CCSD Pathway Profile: Web Development

This profile focuses on the Web Development program offered at River Ridge and Woodstock High Schools. 

Woodstock High School teacher Eva Holston knows technology can seem intimidating, but she’s dedicated to helping students overcome obstacles to achieve success in the field’s many job opportunities. 

“Technology has always fascinated me, and I want others to be equally intrigued in such a way that they do not feel threatened, but do feel challenged,” said the 11-year educator who leads her school’s new Career Pathway program in Web Development. 

Ms. Holston earned her first college degree in computer information systems, but chose to instead pursue a career in teaching.  Four years ago, those interests merged when she began teaching computer science.  

Ms. Holston said she enjoys offering her students a practical, hands-on exploration of potential technology careers.

“These classes prepare students for gainful employment, college classes or further training,” she said of Career Pathway programs.  “Students are able to explore classes to find their niche or pursue a passion.  The certifications and credentials that students are able to earn enhances their marketability and competitiveness when seeking employment.  When students see a direct connection between school and their goals, they are more apt to be engaged.”

One of her favorite lessons called “Friday for Life” focuses on the “soft skills” students will need for whatever career path they choose to pursue.

“Soft skills are transferable from classroom to career and will impact all aspects of a student’s personal growth much more than any one lesson,” she said.  “I believe in growing the whole person, not just instructing a pupil.” 

Woodstock High School senior Michael Pham plans to continue her computer science studies in college.

“I intend to go into a software programming major, specifically in the game development area once I have finished my core classes in college.  Prior to my web development course, I had little experience actually writing code,” she said.  “This class gave me exposure to the basics of multiple programming languages that I will later need when I reach that point in college.”

Within the Pathway, classes offered include: introduction to software technology, computer science principles or AP Computer Science Principles and web development.

Students can earn Microsoft Office Specialist and Certified Internet Web Professional industry certifications and can compete with the school’s TSA (Technology Student Association), First Robotics of Georgia and Skills USA teams in regional, state and national career competitions.

This Pathway prepares students for careers including, but not limited to: computer programmer, database administrator, graphic designer, information security analyst, information systems manager, information technology specialist, mobile application developer, user experience designer, web designer, web developer.

The average income range for careers in this Pathway in Georgia is $50,000 to $159,000.  Local and area employers for this Pathway include, but are not limited to: Architectural Brass Company, Limit LLC, m2M Strategies, CodiFly, KET Systems, Payrillium, GSK Solutions, FirmDesign, Aperia Solutions, Mission Communications, Sevaa Group, ANB Sourcing LLC, CATEGORY 5 LLC, Infosys, 3T Consulting Group.

Learn more about all of CCSD’s Career Pathways online here.