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Industry Spotlight: Psychology

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Industry Spotlight: Psychology

The human mind and behaviour have captivated scholars and been the objects of interest for centuries. The conscious and unconscious. What drives people to do what they do? Positive psychology. Emotional intelligence. Talk therapy. What do these all mean and how can we make sense of it all? To understand the psychology of human behaviour, we’re shining the industry spotlight on Jacquire Molefe, a qualified and practising clinical psychologist, to answer some common and interesting questions.

Introduction and background

Tell us a bit about your background.

My background might be somewhat of the norm in the South African context, but I grew up in a single-parent household with my wonderful mother. My mother, a domestic worker, was a dreamer and wanted the absolute best for me. I think my mother injected that in me – an ambitious spirit. My mom values education and she made sure I went to the best schools. It was also this motivation and determination in her, that I think I inherited. I would describe myself as being highly ambitious and a top achiever, reflecting on where I came from and looking at how far I have come.

What made you decide to go into psychology?

I think one of the defining moments that contributed to my interest, I will say in human behaviour more so than psychology itself at that point, was during my time in high school. I had received a full scholarship to attend Redhill High, which is a private school and so, came from a different economic background than most of the kids that went to Redhill. The disparities and challenges I experienced stemming from my economic background contributed to a lot of my own anxiety and distress.

My marks started dropping and as a result, I was threatened with my scholarship being taken away. The most devastating part was that with these threats, there had not once been any kind of wanting to understand why my marks were dropping or just anything like that. This upset me and it puzzled me. I didn’t understand how there was no process of inquiry or any kind of conversation about “why”. This sparked my own curiosity about human behaviour as well as an interest in wanting to understand how and why stress and distress could have such an impact on an individual. So, this, coupled with I believe my natural and innate characteristic of wanting to help others, is where I think it all started.

What qualifications did you take to become a psychologist?

In high school, I did English, Afrikaans, French, Math, Biology, and History. Then I went to the general BA stream and majored in Psychology and Anthropology. Then I did a BA Honours Degree in Psychology and then finally, a master’s in clinical psychology. I also have a second-year level Human Resources Certificate. This really reflects the diverse nature and journey of psychology which I really believe for myself, is the biggest takeaway.

What additional certifications, exams, and memberships have you had to complete as part of your career journey?

After obtaining my Masters, I completed a two-year contact coursework degree (attending class and not online). Then, I did one year of internship; six months at Tara in the eating disorder and adolescent ward and the other six months in the adult ward. It took me another year and a half to complete the research component and then started my one-year community service at Odi District Hospital in Mabopane. Prior to community service, I completed my board exams with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), our regulatory body.

Getting started

What are the possible career paths for someone who has completed (or is about to complete) their psychology qualification?

  • The possible career paths include working for the Department of Health at one of the hospitals or regional clinic facilities.
  • There is also the option to go into private practice which, allows those who enjoy business and entrepreneurship the ability to engage in such.

Psychology is such a big part of life and there are more opportunities than what I believe the more “mainstream” career paths may offer. I think it’s about one’s vision, creativity, and determination to find a niche that one can potentially thrive in, using the skills that psychology affords an individual. It’s about making it work for you but obviously, doing so in line with ethics, as outlined in HPCSA principles and guidelines.

What skills and qualities should every psychologist have?

  • The first skill one should have is being mindful of ethics and abiding by ethical treatment because “do no harm” is the ethos of the profession.
  • Secondly, there needs to be a genuine interest in helping others and thus, having compassion and empathy are key.
  • The ability to constantly set and maintain boundaries, as well as having a curious mind and being flexible.
  • Finally, I would say working on seriously implementing self-care because psychologists are humans too, and work like this, though rewarding, can be taxing.

How important is it to stay updated on trends and emerging technologies in psychology?

It is important, as it is part of constantly upskilling yourself. We are already encouraged by the HPCSA to engage in ongoing training, to know how best to do the work and assist others.

Where can qualified psychologists work?

This depends on the specialisation. For example, I am a clinical psychologist which means I can work in clinical settings and in private (like all psychology specialisations). The HPCSA outlines the different scopes of each specialization and their appropriate contexts.

A day in the life of a psychologist

What does a typical day in your life look like?

