As 2020 comes to an end, the future can bring hope and a fresh outlook for a positive year ahead. Making resolutions is one way to keep on track while balancing busy lifestyles. Did you that know making small changes in your daily routine can lead to big results that can last a lifetime?
Listed here are some new year’s resolutions to help build your personal growth and nurture your well-being, especially during these difficult times. After all, having a positive mindset is the key to starting each day with motivation and determination. Vaughn has kept students and faculty connected and engaged throughout the pandemic by offering weekly virtual events such as yoga, dance sessions, warrior bootcamp, movie and game nights, sports discussions and more.
Let’s begin by taking a deep breath. Now, open your mind as we walk you through some simple ways you can calm yourself, stay focused and have the best year yet.
Schedule “me time”
As distance learning continues, you already know how important it is to keep a schedule. Taking your education seriously is important, but perhaps even more important is taking some time for yourself. Scheduling “me time” is the best way to recharge and reboot your mind before hitting the books again. And remember: It’s not wasting time. It’s your special time to unwind. Here are some ideas to add to your own list of favorite ways to spend your “me time”:
- Schedule a workout. Exercising boosts both your physical and mental energy levels. Take a quick walk or run outside, do a yoga or pilates video, or create your own workout routine.
- Catch up on your favorite TV shows. Everyone needs that “brainless” hour away from their studies. This is just the kind of break you need when your brain needs a rest.
- Listen to your favorite music. Music soothes the mind and calms the soul.
- Take a power nap. A quick 20-minute snooze is enough to recharge your body and mind for the rest of the day.
Nurture your well-being
We all need some pampering once in a while. But did you ever think of ways to pamper your mind? Feeling calm and healthy begins with nurturing yourself from the inside-out. Here are some easy ways to stay in sync with your mind-body balance:
- Read an excerpt every day from your favorite motivational book
- Take a break from social media
- Turn off the notifications on your phone
- Carve out some quiet time for meditation or spiritual enrichment
- Work on a puzzle
- Start a new hobby, like yoga, knitting or cooking
- Keep paper handy for drawing, coloring or doodling
- Write in a daily journal to get your thoughts down on paper
Develop healthy eating habits
What you put “in” your body can make all the difference in how your body and mind perform throughout the day. Meal-prepping is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Having healthy snacks and meals that are prepared ahead of time makes eating healthy a piece of cake. (Yes, you can have your cake and eat it, too—in moderation.) Try preparing large meals on Sundays and Wednesdays. This is a great way to keep healthy grab-and-go snacks available and your meals prepared on busy nights.
Stay connected via Zoom or other platforms
Keeping in touch with family and friends is an important part of personal growth. As the nation continues to practice social distancing, using platforms such as Zoom allows visiting “face-to-face” when meeting in person is not possible. Plan on setting aside a day and time when all members can join the call. Keeping connected with those close to you is one resolution that you’ll want to keep for years to come.
Have you made any new year’s resolutions for 2021? Hopefully these tips have been helpful in planning your year ahead. Vaughn College is excited to welcome back its students to the 2021 spring semester. Don’t forget to check out all the virtual health, fitness and counseling events Vaughn has to offer.
Discover all that’s possible with a futureproof degree from Vaughn, with programs in engineering and technology, management and aviation. Apply today!
Top Technology Trends: The Jobs to Look for in 2021
Technology is amazing. Even in the midst of a pandemic, technology is proving to be immune to any setbacks by constantly evolving and setting the pace for rapid advancements and exciting careers to come. This is promising news for engineering and technology students who are looking to build their futures around the industry.
Check out these top technology trends to watch for in 2021 and the jobs being created so you can take full advantage. See how a degree from Vaughn can be instrumental in giving you a competitive edge in these growing fields.
Artificial intelligence is a real thing
You may not realize it, but we use artificial intelligence (AI) more often today than ever before. How many times a day do you use your smart device to ask “Siri” a question? Lost count, right? Or did you ever wonder how social platforms like Facebook can recognize someone’s face in a photo you posted? The answer is AI and facial recognition. Yes, AI has been in our lives for the better part of this century, but new advancements have the market projected to soar to a $190 billion industry by 2025. And when it comes to cognitive and AI systems, global spending is expected to exceed $57 billion in 2021. (That’s billion with a “b.”) Along with these impressive numbers comes a lucrative salary—one of the highest in the industry—for those professionals who are skilled in the AI field. (Consider this: A machine learning engineer earns over $125,000 per year and an AI architect earns $145,000 per year.)
