Fewer students pursue computer-related degrees
One of our roles as computer scientists, technologists and enthusiasts, is to help educate the next generation of computer scientists, technologists and enthusiasts.
Reading today that Fewer students pursue computer-related degrees really concerns me — it is a no brainer that today and the future, computing will be at the center of economics, communication, science, and many other. And as a consequence, there is money to be made in computing.
So what could it be that fewer students pursue computer-related degrees?
It must be related to the feeling of insecurity. Too much noise about Off-shoring? Out-sourcing? I understand, it is easy to be concerned, especially for young kids…
But hell, all jobs are insecure today, from IBM to whatnot.
So join a startup, or start your own — there you can learn a whole lot, make good money while on it, and make tons of money if the company executes well.
In Austin alone, technologists in general are making good money, as a recent article on the local paper read: Austin may have lost thousands of high-tech jobs, but remaining ones pay well — Austin’s average tech wage is $100,500 (Austin was 3rd on the list, with San Jose/Silicon Valley at $144,828, and San Francisco at $118,518 — of course, with the cost of living in the west coast, it really is like making 1/2 that). Austin is great though, and you should visit and see for yourself ;-).
Some companies, such as eZee don’t off-shore; it is all built in house. There are many companies, large and small, just like that. Join one.
So for those of us, the older generation, let’s do something about it… help educate, help prepare the next generation. How? Be vocal, hire, mentor, write an article, a book, give a speech (at MobileMonday we all the time are looking for speakers) — but do something…
ceo
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Ash Haque
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It is reverse in India. Might be for reverse of what young people thinking in U.S or elsewhere. Here everyone diving into computer technology field. Huge demand might be one reason and on top of that it is best paid field in India at this moment. I just thought to share it from Indian prospective.
My personal thinking is that in long term the outsourcing will reduce. Salaries in India as increasing like anything. A software engineer with 5-6 years experience these days getting around $25K to $40K in India itself depending on in which organization you are working.
Hi. Yes, India, and the rest of the world will become as expensive as US, Europe, and so on. No doubt in my mind. 10 years. The pattern will reverse or slow down.
In the meantime the noise and fear of a week professional field, even thought it is not, because the students think “why study something which jobs will disappear” is what needs to be addressed. Jobs will always be move in and out, here and there.
ceo
I think as you said someone needs to increase awareness. I think best would be if Universities and colleges address this issue. And personally I have worked in India and these days working in UK. I still think there is lot of space for graduates from these developed countries to get into Software and other technical fields. And it will always be there. I can not see future where Software will only be developed in India or other low cost countries. I think everyone will be involved and everyone will get chance to get into software. I hope my comments are not hurting anyone. These are just my thoughts. Being seen both sides of coin, I think I can easily imagine what the issues are on both sides.
Thanks for the comments Maninder…
ceo
When I joined a large IT shop in 1997, we grew to 100 people in the organization, and at one time we had 10 people with a PHD in Physics.
If I were starting my bachelors, I would still get a degree in computer science in addition to something else I was passionate about. I’d be happy to help speak at a local school, especially the inner city schools, but haven’t thought about the best forum to do this yet.
thanks for the article.
Jason