fbpx
Home Blog Page 1258

Prepare for Career Success in the New Global Economy

0
Prepare for Career Success in the New Global Economy

by Ekaterina Zinkovskaya, eLearning Office, HSE University 

Earn a master’s degree from HSE University in key career fields like data science, business analytics, computer vision, and more.

As the employment landscape continues to rapidly evolve in response to unprecedented technological, economic, and environmental disruptions across the globe, universities are playing a critical role in adapting their programs to help ensure that students are learning the most in-demand skills and are well prepared to succeed in their careers.

HSE University’s master’s programs on Coursera offer students the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today’s new labor market. The World Economic Forum, in their Future of Jobs Report, has identified key professional areas to focus on: data analysis and artificial intelligence, engineering and cloud technology, product development, sales, marketing, and content management, as well as the care economy, green economy and culture. Together, these spheres are predicted to provide 6.1 million jobs in the next few years.  

Our programs are tailored to meet the needs of learners pursuing career advancement in these growing fields, and we emphasize real-world skills mastered through on-the-job learning cases. As a result, HSE University graduates enter the labor market with high levels of career confidence. According to the HSE University Centre for Institutional Research, 83% of graduates feel competitive in the labor market. That same percentage of respondents also report employment in their specialty, and the employment rate of those surveyed at the time of graduation is 96%. 

Below we explore master’s programs in data science, computer vision, finance, business analytics, and data and network analytics. We discuss topics covered in the programs, as well as career paths and salary expectations for each of these fields.

The Master of Data Science program, the first of its kind to be offered by a Russian university on Coursera, is designed for students pursuing successful careers in data analysis, machine learning development, and research. With learners coming from more than 30 countries, including Russia, India, the United States, China, Germany, the UK, and more, the program is truly global. In addition to being qualified for postgraduate research in data science, graduates are also prepared for data scientist and machine learning engineer positions. In Russia, applicants with one year of experience earn a monthly income of 115 thousand roubles, while experts with six years of experience start at 300 thousand roubles a month. In the US, the income of a novice data scientist is $68,000 a year. 

The Master of Computer Vision program provides students with the opportunity to gain the knowledge and tools necessary for careers in computer vision software engineering, perception engineering, 3D perception/computer vision algorithm engineering, computer vision test engineering, and computer vision science. The program is developed by experts from the Faculty of Informatics, Mathematics, and Computer Science, as well as experts from industry leaders such as Huawei, Itseez3D, Intel, Harman, and Xperience.ai. Qualified practitioners are in high demand accordingly and typically command high salaries. In London, computer vision specialists earn over £76,000 a year on average. In New York, that figure is over $160,000, and in San Francisco, it’s over $170,000 a year. The Master of Computer Vision program is ideal for practicing engineers, programmers, IT specialists, developers, and AI experts who are ready to grow their careers, as well as mid-career professionals looking to change their career tracks and young professionals with IT and math backgrounds who are eager to launch their careers in this emerging field.

The Master of Finance master’s program was established at the HSE Banking Institute based on the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Institute syllabus. The program is tailored to benefit recent graduates and aspiring professionals who want to take up leading positions in finance: practicing consultants and financiers; specialists in financial reporting and analysis; economists, managers, and lawyers working in related fields; strategic managers who evaluate investment decisions; owners and founders of start-ups, and more. Program graduates are prepared for careers at Russian and international banks, investment funds, rating agencies, consulting groups, auditing companies, and government financial institutions. In Russia, financial analysts currently earn a monthly salary starting at RUB 150,000, while a director of finance and investments can earn at least RUB 200,000 a month. In the US, the average yearly salary of a financial analyst starts at $61,000 per year.  

Students in the Master of Business Analytics program of the Faculty of Economic Sciences at HSE University build knowledge and skills to succeed in finance, accounting, and compliance careers. The program curriculum covers current processes in corporate finance and business decision-making; valuation and management of company value with regard to the contribution of non-financial capitals; value-oriented compliance methods; business risk management methodology based on the integration of non-financial capitals; and new standards of strategic reporting by companies, based on very new initiatives of value reporting by regulatory bodies. The program is ideal for those just beginning their careers as well as mid-career professionals looking to move into a new career track. Within the Russian labor market, a senior business analyst at an IT company receives a monthly salary starting at 170,000 roubles. An analyst in an investment bank and a compliance consultant will typically begin at 200,000 roubles. On the international market, a senior business analyst at an IT company can earn a salary starting at $8,000 per month, and a chief compliance officer can generally expect to start at around $16,500 per month.

The Master of Data and Network Analytics program was developed by experts from the International Laboratory for Applied Network Research at HSE University. In response to the prevailing shortage of qualified data analysis experts across the globe, the program is specifically geared towards helping students master the essential skills necessary to fill these in-demand roles. The curriculum includes comprehensive training in the latest state-of-the-art analytics. Graduates of the program will be prepared to succeed in fields such as economics and finance, management, public administration, IT, medicine, and research. Data analysts with the kinds of diverse skills learned in this program are highly valued across industries and generally earn high salaries. For example, a data analyst in Moscow with 3 to 6 years of experience can earn between 200,000 and 350,000 roubles a month. The average salary for a Data Analyst in the US is $73,000 a year, while Lead Network Engineers earn around $120,000 a year. 

As the modern global economy continues to evolve, HSE offers a wide range of opportunities for you to build valuable career skills that are in high demand across growing industries. Whether your focus is on established areas such as finance or emerging fields like computer vision, you’ll learn from leading scholars and top industry experts as you gain the skills and knowledge to succeed in your chosen career field.

