by Doug Schmitt
BusinessSchools.com Staff Writer
September 27, 2006
Austin, Texas is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. Known as the "Live Music Capital of the World", Austin has more music venues than other major cities including New York & Los Angeles. In addition to music, Austin has a spectacular arts scene with better than 100 galleries in the region, making it a cultural center as well as the state capital. Combine culture with Austin's booming economy and it's not hard to see why so many young people are attracted to the city. The economy has recently had an explosion of high-technology companies, earning Austin the nickname “the Silicon Hills”, but the economy is largely business driven with plenty of opportunities for students and graduates alike.
Employment and Internships
Austin is a city that understands and takes pride in business entrepreneurs. A prime example of this is found in Dell computers, founded by Michael Dell in 1984. That started what has turned into a plethora of start-up companies in the Austin region, many of which being part of the Austin Independent Business Alliance. Examples of employers in Austin that provide internships and employment opportunities are Freescale Semiconductor, Seton Healthcare Network, Dell, and IBM Corporation. The single largest employer in Austin is the University of Texas, employing better than 20,000 people.
The job outlook for business related professions looks great through 2012 according to The Labor Market & Career Information Department (LMCI) of the Texas Workforce Commission. All business-related occupations should experience 18.9% new job opportunities. Business operations specialists expect approximately 21.2% more jobs; operations specialties managers will experience 18.5% additional job opportunities; job opportunities for financial managers will increase by 20.0%; and human resources managers' positions will see a growth of 23.1%.
Education
Austin presents business students with a myriad of educational resources and opportunities. The University of Texas at Austin McComb's Schools of Business offers bachelors and master's degrees in a variety of disciplines including Business Administration & Management and Management Science in addition to numerous others.
Other educational opportunities exist at the University of Phoenix – Austin Campus offering degrees in Accounting, Business Management, and Hotel & Restaurant Management. Additionally, the school of business at Concordia University at Austin offers students bachelors and master's degrees in Finance, International Business.
Financial Aid
Financial aid in the form of grants, loans, and scholarships are available to students in Austin. Texas State University provides an excellent example of one such opportunity through its prestigious Mitte Laureate Scholars Program. Eligible students may receive academic scholarships up to $100,000 annually, exceeding the amount of all other scholarships anywhere else nationwide. Other schools offer similar scholarship programs. Information on such programs can be obtained through the schools' financial aid offices.
In addition, state and federal grants and loans can be applied for. Examples of these include the Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Plus Loans, and Perkins Loans. Students may apply for these forms of aid by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. FAFSA's may be obtained through the school counselor or financial aid offices. Students may also do so by visiting FAFSA on the web.
Summary
Austin is a city full of opportunities for people of all ages. The vibrant arts and cultural atmosphere combined with a booming economy and numerous educational resources makes it a desirable location to get an education.
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