It’s checking my calendar, knowing how many clients and/or patients I must see on any given day. It also looks like arranging and managing my calendar accordingly, to know how to prioritize certain clients and patients. There’s a lot of coordinating and management that needs to happen. I have to manage a lot of admin regarding invoicing, registering as a service provider with different medical aids, completing process notes of clients and patients, making phone calls, printing, and researching. There’s a lot that can go on in one day.

What are your clinical processes before, during, and after a session with a client?

There’s the preparation that goes on before a session. During the session, I would say the clinical process that happens there would be, listening with a “third ear” (as my trainers would say) holding the client in mind; being empathetic and non-judgmental. It also includes thinking about a diagnosis and formulating the client, all while listening to their narrative and staying in the here and now with them.

After a session, would be the writing of process notes and at times, confidential supervision with colleagues would be necessary, to obtain a different perspective on how best to assist the client.

How do you keep track of client notes and important information?

We have a confidential filing system to keep track of all notes.

What are the top three strengths and weaknesses of a therapist?

Strengths

  • The ability to think about so much all at once, while still being able to be present in the room with the client.
  • Being able to detangle, pull apart, and strategically reorganise those that clients bring to us and reflect it back to clients in a way that meets the client where they are at, so they can hopefully feel less burdened and stressed.
  • The ability to hear what has not been outrightly said.

Weaknesses

  • Sometimes taking on too much all at once which can lead to fast burnout.
  • Sometimes it can take a little longer than one would like, to notice a blind spot.
  • Struggling to self-care efficiently.

How do you stay motivated?

I think by having a deep respect for humanity and the human psyche and having a constant curiosity about the human psyche. The mind truly is a fascinating thing.

What do you enjoy the most about psychology?

When clients give feedback on the changes, they can see in their own lives and, see people grow into the best versions of themselves. That is truly remarkable.

What do you find most challenging about working in psychology?

Observing through the narratives spoken by clients, often the depth of the pain they experience, through the traumas they have endured and almost witnessing how trauma can change a person.

How do you handle stress?

My faith is very important to me, so prayer and reading the Bible are my bread and butter. I often engage in self-introspection and reflection. Journaling, talking to friends who are also in the profession; making time for fun; being intentional about eating well and exercising as often as I can, just to move my body. I also find being out in nature is very calming and helpful.

Undertsanding psychology

What are the few specific treatments that are offered only by clinical psychologists?

The scope for Clinical psychologists is to diagnose and treat severe mental illness, any treatment that is in line with this scope would be appropriate for the use of clinical psychologists. This could include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Play Therapy techniques, Interactional Pattern Analysis (IPA), Family Therapy, and attachment-based Therapy, to name a few.

Why is it important to maintain boundaries with clients during a therapy session?

Boundaries are there to protect the client, as well as myself as the therapist. It helps maintain order and acts as a nurturing guide on how we should engage with one another; with dignity and respect.

What is the most common myth you have come across during your experience as a psychologist?

I have heard this so often; it makes me laugh and it has become quite a favourite of mine: That I can read minds lol.

Conclusion

What words of encouragement or advice would you give someone looking to become a psychologist?

Go for it and do it because you genuinely care and have a heart for people and because you feel like it’s a part of you somehow. Don’t do it if it’s not. Be honest with yourself and take the time to dig deep to really know your why.

The first step in anything is admitting your struggle and then getting help. Our mental health checkup assessment to help you live a healthier, happier, and more productive life tomorrow,

Word of the Day: spite

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Word of the Day: spite

The word spite has appeared in 245 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on April 10 in “Taylor Swift Fans Grapple With Breakup Reports” by Madison Malone Kircher:

With no comment from Ms. Swift, Mr. Alwyn or their representatives, fans of the singer were not sure whether to trust what they had read. Ms. Swift’s publicist, Tree Paine, did not immediately respond to requests for comment for this article.

“I think it’s a poorly written, unconfirmed article,” Brittany Browning, a 30-year-old writer who lives in St. Petersburg, Fla., said of the “ET” story.

She added that she didn’t believe the pair had really split up and predicted that Mr. Alwyn would make an appearance at Ms. Swift’s next concert stop, in Tampa, Fla., “out of spite.” (Mr. Alwyn has not been sighted at any of Ms. Swift’s tour stops thus far.)

Can you correctly use the word spite in a sentence?

Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.

Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the “Recommend” button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you.

If you want a better idea of how spite can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.

Students ages 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, can comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.

