patient and outpatient. Some hospital coding professionals have the opportunity to work in both areas but most seasoned workers find they are drawn to specializing in one. Hospitals primarily hire in-patient coders. According to Chris Schenk, CPC, CPC-H, in-patient coding primarily deals with long complex records. “You have to look at all of the records [from a patient’s hospital stay] and code everything and capture for all those services; all of the diagnosis, all of the procedures,” said Mr. Schenk. However, Mr. Schenk also notes that more hospitals are starting outpatient clinics so may be hiring a greater number of outpatient coders in the near future.

The environment in a physician’s office can be great for professionals who prefer to deal with one record at a time. Depending on the size of the office you may have multiple job responsibilities and have more opportunities to directly interact with patients. Responsibilities could include a bigger split between coding and reimbursement duties, answering the office phones, managing appointments or checking patients in and out. Some professionals note that a medical coding for a physician can be a great way to build up transferrable skills and is a good place to start if you are interested in management positions in the future.

Finding the right environment as a medical coding and reimbursement specialist could mean the difference between finding a job and finding a career, so take some time to consider the benefits and drawbacks of each environment. Besides daily responsibilities, think about whether you’d like to work in a large organization or a small one, a formal or informal office, or how much patient interaction you prefer. Ultimately, it is a personal choice and some graduates have found they need to try each setting before truly knowing which is a good fit.

Interested in learning more about the medical coding and reimbursement field? Bryant & Stratton College offers several health-related degrees, including an associate degree in medical billing and coding. To find out more, please call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

A hospitality management degree helps prepare you for a variety of different kinds of jobs. These types of degree programs typically prepare you for careers in leadership roles where you are in charge of ensuring the best possible customer service, quality, value and experience for customers. In order to succeed you’ll need a deep understanding of several areas of business, including marketing, management, sales, operations and finance. You’ll also the type of employability skills hiring managers look for, such as verbal and written communications skills, creative thinking, ability to work well in a team, reliability and time management, among others.

Once you’ve earned a degree and mastered these skills, you’ll be ready to look for a career in hospitality management. As you kick off your job search, or even before, consider the places below where many graduates of hospitality management degree programs put their knowledge to use.

Being a casino manager can be a thrilling job. Of course, you can only find these positions in states where gambling is legal so there is limited availability. As a casino manager you’ll be in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly. From determining how many dealers you need on the floor to keeping an eye out for anyone cheating the system, a casino manager must be aware of everything happening. Additionally, given the large amount of money that changes hands at major casinos, as a manager you’ll also have to ensure the security of all cash exchanging hands.

Lodging can cover anything from hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts or resorts. As a lodging manager you’ll be in charge of making sure that everything behind the scenes runs smoothly so guests have the best possible experience. A good lodging manager should have a good understanding of the whole hotel, from room service to registering guests to billing. You may also have to lead marketing and sales efforts in order to keep attracting new customers.

Spa services have really grown in recent years, from individual salons to departments within hotels. If you are a spa services manager you’ll be in charge of the general operations of the spa. One of the most important parts of the jobs is hiring the right people. Depending on the services offered you’ll need friendly, responsible people to staff the reception area, licensed massage therapists, technicians, certified estheticians, and maybe even laundry services. You’ll also be in charge of setting specials and marketing to new customers. People visit spas to relax so it’s important that the manager make sure everything runs smoothly.

Sports venues can be an exciting place to work. In addition to the athletic events that take place, people in the community from foundations to corporations to individual parties may want to reserve portions of the arena for special events. As a manager of a sports venue you’ll be responsible for marketing, business operations, catering services operations, event management and sometimes even travel and logistics coordination. Since there are limited sports venues in every city, getting these jobs can be difficult and it is a lot of work but the few who do get them find them rewarding.

Within travel and tourism you may work as a cruise director, tour director, travel agent or a sales manager. If you select one of these career paths you could book travel, organize entertainment, or plan trips for individuals, groups or companies. You will also be in charge of marketing, sales, hiring and training staff and managing budgets. The travel and tourism sector is a great for anyone who loves travel as they often get to travel with groups themselves or receive discounts from vendor partners. This is very helpful if you are a travel agent as you can offer recommendations and first-hand knowledge to your clients.

If you value good customer service, enjoy working with people and have good communications skills working in the hospitality industry might be a good fit. Bryant & Stratton College offers an online hospitality management degree that will help you prepare for success in this field. For more information, call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

For veterans, returning to civilian life can offer new opportunities. However, a common challenge as a result of the military to civilian transition is deciding which opportunities to pursue especially when looking for employment. Veterans have talents that make them great candidates for many different careers. It’s important for vets to evaluate their skills to find the right career path for them. If you are a veteran and considering returning to school, an information technology degree, such as a Networking Technology degree or Security Technology degree, can allow you to apply some of the following skills you likely possess due to your military experience.

