But finally, after all the blood, sweat, and tears, it’s worth it.  Sweet victory, the final product!

But wait, what are we missing?

Ah yes, the drama, the emotion, the sadness, the fear…the music!

While it may not be the main focus of a video game, the soundtrack is actually an extremely important part of the user experience.  The music portrays what the character is feeling and thinking, creating suspense in all the right places.  Even with today’s advances in electronic music, many composers still record live with musicians and even at times a full orchestra to get an authentic sound.  Gaming soundtracks have come a long way since the days of Pac Man and Donkey Kong.  Check out this video that describes how musical innovation drives gameplay today:

For more information on our Digital Gaming Design program, click here

Photo credit: the4yablog.com

Have you seen those quirky, retro, square photos that have been popping up all over Facebook and Twitter?  They’re from Instagram, and you’re probably going be seeing a lot more of them.

The smart phone app is incredibly easy to use.  Simply snap photo, or choose a photo from your device, add a filter, frame, or other effect, and publish to your feed for others to see.  The result is a mini work of insta-art.  Instagram is also a social networking site in the sense that you can tag your location, comment on photos and “like” your favorites.  Pretty neat!

While Instagram has been steadily gaining popularity since its release in October of 2011, two recent events have significantly upped the users.  Instagram, a once iphone-only app, recently became available on the Android network and was sold to Facebook shortly thereafter for 1 billion dollars.  That’s right…a billion. There are now approximately 40 million people posting photos using this fun little program which Apple named the top app of 2011.

If the American dream is still alive, it can be found in the world of apps.  In less than 2 years, Instagram went from idea to billion dollar baby almost overnight.  This phenomenon has also been seen with apps such as Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja and Words with Friends, which have become hugely popular in a very short amount of time.

Love Instagram? You might be interested in the Programming or Digital Media programs that American Career Institute offers!

Check out the Instagram blog for some inspiration.

Photo credits: play.google.com

Believe it or not, the way to increase dental care for Americans all over the country is by simply adding jobs to the dental workforce.  Adding more employees, such as dental assistants or oral hygienists, would allow dentists to see more patients and perform more procedures. This, in turn, makes them more money and allows more jobs and cheaper dental care.  The infographic below breaks down the process in numbers.

American Career Institute can give you the tools you need to take advantage of these potential untapped job opportunities.  Our Dental Assisting program will make graduates proficient in scheduling and confirming appointments, greeting and checking in patients, organizing treatment records, sending bills and receiving payments, and ordering dental supplies and materials.  Campuses offering the dental assisting program include Braintree, Cambridge, Framingham, Springfield, and Woburn, so get started today!

Graphic designers today are enjoying success and stability that few professions can rival.  In the next 6 years, graphic design employment is expected to grow by 13% in terms of number of jobs, which is 30% higher than the national average in terms of job growth.  And in addition to competitive salaries, many graphic designers enjoy schedule flexibility, often times working their own hours and/or working from home.  Graphic design also allows for creativity, innovation, and the ability to affect the lives of thousands.  And for all those graphic designers out there who are no doubt a bit more visual, below is an infographic illustrating the opportunity this rapidly growing profession has to offer.

In today’s times of uncertainty and instability, a career in graphic design could be the answer for you.  At American Career Institute, students learn to create print ads, posters, brochures and other marketing materials, enhance and manipulate photos using the latest in design software, design corporate logos, and lay out magazine spreads.  Our Graphic Design program is offered at our Braintree, Cambridge, Columbia, Framingham, Springfield, and Woburn locations, so enroll today!

The infographic below illustrates how the advancements in technology continue to change the design elements of websites.  In web design’s brief history, various design languages have come about, multiple browsers have emerged, and the ease and methods of accessing the internet have progressed.  The number of people using mobile and tablet devices to access the internet continues to increase; making the presence of mobile friendly web pages an absolute necessity.

And with all these new advancements and trends, there has never been a better time to touch the lives of thousands (if not more) through web design.  American Career Institute will provide you the skills to create web sites, web based display ads, company logos, and more! Our Graphic and Web Design program at our Braintree, Cambridge, Columbia, Framingham, Springfield and Woburn locations. Enroll in a program that will allow you to leave your mark on countless web users and become a part of the evolution of web design.

Infographic courtesy of KISSmetrics.

Medical assistants’ administrative responsibilities include:

• Greeting patients
• Answering the phones and scheduling appointments
• Managing billing and bookkeeping
• Completing insurance forms
• Updating and filling patients’ medical records

Medical assistants’ clinical responsibilities include:

• Preparing patients for examination
• Taking and recording vital signs
• Taking patients’ medical histories
• Explaining procedures to patients
• Calling in prescriptions for patients
• Sterilizing equipment
• Collecting blood for testing
• Performing basic laboratory tests
• Assisting patients during examinations

Why become a medical assistant?

