The reason many of them are opting out of computer science is that many of the jobs (CS and IT both) are being outsourced to foreign countries.  Those jobs remaining are seeing degraded salaries as a result, and also due to assloads of H1-B visas.

Counselors are now warning folks away from IT and CS in the same manner as they did medical technologists in the mid 80’s. 

D

Indeed, though I found it interesting that one of the college professors teaching CompSci in the news item mentions how they’re attempting to attract people back by offering courses in video game design.

You could be in for some increased competition there, D!

I heard that program while I was driving to work.  As soon as I heard it, actually, I remembered Les and Eric.  Pretty funny that Les was listening to the program too.

Personally, I’m glad that counselors are warning people away from IT.  I wish someone had taken the time to sit me down and -really- tell me, “the odds that you will find a job with a PhD in English are -very- low.  Get your teaching credential.”

You have to go where the work is.  And since it’s kind of difficult to “outsource” high school education to India, I’m going to jump through the hoops necessary to get a teaching credential.

I don’t think they’re going to find a way to replace/automate/outsource high-school English-- not in my lifetime, at least.

Las Vegas is hurting for teachers so badly that they’re sending recruiters to CA-- and offering a $1000 bonus for anyone who’s willing to move to Vegas and take on a teaching position.

I read this report that tracks the quality of the codes written. I cannot remember what it is called, but I believe it has a range up to 20. It is calculated through the number of mistakes per line. Does this ring any bell? The interesting thing is that apparently code written in India has a higher level quality that those made in US. So basically the company would think, why should we pay more and get less.

The only way to be competitive is to either increase the person’s rate of work or to unfortunately reduce their pay.

The point on video games shows that there is a need to move up the value chain. From being a manufacturing job to that of ‘inventor’ or creator. Personally I feel the strength of the US lies in its research and development category. And the restriction on stem cell research (for example) helps shift some jobs overseas.

So the moral of the story is to look for jobs where outsourcing would be difficult. Such as being a lawwyer or a doctor.

Or alternatively, if you cannot beat them join them.

There are people setting up little firms that advises companies how to outsouce. And they go to India, or wherever one outsources to, to help train the replacements.

But it must be said the the amount outsourced is not all that significant. After all, many of the chip manufacturing and other computer related products are already established in Asia. Many of the largest chips foundry are in Asia.