Florida Polytechnic University (FPU) strives to be nationally, and internationally, respected as a college that offers not only engineering and technological programs, but also interdisciplinary course programs within the STEM fields (STEM is an abbreviation that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and it will be discussed in further depth later in this article.) Florida Polytechnic University was created with the intention of providing a rigorous STEM program in the first public STEM College in Florida; it also provides itself as a resource for high-tech industries and data education with many opportunities for graduates to move into data-centric jobs

STEM Education and FPU

The need for STEM careers is increasing 1.7 times quicker than non-STEM careers.

The demand for information and knowledge workers is expected to grow at an ever increasing rate over the next decade. As the economy continues to rely on information technology and information services, the State of Florida alone expects to hire approximately 411,000 STEM-related jobs by 2018. That being said, getting a degree in a STEM-related field is a great jumping off point for a career in Data Management.

STEM education includes the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Under technology (what we are going to focus on) that could include software development, programming, information security, database administration, and others; under engineering that could include mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering; and lastly there is mathematics.

How are the STEM fields important to the Data Management world?

Without mathematics, a prospective company cannot run statistical analyses or work with Machine Learning algorithms that the company may use to make decisions about their customers; without science, there would not be technological improvements that drive the industry forward; without engineering, the scientific discoveries could not be utilized to create new products and machinery.

That is exactly why FPU offers a rigorous STEM education with interdisciplinary teaching meant to make their students well-rounded. In the high-tech industry world, mastery of the STEM fields is important; only when industry professionals in their respective fields get together can great progress be made. Not to mention the more that the student knows, the more innovative they will be in their future workplace.

Florida Polytechnic University Data-Centric Degrees

What program a student should take depends on what they are looking for. If they’re looking to work in fields with trending topics like Big Data and Data Management, then many of the programs at Florida Polytechnic University will help them reach their goals. Although all of the programs involve STEM or computing-related topics, they still vary in terms of specialization. These sections detail the differences between the degrees:

Consider the following degree programs offered by Florida Polytechnic University:

• The Bachelor’s Degree of Computer Science and Information Technology:
  This degree has many research and internship opportunities, which is perfect for a student who is trying to jumpstart their career before they finish their schooling.Like the degree above, there is a general curriculum that all students within must follow, but the student may choose one of two focuses: Computer and Cyber Security or Cyber Gaming.

  The Cyber Security program would be particularly useful to companies who need someone to keep their files and information secure online. FPU helps students hone their skills by allowing them to solve simulated attacks in a laboratory environment.

  Using this program, a student could become a Data Management Analyst (as long as the focus of their bachelor’s degree is in finance and information technology, and they have experience in the field); an IT specialist (so long as the student has gathered some degree of work experience, whether that be through volunteer work, school work, or an actual job); or a Data Management Specialist.

• The Master’s Degree of Science in Innovation and Technology:
  This program is rich with research opportunities. There are cutting-edge research facilities where graduates can do their research on topics like Big Data, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, etc. One of these facilities is referred to as the Innovation, Science, and Technology Building, and it is home to a magnificent 3-D printer, multiple labs, and an IBM supercomputer.Some of the skills that FPU’s students may take along with them using this program include being able to make plans to develop and use IT-based solutions; knowing how to use current research techniques and industry practices to address user needs; and, being able to recognize and learn how to use new skills, methods, and computing trends.

In order to focus your studies on innovative topics like Big Data, or Cloud Virtualization, then students will need to take part in Florida Polytechnic University’s Advanced Technology program.

• The Bachelor’s Degree of Advanced Technology
  This degree provides various research and internship opportunities, and it has industry-specific focuses, such as: Big Data Analytics, and Cloud Virtualization.Big Data Analytics: Big Data includes taking a mass of information and making sense of it in a way that a company can utilize. Companies all over the world are using their data to make informative decisions based on data trends.

  More and more businesses shifting to their Big Data assets for competitive market advantage, thus the need for Data Scientists is only continuing to grow. Florida Polytechnic University’s Advanced Technology program prepares its students by giving them Big Data sets to look at, mold, and make comprehensive decisions with. With an IBM supercomputer provided by the university, students are able to learn through hands-on experience.

  Cloud Virtualization: So many companies are starting to rely on the Cloud instead of spending all of their money on physical storage systems. Florida Polytechnic University plans to train students who choose the Cloud Virtualization focus to lead their future companies forward.

  With these programs, a student could expect to find jobs such as: A Big Data Engineer (the applicant must either be pursuing a 4-year degree or have a 4-year degree specializing in Big Data); a Big Data Consultant (an applicant typically must have a 4-year degree or 4 years of experience in the field); a Cloud Architect (so long as the applicant has a 4-year degree specializing in Cloud Computing and 4-6 years of IT experience); as well as the jobs listed in the Bachelor’s Degree of Computer Science and Information Technology section.

The Women at FPU

With so few women entering STEM and data-related careers as compared to men, colleges like Florida Polytechnic University are offering networking services to women interested in these fields, as well as organizing events meant to attract them to the fields.

According to Techrepublic, only 26% of people in the STEM field are women. The figure has been rising, but there is still so much room for growth.

The fact of the matter is that data-related careers have long been male-dominated. First, because younger women have not had women role models to look up to because there aren’t very many in these fields; and second, because managers refuse to put them in certain positions. Sometimes women are straight out told that they can’t do it.

In a past interview with DATAVERSITY®, Karen Lopez, the Senior Project Manager and Architect at InfoAdvisors recalled some managers telling her that they couldn’t put her in front of clients because they wouldn’t take her seriously:

“I have been told that as a woman I wasn’t suitable for certain roles. Earlier on in my career it was managers who said they were fine with me being on the team, but they couldn’t put me in front of clients because they would not accept a female as a key team member. So they’d assign a male from the team to perform client-facing demos and support.”

Gender discrimination still exists in STEM and data-related fields, but as more women enter into such careers these realities are changing.

Women in STEM Leadership is an organization that allows women interested in STEM— or related fields— a resource where they can meet other ladies studying these topics, learn about the impact of women in history, etc. The organization also hopes to extend its reach to elementary schools and high schools in an attempt to reach out to girls at a young age.

Veronica, a student from FPU, describes how FPU is working to decrease the gender gap:

“The Women in STEM Leadership Program has a mentoring program that is bringing young female students to our campus and exposing them to technology through hands-on experiments in physics, chemistry, math and biology. This experience helps girls learn more about the world around them. We always talk to students afterward and ask them what they think about Florida Poly and how the University can help them be successful.”

As the need for Data Management jobs increases, along with the growth of data-related industries and technologies, the need for more people to enter the field, especially women, will only increase. Florida Polytechnic University offers a myriad of possibilities for data education with their cutting-edge labs, their specialized programs, and their dedication to their students.