 

Coursera for Business Launches Leadership Academy to Deliver World-Class Management Training at Scale

0
Coursera for Business Launches Leadership Academy to Deliver World-Class Management Training at Scale

By Leah Belsky, Coursera Chief Enterprise Officer

The disruption and uncertainty caused by digital transformation, and widespread adoption of hybrid work have created new challenges for organizations. These challenges require leaders to keep pace as change accelerates.

Today, we’re excited to launch the Leadership Academy to help companies develop the next generation of leaders and high-performance teams amid a rapidly changing workplace, remote work, and back-to-office transitions. 

Offered as part of the company’s enterprise platform Coursera for Business, the academy will feature content from the world’s top universities and companies — taught by many leading instructors. Coursera’s growing portfolio of Academies includes the Data and Analytics Academy, Cloud and IT Academy, Software Engineering Academy, Marketing Academy, Finance Academy, and now Leadership Academy. Coursera’s six academies are powered by our proprietary and innovative SkillSets platform, which helps employees develop specific skills for specific roles. 

The Leadership Academy features 42 SkillSets, including Emotional Intelligence, Interpersonal Skills, Change Management, and Organizational Development. These cutting-edge SkillSets make leadership skills measurable, enabling employees and managers to track progress against skill development targets as learning progresses.

 The Leadership Academy prepares employees for a range of different leadership roles by learning to:

  • Lead Yourself – enable employees to develop leadership behaviors by obtaining a foundational understanding of management, change, and human skills.
  • Lead Teams – develop team leadership capabilities by strengthening change, recognition, people development, and collaboration skills.
  • Lead Organizations – build organizational leadership capabilities that empower leaders to grow people and profits.
  • Lead Transformation – develop workforce capabilities that empower all employees to adapt, innovate, and transform the business.

The Leadership Academy features over 350 job-based content recommendations from leading university and industry partners including:

Enterprise cloud data management company Informatica is among the first to embrace the Leadership Academy. 

“The notion that great leaders are born, not made, is misleading. An important part of leadership development is the realization that there are component skills that can be learned and mastered,” said Matt Dearmon, Director of Leadership and Professional Development at Informatica. “As the world keeps changing, we need to support leaders at every level of our organizations with the types of targeted, reliable skills that form the basis of the Leadership Academy. We’re excited to leverage this Academy to help deliver skills-focused leadership training that is both scalable and personalized to the needs of the learner. We can meet them where they are and help take them where they want to be.”

Starting today, the Leadership Academy will become broadly available to all Coursera for Business customers. With the Leadership Academy, we look forward to helping customers provide teams across their organization with job-based skills development paths, and to equip them with the growth mindset and human skills required to thrive in a digital economy. 
For more information about Coursera Academies, visit: www.coursera.org/business/leadership-academy.

5

Comment on 10 Top Free eBook Apps to Get millions of books by Sam

0
Comment on 10 Top Free eBook Apps to Get millions of books by Sam

EBooks are a rage these days as there are too many people who are switching to eBooks as opposed to traditional books. Here, we are going to list 10 of the best free eBook apps which you can use to make the most out of your love for reading.

1. Amazon Kindle

When we are talking of free eBook apps, there is no way we can miss out mentioning Kindle. It is by far one of the most popular book reading apps. You can signup & download it here. and read a lot of free books that span nearly all categories from romance to fiction, non-fiction, historical and more.

You can also purchase the ones you want to read. It is ideal for those who cannot afford the Kindle Fire tablet by Amazon and are still looking to get a taste of the same. Available in both iOS version and the Android version.

SignUp & Download the Kindle Here, Kindle app is accessible in both Mobiles & Desktops also.

2. Nook

This is one of the best free applications for reading books. You can access the books by Barnes and Noble, which is without a doubt one of the leading book retailers. The user interface is very interactive and you can not only import epub and PDF, but this app also offers an integrated store where you can access magazines, newspapers and comics as well.

Download the iOS version here and the Android version here.

3. Google play books

This is another popular app which is the default in android phones. This app, as the name implies has been developed by Google. This app allows you to customize the different reading look.

You can play with the size and color of the font. Not only this, if you are unable to comprehend the meaning of any word, you have an easy dictionary lookup feature as well. The best thing about Google play is the fact that you can easily download books for free and make a quick purchase too.

Get the iOS version here and the Android version here.

4. Wattpad

Wattpad has become a community of sorts with readers promoting each other’s work and appreciating and criticizing as well. You can get huge exposure for your own work and at the same time, readers can have access to huge number of books for free. Offline access is available. You can sync our reading progress between different devices and continue right from where you left.

Download the iOS version here and the Android version here.

5. Goodreads

This is perhaps the most popular reading community. You can find a lot of free books on Goodreads. Though there are a lot of paid books as well, but this is an extremely popular app for those who want to get some of the best recommendations.

You can access quotes, play trivia and even participate in giveaways as well. This is an online community where you can find almost every title and thus it is a paradise for readers.

Download the iOS version here and the Android version here.

ALSO READ: 10 websites to get more free eBooks.

6. Oodles eBook Reader

This app offers more than 50,000 free eBooks for you to access. The books are arranged in different categories which make it easier to access them based upon your preferences. This app is going to allow you customization options as you can play with the margins, spacing, text color, backgrounds hyphenation and more.

You also have a paperback like animation to give you the feel of reading a traditional book.  You can also read in two column view as well. The top categories of books include fiction, romance, fantasy and adventure. Jane Austen and Agatha Christie are the popular authors.

