Preparing Girls for IT Jobs
Barbara B. LockeeSchool of Education
Virginia Tech
A IT E S Appalachian Inform ation Technology Extension Services
NSF Funded GSE/EXT Project (0832913)
What the Future Holds• During the next 10 years…• IT jobs will hold 5 of the top 30 in fastest growing
positions Network systems Software application engineers System analysts Database administrators Software developers for operating systems
• Over 50% of the current IT workforce will retire• Over 1 million jobs will become available nationally
When you think of IT jobs…
…what adjectives do you think of?
A Spectrum of Possibilities
Who is an IT Worker?• Anyone who…– Designs, installs, maintains, upgrades, or supports IT
hardware – Designs, authors, adapts, tests, implements, maintains, or
supports software or databases– Installs, configures, supports, maintains “back-office”
systems and applications for those who use such systems for business operations
Who is an IT Worker?• Or…– Creates computer-based solutions for clients– Writes software for existing systems– Develops design tools, simulations, or enterprise
systems for the delivery of electronic content– Tests, documentation development, or quality
control– Directly manages IT workers
IT Everywhere• IT companies are everywhere• IT jobs come in all shapes and sizes• IT jobs are everywhere– Healthcare– Government– Education– Banking
• IT jobs can come to you• IT skills are essential in non-IT jobs
Broader Definitions Are More Inclusive
• IT workers are found in all sectors, not just IT organizations
• IT workers have a wide variety of educational backgrounds. Four-year degrees in information technology or computer science are not mandatory
• IT workers have varied job responsibilities, many of which relate to problem solving
It’s Important to be FIT!• All IT jobs require a combination of knowledge– Foundational concepts– Contemporary skills– Intellectual capabilities
Foundational Concepts• Foundational knowledge and skills related to how
technology “works”• What you might learn in courses or books• Applies across different technologies of the same
type• Some examples– How computers work– How networks operate– Digital representation of information– Modeling– Programming
Contemporary Skills• Ability to use current, specific technology to
accomplish a given task• Skills change constantly because products change
constantly• Examples– Setting up a PC– Web programming– Using graphics software– Setting up a wireless network– Using the Internet to find information– Using a database to provide or access information
Intellectual Skills• Ability to use IT across different, complex situations• Understanding consequences of doing so• Some examples– Design and test solutions to problems– Organize and navigate information– Collaborate– Anticipate problems– Think about IT abstractly
How can we categorize IT jobs?
CreatorsJob Title Educational Prep Local Employers
Software developer AAS Information Systems Technology; BS Comp Sci, IT
Web developer AAS Info Sys Tech, BS Comp Sci
Software Engineer AAS, B.S. Software Engineering
MaintainersJob Title Educational Prep Local Employers
Database Administrator Certifications, AAS
Technical Support AAS Mgmt Info Sys, BS Comp Sci, MIS/BIS
Network Administrator Certifications, AAS, BS MIS/BIS
Help Desk Certifications, AAS
Supporters
Job Title Educational Prep Local Employers
Trainers Assoc Arts & Sci, BA, MA in Education
Systems Integrators Certifications, AAS
Marketing AAS, BS Business
Instructional Technologists
MA Education
Management
Job Title Educational Prep Local Employers
Chief Technology Officer M.S., Ph.D., BIS/MIS, Comp Sci, Education
Middle Management BS, M.S. MIS/BIS
Education @ Home• Many opportunities to obtain educational and vocational requirements in your state• High Schools• Community and Technical Colleges• Colleges & Universities• Flexible learning opportunities through distance education
Where do we go from here?
What strategies and resources can we use to increase girls’ knowledge, skills, & attitude regarding IT careers?
Increase awareness of IT careers through increasing interactions with IT professionals
Increase knowledge of foundational concepts, contemporary skills, and comfort with IT through increasing opportunities to use ITformally and informally
Contact InformationFor any additional information regarding: • IT skills & knowledge• IT job categories & examples• Education and training programs
Barbara [email protected](540)231-9193
NSF Funded GSE/EXT Project (0832913)