Oceanside CA— On March 15, TECH Talk attracted over 100 students, faculty, community members and industry leaders for a discussion and networking opportunity at MiraCosta College’s Oceanside Campus.
Hosted by the MiraCosta Computer Studies and Information Technology (CSIT) Department in partnership with the North County Higher Education Alliance and the Doing What Matters Information and Communication Technologies & Digital Media Deputy Sector Navigation Team, the event included a panel of representatives from the City of Carlsbad, Robert Half Technology, TEK Systems, ViaSat and others representing management information systems (MIS), cyber security, programming and digital media. After the panel, participants were encouraged to ask questions and dialog as they enjoyed free pizza, dessert, Oculus Rift demostrations, and a raffle where they could win a Raspberry PI, a credit-card-sized computer, BestBuy gift cards or a Qualcomm corporate visit.
“The room was packed with interested students wanting to learn about what’s cutting edge in information technology related industries and what students need to do to get jobs and internships in the field. Everyone walked away with knowledge” explains Steve Isachsen, Chair of the CSIT Department. “Information technology related study at MiraCosta includes three different departments: CSIT, Computer Science (CS), and Media Arts and Technology (MAT) – together the departments teach over 2,500 students a semester and as a unit represent the third largest department at MiraCosta” explains Isachsen.
Due to the vast interest in computer studies and demand from the industry, the MiraCosta CSIT Department is in the process of developing an associate’s degree and certificate program in Cyber Security. Expected to launch in the fall 2018 semester, students will be exposed to a range of cutting edge topics and skills that are currently being developed in partnership with industry experts. Upon completion, this degree will prepare students for various CompTIA certifications as well as to intern and work in this exciting, emerging field. ​