Get iOS version here and Android version here.

7. Kobo

If you are looking for an app that allows you to connect with your social circle and get good recommendations, suggestions and more, this is certainly the app to watch out for.

Kobo comes with its own online store where you can gain access to innumerable books, both free and paid. One of the best highlight of this app has to be the wide range of file types which it supports namely epub, CBZ, CBR and even PDF. It allows your friends on social networking sites to like and comment upon your reading activity.

Download the iOS version here and the Android version here.

8. Aldiko

There is both a free and a premium version available. If you are not willing to spend money, the free version is enough to help you read your favorite eBooks. Aldiko is best for those who are looking for a rich interface for reading. You get a free public library which allows you access to a huge number of free books at no extra cost.

Download iOS version here and Android Version here

9. iBooks [iOS only]

If you are an Apple user, this is most likely to be the default book reading app on your device. The designing of this app is very elegant which means that you will find it to be clutter free. You get the option of customizing the fonts and colors and you can also switch from day to night mode based upon your time of reading.

10. FB Reader

This app supports all major file formats including ePub, RTF, HTML, Doc, plain text, mobi, fb2 and more. You can use eternal true type and open type fonts and use the inbuilt browser for downloading different books of your choice.

You can also upload books by getting them on your external memory card as well. This app offers you controls over the way you want to read the book. You can swap the background color, the font size and toggle between horizontal and vertical display as well. There is the option for auto scrolling of texts too.

Download iOS version here & Android version here

These are some of the best top free eBook apps which can be the reason for bliss in the lives of readers. You can download one or more of them and enjoy your reading, regardless of where you are.

Comment on 101 Free Online Courses with Certificates in 2018 [Top Rated] by admin

0
Comment on 101 Free Online Courses with Certificates in 2018 [Top Rated] by admin

We have selected 101 FREE online courses with certificates to learn in 2018. These are all top rated courses from Udemy, Coursera, edX & other course providers. Though Coursera & edX charges for certification, course material is absolutely free for all.

Does Online certification by Udemy, edX or Coursera has any significance or value ?

Yes, Certification is extremely helpful when you are applying for jobs & higher education.

Getting certified either online or offline involves going through course material, tutorials, quizzes and submitting assignments in time. Completing assignments & getting them verified to meet the pass criteria is an indication of your level of learning.

This also shows your willingness to learn new things and commitment to complete the courses though there are no academic grades here.

When it comes to the case of job interviews, certification gets you a good impression in the eyes of interviewer. If they have to choose one among two equally qualifies candidates, one with certification and other candidate without any certification, there is a high chance that the person with certification get priority.

Merely enrolling a course and reviewing the course contents is not enough. It doesn’t really indicate anything.

Improve English & Communication Skills

Communication skills plays an crucial role in understanding & presenting your views. No matter how good you are, there is always room for improving communication skills.

These courses helps you in improving your oral, written (including grammar), business English.

Interview Tips & Getting hired

Having sound technical knowledge is only one part of securing a good job. Presenting your skills in the resume, presenting yourself in front of interview panel is another you should focus while you are looking for jobs. Below courses helps in this part.

Bit Coin & Cryptocurrencies

Of late, Cryptocurrency is trending everywhere. Block Chain is the technology that is behind Cryptocurrencies, making them more secure and error free.

Programming

Web development

App Development

Game Development

Database Design & Management

Big Data & Machine Learning

Digital Marketing

Entrepreneurship & Business Management

Build an Online Business

Cloud Computing

Computer Networking

MS Excel

Graphic Design

Photography & Other hobbies

Internet of Things (IOT)

Test Preparation

We have tried to cover every area/subject, if you need some more free courses, please let us know in the comment section.

Hope these free online courses with certificates benefits you in upgrading your skill, knowledge and intern results in getting a job, promotion or admission in good universities.

Comment on Best Compilers/Interpreters to Practise Programming Online by furtdso linopv

0
Comment on Best Compilers/Interpreters to Practise Programming Online by furtdso linopv

There are numerous programming languages available these days for developers and every language comes with some amazing features and supported tools to suit various programming needs. Many of these programming languages are either compiler based or interpreter based, so programmers would require a Compiler or an Interpreter software to execute and test the codes.

Most programmers use an offline compiler program to support their programming needs, but there also many online compilers and interpreters available which coders can utilize. An online compiler helps a programmer write and test his codes online without the need to install any software on his/her system. Online compilers and interpreters are also better since they are mostly cloud based and help improve the productivity of a programmer.

Below we are mentioning some of the most popular online compilers and interpreters available where a programmer can learn and practise programming.

  1. CodePad

Codepad is an online tool for coders to compile their code and collaborate with teams. The tool provides the coders a specific URL for their code which they can share with others. It is a simple online tool where a programmer can code and execute it. This easy to use tool also works on mobile devices perfectly. The languages which this tool supports are C, C++, D, PHP, Ruby, Python, Perl and many more.

Codepad can be accessed online at www.codepad.org

  1. Ideone

Ideone is an online IDE and debugging tool with support for more than 50 languages. This is not just a pastebin like codepad, but it is a full featured debugging tool. The tool also provides the functionality of making code private or public. Public codes are viewable publicly on the recent codes section. The users can sign up for an account and save their codes in an organised manner.

Users can access this debugging tool at www.ideone.com

  1. JDoodle

This is another simple online editor and compiler which supports numerous programming languages. JDoodle has support for all standard online libraries, so that programmers can conveniently utilize the tool to edit, execute and share codes online. There are also features to do peer programming. Account holders can watch other programmers coding and make corrections to their programs.

