Homeland Security –IT’s Integral Role

The Department of Homeland Security is burdened with the daunting task of ensuring the safety of the whole country and preventing terrorist attacks within the borders of the United States. And while it employs more than 240,000 personnel and has a wide array of preventative weapons in its arsenal, probably none is as significant as its technology. 

From the pullover stop of front line police officers to the data mining performed by the National Security Agency, Information Technology is an integral part of modern day law enforcement and terrorism prevention. Police officers using laptops in their patrol cars can perform near instantaneous threat assessment about the vehicles and drivers they stop. FBI, NSA and Homeland Security agents can cull through mountains of metadata to tie suspected terrorists to their networks. And behind-the-scenes diligently working IT techs can help to turn raw data into actionable information.

IT defensive strategists need to be more vigilant than ever –because cyber criminals are! The bad guys are harnessing the power of computers, networks and the Internet to be more innovative in their destruction. Terrorists send messages of propaganda and recruitment through the Internet but also conduct real-time operations through cyperspac using an array of technological tools to carry out their sinister missions, while striving to remain undetected. 

That’s where cybersecurity comes into action. Cybersecurity and the IT specialists behind it are the very first levels of protection for our nation’s critical infrastructure, economy, power grids and security systems. 

And cybersecurity isn’t just the backbone of national security; it’s a multibillion dollar industry with ever-expanding growth potential. The more hackers work to attack, the more security needs to be intensified to prevent and respond.

The Information Technology Professional program at Career Quest Learning Centers trains students to work in the Information Technology industry by teaching the fundamentals of computer hardware and software troubleshooting, networking technologies for local area and wide area networks and a host of real world professional development skills and customer relations.

5 Benefits of Small Class Sizes

Students often feel like they’re just a number at large universities with big classes. Sometimes, smaller truly is better. Here are 5 benefits to smaller class sizes:

1) Instructors who care

In a small class, you are not just a number. Your instructor will get to know you and your skills, strengths, passions and learning styles. You matter! Isn’t that a great feeling? Instructors in small class settings are more likely to offer individual attention and guidance. They have a lot of information to share and they want to share it 

with you. They actually like their jobs and enjoy interacting with their students!

2) Peer Interaction

Did you know that you could learn a lot from that person sitting beside you in the classroom? Your peers today will be your colleagues tomorrow. Maybe it’s time you started teaching each other. In small class settings, you will get to know the people with whom you’ll be sharing a work environment and a world in the future. Small classes give you the opportunity to speak up and be heard among your peers. Interactions at school can help you build self-confidence and public speaking skills. You will also be able to share your knowledge with your peers. And they’ll be sharing with you. Listen closely; the lessons they teach may be invaluable.

3) Positive Attention

The personalized attention you receive in a small classroom setting allows you to get individual critique, focus and feedback. Because your instructors are not trying to evaluate the work of hundreds of students, they can more effectively judge how you’re doing and communicate it directly to you. You’re not lost in the shuffle –and neither is your good work.

4) Varied Assignment Opportunities

In some classrooms, students are judged on a few widely spaced exams –and that’s it. Small classes often give you the chance to demonstrate your knowledge in ways that best fit your learning style. Group work and projects are common. In a small setting, you’re more likely to be judged by your hands-on skills, interactive abilities and willingness to put a good effort into your work.

5) Creativity

In smaller class settings, your teacher is more likely to measure the class, understand the learning styles of the students and think outside the box with regard to lessons and classroom time. Creative instructors like teaching to all kinds of learners, including you!

The Career Quest Learning Center staff prides itself on giving students the attention and opportunities they deserve. One way we do this is by limiting our class sizes to offer students individualized attention and instruction. We’re as serious about your career training as you are. Whether you’re looking to change careers or simply step up your game from where you are now, we can help. Contact a Career Quest Learning Center representative now for more information. Programs start every six weeks.

How Pharmaceuticals Make It to Market…

And where pharmacy technicians come in.

People use pharmaceuticals every day without giving much thought to where they come from. This article explores the pharmaceutical development process and provides insight into how today’s most frequently prescribed drugs make it from early development to your local pharmacy.

Step 1: Research

This is often the stage where initial breakthroughs happen. Whether companies want to develop a drug to fight cancer or cure the common cold, research and laboratory studies are where all drugs begin. *

Step 2: Determine safety and effectiveness

When manufacturers or potential marketers are thinking about bringing a new drug to the commercial market, the first questions they need to ask are: “Is this safe and is it needed?” From there, they will begin collecting data and necessary information to establish the drug’s safety and effectiveness. This typically happens through some form of animal testing.

Step 3: Submit an application to the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

In the United States, pharmaceutical companies must gain permission from the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to further develop and test potential drugs. This includes submitting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application and explaining the need for the drug, the animal pharmacology and toxicology studies, manufacturing information, clinical protocols and investigator information.

Step 4: Clinical trials

After submitting the IND application, pharmaceutical companies must wait at least 30 calendar days for the FDA to review it and give the go-ahead to begin clinical trials. At this stage, human testing can begin.

*

Step 5: Review and approval

As soon as they conclude the clinical trials stage, pharmaceutical companies can begin examining the results. If the drug is determined to be safe and effective, the company will then submit a New Drug Application, which outlines the manufacturing specifications and other important information needed to bring the drug to market. After this review process is complete, the company may proceed with marketing its new drug for commercial use.

*

Step 6: At the counter

This is where pharmacy technicians come in. They work on the front lines of distribution to the public. They ensure that proper medication, dosage and critical information about the drug are delivered to consumers to protect their safety.

---