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