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U.S. Students Shun Computer Science, Engineering
n9fzx writes "The San Jose Mercury News reports on a study by the Computing Research Association which finds that 'Undergraduates in U.S. universities are starting to abandon their studies in computer technology and engineering amid widespread worries about the accelerating pace of offshoring by high-technology employers.' Enrollment in those fields has dropped by 19% in the past year alone." Update: 03/24 23:40 GMT by CN : jlechem wrote in with a related story: "Wired News has a story about how American companies are outsourcing not because of cheap labor but because of the American school system not being up to snuff. In a report by the AeA, they contend that American schools don't teach enough math and science anymore."
I think that this is good news, now maybe the students in the classes that are left will be serious students.
This is America, if we don't like it, we can change it.
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While you are right, they do take a lot of "high-tech" jobs from us. I think there are several benefits as well.
Moving jobs other countries can fill ofshore allows room for US companies to innovate and work on new technologies. You can't stagnate, ever, keep the boom going.
Not to mention that the standard of living in India is far far below that of the US. While you might not care, it seems better from a worldwide point of view. I am by no means an expert, but I have heard it argued that offshoring of jobs has historically caused problems in the short-term but allowed for cheaper goods and services, increased demand, and it allows for innovation in the US. Just think about textile and factory jobs moving overseas.
Bottom line is it is cheaper to hire coders in India and if we don't do it then someone else will. If American students can offer skills that other students can't then companies are willing to pay a premium for them.