Extended Studies Blog
Empower Your Journey with the Latest Career Insights, Educational Trends, & Updates
What's Your Story?
Share your accomplishments, advice, and goals for a chance to be featured.
The science and philosophy behind the happiness movement
Gretchen Rubin decided to spend a year test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from pop culture about how to be happier. At the end of her study, Rubin wrote a book entitled The Happiness Project. How does she respond to critics who think that gimmick...
February 5, 2013
Focus on instructors: Leland Foerster
We invite you to take a moment to get to know Leland Foerster, a fine art photographer who has taught for UC San Diego Extension for close to twenty years. His recent projects include: The Californios, Taking the Early Bus and There is Work. His photographs are in public and private collections...
January 22, 2013
Asian language study can open career doors in booming economies
In November 2011, USA Today, quoting the global job placement firm Manpower, reported that the Asia-Pacific region is now the strongest job market in the world.
December 10, 2012
Becoming a stronger medical school applicant
Savvy college grads are turning to Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical programs, better known as Post-Bac programs to help them become the most attractive medical school candidates they can be.
December 6, 2012
Right place, right time: The art of iReporting with Tony Perri
What do Mickey Mouse, David Lynch, and the Dalai Lama have in common? They’ve all worked with Emmy-award winning producer/director Tony Perri.
November 28, 2012
School of rock: An interview with Scott Walton
Take a journey through the colorful and diverse history of America’s most defining and universal art form, examining both how society has shaped the genre throughout the years and how rock music has shaped society. Geared toward musicians and non-musicians alike, History of Rock Music encourages...
November 27, 2012
Getting personal with animation instructor Eric Van Hamersveld
Meet animator and UC San Diego Extension's instructor Eric Van Hamersveld, who teaches Animation I: Introduction to Disney’s 12 Principles of Animation and Animation II: Skill Building. We sat down with him to chat about how he got started, what he accomplished in the world of animation and...
September 16, 2012
Taking a literary tour through 19th-century Russia
In the decades from 1848-1914, Russia underwent one of the greatest social upheavals in human history and rapidly transformed into a modernized society, with over 35,000 miles of railroads, suburbs centered around large cities, and the largest steel production facilities in the world.
September 10, 2012
The charisma edge: 7 tips for job seekers to differentiate themselves from others
“Charisma is the differentiator for any person who wants to sell anything – ideas, products or themselves,” says Cynthia Burnham, the author of “The Charisma Edge: A How-to Guide for Turning On Your Leadership Power.”
September 9, 2012
Discovering Steinbeck’s America
In spare and direct prose, John Steinbeck chronicled the lives of American workers striving to survive and retain a sense of humanity while enduring extraordinary hardships in the face of dehumanizing circumstances.
August 27, 2012
Five Facts About Faulkner
All the great writers of the American South have an incredible sense of place. In their works, the South is more than just a setting, but is a character of its own. William Faulkner’s masterpieces are no exception.
August 19, 2012
San Diego Experiences: 'The Visit'
Excert from poet Karen Kenyon.
August 12, 2012
Focus on photography: What’s your favorite lens and why?
Calling fellow bloggers and photographers – what’s your favorite lens and why?
July 30, 2012
Regarding inspiration: A few words on being an artist
We are artists. We are inspired. Or driven. Or obsessed. Possessed. Only the work matters—the possible results of money or fame have little bearing. Time spent is not wasted nor regretted.
July 9, 2012
Safety expertise great value-added skill
Many employees today are adding safety expertise as a “value added” skill to make them more likely to be hired or retained in a tight job market. Specialists are needed to cope with technological advances in safety equipment and threats, changing regulations, and increasing public expectations.
June 25, 2012
Find a way to pay for new job skills
A red hot issue in this year’s election campaigns is the nationwide call for an economy with good jobs for all. The hidden issue is America’s job gap, the disparity between the good jobs being created by innovation in the U.S. and the lack of American workers with the skills to fill these good jobs.
June 19, 2012
Writing memoir: Creating art from our lives
I didn’t intend to write a memoir, or shorter memoir-like personal essays—but I think what we are to write presents itself, and rises like an underground lake, dampening the soil and grass. You can’t get away from it.
June 14, 2012
The quiet revolution: Local, organic, sustainable food in San Diego
America is undergoing a quiet revolution in the way we think of food-production and land use. It’s a revolution called urban farming.
June 10, 2012
Five great videos shot only on iPhones
Smartphone videography has moved into a whole new frontier. Cell phone filmmakers are now making documentaries, short films, music videos, and more. With the advent of apps, people are even doing the editing in-phone!
June 7, 2012
All the world's a stage: Meet acting instructor Allison Spratt Pearce
Growing up with a father in the military shaped my creative life from a very young age. I was lucky to live, study and travel all around the world. I learned different languages, arts, religions, and cultures. I quickly became captivated by people; their actions, reactions, speech, body language,...
June 7, 2012
Taking a peek into 'Paradise Lost' with instructor Michael Caldwell
All poets have their thematic strengths — things they do well. Milton has at least two that (arguably) he does better than anyone else in English: he is the great poet of married love and he is the great poet of temptation.
June 4, 2012
The top 10 mistakes of Web design
Today’s dynamic web is virtually unrecognizable from its early days. Technology has evolved, and every corner of the Internet begs for both our attention and interaction. Because of this, ease of use is paramount to fostering visitor loyalty.
May 13, 2012
UW-Platteville signs credit agreement with University of California Extensions
Qualifying students can transfer credits from four different UC schools to UW-Platteville’s master’s program in engineering
May 2, 2012
Putting servant leadership to the test
Ken Blanchard is chairman of Vision San Diego, a non-profit, public charity, that seeks to unify the San Diego region to serve the public good.
April 25, 2012