Who wants to be a Computer Who wants to be a Computer Science Student?Science Student?

Barbara EricsonBarbara Ericson

Georgia TechGeorgia Tech

ericson@cc.gatech.eduericson@cc.gatech.edu

There is a Shortage of CS StudentsThere is a Shortage of CS Students

The number of CS majors has dropped The number of CS majors has dropped 40% since 200140% since 2001• NationwideNationwide

The percentage of women has droppedThe percentage of women has dropped to to about 12%about 12%• From a high of about 30% in the early 80sFrom a high of about 30% in the early 80s

There has never been representative There has never been representative numbers of African Americans, Hispanics, numbers of African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americansand Native Americans

Why the Huge Drop in Students?Why the Huge Drop in Students?

Myth #1 Myth #1 • All computing jobs are going overseasAll computing jobs are going overseas

Only about 1-2% haveOnly about 1-2% have There are actually more jobs now in this There are actually more jobs now in this

area than in 2001area than in 2001 The US Labor Department predicts that The US Labor Department predicts that

computer software engineers and computer computer software engineers and computer systems designers will be among the fastest systems designers will be among the fastest growing occupations in 2002-2012 growing occupations in 2002-2012

Many jobs require interaction with and Many jobs require interaction with and knowledge of computersknowledge of computers

Why the Huge Drop in Students?Why the Huge Drop in Students?

Myth #2Myth #2• Only geeks do well in computingOnly geeks do well in computing

Not True Even Long AgoNot True Even Long Ago

Can you spot me?Can you spot me?

Who is in Computer Science?Who is in Computer Science?

They all are!

Why the Huge Drop in Students?Why the Huge Drop in Students?

Myth #3Myth #3• You have to like to play computer You have to like to play computer

gamesgames Professionals in computingProfessionals in computing

• Say that you should like: Say that you should like: Problem solvingProblem solving Working with others in a teamWorking with others in a team Being creativeBeing creative

Why the Huge Drop in Students?Why the Huge Drop in Students?

Myth #4Myth #4• The job is boring!The job is boring! • Introductory classes are often boringIntroductory classes are often boring

Students find the examples irrelevant, and Students find the examples irrelevant, and tedious tedious

• Computer Science juniors are often Computer Science juniors are often surprised how creative it is surprised how creative it is

Once you are past the early classesOnce you are past the early classes Example: Digital Video Special EffectsExample: Digital Video Special Effects

Digital Video Special EffectsDigital Video Special Effects

Digital Video Special EffectsDigital Video Special Effects

Making a DVFX MovieMaking a DVFX Movie

What Computing Was in 70-80sWhat Computing Was in 70-80s

What Computing is TodayWhat Computing is Today

Wearable Computing Bioinformatics

VirtualEnvironments

Graphics

What Computing is TodayWhat Computing is Today

Ubiquitous ComputingRobotics

High Performance Simulation

Information Security

Databases

ASIMO – Honda’s Humanoid RobotASIMO – Honda’s Humanoid Robot

Learning to WalkLearning to Walk

ASIMO - CapabilitiesASIMO - Capabilities

Computing Is … Computing Is …

Begin Artistic and CreativeBegin Artistic and Creative

Computing is …Computing is …

Synthesizing informationSynthesizing information

Computing Is …Computing Is …

Aiding People with DisabilitiesAiding People with Disabilities

Sign Language to Speech

Computing Is …Computing Is …

Enhancing medical careEnhancing medical care

Working with physician scientists and medical staff at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (BPEI) in Miami to develop computer-based, low vision technologies that can automatically adapt, or morph themselves, to suit the visual capabilities of individual users.

Computing is …Computing is …

Creating models and simulations Creating models and simulations

Firefighter training Internet Traffic

Computing is …Computing is …

Enhancing EducationEnhancing Education

eClass: Capturing Lecture

AquaMOOSE 3D: Play with Parametric equations

What fields need computing?What fields need computing?

• mathematicsmathematics• biologybiology• information securityinformation security• lawlaw• stress managementstress management• training simulationstraining simulations• video gamesvideo games• graphic designgraphic design• music technologymusic technology• environmental researchenvironmental research

• psychologypsychology• roboticsrobotics• medicinemedicine• neurologyneurology• bioengineeringbioengineering• telecommunicationstelecommunications• assistive technologyassistive technology• educationeducation• computational modelingcomputational modeling• agricultureagriculture

Who Hires our Students?Who Hires our Students?• PixarPixar• GoogleGoogle• Bell LabsBell Labs• AT&TAT&T• CIACIA• DellDell• KodakKodak• Hewlett-PackardHewlett-Packard• IBMIBM• IntelIntel• LivewireLivewire

• Lockheed Martin• Lucent• Microsoft• National Instruments• NAVAIR• Network Associates• NVIDIA Corporation• Radiant Systems• Raytheon Company• Texas Instruments• Universities

Consider ComputingConsider Computing

It can lead you to a exciting and It can lead you to a exciting and lucrative career where you canlucrative career where you can• Help peopleHelp people• Be creativeBe creative• Be an important member of a teamBe an important member of a team• Do researchDo research• Develop cool new digital devicesDevelop cool new digital devices• Change the worldChange the world