Science

Jonathan Cornelissen Shows Power of Education in an Economic Slump

Published

5 years ago

April 11, 2020

When the economy turns turbulent, many people become fearful of losing their employment and being unable to find a new source of income. While this fear is understandable, it also need not be reflective of reality for those that are equipped with knowledge of how to overcome difficult economic times. To aid our readers in this pursuit, we turned our attention to one of the most time-tested strategies for thriving while job prospects become murky — education. To help us explore this concept, we also looked to work by Jonathan Cornelissen, a leader in the field of data education.

Professional background

One of the reasons Jonathan Cornelissen makes for a helpful resource in this discussion is that he’s the founder of DataCamp, a popular online resource for learners seeking to improve their data literacy. The platform has become a go-to destination for anyone who feels a background in data education may help them perform their job responsibilities more effectively or might improve their access to employment opportunities. That idea has been borne out by employers themselves, who often pay for their employees to have access to the platform’s resources. When employers are paying out of pocket to improve the knowledge base of their employees, it’s a good indication that the knowledge is likely contributing to their bottom line.

That understanding of how a background in data science helps employers and employees alike is why the tech entrepreneur makes for a valuable point of study during an economic slump. Part of his inspiration for creating his learning platform was the observation that data was an important part of the economy and was set to increase in importance over time. He also saw that there was a lack of resources designed to help improve the data literacy of individuals and organizations. In creating his data learning platform, he showed an understanding of a broader concept that can be useful for any individual seeking work — improving one’s educational foundation in a field with growing demand can be a key part of finding quality employment.

Data demand

The tech entrepreneur’s insight that data was set to play a greatly expanded role in the economy turned out to be prescient. This makes the field a good point of study to illustrate how educating oneself in the right concentration can pay off down the line. At the time that the data scientist first conceived of his platform, data was already an important part of the economy — researchers, government institutions, business leaders, and more were all using data to help achieve their goals, so the power of data was no secret. However, what many people didn’t anticipate, was the extent to which data was set to grow in availability due to the ongoing development of one powerful piece of technology — the internet.

As the internet has become an integral part of modern life over the past few decades, its ability to gather data has grown exponentially. This data can come from many different sources, such as a person’s online habits, social media presence, or purchasing preferences. Armed with this type of data, businesses and large organizations can gain an invaluable understanding of the population groups they are trying to serve and can work to improve their ability to engage in those efforts. As such, this explosion in data has helped to drastically improve the ability of an entity to fulfill its mission. This fact has made data science a key part of the modern economy and has greatly improved the employment prospects of individuals who have bolstered their skillset in this area through educational resources.

Formal and self-education

When improving one’s level of education during an economic slump, there are generally two paths that can be pursued — formal education and self-education. Many people instinctively turn towards formal education, such as an undergraduate course of studies or a graduate degree. This method of learning can give an individual a solid foundation en route to a new career path and can help provide them access to an institution that can provide career assistance after a degree is obtained. For some learners, this level of institutional support can be a key component of their success.

Formal education, however, comes with some downsides. Perhaps the most glaring is its expense. While there are varying levels of costs associated with institutional learning, tuition rates, in general, have been trending upwards in recent years which has made it necessary for many learners to take out loans to pursue this type of education. In contrast, self-education resources, such as online learning platforms, can often be much lower cost and help to pinpoint the exact skills that an individual may need in order to pursue a new career. This can be especially relevant during times of economic uncertainty when taking on debt may lead to increased levels of financial insecurity.

Supplementary networking

When discussing education to improve one’s job prospects, it’s important to also touch on the role of networking in gaining employment. While an individual pursuing an institutional education may have access to employment resources that can help them find work, a learner engaging in self-education may not. For these individuals, finding job prospects may hinge on effective networking, such as attending career fairs, seeking out informational interviews, and working with recruiters. This type of networking can help individuals showcase their improved set of skills to those in a position to make hiring decisions. This can ultimately lead to a new job down the line.

While the prospect of losing one’s employment can be frightening, especially during times of economic uncertainty, it need not leave one powerless to improve their situation. Education can be a key component of ensuring continued access to employment when it seems as though many organizations may not be hiring. Looking to the example of Jonathan Cornelissen can be instructive in this time, as his work to anticipate demand and improve educational opportunities in the area of data science has helped millions bolster their job prospects. Further study of the power of education to improve employment levels can make for an impactful ally when the economy seems poised for a downturn.

Science

Advances in Forensic Science: Innovations Shaping Criminal Investigations

Published

1 year ago

July 19, 2023

Jonathan Grilli

Forensic science is one of the core foundations of our justice system, providing essential tools to solve crimes and bring perpetrators to justice. With sophisticated techniques, forensic science deciphers hidden clues, interprets complex data, and illuminates connections that can lead to decisive conclusions.

In the current era, innovation fuels this discipline, sparking new methodologies that significantly boost crime detection capabilities. As we witness an accelerating pace of progress, it’s evident that the field of forensic science is not just adapting but indeed evolving, reinforcing its integral role in delivering justice.

Novel Fingerprint Analysis Techniques

Fingerprint analysis, a time-honored method in forensic science, is experiencing a wave of innovation. The advent of advanced technologies has caused a paradigm shift in approaching this age-old technique. It’s not just about matching patterns; fingerprints can reveal new information.