The Word of the Day is provided by Vocabulary.com. Learn more and see usage examples across a range of subjects in the Vocabulary.com Dictionary. See every Word of the Day in this column.

Runners-Up From Our 10th Annual Student Editorial Contest

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Runners-Up From Our 10th Annual Student Editorial Contest

Some of the most ardent defenders of parental rights argue that teenagers need strict parental regulation because teens are confused and easily corruptible. They’re not entirely wrong. But the process of adolescence — developing abstract thinking and fundamental moral values — isn’t complete unless young people are given the freedom to explore the world on their own terms. Studies have found that adolescent autonomy leads to increased classroom engagement and a higher quality of life. Parental rights policies withhold that independence, preventing us from developing our individuality and worldview at the time when doing so is most critical.

To ensure the safety of our children, we must combat these policies at every turn, from the school board to Congress. But, simultaneously, we must empower our children to become independent. Let them read banned books, openly discuss their identities, and develop individual social lives. Let them discover who they are. Because, if we let the government seize young peoples’ right to self-determination, they will be robbed of their self-esteem, self-love and self-identity. And our young people are our future.

Works Cited

Hess, Amanda. “‘In This House’ Yard Signs, and Their Curious Power.” The New York Times, 29 Oct. 2021.

DiMarco, Bella. “Legislative Tracker: 2023 Parent-Rights Bills in the States.” FutureEd, 29 March 2023.

Karni, Annie. “Divided House Passes G.O.P. Bill on Hot-Button Schools Issues.” The New York Times, 24 Mar. 2023.

Hafen, Christopher A., et al. “The Pivotal Role of Adolescent Autonomy in Secondary School Classrooms.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence, vol. 41, no. 3, 24 Dec. 2011 (pp. 245–255).

Missouri State Senate Bill S.B. 451: “Parents’ Bill of Rights.” Missouri Senate website.

Nota, Laura, et al. “A Multivariate Analysis of the Self-Determination of Adolescents.” Journal of Happiness Studies, vol. 12, no. 2, 21 Feb. 2010, (pp. 245–266)

Utah State Senate S.B. 152 “Social Media Regulation Amendments” (2023). Utah State Legislature website.

Yang, Maya. “Florida Board Approves Expansion of ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Ban to All School Grades.” The Guardian, 19 Apr. 2023.

“Teens and Phone Phobia”
By Madeleine Krieger, age 15, River Dell High School, Oradell, N.J.

Some people fear sharks. Or Snakes. Or heights. My peers and I fear … phone calls.

Talking to an actual human being can be terrifying. Parents make our important calls: to doctors and dentists. Our terror of the telephone makes us just fine with that arrangement. One mom writing in Your Teen magazine shares, “My 18-year-old will do anything to avoid talking on the phone. When she had to return a phone call recently, she freaked out so badly she hung up.”

Word of the Day: dilettante

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Word of the Day: dilettante

The word dilettante has appeared in 16 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on March 14 in “OpenAI Plans to Up the Ante in Tech’s A.I. Race” by Cade Metz:

GPT-4, which learns its skills by analyzing huge amounts of data culled from the internet, improves on what powered the original ChatGPT in several ways. It is more precise. It can, for example, ace the Uniform Bar Exam, instantly calculate someone’s tax liability and provide detailed descriptions of images.

But OpenAI’s new technology still has some of the strangely humanlike shortcomings that have vexed industry insiders and unnerved people who have worked with the newest chatbots. It is an expert on some subjects and a dilettante on others. It can do better on standardized tests than most people and offer precise medical advice to doctors, but it can also mess up basic arithmetic.

Can you correctly use the word dilettante in a sentence?

Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.

Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the “Recommend” button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you.

If you want a better idea of how dilettante can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.

Students ages 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, can comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.

The Word of the Day is provided by Vocabulary.com. Learn more and see usage examples across a range of subjects in the Vocabulary.com Dictionary. See every Word of the Day in this column.

Word of the Day: somber

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This word has appeared in 225 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence?

Gamification in LMS: Engaging and Motivating Users

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Gamification in LMS: Engaging and Motivating Users

In today’s digital age, where attention spans are shorter and distractions are plentiful, maintaining learner engagement has become a significant challenge for educators and organisations. Gamification has emerged as a powerful tool in Learning Management Systems (LMS), revolutionising how users engage with educational content. In this article, we will explore the various facets of gamification in LMS and examine how it can positively impact user engagement and motivation.