Some of the new job titles that are expected to be created—and filled—by this technology trend include:
- Development, programming, testing, support, and maintenance.
- Machine learning and automation—robot monitoring professionals, data scientists, automation specialists and content curators. It is predicted that AI, machine learning and automation will create nine percent of new US jobs by 2025.
Virtual reality and augmented reality: An industry game changer
Gamers know the excitement surrounding virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) all too well. Did you know 14 million AR and VR devices were sold in 2019? If you’re not up to speed on these technologies, here’s a simple explanation to refresh your memory: VR places the user in the environment while AR enhances the environment. So, how are these two technologies critical to our lives outside of the gaming world? Consider the example set by the US Navy, Army and Coast Guard. All three branches of the service use simulation software called VirtualShip to train their ship captains. Similarly, Vaughn aviation students have the opportunity to experience the thrill of flight in its $1-million, state-of-the-art flight simulator laboratory. And we civilians can expect 2021 to bring VR and AR into our lives on many different levels that include entertainment, marketing, education and even rehabilitation after an injury. This billion-dollar industry is a real game changer that will create more jobs and increased revenue. The AR and VR global market is projected to grow to $209.2 billion by 2022.
How to score a job in the VR and AR industry:
Employers in this exciting technology field consider candidates who have acquired basic programming skills as well as a positive, forward-thinking attitude. One does not need a specific skill set to work in the field, although some employers may require optics to get started. This is one technology trend to keep on your list!
Robotic process automation redefines jobs and creates new career opportunities
Robotic process automation (RPA) is another technology trend that’s worthy of great consideration. Although RPA entails the use of software to automate business processes typically done by live workers, it also creates new jobs in the industry. Research revealed less than five percent of occupations can be totally automated—which means RPA may be a way to redefine jobs instead of eliminating them.
Job opportunities for IT professionals:
- Developer, project manager, business analyst, solution architect and consultant
A message from Vaughn
As 2020 comes to a close, we look to 2021 with fresh eyes for an exciting new year filled with hope and opportunity. Vaughn is dedicated to the success of each of its students. With technology changing before our eyes, now is the time to pursue the engineering and technology degree you’ve always dreamed of. Discover the possibilities of a futureproof career. Apply today!
Sometimes, you need not look any further than your own backyard to see your future. For Vaughn College senior Samia Oishi ’21, her love of engineering and her family’s tradition of growing their own food were the driving forces that motivated her to pursue a degree in mechatronic engineering and a career in renewable energy.
Planting roots
Born in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Oishi’s family moved to Brooklyn, New York when she was two years old. For as long as she can remember, Oishi said her parents always grew their own fruits and vegetables in their garden in Brooklyn. “I didn’t realize it then, but our garden was my first taste of learning about sustainable energy.”
Throughout her school days, Oishi said she always enjoyed science, but it wasn’t until she joined the robotics team in high school that she became hooked. “I joined the robotics team just for fun,” she said. “I didn’t know much about it at the time. Little did I know how it would put me on a path to Vaughn College.” She explained how being part of a team was a great learning experience. In her sophomore year in high school, Oishi went on to become the co-captain of the team—a position she maintained until graduation.
Discovering Vaughn
During her senior year, Oishi and her friend decided to attend a college fair at her high school. “I happened to meet an admissions adviser from Vaughn while at the college fair,” she explained. “When I heard about the mechatronic engineering program, I knew immediately it was the program for me. That day changed my life.”
In 2017, Oishi enrolled at Vaughn. She joined a learning community of a group of students who shared the same interests and schedules. “Joining the learning community was a wonderful experience,” she said. “Vaughn is an amazing college. The small class sizes, wonderful staff of professors and student community make going to college feel like my home away from home.”
Making connections
Oishi landed an internship at Kinetic Communities Consulting, a New York Minority and Women-owned Benefit Corporation that works with utilities and government agencies to help diverse New York communities adapt to solar and sustainable energy. “My role there plays a major part of who I am and where I’m striving to be in the future,” said Oishi. “We educate low-income families about the importance of solar energy and show them how to use and install it. It’s all about helping people make their lives better.”
This past summer, Oishi’s mentor at the internship recommended she apply for an exclusive fellowship at Woman of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE), a national non-profit organization dedicated to building a diverse workforce for the success of global sustainable energy. The application process was rigorous, but Oishi said it was well worth the effort. In addition to submitting her résumé and cover letter, the process required a letter of recommendation, written essay and a telephone interview. Of numerous applicants across the country, WRISE only accepts six candidates for the prestigious fellowship position. “I was thrilled to learn that I was selected to be a 2020 solar power fellow for WRISE,” she said excitedly. For the past four months, Oishi has been networking with other members of the fellowship and learning about the renewable energy industry. “It’s been an amazing experience and extremely beneficial for a student like me, who will be entering the workforce next year. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity. From fellows to friends, it’s all about making connections.”