The website link for JDoodle is www.jdoodle.com

  1. W3Schools

The most famous online tutorials website for web programmers also comes with online compilers for various scripting languages. This is probably one of the best websites to learn programming online and also practise codes side by side on the compiler functionality provided. The website contains tutorials and tools for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, AngularJS, PHP, ASP, SQL, NodeJS and various other web technologies.

The official website is www.w3schools.com

  1. Hacker Earth

This online compiler supports nearly 36 programming languages and needs to be logged in to gain acquaintance to online compiling by programmers. HackerEarth can record all your changes as a video as well. The website also hosts various programming competitions for its users. HackerEarth is a big community of programmers and the website also supports companies to hire the best technical talent online. Henceforth, the users also get opportunities to prove their talent and get hired in good technical companies through this website.

Programmers can access the tool here code.hackerearth.com

  1. Coding Ground

This is another good online tool which allows coding and executing programs in multiple languages. The parent company TutorialsPoint also has a huge knowledge base of tutorials which the coders can utilize to practise and learn programming online. Coding Ground provides multiple useful options which include creating a new file, saving a file, organizing files my creating projects, etc.

The online tool is available at www.tutorialspoint.com/codingground.htm

  1. Codechef

Codechef is a competition based programming website. Being one of the best options for running programs online, it also accentuates your skills as you are constantly in talks with other competitors and experts. More of a learn and do facility, codechef caters practice and competition at different levels of skills.

This tool can be accessed at www.codechef.com/ide

  1. Rex Tester:

RexTester helps programmers to execute their codes online. Initially started as a regular expression tester tool for dotnet, rextester now supports more than 40 languages. This is an easy to use tool with a simple UI. Users can also share their codes on the “Code Wall” section and ask for live cooperation from other coders.

The tool is available online at www.rextester.com

  1. JS Fiddle

JSFiddle is an online coding and collaboration tool for HTML and JavaScript programmers. Coders can write and test their HTML, CSS and JavaScript or CoffeScript codes online on JSFiddle code editor and also share their codes with others. This is probably one of the best tools for Web Programmers with four different sections for HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Result respectively.

This tool is available online at www.jsfiddle.net

  1. GCC Explorer

GCC is a web based tool specially launched for C++ programmers. It is a very useful tool for debugging and researching. This tool provides features wherein a programmer can explore the output of the code. The supported languages are C++, D, Rust and Go. Programmers can also share their codes through a URL which the tool generates for every code. There is a share option the right hand side and the tool also has options to change the view.

The website to access and utilize GCC Explorer is https://godbolt.org/

  1. DJGPP Public Access Cross-Compiler

The DJGPP Compiler, being managed by Delorie software is an easy to use, convenient tool to compile and run code online. If a programmer wants to compile a DOS program and he does not have access to a DOS machine, he can use this tool.

The web link for the tool is http://www.delorie.com/djgpp/compile/

  1. ShiftEdit

An online compiler for languages like PHP, Ruby, Python, HTML, and Java, this is basically a compiler for web site development programs. This is a paid tool which also includes features for GitHub Integration, BitBucket Integration and deploying AWS servers or Linode. The pricing structure starts from $6 per month, which includes real time collaboration facility.

The official website is www.ShiftEdit.net

  1. Source Lair

SourceLair is a cloud based IDE tool which lets the programmer code and test scripts online. The tool is very simple with an attractive UI. SourceLair is a paid tool, but they provide a free trial so the users can test the tool before trying paid account. Account holders of sourceLair can also group up their works and organize them in folders. SourceLair also has a mobile app and a chrome store app which the programmers can utilize.

The users can utilize the tool by logging on to the www.sourcelair.com/home website.

Conclusion

In today’s world, everyone wants to learn the basics of programming, but setting up a programming environment offline (in a computer system) can be difficult for beginners. The advantage of using online compilers is that the user doesn’t need to have own PC or laptop to learn, all one needs is just a web browser with an internet connection. Users can save their programs online & can access from anywhere. The users can select any online compiler or interpreter to suit his or her programming needs. The tools mentioned above work online and help their users practice and learn programming online conveniently.

Comment on 10 Top Free eBook Apps to Get millions of books by Ashim

0
Comment on 10 Top Free eBook Apps to Get millions of books by Ashim

EBooks are a rage these days as there are too many people who are switching to eBooks as opposed to traditional books. Here, we are going to list 10 of the best free eBook apps which you can use to make the most out of your love for reading.

1. Amazon Kindle

When we are talking of free eBook apps, there is no way we can miss out mentioning Kindle. It is by far one of the most popular book reading apps. You can signup & download it here. and read a lot of free books that span nearly all categories from romance to fiction, non-fiction, historical and more.

You can also purchase the ones you want to read. It is ideal for those who cannot afford the Kindle Fire tablet by Amazon and are still looking to get a taste of the same. Available in both iOS version and the Android version.

SignUp & Download the Kindle Here, Kindle app is accessible in both Mobiles & Desktops also.

2. Nook

This is one of the best free applications for reading books. You can access the books by Barnes and Noble, which is without a doubt one of the leading book retailers. The user interface is very interactive and you can not only import epub and PDF, but this app also offers an integrated store where you can access magazines, newspapers and comics as well.

Download the iOS version here and the Android version here.

3. Google play books

This is another popular app which is the default in android phones. This app, as the name implies has been developed by Google. This app allows you to customize the different reading look.