What is (LMS) gamification?

Gamification in Learning Management Systems (LMS) refers to the incorporation of game-like elements and mechanics into educational platforms to enhance user engagement and motivation. In the context of LMS, gamification involves strategically implementing various game elements within the learning environment to create a more immersive and interactive experience for learners. By leveraging techniques such as points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges, gamification transforms the learning experience into an interactive and enjoyable journey. 

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Benefits of gamification

The benefits of gamification in LMS are far-reaching. The competitive nature of gamification triggers motivation, driving users to strive for achievements, overcome challenges, and progress through learning materials. Engaging learners in a gamified experience encourages active participation and interactivity, making educational content more enjoyable and memorable.  Here are some key advantages:

  • Increased engagement: Gamification enhances learner engagement by creating a more interactive and enjoyable learning environment. Game elements such as challenges, leaderboards, and rewards motivate learners to actively participate and remain invested in their educational journey.
  • Improved motivation: Gamification taps into intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors. Setting goals, providing recognition, and offering rewards, incentivizes learners to achieve objectives and progress through the learning materials. This helps maintain a high level of motivation and persistence.
  • Personalised learning: Gamification in LMS can be customised to cater to individual learner needs. Offering adaptive challenges and personalised learning pathways provides learners with a tailored experience that matches their skill level and learning preferences. This enhances the relevance and effectiveness of the learning content.
  • Progress tracking and feedback: Gamified LMS platforms often include progress-tracking features that allow learners to monitor their advancement. Clear visual representations of progress and performance, combined with immediate feedback, enable learners to assess their strengths, identify areas for improvement, and take ownership of their learning.
  • Reinforcement of learning: Game elements, such as quizzes, simulations, and interactive scenarios, reinforce the acquisition and retention of knowledge. Gamification provides opportunities for learners to apply what they have learned in a safe and engaging environment, helping to solidify concepts and skills.

Together, these benefits positively impact the learning experience.

Elements of gamification to consider

Gamification can be effectively combined with various other strategies and approaches to enhance the learning experience. Here are a few examples:

  • Certificates and diplomas
  • Points
  • Levels
  • Badges
  • Collectables
  • Vouchers
  • Office or company-wide leaderboards
  • Various rewards
  • Gamification reports
  • Learner of the month

What also works with gamification

  • Discussions
  • Notifications
  • Webinars
  • Personalised learning paths
  • Social learning
  • Feedback and progress monitoring
  • Competency-based learning
  • Gamified assessment
  • Microlearning

The aim of gamified LMS is to tap into the natural human inclination for competition, achievement, and progression, fostering greater participation, motivation, and enjoyment in learning.

How can Alison’s LMS help with gamification and empowering your employees for free?

Alison is an online learning platform that offers a free Learning Management System (LMS) along with a range of courses and resources. Alison’s LMS has several ways in which it can still help with gamification and empowering employees:

  • Course selection: Alison’s extensive course library covers a wide range of topics, allowing you to choose courses that align with your employees’ interests and learning goals. Selecting engaging and relevant courses is an important aspect of gamification as it increases learner motivation and enjoyment.
  • Progress tracking: Alison’s LMS provides progress-tracking features that allow employees to monitor their completion rates and performance in enrolled courses. By keeping track of their progress, employees can see their achievements, which can serve as a motivating factor.
  • Badges and certificates: Alison offers digital badges and certificates upon successful completion of courses. These achievements can provide a sense of accomplishment and recognition to employees, contributing to their empowerment and motivation.
  • Social learning opportunities: Alison’s LMS includes discussion forums and community features that encourage interaction and knowledge sharing among learners. Employees can connect with peers, discuss course materials, and engage in collaborative learning experiences, enhancing engagement and empowerment.
  • Customisation and personalisation: You can personalise the learning experience by curating learning pathways, recommending specific courses, and providing guidance to employees based on their individual needs and interests.

Gamification doesn’t solely rely on the LMS itself but also on the instructional design and learning activities within the courses. You can incorporate gamification techniques within the course content to make the learning experience more engaging and empowering for employees. Overall, gamification offers a solution by infusing educational platforms with elements that captivate users’ attention and tap into their intrinsic motivation to learn.

