Computer science majors--and more

Expanding expertise beyond programming is crucial to future job security as technology jobs move to India and China.
The New York Times

The story "Computer science majors--and more" published August 22, 2005 at 11:10 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[waynehapp]

Come on guys!

"There isn't the buzz and excitement about computer science that there should be," he said. "We're on the threshold of extraordinary

Bill

You made your bed, Unfortunately we'll all have to lie in it. What did you think was going to happen when you fired all those americans to go offshore? At 40,000+ a year for an american college degree....

[waynehapp]

Come on guys!

"There isn't the buzz and excitement about computer science that there should be," he said. "We're on the threshold of extraordinary

Bill

You made your bed, Unfortunately we'll all have to lie in it. What did you think was going to happen when you fired all those americans to go offshore? At 40,000+ a year for an american college degree....

[Arbalest05]

software patents and fewer job opportunites

As we have recently witnessed (Apple's patent for the Ipod interface was rejected since it had already been patented by Microsoft), software development in the United States is very risky business. The US is now seeing the fall out of the way software patents are often broadly interpreted, and the advantage that giant corporations have over entrepreneurs in the court room and the halls of Congress. Innovation and excitement is simply being squeezed out of the computer industry and college students are probably wise to look to other disciplines for rewarding careers.
It is likely that a great deal of future software innovation will take place in emerging markets where the atmosphere is more like ours was through the 70's and 80's.

[Arbalest05]

software patents and fewer job opportunites

As we have recently witnessed (Apple's patent for the Ipod interface was rejected since it had already been patented by Microsoft), software development in the United States is very risky business. The US is now seeing the fall out of the way software patents are often broadly interpreted, and the advantage that giant corporations have over entrepreneurs in the court room and the halls of Congress. Innovation and excitement is simply being squeezed out of the computer industry and college students are probably wise to look to other disciplines for rewarding careers.
It is likely that a great deal of future software innovation will take place in emerging markets where the atmosphere is more like ours was through the 70's and 80's.

Another solution

Most people either don't think of, or choose to ignore, that the key to job security is not primarily supplementing one's knowledge - there is a limit to how much one can learn and work on within a timeframe and given average resources. It would be hard to believe, but people in India (like me) are already adding on to existing computer skills, knowledge areas similar to the ones mentioned in this article.

The key is to ensure people movement - across borders and states. Right now, in the globalized world, capital can move freely, well, almost freely - however, when it comes to people it is a completely different story. Visa regimes are restrictive, Work policies as well, are extremely unfriendly.

If Americans could find work in india freely, not only would those Americans profit - as because of their relatvely higher knowledge in that area, they would get better roles - but Indians would profit by growing faster into new projects. Of course, one can argue that an american would not like to earn 1/6th of the american wage, however, there might be many people amongst the unemployed who'd be willing to earn less in absolute terms, for a similar amount as is relativein India.

Bottomline - We need free people movement. Thats the main solution.

[finleyd]

National Loyalties

>>The key is to ensure people movement - across borders and states. <<

But those moving people do not necessarily move their loyalties, as the Muslim Extremists in the UK and USA show. Software is often involved in matters of personal and National Security. This means that advanced countries like the USA and UK will still need to cultivate and encourage doers among their own loyal citizens.

Another solution

Most people either don't think of, or choose to ignore, that the key to job security is not primarily supplementing one's knowledge - there is a limit to how much one can learn and work on within a timeframe and given average resources. It would be hard to believe, but people in India (like me) are already adding on to existing computer skills, knowledge areas similar to the ones mentioned in this article.

The key is to ensure people movement - across borders and states. Right now, in the globalized world, capital can move freely, well, almost freely - however, when it comes to people it is a completely different story. Visa regimes are restrictive, Work policies as well, are extremely unfriendly.

If Americans could find work in india freely, not only would those Americans profit - as because of their relatvely higher knowledge in that area, they would get better roles - but Indians would profit by growing faster into new projects. Of course, one can argue that an american would not like to earn 1/6th of the american wage, however, there might be many people amongst the unemployed who'd be willing to earn less in absolute terms, for a similar amount as is relativein India.

Bottomline - We need free people movement. Thats the main solution.

[finleyd]

National Loyalties

>>The key is to ensure people movement - across borders and states. <<

But those moving people do not necessarily move their loyalties, as the Muslim Extremists in the UK and USA show. Software is often involved in matters of personal and National Security. This means that advanced countries like the USA and UK will still need to cultivate and encourage doers among their own loyal citizens.

Moving up the value chain

My own response to global offshoring is to move up the value chain. Instead of plugging away infront of my IDE, I use my technical insight and people skills to craft better applications. I use my own tool (click on the http://www.eRequirements.com link below if you want to try it) that enables me to sit with the client and explore these details - an intense but efficient process - where I act as the guide. I can then pass off the 'build out work' to those who can do it at lower cost. I also like to code, but I can't depend on that in todays climate - rather than bemoan it, I'm trying to roll with it :)

Moving up the value chain

My own response to global offshoring is to move up the value chain. Instead of plugging away infront of my IDE, I use my technical insight and people skills to craft better applications. I use my own tool (click on the http://www.eRequirements.com link below if you want to try it) that enables me to sit with the client and explore these details - an intense but efficient process - where I act as the guide. I can then pass off the 'build out work' to those who can do it at lower cost. I also like to code, but I can't depend on that in todays climate - rather than bemoan it, I'm trying to roll with it :)

[b2bhandshake]

The key to survival...

Malone hits the nail on the head when he says "If you have only technical knowledge, you are vulnerable...But if you can combine business or scientific knowledge with technical savvy, there are a lot of opportunities. And it's a lot harder to move that kind of work offshore."

- Mohan, Author :: http://www.offshoringmanagement.com

[b2bhandshake]

The key to survival...

Malone hits the nail on the head when he says "If you have only technical knowledge, you are vulnerable...But if you can combine business or scientific knowledge with technical savvy, there are a lot of opportunities. And it's a lot harder to move that kind of work offshore."

- Mohan, Author :: http://www.offshoringmanagement.com