For students like Cynthia Rodriguez, Estrella Mountain Community College's new Linux/UNIX program provides female students with in-demand skills and abilities to qualify them for competitive careers in information technology (IT).
Linux is one brand of the burgeoning UNIX technology revolutionizing IT today. Linux utilizes free ‘open source code,'giving users and programmers freedom to customize the operating system and create new programs and software. Since the technology demands a higher level of trained technicians, a study by Dice.com listed UNIX as one of two skills most requested by technology employers nationwide. At this time, Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) is the only source for Linux training among the Maricopa Community Colleges, though six others have signed on to offer the program in the future.
While experts indicate a narrowing gender gap in salaries and employability within IT for the first time since 2000, women with the drive to succeed in this male-dominated industry must do everything within their power to secure these in-demand skills in order to compete. For Cynthia Rodriguez, honors student and All-USA Academic Team nominee, the need for top skills for women was a major reason why she first looked into obtaining not one, but three different Associate of Applied Science degrees from EMCC. "When I first started college, I was unsure of what career path to take, so I enrolled in general courses," she said. It wasn't long before the expanding technology and hands-on approach of Computer Information Systems attracted her. "It was intimidating at first, but I realized that I could do it. Nobody was smarter than me. If I didn't get something right away, it was because I didn't prepare enough, not because I couldn't do it." Rodriguez has never been a stranger to challenge. "When I first started school," Rodriguez says, "someone told me, ‘you're not smart enough to do this.' I was rebellious. I wanted to prove them wrong."
Before long and despite serious health concerns, Rodriguez began to volunteer her time in the technology labs helping other students understand the new technology. "Cynthia wasn't an employee, but it wasn't unsual to see her helping other students with their academic studies and suggesting resources when they had a problem," says Randy Larson, Computer Information faculty. Because of her compassion and leadership, Larson hired Rodriguez as a part-time lab supervisor. Additionally, Rodriguez donates her time as a guest speaker at Metro Tech High School to encourage at-risk students to consider a college education, as well as volunteering at West Side Food Bank. As an honors student, and Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa, Rodriguez has honed her academic skills to a new level, and the college nominated her for the nationally recognized All-USA Community and Junior College Academic Team, sponsored by USA Today.
While male students dominate computer courses, EMCC continues to strive to meet the needs of its community by providing quality education programs that will benefit all students, and its Linux program truly is an open source of technological education for women in the West Valley. As a woman on the move, with all of the right skills to help her compete in this dynamic industry, Rodriguez says: "I wish more women would take advantage of programs like this at EMCC. Sometimes women don't know what they're good at. They just do what everyone else does. Just try it! You just might like it."
Estrella Mountain Community College is one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges. Located on Thomas and Dysart Roads in Avondale, the college offers academic and occupational courses for West Valley residents. For more information, contact Nicole DeLeon, Marketing and Public Relations Department, at Estrella Mountain Community College (623) 935-8056.