North America Technical Institute (NATI) Announces Academic Collaboration with Capitol Technology University
An Articulation Agreement signed with Capitol Technology University in Maryland, a non-profit regional university.
This agreement establishes a formal academic pathway that enables NATI ESL students to transition into Capitol Technology University degree programs and includes a conditional IELTS waiver, the transfer of a specified number of training hours into academic credit (Credit Transfer), a special tuition rate of $360 per credit hour for in-person undergraduate programs and asynchronous online courses, a 20% discount on Master’s and Doctoral programs, and three (3) years of STEM training.
This partnership reflects both institutions’ shared commitment to academic excellence, career readiness, and expanded access to higher education in the United States.
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‘Godmother of AI’ makes bold claim about future of college degrees: ‘Matters less to us now’
The Stanford professor known as the “Godmother of AI” said college degrees are becoming less valuable when her startup hires software engineers, reported Business Insider.
What’s happening?
Fei-Fei Li teaches computer science at Stanford and founded the AI company World Labs. She recently discussed her hiring philosophy on “The Tim Ferriss Show.”
“When we interview a software engineer, I personally feel the degree they have matters less to us now,” Li said. “Now, it’s more about what have you learned, what tools do you use, how quickly can you superpower yourself in using these tools, and a lot of these are AI tools.”
Li said she would not bring on software engineers at World Labs who refuse to work with AI-assisted coding programs. For her, the willingness to evolve with new technology matters more than years in a classroom.
Other tech leaders have voiced similar opinions. Dan Rhoton, CEO of Hopeworks, a job-training nonprofit for young people, told Business Insider that companies are dropping degree requirements they can no longer justify.
Why is AI’s impact on hiring concerning?
The push for AI-fluent workers comes with hidden environmental costs.
Training large AI models and running data centers can use enormous amounts of electricity and water. Data centers have also caused energy bills to increase across the U.S.
AI can help with sustainability goals like making energy grids more efficient or speeding up research on clean technologies. But as more companies prioritize AI skills in hiring, the industry’s appetite for energy-intensive computing grows with it.
The environmental tradeoffs of AI expansion deserve attention from both employers and job seekers entering the field.
Source:
https://tech.yahoo.com/ai/articles/godmother-ai-makes-bold-claim-000500163.html?guccounter=1
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North America Technical Institute (NATI) Announces Academic Collaboration with Westcliff University
An articulation agreement has been signed with the regionally accredited Westcliff University in California to receive a 20% scholarship toward the cost of bachelor’s degree programs upon completing one of our technical programs. Our industrial certifications will also be eligible for credit transfer, along with three years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) for STEM degree programs.
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Ford CEO’s Son Opts For Mechanic Career Over College, Asks ‘I Don’t Know Why I Need To Go To College’
Ford Motor Company’s CEO, Jim Farley, shared that his son has chosen to become a mechanic instead of attending college.
This decision has ignited a wider conversation on the significance of blue-collar jobs in what Farley terms “the essential economy.”
Farley led a panel discussion with experts, including the CEOs of AT&T Inc. and FedEx Corporation on the current state of the blue-collar economy. During this discussion, Farley brought up his son’s choice to be a mechanic, thereby questioning the need for a college degree.
During the conversation Farley said, “My son worked as a mechanic this summer.” And then his son told him, “Dad, I really like this work. I don’t know why I need to go to college.”
As per the report by Fortune, Mike Rowe from the Mike Rowe Works Foundation pointed out the increasing disparity in the workforce, with five skilled tradespeople retiring for every two entering. He also highlighted the skyrocketing costs of college education, which have exceeded inflation for other goods and services.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer supported these views, stressing the importance of cooperation among government, educators, and industry to make skilled trades more attractive to the younger generation in America.
Despite concerns about AI and robotics taking over human jobs, both panelists expressed optimism. They emphasized that AI should be viewed as a tool that enhances, not replaces, the essential workforce.
The choice of Farley’s son to pursue a career as a mechanic over a college degree underscores a growing trend among Gen Z. This generation is increasingly questioning the value of a traditional college education, especially given the escalating costs and the potential for high-paying jobs in the skilled trades.
The debate brought to light by Farley’s revelation is a crucial one, as it challenges the long-held belief that a college degree is the only pathway to success.
Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Google Investing $9 Billion Across Virginia
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced Google will invest an additional $9 billion in Virginia through the end of 2026. The funds will be focused on cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, with the development of a new data center in Chesterfield County and expansion of the existing facilities in Loudoun and Prince William Counties. The company also detailed expanded education and workforce development programs for Virginians.
Once the new Chesterfield County data center is complete, the facility will join the Loudoun County and Prince William County campuses as part of Google’s global network of data centers — the backbone of the company’s AI capabilities and digital services. Google is eligible for Data Center Sales and Use tax exemptions on qualifying computer equipment and enabling software.
