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. United States has been in the forefront for specialized education and is the best place to pursue this education.

What degree must I have?

Many jobs in technology are hands-on and with a Certificate or Associate of Applied Science degree you can qualify. These degrees can be earned at technical or community colleges, private specialized training schools, and for-profit training companies. In addition, you could continue with a Bachelor’s or Masters degree if you are interested in a management position in technology.

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.

Most universities provide wireless internet, allowing students to compute from any location.  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.

Many educational institutions partner with local business interests to develop programs that most directly address the needs of the marketplace. For example, North Seattle Community College in Seattle has a Technology Advisory Council that helps the College continually monitor its technology programs to ensure that the education reflects current trends in Seattle technology. The College recently added coursework in Network Forensics and Network Security due to concerns of the business community relating to viruses, worms, and hacker activity. Students at NSCC benefit from this quick response by learning about security-related issues and by developing the skills they need to implement security in networks—skills that employers all over the globe are seeking.

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.

A new field of study at Northern Virginia Community College near Washington, DC, is Geospatial Technology (GST). This course of study prepares students for a diverse range of applications gathering data from satellite images, for private business or government agencies, in fields ranging from IT and marketing to environmental science and national security. Based on the college’s Loudoun campus at its Reston Center, the GST program leads to a one-year Certificate or a two-year Associate’s in Science degree in preparation for transfer to George Mason University or other four-year university programs. English fluency is required. Advanced Forensic Investigation, Communication Design, and Biotechnology are other career tracks at the college using increasingly sophisticated technology and attracting an increasing number of international students.

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.

Relevance

Applying the latest discoveries in landscape design, soil maintenance, pest control and horticulture, Clover Park Technical College near Tacoma, Washington, offers a program in Golf Course Management, another example of how U.S. expertise benefits a wide variety of services and industries.

Those professional skills also are used in habitat recovery and restoration of environmentally sensitive areas, and students from CPTC have led major local efforts in such areas.

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.

Flexibility

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.

Availability

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

Internships

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, students completely redesigned and rebuilt the Northshore Fire Department's website. Members of the Board of Commissioners for the fire district were delighted with the site, which provides information on fire prevention and safety and has a slideshow about community events.

Study in English

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 heavily used by students.

By Mari Acob-Nash

Mari Acob-Nash is Director of International Programs at North Seattle Community College.

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