by C.J. Gustafson
ComputerSchools.com Contributing Writer
June 14, 2005
Saint Paul, the capital of Minnesota, is a city of nearly 300,000 residents located along the Mississippi river in the southeast part of the state. Together with its sister city of Minneapolis across the river, the two are often referred to as the Twin Cities area. Minneapolis is actually larger than St. Paul with a population of over 382,000. Add in the surrounding suburbs, and the Twin Cities metropolitan area is the 15th largest in the U.S. with around 3,000,000 residents.
The area first came to the attention of explorers, fur traders and missionaries.
Fort Snelling was established in 1819 to provide protection for those interests
as well as settlers that were beginning to move into the area around St. Anthony
Falls, the only waterfall on the Mississippi. As more people arrived and settled
in areas around the fort and river, several communities sprang up. The area
became an important trading center for westbound settlers, and Minnesota was
named a territory in 1849. St. Paul was named the capital and incorporated as
a city in 1854. Minneapolis was incorporated in 1867 and merged with St. Anthony
in 1872.
Mills, Medical, and Malls
The Twin Cities were built on timber and wheat milling, thanks to the power and transportation provided by the mighty Mississippi River. For decades, the area was known as both the "Wheat Capital of the World" and as "Mill City." When waterpower became more expensive than other energy forms and the timber supply was depleted, many of the milling companies adapted and diversified and are still in existence in some form today. Names such as Cargill, General Mills and the Pillsbury Company grew out of that era to become leaders in food and agricultural industries.
Over the past several decades, the city has become notable for its medical
and financial industries. It is also known for its retail businesses, with Target
and Marshall Field's located there and the Mall of America -- the largest shopping
mall in the United States -- located in the suburb of Bloomington. Other large
employers in the area include Excel Energy, 3M, St. Paul Travelers, Northwest
Airlines, Alliant Techsystems, Medtronic (medical equipment), Best Buy, and
Lawson Software.
High Demand For Computer Skills
These companies and many others in the Twin Cities area have a high demand for trained computer technology workers, creating a healthy employment environment in these fields. According to America's Career Info Net, currently there are over 11,000 computer software engineers in the state of Minnesota, with the majority of them employed in the Twin Cities metro area. That number is expected to increase 44% in the next decade. Although network systems and data communications analysts comprise a smaller group of employees in the state, with 4,300 employed, the field is expected to grow by 50% by 2012 -- the fourth fastest growing occupation in Minnesota. Both software engineers and database administrators career fields have projected growth of over 40%, and systems analysts and administrators follow close behind with a 37% increase in each field.
Dan Nelson can attest to the high demand for workers with computer training and experience. Six years ago, Nelson graduated from a technical college with a two-year degree in computer programming. He was hired right out of college and moved up quickly in the company to become a senior programmer in just three years. "I worked hard and volunteered for new projects," Nelson shared, adding that he was able to get in on the ground floor of some of the new technologies the company was exploring.
Soon, other companies and recruiters began contacting him with enticing offers for advancement. "I wasn't even looking for a different job," Nelson explained. "The market was just so hot that companies couldn't find enough skilled workers and they went looking for them wherever they could." Nelson admits he couldn't resist the amazing salaries and benefit packages some of the companies were offering, and he eventually accepted an offer with a company that builds and manages large networks.
Nelson said that although the demand for employees is not as frenzied these days, there is still a shortage of computer workers, and although most companies prefer a four-year degree, they are hiring individuals with diplomas and certifications.
World Class Educational Facilities
Helping provide skilled applicants for these positions is the University of Minnesota, with several campuses in the Twin Cities and others in outlying areas of the state as well. The U of M is a Big Ten university, with more than 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the Twin Cities alone, making it one of the largest campuses in the country. It is a world-renowned research center as well. Not only does the school provide a wide range of computer-related educational programs, it also employs a large number of technology workers, both in teaching and support positions.
In addition to the University of Minnesota, students in the Twin Cities area have many other schools to choose from when pursuing a degree in computer science or related fields. Augsburg College, Computer Science Program, Capella University, School of Technology, National Technological University, Saint Mary's University, Department of Computer Science, Walden University, Information Systems Program, The Art Institutes International, and Minnesota School of Business/Globe College are some of the schools in and around the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that provide 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 technology fields. Students can also prepare for Microsoft certifications and other industry credentialing.
The Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul provides a metropolitan setting with hundreds of lakes, parks, and other natural spaces. It is also a top theater and entertainment area. These features, combined with a growing technology industry and excellent educational facilities, make the Twin Cities a popular place to gain an education and find the perfect career.
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