Tag Archives: Careers

CS News – Future Looking Good for Computing Careers!

Things are looking good for Computing Careers!

This about the one millionth post that I have made about Computing Careers, but I will go ahead and post this information anyway.  It appears that the data for Computing Careers continues to indicate that a large number of good jobs will be available in the future.  This information is consistent with the data that has been floating around for the last few years.

I continue to stress to all of the students in our Computer Science classes that they need to take Computer Science classes to make themselves for marketable and adaptable as they will need Computing skills when on the job at some point.  Hopefully, they will head my words.

CS News – Learning Engineering Early

Learning Engineering Before They Can Spell It

This is a great article that shows that you can teach students some fairly complicated stuff when they are young.  Young children have not developed the same negative views about engineering and computer science as teenagers often have.  I have been able to visit the classes of my sons( 2nd and 3rd grade) and teach the classes how to program in Scratch.  I have found they are not scared of computer science nor do they view the process as hard in any way.  It is great to see schools attacking the lack of engineers problem by starting with younger students.  I think this is the right way to get more students to study engineering and computer science.  It is often too late to change the perceptions when the students are in high school.

Starting the Comp Sci Career Track Early

The Drive Starts in 3rd Grade or Earlier

This is a great article.

I had my now 8 year old start working with Scratch when he was 6.  He can now do some amazing things with it.  My 6 year old has now started writing programs in Scratch as well.  It is fun to see the two of them collaborate on blend their ideas.
I have stepped up my work and have gone in and taught my older son’s 2nd and now 3rd grade classes how to program in Scratch.I have been amazed with how quickly the kids have picked it up and what they have been able to do.
I have taught them basic Animation, looping, decision making, variables, and broadcasting.  They are doing some fairly advanced stuff to only be 8 and 9.
I used some of the materials I developed for use at the middle and high school and they had no trouble with it.
I plan to go back in a few weeks and teach a few more lessons as many of the kids are working at home with Scratch and have been writing games and such for fun.
I think I have planted the seed with this group that Computer Science is not hard and that it is really fun and COOL!
I will post some updates later on as things change.

CS News – Gaming Degrees in Demand

Gaming Degrees in Demand

Games are very popular and most students like designing and creating games.  Scratch is a platform that enables quick game creation as does the XNA platform.  Game projects help get students excited about Computer Science.
As there are more and more companies creating games these days, it is much easier than in the past to find a job in the gaming industry.

CS News – Enrollment and Majors Up

CS Enrollment and CS Major Numbers Are Up

Computer Science enrollment at the University level is up.  This is consistant with what I have heard from friends that teach at Universities.  It also appears that those choosing CS as a major is up as well.  That is good news.
It looks like the new Computer Engineer Barbie has inspired everyone to go into Computer Science.