by C.J. Gustafson
ComputerSchools.com Contributing Writer
July 12, 2005
In August of 1836, Houston was founded by two brothers, Augustus and John Allen.
They purchased 6,642 acres near the headwaters of the Buffalo Bayou river, paying
slightly more than $1.40 per acre for the land. The brothers named their town
in honor of General Sam Houston, whose Texas army won independence from Mexico
in that same year. The city incorporated in 1837 and was the capital of the
Republic from 1837 to 1840. The state of Texas seceded from the Union during
the Civil War and was readmitted in 1870. Oil was discovered nearby beginning
in 1901, creating an economic boom.
Today, Houston is the fourth most populous city in the US, with a population of nearly 2 million living in the city proper and 4.8 million when the surrounding communities are included. With Hispanics comprising the largest ethnic group, followed by Caucasians and a large number of African-Americans, Houston is a city of diversity and rich cultural influences that are represented in all areas, from restaurants to art to employment opportunities.
An Energy Economy Diversified
The heavy dependency on oil and related businesses caused Houston's economy to suffer when oil prices plummeted in the 1980s. Although the city remains the "energy capital of the world" with over 5,000 businesses in that industry alone, the economy has since expanded to include a wide range of industries including medical, aerospace and computer-related fields.
In 1962, NASA moved its Manned Spacecraft Center to Houston, and in the following
years many other organizations and companies followed. More than 200 major firms
moved headquarters, subsidiaries, and divisions to the city during the 1970s.
Today the city is home to 18 Fortune 500 companies and these organizations are
some of Houston's largest employers. Continental Airlines has 20,764 local employees.
Compaq Computer Corporation has over 11,000. Reliant Energy employs just over
9,000. Halliburton and Exxon Mobile each employ over 16,000 people. The Texas
Medical Center is home to 42 nonprofit institutions, making it the largest facility
of its kind in the world.
Opportunities, Big & Small
In addition to the companies named above, large organizations such as Chevron-Texaco,
the City of Houston, and Shell also hire computer technology graduates to help
manage and disseminate information, design equipment, assist in technological
research, and to perform a variety of other computer-related activities.
However, career opportunities for computer students are not limited to these
large companies. As Venkat Subramaniam (Director of Undergraduate Studies in
the Department of Computer Science at Houston
University) explained, "Employment opportunities come from not only large
employers, but from small businesses as well." He stressed the diversity of
employment sectors and computer opportunities. "Many varieties of businesses
need skilled computer scientists and Web developers." According to Mr. Subramaniam,
some of the top computer careers in the Houston area at this time are in the
areas of software application development, computer graphics, visualization,
simulation, and modeling.
With so many companies involved in computer and technology endeavors, Houston is home to many related professional groups and resources. The Houston Technology Center is a technology incubator and entrepreneur resource center. The Association for Women in Computing has a chapter in Houston. In addition, several of the local universities sponsor organizations, initiatives, and other support resources.
Training & Credentialing
Houston is home to over 40 colleges and training centers that prepare students
for careers in computers and related technology fields. As Mr. Subramaniam stated,
"Advanced research and training is offered in the field of computer science
by some of the most talented professionals in the world." In addition to the
University of Houston, Rice University, Department
of Computer Science is another well-known local educational resource. DeVry
University, The Art Institute,
ITT Technical Institute, American
InterContinental University, University
of Phoenix, and Westwood College also
have campuses in the Houston area.
Students at these schools can study 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. They can also earn Microsoft certifications and other credentialing.
Organizations such as AISG / Sun Microsystems Alliance Partner, Bradford School of Business-Houston, Instituto de Computacion ABCS, Brazos Consulting, and Brite Solutions, Inc. offer certifications and training as well.
Houston is a large and diverse city with thousands of businesses, including many of the nation's largest and most successful companies. Nearly all of these employers need people with training in computers and related technology fields, and the large selection of quality schools and training centers provides numerous options for students to obtain the training and certification needed to work in this large and exciting city.
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