29 Aug 2008
The latest figures from university admissions organisation UCAS are out, and they spell more trouble for the beleaguered IT industry, with students continuing to shun computer science courses in favour of other options.
The UCAS table of acceptances shows that just under 8,000 students have chosen computer science to study at degree level in 2008, a rise of 3.9 per cent from last year.
The number opting for mathematics, which is also historically an unpopular choice for students, rose by just over seven per cent to 5,681, while law leads the table with 14,528.
"I think the figures are appalling," argued Robert Chapman, chief executive of IT training provider Firebrand Training. "The fact that IT has a global skills shortage for directly qualified people and it's only getting 8,000 acceptances illustrates the problem it has – people think it's full of dull people with no personality."
Chapman added that most school leavers are not aware that a career in IT is on a par with other more established professions in terms of salary expectations and career development opportunities.
"I struggle to believe that what is being taught [in schools and universities] is putting people off," he argued. "IT needs to do a better job of advertising itself – there are some wonderfully creative roles there."
In response to the editorial highlighting the reduced numbers taking IT courses, if you care to look at the HESA statistics you will see that Computer Science graduates have the highest unemployment rate - higher even than the much derided Media studies graduates.
Quote: ' Subjects of study Unemployment rates for full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known varied between subjects, ranging from those which have traditionally low rates of unemployment, such as Medicine & dentistry 0% and Veterinary science 2%, to 8% for Creative arts & design and Mass communications & documentation and 10% for Computer science. '
Coupled with this is the endemic ageism that is rife through much of the IT sector. After about the age of 40 your chances of changing jobs are very much reduced. So that means a typical IT career could expire after just 15 years. There will be exceptions to the rule, myself included and many work colleagues of distinction, but in general that rule holds.
Even if you are fortunate to gain an entry position then look forward to a 'career' of never ending technology churn, where yesterday's tools and techniques count for nothing in the never ending pursuit of the 'ideal candidate', the spectre of your position being wiped out at corporate whim and probably dire working conditions coupled with long hours.
Is it any surprise students opt for the courses with the best career prospects?
Posted by: Anonymous 29 Aug 2008
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