Looking to the future
With a passionate heart, Oishi stated she is excited to pursue a career in the renewable energy industry. With only one semester to go, she explains how her degree in mechatronic engineering will give her a competitive edge in the field. “Automation already exists in the industry,” Oishi said. “My knowledge of mechanical, electrical and computer engineering will position me favorably for the workforce.”
Harvesting her heritage
At the end of the day, Oishi says she thanks her parents for instilling in her a love for their country and traditions that are deeply rooted in her heritage. “Planting a garden is so much more than watching your food grow. It’s all about the pride in harvesting the food and sharing it with those who need it most. I always wanted to pursue a career to help the world. I’m grateful to Vaughn for helping me get there.”
Is a career in engineering in your future? Discover all that’s possible with an engineering degree from Vaughn College. Apply today.
A new year means new beginnings. And what better way to kick off 2021 than by planning for your future? If you’re looking for a college that is close to home and has great programs in engineering, technology, management and aviation, you will not want to miss Vaughn’s Virtual Info. Session on Wednesday, December 16 at 6 p.m. At Vaughn, we focus on outcomes. Did you know that 99 percent of Vaughn graduates—89 percent in their chosen field—are employed or continue their education within one year?* It’s all part of the Vaughn Guarantee. If a full-time student is not employed after an active job search within one year of graduation, Vaughn will reimburse one year of the student’s federal Direct undergraduate loan payments or offer enrollment in Vaughn’s master’s program without incurring charges for one year.** Vaughn has also been recognized in a study reported in The New York Times as a top institution for moving its students from the bottom 40 percent to the top 40 percent in income.***
Don’t miss your chance at a futureproof career. We invite you to attend our Virtual Info. Session to learn more. Here is what you need to know about the event:
When?
December 16 at 6 p.m.
What will you receive?
We invite you to join us for a fun and informative Zoom session that will present you with all the information you need to make the best decision for your future.
Here is what you will receive during the Virtual Info. Session:
- An overview of Vaughn’s academic degrees and programs in engineering and technology, management and aviation, and the types of jobs you can get with each degree
- A preview of Vaughn’s financial aid and scholarship opportunities
- A glimpse into campus life and what it’s like being a Vaughn student
REGISTER FOR DECEMBER 16 INFO SESSION
Vaughn College Tour
Seeing is believing. Our virtual tour will give you the opportunity to preview our campus and view the air traffic control lab, engineering labs, flight simulators, residence hall, library and more. With our futureproof programs and long list of advantages, there is no reason to leave home. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider coming to Vaughn:
- Close to home
- Proven model for online learning
- Ability to finish a degree remotely
- Online, in-person and hybrid course options to fit your busy lifestyle
- Ranked “number one” in upward mobility**
- Small class sizes where faculty know you (14:1 student to faculty ratio)
- Ongoing career support services
- Precollege prep programs
- A variety of financial aid options (90 percent of Vaughn students receive financial aid)
- Employment after graduation
Visit Vaughn’s Fast Facts to learn more.
By attending Vaughn, you could be among the next generation of futureproof Vaughn graduates. See how Vaughn has made a difference in the lives of these students:
“The application process was seamless…I registered at my convenience, and since Vaughn is a smaller college, I did not, and still have not run into issues regarding a course being too full.”
—Marizeli Diaz ’23, mechanical engineering
“When I visited the campus and saw how welcoming everyone was, I decided right away that Vaughn College was the best fit for me.”
—Mina Morcos ’23, mechatronic engineering
“I love how Vaughn is designed. It makes you feel like you are in a small airport. The hanger and simulator are the ideal classrooms for students who are passionate about aviation.”
—Nathalia Brache Torres ’21, airport management
Join the students who have made Vaughn their choice for a college that backs your education with a guarantee for your future. With small class sizes, personalized attention and a variety of financial aid options, Vaughn might be the perfect fit for you.
REGISTER FOR DECEMBER 16 INFO SESSION
*Outcomes include data within one year of graduation for graduates who reported via survey. There were a total of 304 graduates in 2019. 168 reported an outcome for a 55% response rate. The 2019 graduate class includes September 2018, December 2018 and May 2019 graduates.
**For eligible full-time students. For full details, visit vaughn.edu.
