Fewer Students Pursuing Computer Careers

Despite Job Growth In Related Fields, College Enrollment In Computer Science Is Down By Half

(AP) 
Getting students interested in computer-related fields starts many years before they enter college, experts say. While children and young adults may have a natural interest in computers, that doesn't mean they realize they can tap into that interest and make a career out of it.

Part of the problem is schools don't integrate technology into the way students are taught, said Robert Appelman, associate professor in the Instructional Systems Technology Department in Indiana University's School of Education.

"There seems to be a sense in the curriculum in K-12 that technology is still PowerPoint and the Web," he said. "It's not a curricular issue in terms of courses they need to provide high school students or even middle school students."

Appelman said schools need to do a better job of integrating technology into all classes, much as they do with reading.

"It's a general attitude that the K-12 environment, except for vocational (programs), pretty much categorizes anything to do with a computer to the tacky, geeky side," he said. "They completely ignore art and design that fuel all the other industries."

East Allen County Schools is working to make sure students are exposed to computer careers, whether they think they might be interested or not. All students are required to take a computer course before graduating, and those who know they are interested can take in-depth courses, including training on Cisco computer networks, said Andy Melin, assistant superintendent for secondary education and technology.

"What we're trying to do in our school system is if people feel computer science is something only computer geeks do, they have to understand that the whole world is going to computer-based technology to conduct business," Melin said. "For just about any job you have is going to require some level of computer knowledge."

But not all schools are at that point, yet.

Rodda and Taylor said they had only one higher-level computer class in school, and they often had to help their teachers with the lessons.

Girls, especially, tend to think that a future in computers is not what they want, because they don't realize there are opportunities to work in teams on interesting challenges, Purdue's Vitter said.

"We've got to get the word out to parents and especially young kids," Vitter said. "This is not just working in an office and rebooting computers."

By Krista J. Stockman, The Journal Gazette

[gonefishinga]

On a further note, American's need to do more about protecting US jobs. Many nations force their corporations to use local workers versus outsourced. We give it all away. There are no limits set (yet). If US companies outsource all their work, there won't be US workers in key industries. US employees pay most of the taxes collected vs. that of big US corporations. IT is a strategic and key need of the US, yet we are letting foreign work forces run and control it. We need to lobby congress to keep IT and other service jobs in America, for Americans. We should also boycott US based firms whose workforce does not consist of at least 50 percent (or more) of Americans.

[gonefishinga]

Your parents are right. As an IT consultant for major US companies for 18+ years I see it clearly. Better to use all your raw brainpower in a field that has a future. If you work in IT, your job can be eliminated at
any time due to outsourcing of your job to India, where the US company will save a bundle of money. India's programmers are regularly temporarily based in the US by Indian companies and are physically present in most large US companies at three eights (3/8) of comparable US salary. Indidans are trained software engineers, versus a US programmer (i.e. we can't compete). Said companies have no loyalty to US employees. US programmers are viewed as 'widgets' and programming is the new slave labor of the 21st century (work hard for little money).

[sooner_n_pa]

This writer is misleading readers in several ways. I've been in IT for 16 years. The best times were of course 94 - 02'. Since then things have changes dramatically in IT. It's no longer the booming field that it once was. During the good%u2019ol days the easiest way to get a raise was to leave and go to work down the street. We%u2019re talking salary increases of 30% in most cases. Those days are long gone for most IT fields. The thing is you can be in "IT" and make $25k or you can make $150k. It's all up to the individual. IN the end you got to enjoy what you do for a career and you've got to work hard and want to succeed. That holds true for anything. If I wanted to be a librarian, I'd make sure I was the best librarian that I could be. If I wasn't happy with my salary, I would find a way to supplement my income or explore alternative avenues within that career field.

Do what makes you happy. But do it really well.

[toolmangler-2009]

SharnCedar, Thank you for doing your homework.I have been trying to open some minds here but they are so focussed on putting down the current administration they cannot hit the ground with their hats. When all is said and done , those that hit the ground running will advance. The rest will work for them, if they are lucky...

The picture is bigger than Bush or any one else in the presidency.

[sharncedar]

As far as future prospects, what Americans can make the most money at is by doing what they do best. What they do best is innovate, what they do worst is follow directions or conventions in a mindless manner. That means they're best job is entertainment and computer programming, both of which require large amounts of innovation and new thinking every time out. The Indians in India can't even touch the American programmers. Programming is not labor-intensived, its thought-intensive, it isn't like factory work. For example, all of say windows Vists could be typed into a computer by one person in two months. And yet the project took 5 years by 1000's of people. Why? Because of the labor costs? Of course its not costly for labor, its mind power, clarity of thought, innovation and hubris, communication and cooperation, captured like lightning in a machine. Americans will be the best in the world at IT for a long time, its a natural fit.

