Why are smaller numbers of students enrolling in CIS degree programs?

May 9, 2006 · by Tammy Adler

I participate in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Management Computer System’s Advisory Board, and Madison Area Technical College’s Information Technology-Web/Analyst Programmer Advisory Committee along with other Madison and Milwaukee information technology professionals.

These boards discuss technology trends, curriculum, placement trends, recruitment issues, continuing education opportunities, etc. in an effort to ensure graduating students are prepared when they enter the workforce.

For the past year couple of years we’ve discussed the trend of lower information technology student enrollments. Enrollment has declined significantly. Women previously made up 40% of the information technology enrollment, and now are less than 10%. We continue to discuss the discussion, and have begun brainstorming ways to reverse the trend.

It’s no secret the Dot Com bust may have had a negative impact on our industry. There is also a perception many if not all information technology jobs are being sent off-shore. Both may influence students to stay away from the information technology field.

A special report in the May 3, 2006 money.cnn.com article talked about the next job boom by listing the 10 fastest-growing jobs. Five of the first six jobs were information technology jobs. Specifically, (1) Network Data Communications Analyst, (3) Computer Software Engineer, Applications; (4) Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software; (5) Network and Computer Systems Engineer, and (6) Database Administrator.

I believe it is incumbent upon information technology professionals to educate middle and high school students about career advancement opportunities; the differences between information technology and computer science; the resurgence, importance and demand for these positions; career advancement opportunities and off-shore development efforts. UW-Whitewater and Madison Area Technical College are in the early stages of developing strategies for this very important continuing education effort.

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