Minority Degree Attainment in IT: What the National Data Show

Transcription

1 Minority Degree Attainment in IT: What the National Data Show Presented to League for Innovation Innovations Conference Session on Degrees Matter: Minority Attainment in Occupational Education March 17, 2003 Phoenix, AZ Davis Jenkins Research Professor University of Illinois at Chicago Tel: (312)

2 Questions to be Addressed 1. How many African-Americans and Hispanics are earning undergraduate degrees in IT? 2. How has this changed over time? 3. How does this vary by level of credential, major field and type of institution?

3 IT Job Types Technical Positions Architects / Specialists Developers Technicians Design IT products and systems based on broad insight and deep technical knowledge Develop or customize IT products and systems based on designs created by others Install, administer, test and maintain IT products and systems Operators / Front-line Supporters Non-Technical Positions Operate or facilitate use of IT developed by others Technology Service Providers Technical Managers Support the work of IT technical workers by providing services such as communications, sales, marketing, recruitment, and training Manage workers who develop and maintain IT products and systems and those who provide IT services

4 Technical Positions Architects / Specialists Developers Technicians Operators / Front-line Supporters Non-Technical Positions Technology Service Providers Technical Managers Sample IT Job Titles Network Architect, Applications Architect, Firewall Specialist, IS Security Specialist, E-Business Specialist, Digital Media Producer Network Engineer, Software Engineer, Technical Support Engineer, Programmer/Analyst Web/ Multimedia Developer, Business Systems Analyst WAN/Internet Administrator, Database Administrator, Web Administrator, Lead Tech Support Specialist, Software QA Tech, Web Page Designer Help Desk (Level I), PC Tech Support Technical Writer, Product Marketing Specialist, Technical Salesperson, Recruiter, Trainer Project Manager, Technology Division Manager, Chief Information Officer

5 Entry Points to IT Careers for IT Degree Grads IT Position Systems Developers Degree Bachelor of Science + Internship (Systems Programmer, Software Engineer, Tech Support Engineer, Business Systems Analyst) Bachelor of Applied Science + Internship Technicians (Network Tech, Tech Support Specialist, LAN Administrator) Associate of Applied Science + Internship Advanced Certificate Operators / Front-Line Supporters (PC Tech, Help Desk I, Software Tester)

6 Access Points to IT Careers For Career Changers IT Position Prior Qualifications Training Systems Developers College Degree + Business Expertise + Technically Adept Enterprise System Basics Training Enterprise Systems Analyst / Consultant Design Experience Internet Technology Basics Training Technicians Web Designer Work Experience + Strong Customer Service Skills Computing Fundamentals (software emphasis) Operators / Front-line Supporters Help Desk Work Experience + Strong Mechanical / Technical Skills Computing Fundamentals (hardware emphasis) Operators / Front-line Supporters PC Tech

7 Undergraduate IT Majors Computer Science and Engineering Computer and Information Sciences Computer Programming Data Processing Info. Sciences and Systems Systems Analysis Computer Engineering Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Microelectronics Engineering Math and Computer Science Computer and Electronics Technology Computer and Electronics Technologies Computer Servicing Technology Communication Electronics Repair Computer Electronics Repair Business Information Systems Management Info. Systems and Business Data Processing Business Computer Programming Business Systems Analysis and Design Business Systems Networking and Telecommunications Business Computer Facilities Design

8 Summary of Findings Number of A-As and Hispanics earning undergrad credentials in IT increased at all degree levels during late 1990s A-As and Hispanics over-represented among IT certificate and associate degree grads A-As and Hispanics underrepresented among bachelor s degree grads in IT A-As and Hispanics under-represented among degree graduates in computer science; better represented in computer engineering technology

9 More Findings For-profit schools of < 2 years produce most graduates with basic and advanced certificates These schools target Hispanics, turning out about 60% of Hispanic certificate grads problem because no degree credit Private two- and four-year for-profits produced roughly half A-As and Hispanic associate degree grads in IT; publics produced 32% of Hispanics and 42% of A-As but awarded 51% of degrees Public four-years graduate produce most A-A and Hispanic bachelor s grads in IT, but privates produce proportionately more minority grads

10 Still More Findings For-profit career colleges have niche in computer electronics and technology degree programs; they also target minority student markets for such programs Public institutions offer most degrees in Business Information Systems, but still produce proportionately fewer minority grads than do publics

11 Questions for Further Study Why do public institutions produce proportionately fewer minority degree grads in IT? Why do community colleges turn out few associate degrees in IT in relation to their large course enrollments in the field?