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(from left to right) Dennis Green, Paul M. McNeil, Steve McDermott, Arthur Langer
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At a graduation ceremony at Faculty House Friday, Columbia University's Continuing Education and Special Programs (CE/SP) honored more than 120 graduates who completed the Computer Technology Applications (CTA) program between fall, 1998 and summer, 1999.
More than 70 of the graduates received their certificates from Paul M. McNeil, associate dean of CE/SP, who praised the "enormous sacrifice on the part of every single student who has moved through this program."
Speakers noted that the CTA program, which prepares adult students for professional advancement in data processing and information systems, has grown more popular with the information technology boom.
"This speaks volumes about what's going on in the marketplace," said Dennis Green, director of Computer Training Programs for CE/SP. He said Friday night's gathering included the largest number of graduating students ever to attend the annual ceremony.
Touting the recent explosion in computer technology jobs, keynote speaker Steve McDermott, CEO of international brokerage firm Garban Intercapital, traced the shift in priorities in the financial services industry, noting that 20 years ago, the workers most in demand were those with strong interpersonal skills. Now the most coveted, he said, are people who understand the technology.
"When I first started, the key players were individuals with great people skills - known in my business as 'relationship managers.' These people populated the trading desks and more importantly the corner offices," he said. "The next wave of leaders were finance and management professionals who brought high-powered analytical tools to their jobs. Now the baton is being passed to people just like you - the technology experts."
Among the graduates who attended Friday's ceremony was Isaac Rodriguez, who in June received his certificate in Analysis and Design of Information Systems. When he began the program, Rodriguez worked at CE/SP Student Services and took advantage of the CTA scholarship offered each year to one local 2110 member. Now, he works at the School of Social Work, making use of the skills he learned at in the CTA program.
"It was intense, it's time-consuming. It's a lot of hours and a lot of hard work," he said. "But I think it's worth it in terms of personal growth."
Another graduate was Melanie Caffrey, who completed the database track last December and is a newly-appointed CTA instructor. She said she first signed on when her company, Coach Leatherware, began using a new database program. She said the skills she learned at CTA are essentially transferable to any database program.
"One of the nice things is that it gives you major building blocks," she said. "The knowledge that you learn applies to almost any company."
Continuing Education and Special Programs' Computer Technology Applications offers certification in C++ and Java: Programming and Software Development; Database Application Development and Design; Network Administration and Design; and Analysis and Design of Information Systems. In January, it will launch a program in Software Development for Electronic Commerce.
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