IT professions have become some of the most studied fields worldwide in the 21st century. This trend is driven by the many benefits of working in IT, the wide range of specializations, relatively high salaries (compared to other fields), and more. Read further on houston-future.
In Houston, as well as across Texas, this field is in high demand among both locals and incoming students. Many people relocate here to get a quality education and search for good job opportunities.
Perhaps you’re wondering which is the better option for learning IT: an educational institution (college, university) or training courses?
Educational Institutions
Entering a university in Houston, experiencing student life, attending lectures and seminars, connecting with classmates, and enjoying the student cafeteria — for many, this kind of life is appealing. We all know that many people move to the United States for educational opportunities, to live, and to pursue happiness here.
Houston, the fourth most populous city in the U.S., is well-suited for this lifestyle. It is widely known as a friendly, student-oriented city, with a large number of educational institutions and students. Residents of Houston are known for their warmth and openness to new people — another reason why people choose to move here.
When it comes to institutions that teach IT skills, it’s worth noting that these institutions allow students to earn an associate degree initially and then a bachelor’s degree. The average duration of study in a college or university is four years.
Houston Community College offers students the chance to study information technology, covering areas like computer applications, micro- and macroeconomics, accounting, and more. This program takes two years (for an associate degree) and serves about 57,000 students. An associate degree is also available at Lee College, where students can study web design, digital publishing, and media over two years.
The most popular higher education institution in Houston is University of Houston-Clear Lake. Over four years, you can delve into web design, programming, development, IT management, and administration. Admission isn’t as easy as it might seem: you must pass entrance exams, and tuition fees are high (in 2018, annual in-state tuition was $7,000, and out-of-state tuition was three times that amount).
At the University of Houston-Downtown, graduates also earn a bachelor’s degree, studying project management, computer networking, systems development, and systems analysis.
Training Courses
Many people choose courses instead of colleges because they are much shorter and provide the same essential information without the extra, unrelated subjects. Another advantage of courses is the flexibility to study remotely, allowing you to be anywhere in the world. So, while living in Houston, you can study through a company based elsewhere, or alternatively, enroll in a Houston-based course while living elsewhere.
Noble Desktop is one of the top companies offering IT education. You can attend classes either in person or remotely. Courses teach how to build websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Flatiron School offers online-only classes, with flexible study durations: either eight months (part-time) or four months (full-time). One significant advantage of Flatiron School is its job placement assistance after course completion. The primary focus at Flatiron School is cybersecurity.
If none of the courses in Houston fit your needs, there are always options to find suitable courses in another U.S. city or even in another country. When we think of the IT field, the United States is often the first place that comes to mind. Indeed, the U.S. ranks among the top eight countries with the best IT development programs.