Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and cloud computing are driving the hot employment sector of information technology. The Computer Information Systems (CIS) department at College of the Desert (COD) is doing what it can to stay ahead of the curve.
“Many of our graduates are hired by local companies even before graduation,” says Patrick Jacobs, a CIS professor at COD.
But even students who choose not to major in CIS find that coursework in the field can improve their ability to think analytically, solve problems, organize thoughts and information, and use new technology more efficiently and effectively.
The COD CIS program offers 15 courses across two Associate of Science (AS) degrees covering subjects such as general IT support, cybersecurity, software development, and data analytics. Courses are designed to meet industry standards for key IT certifications. The program also offers dual enrollment options with Coachella Valley and Desert Sands unified school districts.
Students can pursue two pathways: The Associate of Science (AS) program focused on Employment Preparation, offering industry-aligned courses to help students enter the workforce as an entry-level computer or network support technician. The second pathway, AS Transfer Preparation, prepares students for transfer to four-year universities such as Cal State University San Bernardino’s Information Systems and Technology Program.
Artificial Intelligence, one of the hottest trends in the tech world and beyond, has become central to the CIS program, not just in terms of the curriculum but also as an educational tool.
In addition to studying the ethical implications and possible misuse of AI, students get hands-on training in developing AI tools.
“A lot of our focus is on local use of AI models for sustainable applications without the reliance on third party systems,” Jacobs says, explaining that students have built a GPU computing computer that they can use to gain experience with experimental AI models. A GPU, or Graphics Processing Unit, is a specialized electronic circuit that can perform many calculations simultaneously.
Students also use AI for research for their Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions. In these exercises, participants compete to solve challenges that involve exploiting vulnerabilities in systems to find hidden “flags,” or pieces of information. They are a popular and fun way for students to learn and improve their cybersecurity skills.
Jacobs says many of his CIS colleagues incorporate AI applications into their courses, including tools such as Google Stitch, a new AI-powered tool designed to streamline the process of UI (User Interface) design and development. Jacobs himself has created his own grading helper scripts with the help of AI programming tools.
AI is generating a lot of jobs in the IT world with AI and machine learning engineers among the IT roles expected to see the biggest boost in the coming years. But AI is not the only specialty forecasted to see increasing demand. Cybersecurity analysts, cloud architects/engineers, data scientists/analysts, software developers, and IT project managers are also expected to see significant hiring gains (bls.gov).
Despite recent layoffs in the news, tech jobs as a whole are still projected to increase twice as fast as the overall workforce. Job growth in computer and IT fields is expected to grow 11 percent this decade (bls.gov).
The Inland Empire is projected to have up to 20,000 computer-specific job openings this decade (San Bernardino County Workforce Update). Jacobs says many of his graduates intern locally, with Eisenhower Health hiring many of his graduates.
With the continued growth of the technology sector and the increased dependence on information technology across the board, the critical training provided by CIS departments at College of the Desert and other community colleges across the Inland Empire/Desert region has never been more crucial.
