Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence Nanodegree Program, Featured, Interviews

A Priceless Collaboration: IBM Watson and Udacity

Armen Pischdotchian - IBM Watson - Udacity

IBM Watson has captured our collective imagination to a degree that very few technologies ever achieve. Even to refer to it as a “technology” seems limiting, considering its larger-than-life persona. From that fabled moment in 2011 when IBM Watson won Jeopardy’s first place prize—besting legendary former champions Brad Rutter and Ken Jennings—its place in our cultural history was assured. But behind all the media notoriety lies a system of staggering power and complexity, with the potential to impact our future in ways we’re only just beginning to imagine.

In light of all this, it’s difficult at first to conceive that anyone could actually teach people about IBM Watson. But that’s exactly what Armen Pischdotchian does for a living. By title, he is an “Academic Tech Mentor at IBM Watson.” Translation: Armen Pischdotchian knows a LOT about IBM Watson.

Which is why we’re so excited for our Artificial Intelligence students, because Armen Pischdotchian is now a contributing expert for Udacity’s Artificial Intelligence Nanodegree program!

Data Analyst Nanodegree program, Featured, Lifelong Learning, Student Success

Put Your Soul Into It: Lifelong Learning and The Pursuit of Happiness

Student Success - Lifelong Learning - Cloud Nine - Udacity

As a young professional in the banking industry, Jennifer Tsou worked as a Relationship Banker—providing personal financial counseling, assisting with lending services, and building relationships with customers. Her university education—focused on finance and economics—provided her with the tools she needed to be successful in her role. Her career in banking afforded her stability, and the opportunity to further develop her customer relations skills. Still, she often found herself questioning her path. She occasionally indulged herself by imagining doing something different with her life and career, only to remind herself she should be happy to have a job.

Something was definitely missing.

Challenges, Featured, Hiring Partners, Self-Driving Car Engineer Nanodegree program, Self-Driving Cars

Compete for a Self-Driving Car Interview with Bosch’s Automated Driving Group

Udacity Bosch - Path Planning Challenge - Self Driving Car

The Bosch Group is the world’s largest automotive supplier and they are taking bold actions to achieve their mission of bringing level 5 autonomous vehicles to market by 2021. As well as investing $1.1 billion into a new, self-driving car chip manufacturing plant, they are also investing heavily in talent.

To help Bosch meet the demands of their growing Automated Driving team, Udacity is pleased to announce a Path Planning Challenge sponsored by Bosch, which will give actively enrolled students in our Self-Driving Car Engineer Nanodegree program the opportunity to showcase their skills and earn an interview for a Planning Engineer role with Bosch’s Automated Driving team.

Featured, gamification, Podcast

Making A Game Of It: Gamification and Retention

Udacity - The Drawing Board - Gamification

Games are fun. It’s no coincidence they’re most often associated with the verb “to play.” This is why gamification is such a big deal these days. It’s also why gamification is our topic for the 3rd episode of The Drawing Board, our new Udacity podcast!

Featured, Virtual Reality, VR Developer Nanodegree program

4 Tips for Making Compelling Virtual Reality Video

from the experts at Samsung VR

Samsung VR - Virtual Reality - Udacity

The Worldwide Semiannual Augmented and Virtual Reality Spending Guide from IDC forecasts worldwide revenues for the augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) market to reach $13.9 billion in 2017, an increase of 130.5% over the $6.1 billion spent in 2016. That’s incredible growth for an already-established industry. Why so much excitement? Because while the technology is already here, the content stream is only just starting to flow. Everyone from customers to investors to creators knows the best is still to come.

Here at Samsung, we’ve watched a tremendous amount of VR, and we know what makes for great content. Our 360 video service, SamsungVR, is already seeing a steady stream of innovative content with more videos from brands, studios and independent creators alike added to the platform every day.

Right now in this industry, the ability to create compelling, creative content is THE competitive differentiator—both for any individual pursuing a role in the field, and for any brand working to establish a presence in the VR/AR space. Here are 4 tips on how to do it right!

career change, career path, Featured

Forging Your Own Career Path

Getting from Where You Are, to Where You Want to Be

Forging Your Own Career Path - Udacity

Career change isn’t easy. Life change isn’t easy. Change of any kind can be difficult. External obstacles are a fact of life. They can be overcome, but they’re often overwhelming. Sometimes, the biggest obstacles are self-created. We doubt ourselves. We second-guess, lose confidence, falter, and give up. I know all about it. I’ve been through it. The best thing that ever happened to me, was admitting it was my fault. Admitting that I’d failed because I hadn’t been true to myself. That was the beginning of my new life.

If that sounds counter-intuitive, it isn’t. Admitting my own shortcomings empowered me. It gave me confidence, it didn’t erode it. The day I realized I needed to forge my own path, on my terms, was the day I became a success. What follows are the lessons I’ve learned. I share them with you, because I hope they’ll help you forge your own path, and achieve success on your terms.

Featured, Machine Learning Nanodegree program, Student Success

Success and Service

How a Two-Time Nanodegree Program Graduate’s Involvement in His Local Tech Community Led to a Machine Learning Job with Disney

Success and Service - Machine Learning - Udacity

Success can be measured in many ways. For some, it’s about money, fame, status. For others, it comes down to whether you can check certain boxes—house, car, spouse, kids, job, etc. For still others, success is about service. For Michael duPont, it was through serving his community that he ultimately achieved his personal goals.