by C.J. Gustafson
ComputerSchools.com Contributing Writer
June 14, 2005
The Hohokam Indians lived in the area around Phoenix for nearly 2,000 years,
building irrigation canals to bring water through the desert to their villages.
In the 1400s, the Hohokams left the area for reasons that are still not understood.
Smaller groups of Indians eventually moved into the area, and in the 1860s the
Army built Fort McDowell there. Jack Swilling, a former soldier and prospector,
decided to reestablish the Hohokam irrigation canals and use them to grow food
for the troops stationed at the fort. From there, a town was established in
1870, and the area was incorporated as a city in 1881 -- over three decades
before Arizona became a state. Because the city originally developed as a result
of the Hohokam canals, it was suggested that it had "risen from the ashes" of
the Hohokam site like the legendary phoenix.
Technology Tames the Desert
Over the next 20 years, the city named for that resilient creature remained
relatively small due to the limited water supply, but the completion of the
Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River in 1911, along with the railroad expansion,
brought many visitors and new residents to the area. The subsequent diversion
of the Colorado River for increased water supply, in tandem with the invention
of air conditioning, added to Phoenix's appeal. The city was one of the fastest
growing areas in the 1980s, with over 100,000 newcomers arriving annually.
Today, Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the U.S. with a population of over 1.4 million. When the surrounding areas of Tempe and Mesa are included, the Greater Phoenix area boasts a population of 3.3 million. Contrary to popular belief, the population of Phoenix is younger than the national average with over 50 percent of the population ranging between 18 and 54 years of age. The city itself is expansive, covering over 500 square miles so, despite the large population, it does not feel overly crowded.
In Good Company
The warm, sunny climate and solid economic base have led many companies to establish
headquarters or regional facilities in the Phoenix area. Motorola, Intel, Honeywell,
STMicroelectronics, Mayo Clinic, and Boeing are among the companies that have
major operations in Phoenix. Verizon Communications, SBC Communications, and
many of the other major telephone companies are located in the city as well.
The list of big names in computers and technology companies located in Phoenix
is quite extensive and the organizations are a major factor in the overall employment
base for the city. Both Honeywell and Intel employ over 9,000 people each.
Versatile and Viable Career Environment
This wealth of computer and technology careers creates a versatile and exciting
career environment for individuals with relevant skills and training. Bob Horton began
his career in Arizona as a computer programmer. As the Internet industry grew,
he developed new skills and was able to move to higher paying positions at different
companies in the dot com field. "It was an amazing time," Horton shared. "The
Internet-based companies were simply exploding and they couldn't find enough
people with the right knowledge. I was pretty much able to write my own ticket."
Although the company Horton was with ultimately folded in the dot com bust,
he had many job possibilities, based on his degree in programming and experience
in several different areas. But rather than hire on with one company, he chose
to establish himself as an Internet consultant instead and now contracts with
a wide variety of businesses to help them with different computer and Internet
solutions. "I get to work from home about half the time and I'm involved with
some of the biggest companies in the world, as well as innovative newcomers,"
Horton shared. "It doesn't get much better than this."
Others in the computer field in Phoenix would agree. Employment is spread across
many career areas.
| Fields |
Phoenix-area employees |
| Computer Support Specialists |
9,290 |
| Computer Systems Analysts |
4,780 |
| Database Administrators |
1,020 |
| Information Systems Managers |
3,000 |
| Network & Computer Systems Administrators |
3,130 |
| Network Systems & Data Communications Analysts |
1,520 |
| Programmers |
5,440 |
| Software Engineers, Applications |
3,750 |
| Software Engineers, Systems |
2,980 |
One reason for this healthy employment base is an active effort to develop
a presence in technology fields as well as important partnerships between resources
and organizations. As explained by the Greater
Phoenix Economic Council Information Center, "The Arizona Technology Council
works with member organizations to grow the technology industry in Arizona,
helping it to become a top-tier center for technology-based industries and businesses.
The technology sector of Greater Phoenix is also supported by Arizona State
University, which graduated more than 300 students in computer information systems,
computer science and engineering in the 2003-2004 academic year."
Get Your Degree
In addition to Arizona State University, there are several other education and training facilities located in Phoenix including Western International University, and the Arizona campuses for DeVry University and The Art Institutes.
Students in these programs can prepare for Microsoft certifications and other industry credentialing. They can also earn degrees 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.
Training centers like Training to You, Inc. also provide opportunities for hands-on education and certification prep.
Thanks in part to a solid economy and an average of 300 sunny days each year, Phoenix has become a popular choice for people who enjoy a warm, dry climate and a spacious southwestern city with a thriving technology base.
Top of Page
|
|
