About Us

From referral to application process to service provision, students receive assistance every step of the way by our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

How the Program Works

  • Organizations and groups that serve youth and young adults with Autism refer clients that meet our requirements to our program.
  • FHF CYA determines candidates who meet requirements of the program though an assessment and interview process.
  • All participants are referred to LRS where a case is opened on their behalf and each student is assigned a counselor.
  • Programs, training, and services are arranged through LRS. FHF CYA is the vendor for those services and are offered to participants through no out-of-pocket cost to the participant. LRS reimburses FHF CYA for the provision of services.
  • Each participant works closely with an LRS vocational rehabilitation counselor and a FHF CYA program specialist throughout their time in the program.
  • FHF CYA works with participants from their junior year of high school to their job placement and beyond.
  • Participants may join the program at any step in their employment journey between the ages of 16 and 25.
  • FHF CYA offers open enrollment year-round.

As an LRS vendor, we support youth and young adults in the following ways:

Education & Training
  • Career Exploration
  • Vocational Training
  • College Education
  • Tutoring
  • Vocational Assessments
  • Vocational Counseling 
  • Referrals for Internships and Apprenticeships 
  • Transition and Education Counseling 
  • Work-Based Learning Experience Opportunities
  • Job Readiness Training
  • Job Development
  • Job Placement
  • Supported Employment
  • Job Coaching
Transition Services
  • Social Skills Training
  • Independent Living Skills Training
  • Instruction in Self-Advocacy
Additional Services

Coming Soon

Career Fields

  • Video Game Design
  • Computer Animation
  • Web/App Design
  • Web/App Development
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology
  • Data Management
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Entry
  • Cyber Security
  • Video Game Design
  • Computer Animation
  • Web/App Design
  • Web/App Development
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology
  • Data Management
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Entry
  • Cyber Security

Tech Careers

Click on any of the careers listed below to see more information.

Data Management

Job Description

Data management is the practice of collecting, organizing, protecting, and storing an organization’s data so it can be analyzed for business decisions. As organizations create and consume data at unprecedented rates, data management solutions become essential for making sense of the vast quantities of data. Today’s leading data management software ensures that reliable, up-to-date data is always used to drive decisions. The software helps with everything from data preparation to cataloging, search, and governance, allowing people to quickly find the information they need for analysis.

Data management plays several roles in an organization’s data environment, making essential functions easier and less time-intensive. These data management techniques include the following:

  • Data preparation is used to clean and transform raw data into the right shape and format for analysis, including making corrections and combining data sets.
  • Data pipelines enable the automated transfer of data from one system to another.
  • ETLs (Extract, Transform, Load) are built to take the data from one system, transform it, and load it into the organization’s data warehouse.
  • Data catalogs help manage metadata to create a complete picture of the data, providing a summary of its changes, locations, and quality while also making the data easy to find.
  • Data warehouses are places to consolidate various data sources, contend with the many data types businesses store, and provide a clear route for data analysis.
  • Data governance defines standards, processes, and policies to maintain data security and integrity.
  • Data architecture provides a formal approach for creating and managing data flow.
  • Data security protects data from unauthorized access and corruption.
  • Data modeling documents the flow of data through an application or organization.

Requirements

  • A data manager is a senior administrative position for which a bachelor’s degree is typically a minimum requirement. Data managers could get a bachelor’s degree in several fields, including computer science, computer engineering, statistics and business administration. Courses in these programs teach data managers relevant skills, such as security applications, database design and data mining.
  • Many companies seek data managers with advanced degrees. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in information systems offers an ideal mix of project leadership and technical background. Master’s degrees in computer science, statistics and mathematics are also relevant. Data managers seeking a position in a specific field, such as healthcare, can choose to obtain a master’s degree in public health, for example.

Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

 If you have a bachelor’s degree and five years of professional analytics experience, or a master’s degree and three years of experience, you can take an examination to receive the CAP, which is a global professional certification. You will need to renew a CAP every three years. Recent graduates in entry-level jobs can apply for the aCAP certification, which is an Associate-Certified Analytics Professional credential.

Certified Data Management Professionals (CDMP)

This certification from the nonprofit Global Data Management Community has four levels—CDMP Associate, CDMP Practitioner, CDMP Master and CDMP Fellow. You must submit a CV if you are applying for the latter two levels to demonstrate your years of experience. There are additional specialist exams in subjects such as data quality, data governance and data modeling.

Average Salary

$50,000 to $200,000 annually

Data Analysis

Job Description

Data analysts play a vital role in a modern company, helping to reflect on its work and customer base, determining how these factors have affected profits and advising leadership on ways to move forward to grow the business.

