by C.J. Gustafson
ComputerSchools.com Contributing Writer
June 3, 2005
As early as the 1670s, traders and explorers traveled in the area that is
now Chicago. Indian villages were established, and later a mission was founded
by a Jesuit missionary, Father Francois Pinet. The mission was abandoned in 1700
and it was not until 1833 that the Town of Chicago, with a population of 350,
was incorporated on land ceded by the Indians in a 1795 treaty. Just four years
later, the town officially became a city with a population that had exploded
to over 4,000.
Throughout the years, Chicago has had a colorful and often tumultuous history,
gaining worldwide fame for the Great Chicago Fire, Al Capone and other gangsters,
and questionable politicians. But Chicago also has a strong history of firsts
in business and technology, with the World's Fair, Sears Tower, Merchandise
Mart (the world's largest commercial office building), and the Chicago
Board of Trade -- the world's busiest futures exchange.
Diverse Business Base
Today, this city of nearly 3,000,000 people is home to 98 corporate headquarters, including 30 Fortune 500 companies, and it ranks #1 in high-tech employment, with over 7,000 employers in this field. All totaled, there are over 350,000 business establishments in Chicago, most of which use computers extensively in daily operations.
Public employers such as the U.S. government, Chicago Public Schools, and the City of Chicago are the three largest employers in the city. The private sector is led by some of the country's top organizations such as Boeing, Sears, Kraft Foods, and Walgreens. The city also has many well-known computer and technology employers including Motorola, IBM Global Services, and Computer Sciences Corporation. These three employers alone provide jobs for over 8,000 people.
Computer Tech Grads In Demand
After graduation, Jerry Engler, a computer programmer with a 4-year degree, focused his job search efforts on the Chicago area because of its reputation for being a technology friendly environment. "Within a matter of weeks, I received three job offers," he shared. "It was great. I had done well in college, but wasn't an honors grad or anything. And I had limited work experience in the programming field, so I was a bit surprised by the strong response from the different companies."
Due to the high demand for trained computer and technology professionals in Chicago, Engler was able to consider his options and choose the position that best fit his needs and future goals. Five years later, he is still with the same company and has been promoted to a project manager. "I've been pursued by other companies," he shared, "but there are still so many opportunities for advancement and skills development where I'm at that I'm not ready to leave."
With such a healthy and thriving technology employment base, Chicago has many organizations focused on different aspects of computers and related technologies. The Association of Information Technology Professionals, Association of Internet Professionals, and Chicago Software Association are three of the largest.
Outstanding Schools
Chicago also has many colleges and training centers for individuals interested in an education in computers and related fields. A partial list includes DePaul University, School of Computer Science, Telecommunications and Information Systems, University of Chicago, Department of Computer Science, International Academy of Design & Technology, East-West University, Computer and Information Science Program, Illinois Institute of Technology, Computer Science Programs, Loyola University Chicago, Department of Computer Science, North Park University Chicago, Computer Science & Information Systems Department, Roosevelt University, School of Computer Science and Telecommunications, Saint Xavier University, Computer Science Program, Robert Morris College, School of Computer Studies, and the University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Computer Science.
DeVry University, The Art Institutes, and Westwood College of Technology also have campuses in Chicago.
Students at these schools can earn degrees and certifications 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.
The American Institute of Software Training Inc, BIR Training Center, Information Management Group, MicroTrain, Productivity Point International, and The Chubb Institute also offer training and Microsoft certifications.
In addition to the numerous educational and employment opportunities, Chicago also offers 29 miles of lakefront and 33 beaches, the world's largest library, and some of the best venues for art and music in the country. For computer professionals that like big city life located in the nation's heartland, Chicago is a popular choice.
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