UTC is Fueling a High-Tech Workforce in Chattanooga

The computer science program at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is opening doors to high-demand careers in tech.

Sponsored by: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Hear from Cristian Rudas, a two-time graduate of the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science. Chattanooga is a growing hub for technology, research and innovation, anchored by its fiber network and downtown Innovation District. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) is helping fuel the city’s workforce with computer science degree programs.

UTC’s nationally recognized master of science in computer science (M.S.C.S.) provides rigorous graduate-level preparation in computing, advanced research opportunities and hands-on experience with emerging technologies in high-demand fields. Just ask Cristian Rudas, a two-time graduate of the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science who works as a software engineer for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

“I got my bachelor’s in computer science and software systems in 2021, and I completed my master’s in cybersecurity in 2023,” Rudas says. “I really appreciated UTC for the advanced technology they have as well as the mentoring between professors and students. My fondest memories in the UTC computer science program involved the willingness of professors to help students succeed.”

As an undergraduate student, Rudas landed an internship with TVA. He later became a full-time employee while completing his master’s degree.

Cristian Rudas works as a software engineer for the Tennessee Valley Authority. “The technical depth and applied experiences I gained at UTC prepared me to contribute immediately to a professional environment,” he says. “I like the mission of TVA – it provides economic development in the valley and keeps electric rates reasonable for customers. UTC has a good partnership with lots of companies in the Chattanooga area like TVA, and that definitely opens doors and opportunities for students.”

Rudas recommends UTC to prospective computer science students. Graduates of UTC’s computer science programs pursue careers in software engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, healthcare technology and other high-growth fields. The curriculum combines strong theoretical foundations with hands-on experiences that prepare students to solve complex technical challenges.

“I would advise students to get involved in programs and clubs on campus, because it adds a foundation to what you learn in class. I was involved with the UTC CyberCorps program, which was part of the National Science Foundation,” Rudas says. “What you do in those programs and clubs allows for application of what you learn in the classroom.”

For more information about the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, visit utc.edu/cecs.

UTC is Fueling a High-Tech Workforce in Chattanooga

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