What is convergence technology Convergence Technology has always been a combination of information technology and communications with...
The merging together of products and capabilities of multiple vendors to create an integrated solution for the customer.
The blending or integration of voice, video, and data into a single but flexible global communications network.
If you are interested in convergence technology, there are several programs and areas of study that you may consider getting a degree in:
- Computer Information Systems
- Computer Networking/Network Administrator and Management
- Computer Support Specialist/Desktop Support Specialist/Help Desk
- Data Center Management
- Information Technology
- IT Security/Cybersecurity
- Network Virtualization and Cloud Computing
- Server Administration (Linux, Microsoft)
- Telecommunications
- Wireless Technology
Among the many convergence technology certifications that are available, the more common ones include:
Types of issues that Convergence Technicians address include:
- A school needs to network together computers, Wi-Fi hot spots and video-conferencing systems across multiple campus classrooms and meeting rooms.
- A bank must relocate its headquarters without disrupting any of the IT-driven services it provides customers.
- A law office must securely integrate into its existing IT system a new video-conference tool.
- A new office town needs to design and install a complete IT infrastructure for internet, telecommunication and video.
The employers with these issues are all looking for Convergence Technology specialists!
It's the National CTC's job to make sure the skills convergence-IT programs teach are the same skills that will get students hired. This is accomplished by:
- Offering professional development training for convergence instructors to insure they can teach current, emerging topics
- Assessing real-time hiring needs of IT industry leaders to insure the skills that gets students hired are the skills being taught
- Encouraging relationships between colleges and businesses to create more internship and hiring opportunities
- Developing "open source" convergence curriculum that any college can implement, making it easier for more schools to teach more students
- Creating articulation agreements to help two-year graduates transfer to four-year universities to pursue Bachelor's degrees
- Piloting an innovative expansion of "virtual labs" that allow students to do convergence lab work with only internet connections and a web browser
- Finding ways to better attract under-served populations (e.g. women and ethnic minorities) to IT careers
Find Convergence Technology programs
Visit our Program Finder page to see a map and listing of the colleges and universities with Convergence Technology, Networking and Information Technology programs receiving support from the CTC.