Student News B.I.T.S.

Official Student Newsletter of Purdue University Global’s School of Business and Information Technology

September 2022 Issue

Click above to check out this inspirational video!

All ceremonies are posted on Purdue Global’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/PurdueGlobal) and Purdue Global’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PurdueGlobal/).

August 2022 Commencement in Washington, D.C.

More than 1,200 Purdue Global graduates take part in commencement ceremonies in Washington, D.C. on August 13th. Keynote speaker and Purdue Global alumna Jacque Yates said, “The train of life will only take you as far as the tracks that you have laid before it. And now it is time for you to Boiler Up.” Graduates from all 50 states and 9 countries were recognized both virtually and in-person and one virtual ceremony. Jacque Yates, who earned her Master's in Public Health from Purdue Global in 2021, gave the keynote address.

The Purdue Global Mace Representing Academic Achievement and Continuation of Your Next Ties

Purdue University Global commencement ceremonies begin with the entrance of the University Mace – carried by the mace bearer, who leads the chancellor and other dignitaries onto the stage.

The current mace first appeared at the May 2022 commencement in Indiana. It was constructed by Michael Lorenz, Purdue University Global vice president of academic operations and registrar, and a self-described “amateur woodworker.”

The mace consists of 18 segments, representing Purdue University Global’s founding in 2018. It is made entirely from locally sourced woods, symbolizing the university’s Indiana heritage. One section is composed of layers of different woods, evoking the diversity of students, faculty, and staff that is a hallmark of the institution and its mission. Three pieces of the current mace are refurbished from the previous mace, a reminder of Purdue University Global’s legacy, which traces its roots to the American Institute of Commerce, a postsecondary school that opened in 1937 to provide training for underserved job seekers in a nation still reeling from the Great Depression. Excerpt from Monday Minute, Purdue Global's employee newsletter

Labor Day Observance

Labor day is celebrated on September 5th, 2022.

Residential courses will not be held on designated holidays.

Online requirements during September 3-5 will be asynchronous

and will be determined by the instructor.

Purdue Global B-Track Is Switching To Zoom

We at Purdue Global hope you are as excited about the transition to Zoom as we are. If you need help:

Contact Support & Solutions 24/7 by chat in PG Campus or by phone at 866-522-7747
See the Seminar Guide in the “Help” menu in your Brightspace classroom.

Zoom Student User Guide

B Track students changed to Zoom. Students on A track as well as Concord Law School students will follow at a later date. Remember to review attendence policies.

1. Purdue Global is switching to Zoom

The Zoom platform contains the same features for engaging communication as Bongo:

chat with students and the instructor
use of microphone and webcam by “share” request to the instructor
status- setting such as “Thumbs Up,” “Happy,” and “Confused” and more
recorded seminars in Zoom are available in the seminar archives

Zoom also brings some new features to your seminar experience:

a mobile app
closed captioning
live transcription
webcam availability for all participant
virtual background options for webcam users

Education Abroad: Business in Berlin Trip Registration is open!

Registration opened on September 1st for the School of Business and IT’s next Education Abroad virtual or in person trip to Berlin, Germany, in April 2023!

If you’re ready to sign up for Business in Berlin, apply for a space on either the VIRTUAL or TRAVEL field experience, and Education Abroad staff will be in touch to verify eligibility.

There are several ways to participate, depending on degree plan:

Undergraduate business students on C-track may enroll in BU329: Exploring Global Competence (2302C), a 1-credit hour Education Abroad elective

MBA students may enroll in GB602: MBA Capstone-Global Option (2302E), a NEW alternative to the traditional MBA capstone course (GB601).

MBA and MSML students who would like to delve deeper into the study of Global Business may enroll in the four course Global Business concentration. There are limited annual entry points into the concentration, with the next cohorts beginning with GB525: Global Business Environment in October (2207E) or January (2208E). This cohort will participate in the Berlin experience during the final concentration course, GB528: Global Strategy (2302E).

