Who wants to be a Computer Science Student? Barbara Ericson Georgia Tech

There is a Shortage of CS Students The number of CS majors has dropped 40% since 2001 The number of CS majors has dropped 40% since 2001 NationwideNationwide The percentage of women has dropped to about 12% The percentage of women has dropped to about 12% From a high of about 30% in the early 80sFrom a high of about 30% in the early 80s There has never been representative numbers of African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans There has never been representative numbers of African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans

Why the Huge Drop in Students? Myth #1 Myth #1 All computing jobs are going overseasAll computing jobs are going overseas Only about 1-2% have Only about 1-2% have There are actually more jobs now in this area than in 2001 There are actually more jobs now in this area than in 2001 The US Labor Department predicts that computer software engineers and computer systems designers will be among the fastest growing occupations in The US Labor Department predicts that computer software engineers and computer systems designers will be among the fastest growing occupations in Many jobs require interaction with and knowledge of computers Many jobs require interaction with and knowledge of computers

Why the Huge Drop in Students? Myth #2 Myth #2 Only geeks do well in computingOnly geeks do well in computing

Not True Even Long Ago Can you spot me? Can you spot me?

Who is in Computer Science? They all are!

Why the Huge Drop in Students? Myth #3 Myth #3 You have to like to play computer gamesYou have to like to play computer games Professionals in computing Professionals in computing Say that you should like:Say that you should like: Problem solving Problem solving Working with others in a team Working with others in a team Being creative Being creative

Why the Huge Drop in Students? Myth #4 Myth #4 The job is boring!The job is boring! Introductory classes are often boringIntroductory classes are often boring Students find the examples irrelevant, and tedious Students find the examples irrelevant, and tedious Computer Science juniors are often surprised how creative it isComputer Science juniors are often surprised how creative it is Once you are past the early classes Once you are past the early classes Example: Digital Video Special Effects Example: Digital Video Special Effects

Digital Video Special Effects

Making a DVFX Movie

What Computing Was in 70-80s

What Computing is Today Wearable Computing Bioinformatics Virtual Environments Graphics

What Computing is Today Ubiquitous Computing Robotics High Performance Simulation Information Security Databases

ASIMO – Honda’s Humanoid Robot

Learning to Walk

ASIMO - Capabilities

Computing Is … Begin Artistic and Creative Begin Artistic and Creative

Computing is … Synthesizing information Synthesizing information

Computing Is … Aiding People with Disabilities Aiding People with Disabilities Sign Language to Speech

Computing Is … Enhancing medical care Enhancing medical care Working with physician scientists and medical staff at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (BPEI) in Miami to develop computer-based, low vision technologies that can automatically adapt, or morph themselves, to suit the visual capabilities of individual users. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (BPEI)

Computing is … Creating models and simulations Creating models and simulations Firefighter training Internet Traffic

Computing is … Enhancing Education Enhancing Education eClass: Capturing Lecture AquaMOOSE 3D: Play with Parametric equations

What fields need computing? mathematics mathematics biology biology information security information security law law stress management stress management training simulations training simulations video games video games graphic design graphic design music technology music technology environmental research environmental research psychology psychology robotics robotics medicine medicine neurology neurology bioengineering bioengineering telecommunications telecommunications assistive technology assistive technology education education computational modeling computational modeling agriculture agriculture

Who Hires our Students? Pixar Pixar Google Google Bell Labs Bell Labs AT&T AT&T CIA CIA Dell Dell Kodak Kodak Hewlett-Packard Hewlett-Packard IBM IBM Intel Intel Livewire Livewire Lockheed Martin Lucent Microsoft National Instruments NAVAIR Network Associates NVIDIA Corporation Radiant Systems Raytheon Company Texas Instruments Universities

Consider Computing It can lead you to a exciting and lucrative career where you can It can lead you to a exciting and lucrative career where you can Help peopleHelp people Be creativeBe creative Be an important member of a teamBe an important member of a team Do researchDo research Develop cool new digital devicesDevelop cool new digital devices Change the worldChange the world