Computer Science Helps Everyone

There are way more jobs in computer science than there are
qualified people to fill the positions.

              Jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have grown significantly in the past decade, and they are projected to keep growing at that rate.  In fact, STEM occupations are expected to grow by 17% from 2008 to 2018, which is almost double the growth for their non-STEM counterparts.  People who have degrees in STEM related fields enjoy more salary, less unemployment, and more job security. 
            New technology is the key to sustained economic growth, and our country depends on these innovators to develop this new technology.  Some of the greatest minds of the 21^st century all learned to program a computer before college.  Take Mark Zuckerberg, for example, or Steve Jobs, or Bill Gates – these people completely transformed the way we live our lives, and they owe a lot of their success to computer science.  
              But since most high schools focus so much on testing, very few students have the opportunity to learn computer science before college.  Despite the growing need for qualified workers to fill these positions, high schools are not meeting the STEM demand. The high demand for talented computer programmers is increasing at a much faster pace than the supply at which colleges are producing these coders.  As a result, companies tend to outsource these high paying positions, and America loses out on a large sector of the economy.  America needs to bring these jobs back within its borders – and it all starts by exposing students to computer science at an earlier age.  Preparing students to fill these positions has to start with a better high school curriculum – one that incorporates computer science.  A computer science implementation would do much more than fill the void in STEM positions; it would also prepare college prospects for the rigors of college and provide job-seekers with an upper hand in the job market.

71% of jobs in STEM fields are in computing.  These jobs depend heavily on
computer programming to create mathematical models and
produce simulations.

Computer science is a great class because it induces critical thinking and builds problem solving skills, but it also has many practical applications.  Computer science is class that everybody should take because it provides students with the tools they need to succeed whether they join the work force or go on to college.  With an economy that relies so much on technology, advanced computer literacy is becoming increasingly important.  Additionally, the problem solving and critical thinking skills developed in a computer science course apply to many jobs outside of the engineering discipline.  Kevin Carey says “Computer science is a lens and an entry into skills in critical and logical thinking that apply across all disciplines.”  According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, high school graduates have a much harder time in the labor force than college graduates.  By giving high school students the chance to take practical classes that induce critical thinking, students will be more prepared to join the workforce after graduation.  Further, since computer literacy is becoming increasingly important in today’s job market, students who take computer related classes in high school have a distinct advantage over other qualified candidates.

Academic disqualification is a big reason why students drop out of college.

            College is much more demanding than high school; in fact only 56% of students who enter college earn a degree within 6 years.  Although some people drop out for monetary reasons, others just can’t handle the higher expectations of college.  Part of the problem is that high school classes are not demanding enough.  By offering an introductory computer science course, however, the transition to college will be easier for students who take the class.  The logical reasoning and critical thinking skills developed in computer science will also go a long way in rigorous college classes.  
              It is better to introduce students to computer science in high school than in college because the stakes are lower.  Furthermore, high schools allocate twice as much time to cover the same amount of material as in college.  This slower pace will give students a little more breathing room to actually enjoy and appreciate the power of computer science.