According to the reputable and vendor neutral CompTIA, technology occupations constitute a net employment market of 12.1 million in the United States. It is no surprise that the technology field is important and vital to the foundation of any digital system. Currently, the world is digitally inclined, and a great deal of their stored assets are digital. Majority of daily tasks are performed on some form of computer system or mobile device. Understanding the intricacies and miniscule details within computing, information technology, and information security fields can be both challenging and intimidating to a young and inexperienced. However, what would change if the youth were more exposed to the above listed areas before high school or college? Awareness in the African American population would create tremendous growth in the field for the racial group.
It is already difficult for young college students to decide what they would like to pick as their area of study for those 4 year or more (and sometimes less). Select colleges may not have the resources for major exploration (as Old Dominion University has). How different and beneficial would it be to have grade schools and secondary education institutions to implement subtle initiatives, courses offered, and programs to highlight technology and their careers. Grade schools are vital for foundational information. Students learn pieces of information within grade school that will be taught in later education, and that will be used throughout their lives. According to an article from New America, they examine career exploration within Middle School. Middle School grades are significantly important years because they are molding the student. Those years will benefit the student in high school and so forth; it is a time to groom students for their path on careers and college.
The lack of African Americans in the technology and computing fields is great. According to Computing Research News,
“In the field of computer science, African-Americans are considered one of many groups who are underrepresented. Even though African Americans comprise 13.2% of the U.S. population [8], their current representation in computer science is not proportional. This underrepresentation is especially visible in the industry and academic employment sectors of computer science” (CRA 2019).
The field of computer science, information technology, and cybersecurity is vast. Additionally, Computer Science is a popular and commonly selected college major in the United States. However, the number of African Americans within the field is drastically low. Georgetown University conducted a study and found that African Americans make up 7 percent of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) majors. Also, twenty percent of the population pursues majors in the Human Services and outreach fields. Of course, this is not a bad thing because it is important to have a decent amount of representation from the population in helping professions (human services, education, community outreach, etc.), but, where is the representation within computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, etc.? What can be done before students enter their collegiate careers to heighten the awareness of the technology world and allot opportunities for students to grow and hone technological skills before even entering the college process.
Throughout my research, I have noticed that there is a strikingly low percentage of African Americans in the technology field. A proportionate and appropriate ratio should at least be present. To combat this issue, awareness of the matter needs to be done. Raising awareness, allowing students to know about the field at a deeper level in their younger ages. Educational systems should implement more real word technology courses so students can become acclimated to them at a younger age. Students seem to gravitate to what is promoted around them, also, to what the students enjoy; how are students supposed to gain the necessary knowledge about the field without obtaining the needed awareness? The basis of education starts in a school environment. As the world gravitates towards a much more digital environment, interests in the field will inevitably grow; job postings for technology related careers will continue to prove, and it will be pivotal to witness the rise of African Americans within the field.
Initially, building a mentoring program would be ideal. The program will reach out to schools, recreation centers, college organizations, and hierarchies of educational administration. The mission of the non-profit program will be to raise awareness and heighten the number of technology-oriented students with the Black community. It is no surprise that the African American community has substantially faced a hard and bumpy road in America. Their lack of representation in tech fields may be an indirect result of the challenging road endured. This initiative will start as a mentoring program where we will create opportunities directly in middle school, starting for 8th graders up to sophomores in college, for students to be taught about the field. The goal is to create an entire document including, mission, purpose, goals, and a curriculum. The grade school program will start in an area with a high African American population. The college program will be selected after further research and evaluation of needs for each college or university. However, all historically black institutions will be a top priority. The program will have a non-discrimination clause included, therefore, it will NOT just be for African American students, but that will be the targeted audience.
The barriers I anticipate occurring are from the schooling systems, initial startup and gaining entrance into the educational sectors, and obtaining a strong enough presence for students to want to join and for educational institutions to view it as a reputable program. I will measure the success by tracking the amount of students exiting the program and
- Entering computing or technology fields post high school (internship, employment, bootcamps)
- Participating and ranking in Information Technology, Computer Science, and/or Cybersecurity challenges (Ex. CTF)
- Furthering their education in a computing or technology field through their college major decision
Each of these instances will prove beneficial and will show that the student is dedicated to the field. The tracking of progress in the program will also take place through testing. No student will be dropped from the program. We will offer tutoring for those underperforming. Students of all populations and racial background should have the opportunity to excel in a field that they enjoy, while also honing in-demand skills.
References
The State of African-Americans in Computer Science – The Need to Increase Representation. (2019, May 04). Retrieved May 24, 2020, from https://cra.org/crn/2015/09/expanding-the-pipeline-the-state-of-african-americans-in- computer-science-the-need-to-increase-representation/