Computer Careers Book
Saturday, October 14, 2006
fewer computer science majors means opportunity
I found an interesting article on the low (and declining) numbers of students majoring in Computer Science.
Many employers are having a hard time filling positions.
Mmmm, my niece graduated just this year with a Computer Science degree and seemed to have no trouble getting a job. However, she was a top student at an ivy league school so if she'd had a problem, so would everybody else. Even so, she went with the same company where she did an internship last summer.
(I advise everyone to get as much experience as possible any way that you can, including taking internships if available.)
Here's the article:
decline in Computer Science graduates
So I have to wonder -- will things get so bad that high tech companies actually consider hiring people over the age of 30?
Nahhh, they won't be that desperate. They'll import an Indian recent college graduate even if they have to drive them over the Mexican border and through the desert themselves, rather than hire anybody a little older.
Still, somewhere down the high tech road, companies will have such a need for computer science knowledge that they'll be willing to consider somebody halfway to retirement.
Heck, it might be somebody who's already retired from one job.
I expect large numbers of us baby boomers to simply switch from one demanding full time career we hate to looking for less demanding and more fulfilling part time careers we enjoy.
For many of us, that will be working with computers.
If you're looking to change to a computer career, the time to start learning the technical aspects is now.
Within a few years, many baby boomers are going to leave the high tech industry, and there aren't enough of our children and grandchildren to replace them.
Yes, of course a lot of routine work will be outsourced to India, China and other low-wage countries. However, a lot of IT work still must be done in on-site partnership with the prospect/client.
They can outsource routine programming, but not the attention to the needs of the customer that makes for great customer service.
The latest article on my computer careers site is:
Hibernate for Not Yet Techies
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