Computing . . . Where the Jobs Are

Computers are everywhere. They’re in our pockets. They’re on our walls. They’re in our cars. They’re a critical piece of our infrastructure, from power grids to traffic lights to the inner workings of our financial markets. And all of these computers have one thing in common. They depend on software to tell them what to do.

But who exactly is going to write this software?

Considering how fast our world is being transformed by technology, you might expect the number of students studying computer science today to be at an all-time high. You’d be wrong. In fact, fewer students are studying computer science, and fewer schools are teaching it, than a decade ago.

At a time when demand for skilled programmers has never been higher, we’re turning out fewer computer scientists. Even in this time of high unemployment, thousands of jobs, many of them right here in the Chicagoland area, are going unfilled for a lack of enough individuals with the right skill sets.

Why is this? And how can we address it?

The problem begins in our middle and high schools. Nine out of ten of our schools do not offer computer programming classes. We’re simply not doing enough to prepare or encourage our students to pursue these high-paying, vital careers.

Nearly all major computing innovations were invented here in this country, but we’re at risk of losing that leadership if we don’t do something now.

We need to make some changes.

One change would be to start counting computer science classes towards high school graduation requirements. Right now in Illinois, computer science classes are treated as electives, and can’t be used to fulfill math or science requirements. In other states where they’ve made this change, the number of students signing up for these classes has doubled.

We can also start working with students at a young age to spark their interest in computer science and programming. Our children should not just know how to use apps and play video games – they should know how to create them. Children can learn the basics of programming as early as the second grade.

We need to recruit more computer science teachers and encourage professional development within their field. Today there are many online resources that can help teachers access and keep up to date with the latest technology for their students.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2020, there will be 9.2 million jobs in STEM fields. Half of those jobs—4.6 million—will be in computing or information technology. Who will fill these jobs if our children are not given the opportunity to gain the skills needed?

The week of December 8–14 is Computer Science Education Week. Throughout the nation, students will be participating in a national Hour of Code, demystifying the subject of computer science and hopefully whetting their appetites to go on and learn more. Mathnasium of the Glen and Mathnasium of Kenilworth will be joining them by hosting an Hour of Code on at 1:30 pm on Saturday, December 14, 2013, and I invite you to join in as well. Everyone should learn how to code. Visit www.csedweek.org to learn more and get started. And support our efforts to bring computer science to more schools in Illinois.

To sign up to participate in the Hour of Code, please contact us at:

Mathnasium of the Glen – theglen@mathnasium.com. Located in the Glen Town Center at 2650 Valor Drive, Glenview, IL 60026.  847-998-0900.

About Mathnasium

Mathnasium, the nation’s leading math-only learning center franchise, specializes in teaching kids math in a way that makes sense to them. Students go to Mathnasium year-round to catch up, keep up, and get ahead in math. The proprietary Mathnasium Method™ is the result of 40+ years of hands-on instruction and research. Franchising since 2003, Mathnasium has become one of the fastest growing educational franchises, with a new center opening each week. There are more than 400 Mathnasium franchises in the U.S. and abroad. www.mathnasium.com

About Computer Science Education Week, Computing in the Core Coalition and Code.org

Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual program dedicated to showing K-12 students the importance of computer science education.

Organized by the Computing in the Core coalition and Code.org, CSEdWeek is held in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906).

Computing in the Core is a non-partisan advocacy coalition of associations, corporations, scientific societies, and other non-profits seeking to elevate the national profile of computer science education in K-12 within the US and work toward ensuring that computer science is one of the core academic subjects in K-12 education.