dallas/forT worTH, san anTonIo, ausTIn, el paso, and waco
ranked 27, 33, 53, 91, and 92,
respecTIvelY, on THe PoPular sCienCe magazIne rankIng of
THe naTIon’s Top 100 HIgH TecH cITIes.
web pages and technical manuals requires along with Fundamentals of Networking Real-World Learning
excellent reading and writing skills. Students and Networking Essentials. These “The opportunities are there for students,”
who understand the history and social courses prepare students for careers as says Geralyn Elmore, director of career
Success
impact of technology are better positioned communications analysts, communications and technical education for the Pflugerville
to use high-tech tools to solve problems. engineers, electronics technicians, or Independent School District. “The classes
Getting good grades in rigorous academics telecommunications repairers. are exciting and filled with real-world
gives students the knowledge they need for Hendrickson High School offers business applications. Students just need to know
success in IT. database programming. Students attracted what they can do while in high school to
to programming might consider careers as prepare for their futures. Parents also need
Programs of study operating systems engineers, programmer/ to know the opportunities and how the
When it comes to electives, students can applications specialists, or software testers. career clusters prepare their children for
choose among four programs of study in the Business Computer Programming I and college and career
cluster (see “Program Profiles” at left). Computer Science II are also offered for success.”
Two of the three high school campuses in those pursuing these careers. Students who
Pflugerville Independent School District, for enjoy designing, editing, and marketing
example, offer specialized IT programs. websites may consider taking Animation
Connally High School features classes Technology, Business Image Management
in Computer Maintenance and Repair, and Multimedia, or Media Technology II.
S P o T L I G H T
CAREER NEtWoRkING
The Cisco Networking Academy at Burleson high School
Teaches Students the Basics of Connecting Computers
F
ewer than 10 years ago, burleson High school’s is proud to say the three young men made more
Information Technology program consisted of money last year than he did.
just one course, business computer Information cisco systems, which manufactures and sells
systems. now, the school features cisco computer networking equipment, began its academy
networking academy, which allows students to earn program in 1977 to educate Information Technology
online courses to the classroom, where the students
certifications in networking technology and, in some teachers on how to better equip and encourage
can take as many as four cisco certified network
cases, income. students to enter IT careers. The program got off
associate (ccna) courses.
In 2006, three of burleson’s students started their the ground in 1999. “cisco systems has made a
stephenson encourages students to earn the
own Internet company, bid on a number of jobs, and significant investment in the academy program,
cisco systems networking certification and others
earned more than $30,000 for each job. and I am continually amazed at the resources they
that are available to them. “we really encourage
“part of the business was a web company,” provide,” says cisco networking academy Training
certifications,” says stephenson, who also teaches
says scott stephenson, an instructor for the cisco center co-director gay berryman.
cisco classes at Tarrant county community college
academy at burleson. “It’s not a fly-by-night participating schools invest $3,500 for cisco’s
in fort worth. “most companies want to see
company. In fact, it’s still in business.” stephenson instructor training. once certified, teachers bring the
certifications more than anything else.”
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