It’s no secret that there is a growing need for a workforce with the right technical skills.
Today’s high-tech companies have successfully created new job opportunities, often requiring specialized knowledge and skillsets that are highly sought after by graduates from colleges and universities worldwide.
Universities such as Stanford and Northwestern Polytechnic University have been at the forefront of innovation when creating new programs that align with the skillsets needed by many employers, especially those in Silicon Valley.
Molding Tech’s Future Leaders
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, ’employment in STEM – science, technology, engineering, and math-related occupations is projected to grow by 17.0 percent from 2012 to 2022′.
This means that if students graduate with degrees related to these fields, they will have a greater chance of being employed immediately after graduation.
It’s also important to note that many students are choosing to return to school to gain an education that can allow them to earn higher wages.
By combining computational thinking with the world of engineering, Northwestern Polytechnic University has created a curriculum that helps prepare students for the workforce and allows them entry into top graduate schools around the world.
This is a university with a professional rather than academic approach to higher education, aimed at students interested in becoming part of the tech industry.
Other universities, such as Stanford, have begun to take a similar approach in offering students an education that is classroom-focused and hands-on.
Stanford’s New Approach to Education
Stanford has been a leader in tech innovation and entrepreneurship, with many of its graduates going on to create some of the top tech startups around today. To broaden the scope of how students are taught, Stanford has developed new online courses that allow students to develop new skills without being physically on campus.
Starting in 2014, this university is one of the first higher education institutions to offer an online Master’s degree program for computer science engineering.
While many universities around the world are continuing to look at online education as the future, Stanford’s approach allows it to meet its students’ needs.
What Silicon Valley Needs
It’s no secret that Silicon Valley is continuing to grow. As a result, many of our jobs today will be affected by some form of technology, with the latest jobs board data showing some of the most in-demand job titles around include software architects and developers.
These are not college graduate roles but roles that require technical education and work experience.
As technology continues to advance over the coming years, it’s predicted that there will be a growing need for individuals with strong technical skillsets to maintain and generate new ideas. This trend is only set to continue as we look at how education can develop in line with change within the tech sector.
Final Thoughts
Many universities worldwide are beginning to realize that business, as usual, is no longer an option. Institutions such as Northwestern Polytechnic University and Stanford’s pioneering approach to higher education show it understands the future of education lies in meeting industry demands.
