As we wrap up the final days of 2018 and begin a new year, many people take time to think about New Year's resolution ideas and goals to accomplish in 2019. While resolutions are a great way to look toward the new year with optimism, if you're like most people, that also means seeing those same resolutions fly out the window before January is over (if you're lucky).

So you want to become a leader? Are you sitting back and thinking about what actions you need to take to become one? Maybe it feels like some kind of secret mission – where you must uncover the hidden secrets of becoming a leader.

When we started developing the curriculum for the Masters of Engineering degree with a concentration in Information Engineering Management we asked ourselves - what exactly should a leader really look like? Our brainstorming eventually led us to the question - what can our curriculum teach leaders to do better? We came up with several key answers, but project management was among the most important.

Making the decision to jump back into higher education is a big decision — and we understand why.

Having mission and vision statements help companies determine strategic direction, create an identity both internally and externally, and develop a strategy to meet important goals. In the Masters of Engineering with a concentration in Information Engineering Management (IEM) at UAB, we discuss how to use leadership skills to support these statements that not only promote customer loyalty, but also align and inspire employees and stakeholders.

Have you ever wished there were a few extra hours in the day?

As we've discussed before, balancing graduate school with personal and professional obligations isn’t easy, and many students find themselves struggling to meet the difficult demands of their degree programs. This is a topic we often discuss with our students in the Masters of Engineering with a concentration in Information Engineering Management (IEM) at UAB.

A large reading load is something that can be expected from any graduate program - but in the Masters of Engineering with a concentration in Information Engineering Management (IEM) at UAB, we make sure that the required reading you're completing in your coursework contains lessons that are applicable as you move from an engineer to a manager.

I attend a lot of conferences each year to promote the UAB School of Engineering, and in particular, the Information Engineering Management concentration of the Master of Engineering degree.

There is always a lot of talk about the national economy and worries about whether it is up or down. While the national economy may affect you, it is your own personal economy that has a far greater impact on your life. Yet, many people don't know what personal economy means or how to calculate their own personal economy.

Employee tuition assistance can make it easier for you to go back to school to earn your master's degree. Many employers value the skills and training that a master's degree can offer and will pay for some or all of an employee's tuition. Be sure to check out our article about three options for tuition reimbursement that your employer may offer.