Gender & Computing Joanne McGrath Cohoon UVA Associate Professor NCWIT Senior Research Scientist NCSU Tapestry July 18, 2012

WE ARE HEADED FOR A WORKFORCE CRISIS

BLS Projected 2020 Occupational employment for jobs requiring college degree only CS

Computing Offers More Jobs than other Sci & Engineering Fields Employment in Major Occupational Groups Projected for 2020, in thousands Source: BLS – Employment Projections to 2020

30% of jobs, but 5% of intended computing majors

30% of jobs in 2020, but 5% of intended computing majors in 2012

NC will face the same crisis

WHAT ARE THESE COMPUTING JOBS?

Computer science studies computers and problem-solving processes, including their Principles Designs Applications Impact It is an intellectual activity that asks questions like Which information is relevant to solving a problem? How do data become knowledge? What method will solve this type of problem? Computing is about creation and problem solving

IT is pervasive IT is a driver of the U.S. and global economy IT is a critical tool of national security IT drives science and technology IT is changing the economic and social foundations of our society in  for  ma  tion tech  nol  ogy 1 : all forms of technology used to create, store, exchange and use information in its various forms 2 : the design and use of computers and communications to improve the way we live, learn, work, and play

It offers and constrains options in health care, understanding climate change, security, for example Computing shapes the world we live in

Computing offers exciting work that affects our world and the people in it Create technology for Tracking endangered dolphins Mobile forensics labs for instant analysis at crime scenes GPS systems that guide blind people Scanning DNA for childhood diseases Designing and displaying new fashions Restoring and preserving art work Source: dotdiva.org

1.Software Engineer 2.Mathematician 3.Actuary 4.Statistician 5.Computer Systems Analyst According to CareerCast Best Jobs in America 2011

Three of the top ten occupations are computing Systems Engineer IT Project Manager Network Security Consultant Manage large complex projects Plan, organize, and oversee the team on a computing project Protect important computer systems from infiltration Source: CNNMoney.com, Best Jobs in America, 2011

COMPUTER SCIENTISTS GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES Technology for human rights Design secure databases to record human rights abuses while shielding the identities of victims or witnesses Create tools that help ordinary people collect extraordinary amounts of money for important causes

Computer Scientists work in every industry 17 Source: dotdiva.org

Computing occupations are well paid Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Excellent Job Opportunity Expected Source: BLS Occupational Employment Projections to 2020

Mitigate the crisis Draw from the majority

WHY TEACH COMPUTING IN HIGH SCHOOL?

Experience increases success Experienced students get better grades in Intro CS Experience typically assumed

AP-Takers are more likely to major

High School is an important time for developing education & career goals Majority of college students majoring in STEM make that choice during high school -Maltese & Tai 2011

Offer CS in HS Actively recruit more diverse students

PREPARE AND ROLE PLAY AN ELEVATOR TALK

Free Resources to learn more and Inform Others Statistics about computing education and workforce in your area

NCWIT is the National Center for Women & Information Technology Our coalition includes more than 250 universities, corporations, and non-profits. Mobilizing for Change: NCWIT

Now that you know Looming workforce crisis How diversity can help meet workforce needs The importance of HS for computing career preparation Prepare your students for the world in which they will live