Medical assisting is a great career for those who want to work in the health care field. A medical assisting career offers good hours with weekends and evening off if you work in a traditional doctor’s office.  If you are looking for a career that will leave you feeling fulfilled and provide you the opportunities to help others, a medical assisting career is a great choice. Medical assistants work every day towards helping people live healthier lives.

If you are looking to begin your career as a medical assistant the first step is completing your education. American Career Institute offers a Medical Assisting Program at our Baltimore, Braintree, Cambridge, Columbia, Framingham, Springfield, Wheaton and Woburn locations. You will study the basics of the medical assisting profession, learn about the medical terminology used by doctors and nurses and understand the systems and functions of the human body.

2/22 – Dental Health Event at ACI Braintree (all day event) – Healthy tips, healthy snacks and kid-friendly activities! Coloring contest for free Dental Goodie bag!

2/25 – Winter Open House at ACI Framingham – Learn about Financial Aid available for those who qualify, explore career placement opportunities, meet our Instructors, tour our classrooms and labs!

The role of a network administrator may vary from company to company, but the majority of network administrators are responsible for network address assignment, troubleshooting, upgrades and installs, security, and configuring and managing the existing network. Network Administrators’ responsibilities also include maintenance of network facilities in individual machines, such as setting up personal computers, printers and drivers.

Most network administrators, like other IT professionals, work in an office environment. Some of the job duties are preformed alone; however, network administrators also work with users who are experience difficulties. Although maintaining a network can be a routine task, the job can also be hectic when problems arise or the network crashes.

Network administrators must able to handle highly confidential material, communicate effectively, work well alone and in a team setting, and possess strong analytical skills. ACI’s PC and Network Administration program will help you build a variety of useful professional skills and prepare you for certifications that include A+, Network+, Linux+ and Microsoft MCITP Server certification. American Career Institute’s PC and Network Administration program is offered at the following locations: Braintree, Cambridge, Columbia, Framingham, Springfield and Woburn.

Since their humble beginning, Nintendo released numerous products including: the Game Boy, Super Nintendo Entertainment Systems, Nintendo 64, Nintendo Game Cube, Nintendo DS, Wii and Nintendo 3DS. The infographic “What you didn’t know about Nintendo”, highlights Nintendo’s history and accomplishments.

If you have an interest in technology, video game design and 3-D animation, America Career Institute’s Digital Gaming Design program is just for you! Learn how to create three-dimensional worlds with animated characters for today’s most popular gaming platforms.

Threats to network security include:

Viruses : Computer programs written by devious programmers and designed to replicate themselves and infect computers when triggered by a specific event
Trojan horse programs : Delivery vehicles for destructive code, which appear to be harmless or useful software programs such as games

Malware: Short for malicious software, is software designed to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. (Spyware, Adware
Vandals : Software applications or applets that cause destruction
Hacker Attacks : Hackers find weaknesses in an established system and exploit them. Attacks can include: reconnaissance attacks (information-gathering activities to collect data that is later used to compromise networks); access attacks (which exploit network vulnerabilities in order to gain entry to e-mail, databases, or the corporate network); and denial-of-service attacks (which prevent access to part or all of a computer system)
Data interception : Involves eavesdropping on communications or altering data packets being transmitted
Social engineering : Obtaining confidential network security information through nontechnical means, such as posing as a technical support person and asking for people’s passwords

Identity Theft: Obtaining key pieces of personal information, such as Social Security or driver’s license numbers, in order to impersonate someone else.

Network security specialists utilize a variety of tools to protect the network. In order to keep the network secure, software must be constantly updated and managed to protect against emerging threats. However, it is important to understand that there is not a single solution that will protect a network from a variety of attacks. All of the tools work together and ensure multiple layers of security.

Network security tools include:

Company security policies: Policy statements that outline users’ roles and responsibilities with regard to security. The policy should outline expectations regarding the use and administration of corporate IT assets.

Antivirus software packages: Protective software designed to defend your computer against malicious software.
Secure network infrastructure: Dedicated network security hardware and software tools such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems provide protection for all areas of the network and enable secure connections.
Virtual private networks: These networks provide secure remote access and data encryption between two different computers on a network.
Identity services: These services help to identify users and control their activities and transactions on the network. Services include passwords, digital certificates, and digital authentication keys.
Encryption: Encryption ensures that messages cannot be intercepted or read by anyone other than the authorized recipient.

American Career Institute offers a PC and Network Design with Security program at the ACI location in Baltimore, Braintree, Cambridge, Columbia, Framingham, Springfield or Woburn.