WCS Technology Advisory Board

Why Is This Important?

Middle Tennessee (including Williamson County) has a serious shortage of technology resources Affects both existing companies and potential new companies who want to relocate to middle Tennessee Nashville Technology Council established in 1999 to focus on improving the middle Tennessee technology community A key initiative for the NTC is workforce development focused on expanding the pool of skilled technology professionals to support recruitment, retention, and expansion of businesses in Middle Tennessee.

Why Is This Important?

Created advisory boards for all major colleges in middle Tennessee to help guide course curriculum and promote internship programs Established advisory boards with Metro Nashville Public Schools and Williamson County Schools to increase awareness of technology opportunities The Williamson County Technology Advisory Board was started in the fall of 2010. It consists of school administrators and teachers, local businesses, Williamson County Economic Development and the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce (about 10 people attend each meeting)

Our Mission

The mission of the WCS Technology Advisory Board is the following: Mission Statement To increase awareness of Williamson County students about the world of opportunities for technology careers
How Measure Success Increase in the number of students that attend 2 or 4 year advanced degree programs in the field of technology Increase in the number of students that enroll in technology related courses in high school

How Have We Approached This?

Activities initiated to date:

Letter to rising 9th graders outlining technology career opportunities in the high schools FirstCamp - an unconference designed to engage high school students into technology by allowing them to present and discuss their ideas. Promoting creation of A/P technology classes in the high schools Conducted focus group discussions to better understand how to inform parents and students about technology Created a logo to brand our marketing initiatives Created video highlighting technology and impacts on businesses Started PD workshops to increase technology awareness with Counselors Development of a marketing brochure for parents and students Creation of WCS Technology Website to promote technology awareness

Activities currently in progress

Technology Enrollment

Enrollment Totals by Area

IT / Networking Digital Arts & Design Broadcasting / Audio

229 453 716

WCS Technology Tracks Offered

Brentwood High School 3 Tracks

Film & Television Broadcasting IT Game Programming IT Web Page Design

Centennial High School 2 Tracks

Digital Design Film & Television Broadcasting

Digital Design Film & Television Broadcasting IT Administration Academy IT Webmaster Preparation Academy Audio Production Film & Television Broadcasting Gaming, Multimedia, & Webmaster Digital Design Film & Television Broadcasting IT Gaming & Programming Digital Design Film & Television Broadcasting

Independence High School 4 Tracks

Middle College High School- 1 Track

Page High School 2 Track

Ravenwood High School 3 Track

Summit High School 2 Track

Post High School Area Two Year and Four Year Degree Programs

Associate of Applied Science (AAS Two year)

Computer Information Systems Software Development Web Technology Computer Technology Computer Networking Technology Professional Studies-Information Technology Concentration Office Information Technology Medical Office Technology Computer Accounting

Bachelors Degree (BS or BBA Four year)

Computer Information Systems, BBA Computer Science, BS Computer Science, Business Applications Concentration, BS Computer Science, Professional Computer Science Concentration, BS Business Management, Management Information Systems Option, BSBA Computer Engineering, BS Information Technology - Digital Graphic Design and Multimedia, BS Information Technology Web Development, BS Business Administration Information Technology, BBA Business Administration E-Commerce , BBA Business Administration - Information Systems Management, BBA

Information Technology Professions

WCS Class Offerings

Business or Systems Analyst

Examines a business activity to help decide how new IT solutions will improve efficiency and effectiveness in decision making Analyzes how users can interact with the information system Specified the data and logical operations the system will perform and define system reporting for upper management Writes or modifies programs for a variety of technical, commercial, and business users Involves taking requirements, usually in written form from the analysts, and translating them into computer code Manages the design and development of databases Guarantees the performance and integrity of databases

Application Developer

Database Administrator

Controls system capacity for existing data requirements

Directs IS operations including computer operations, technical support, systems analysis, and programming Ensures sufficient systems capacity for organizational needs Directs database management and telecommunications functions Manages disaster recovery functions for information systems Arranges and administers security measures to restrict unauthorized use of systems Coordinates security investigations and executes preventive measures Installs, configures, and maintains the organization's network servers and workstations Manages network performance

Information Systems Manager / Director

Information Systems Security Manager

Network Administrator

Source: MTSU and Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Salaries and Wages Middle Tennessee

Technology Industry salaries and wages are very good and demand for workers continues to trend upward. Skill shortages in Analysts, Business Intelligence, Developers, Networking, and Security professionals will push salaries upward. Nashville and Middle Tennessees favorable business climate will increase demand for additional technical talent. Nashville recently rated 4th best technology city in the U.S.

Salaries - US Averages

Robert Half Technology Technology Salary and Hiring Trends - 2012

Nashville => 97.5% Above US Averages

Source: Nashville Tech Council and Robert Half Technology