According to a new research report from CompTIA, the leading association in the technology industry, teenagers, especially girls, are open to the possibility of a career in information technology (IT).
Seven of the ten teenagers surveyed for the CompTIA report 'The views of young people about a career in information technology' are open to the possibility of a career in technology. That has increased by 62 percent in a CompTIA 2015 study.
The growing interest of girls creates a positive momentum. In the latest survey, 62% of girls between the ages of 13 and 17 said they would consider a career in technology, an increase of 11 percentage points compared to 2015. 80% of boys see technology as a career option. 72 percent in 2015.
"This is a promising sign that we can move in the right direction when it comes to attracting new generations of employees in our sector," said Charles Eaton, Executive Vice President of Social Services and Industry at CompTIA. CEO of Creating IT Futures. How to start the career of your teenagers in technology: the manual of a parent for the T in STEM education. "
"But the report also identifies points of attention, such as giving young people more information when they go to school and concentrate more on career opportunities," Eaton went on. "Students and their parents reconsider educational and career choices, because some lectures may be the choice, while others offer feasible alternatives for a four-year program, especially in the field of technology.
The need to attract a new generation of technology professionals is essential. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2024 more than 1.2 million IT vacancies will have to be filled in as a result of growth and retirement.
What attracts teenagers to technology?
According to the CompTIA survey, teenagers believe IT jobs pay well and have the potential to do creative and interesting work on innovative ideas. A majority of teenagers also say that a job in technology can offer them the opportunity to make a difference and help people.
"Of course, technology is nowadays an integral part of the lives of teenagers, and the vast majority even say they like technology," said Anna Matthai, senior director of research and brand intelligence, CompTIA. "Adolescents also realize that the skills they derive from using technology can be easily transferred to future careers."
When asked about specific areas of computer science, designing videogames was especially popular among boys, 65% of whom said they could work in this area. Other roles that were popular among teenagers were designing apps for smartphones and working in emerging technologies, such as robotics.
But teens have also recognized some concerns about emerging technologies. Six in ten have heard of the trend of automation; and a small majority fears that this will mean fewer jobs for them in the future.
The majority of students turn to schools - teachers and supervisors - to provide information about possible career opportunities. While 72% of schools provide students with information about technological careers, there is still a gap.
Teenagers also look at the family or people they know as reliable sources of career information. But only 33% of boys and 24% of girls know someone who works for a technology company or has a job in technology. (For more information on the IT career resources that CompTIA offers, please visit the NextUp Resources section for students planning a career in technology.
CompTIA's 'Technology Career Announcement' is based on an online survey conducted in November 2017 with just over 1,000 American teenagers aged 13-17 years. The full report is available free of charge at CompTIA Insight & Tools.
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