By Cesar Canizales
March 8, 2016
Computer programming students in the Dallas County Community College District are not the stereotypical computer “nerds” of yore. Gone are the bow ties, the plastic pen holders and the goofy glasses.
Instead, future coders in one of the colleges’ computer language classes include a diverse group of students who want to capitalize on the region’s booming high-tech industry and others who need programming to enhance their careers.
The Industry Outlook
In recent years, the DFW area has experienced healthy job growth in software development. According to JobsEQ, the region’s software development jobs grew by an annual average of 4.5% between 2012 and 2015, and the number of jobs is expected to grow by 2.7% annually over the next seven years.
“Dallas always has been tech-friendly. Texas Instruments is here, IBM has had a large presence here and Cisco has a large facility,” shares Charles Cadenhead, professor of computer science at Brookhaven. “In addition, lots of companies are moving here, and they all need software and IT support.”
Programming student Clayton Luster says, "[Java] fascinates me, and I'm excited about it."
A study by the
Progressive Policy Institute, a think tank based in Washington, D.C., found that the region is home to almost half of all mobile application developers in the state. The PPI reported that jobs in that field grew from 25,000 in 2012 to 121,000 in 2015.
Ramiro Villarreal, who has taught app development for Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android at Brookhaven, believes software companies are moving to the mobile world. “The big thing is IOT, or the internet of things. It’s all about wearable stuff, like watches. Google is big on wearables. That’s where all the big growth is going to be in the future.”
Four Student Profiles
Mastan Chintalapudi, who is originally from India, is not looking for a career change, but he believes that computer programming can enhance his current career. The 47-year-old is taking Villarreal’s Java class, but he has worked for 20 years as a scientist in biochemistry and is now seeking a certification in programming. “I don’t need another degree,” he explains. “I have a doctorate and two master’s degrees already. I hope to use this knowledge so that I can apply it in my field in DNA sequencing and genetic databases.”
Matthew Fontana hopes to become a database administrator in the future. A sophomore, Fontana plans to transfer to the University of Texas at Dallas after he finishes at Brookhaven later this year. “I like working with computers, and it’s a hobby of mine,” explains Fontana. “I even built my own computer at home.”
Mattison Mozingo is only 20 years old, but he and three of his friends already developed and sold a video game. He also is taking Villarreal’s class, and he is planning to transfer to UTD. “I’m not sure I want to do video games forever, but that’s what I’m doing at the moment,” says Mozingo. “We are doing games for PCs, but mobile is a big market.”
But this is not Mozingo’s first time taking Java. “I took it two years ago and failed. This time I’m going to ace it,” he says with a smile.
Clayton Luster is a U.S. Air Force veteran who has struggled with PTSD for years, and that mental illness has limited his ability to stay in school and get a degree. The 57-year-old took computer science classes at DCCCD’s El Centro College to learn Java. Now he’s taking Villarreal’s Java class.
“It’s a challenge, and it’s not the same every day. If it were the same every day, I would lose interest,” Luster continues. “I would get bored, and my mind wanders. But this fascinates me, and I’m excited about it.”
Professors Share Industry Insights
Dan Dao, professor of computer science at Richland College, teaches C++ and Java. He teaches concepts and skills that students can transfer to the workforce. He notes that many students think they can take one class to learn how to develop an app, but he tells them that’s not a practical skill.
“Almost everything is going to mobile devices now, so it’s a more practical skill to learn how to design a Web page that will open on every mobile device and is responsive to clients,” he explains.
Dao is very practical about his classes. His philosophy is that not everyone needs a four-year degree.
“I tell students that they’re here to get a set of skills and get training. One of the unique programs at Richland is IT. We’re strong in that, and nobody offers the workforce training we do,” explains Dao.
Professor Villarreal believes how far students want to go with their education should depend on their goals.
“If they want a career where they’ll make more than $100,000, they should get a bachelor’s degree. But if they want to get a job right away and make $60,000 a year, they should get a certificate.”
According to data from JobsEQ, software developers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area make about $99,000 per year, and entry-level jobs in the industry pay approximately $66,000. That’s good news for student Matthew Fontana, who waits tables but wants to “pursue the American dream” after he graduates from UTD.
The Myth of the Math Genius
Contrary to some general assumptions, mathematics is not absolutely necessary to become a computer programmer, although some knowledge of algebra helps.
“Math is typically not a big deal,” says Patti Burks, professor of programming languages PHP and JavaScript at Brookhaven. “People who excel at computer programming are those who like to solve problems. It’s all about logic and the ability to take things step-by-step,” she adds. “But if you were writing a program for an oil company that’s doing seismic research, you might need some math. Generally, you need some basic algebra.”
Calling All Lifelong Learners
Although anyone can learn to code, some people do excel at it, Professor Charles Cadenhead says. "It's like the difference between a native speaker and someone who has had to learn a foreign language."
So what type of person would enjoy computer programming or a career developing software or mobile or Web applications? According to DCCCD professors, an adaptable person. One who enjoys learning new things and problem-solving.
“If you don’t like change, you shouldn’t go into this field because it changes all the time,” Burks tells students. “The industry changes every couple of years when software companies come up with new technologies or new versions, or when they add functionalities to existing programs.”
Long story short: “You’re not going to learn one thing and be done. It’s not like that. It changes periodically, and there’s always something new,” continues Burks.
Professor Dao says the key to coding is not to focus on a specific computer language.
“It’s learning how to program and understand the concept of programming. Software changes all the time, so students shouldn’t focus on the software. If you know the concepts, you can learn other languages,” he explains.
Anyone Can Code
Professor Cadenhead says anyone can learn to code, but special ones excel at it.
“Their code is more elegant and takes fewer lines of memory. They live the language,” he said. “It’s like the difference between a native speaker and someone who has had to learn a foreign language. Natives will always be a little bit ahead.”
For those looking to combine technical and graphic skills, Burks suggests exploring Web design. “Web design allows you to use your creative side as well the as technical side,” says Burks. “There’s a lot of job satisfaction in being able to harness both sides and not just sit in a cubicle typing numbers.”
Professor Dao says one of the best feelings he gets is when a student’s light bulb goes off after he explains a concept in critical thinking and logic.
“You see the glow,” explains Dao. “Even better is graduation day when you see those students walk across the stage to get their diplomas. It’s like finishing a book!”
Go Further
For more information about the computer programming study programs offered by DCCCD, visit
dcccd.edu/CIT.