Computer programming in America is growing rapidly. By 2020, employment of software developers will increase by 30%. Some high schools are starting to reflect this increase in job status by adding a computer programming class to their curriculums which follow the College Board AP computer science A guideline. This should be happening throughout the nation, but it is not. Schools need to prepare students not only for college, but also for their future jobs.

As of 2013, starting salaries for applications developers (they make apps for your phone, like Facebook) are starting at $60,000, and the salary can increase to over $100,000 in just five years depending on where the job is located; this includes most other types of software developers and computer programmers. These jobs are easily obtainable for those with a bachelor’s in Computer Science. Not only does the job pay well, but it also provides fantastic on-location amenities and benefits. Bean bags and ballpits are not uncommon offices for Google engineers. However, to become one, it takes a lot of work.

Some of the most successful software engineers started programming when they were young, such as Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, who created code for games on his Atari. It is imperative for any aspiring software developer to start programming at least in high school, if not before. It can be fun to learn, albeit challenging at times, especially in college because of a computer science major’s almost identical curriculum to a math major. Computer science is not all computers and graphics. Students need to know the math theories that help programs to work more smoothly.

However, at Rider, there are no Java classes for students to take, and this needs to be addressed. Programming classes also help students strengthen their math skills by using abstract methods of adding and multiplying numbers.

If a programming class were offered, students could learn how to create simple games and mock programs for a cashier to use through the programming language Java. This would prepare students to take the AP Computer Science A test at the end of the year. Tutorials for java can be found on the College Board website, or the company that owns Java, Oracle. However, these can be very difficult to learn without the help from an instructor. This is why a class needs to be added so students can be taught more effectively before going on to more advanced material.

Some may say the class will cost too much money because of the need for computers, or more teachers. This may be true, but the benefits for students will highly outweigh the costs of the class, which once considered, should still be quite low because there are already plenty of computers on campus, and there would only need to be one teacher. If the supplies are available, why not add a class that will provide knowledge that will most help students with their futures?

Education in America, and more importantly Rider, needs to keep up with modern times. Schools need to start facilitating the student’s need to get a job, and computer programming is a path that can get them there. A high salary and job demand make it an undeniable choice as an addition to Rider’s academics.