Technology Race

Worldwide demand for graduates of technology fields continues to grow. Take the Lead by Studying in the U.S.A.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment growth will be driven by the increasing reliance of businesses on information technology and the continuing importance of maintaining system and network security.

In order to fill high-tech positions, employers are seeking well-educated and qualified individuals who understand the newest developments in technology. The best place to get this kind of specialized education is in the United States.

What degree must I have?

You can qualify for many of the hands-on type of jobs in technology with a Certificate or Associate of Applied Science degree. These degrees can be obtained at technical or community colleges, private specialized training schools, and for-profit training companies. If you are interested in a management position in technology, you should pursue a Bachelor’s or graduate degree.

Why should I study technology in the U.S.A.?

“Cutting-edge” technology

The technology that you will be learning about, for the most part, is created and developed in the United States. The education you receive here will use the most current methodologies relating to the most current hardware and software. As you probably know, outdated technology information is useless, or even harmful.

Most universities provide wireless LAN, allowing students to compute from any location. For example, when you walk onto Radford University’s Virginia campus, you will think you have walked into a very large cyber café. All academic buildings, residence halls, common areas in student service buildings, such as the student center and dining halls, and even some green spaces are locations where students and faculty are able to use mobile computing. Students access websites, assignments, class syllabi, chats, discussions and any other Internet or network source from any location.

Another hot trend is online courses, in which class discussions are conducted in Internet chat rooms, homework and exams are submitted online, and students may never even meet their professor or classmates in person. Professors often post online office hours, in which students can instant message them in chat rooms. This option is especially convenient for those already working, who do not have extra time during the day to go to class. With online courses, students can conduct coursework whenever they have time.

“Introduction to Mobile Robots” students at Santa Monica College learn how to use hardware—including computers and other controllers, motors, artificial muscles, arms, grippers, ultrasonic sensors, whiskers, and cameras—and software to program and operate mobile robots. The robots can recognize objects and speech, talk back, and interact with changing environments.

Resources

Colleges and universities in the U.S.A. have high standards for computer availability. This means that you will have access to the computer labs when you need it. Some campuses even issue students laptop computers automatically, and the cost is included with tuition.

Nowadays the life sciences also require considerable knowledge of new technology. Through data analyses and laboratory reports, “Genetics and Molecular Biology” students at Santa Monica College in California examine the structure, function, and transmission of genes. The course applies Internet databases for bioinformatics to show relationships between DNA and protein sequences.

In another course, “Fundamentals of Microbiology,” Santa Monica students explore clinical applications of microbiology including recent molecular biological and serological techniques. Their laboratory experience includes aseptic transfer techniques, methods of microscopy, and analytical techniques for identifying microbial organisms.

If your goals change, you can change educational tracks if you wish. You may also “stack” degrees, for example, earn multiple certificates. This will give you a critical edge in today’s tight job market.

There are thousands of colleges and universities in the United States, and a huge number of programs available—each with unique strengths.

There are many benefits to attending a college or university that offers co-ops. Students have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in their field of study, earn money that can offset some of their tuition and explore different geographical locations. For example, at The University of Toledo College of Engineering, all engineering science majors are required to participate in three semesters of co-op experience. Through the co-op program, students have found jobs in 40 U.S. states and 28 countries.

American programs offer practical experience in the form of projects or internships (job experience) for college credit. In Washington State, for example, Cascadia Community College students work in teams to develop high-end IT (information technology) projects for the local business community. They have developed websites for small businesses such as a mailing service, and they refurbish computers for use by non-profit agencies. Recently, one of these student teams received an Omni Intermedia award for creating a multimedia CD and website combining photography, music, graphic images and fine art to promote the College.

Strong English skills are a benefit to individuals interested in working in the global economy.

Technology in Student Life

Out of class, your uses of technology will not diminish. You will spend countless hours using a computer in order to finish your assignments. Course support for students in the form of notes, reviews, blogs, chats, online journal articles, discussion boards and frequently asked questions appear online and are heavily used by students.

What are technology fields?

How can I benefit?

Programming: Writing business application programs to instruct a computer to perform a variety of tasks. It involves analysis of the expected output, information flow, and writing and testing of the code.

Software Testing: A critical quality control function that tests software applications for “bugs” (mistakes).