According to McKenzie, successful data analysts have strong mathematical and statistical skills, as well as:

  • Analytical skills to gather, view and analyze information
  • Numerical skills to measure and statistically analyze data
  • Technical skills including software and scripting languages to organize and present data

McKenzie said that data analysts also require a strong foundation of business knowledge and professional skills, from decision-making and problem solving to communication and time management.In addition, attention to detail is one of the essential data analyst skills as it ensures that data is analyzed efficiently and effectively while minimizing errors.

As a data analyst, you can collect data using software, surveys and other data collection tools, perform statistic analyses on data and interpret information gathered to inform critical business decisions, McKenzie said. For example, a data analyst might review the demographics of visitors who clicked on a specific advertising campaign on a company’s website. This data could then be used to check whether the campaign is reaching its target audience, how well the campaign is working and whether money should be spent on this type of advertising again.

Where can a data analyst work? Large amounts of data are becoming increasingly accessible to even small businesses, putting analysts in high demand across a wide variety of industries. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), operations research analysts, which includes data analysts, held over 104,000 jobs as of 2020, with an additional 25,600 expected by 2030. That’s a 25% increase for this role.

Many organizations have even created information analyst teams, with data-focused roles including database administrators, data scientists, data architects, database managers, data engineers and, of course, data analysts, McKenzie said.

Requirements

In a data analytics bachelor’s degree program, you may explore business, information technology and mathematics while also focusing on data mining, simulation and optimization. You can also learn to identify and define data challenges across industries, gain hands-on practice collecting and organizing information from many sources and explore how to examine data to determine relevant information. Pursuing a degree in data analytics can prepare you to use statistical analysis, simulation and optimization to analyze and apply data to real-world situations and use the data to inform decision-makers in an organization.

master’s in data analytics can further your career, exploring how to use data to make predictions and how data relates to risk management. In addition, you’ll dive deeper into data-driven decision-making, explore project management and develop communication and leadership skills.

Finding an internship during your studies can give you essential hands-on experience that stands out when applying for data analyst jobs, McKenzie said, while joining industry associations for data analytics, statistics and operations research can provide key networking opportunities to grow your career.

Average Salary

$65,000 to $97,000 annually

Computer Programming

Job Description

On a typical day, a computer programmer can be involved in many different coding projects. Daily duties might include:

  • Writing and testing code for new programs. Computer programmers work closely with web and software developers to write code for new mobile applications or computer programs. In some cases, programmers might have a similar role to web designers, creating the look, feel and functionality of a new software program. Writing new code often involves a lot of trial and error. Computer programmers have strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and enjoy using logic to solve complex problems.
  • Updating existing programs. Programmers also create and install updates for existing software programs. An update might include a bug fix, or enhanced functionality to improve the user experience. Depending on the complexity of the update, these projects can take anywhere from a few days to several months.
  • Identifying and correcting coding errors. On a daily basis, computer programmers might assist in troubleshooting parts of a website or computer program that are not functioning correctly. Often, problems are a result of an error in the code, and a programmer can help identify and correct the mistake quickly.
  • Rewriting programs for different operating systems. Often, programmers have to rewrite code in a different languages, so that programs and applications can be compatible with different operating systems. For example, Windows and OS X programs are coded differently. Some programmers are trained to write new applications in SaaS code, which works across both operating systems.
  • Secure programs against cybersecurity threats. Many computer programmers work in the cybersecurity field, helping to identify malicious software and fix software that could be vulnerable to potential hacks. Additionally, programmers can write code that prevents security breaches and data leaks. As the number and severity of cyber-attacks increases, demand for information security experts continues to rise. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment for information security analysts will increase by 28% through 2026, adding 28,500 new jobs.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in computer programming can prepare you for a broad range of entry-level programming positions. Herzing University’s computer programming bachelor degree program can be completed online in as little as 36 months and provides students with practical training in essential technology skills, such as:

  • Advanced web development
  • Object-oriented programming
  • Software development and testing
  • Mobile applications development 
  • Data warehousing

Continued learning is important for programmers because coding languages are constantly changing and evolving. Many programming professionals will pursue additional certification in specific coding languages, such as C++ or JavaScript. Some technology companies might even have their own vendor-specific coding languages, and require their employees to become certified in those additional languages as well

Average Salary

$51,000 to $150,000 annually

Web & App Design

Job Description

An web/app developer is a computer software engineer whose primary responsibilities include creating, testing and programming apps for computers, mobile phones, and tablets. These developers typically work in teams, and think of ideas and concepts either for the general public, or for a specific customer need. 

