by C.J. Gustafson
ComputerSchools.com Contributing Writer
June 3, 2005
Originally called Shawmet by the local Algonquin Indians, Boston became a
permanent settlement in 1630 shortly after John Winthrup (visiting the area
at the request of Reverend William Blackstone) decided it was a good location
for his group of Massachusetts Bay Colony settlers. Winthrop named the settlement
after his hometown in England. With its desirable waterfront location, the area
quickly established itself as a primary commercial center and a leader in the
shipbuilding industry, and it soon became a port of entry for millions of immigrants
from around the world. Today, nearly 3 million people make their home in the
Boston area.
America's College Town
From the beginning, Boston was known for education and intellectual pursuits.
The home of statesmen and leaders of the American Revolution, the area (which
includes Cambridge, Brookline, Milton and several other suburbs) is also famous
for Harvard University and for Boston Latin School, two of the first educational centers in the country. Boston is sometimes known
as "America's college town" because of the large concentration of top schools
and students who flock to the city to pursue their educations. According to
information on the Campus Visit, Inc. website, "The sheer number of students
-- 250,000+ -- is impossible to ignore. In fact one in every five people on
the street is affiliated with higher education, making Boston one of the most
youthful and vibrant cities in the world."
Boston-area colleges work together to create an educational community where students can take classes at a college other than where they are enrolled. This allows comprehensive access to some of the best schools in the country. And after graduation, finding a job in Boston is made easier by more than 450 employment agencies in the metropolitan area. Many of those jobs are in the computer and technology industries.
Technology Tradition
As early as the 1950's, the Boston area began to gain recognition as a leader in the emerging computer and high-tech industries, with several companies opening shop. Many of these new business were created and staffed by graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and other colleges in the area. Today, there are many large technology companies in the city, including Comcast, Computer Sciences Corporation, QUALCOMM, and Verizon. The Lincoln Laboratory is part of MIT and is operated as a federally-funded research and development center. It also offers internship and employment opportunities for qualified applicants.
Outside the traditional technology arena, many of Boston's other top employers
offer excellent opportunities for individuals with computer and technology training.
With 14,907 employees, Massachusetts General Hospital is Boston's largest private
employer. The medical field is the largest employment sector in the city, comprising
40% of all jobs. Nearly all hospitals and clinics require computer support people
to assist with networking, information management, web development and a host
of other technology needs. The same is true for the educational field and financial
services, two other top employment sectors in Boston.
"That's the beauty of a computer degree," stated Dan Goodman, a recent graduate of MIT. "Not only can you work for a company like Microsoft or Dell, there are thousands of other employers who need your skills and training. That really expands the job search options."
Colleges, Departments, & Training Centers
In addition to MIT and Harvard, there are many other colleges, computer departments, and specialized training centers in the Boston area that offer degrees, and certification in computer related fields. The list includes Suffolk University, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Massachusetts Boston, Computer Science Department, Center For Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University, Art Institute of Boston, Pinnacle Training Corporation, Quoin Inc., Wentworth Institute of Technology, Computer Science Program, Gibbs College-Boston, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, Boston College, Computer Science Department, and Northeastern University, College of Computer Science.
The Art Institutes, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
Students in these programs can gain degrees, training, or certification in Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Computer Animation/Computer Graphics, Web Design and Development, Computer Programming and Security, Networking, Information Technology, Computer Repair and other computer science fields.
If you are looking for an east coast city with a long history of innovation,
leadership, and technological advances (and some of the most respected schools
in the country), Boston may be a perfect fit.
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