You can play with the size and color of the font. Not only this, if you are unable to comprehend the meaning of any word, you have an easy dictionary lookup feature as well. The best thing about Google play is the fact that you can easily download books for free and make a quick purchase too.

Get the iOS version here and the Android version here.

4. Wattpad

Wattpad has become a community of sorts with readers promoting each other’s work and appreciating and criticizing as well. You can get huge exposure for your own work and at the same time, readers can have access to huge number of books for free. Offline access is available. You can sync our reading progress between different devices and continue right from where you left.

Download the iOS version here and the Android version here.

5. Goodreads

This is perhaps the most popular reading community. You can find a lot of free books on Goodreads. Though there are a lot of paid books as well, but this is an extremely popular app for those who want to get some of the best recommendations.

You can access quotes, play trivia and even participate in giveaways as well. This is an online community where you can find almost every title and thus it is a paradise for readers.

Download the iOS version here and the Android version here.

ALSO READ: 10 websites to get more free eBooks.

6. Oodles eBook Reader

This app offers more than 50,000 free eBooks for you to access. The books are arranged in different categories which make it easier to access them based upon your preferences. This app is going to allow you customization options as you can play with the margins, spacing, text color, backgrounds hyphenation and more.

You also have a paperback like animation to give you the feel of reading a traditional book.  You can also read in two column view as well. The top categories of books include fiction, romance, fantasy and adventure. Jane Austen and Agatha Christie are the popular authors.

Get iOS version here and Android version here.

7. Kobo

If you are looking for an app that allows you to connect with your social circle and get good recommendations, suggestions and more, this is certainly the app to watch out for.

Kobo comes with its own online store where you can gain access to innumerable books, both free and paid. One of the best highlight of this app has to be the wide range of file types which it supports namely epub, CBZ, CBR and even PDF. It allows your friends on social networking sites to like and comment upon your reading activity.

Download the iOS version here and the Android version here.

8. Aldiko

There is both a free and a premium version available. If you are not willing to spend money, the free version is enough to help you read your favorite eBooks. Aldiko is best for those who are looking for a rich interface for reading. You get a free public library which allows you access to a huge number of free books at no extra cost.

Download iOS version here and Android Version here

9. iBooks [iOS only]

If you are an Apple user, this is most likely to be the default book reading app on your device. The designing of this app is very elegant which means that you will find it to be clutter free. You get the option of customizing the fonts and colors and you can also switch from day to night mode based upon your time of reading.

10. FB Reader

This app supports all major file formats including ePub, RTF, HTML, Doc, plain text, mobi, fb2 and more. You can use eternal true type and open type fonts and use the inbuilt browser for downloading different books of your choice.

You can also upload books by getting them on your external memory card as well. This app offers you controls over the way you want to read the book. You can swap the background color, the font size and toggle between horizontal and vertical display as well. There is the option for auto scrolling of texts too.

Download iOS version here & Android version here

These are some of the best top free eBook apps which can be the reason for bliss in the lives of readers. You can download one or more of them and enjoy your reading, regardless of where you are.

Comment on 10 Top Free eBook Apps to Get millions of books by Zairick Jaquez Acosta

0
Comment on 10 Top Free eBook Apps to Get millions of books by Zairick Jaquez Acosta

EBooks are a rage these days as there are too many people who are switching to eBooks as opposed to traditional books. Here, we are going to list 10 of the best free eBook apps which you can use to make the most out of your love for reading.

1. Amazon Kindle

When we are talking of free eBook apps, there is no way we can miss out mentioning Kindle. It is by far one of the most popular book reading apps. You can signup & download it here. and read a lot of free books that span nearly all categories from romance to fiction, non-fiction, historical and more.

You can also purchase the ones you want to read. It is ideal for those who cannot afford the Kindle Fire tablet by Amazon and are still looking to get a taste of the same. Available in both iOS version and the Android version.

SignUp & Download the Kindle Here, Kindle app is accessible in both Mobiles & Desktops also.

2. Nook

This is one of the best free applications for reading books. You can access the books by Barnes and Noble, which is without a doubt one of the leading book retailers. The user interface is very interactive and you can not only import epub and PDF, but this app also offers an integrated store where you can access magazines, newspapers and comics as well.

Download the iOS version here and the Android version here.

3. Google play books

This is another popular app which is the default in android phones. This app, as the name implies has been developed by Google. This app allows you to customize the different reading look.

You can play with the size and color of the font. Not only this, if you are unable to comprehend the meaning of any word, you have an easy dictionary lookup feature as well. The best thing about Google play is the fact that you can easily download books for free and make a quick purchase too.

Get the iOS version here and the Android version here.

4. Wattpad

Wattpad has become a community of sorts with readers promoting each other’s work and appreciating and criticizing as well. You can get huge exposure for your own work and at the same time, readers can have access to huge number of books for free. Offline access is available. You can sync our reading progress between different devices and continue right from where you left.

Download the iOS version here and the Android version here.

5. Goodreads

This is perhaps the most popular reading community. You can find a lot of free books on Goodreads. Though there are a lot of paid books as well, but this is an extremely popular app for those who want to get some of the best recommendations.

You can access quotes, play trivia and even participate in giveaways as well. This is an online community where you can find almost every title and thus it is a paradise for readers.

Download the iOS version here and the Android version here.

ALSO READ: 10 websites to get more free eBooks.

6. Oodles eBook Reader

This app offers more than 50,000 free eBooks for you to access. The books are arranged in different categories which make it easier to access them based upon your preferences. This app is going to allow you customization options as you can play with the margins, spacing, text color, backgrounds hyphenation and more.

