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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.
![](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/18c0594c-f5a2-49c7-ab2f-4e1d1b10b713/2020-social-300.jpg)
The Best of UCSD Extension 2020: Social Media
Take a look at the moments that made 2020 great on our social media accounts.
December 9, 2020
![Blue background with Best of 2020 spread over it](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/09c8885e-8caa-4a0f-9882-ec12d994af10/bestof2020-blue-300.jpg)
The Best of UCSD Extension 2020: Highlights & Future Plans
We have achieved remarkable things together and we look forward to exceeding expectations for 2021.
December 9, 2020
![Young woman, white, long wavy brown hair, smiling](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/3c5ed57b-4fde-4183-ab8b-3aef1d895104/miray-300.jpg)
Turkish Student Explores Her Passion for Aerospace Engineering In Online Program
18-year-old Miray Özcan, a 12th grader from the Black Sea port city of Samsun, Turkey, discovered a way to explore her passion for aerospace engineering through the online Sally Ride Science Junior Academy.
December 4, 2020
![Smiling man with a beard in a suit in his 40s](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/a2ff379a-6169-47b8-9097-93fcab84ce9a/ramin-300.jpg)
What Digital Health Can Solve in a Global Crisis
Advancements in the burgeoning field of digital health have firmly established it as a vital component of public health.
December 3, 2020
![Tanvir Khan, man, early 40s, east asian, smiling at camera](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/03a804de-f7ec-4bfa-8b14-7e0323193323/tanvir-khan-300.jpg)
Making a Change: From Scientist to Medical Writer
Tanvir Khan switched from researcher to medical writer in less than a year by taking UCSD Extension’s Medical Writing certificate program. Now he’s fielding job offers and pursuing a refreshing new career path without missing a beat.
November 19, 2020
![Associate Dean Ed Abeyta speaking at podium](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/625b43e3-ae26-4654-9c36-b2b7047ce2f5/ed-2-podium-300.jpg)
UCSD Extension Associate Dean Recognized for Excellence in Stewardship
UC San Diego Extension's Associate Dean for Education & Community Engagement, Ed Abeyta, has been recognized for his exemplary efforts in philanthropy and the development of donor relationships on behalf of the university.
November 12, 2020
![Mary Walshok smiling at the camera. Taken at the Salk Institute.](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/1c6ca33d-a2f8-4918-b7fb-4c104a05dc6b/maryw-retirement-300.jpg)
Mary Lindenstein Walshok to Step Down as Dean of University Extension
Following a nearly 50-year career at UC San Diego, Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) for Public Programs and Dean of Extension Mary Walshok has announced that she will conclude her tenure as dean in June 2021.
November 5, 2020
![Marine relaxing while in full gear, holding helmet.](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/10dc06a3-a051-425c-9b1e-3e1ca7ce5c3b/marines-300.jpg)
6 Careers That Translate Veteran Skills into Civilian Success
A number of skills are transferrable when transitioning between military and civilian life, but many vets find that it is their “soft skills” that serve them best.
November 4, 2020
![Navy sailors gathered on the deck of a ship in front of a waving American flag.](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/c9bf33c6-ea37-4df5-a97c-ed8a811deb78/navy-deck-300.jpg)
How to Translate Military Experience Into Civilian Success
Taking some time to consider options and determine next steps when leaving military life is vital to finding success in civilian life.
November 3, 2020
![Woman with long, dark curly hair stares off into space, distracted](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/114756f7-eae6-498e-bc41-a7d9cd84b2df/distracted-300.jpg)
The Art of Staying Focused: 4 Ways to Beat Distraction
Is staying focused at work or school a challenge for you? We've got some helpful tips to help you stay on-task and distraction-free no matter what you're working on or where you are.
October 27, 2020
![African American woman with open laptop, pen in hand, writing.](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/7f5304c5-892d-42c2-91a7-a2528c8b4f66/medical-writing-300.jpg)
The Top 6 Healthcare Careers You Can Do From Home
Healthcare may not seem like an obvious work-from-home career option, but there are a number of professional areas perfect for working remotely. Check out our top 6 recommendations for this rapid growing industry.
October 12, 2020
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It Takes an Artist to Solve a Design Problem
Communicating a clear meaning through the use of design is not a simple task. Extension instructor Maximo Escobedo gets in-depth on the why and how of good communications design.
