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Keith McCord reportingUtah County is well known for its high tech industry. For more than two decades, companies large and small have developed computer hardware and software there that has changed the industry.
Now a small software company there is taking an unusual approach to hiring new employees.
Heading northbound on I-15, near the Lehi exit, you'll notice a billboard with the words: "Deathmatch" and "10K prize", along with a website address.
When you go to the website you learn that Berkeley Data Systems of American Fork is running a contest.
Josh Coates, Founder, Berkeley Data Systems: "And it's a $10,000 prize that goes to the winner of the contest."
Novices need not apply, but if you know how to write sophisticated computer programming code, this may be for you. Not only do you win 10-grand, but Josh Coates will hire you. You see, he's looking for the best computer programmers Utah has.
Josh Coates, Founder, Berkeley Data Systems: "We want Utah to continue to be an important part of the software industry. And the best way to do that we think is to encourage engineers to be the best they can be."
Josh and Novell co-founder, Drew Major, just recently rolled out their new company. The company provides online computer back-up systems for both home and business users. Their software can handle and protect enormous pieces of data.
Josh Coates, Founder, Berkeley Data Systems: "And it's not a question of if your hard drive is going to fail, it's when! Because they all will fail! Guaranteed."
Sophisticated programs and systems like this take talented engineers to create. To find others of similar caliber, the idea of a contest was born.
Drew Major, Investor, Berkeley Data Systems: "It's a thing to encourage people to do their best. To realize there are opportunities that if you work hard enough and develop your skills, there are going to be rewards coming."
Hundreds of programmers are expected to sign up. They will be required to solve about a half-dozen very difficult computer problems.
Josh Coates, Founder, Berkeley Data Systems: "The problems are hard enough where you can't solve them with a pencil and paper. You'll have to write a program to solve the problems."
The all-day contest will be held November 4th. The contest is for Utah programmers only.