You also have a paperback like animation to give you the feel of reading a traditional book.  You can also read in two column view as well. The top categories of books include fiction, romance, fantasy and adventure. Jane Austen and Agatha Christie are the popular authors.

Get iOS version here and Android version here.

7. Kobo

If you are looking for an app that allows you to connect with your social circle and get good recommendations, suggestions and more, this is certainly the app to watch out for.

Kobo comes with its own online store where you can gain access to innumerable books, both free and paid. One of the best highlight of this app has to be the wide range of file types which it supports namely epub, CBZ, CBR and even PDF. It allows your friends on social networking sites to like and comment upon your reading activity.

Download the iOS version here and the Android version here.

8. Aldiko

There is both a free and a premium version available. If you are not willing to spend money, the free version is enough to help you read your favorite eBooks. Aldiko is best for those who are looking for a rich interface for reading. You get a free public library which allows you access to a huge number of free books at no extra cost.

Download iOS version here and Android Version here

9. iBooks [iOS only]

If you are an Apple user, this is most likely to be the default book reading app on your device. The designing of this app is very elegant which means that you will find it to be clutter free. You get the option of customizing the fonts and colors and you can also switch from day to night mode based upon your time of reading.

10. FB Reader

This app supports all major file formats including ePub, RTF, HTML, Doc, plain text, mobi, fb2 and more. You can use eternal true type and open type fonts and use the inbuilt browser for downloading different books of your choice.

You can also upload books by getting them on your external memory card as well. This app offers you controls over the way you want to read the book. You can swap the background color, the font size and toggle between horizontal and vertical display as well. There is the option for auto scrolling of texts too.

Download iOS version here & Android version here

These are some of the best top free eBook apps which can be the reason for bliss in the lives of readers. You can download one or more of them and enjoy your reading, regardless of where you are.

A decade of learning with our CEO, Zach Sims

0
A decade of learning with our CEO, Zach Sims

It’s August 18th, 2011. I’m glued to my computer, exhausted yet full of nervous energy. My cofounder, Ryan, is sitting next to me, like he has been since we started in my dorm room at Columbia University. We double check to make sure the app works, then finally push a button, and Codecademy.com has officially launched.

A few days and over 200,000 signups later, Codecademy.com has officially crashed (thankfully, for only a few minutes).

Today marks 10 long, exhilarating, terrifying, utterly incredible years since our launch. A lot has happened since then. We started out with just 3 short lessons in JavaScript. Now we have nearly 1,000 lessons across 130 courses in 15 languages. We’ve raised 4 rounds of funding. The White House partnered with us. At one point, I was 95% certain we were about to go bankrupt. Yet here we are, 50 million learners and a decade of experience stronger.

It’s fun to think that all of this started with a very simple problem. I was a college student struggling to learn the basic coding skills I needed to implement a project I was working on. My university’s classes weren’t helping. Textbooks were even worse. And at the time, there were no online solutions to speak of. It was crazy to me that the act of learning how to harness the power of technology was not itself utilizing the power of technology.

If someone studying at an Ivy League university couldn’t effectively learn how to code, how could we ever expect people in far less privileged positions to learn? How could we expect the tech industry to become more diverse, more innovative, and more fair if technology itself wasn’t accessible?

Since Codecademy’s inception, that idea has been the driving force behind everything we do: Give everyone access to the power of technology. Over the past 10 years, the online education industry has seen waves of massive changes — from when we pioneered the space, to the bootcamp frenzy, to a movement against learning to code. Through all that change, what’s remained consistent has been our focus on you, the learners.

Lessons from our learners

In a lot of ways, my personal journey with Codecademy is the same as any one of our learners. I’ve hit walls, gotten frustrated, and questioned whether I could succeed. Like many of you,  I’ve also had amazing moments of triumph that have pushed me to keep going. Your stories of success and resilience have not only inspired me personally, but helped us learn some important lessons that are core to Codecademy’s future.

Learning is a lifelong journey. We don’t just help young people learn enough to land their first tech job. More and more, our learners are taking the next step in their existing career journey — no matter where they are. They’re re-entering the workforce in their 40s and 50s, adding a new skill to their repertoire after a layoff, and taking on more responsibilities and ownership in their current roles. We launched Codecademy for Business to bring that experience to a whole new level by helping entire teams and companies learn and evolve on the job. For us, a big part of making technology education accessible is making it work for all ages in every stage of their careers.

Community is the key. Through the ups and downs of the past decade, I’ve learned first-hand the importance of relying on a community of peers to get through the rough patches. The Codecademy community is an inspiring example of that idea. Perhaps the most rewarding experience of working at Codecademy has been the countless posts I’ve read or stories I’ve heard of people from around the world helping total strangers solve a coding problem for the simple joy of helping. Whether it’s our vibrant network of community-run chapters, the Codecademy forum, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram — our learners have each others’ backs. That’s something special.

Opportunities are everywhere. 10 years ago, there was a strong perception that “coders” were dorky, young, mostly white men in Silicon Valley. Thankfully, that perception has started to change. But it’s still way behind the reality of the world that I’m lucky enough to see every day. We’ve met learners like Martha from Nairobi who started her own coding school for women using Codecademy’s curriculum. Kate from San Francisco who re-entered the workforce as a full-stack engineer after being a stay-at-home parent for over 15 years. And Aabhusan from Nepal who launched a COVID-19 tracking app for his remote community. Today, tech careers are not in any one place or for any one type of person. 10 years from now, the perception will hopefully have caught up to that reality.

