Welcome to Issue #21 of NACTEL News - May, 2007 - with news, info and insights from the National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning.
Table of Contents

Registration Info

Start planning for the upcoming Fall semester. Registration opens June 14. Visit the Pace Website for detailed information on degree requirements, admissions procedures and how to register.

2007 Graduation Preview - It's time to celebrate!

  • This year 120 students will receive NACTEL-sponsored degrees from Pace University.
  • 76 will receive the Associate of Science in Telecommunications.
  • 44 will receive the Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications.
  • Many of these students and their families will visit New York City for graduation ceremonies in Radio City Music Hall.
  • Stay tuned for more about these graduates and their educational stories!

Education Pays Off!

Q: What is your education level?
Education Levels for Age 25 and Older
No high school diploma   15.9%
High school graduate   49.7%
High school only 29.6%  
< 1 year college 6.6%  
> 1 year college 13.5%  
College graduate   34.6%
Associate’s degree 7.4%  
Bachelor’s degree 17.2%  
Master’s degree 6.9%  
Professional/doctoral degree 3.1%  
Q: Why does this matter?
A: Median earnings are linked to education!
No High School diploma $18,435
High School diploma
$25,829
Some college/Associate’s degree $31,566

Bachelor’s degree

$43,954

Master’s, professional and doctoral degrees
$57,585
From the U S Census Bureau, 2005 American Community Survey

Today's Chuckle

Breakdown

Four technicians are traveling in a company truck. One is a mechanical engineer, one a chemical engineer, one an electrical engineer, and one is a Microsoft computer engineer.

The truck breaks down.

“Sounds to me as if the pistons have seized,” says the mechanical engineer, “we’ll have to strip down the engine before we can get the car working again.”

“Well,” says the chemical engineer, “it sounded to me as if the fuel might be contaminated; I think we should clear out the fuel system.”

“I think it might be a grounding problem,” says the electrical engineer, “or maybe a faulty plug lead.”

They then turn to the Microsoft engineer, who so far has said nothing. “What do you think?” they ask.

“Well, I think we should close all the windows, get out, get back in, and open the windows again.”

Adapted from www.jokesplace.com

Online Learning Tip: Building Your Personal Team

The support of family and friends is critical to the success of any adult learner. This is particularly true for students in online programs, such as NACTEL. When you’re at your computer, probably at night and on weekends, having supportive people around you can make a huge difference. Take these steps to build your personal team:

  1. Identify who is on your team; this will probably include your spouse and your children.
  2. Explain clearly why your education is important and what your goals are.
  3. Ask for their help – tell them specifically what they can do and how this would be helpful.
  4. Celebrate with your team – share both your small and big achievements.

Techie word of the day

WEP & WPA
Yes, the industry is full of acronyms and here are two more!

WEP is a security standard for wireless networks - it stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy.

WPA is another industry standard based on an early draft of the IEE 802.11i specifications; it stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access. Because WEP was too easily compromised, it has been replaced by WPA.

You can learn more about this in AIT 253 Wireless Network Security, a 3-credit course offered by Pace University. This course is part of the Essentials of Wireless Networking Certificate, which is part of the Associate of Science in Telecommunications degree.

Find out more at: Essentials of Wireless Networking Certificate

Partner News: AT&T's Customer Education

Take a look at the Customer Education page on the AT&T web site - it's full of ideas, advice and tips to keep all of our communication safe.
Sample topics include:
  • Identify theft
  • Internet safety
  • Tips to protect computers and personal information
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Deceptive sales practices
  • Pretexting

Student Story: Jeffrey Baer

"I just know a lot more now and with knowledge comes power. Not superfluous things, but more in-depth knowledge within my field.

I now have industry-specific expertise and I know that I am a better Technician because of time spent in the NACTEL program."

Jeffrey Baer
Switching Equipment Technician
Verizon
CWA Local 13000
A.S. Degree Applied Information Technology in Telecommunications

Jeffrey had never really considered going back to school until he received an email from his employer outlining the benefits of the NACTEL program. In 2002, he decided to give online learning a try, "I just wanted to learn something and NACTEL courses seemed to be a natural progression."

Online learning made sense for Jeffrey. The flexibility allowed him to study and complete homework on his own terms. "I'd say, well I'm up at 4:30 a.m., I might as well write my paper."

His advice to others considering the program, "do it". "If a person has the slightest inclination to go back to school, they should." Jeffrey maintains that the program drives a thirst for knowledge, which leads to credibility within the industry and a feeling of personal accomplishment.

This summer marks four and one-half years since Jeffrey started the program. He will graduate with an A.S. degree in Telecommunications in May, 2007. "Challenging oneself is fantastic because in the end there is a sense that you've won."

He plans to take a short break after graduation and start working toward his Bachelor's degree in the fall.

NACTEL News is brought to you by the National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning. NACTEL is administered by CAEL, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning.

Copyright© 2007 NACTEL All Rights Reserved

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