“Google’s $9 billion investment in Virginia is a powerful endorsement of our Commonwealth’s leadership in the AI economy. As AI is increasingly part of every aspect of work, this project reinforces our commitment to preparing Virginians for the future,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Investments like this not only expand Virginia’s cloud and AI infrastructure but also expand our efforts to build a future-ready workforce through initiatives like our AI Career Launch Pad. Virginia is the largest data center market in the world and remains a top-ranked hub for AI talent and innovation, where opportunity meets preparation.”
“Today we celebrate the continued growth of Virginia’s power tech sector,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura. “This is a truly historic investment for Chesterfield, for Virginia students, and for the future of the Commonwealth. Together with Google, Virginia is powering the future of global technological advancement.”
As part of Google’s commitment to the Commonwealth, all Virginia-based college students now have free access to the Google AI Pro plan for 12 months and AI training and job search support. In addition, the University of Virginia, Brightpoint Community College, and Northern Virginia Community College are among the nation’s universities that are part of the first cohort of the Google AI for Education Accelerator, giving students, faculty, and staff no-cost access to Google Career Certificates and AI training courses.
“With today’s announcement, Google is deepening our roots in Virginia; extending our investments across the state to help position Virginia—and America—for the opportunities technology can deliver,” said Alphabet and Google President and Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat. “Google’s investments in technical infrastructure and AI skills development help to ensure that people across Virginia and across the United States have access to opportunity in this exciting era of American innovation.”
Founded in 1998, Google started as a revolutionary search engine that quickly became the backbone of the internet. Since then, the company expanded into advertising, mobile, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, growing into one of the world’s most influential technology leaders under its parent company, Alphabet. Looking ahead, Google is focused on shaping the future through advancements in AI, quantum computing, and sustainable technology, aiming to drive innovation that redefines how people live, work, and connect.
“Google’s decision to invest in Chesterfield County reflects the strength of our community and its reputation as a leader in technology and innovation,” said Jim Ingle, Chair of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. “I’m encouraged by the meaningful engagement with Google already, focused on their approach to energy efficiency, responsible water use, workforce development and education.”
Source: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2025/august/name-1057282-en.html
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30-year-old makes over $300,000 a year in a hospital—without going to med school: ‘I exceeded my expectations’
https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/10/31/210k-hospital-medical-school-student-loans.html
Chabely Rodriguez takes money seriously. She strategically chose an affordable college and lucrative career path that has set her up to live comfortably at 30 years old.
Rodriguez is a certified anesthesiologist assistant, and in 2024, she switched from a salaried role to working as a traveling CAA in contract positions. As a result, she brings in over $300,000 a year. She has a master’s degree in anesthesiology, which allowed her to then get her CAA credentials — without needing to attend medical school.
She still cleared $200,000 a year in her previous position, often picking up overtime hours and 24-hour shifts on top of her full-time schedule — the product of a “scarcity mindset” she says she carried with her since childhood.
“I always want to prepare for [the worst],” she told CNBC Make It in 2023. “I’ve worked a lot of overtime hours just to make sure that I always have something extra.”
Now, she sticks mostly to 40-hour workweeks with extra shifts here and there when her staff needs coverage. She could be making closer to $500,000 a year if she worked similar overtime hours to what she previously took on, but she doesn’t feel pressured to, she says.
“I want to make more money, but I don’t want to burn myself out along the way,” Rodriguez says. “So now I’ve hit above the $300,000 mark, I feel good about that.”
‘More secure, more confident’
As her income has grown, Rodriguez’s aspirations have evolved. She started her career while living in Florida and thought she would one day buy a house there. But she moved to Georgia in 2024 and soon started a six-month contract position there.
Realizing she wanted to spend more time traveling and that she could make more money as a contractor, her priorities shifted away from homeownership.
“I’m still not to the point of wanting to settle anywhere,” she says. “I still want to continue to explore and switch things around and potentially be outside of the country for two months or something out of the year.”
When her contract finished in Georgia, Rodriguez moved to New Mexico, where she lives now. She invests aggressively, aiming to put 40% of her pre-tax income into her brokerage and retirement accounts. Her total investments hit $500,000 in January 2025.
She’s been able to invest consistently in part because she paid off her student loans — nearly $124,000 — quickly in 2023.
“Because I was aggressive with paying off my loans, I could then shift towards investing,” Rodriguez says. “I would say, I exceeded my expectations along the way. So that’s been nice, and I feel like that’s made me just a happier, calmer person — more secure, more confident.”
Her main goals now are to avoid burnout from work, save for the future and enjoy her life in the present.
She previously set a goal of investing $2 million and retiring early, but she’s become less tied to a number and more focused on sustainable growth so she has the option to slow down by the time she’s 50 — if she wants to.
‘I can just breathe’
Rodriguez’s money mindset has also begun to shift away from the scarcity she previously felt. She still aims to live within her means, sharing rent with her partner and driving a standard Toyota Corolla. But she’s willing to splurge on travel, balancing bigger international trips with backpacking and camping.