It’s not just about coding. Having technical skills and literacy extends far beyond knowing how to code. Our learners are incredibly driven and curious, which is why we’ve launched courses in new domains like data science and analytics, user experience, cybersecurity and more. We also hear from thousands of learners who may not be coding in their day-to-day roles, but are introducing technical skills to their teams across marketing, finance, and other tech-adjacent fields. Learning how to code is just one of many ways our learners can transform their careers with technology, and we’ll continue expanding our catalog to reflect that.

The future I see

We’re past the cliché that “coding is the future” or that “technology will change the world.” That’s not the goal anymore — at least not for Codecademy. In fact, our goal has flipped.

Instead of creating a world that technology can change, we’re creating a world that can change technology. We’re creating a world where the single most powerful and paradigm-shifting invention in the history of humanity is owned and created by everyone. A world where all people from every walk of life have the opportunity to wield the immense power of technology to shape not only their own future, but that of the people around them.

So far, Codecademy has had more than 50 million people join our mission to make the power of coding accessible to everyone. They’re already making an impact on their lives and the world. That alone has been worth every second of the past 10 years. I hope that, 10 years from now, Codecademy will be a footnote in your incredible life’s story, too.

Happy coding,

Zach

Tips for negotiating your salary in the tech industry

0
Tips for negotiating your salary in the tech industry
Tips for negotiating your salary in the tech industry

Even though negotiating your salary can be awkward, the benefits can last as long as your career. After you negotiate your salary at one job, the higher pay may follow you as you move to the next one and so on.

Along with a good salary, you should also know how to get the best benefits and any available shares of the company tied into your compensation package. Read on to get tips on negotiating your salary in tech industry and learn about how benefits and stock can pay off just as well as cash.

Why are benefits important?

Benefits can help you take care of things that would otherwise require personal investments of time, money, and energy — so, often, they’re worth their weight in gold. Common benefits include:

  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Retirement savings
  • Paid sick time
  • Paid time off
  • Paid medical leave

Considering the costs of paying for health and dental insurance out of pocket, it may even be worth taking slightly less pay if it means you have these benefits covered. With other benefits, like a retirement savings plan, the company may even match a portion of your savings. As time goes on, this can add up to a significant chunk of your nest egg.

The good news is, many companies include the benefits listed above in their compensation packages. During your interviews, make sure you ask about benefits so you can compare offers between companies.

Should you ask for shares of company stock?

In most situations, you should happily accept shares of company stock. The one exception would be if they offer to replace a significant portion of your salary in exchange for shares. This could be a red flag indicating they’re low on cash and not as fiscally sound as they appear on the surface.

Companies often offer shares on top of a regular salary because they give an employee a certain amount of “skin in the game,” aligning company success with the value of their stock portfolio. Accept shares whenever possible, even if they come with limitations on when you can sell them. As the company grows, your stock will grow along with it.

Because you can eventually sell them, shares of the company are essentially free money. If the company has not offered shares, you should include them in your list of things to negotiate for.

How to negotiate your salary in the tech industry

Before negotiating your salary, make a list of the things you want, including a specific pay range and any of the benefits listed above. Make sure your list includes specific figures. Armed with this, you’re ready to start negotiating.

Know your worth

While it’s easy to simply Google, “How much do Front-End Developers make?” you shouldn’t stop here. The numbers you get online will give you a starting point, but it’s best to reach out to real people, such as:

  • Friends in the tech industry
  • Recruiters familiar with your sector
  • People who’ve been working in tech for a long time
  • Teachers and classmates in courses you’ve completed or are currently taking
  • Company executives
  • IT managers

You may learn that the numbers you saw online are spot on, but if they’re different, you should adjust your expectations. It’s also important to check the salary ranges in your location — even if you’ll be working remotely.

If you’re interested in becoming a developer, our courses can help you get the experience and skills you’ll need to back up your requests for more money and benefits. A developer’s tech stack is a huge factor in their salary expectations, so increase your marketability by learning how to use programming languages like:

Negotiate early

It’s both to your advantage and considerate to the company to start negotiating early. You can broach the subject by respectfully saying something along these lines:

“I’m really excited about this opportunity. I’d like to give you an idea of what I’m looking for as far as compensation, so we’re on the same page.”

Starting negotiations early will help you see if the company can provide what you’re looking for, and it also gives them some figures to work with as they come up with an offer. In many cases, your interviewer will share your salary expectations with HR and other decision-makers.

Nailing the interview process will make negotiations easier for you and more comfortable for the employer. To prepare for your upcoming interviews, check out the interview prep courses below:

Negotiate with the right attitude and wording

Negotiating your salary isn’t a negative in the eyes of a company, but you don’t want to come off as demanding. Instead of saying, “I will accept nothing less than X,” try saying something along the lines of:

“Given the following industry averages, [show salaries that align with the position and your experience] I was hoping for something in the range of X.”

“I currently earn X, and my goal is to move forward from that.”

Don’t bank on promises of higher pay

If the company presents an offer that’s well below what you’re looking for but then follows with, “…but in a few years, you can probably make 15% more,” don’t consider that a part of their official “package.”

Unless it’s in writing, the company can reverse it as quickly as they brought it up. You can counter with something like, “That sounds great, thank you. Would X% higher right now be a possibility?”

With these tips, you can secure the pay you deserve. Still, adding new skills to your skillset is a great way to increase your salary expectations. If you’re looking to brush up on your technical skills, check out our catalog of programming courses.

