Preparing Girls for IT Jobs Barbara B. Lockee School of Education Virginia Tech 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 Healthcare Information Systems Multimedia Designer Network Adminstrator User Support Services Animator Instructional Technologist Graphic Artist Database Programmer

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? Creators Those who imagine, design, build, and test technology products and processes Maintainers Those who install, upgrade, troubleshoot computer hardware and software Supporters Those who work in non-technical roles vital to IT field, such as sales, training, finance, and law. Management Those who oversee IT personnel and are responsible for decision-making related to IT resources and strategies

Creators Job 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

Maintainers Job 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

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 IT formally and informally

NSF Funded GSE/EXT Project (0832913) Contact Information For any additional information regarding: IT skills & knowledge IT job categories & examples Education and training programs Barbara Lockee lockeebb@vt.edu (540)231-9193 NSF Funded GSE/EXT Project (0832913)