| Computer science enrollments are booming—they more than doubled between 1995 and 1998, acco rding to the Computing Research Association. But corporate technology managers fret that this influx may not help refill the shallow IT talent pool, because too many college grads aren't ready for swimming in the deep end. They aren't entrepreneurial and don't understand the strategic and commercial applications of
technology, businesses say, which is worrisome because of the rapid growth of e-commerce. Many IT schools have listened and learned, however, and they're now working with business on new curricula aimed at producing graduates who can speak in plain English as well as in Java.The University of Nebraska at Omaha just opened its $70 million Peter Kiewit Institute with the stated goal of "collaborating with business," says Terry
Corcoran, spokesperson. Its corporate backers read like a blue-chip who's who: IBM, US West, Boeing and Union Pacific to name a few. A key factor is giving students real-world exposure and experience through internships, experts-in-residence and seminars featuring top executives. Seminar topics include socializing, teamwork, conflict resolution and job interviewing. Further east, Penn State recently opened its School of Information Sciences
and Technology. Nestled among its core curriculum are courses in leadership skills, teamwork and communications. "It's very similar to what our business school teaches its MBAs," says Charles C. DuBois, spokesman. Among its corporate partners are Microsoft, Lucent, Lockheed, Procter & Gamble, and AT&T. "They've been telling us what they wanted and we've listened," he adds. Some educators have sought to fill the gap and make a buck, too. A number of for-profit tech schools
sympathetic to business needs have also opened their doors, including the Center for Business Information Technologies in New York, and the NIIT Academy, in Atlanta. But the skills shortage may slow this trend as well. Schools say it's hard to find qualified teachers, especially since the most talented are often lured by the big money to be had outside of academia. "The market is very competitive," admits DuBois. Penn State has so far gotten the people it needs by
paying top salaries underwritten by endowments. And the businesses signing those fat endowment checks probably aren't complaining. If it helps fill the skills gap, it's a valuable investment. |