Technology Abounds

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Springfield has been labeled the Midwest’s next hot tech city! Not only is the capital city affordable, it also has high-quality educational opportunities and easy accessibility to the rest of the country (and the world).

The area's tech scene is growing, thanks to a supportive business environment and the strong regional talent pool filled by thousands of students developing valuable skill-sets at colleges and universities like the University of Illinois Springfield, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Lincoln Land Community College and Midwest Technical Institute.

At the University of Illinois Springfield, for example, computer science is one of the most popular majors among both undergraduates and graduate students. Students here can earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information systems security, as well as a master’s degree in computer science.

At nearby Lincoln Land Community College, students can earn an affordable associate’s degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering science, business, accounting and many other technology-adjacent fields. The community college keeps tabs on local industry needs to ensure its always offering the most up-to-date education in coding, networking, cyber-security and database technology.

“Our big focus is on doing outreach with employers who are hiring our students. Computer science changes rapidly, so we’ve really tried to find out what these employers need.” 
- Carmen Allen, Computer Science Professor - Lincoln Land Community College

Tech companies in Springfield can also benefit from an employee work ethic and loyalty that’s hard to find in Silicon Valley and other tech hubs. These qualities have been helpful to the success of information technology global leader, Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc. (LRS). LRS provides software solutions to Fortune 100 companies around the world. With multiple international offices, LRS is headquartered in Springfield and rooted in the community. The average tenure of employees at LRS is more than 12 years and it’s not uncommon to meet people who have worked there for more than 20 years.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

 Lincoln Land Community College

  • Associate in Computer Information Systems
  • Associate in Computer Systems
  • Associate in Secured Software Programing
  • Certificate – Computer Administration
  • Certificate – CISCO Network Administrator Training
  • Certificate – Cybersecurity
  • Certificate – Help Desk

 University of Illinois Springfield

  • Bachelor of Management Information System
  • Bachelor Healthcare Informatics
  • Master of Information Systems
  • Graduate Certificates in MIS:
  • Business Process Management
  • IT Project Management
  • Business Analytics
  • Bachelor of Computer Science
  • Bachelor of Information Systems Security
  • Master of Computer Science

The University of Illinois Springfield Computer Science Department's curriculum is certified by the Committee of National Security Systems and the National Security Agency. The Computer Science Department has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education. The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly sponsor the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE) Program.

TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE OVERVIEW

Occupation/Profession Employed Average Annual Wages Location Quotient
Computer Systems Analysts 749 $90,400 1.38
Computer Programmers 256 $84,100 1.18
Computer Network Support Specialists 214 $63,200 1.32
Operations Research Analysts  104  $85,600 1.12
Statisticians  72  $83,400 1.97
Actuaries  53  $103,500 2.86

It is possible to be a global leader from a small community. In a lot of ways, being based in a small community is what enabled us to thrive. We could grow quietly and incrementally; we were able to set our own course and we could invest in our employees.
- Shannon Heisler, Director of Marketing & Corporate Recruiting - LRS