It's Still Geek to Me

On the heels of studies such as the recent Computing Research Association analysis that reported a 17 percent drop in the number of bachelor's degrees in computer science awarded at Ph.D.-granting universities in the 2004-05 compared with the previous year, the Students and Technology in Academia, Research and Service Alliance (a consortium of universities) has received a $2 million National Science Foundation grant to recruit a diverse group of students to earn college degrees in information technology (IT), computer science, and other computing fields.

"We want to encourage more people--particularly women, underrepresented minorities and people with disabilities--to pursue careers in computer science and information technology," said Florida State's Larry Dennis. Fewer foreign nationals and immigrants who specialize in IT are migrating to the United States, and changing demographics mean there are fewer white men in the labor force overall. That means women and others have great opportunities to fill some of the 1.5 million new IT and computing jobs expected to be created by 2012, according to Florida State research associate Anthony Chow.

But first a little image enhancement is in order. The "nerd" reputation actually poses a serious barrier to getting students interested in computing careers, says Florida State computer science professor Lois Hawkes. Consequently, one of Florida State's roles within the alliance will be to develop a targeted print and Web campaign to shatter the stereotype of the antisocial IT guy. The campaign's "Reach for the Stars" theme will use role models to highlight market trends and career opportunities and will address computing myths--including the one about women not being good at technical stuff.

"Women often suffer from the 'imposter syndrome,' " Hawkes said. "They feel that they are imposters and couldn't possibly know all that their male counterparts do."

Universities participating the program include North Carolina State, Meredith College, Georgia Tech, Spelman College, Auburn, Florida State, Florida A&M, the University of South Florida Lakeland, and Landmark College.

Posted by Jon Erickson at 10:08 AM  Permalink