Comments on: The tech industry's newest power player

Stuart Feldman is the new head of the world's biggest scientific and computing society--a role that will require diplomacy and political know-how.

[qwerty75]

Jobs

There will always be plenty of jobs for those with the desire to get the right sort of education. A broad base in Computer Science/Engineering, along with a good physics and mathematical ecucation, and then a solid specialization.

From my experience the people having trouble in the IT job market are those that are severly undertrained and therefore lack the solid background that a good CS degree provides. These people often learn a single language, without learning the underpinnings, call themselves programmers and then wonder why they are not in high demand. Or are simply in relatively easy jobs where a CS degree is not necessary(support, web design, ect).

For those who can't go to school, join the ACM. There are tons of great training programs to help you out.

[User Information Private]

College level interest

I keep hearing the academics going on about declining computer science enrollment etc, but it just seems to me everybody is missing a fundamental point here.

I didn't become interested in a technology career because of potential jobs when I finished school or anything of the sort. I grew up with this country landing men on the moon, the original 69 Star Trek episodes on TV, and as a result it was graphically demonstrated how fascinating technology could be, not to mention just downright cool.

[Tui Pohutukawa]

It is interesting

that you mention the moon landings and Star Trek in the same
sentence. Both were impressive works of fiction. However, if
you take a close look at photos and film footage from Star Trek
and Apollo, and you will undoubtedly notice how limited the
special effects capabilities were back then (no stars visible in
zero atmosphere? How embarrassing. Diverging shadows? Oh,
no!)
Clearly, he propaganda in the 60s was better than it is
nowadays. It was easier to feel good about technology, and the
promises it held for the future of humanity.

[waynehapp]

Plenty of People

I think that there are plenty of people out there for jobs. But
employers have these huge laundry lists of skills they want
before they'll even talk to you. Last time I had an interview I was
turned down because while I do have (C++, Java, UNIX) and a
zillion other things, they really want someone who knows C# as
well.

[toddsw]

Qualified technicians

As an IT service provider I would love to see qualified technical support folks and systems engineers coming out of college. They seem to have alot of theory, but are about puddle deep in any one discipline, which is fine if they are staying in college, but I know we need competent folks to hire, and the colleges just aren't turning them out. They require a year or two before they are proficient in basic support tasks. We've hired a few of them and most didn't know what a switch or router were, yet they were "coding" network applications (basic though they may be.) One guy said he had seen a switch once prior to coming to work for us. I'm not sure how we are supposed to hire unqualified folks. they don't have to be experts, but give us a little knowledge of the average networked environment. The Indians have much the same problem, most of their fresly minted college grads are about as clueless IT-wise.