Upon satisfactory completion of all coursework requirements, all Education Abroad participants are eligible to receive the Global Competence Certificate (GCC) and digital badge, an internationally recognized mark of the ability to employ principles of intercultural awareness in professional and social settings.

In order to participate in an Education Abroad experience, applicants must have space for the course in their degree plan, be in good academic and financial standing, have completed three terms at PG, and be on an eligible C-track (undergrad) or E-track (grad) program.

All interested participants are encouraged to apply, but please note that space is limited on each trip. Successful applicants will be notified whether they have a place after the registration deadline of November 16, 2022 has passed and eligibility has been verified. Course fees associated with the field experience may be eligible for financial aid, depending on a student’s individual aid package and degree plan.

Check out the PG Education Abroad Handbook for more details, including other upcoming locations, dates, pricing, and policies, and contact PG Education Abroad with any questions.

There are several ways to participate, depending on degree plan:

Undergraduate business students on C-track may enroll in BU329: Exploring Global Competence (2302C), a 1-credit hour Education Abroad elective

MBA students may enroll in GB602: MBA Capstone-Global Option (2302E), a NEW alternative to the traditional MBA capstone course (GB601).

MBA and MSML students who would like to delve deeper into the study of Global Business may enroll in the four course Global Business concentration. There are limited annual entry points into the concentration, with the next cohorts beginning with GB525: Global Business Environment in October (2207E) or January (2208E). This cohort will participate in the Berlin experience during the final concentration course, GB528: Global Strategy (2302E).

Check out the PG Education Abroad Handbook for more details, including other upcoming locations, dates, pricing, and policies, and contact PG Education Abroad with any questions.

Excel Track Student Resources

NEW ExcelTrack Student Resource Site

Check out our new ExcelTrack Student Resources Page. This site gives all of the information you need to know while participating in the ExcelTrack Program.

Purdue Global Spotlight

Purdue Global alumni refused to let life get in the wayDespite challenges juggling work, home and school duties, these Purdue University Global alumni persevered to reach educational and professional goals.

Networking Tips for Online College StudentsEven if you take classes fully online, there are still plenty of ways to build a professional network. Learn about our top online networking tips.

Alumni Spotlight

Read more about Evan's story as part of our Cybersecurity Program

Evan Harrington held a job as an accountant for a 5-year period, working overtime every week in a position he was not passionate about. Eventually, he decided to branch out and expand his career opportunities which led him to working for the US Army conducting chemical warfare analysis. While stationed in South Korea, Evan thought about his future and became interested in returning to school. Through a substantial amount of research he found Purdue University Global, one of the best reviewed institutes for remote education that accommodated active duty soldiers within the Armed Forces. After speaking with an advisor, the choice became clear and he started his collegiate journey at PG, pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity.

Evan really appreciated the hands-on learning experience he found within PG’s Cybersecurity program. The labs and projects he worked on were applicable to real-world problems, including labs on using Kali Linux to practice forensics within Windows-based virtual machines, and other cybersecurity related projects. He also was thankful for his teachings which incorporated industry-wide best practices to allow for greater integration from the transition from school right into existing corporate cultures. A few of his most memorable professors who exemplified these assets were Professor Rynazewski who had invaluable knowledge and experience in cybersecurity along with the ability to apply classroom theories to real life situations, and Professor Boucard who elevated his discipline for studying and dedication to the craft of cybersecurity.

To his surprise, during the last few terms of his Cybersecurity program - the Purdue University Global Career Services team reached out to him personally with a job opportunity at Amazon Web Services (AWS) - A Fortune 500 Employer and one of the world's top renowned technology companies. The Career Services team directly connected Evan with a correspondent at AWS. Even though he was on deployment during a mission, he passed the interview with flying colors and was offered a job position with the company. Evan left us with these final words, “I am beyond grateful for the guidance and insight that the university has provided me throughout my curriculum and I don’t think that I would be where I am with my current career trajectory without Purdue Global. I just want to say, thanks.”