Did Outsourcing Derail University’s CS Degrees?
The decline of students enrolling in Universities and Colleges has been on a slippery slope for a good 5 years. This decline is staggering and is suffering from the misconception of outsourcings and the general population’s view of its ill effects. It’s true the decline has left enrollment population far less today than it was 5 years ago and is tending towards levels of enrollment, in terms of percentage of the late 70’s.
Is it true the outsourcing effected technology in this country? Yes, no doubt there! In fact, so much that the fear is pandemic and has reached catastrophic levels. Just check the enrollement declines in any university or college. Does this mean students should seek accounting, legal, and medical degrees? Well, of course, you can do that if that is what calls out to you!! Go with your passion….
However, if you desire a computer science degree, then the news is not all bad, not at all!
There are a few things to consider and some questions to ask.
What’s this mean? Where are the CS students? When we look at the Men and Women CS enrollment, the drop off is staggering. The women drop off is much more severe and the return of females to this area does not show any promise. As you know, women have much to gain in this field!! To see them be scurried away through misinformation would be an astonishing loss to this field.
Can you blame anyone looking into starting a future in technology, even Computer Science? Oh My!!
The uncertainty is clear and the premise is solid. The initial impression is the technology companies as a whole outsourced the CS profession to India, Europe, Arabia, and other countries. Having this impression and being asked the question of future validity of this field, you are more apt to guide a young person into law, medical or real estate. Considering the word on the street and what you view in the country from daily observation.
Just like anything, a study will turn your head and so it goes in the computer science field.
I do not believe this to be the case as CS is a competent field and the studies show the exact opposite in terms of future, profitablity and need. In fact, a resurgence is around the corner. Actually, we are going through it again, this very moment. Comparing today to 1999 (pre-DOT Com Bubble) you’ll see a very healthy increase. In fact the employment in IT is higher than 1999 and the salaries of the field have outperformed the inflation for this timeline.
Today, if you are a skilled CS professional, give it another year or two and you’ll be in high demand. This selfish reality is in our favor, however, it’s a catch 22; unfortunately the profession suffers from misinformation of CS being a bad choice as a profession.
Of course, the business side has its blame of treating IT’ers and CS professional less than reasonable at times. And mind you, business started the outsourcing, to much of their failure. That is not to say Outsource version 1.0 was all a failure. Outsourcing works, but not version 1.0. Version 2.0 will have a many changes and controls in place, hopefully, so that business learns from its mistakes. (Oh Yhea, we'll see outsourcing to USA, too! Get ready)
Nonetheless, the negative forces of this area we should take a stand on but not waste much time with these issues. Our main goal should be to move the profession to the likes of the other engineering fields. That is paramount, to the CS profession's success.
As the world salaries increase and the demand for CS in the world grows, as well as in the Unites States, we will see a great need for CS professionals. Furthermore, with the maturity of nano-technology we shall see computer systems, networks, communications and a myriad of technologies explode on the scene of every day life. Of course, computer programs and tools from scripting to 4GL will play a large effort in the manipulation and control of these devices, certainly, this is imminent. As this technology explodes the tools to handle the practical application of these new inventions will need CS professionals as well as other unknown engineering disciplines.
What I’ll leave you with is a simple thought when mentoring that student in your sphere of influence. If she desires to be in a field that is fascinating, challenging and sure to provide a solid future; then by all means, suggest the field of Computer Science!
And tell the boys, too!