Technology skills are an absolute requirement if you are interested in a career in IT. People may not be aware that this is also needed for many positions in the military. Military personnel often work with dynamic computer systems and complex technology. Oftentimes different technologies must be used together and an informed knowledge of how each works can affect a mission. For example, an Airman in the U.S. Air Force must assess if an aircraft radio works and is inter-operable with other aircraft to successfully communicate and coordinate efforts.

In the military it is often said that no task is completed alone and that mission success is made possible by the contribution of many. On a daily basis it is necessary to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds with different skill sets and varying ages. Working closely with others means that those in the military learn the importance of communicating effectively and mastering the ability to concisely relay information to a wide variety of audiences. This skill is also necessary for anyone working in IT. IT professionals often find themselves in situations where they must describe problems and their solutions to those with little or no IT knowledge.

Those in the military face many challenges and in their various roles are first and foremost problem solvers. During these challenges analytical thinking is applied to solve the issue. “We consistently adapt the leadership of our personnel and management of our resources to provide solutions” says Capt Mike Palamore, Cyber Operations Officer for the Air Force. This skill is also necessary for IT professionals who must quickly resolve problems.

Along with technology, communication and problem solving skills, military experience gives vets a unique edge. “Even though a military professional is trained and skilled in the aforementioned areas, they must embody the adaptability to first serve as a Soldier, Airman, and Sailor or in a role designated by leadership. This adaptability, commitment to task and overall willful conviction is simply irreplaceable,” says Capt. Palamore. Individuals who have served in the military have invaluable qualities that translate incredibly well across not only IT but also many other career fields.

Bryant & Stratton College is proud to offer veterans of our armed forces a path to career success. Additional services and support are available to active duty military members and veterans through your local Bryant & Stratton College campus or online. Contact us today to learn more about the exciting degree programs we have to offer.

The Bryant & Stratton College men’s and women’s soccer teams encountered differing experiences in their weekend matchups with Alfred State and SUNY ESF.

Both the men’s and women’s Bobcats faced off against their in-state rivals, with the men grabbing a pair of victories while the women suffered a setback in each contest.

Zino Zampach got things started for the Bobcats as he slotted home a goal in the 22nd minute against Alfred State. Kevin Beaton would double BSC’s lead at the 40 minute mark off an assist from Erickson Alves. BSC would add a security marker as Shakzod Bobakalonov converted in the 80th minute to drive home the 3-0 victory. That positive momentum carried over to Sunday’s 2-0 over ESF.

Beaton wasted no time, scoring in the opening moments of the game, scoring just two minutes into the affair. Fernando Babtiste would knock home a penalty in the 44th minute and the Bobcats would cruise through the second half to seal the win. After turning away five shots the day previous, Harry Watson recorded three more saves against ESF to record his second clean sheet of the weekend.

The men were in action yesterday against SUNY-Delhi as the Bobcats improved their record to 7-1 on the year. Beaton was at it again, scoring just 15 seconds in this time around, picking up his team-leading sixth goal of the year. Dajhal Kelly would double the lead at the 12 minute mark before Dehli answered back to make it 2-1 with 20 minutes remaining in the half.

Erickson Alves would add an insurance marker at the 30 minute mark and Nye Mayen put the game out of reach with his second goal of the season at the 86 minute mark of the game. Watson and Kosi Agbevor split the game, combining for six saves total. Watson’s two-game clean sheet streak was snapped in the first half, the keeper has made 12 saves over the past three games.

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The Lady Bobcats were not as fortunate against the same opponents as the men. An early deficit against Alfred State was too much to overcome and two late goals pushed ESF past BSC on Sunday. After Alfred State broke the ice six minutes into the game, Kai Jacobs brought the Lady Bobcats level in the 42nd minute.

However, the tie would only last two minutes as Alfred State’s Haley Russell’s second goal of the game pushed the lead to one in the 44th minute. Alfred State wouldn’t relinquish the lead again after Allison Vargeson push the scoreline to 3-1 in the 51st minute. Nicolette Weir would pull BSC within one but the Lady Bobcats’ late push to tie wasn’t enough as they dropped their second game of the season.

BSC rebounded with a solid effort on Sunday against ESF, holding the game scoreless for the first hour of play. It would be ESF who finally broke the scoreless tie as Sarah Lundy managed to beat Megan Hagadorn in the 60th minute. ESF would double their lead 10 minutes later on a goal from Heather Carl. The Lady Bobcats now sit at 5-3 on the year and will face SUNY Delhi this evening.