- Imagine this.

Every time someone uses a computer, plays a video game, or goes to the doctor, Georgia's economy is growing.

That's right, things you see and use every day connect to jobs, innovation, and money flowing through the state.

Some industries like technology and healthcare are powerhouses that keep Georgia buzzing.

They shape how people live, work, and get care when they're sick.

These industries also show how skills like problem solving, creativity, and teamwork help people succeed in the workplace.

And in Georgia, those skills aren't just helpful.

They're the key to powering the future.

(bright music) Georgia might not be home to Silicon Valley, but it's still a major technology hub.

Cities like Atlanta, Columbus, and Savannah are home to a wide range of tech jobs and the industry is spreading all over the state.

Georgia's tech strengths include software development, creating apps, services, and programs people use every day.

Digital entertainment and media, think animation, streaming and video games, cybersecurity, protecting people and businesses from hackers, and health technology and medical devices, tools and apps that support healthcare workers and patients.

Careers in the tech space include software engineers, data scientists, web developers, IT support, cybersecurity officers, user experience designers, and so much more.

In Georgia, the tech industry is growing rapidly.

That means job opportunities are expanding, companies are becoming more innovative, and new ideas are constant.

But there's a challenge.

Companies need skilled workers.

That's where STEM education comes in.

Programs at universities like Georgia Tech, Georgia State, the University of Georgia, and Georgia Southern act like training camps.

They prepare students to solve problems, think critically, and use technology in creative ways, skills that employers look for in the real world.

While Georgia's tech sector is relatively new, the state's healthcare industry has had a long history.

Candler Hospital, Georgia's first hospital and the second oldest continuously operating hospital in the US has origins dating back to the 1730s, when Methodist missionary George Whitfield brought medicine to sick sailors and the poor.

It later merged with St.

Joseph's Hospital and is now a part of the St.

Joseph's Candler Health System.

Other notable hospitals in the state include Grady Memorial Hospital, a level one trauma center, and one of the largest hospitals in the US.

Emory University Hospital, a major teaching and research hospital, and Doctors Hospital of Augusta, home to one of the nation's largest medical burn facilities.

As you can imagine, careers in healthcare are wide ranging.

They include technicians, scientists, nurses, speech pathologists, surgeons, and physical therapists.

But these professionals don't just treat patients, they also help drive medical breakthroughs.

Thanks to this wide range of expertise, Georgia has been a leader in medical innovation.

Ever broken a bone that required surgery or had your wisdom teeth removed?

You may remember the pain after the procedure, but you don't remember the procedure itself.

You can thank Georgia's Dr.

Crawford Long for that.

In 1842, he was one of the first doctors to use anesthesia, which makes it possible for patients to safely sleep through surgery.

Today, doctors, nurses, and researchers at hospitals, universities, and public health organizations continue to play a critical role in improving care, not just in Georgia, but around the world.

And here's where healthcare teams up with technology.

Georgia companies create apps, medical devices, and software that make care safer and more efficient.

Doctors can track patients, perform precise surgeries, and even develop new treatments.

Think of it like this.

Tech is the engine and healthcare is the vehicle.

Together, they drive Georgia's economy forward, create jobs, attract talent, and keep the state innovative.

Skills like critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and teamwork are exactly what employers want in these industries.

So the next time you go to the doctor, play a video game, or use an app, remember that Georgia's businesses are behind it.

From tech innovators to medical staff and researchers saving lives, these industries power the state's economy and shape the future.

And who knows, maybe one day you'll create the next breakthrough app or life-saving treatment using creativity, critical thinking and teamwork to make Georgia healthier and smarter.

(buzzing music)