by C.J. Gustafson
ComputerSchools.com Contributing Writer
June 13, 2005
The area that is now Montgomery -- the capital of Alabama -- was claimed for
Spain in 1540. In the early 1700s, French settlers established Fort Toulouse,
which drew many settlers to the area. In 1819, the settlements of East Alabama
and New Philadelphia merged and the city of Montgomery was incorporated and
named for General Richard Montgomery, a revolutionary war hero. In 1846 the
city was chosen as the state's capital. From that time forward, Montgomery played
important roles in many aspects of U.S. history and culture.
In 1861, Montgomery seceded from the Union and the city was named the official
capital of the Confederate States of America. This is where Jefferson Davis
was sworn in as the president of the Confederacy. It is also the place where,
about a hundred years later, Rosa Parks made history by refusing to give up
her seat on the bus and, as a result, it was the final destination for Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.'s civil rights march in 1965.
Technology Firsts
Montgomery is known for several technology firsts as well. It was home to the
Wright brothers' first flight school for powered airplanes and the first electric
streetcar system. That spirit of innovation carries on today as Montgomery continues
to grow and draw in new businesses.
The most recent high-profile company to set up shop in Montgomery is Hyundai.
The automobile manufacturer currently employs 2,000 people in a variety of jobs,
many using computer technology.
Public & Private Sector Possibilities
As the capital of the state of Alabama, and home to just over 200,000 people, Montgomery employs a large number of people in government and other public sector jobs. Those groups are responsible for a large part of the state's information technology and communications infrastructure, resulting in many computer-related employment opportunities in the public sector. The State government alone employs over 9,000 people, and the public school system provides more than 3,700 jobs. The City of Montgomery has 2,500 employees. But the largest employer, by far, is Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, with 12,280 staff.
The private sector also offers several large employers including Baptist Health
Systems with 4,300 employees, ALFA Insurance Companies with over 2,500 employees,
and Standards Systems Group, an information technology company that employees
just over 1,900 people. These employers and numbers demonstrate Montgomery's
diverse economy, filled with lucrative and interesting opportunities for computer
professionals.
According to the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, "Montgomery has thousands
of jobs to offer skilled workers in a variety of industries and occupations.
While much of the news has focused on Hyundai and its suppliers, the boom in
Montgomery's economy has opened doors for workers in every area, from the service
industry to trained technical positions, skilled labor and professional careers."
As a testament to the positive technology environment in Montgomery, the Chamber
recently named Integrated Computer Solutions, Inc. Small
Business of the Year.
Numerous Education & Training Options
Helping feed the demand for computer technology professionals across all industry spectrums are the numerous quality schools and training centers in the Montgomery area. South University - Montgomery Campus, Faulkner University, Computer Science Program, and Huntingdon College, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science are just a few of the places where students in Montgomery can prepare for Microsoft certifications tests and earn degrees in a variety of areas including Computer Science, Computer Programming and Security, Networking, Information Technology, Computer Repair, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Computer Animation/Computer Graphics, and Web Design and Development.
Industry training facilities such as Advanced Training Group (ATG), AUM Center for Advanced Technologies also provide hands-on training and preparation for certification testing.
Montgomery is a city with significant historical sites, a thriving cultural and entertainment scene, a wide variety of education and training opportunities, and employment possibilities with both computer-related organizations as well as leaders in other areas of industry. Add in a warm climate, southern hospitality, and a diverse population, and Montgomery ranks high on the list for those who prefer to live and study in a medium-sized city.
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