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Demystifying IT
Science Park conference explores ways to fill tech worker pipeline
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10/18/1999
By: Michele Beck
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First impressions are hard to overcome.
When most Americans think about those who populate the technology field, they usually visualize a geek with thick glasses and pocket protectors. This unflattering image may be a contributing factor to the significant dearth of computer science majors and technical workers.
An October 1 conference at Science Park in New Haven was sponsored by the Connecticut Technology Council, the Information Technology Association of America [ITAA], National Alliance of Business, and Education Development Center, SNET and Rensselaer at Hartford. The event was organized to explore and address the shortage of workers by assessing the resources and needs of the state.
Harris N. Miller, president of the Arlington, Va.-based ITAA, said there is a serious shortage of technologically skilled workers compared to the number of jobs available.
He said the number of computer science majors in colleges and universities plunged from 46,000 in 1986 to 24,000 in 1994. Since the number of positions available has increased so rapidly over the last decade, many technology companies are feeling the pinch.
One factor that Miller blames for the lack of computer science majors is their image.
"When adults come into schools for career days, they have firemen, policemen and others. Those jobs look exciting to children. The image of a computer programmer is a nerd with thick glasses," Miller said. "We have to change that image by getting more involved in schools. Companies have to do more than just write a check. It takes personal involvement."
The image of a computer nerd has been around since the dawn of the microprocessor, but is the problem just skin deep?
Miller asserted that other countries have much different work ethic than the U.S.
"Kids in other countries put in a lot more hours. There's just a different mindset," Miller said. "These kids come over to the United States and end up getting the more technical jobs. They are in great demand because they have been trained to work in the field."
In response, Miller said, greater emphasis needs to be placed on education. He noted that in India, which is considered by many to be a developing country, science and math are top educational priorities. This contrasts sharply with the attitudes of many American students.
"It's not a question of laziness," Miller said. "Americans work very hard. It's just that a large percentage of people tend to be afraid of information technology. It's a very intimidating major, because there is so much training involved."
The shortage of qualified professionals is not just a Connecticut problem. Within the last few years, all regions of the country have reported that there are not enough trained professionals to fill the jobs.
"A couple of years ago, nobody was talking about it because they thought it was just a regional problem," Miller said. "It turns out, everyone was experiencing the same problems. Thirty-five percent of all new jobs are IT [information technology]. The problem is that science and math are not sexy, so people are steering away from those fields."
Sara Harrigan, director of workforce development for the Connecticut Technology Council, said her group is now forming committees to start ramping up workforce technology skills in Connecticut.
"At the end of the conference, people signed up to work on different committees - data trends, public policy, partnerships and communications and marketing," Harrigan said. "I'm starting to coordinate the different committees and we will start working to see what can be done. Connecticut is a high-tech state, and there is a great demand for trained workers."
The committees will help educate existing workers, as well as those entering the workforce for the first time. Harrigan said colleges can't begin to implement programs until businesses tell them what they need.
"Colleges aren't just filled with 18- to 24-year-olds," Harrigan said. "Some people want to change their career. Some are retired and want to get back to work. And of course, you still have the traditional students."
Harrigan said she is hopeful these programs will begin to benefit the job market and finally redress the imbalance. The programs will benefit not only the New Haven area, but the state as a whole, she said.
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