A CTE Pathway that Suits You

By Utah CTE, on September 25th, 2012

Computer Programmers and Software Developers
Make Life Easier and Fun

Computers are so important in our everyday lives. We use computers throughout the day to do everything from communicating with colleagues, family and friends, to researching a topic, to composing a letter, to creating a spreadsheet, to reading the news.

We use apps on our smartphone or tablet to read the news or an e-book, check the weather, play a game, shop, or send a message. We expect our “computers” to be fast and work properly without any glitches.

Did you ever stop to think who makes all of this possible? Computer programmers and software developers do!

Using a specialized code, computer programmers develop software applications that make our life easier and FUN! Computer programmers turn the program designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow.

Does this sound like something you would like to do? Students interested in programming/software development can participate in the Career and Technical Education Programming/Software Development Pathway at their high school.

“My class is a challenging course that involves a real world programming language and prepares students for the challenges that they will face in the future—in college and the workforce. In the computer programming/software development class students complete projects using mySQL databases, the Android mobile environment, as well as integrating at least one other language,” says Cody Henrichsen, computer programming instructor at Canyons Technical Education Center (CTEC).

Students in the CTEC computer programming/software development class work on projects integrating Java and mySQL programming so they can interact with databases within their regular Java programming. Students study Android mobile development and develop an app to release on the Android Marketplace.

“Last year, as a class project, students developed two apps that are going to be added to the marketplace this month. We developed apps that showcase the CTEC programs and offer a vocabulary study tool for a variety of classes including programming, cosmetology, electrical, and fire science. We are preparing them for release on all three of the major mobile environments,” says Henrichsen.

Students participating in the Programming/Software Development Pathway have the opportunity to participate in the following events throughout the year.