Rodriguez is now willing to acknowledge her own accomplishments and no longer pressures herself to pick up every extra shift. “That’s something that I feel like I couldn’t have done until I got to this point,” she says.
“I feel so much more comfortable, and I can remove myself from situations if I’m uncomfortable,” she adds. “I can treat my partner to something, or treat myself to something … I am now saying, ‘Hey, I make enough. I don’t need to push it past my limit to pay for this.’ Now, I can just breathe.”
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/24/certified-anesthesiologist-assistant-earns-six-figures-without-medical-degree.html?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_content=makeit&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook
New Report from Georgetown University Ranks U.S. Colleges by Return on Investment (ROI)
Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) has released a powerful tool that helps students and families evaluate the economic value of more than 4,500 U.S. colleges and universities. The ROI Rankings platform allows users to compare institutions based on the net economic return of degrees over 10, 20, 30, and 40-year timeframes.
This interactive resource is based on federal College Scorecard data and considers factors such as net cost of attendance, post-graduation earnings, and debt. It offers insights into which programs and institutions offer the best financial return on investment—critical information for students making informed higher education choices.
Equally important, this report tells us that short-term, sub-baccalaureate credentials in technical fields can yield salaries comparable to or greater than some bachelor’s degrees.
🔗 You can explore the full ROI rankings here: https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/college-roi
Whether you are a prospective student, academic advisor, or policy professional, this tool is a valuable guide to understanding how different degrees and industry certifications translate into financial outcomes in the real world.
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North America Technical Institute and the Vocational Training Corporation/Jordan explore avenues of cooperation
The Director General of the Vocational Training Corporation (VTC), Engineer Ahmad Al-Ghraibeh, met on Sunday, November 17, 2024, with a delegation from the United States headed by a member of the Board of Trustees of North America Technical Institute (NATI) and Director of Compliance of NATI ESL, Dr. Elke Kleisch. Mr. Taqi Al-Din Muhaydat from VTC attended the meeting.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Director General welcomed the delegation and emphasized the importance of holding meetings like this one, which took place during the recent U.S. Universities and Institutes Fair held in Amman. The Fair was sponsored by EducationUSA, a U.S. Department of State network of over 430 international student advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories. Engineer Al-Ghraibeh valued the visit, highlighting the Vocational Training Corporation’s keen interest in establishing a long-term and fruitful partnership with North America Technical Institute that allows Jordanian youth the opportunity to attend specialized and short-term vocational and technical training programs in the United States. Engineer Al-Ghraibeh also emphasized that that these programs should aim to equip Jordanian youth with professional skills and industry certifications in vocational and technical areas that enable them to directly enter domestic, regional, and international workforce and labor markets. Further, the meeting discussed the emerging and future professions in the international labor markets, ways and means to encourage young Jordanians to acquire job opportunities in these markets through short-term and quality training programs.
Dr. Elke expressed the institute’s readiness to train Jordanian youth in the United States and to integrate them into high-quality technical and vocational training programs aligned with local, regional, and international labor market standards and needs.
The Director General of the Vocational Training Corporation answered questions raised by Dr. Kleisch and the accompanying delegation. It is worth noting that the North America Technical Institute is accredited by the U.S.-based Middle States Accreditation (MSA) and licensed to operate in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). MSA and SCHEV have extensive experience in vocational and technical training programs. The institute is currently headed by Dr. Abdul Salam Al-Mualla and managed by a Board of Trustees comprising experts from major American industrial corporations.
Visit North America Technical Institute (NATI) At EducationUSA Fair 2024 In Amman, Jordan
🌍 North America Technical Institute (NATI) at EducationUSA Fair 2024 in Amman, Jordan 🇯🇴🇺🇸
We are excited to announce that NATI will be participating in the upcoming EducationUSA Fair 2024 in Amman, Jordan! This is a unique opportunity for aspiring students to learn about how our programs can help shape their futures.
📅 Event Details:
📍 Location: Sheraton Hotel, Amman
🗓 Dates: November 16th & 17th, 2024
🕙 Times: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
💵 Cost: FREE
As a State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) certified and Middle States Accreditation (MSA) accredited institution, we are committed to delivering high-quality education. Our team will be there to discuss how our programs can help you achieve your academic and career goals.
👉 Let NATI You Are Attending: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=SlL9hohS70uQ9p6xs97U2P4v5wVB_xBLnHPyV0cUfNdUQThJTDBNR0lCRlZSUU1LTVk5WVhRV1FTTC4u
👉Register Here Via EducationUSA: https://www.amideast.org/ar/jordan/study-in-the-usa-0?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3tPy9EVszwcyjihxOYHEtvtmACv3BqaFhLJOHMzwK-bBkz5B8_UGZKSQQ_aem_QsoZuFjR4EB33E1lqR0s5A
We look forward to connecting with bright minds who are ready to take their next step toward success.
For more details:
🌐 Website: www.nati.edu
📧 Contact: info@nati.edu
📞 Phone: +1-703-833-1010 | +1-703-910-2461