With new tools, forensic scientists can glean insights into the suspect’s lifestyle habits and substance use far beyond identity confirmation. This uncharted territory offers a wealth of additional clues for investigators.

Breakthroughs in DNA Analysis

Delving into DNA analysis, how significantly it has propelled forensic science forward is evident. Next Generation Sequencing, a technique that reads DNA at unprecedented speed and efficiency, has become a critical tool in the forensic arsenal.

Forensic scientists can now dissect even the most challenging DNA samples compromised by time, decay, or environmental factors. Imagine a years-old case, untouched, unsolved, its clues weathered away. DNA analysis shines here, extracting useful information from nearly invisible or degraded samples.

Amid this scientific evolution, professionals with a degree in forensic science are emerging as critical players. Armed with a rigorous academic foundation, they apply these groundbreaking DNA techniques to unsolved cases, unraveling mysteries that once seemed impossible.

Their contributions continue to shape how we understand and utilize DNA analysis in forensic science, giving fresh momentum to criminal investigations.

The Rise of Digital Forensics

Though offering immense convenience, the digital world has opened doors to a new breed of crime – cybercrime. The frequency and complexity of such offenses have created an urgent need for robust and adept digital forensics.

This specialty focuses on the meticulous extraction and evaluation of digital information for use in legal proceedings. Forensic experts dig deep into the digital abyss, unraveling complex webs of information. They retrieve hidden or deleted data, analyze network communications, and trace digital footprints to unmask the perpetrators.

The task isn’t easy. Cybercriminals are increasingly sophisticated, employing new techniques to cloak their illicit activities. But the field of digital forensics is keeping pace. As technologies evolve, so does the art of digital forensics, growing more effective and nuanced in its approach.

Progress in Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropology revolves around the study of human skeletal remains, unraveling clues about the deceased. Over time, this field has witnessed dramatic progress, which has enhanced its capabilities and precision.

Today, cutting-edge imaging technologies, such as 3D scanning, have come into play. These offer detailed visualizations of skeletal structures, yielding valuable insights. Advanced statistical techniques have opened up new opportunities to complement these technologies.

Now, with more certainty than ever, we can determine the age, sex, and potential cause of death from skeletal remains. The human body, even in death, tells a tale. It leaves behind an imprint that forensic anthropologists skillfully interpret. This amalgamation of technology and statistics is transforming crime-solving efforts.

Advances in Ballistics Examination

Ballistics examination, integral to many criminal investigations, involves the analysis of bullets and casings to help piece together the narrative of a crime. The recent influx of advanced technologies, like 3D imaging and automated comparison systems, is transforming this domain.

3D imaging, for instance, captures microscopic details of bullets and casings, revealing intricate patterns that were previously hard to decipher. These details can unlock vital clues in criminal investigations, from linking a bullet to its firearm to retracing the trajectory of a shot.

Meanwhile, automated comparison systems expedite the matching process, swiftly scanning databases to find potential matches. With these advancements, ballistics examination is becoming increasingly precise, which amplifies the reliability of its evidence.

Cutting-edge Forensic Toxicology

Forensic toxicology operates at the intersection of law and medicine, detecting and identifying drugs or toxins in the human body. As a pillar of forensic science, its advancements directly impact the field.

The proliferation of new laboratory equipment has catapulted the capabilities of forensic toxicology. For instance, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, a technique of impressive sensitivity, has revolutionized substance detection. It can discern incredibly small quantities of substances, transforming droplets of evidence into torrents of insight.

Whether the case involves alleged poisoning or substance misuse, this technique has proven invaluable. These technological breakthroughs are vital contributors to the integrity of evidence presented in legal proceedings.

Microbial Forensics: A New Dawn

Microbial forensics is a relatively nascent discipline that has already sparked much interest and anticipation. This field focuses on investigating the microbiome, a rich community of microbes.

Each individual and location has a unique microbial signature. By studying these signatures, forensic scientists can glean unexpected yet vital insights. The microbes may reveal the identity of a suspect, track a person’s movements, or even provide clues to the cause of death.

The potential of microbial forensics is immense. It’s like a new language that, when decoded, can unveil secrets invisible to the naked eye.

Evolving Legal Implications and Ethical Considerations

As forensic science advances at an impressive pace, it brings along a ripple effect of evolving legal implications and ethical considerations. Legal bodies and ethicists are navigating uncharted waters to address these emerging challenges.

Privacy concerns sit atop the list of issues. Forensic science can now extract personal information from pieces of evidence that, while valuable for investigations, raises questions about data privacy. The potential for misinterpretation of complex scientific evidence is another concern. While offering detailed insights, advanced techniques require specialized knowledge for correct interpretation, highlighting the need for expert witnesses in courtrooms.

Moreover, using probabilistic genotyping algorithms in DNA analysis has sparked debates. These algorithms can help solve cases, but there are concerns over their accuracy and the transparency of their methodology.

Conclusion

Forensic science stands on the brink of a revolutionary era. Rapid advancements in DNA analysis, digital forensics, forensic anthropology, and other domains alter the crime-solving landscape. These innovations, driven by those with a degree in forensic science, enable more accurate, effective investigations.

Yet, they also demand fresh legal and ethical considerations. As we march forward, we must ensure these breakthroughs are leveraged responsibly, optimizing their potential while safeguarding individual rights. The future of criminal investigation hinges on this delicate balance.