In recent years, technology has become a very lucrative industry. The high bar of learning paired with the necessity of devices around the world make careers in technology some of the most profitable jobs currently available. Students at Liberty have an opportunity to learn about careers in technology, in both clubs and classes. Here are four tech career paths that students can start learning about right here at Liberty.
Graphic Design
Graphic design is typically using software to create and manipulate 2D images. The goal of graphic design is usually to create appealing images, often for advertising, web and software design, and logo design. 2D graphic design is usually much easier than 3D design, but the current best tools available, mainly Adobe products, cost money, making graphic design slightly harder to get into. Fortunately, we have our own graphic design class here at Liberty, taught by Mrs. Arneson.
I asked Mrs. Arneson about careers in graphic design after high school. “[T]here’s a lot of different branches that you can enter into. So, when I started I went straight into industry so I worked in a digital agency, but with graphic design … you can do graphic design for a multitude of other industries. So, you could do graphic design for the government, the military, [or] for an individual company. … [E]ven if you don’t choose it as a career path, it can help you in a lot of different areas in life where you need to make presentations or something like that.”
Careers in graphic design make about $23/hour, a little under double the Virginia minimum wage. Graphic designers will mostly be doing commissions, advertising, poster design, and any other task that requires an eye-catching 2D design.
3D Modeling and Animation
3D modeling is the process of using software to create digital 3D scenes. Like many other fields of technology, it’s easy to get into 3D modeling, but it’s hard to actually learn it fully. Our 3D Modeling and Animation teacher, Mr. Clark can help students with some of the hurdles of learning how to use 3D modeling software.
“The 3D modeling class is along the lines of graphic design, where you’re going to get maybe a job in creating commercials, or videos for lawyers for their courtroom cases, or maybe you’re gonna work for Pixar! Who knows?”
According to Indeed, jobs in 3D modeling in the US have salaries averaging at $28/hour, over double the Virginia minimum wage of $12.77. Careers in 3D animation in the US have salaries averaging at $38/hour, over triple the Virginia minimum wage. 3D careers typically entail digital concept models, 3D environments, digital media like movies and games, models used for 3D prints, and commissions.
Computer Programming
Computer programming is the process of creating a computer program to carry out functions on a computer. These programs are typically made using a programming language, like C or Java. These programming languages are very easily accessible, but have a very high bar of entry. Programming, more often than not, requires math and computer logic, two things that are generally considered to be challenging. Liberty has a variety of classes that teach subjects related to programming, such as advanced math, data science, computer science, and statistics.
Careers in computer programming in the US have salaries averaging at $44/h, almost quadruple the Virginia minimum wage. Salaries vary greatly due to the large range of applications for computer programming and computer software
Cybersecurity
With hacks and breaches on the rise, cybersecurity careers are more important than ever. Cybersecurity specialists are in charge of keeping a device safe through ensuring adequate authentication, detecting breaches, finding holes in digital security, and encrypting important information. Our cybersecurity class, taught by Mr. Clark, aims to teach students all about cybersecurity as a career.
“For cybersecurity, I want them to get a job in the field of cybersecurity, whatever that looks like. Whether it’s network admin, penetration tester, the field is so vast, I want them to get any job in that field they could possibly get. So that’s my goal, develop those skills they can make money with.”
Careers in cybersecurity vary in their applications. The average salary for a security engineer in the US averages at $36/h, about 3 times the Virginia minimum wage. The average salary for a cybersecurity analyst in the US is $52/h, almost 4.5 times the Virginia minimum wage. Security penetration testers (also known as ethical hackers) make similar pay, with the US average salary being $53/h. The actual salary of a cybersecurity job varies greatly depending on application, workload, importance, and sparsity.
Conclusion
Liberty High’s technology classes give students a head start in high-paying, in-demand careers. Not all schools have the resources to offer computer-integrated learning, so students at Liberty have the privilege of exploring careers in graphic design, 3D modeling, programming, and cybersecurity. These classes help students enter into high-paying, high-demand jobs, and set students up for long-term success.