October 2, 2020
![Teenaged Latinx boy looking at the camera](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/bf19a649-9731-41a9-a48c-9d7aa99eab2b/adrian-sandoval-300.jpg)
High Tech High Senior Focuses On Future in Leadership & Technology
Adrian Sandoval isn't a newcomer to programming or technology. He took Extension's Front End Web Development Futures program to round out his coding skills and prepare for college.
September 25, 2020
![BLM marchers on University Avenue in San Diego 2020](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/d6716678-4d13-44f5-b86f-1ef320fa794b/civil-rights-300.jpg)
Know Your Rights: The Fight For Social Change
Understanding our rights as U.S. citiizens is vital to effectively participating in our democracy. Extension's law department strives to pursue topical legal subjects like Fall 2020's course on the law of federal civil rights litigation from former prosecutor Duane E. Bennett.
September 25, 2020
![Books lined up on a bookshelf in a bookstore or library](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/c7f5f796-cd28-4e8e-b4fd-ad1f22c78cc8/lit-law-300.jpg)
Four Important Novels That Have Changed History
Helping those more fortunate—or unaware—empathize with oppressed people has long been an effect of literature, often serving as a catalyst for political action, righting of social wrongs, and changes in the law.
September 24, 2020
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New UCSD Extension Training Program Gives Sweetwater Teachers Proven Tools to Succeed in Online Instruction
As Sweetwater High School District administrators worked to help students make the leap to online learning due to the coronavirus pandemic, they also looked for a way to assist teachers with the transition. Help came from UC San Diego Extension in the form of free training for the district’s...
September 15, 2020
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How to Grow A Business By Improving Your Customer Experience
Finding ways to listen to and connect with your customers has never been more critical.
September 3, 2020
![Man, mid-30s, sitting at desk with white dog in his lap, espresso in front of him.](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/0fc3073a-58cb-49e3-833f-eef7a56b9fee/wfh-300.jpg)
Work-From-Home Dream Jobs and the Professional Certificates You Need to Get Hired
In the digital age, many careers require only a strong internet connection and the knowledge to do the job. It's a great time to get the specialized training you need to help you land a dream job that you can do from just about anywhere.
September 2, 2020
![Young man teen standing on pier smiling](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/56c1e921-7515-4a8b-952d-3fdb264e9fb5/yusuf_morsi-300.jpg)
Patrick Henry High School Grad Plans to Make a Big Social Impact
Recent high school graduate and incoming UC San Diego freshman, Yusuf Morsi, has a promising future ahead of him. And he plans on using everything he learns to make a better world.
August 24, 2020
![17 year year old girl, white, long medium brown hair, smiling in front of a science project poster.](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/4798d222-5777-4d3c-b7a0-a4f0e2ceb8f4/dagnywhall-300.jpg)
La Jolla High School Junior Explores Coding and Biotech Careers
Dagny Whall not only learned front end web development, she’s discovered she also has a talent for biotech in two of Extension's Futures programs.
July 24, 2020
![Wooden posable doll splayed awkwardly with safety warning symbols on its chest.](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/444b77a7-3ae6-4365-9120-3ef392f0c84d/safety-blog-300.jpg)
When It Comes To Safety, Common Sense Is Not Enough
Jeff Beeler's total of 45 years of experience as a firefighter and safety instructor puts him in the unusual position of (nearly) being able to see accidents before they happen.
July 16, 2020
![A smiling woman, brown hair, in front of a brick wall. Kristin Pedroza](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/2b261a34-1735-4dda-a027-2fa7700371fb/pedroza-300.jpg)
On Answering a Different Call: From Pastor to UX Designer
For Kristin Pedroza, the shift in careers from church pastor to user experience designer has been significant but not entirely surprising.
July 9, 2020
![Young woman experiments with electronics and a computer](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/d57eee64-e776-4c79-ba90-566e155d27a5/stem-experiments-300.jpg)
5 At-Home STEM Projects for Kids and Adults
Looking for fun ways to keep your kids engaged and learning? Check out these five STEM projects that you can do together!
July 6, 2020
![Laptop open on a yellow desktop with reading glasses, coffee cup, a notebook and a plant](https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/getmedia/33a1118d-f90e-4a11-add9-996754a1d8b6/future-work-300.jpg)
What You Need to Know About Future Workplace Trends
Experts in research, economics and global politics offer insights into how the current pandemic will forever change the future of work and the workplace of the future. Be prepared to rethink how, when and where you work.
July 1, 2020