nanodegree
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Lyft offers 400 scholarships for online self-driving car course
Online learning portal Udacity launched its first 36-week "nanodegree" course for self-driving car engineering last year. There's a new, introductory course available now as well, focused on bringing students with minimal programming into the larger program. Even better, Udacity has partnered with Lyft (which has self-driving plans of its own) to provide scholarships to the intro course in order to increase diversity to the program. 400 scholarships are available to US-based students with "varying levels of experience;" the application window closes October 1st.
Google will teach you to write Android apps
Learning to make your own Android apps isn't easy, especially if it's your first time programming anything. Do you find a tutorial and hope for the best? Sign up for classes at the local college? Google might have a better way. It's introducing an Android Basics nanodegree (available in a week-long free trial) at Udacity that has Google experts teaching you how to write simple Android apps, even if you don't know a lick of code. The online course guides you far enough through Android Studio that you'll have an "entire portfolio" of programs by the time you're done -- you may not write the next Instagram, but you should be comfortable.
Online 'nanodegrees' boost your career without requiring time off
Climbing the career ladder can be daunting. You frequently need new skills to move ahead, but it's not always practical to take time off just to get some new credentials. However, AT&T and Udacity may have just solved this conundrum by unveiling "nanodegrees:" short online courses that are designed to boost your talents without disrupting your life. The upcoming programs teach subjects like app development and data analysis over the course of six to 12 months, assuming you devote 10 hours per week; you won't have to use up vacation time just to earn a certificate. You'll even get career help in the field you're studying, so you should have a better sense of how any new talents will apply in the real world.