Our courses provide you with the knowledge, skills, and experience you’ll need to show employers you bring value to the table — a value they can feel comfortable paying for. To learn more about how our courses can boost your worth, sign up today for free.

Stand out from the crowd with a great Data Engineer resume

0
Stand out from the crowd with a great Data Engineer resume

The demand for Data Engineers recently rose around 45%, and with an average salary of about $111,000 or higher, a data engineering career comes with a lot of promise for job security. To position yourself for a top job as a Data Engineer, you’ll need to showcase the right skills and keywords on your resume.

Keep reading to learn how to build a Data Engineer resume, how to highlight your hard and soft skills, and the best keywords to include on your resume to grab the attention of employers.

What to include on your Data Engineer resume

Along with your skills, your resume should include things about you that help employers get in touch with you, understand what drives you, and what qualifies you for the position. Here’s the standard information to put on your resume.

Contact information

Always include your name, address, email address, and phone number at the top of your resume. That way it’s easy for the hiring manager to locate it when they’re ready to reach out to you. Also, keep in mind that using an email address derived from your real name isn’t just professional, but also a nice way to build your personal brand.

Your objective

While it’s not required, a brief declaration of what you’re looking to achieve helps the employer understand your sense of direction and what drove you to apply for the position.

Your objective statement can read something like this:

“Data Engineer looking for an entry-level position that allows me to implement natural language processing tools, as well as evaluate the workflow and increase the efficiency of data pipelines to help the organization accomplish its objectives.”

Experience

Your experience section should include:

  • All jobs you’ve held that somehow prepared you for the tasks you’ll perform in the position.
  • Real-world problems you’ve solved in past roles or courses
  • Experience you’ve gained doing volunteer work involving database skills, including teaching at coding camps or a school-based program

Hard skills for your Data Engineer resume

Data Engineers design, build and maintain databases. To show you can deliver actionable database solutions, you’ll want to highlight your technical skills on your resume. This includes your proficiency with different programming languages and applications, such as:

Coding languages for your Data Engineer resume

  • SQL: Structured Query Language (SQL) is used to program databases and manage how applications access the data in them. SQL is also used to analyze large volumes of data, including business data.
  • Python: Python is a programming language used for many different types of applications, including web apps, operating systems, machine learning, and mobile apps. Because these applications often depend on databases, you’ll want to show that you’re proficient with Python.
  • R: You use R to analyze data and develop software that presents data and recommendations in a way that makes it actionable for various stakeholders. It’s a programming language that’s central to the job of many data miners and statisticians.

Programs Data Engineers should show on their resumes

While showing your skill with the coding languages above, you’ll also want to showcase your ability to use the applications Data Engineers use on a daily basis. These include the following:

  • Apache: Apache is a software library used to process large sets of data in a clustered environment. A clustered design ecosystem makes it easier to manage how applications access the various dependencies they need to run. With Apache, you can build tools for a relatively small number of users or a fairly simple set of operations, but you can scale it quickly.

Because many different people and departments use data sets, the scalability of Apache is a useful asset for businesses. Showing your Apache skills on your resume can let an employer know that you can create and work with scalable data solutions.

  • Amazon Web Services and Redshift: Amazon Web Services is one of the leading platforms for designers, developers, and Database Engineers, and Redshift is a web services tool specifically made for warehousing data. A data warehouse refers to a database that applications and individuals can use to query and analyze data sets.

Because Amazon Web Services has become a go-to resource for many companies, showing you’re comfortable working with data in Redshift may make you an easy fit for a lot of businesses.

  • ETL tools: ETL stands for extract, transfer, load, and it’s a general term describing how data gets used and applied. Data is extracted, transferred to a useable format, and then loaded to a data warehouse.

ETL tools work by applying rules to the data to leverage them for business insights. As a Data Engineer, you would play a role in designing the rules according to your employer’s needs and interpreting the results outputted by the ETL tools.

  • C++: With C++, you can process as much as a full gig of data in one second. It’s often used to work with data sets when a predefined algorithm is not already manipulating them. C++ puts you, the Data Engineer, in the driver’s seat as you choose how to best analyze and present your data.

One of the main reasons you’ll want to show your C++ skills is because you can use them to perform predictive analysis. Predictive analysis is a key component of machine learning. Companies use it to help discover patterns and then predict what may happen given similar circumstances in the future.

If you highlight your C++ abilities, you may stand out as someone who’s comfortable working with big data, a useful ability in the modern business landscape.

Soft skills for a data engineer resume

In addition to these hard skills, you need the following soft skills to ensure your ideas are heard and you can work well with others.

  • Communication skills: Because you’ll have to listen to, learn from, and interact with teammates, executives, and other stakeholders, you’ll need to show you have strong communication skills. One way to do this is to use keywords like “worked with,” “outlined,” “interfaced with,” and “collaborated with” on your resume.
  • Presentation skills: A Data Engineer needs to turn numbers into compelling insights and then present them in a way that moves listeners to act, which requires presentation skills. Highlighting these on your resume can be easier if you use keywords pertaining to common presentation apps and tools. These may include PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, Beautiful.ai, and Genially.

As the demand for data engineering professionals continues to grow, many people are building rewarding and high-paying careers in this exciting field. And a polished resume that highlights the right skills and background can help you land an interview for your next Data Engineer role.

If you’re interested in learning a new programming language to support your career or add to your existing knowledge, check out our course catalog, including classes like Learn SQL, Learn Python, Learn R, and Learn C++. You can also work on strengthening your portfolio to support your resume with our portfolio projects. Get started today for free.