Web/App developers understand coding languages and how to use them, and may also work alongside graphic artists, data scientists, and other software experts to create applications. They also test and fix any bugs that are found before the product is launched.
Qualifications and Skills

It certainly helps to have a creative flair as well as knowledge of HTML, CSS and Javascript. There are web design courses available but the quickest way to become a web designer is to teach yourself. Applications such as Dreamweaver and Photoshop are very useful and can give you the tools to get started in web design. There are also wireframing tools like Balsamiq Mockups that are useful for the pre-production stage of design. It also helps to view existing websites and to inspect elements to learn how parts of the web page are built. Google’s Chrome’s ‘Inspector Tool’ is an excellent way of getting under the hood of a website and learning how things work via HTML, CSS and Javascript code.

Requirements

  • Understanding of HTML, CSS and Javascript
  • Basic knowledge of web programming and scripting languages
  • Proficient skills in web design applications e.g Adobe Dreamweaver
  • A creative and imaginative mindset
  • Attention to detail and problem solving skills
  • Good communication and ability to work with deadlines
  • An understanding of SEO and and SERP (Search Engine Ranking Positions)

Average Salary

$60,000 to $97,000 annually

Web & App Development

Job Description

Sometimes referred to as software developers or software engineers, application developers are responsible for building software and solutions for an organization and its customers. In addition to building applications, these professionals also have to continually test and maintain them to ensure they’re working properly. 

An application developer’s typical responsibilities include coding, designing, application management, troubleshooting, monitoring updates and possible security threats, and providing end user support. They may also handle some project management tasks on the journey to building a new application.

Objectives of this Role

  • Build and maintain both web and mobile applications for our organization 
  • Collaborate with the rest of the team to ensure applications align with the organization’s goals, as well as customer needs
  • Oversee the performance of applications to ensure they’re always running properly
  • Improve our overall application development process and continuously find ways to advance our apps

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities

  • Build software that fulfills specific needs
  • Find solutions to security threats, viruses, or errors that might hinder the performance of applications
  • Carry out regular security and performance checks
  • Remain current on technology trends to keep our software as innovative as possible
  • Stay on track of the application lifecycle to ensure necessary updates are completed on time

Requirements

  • Proven experience (professional or otherwise) as an application developer
  • Ability to program in at least one programming language (e.g. JavaScript or Python)
  • Deep understanding of core programming principles, including design
  • Critical and analytical thinking skills 
  • Keen attention to detail
  • Excellent time management 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Proficiency with project tracking software, such as Jira
  • Certification in application development  
  • Experience working as part of a development team 
  • Strong communication skills
  • Project management experience

Average Salary

$60,000 to $75,000 annually

Animation

Job Description

Animators use computers and other techniques to create moving images that tell stories or provide information. They work with clients and production team members to establish project goals, create storyboards, and design and refine animations.

Animator Responsibilities:

  • Collaborating with the client and production team members to understand needs, review scripts, design storyboards, and create and edit animations.
  • Using software and other techniques to produce animations.
  • Listening to feedback and altering animations to better suit client needs.
  • Ensuring that the final product aligns with the needs of the client and is delivered on time without exceeded the budget.
  • Presenting the final animated piece to clients for their approval.
  • Using creativity and artistic techniques to tell a story or provide information in visual form.
  • Researching industry trends and developments and learning new applications.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree or certificate in computer animation, fine arts, graphic design, or related field.
  • More education, experience, or proficiency with specific animation software platforms may be preferred.
  • Portfolio.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation, and computer skills.
  • Understanding of animation, storytelling, and character development techniques.
  • Attention to detail, adaptability, and receptiveness to feedback and direction.
  • Ability to work independently or with a team to develop animations and solve problems.

Average Salary

$38,000 to $87,000 annually

Video Game Design

Job Description

Video game designers work in many stages of the video game development process. Different job titles within video game design have different responsibilities, but in general video game designers can be expected to do any of the following tasks:

  • Brainstorm new game ideas that would engage a wider audience
  • Outline the game’s concept and storyboard the overall game experience
  • Develop characters and plots based on the storyboard of the game
  • Develop the code necessary for a game to work
  • Document the code and work out any bugs or issues with the code
  • Work with developers and other members of their team to ensure that there are no bugs or problems from start to finish
  • Respond to feedback about concerns with the game
  • Create patches or bug fixes to ensure the game continues to work well

Requirements

bachelor’s degree in software development is an ideal place to start if you want to become a video game designer. This type of degree program will give you critical knowledge and experience in data management, software fundamentals, web development, UX and UI, and more. These skills will be essential as you work to move into a career focusing on design in video games.

Average Salary

$55,000 to $98,000 annually

Program Application

Apply today to start your career journey!

To join our program, fill out an application and send it to cya@fhfnola.org.