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By Libby Ediger
Reading Time 1 min 52 secs
Tulsa is in the middle of a technological renaissance, and it shows no sign of slowing down in 2021. Software developers in the city earn, on average, more than $86,000 a year according to recent O*NET data, calling for current students and members of the workforce alike to expand their capabilities to meet the increasing demand for tech-forward skill sets. As Tulsa’s tech climate continues to grow at a rapid pace, the Oil Capital of the World may not be Silicon Valley quite yet. Still, it has quickly become an ideal location for those looking to launch a career in technology.
Why the shift to Tulsa? Not only are entrepreneurs bringing more demand into the city, but new tech jobs springing up in, quite literally, their backyards are attractive to recent graduates of Holberton Tulsa, which has enticed more than a few to stay and plant their roots here.
At Holberton Tulsa, we have witnessed firsthand the effects this tech boom has had on our city and students. In a time when the knowledge of computer science, specifically programming languages, is becoming increasingly appealing to employers, our students will graduate in just under two years with a certificate of completion in full-stack software engineering—all while having access to an innovative, hands-on, Silicon Valley-developed curriculum.
These students leave our program ready to contribute to Tulsa’s tech market. Thanks to the option of paying no upfront tuition and our partnership with the George Kaiser Family Foundation, costs may no longer be a barrier to receiving a quality education. Many choose to defer their tuition until they find post-Holberton employment.
As Holberton Tulsa’s Executive Director, I often hear the question, “Why Tulsa?” And, with countless other coding programs available across the country, it is a valid one. But, I know there is opportunity in Tulsa. Not only does Holberton Tulsa offer $1,500 monthly need-based assistance for eligible students, but Tulsa boasts a 61% lower cost of living than big cities like New York and a 43% lower median house price than the national average. With organizations like Tulsa Remote bringing Tulsa onto the national stage for remote working, and groups like Tulsa Innovation Labs and 36 Degrees North investing in making Tulsa a place for startups and innovative technologies to bloom, there has never been a better time to think about joining the technology sector in Tulsa.
Whether you are a recent high school graduate, have recently become unemployed, or are looking to go back to school to change careers, there’s a place for you in Tulsa and at Holberton. If you look around this city, the tech future has arrived, and it brings with it a world of opportunity. I am excited to be a part of this golden age of tech in Tulsa, and I hope you will join me.
Libby Ediger is the Executive Director of Holberton Tulsa, a college alternative for training software engineers. For more information about Holberton Tulsa, visit https://www.holbertonschool.com/campus_life/tulsa.