Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, promising to reshape industries and redefine career paths. Preparing for this transformation is crucial for both entering the workforce and for career advancement. At DVC, students are learning about AI to get ready for these changes.
Deiondre Durham is pursuing a technology career, and chose DVC to help forge his path. He feels his experience at DVC has been transformative, preparing him for the opportunities that lie ahead.
“I grew up in a low-income family in San Francisco, and my early academic journey was far from ideal. I graduated high school with a 1.2 GPA, and I’m the first in my family to attend college,” said Durham.
Today, Durham is a strong student motivated to succeed. While working towards completing his associate in science degrees in mathematics and computer science, Durham’s interest in AI has grown significantly, leading him to proactively seek out relevant learning opportunities at DVC.
“I took DVC’s Introduction to AI Programming class last summer and found it incredible. We dove into AI fundamentals through real-world, hands-on projects, which made the learning process both challenging and rewarding,” said Durham.
Durham cautions against underestimating the potential disruption of AI. He says students should deepen their understanding of AI and invest in their skills to distinguish themselves and remain adaptable in a job market undergoing significant transformation.
“If you keep your eyes on the horizon, you won’t be caught off guard by the rising sun. In other words, being proactive with emerging technologies will set you up for success,” said Durham.
Durham recognizes the pivotal role AI will play in his future and is preparing for the road ahead. He plans to transfer to Howard University or a University of California campus with a double major in business analytics and industrial engineering.
He’s also actively participating in numerous DVC organizations to gain skills and experience that will help him to stand out amongst his peers. Durham is the Co-President of DVC’s Toastmasters Chapter. He hosted cultural awareness workshops for faculty through Tembo Leaders and won case study competitions as a member of Phi Beta Lambda, a business club.
Durham is especially proud of his leadership with the DVC chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. “As President of the National Society of Black Engineers, the first California community college chapter, and sixth overall in the nation, I’ve been able to promote diversity in STEM and take part in national conferences.”
Durham has thoroughly enjoyed his time at DVC and says he wouldn’t trade it for the world. “DVC has shown me how transformative education can be, and the doors it can open both professionally and personally. DVC has genuinely been a gift that keeps on giving, not just to me but to the communities I serve.”
Upskilling for Her Next Opportunity
The need to adapt to the evolving job market is a driving force for many DVC students, especially adult learners like Vanessa Aguilar who want to advance in their careers.
Aguilar is a first-generation Latina and Bay Area native. She initially worked in nuclear physics research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, followed by her current role in the aerospace industry. She also has a bachelor’s degree in physics from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. But she lacked the computer programming and AI programming skills that were key to pursuing her goal of returning to nuclear physics research.
“I enrolled at DVC to upskill, focusing on my programming skills. Although I did have prior experience in programming before attending DVC, after various job interviews, it was made apparent it was a weakness I needed to work on,” said Aguilar.
To enhance her abilities, Aguilar took courses in AutoCAD, C++ programming, and the Introduction to AI Programming at DVC. Aguilar believes a better understanding of AI is beneficial for anyone pursuing a career in the technology field. “The Intro to AI Programming class was fun and beginner-friendly. We learned to train the computer to sort and categorize data using different learning models,” said Aguilar.
AI Programming: A Step Toward In-Demand Careers
“To ensure our own relevancy in the future workforce, we must invest in learning AI. Just like the internet, AI will soon be pervasive and ubiquitous in our world,” said DVC computer science professor
Dr. Gene Khaja.
Recognizing the increasing demand for AI skills in the job market, Khaja developed the Introduction to AI Programming class to give students a strong start in transitioning to both the workforce and four-year universities. The class was offered for the first time in summer 2024.
“Students who had completed a course in either Python, C++ or Java were eligible to enroll. Within days, we had a lengthy waiting list,” said Khaja.
The college understands the importance of preparing students
for the modern workforce and is moving forward with plans for a 12-unit certificate in AI Programming for tentative launch in 2027. Currently, plans for the certificate include the following courses:
- Python Language Programming
- Introduction to AI Programming
- Advanced AI Programming
Khaja is particularly excited about plans for the Advanced AI Programming class.
“In this course, students will learn how to create chatbots and AI agents (co-pilots) for a variety of applications,” said Khaja. He sees these skills as vital for future employment. “AI agents can be employed in healthcare, finance, manufacturing, hospitality, and more. Proficiency with AI and adaptability to its integration will be highly sought after in the workforce.”
Experts have different ideas about how AI will change jobs. Khaja notes that currently, AI mainly helps people work better without replacing them (Artificial Narrow Intelligence, or ANI). But if AI becomes more advanced (Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI), some jobs might change. Should this happen, Khaja feels that new opportunities may arise.
“There is potential for new fields to emerge and the whole human ‘knowledge pie’ to expand, creating a plethora of new jobs. Those who adapt to this new landscape and work in harmony with AI will be the ones to thrive in the future,” said Khaja.
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, AI is already reshaping the job outlook in the technology sector, with nearly one in four technology vacancies seeking candidates with AI skills. Open AI’s ChatGPT launched in the fourth quarter of 2022. Between Q4 2022 and Q4 2024, job postings seeking AI skills rose a stunning 68%, even though technology job openings decreased by 27% during that timeframe.
Aguilar understands that AI is becoming very advanced, which can feel a bit scary, but she also knows it’s a change that will happen.
“I am optimistic about what AI brings to the table because it is being used to solve problems that once seemed inconceivable. Some of the more notable applications are in the medical field where it is used for everything from experimental trial design to gene therapies,” said Aguilar.
Khaja believes that as AI gets more advanced, some customer service jobs in places like restaurants, stores, and banks might be performed by AI instead of people. He tells students to consider how their own job outlook and career trajectory might be impacted by these changes.
“While there is some uncertainty about exactly what will happen, one thing’s for sure: Humans will become more productive, and there will be plenty of opportunities,” said Khaja.
Aguilar is encouraged by DVC’s plan to offer an AI certificate. She feels that completing the AI certificate would be a resume boost and would also make her a more confident and well-rounded programmer.
“As someone in science, I see applications for AI emerging everywhere. Knowing how to program in various languages is already something that’s almost expected in my field, which is why I’m reinforcing my skills at DVC,” said Aguilar.
Durham says he would “jump at the chance” to enroll in an AI certificate offered by DVC. He enjoyed the Introduction to AI Programming class and feels that earning the certificate would be a natural next step. “It would also show potential employers that I’m serious about staying current in tech and expanding my skill set beyond my standard coursework.”
To learn more about AI programming classes at DVC, visit: www.dvc.edu/computer-science
Careers Leveraging AI Skills
Help Desk Technician
San Francisco/East Bay Average Salary: $81,400
AI Application Trainer
San Francisco/East Bay Average Salary: $110,000
AI Technicians/AI Testers
San Francisco/East Bay Average Salary: $110,000
AI Chatbot Writer
San Francisco/East Bay Average Salary: $110,000
Sources:
- ONET Online
- U.S. Department of Labor
- Dr. Gene Khaja, DVC Computer Science Professor
