By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
According to the Kansas Department of Labor and U.S. Bureau of Labor, the job outlook through 2032 is expected to grow by 32% for the information security analysts position. Barton Community College is making sure they assist individuals wanting to get into computer and networking specialty jobs.
Christi Gale serves as Barton’s coordinator of information technology program and said the college offers career track options for students wanting to get into the network security profession.
"When you think about security, I think that's an obvious reason why that growth is so big," said Gale. "That also appears to be the 'catch-all' name in the Department of Labor's system for occupations that are specifically focusing on computer security."
Barton also offers college track programs for students that know they want to continue their information technology education at a four-year university. An advisory board, consisting of area IT professionals, helps guide Barton’s certificate programs.
"We do meet twice a year with the networking advisory board," said Gale. "They're a great resource for giving input on what we're offering. They played a significant role in the development of the cyber security certificate."
According to the Kansas Department of Labor, the mean pay in Kansas for information security analysts is $96,000.