Welcome to the February 2009 edition of NACTEL News –
with news, info, and insights from the National Coalition for Telecommunications and Learning
Contents
Registration Information
Education News - Online Continues to Grow
Student Story – Tim Wagner
Techie Word - L2TP
Partner News - Pace University welcomes a new Interim Dean
Online Learning Tip from a NACTEL Graduate
Today's Chuckle
Uncertain about the economy? It's the perfect time to return to school!
Join the growing number of adult learners using additional education to help take charge of their future. The interactive, instructor-led courses are delivered entirely online - 24/7, helping you pursue education while balancing work, family, and other personal commitments.
Get ready. Registration opens March 5.
NACTEL program at Pace University
|
B.S. Degree in Professional Studies in: |
A.S. Degrees in Applied Information Technology in: |
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
On the January 28, 2009 edition of the Today Show, Ann Curry and Sally Lee of the Ladies' Home Journal discussed the benefits and growth of online education.
View the discussion on the Today Show
Don't forget! NACTEL's education programs are industry-sponsored and relevant to a telecom career, and tuition is discounted for employees of NACTEL members.
"My telecommunications degree is important because it has helped me better understand the technologies out in the field, adding to my knowledge base, and increasing my value to Verizon."Tim Wagner
Specialist, Web Technology
Verizon
Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications
Tim earned his first Bachelor's degree in 2000 from the University of South Florida. After completing that degree, he started working for Verizon and learning about the telecommunications industry.
In 2005, Tim decided he wanted to go back to school. He thought about getting his Master's degree, but was interested in learning more about the telecom industry. He found the NACTEL program at Pace University through an HR bulletin at work. "The convenience of the online program was very attractive, and the fact that Verizon covered it under the Tuition Assistance Program was a plus."
With a very busy personal life, including a wife, dogs, playing bass guitar in two bands, working on his house, and being part of a pit crew for a local sprint car racer, he figured the best way to balance the mix was online education. "Having the flexibility to complete my assignments around these obligations gave me an opportunity to complete this degree where I might not have been as successful in the traditional classroom environment." To help with his hectic schedule, Tim also kept an online calendar.
According to Tim, the experience was a good one. "The coursework was very relevant. I learned about many things I had heard about before, but didn't really have an understanding of."
As Tim plans to move upward in Verizon, he believes that his NACTEL / Pace degree will be a benefit. He was recently nominated to a two-year rotational program helping future leaders gain experience in different areas within Verizon Telecom Human Resources.
After completing this Bachelor's degree (his second), Tim wants to continue moving forward with his education. Tim's advice to other students is, "Stick with it and work hard!"
Ever Hear of L2TP?
L2TP, or Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol, is an IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) standard tunneling protocol for VPN's. ISP's use this to provide secure, node to node communications in support of multiple, simultaneous tunnels in the core of the internet or IP based networks.
Learn about L2TP and more when you enroll in Pace University's 4-credit course, AIT 381: Emerging Broadband Technologies. This course is part of the Online Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications at Pace University.
* - Source: Newton’s Telecom Dictionary, 23rd Edition
New Interim Dean at Pace University's Seidenberg School
Dr. Constance Knapp was recently named the new interim dean of Pace University's Seidenberg School for Computer Science and Information Systems. Pace University is NACTEL's education partner, and the NACTEL online telecom degrees are provided by staff and faculty at the Seidenberg School.
Dr. Knapp's broad vision of the Seidenberg School is one of ‘Transformation through Technology', a philosophy shared by NACTEL. "We remain excited about our long-term involvement in the NACTEL coalition, which we were instrumental in developing in 1998," Dr. Knapp remarked. "Our collaborative partnership with NACTEL's telecom partners has led to industry-relevant curriculum that we believe is as useful to the industry and students as it is valuable to Pace University."
Graduating students of the online NACTEL program at Pace University who are able to attend graduation ceremonies in New York in May will get the opportunity to meet Dr. Knapp in person.
Read more about Dr. Knapp on the Pace University website or view her blog.
Motivated
"You have to be dedicated - a self starter, and motivated. No one can do it for you."
- Debbie Minser BS, Telecommunications, 2008
Recently, German scientists took core drilling samples at a depth of 20 feet and discovered small pieces of copper. After running many arduous tests, the German government proudly announced that Germans from had a nationwide telephone network 200 years ago.
Naturally, the British government was not impressed and ordered British scientists to take their core samples at a depth of 30 feet where scientists found small pieces of glass in these samples. The Brits soon announced that 300 years ago they already had a nationwide optical fiber network.
After this announcement, the Irish government was outraged and immediately ordered Irish scientists to take samples at a depth of 50 feet. The scientists found absolutely nothing. The Irish therefore concluded that 500 years ago they were even more advanced, having skipped the earlier technologies and already having a nationwide wireless network in place!
Copyright© 2009 NACTEL All Rights Reserved