Professor James Webb says employers are turning to ACC for computer workers.

“Please contact your system administrator.”

The phrase that admittedly is not music to employers’ ears is good news for Austin Community College’s Computer Studies students. Central Texas employers are adding computer workers even as reports show the nation labor market gained 292,000 Information Technology jobs last year, according to the U.S. Labor Bureau.

“Businesses are scrambling to find people,” says Mary Kohls, chair of Computer Studies. “The companies are funded, we’re getting job announcements, and we’re building a partnership in industry for interns.”

Kohls attributes recent job growth to offshore jobs migrating back to the United States, baby boomers entering retirement, and the growing reliance on specialized computer systems. “Today, you can’t run a business without a computer,” she says.

Computer Studies Professor James Webb points to a “hidden” boom in Central Texas, quieter than what Austin experienced a decade ago but real nonetheless.

“Unisys is looking for computer support specialists. IBM is looking for mainframe programmers. And practically everyone else, from retailers to government offices, is looking for network administrators to maintain their servers,” he says.

Among Webb’s students is Courtney Stanley, 22. The Stony Point High School graduate plans to be a network administrator after earning his associate degree from ACC.

Courtney Stanley

“Computers have evolved around me my whole life. I have always used them,” says Stanley. “Network administration interests me because I want to learn how to manage a network and prevent it from attacks.”

The job market is really strong for students like Stanley, Webb says.

Enrollment in ACC computer classes climbed to 2,500 last fall. According to Kohls, that’s an indication word is getting out that companies are hunting for workers to run their computer systems.

ACC recruits and trains students for a variety of IT fields including computer security, database administration, desktop support, network administration, web programming, and development.

There is an especially strong need for desktop support specialists, Kohls says.

“This is an excellent way to get your foot in the door with a company. Then not only will they give you additional training, they’ll give you work experience.”

Whichever field students choose, ACC will continue to provide the latest in skills and technology training.

Visit the Computer Studies website.