Computer Programming a Way Out of Poverty

IBM knows it is going to need a lot more IT professionals in the future, and has started building its future labor base in an unlikely area--Appalachia.

The U.S. Department of Labor has estimated that the U.S. will need another 1.5 million IT workers by the end of this year, and that approximately 25% of all available jobs by the end of the decade will be IT related. Surprisingly, enrollments in computer science and computer programming degree programs have declined over the last few years. Some of the top IT companies are starting to take matters into their own hands to avoid a painful computer programming labor shortage.

In an article published by InformationWeek, IBM has recently started a program to encourage students in Appalachia to enroll in computer programming degree programs. They're offering colleges in the Appalachian region valuable curriculum development, course materials, instructor training, and subsidized hardware. This support to existing computer programming degree programs is especially important to this region, where poverty rates are typically much higher than the national average.

Earn an Online Degree in Computer Programming
If you want to eventually work for IBM, or take advantage of the increasing demand for computer programmers, now is the time to enroll in a computer programming degree program. For those of you who can't go back to school full time, consider enrolling in an online computer programming degree program. Online degree programs often incorporate standard IT certification courses, which can sometimes be prerequisites to employment, into their curriculums. These courses are designed to allow working professionals the flexibility they need to balance both schoolwork and professional responsibilities.

Whether you plan to enroll in an IBM-sponsored Appalachian college, an online computer programming degree program, or any other brick and mortar computer science program, don't drag your heels or get cold feet. The industry needs you and will be more than willing to pay well for your future skills.

Source

• IBM Builds Computer Programmers in Appalachia
• InformationWeek

About the Author
Kirk Bangstad is a singer living in Chicago, IL. Having received his B.A. in Government at Harvard, Kirk previously worked as a management consultant.