Talk to an advisor (9 AM-9 PM EST): 866-442-6062

Talk to an advisor (9 AM-9 PM EST): 866-925-2803

Home is where the heart is, but a "smart home" is where the fun is. Smart homes are among the latest cutting-edge creations in the information technology (IT) world. They link the gadgets in your home -- TV, home theater, stereo, computer, phone, lights -- to create your own personal network.

"[Because] there is more technology coming into our daily lives," says Chris Nassar, a professor at Robert Morris college (Chicago, IL), "we're trying to get our students to lead the charge."

But not all college-bounders are hip to the exciting possibilities of an IT career. "The technology field is not your stereotypical world of nerds, thick glasses, and pocket protectors," says Gene Longo, senior manager of the Cisco Networking Academy, which offers IT training courses and programs.

In an effort to give students a realistic portrayal of an IT career, Cisco recently hosted a series of Groundhog job Shadow Day events in approximately 100 schools across the country, with demonstrations, speakers, and group activities.

Considering that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1.5 million new computer- and information-related jobs in 2012, now is the perfect time to join students like Nick Ybanez and Adrian Nazario who are preparing for technology careers through Robert Morris College.

"I've always been fascinated by the speed of communication," says Adrian. "We use networks for everything. It's amazing that we can send an e-mail from here to Japan and it arrives in a matter of seconds. In the beginning, I was intimidated by the challenging curriculum, but with interest comes determination."

Nick agrees. "It's a technical field, and a lot of people don't want to deal with the nuts and bolts of everything," he explains. "But being on the forefront of technology is exciting."


http://www.collegesurfing.com/content
Paul D. Rosevear is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

Sound Off! Post Your Comments