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 Lockeelockeebb@vt.edu(540)231-9193

NSF Funded GSE/EXT Project (0832913)