A modern person cannot envision their existence without a phone, internet access or communication. Thanks to technological advancements in the twenty-first century, we can receive an education and work from anywhere in the world. It’s a fascinating, multifaceted, relevant and promising field. You may learn it online in three months and work from anywhere in the world. In this article, we will look at the prospects of the IT industry in the United States of America, as well as talk about IT education for residents of the Bronx in New York. Learn more at bronx-future.
IT development and prospects of the industry in the Bronx
For a long time, information technology was not the most prominent field in the Bronx. Until the 1990s, the borough’s economy was centered on the development of transportation infrastructure, creativity and the manufacturing of textiles, clothes, metal products, mechanical equipment, food and beverages. Following World War II, the Bronx became a densely built-up residential area of New York, necessitating a good transport interchange.
Advanced technology came to the Bronx much later due to its strategic position. Around 1980, the borough made its first attempts to integrate IT technologies, and educational and municipal structures were outfitted with computer equipment. Nearby, actual tech centers were emerging in Manhattan and Brooklyn, thus residents of the Bronx proposed local government initiatives to establish tech enterprises, educational facilities and related training programs.
In the early 2000s, the borough’s economic situation improved, and the industry had plenty of opportunities for development. Most borough residents, as well as schools and other government institutions, were given all of the required equipment and internet access and local colleges and universities began developing programs in information technology, cybernetics and information security.
Since 2010, the borough has witnessed a heyday of digitization with the introduction of broadband internet, but even in 2024, the Bronx remains an attractive spot for information technology development. Information technologies are actively used in fields such as social services, healthcare, transportation and logistics. The introduction and development of innovations necessitate the emergence of new specialists in the Bronx market.
IT courses at Bronx Community College
Bronx Community College provides free information technology classes to students, schoolchildren and industry employees. The college’s training office offers a variety of programs for the acquisition of basic IT skills. During the sessions, borough residents can learn programming languages like Python, Java and C++. You will also be able to master web programming, create websites and web applications, optimize their operation and create applications for the Android and iOS operating systems. Bronx Community College also provides advanced training courses, workshops and seminars for experienced professionals in the fields of project management, analysis, UX/UI design, project management and others.
Here are some major certification course programs that may interest Bronx residents:
- The Cisco Certified Network Associate course aims to prepare students for an internationally recognized certification. The program includes the study of network technologies, routing, switching, etc.
- The CompTIA Network+ program comprises lectures and tests focused on getting certification in network management, support and configuration; however, if you are interested in studying cybersecurity, the CompTIA Security+ program is the one suitable for you.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional is another course that focuses on information security training and certification.
For beginners, we suggest the Associate in Information Technology course. After completing the course, you will understand how databases, system administration, software development, information systems management and other related domains function. Bronx Community College has also developed specialized introductory courses in web design, database management and server administration using Windows Server and Linux programs.
To enroll in the course, you need to contact the Office of Information Technology of Bronx Community College. The College also provides students with further employment and assistance with writing resumes.
Free classes at Per Scholas
Per Scholas provides suitable courses for students who have no prior knowledge of IT. The curriculum at Per Scholas is regularly updated. Their courses primarily provide information and practical applications for protecting Internet-connected systems, networks and databases.
The courses include programming languages like Python and Java, as well as the fundamentals of programming and program development. You will also learn how to interact with cloud infrastructures like Amazon Web Services and how to administer them.
Per Scholas courses are designed to prepare students for leading certifications in the United States, such as Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA A+ and Network+. The courses are financed by grants, so many Bronx students can receive an IT education for free.
Per Scholas’ official website lists a variety of courses in cybersecurity, network technology, administration and support. You simply need to choose the preferred program from the list and apply for enrollment in the course. You should also pay attention to the requirements for participation in the training program: your registered place of residence must be in the Bronx or any other area of New York, and you must have a sufficient level of income and successfully pass the interview.
The NYPL Techconnect program
The New York Public Library also offers a free technology programming course for everyone. Courses from NYPL Techconnect are better suited to those who want to improve their computer and technology skills. The classes are appropriate for both those who have no prior experience with computers and those who aspire to become programmers. The courses differ from the NYPL Techconnect program in that they are offered offline in Bronx libraries, but some materials are also taught online. In these classes, you will work on actual cases, which you can subsequently include in your portfolio. The courses also have partners who are eager to hire the brightest graduates after they finish their studies.
Please note that the courses do not offer certification.
About the importance of certification for a programmer
The main certification courses in information technology are CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+ and Cisco CCNA. If the courses have such a certification, they have international recognition and certify that you are competent and truly possess the skills of an IT specialist. Based on experience, companies favor applicants who have certification. Furthermore, getting a certification opens up more career and income opportunities.
We recommend that Bronx residents first attend courses from NYPL Techconnect, which are absolutely free and teach you the fundamentals of this industry. Per Scholas and Bronx Community College courses are better suited for experienced professionals seeking certification for future employment.
