Graduate's passion for IT field leads to four-year university

Software Aware

Andrealle Burton’s passion for the information technology field began when she was just 12 years old. During an after-school activity at the Al Davies Boys and Girls Club, she learned about the programming and web design aspects of IT. Says Andrealle, “I’ve always known I wanted to work with computer software, so when the Boys and Girls Club showed me some web design, and how things worked in the background, I said, ‘I want to do that!’”

She enrolled in Bates’ Software Development program in 2012 on the advice of a University of Washington Tacoma career advisor, who said the college’s IT programs were the best pathway for her to start her IT education.

Andrealle earned her associate of technology degree summer quarter, and is now a student in the computer science program at the University of Washington Tacoma.

“The Software Development program allowed me to learn about the entire information technology field, and helped open the door to employment in different programming positions,” she says.

“Students spend time in the Web Development program and the Database Technology program, so we can learn about those facets of the industry. With this degree, you can work anywhere that needs a programmer, like Facebook, Microsoft, government entities, and Boeing,” says Andrealle.

To learn more about our many IT programs, head over to: www.bates.ctc.edu/IT. Or, we've compiled short descriptions for three of our popular IT programs, below.

Database Technology—Learn to create, update and maintain databases that store the data on which a company depends, data which becomes the information that is the lifeblood of the company. Without well-maintained and accurate databases, most companies would fail to exist. This program gives students the software skills, using databases such as Oracle, MySql and SQL Server, to become a valuable member of the IT profession. In addition to the database skills, students will also learn three programming languages to supplement their knowledge. Students test to become an Oracle Certified Associate during their studies. 

Software Development—Learn to write the programs that create the applications we use on our computers and mobile devices. Without all those apps, our computers, smartphones and tablets would not be so useful. Students also learn about writing applications for the web.  

Web Development—Learn to use tools to create, reinvent and maintain websites to be visually pleasing on computers, smartphones and tablets. Students also learn how to write applications for the web. The web development program offers certification for Adobe Certified Associate for Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Flash through Certiport. Students can also become a Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) JavaScript Specialist. These web certifications can be taken starting September 2013.