US Geek Shortage: Computer Science Enrollment Dropped 43% between 2003 and 2006.

Darpa: U.S. Geek Shortage Is National Security Risk

Sure, we’re all plugged in and online 24/7. But fewer American kids are growing up to be bona fide computer geeks. And that poses a serious security risk for the country, according to the Defense Department.

The Pentagon’s far-out research arm Darpa is soliciting proposals for initiatives that would attract teens to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), with an emphasis on computing. According to the Computer Research Association, computer science enrollment dropped 43 percent between 2003 and 2006.

Darpa’s worried that America’s “ability to compete in the increasingly internationalized stage will be hindered without college graduates with the ability to understand and innovate cutting edge technologies in the decades to come…. Finding the right people with increasingly specialized talent is becoming more difficult and will continue to add risk to a wide range of DoD [Department of Defense] systems that include software development.”

We are the nation of the quick fix, just look around you...

What will we really do about this?

See also: Left Behind: A national disgrace...52% Graduation Rate

Good luck America. You are going to need it. :shk:




[edit on 16-1-2010 by loam]

There is a shortage because there are no more good paying jobs for IT people. The jobs have been offshored and in sourced for the past 10 years. Why should a college kid spend $50K on an IT degree when corporate America will offshore or in source the job to a foreigner or H1B employee for a $35K a year salary?

reply to post by Zosynspiracy

Originally posted by Zosynspiracy
Why should a college kid spend $50K on an IT degree when corporate America will offshore or in source the job to a foreigner or H1B employee for a $35K a year salary?

So it is better to spend $50k to obtain a liberal arts degree and remain unemployed or working in retail?

How about take the $35k...do your damned best and make yourself indispensable...and accordingly later extract an appropriate raise and promotion? That is how it is really done, if you are good enough.

Sounds like a much better strategy than what is currently happening.

35k wouldn't be so bad, but the truth of the matter is that most entry level positions for non programming tech pay barely above minimum wage now days. Most tech graduates will find themselves manning the help desk phones.

[edit on 16-1-2010 by Kaploink]

reply to post by Kaploink

Originally posted by Kaploink
...the truth of the matter is that most entry level positions for non programming tech pay barely above minimum wage now days...

I'm assuming you are in the United States. Frankly, I disagree with your impression. The current Federal minimum wage is $7.25. Annualized for a full time position, that amounts to $15,080.

In 20 years of business, I have never seen technical positions offered domestically at a rate anywhere near as low as the minimum wage.

Take a look here, if you require something more objective.

I'm a graduate Engineer (post graduate actually) and I have just entered my 30's and I am currently wondering why I bothered and asking myself whether I should change profession. I can't blame anyone for picking something other than a degree in some Tech field.

Seriously, financially, I would have being better off not going to Uni and starting life without the debt. I would almost certainly be earning more money if I was out on the road as a Sales Rep flogging some tat and claiming commission on it.