Sources of Cognitive Load

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Sources of Cognitive Load

Finally, while intrinsic and extraneous load describe sources of load, germane load describes the relative allocation of resources. When the majority of your working memory is dealing with intrinsic load, and relatively little is occupied by extraneous load, then this task has high germane load. However, if a task has a lot of extraneous load then less working memory is free to deal with the intrinsic load. In this situation there is low germane load.

Importantly, whether cognitive load is intrinsic or extraneous depends on the goals of a task. For example, “if the goal of learning is to comprehend concepts incorporated in some text, using jargon may constitute extraneous cognitive. Alternatively, if the goal is to learn the specialized language used in an area, the “jargon” is intrinsic to the task”(1). Whether your load is more or less germane depends on the goals of the task, in addition to features of the task.

Another thing to note about this model is that it assumes “that motivation is high and all available working memory resources are being devoted to dealing with intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load” (1). In other words, this is best-case scenario with people who are 100% on task. This model is not accounting for factors that may increase or decrease overall WM (i.e., stress, sleep, mood, etc.)

Sweller also describes how elements within a task affect cognitive load (1). An element is a concept or procedure that needs to be learned. Elements may have low or high interactivity. When there is low element interactivity, elements are somewhat unrelated. For example, when learning nouns in a foreign language there is low element interactivity. You can learn that chat/chatte means cat in French independently of whether you understand that chien/chienne means dog. On the other hand, when dealing with equations all items of the equation must be taken into account to understand each item. In the slope intercept formula, y = mx + b, for example, m is the slope of the line, b is the intercept, and x and y represent the distance of the line from the x-axis and y-axis. You can’t find the value of b without understanding something about x, y, or m.

The more elements that interact, the more working memory is needed to complete the task, imposing a higher intrinsic load (1). This helps to account for both the nature of the task itself as well as the background knowledge of the learner. Background knowledge can help us to chunk items together, requiring less working memory resources. When reading a text, for example, a less experienced reader may process items at the word level – each word is a separate idea yet related to other ideas. More experienced readers will process items at the phrase or sentence level. So while there is still a high degree of element interactivity, there are fewer elements, reducing the intrinsic cognitive load.

Cognitive load theory provides useful and dynamic model for how many different factors affect working memory and learning. Hopefully this post provides a useful overview of some of the main components of cognitive load!

What Is a Personal Brand & How Do You Build One?

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What Is a Personal Brand & How Do You Build One?

When you’re being weighed against dozens of other candidates for a job, your personal brand can be the thing that sets you apart. But what even is a personal brand, and how do you establish yours?

A personal brand is a cultivated presence and public image that illustrates who you are and what you can do. For people who work in tech, your personal brand typically includes your LinkedIn, GitHub, website, and portfolio, but it can also include social platforms like Twitter and Facebook. You don’t have to be an influencer or concoct a persona to have a personal brand — all it takes is identifying what you care about and finding ways to communicate it to the world. 

Put another way: A personal brand is about much more than just self-promotion. “If you’re upfront about your values and build your brand around them, those who resonate with them are more likely to reach out to you,” says Tiffany Dedeaux, Career Coach and founder of Sacred Time.

Personal branding is a great way to stand out from the crowd and give people a sense of your personality, interests, and skillset. As you build your brand throughout your career, you’ll be able to identify the skills, projects, and experiences that really provide meaning.

Of course, having a strong personal brand can give you an edge when you’re looking for a job. Not only can it help you make an impression with recruiters and hiring managers, but it can also help you tailor your search to companies that share your values. Plus, it can give you material to highlight in your resume and during interviews, Tiffany explains. 

Ahead, we’ll take a closer look at personal branding and how you can leverage the power of storytelling to build your own.

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How to build a personal brand

We all have unique personal narratives, but sometimes it can be hard to package all your lived experience into a tidy “brand.” A great first step towards creating a personal brand is identifying your passions and values and thinking about how they can blend with your strengths and accolades, suggests Carolyn Lai Moore, Career Strategist and Founder of Wildlight. “How do you reframe your story and skills to fit into a narrative a company will really vibe with?” she says.

Ask yourself: What accomplishments are you the most proud of? What obstacles have you overcome, and how can you help others do the same? How does your work align with your personal philosophy or point of view? Consider using these prompts to write a professional bio that captures your experience and future goals.