The Indians at 1/5 the price can hardly compete, what does that say when our currencies become more equal. We'll smoke em. Imagine they become 1/2 the price, or almost the same price. Those companies that outsourced will be dead meat.

[sharncedar]

What a bunch of whining - this is what confuses "generation faux" that computer work isn't lucrative. There is a huge demand for IT people, even with offshoring, even with H-1. The starting salaries are higher than any other field. Most if not all of the recent new big money earners are computer geeks (the Youtube dweebs, the Google nerds, even ol' bill Gates that gawky nerd himself, etc. etc.)

Only "generation faux" is so stupid they can't see where the real money and power lies, they think real estate like Donald Trump is the way to go, they will be washing cars for computer geeks. They get their information from TV, what do you expect.

[granolaboy1]

Until Congress stops using H-1B to artificially control wages in the field, become a doctor or lawyer.

[payasyougo]

The loaded rate for labor in India is about 1/5 that in the US. The loaded rate in Europe is about 1/2 that in the US. It's a party at the CEO and director level regardless of the performance of a company and you as a shareholder will be the first one gone at a corporate bankruptcy filing. Any incompetent CEO can follow a textbook plan of cutting costs by exchanging loaded rates (read - laying off US workers and outsourcing overseas). This looks good on the books for several years. However, this is a shortsighted approach that is accepted by a shortsighted me-now-today society governed by a shortsighted political system. Most people have to start their careers in a large company, which owns the intellectual property and does not hesitate to move development of those new ideas overseas.

I'm not cynical, I just have not so far been able to change this model so in the mean time I will set my kids up for the highest possibility of successful lives and the proper career path is important to their ability to take care of themselves. I have no doubt they will do fine because they will not be dependent on anyone else.

[payasyougo]

I discourage my kids from the computer science field. I also discourage them from the arts, where I would most likely continue to have to support them for the rest of their lives. I also discourage them from embarking on a life of crime. This parental guidance comes from the heart, which knows I won't be around forever therefore I must use my judgment to assure their self-sufficiency. As a tail end baby boomer I will not be able to leave my kids any significant inheritance and the government will not be a viable entity in 30 years to fulfill it's current promises to the people.

[sketchy16]

I started my college career in Computer Engineering, but the program is so boring and unfriendly I had to change. I disagree that parents are telling their kids to stay away from computer based jobs. My parents were very dissapointed when i changed my major. But I would rather be doing something I will enjoy for the rest of my life then being the "computer monkey"

[sketchy16]

I started my college career in Computer Engineering, but the program is so boring and unfriendly I had to change. I disagree that parents are telling their kids to stay away from computer based jobs. My parents were very dissapointed when i changed my major. But I would rather be doing something I will enjoy for the rest of my life then being the "computer monkey"

[toolmangler-2009]

Salaries will continue to shrink until the natural order of supply and demand among Nations equalizes. I use to do tech-support for an IPS and I understand that an Indian (India) person can do the same job for less. The western wage structure is too high now. When we were the only ones making a product, the world had to pay what we asked for service. Education is not bound by borders (unless guarded by force of arms) and anyone that wishes to improve their lot in life will get an education. As the high paid brains leave the U.S.A. for richer markets elsewhere, we should open our borders to those who have nothing in their home countries and try to come here. All we need do is educate, employ, and guide these people and they will supply the brains that come up with inovative ideas and products in the future. As we employ those less fortunate than we, they will accept the lower paying but (to them) vastly richer jobs than they now have. This will re-invigorate our economy once more with the fervor that use to be ours.

[jimc52]

As I read this article, I heartily agree with the responses below. We can all see for ourselves where the corporations are going with things. When you ask for tech support at microsoft and get someone who can't speak English in Calcutta, what do you think? It's also true that corporations just see people as being expendable equipment. Other than Google and a few others, what other corporations provide ergonomics, lighting, good working equipment and a human-friendly working environment for their employees? Not many I am afraid. I think kids are making the right decision to not only stay away from a career field in computers; they would also be wise to shun any kind of work for corporations. I think it is far smarter for a young person, who is ambitious and talented, to start their own company and keep the profits for themselves rather than feed the bottomless pit of corporate greed that filters into CEO golden parachutes at the expense of everyone else, including the stock holders.

[briannorwood]

And little wonder!

I've been a computer professional (analyst, programmer, project manager) for over 20 years.

And, over the last decade, I see more and more jobs being outsourced to India at 1/5 the salary rate of our professionals (our current ratio is 80% them, 20% us).

No wonder the smart ones are being smart and staying away!

[random_radar]

Computer programming is one of the most vulnerable jobs for outsourcing to foreign countries. The only resource it requires is a cheap computer to do the job. I am making less money now programming software than I did 10 years ago.

If you are looking for a career, programming still pays well and the demand will remain high, but the odds are good that the salaries will decline over time rather than grow. Of course, it may remain higher than other options, and it is interesting work for the most part. The article is right that there are a wide range of opportunities.