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<\/a>they did great. Having a college-level class and getting that experience has caused them to be more responsible and mature a lot faster. It has also prepared them for future college courses,\u201d said Jefferson.<\/p>\nStudents selected for the pilot program can take four courses, one each semester in the last two years of high school. Six more courses will be required at the community college level for them to earn a Career Certificate with the opportunity to earn up to 27 college credit hours and several industry certifications with proper scheduling in high school. Students could then enter the workforce as a junior-level software developer at companies like C-Spire and FedEx.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis new Software Development program offers students the ability to obtain an associate degree and enter the workforce in one year after high school,\u201d Agee said. \u201cOur students need these skills to be informed, productive citizens as well as competent employees.\u201d<\/p>\n
With potential starting salaries of $50,000, students are taking a closer look at the possibilities of working in computer science-related fields, like LHS junior, Bryce Harper.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always been interested in computers, especially programming. I think it\u2019s amazing that we have self-piloting planes and driverless cars because of technology. I want to be involved in a job that involves this changing technology.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the technology demands changing, 糖心直播 Dean of Career and Technical Education, Rod Tolbert said the college\u2019s Information Systems Technology program is expanding. Virtual Reality, Coding and Cybersecurity have been added to the computer programming and computer networking programs. The pilot program with Laurel High School and the changes to the IST program at Jones are expected to help meet the growing global demands for skilled computer science and technology workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cCoding jobs are projected to grow twice as fast as other job markets,\u201d said Tolbert. \u201cAccording to the MSU Center for Cyber Education, nationally, there are 500,000 coding job openings in the United States in every industry and in every state. Jones hopes to be able to be a part of the solution with the pilot program and the additional components we\u2019ve included in our computer science programs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Agee said the Laurel High School Career and Technical Center\u2019s goal is to target students who will be successful in the software development pathway by collaborating with Laurel Middle School. By identifying students through interest inventories and academic performance, students will be invited to be a part of the school\u2019s Coding Club and on track for the Software Development Pathway. Educators and C-Spire are hopeful more students will pursue computer science-related careers with the implementation of the pilot program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ELLISVILLE \u2013The \u201ctech-savvy\u201d probably know that \u201ccoding\u201d is one of the top jobs in demand. In fact, computer technology skills are in demand in every career field. In an effort to fill those demands, C-Spire and Mississippi State University\u2019s Center for Cyber Education have launched a pilot program which includes Laurel High School and Jones … <\/p>\n