Your personal brand can be an internal compass as you navigate your career. It’s also a good idea to think about how you outwardly market yourself and your skills to potential employers. For example, social media can be an excellent way to get your name out there, connect with others in the industry, and find professional opportunities. Try updating your social profiles to reflect your current (or desired) role, and linking them all together to create a cohesive image.  Showcase work that reflects your skills and interests, like unique projects you built during your coursework or contributions to open-source projects (like Codecademy Docs).

And remember to stay consistent across platforms. Be conscientious of what and who you engage with; branding can open the door to tons of networking opportunities as you meet and connect with likeminded people.

The power of storytelling

Being able to clearly and effectively tell your story as a developer is about more than just selling yourself; it’s also a way to build confidence and self esteem, Tiffany says. “Stories can change the way you see yourself, how you present yourself, and how others see you,” she says. “Branding is a story; you want to tell the story of what you’re looking for, and that’s going to help lead you in that direction.”

Lots of career switchers struggle with feelings of impostor syndrome — even if they have the right skills, they feel insecure about their lack of professional experience. Building a personal brand is one step that can help you claim your new identity. For example, say you currently work in marketing, but you’re learning to code because you want to become a UX Designer. Sharing highlights and unique insights from your past work experience, like how your knowledge of buyer personas carries over into user research, can help you feel more confident in your capabilities and expertise.

Talking about yourself and knowing how to tell your own story is great practice for interviews as you’ll get into the habit of picking out the parts that are the most relevant and important. You’ll also want to start and finish strong — the beginning and ending of a story tend to be the most memorable, Tiffany says.

And remember to stay positive. Studies show that negativity tends to stick out in our minds, so when you discuss any problems or obstacles you’ve overcome, try focusing on the solution. For example, instead of harping on how you don’t have professional experience in tech, discuss how you’ve contributed to Docs and are comfortable collaborating in GitHub.

Showcase your personality (professionally)

Your personal brand gives you the chance to show more personality than you’d typically include in your resume or portfolio, but remember to be mindful of professionalism. What’s considered “professional” can vary greatly depending on your industry or workplace, so use your judgment. That’s not to say you can’t have a little fun or that you can only post work-related content, but keep it relevant.

For example, if you’re a web developer, posting about your cat Fluffy on LinkedIn every day (while cute) might not give off the right impression to potential clients or employers who find you on the professional networking platform. But if you used pictures of Fluffy in a website you built about rescue animals, that’s a relevant project that gives you an opportunity to talk about your passion for animal welfare.

If you’re looking for new stories to tell and projects to show off as you build your personal brand, check out our library of coding projects for some inspo. You can also contribute to Codecademy Docs to help build credibility and reinforce your knowledge. And if you need more help branding yourself and finding jobs online, here are some tips for building a personal website and going freelance.

IIT Guwahati Launches Online Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence on Coursera

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IIT Guwahati Launches Online Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence on Coursera

By Coursera

The new program offers multiple admission pathways to expand access and grow talent pool for generative AI and data science jobs; Applications open July 19, 2023

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, India’s #7 top engineering institute, has launched an online Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree Program in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence on one of the world’s leading online learning platforms, Coursera. This online degree prepares learners for high-paying, fast-growing careers in data science and artificial intelligence.

Data science and artificial intelligence (AI) skills have become critical across roles and industries, driven by improved digital access and the rapid adoption of generative AI. The National Education Policy 2020 emphasizes on training and preparing professionals in cutting-edge areas that are fast gaining prominence, such as machine learning, AI, big data analysis, etc., for enhancing the employability of the youth. NEP 2020 further highlights the importance of increasing the Gross Enrollment Ratio in higher education. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, tech roles, including AI and machine learning specialists, data analysts, and data scientists, are expected to grow by more than 30% by 2028. 

To meet this demand and implement NEP 2020 recommendations, IIT Guwahati is opening up access to the completely online degree program through multiple admissions pathways. Anyone after Class XII or its equivalent, with mathematics as a compulsory subject, can apply. Those eligible and registered for JEE Advanced (in any year) will get direct admission, while those without can complete an online course and gain entry based on their performance.

The degree rewards learning throughout with multiple exit options. Learners can exit the program by converting their credits into a certificate, diploma, degree, and, ultimately, an honor’s degree. To maximize flexibility and engagement, online courses are primarily asynchronous, enabling students to learn at their own pace, while optional campus visits provide opportunities to engage with faculty and peers. 

