SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COMPUTING
Computer scholarships are just about everywhere these days, once again reflecting the trend where scholarships mirror what is happening in our lives and the workforce. Computers are everywhere too.
The demand for computer scholarships continues to grow. Many companies, including Intel and Google, sponsor their own scholarships, trying to get a leg up on the competition.
It’s a good time to be a young person looking to enter the computer and technology field. Not only are computer scholarships plentiful, but you should have a lucrative and stable job waiting for you when you graduate.
The demand for computer scientists is so great that American companies are importing computer scientists into the country from India. This does not appear to be an issue that is going away any time soon either.
According to some estimates the United States, which continues to lag behind the rest of the world in math and science education, is approaching a crisis situation. Too many jobs in technology and not enough qualified people. Add to this the fact that many of the immigrants who excel in these areas come from countries who are hostile or at the very least have complicated relationships with the United States.
Here’s where you have an especially good opportunity for computer scholarships—and later a job—if you are good in one of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) subjects. American colleges just aren’t graduating enough students in these disciplines.
And, it’s not that there aren’t enough students entering these fields as freshman. The colleges are filled to the brim with them. The problem is they don’t make it to graduation in their STEM major—either they drop out completely or switch majors.
It is sometimes easier to look at many of these types of issues in this country and see a link to other politically correct decisions that indirectly contribute to the problem. Consider Asian students versus African-American and Hispanic students.
Asian students have the highest SAT scores. They study STEM subjects in disproportionate numbers. They have the highest college retention rates.
Hispanics and African-Americans, on the other hand, have the lowest SAT scores. They study subjects other than STEM subjects in disproportionate numbers. They have the lowest college retention rates.
How about taking some of the STEM scholarships and putting the money where it has been proven to work instead of throwing it away in some politically correct utopian fantasy? Do that and you solve the problem. You’re welcome, America.
The unfortunate truth is we’re moving in exactly the opposite direction. And it says here that’s not a good thing. In fact, it’s a very bad thing indeed.
The two fastest-growing jobs in America are both in the technology field. Make a mental note of it. If you are studying to be a data communications analyst or a computer software engineer you will have a lucrative career waiting for you when you graduate. An experienced analyst or engineer in these fields can easily command a salary in the $200,000 a year range.
Math scholarships may be the great equalizer for the United States as it tries to catch up with the rest of the developed world in math testing.