Students build a coding foundation before progressing to specialized subjects, including generative AI, deep learning, computer vision, and data mining. They enhance their learning through group projects, real-world case studies, and internships. Industry micro-credentials are offered in the program and recognized as prior learning, enabling students to expand job-relevant knowledge.

“This program teaches students the digital skills they need to thrive in the modern workforce. They graduate knowing how to implement the latest AI and data science techniques in any field, setting them up for success in their careers,” said Prof. Parameswar K. Iyer, Officiating Director, IIT Guwahati.

Graduates can pursue more than 4,00,000 open roles in India, including AI engineer, data engineer, ML engineer, and data analyst. Students receive job placement support from IIT Guwahati and access to Coursera’s skill-based recruitment platform, Coursera Hiring Solutions. IIT Guwahati graduates have secured positions at leading companies, including Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, L&T, and Intel. 

“We’re honored to expand our partnership with IIT Guwahati, enabling learners across the globe to earn a degree from one of India’s best institutions that prepares them for high-demand roles,” said Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera. “AI is transforming the world, and we need professionals who can harness this technology. With multiple pathways to admissions, more students can apply and take hold of their futures.” 

Applications for the BSc (Honours) in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence program open on July 19, 2023, and classes are scheduled to start in October 2023. To learn more and apply, visit https://www.iitg.ac.in/acad/  or  https://coursera.org/degrees/bachelor-of-science-data-science-ai-iitguwahati

A learner from the Netherlands succeeds with a BAAS from the University of North Texas

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A learner from the Netherlands succeeds with a BAAS from the University of North Texas

Daniella is a new graduate of the University of North Texas (UNT). She recently earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) with a concentration in media innovation. Daniella is an international student from the Netherlands who faced many challenges when she was first searching for a degree program that could meet all of her needs. However, she soon discovered UNT and their partnership with Coursera.

Before starting her classes with UNT, Daniella was studying international marketing management at a local university in the Netherlands. She completed two internships while in school there, but she ultimately found the course structures and limited resources didn’t work for her. Daniella realized that she needed a university and a platform that provided plenty of student support, which led her to UNT and Coursera.

A university enrollment coach guided her in the beginning, which left Daniella feeling very upbeat about the start of her experience with UNT. “It was refreshing with the enrollment process, conducted by my enrollment coach, as she would call me by phone, and walk me through each step of the process. She even called to congratulate me once I was accepted into the UNT BAAS program. It was so positive, I expected more from my journey with UNT.”

Daniella was already familiar with Coursera by the time she started the BAAS program because one of her sisters also used the platform. In fact, this is how she found the program in the first place. Even so, she was still pleasantly surprised by the program’s flexibility, as she could apply many of her past courses from other institutions as credit towards her degree from UNT. She realized the program’s potential immediately and dove in with excitement.

Today, Daniella praises the program for its out-of-the-box thinking and practical approach to learning. She says she was able to expand her knowledge of American culture and learn more about the city of Denton, Texas (where UNT is located). Daniella liked having opportunities to learn about nonprofits and participate in community service even while overseas. She also studied with a diverse student body, gaining insights and perspectives from the different cultural backgrounds of her fellow learners.

When talking about her favorite parts of the BAAS program, Daniella emphasizes her appreciation for the connections she had to instructors and staff. Through the technology available to her, she could attend live video sessions and correspond via email or Slack. As someone with a busy schedule, Daniella found it helpful that she could access all her course outlines and agendas for planning purposes. She also enjoyed having reading materials in both electronic and hardcopy formats for each course.

Balancing work, school, and life can be demanding for anyone. But Daniella made it happen by staying organized through detailed planning. And she advises other learners like her to trust their support systems. Daniella says assistance was always available during her time in the program, and the instructors are very resourceful with the additional help they provide.

In celebration of her success in the program, Daniella participated in an online commencement ceremony, complete with cap and gown while her family watched proudly. Now that she’s earned her degree, she’ll next pursue a career in digital marketing and take additional courses from UNT to support her professional goals.

Daniella’s story is a testament to the great opportunity of accessible learning. If you want to build practical skills in a flexible online degree program with a diverse student body, then the BAAS program from UNT that was right for Daniella may be right for you too.

Why not check it out today?

Learn more

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