Why Learn Computer Science?
Why Learn Computer Science? (In Rural KS)
Adapted from a presentation by Nathan Bean, our Computer Science instructor for the LEAPES Middle School Virtual Academy.
The Economic Argument
Careers in Computer Science are high-skill, high paying jobs. It is also one of the fastest-growing career sectors in our economy, with occupations in computer and information technologies growing 13% from 2020-2030, and offering median annual wages of $97,430.1
In addition, there is a shortage of qualified computer scientists in Kansas. Fewer than 450 Kansans graduated from four-year computer science degrees in 2017, compared to 2,200 related job openings in the state.2 There is a clear shortage of CS programmers, and the career awareness and development has to start early for students to be interested in STEM careers.
Explore Computer Science Careers
Countering the Brain-Drain
Rural Kansas brain drain is not a new phenomenon. The statistics tell a harrowing story: rural Kansas is losing population, specifically a young population, fast. The WSU Center for Economic Development and Business Research, for example, projects that Wallace County in Western Kansas could shrink from a population of 1,506 in 2016 to 329 in 2064.4
Most Rural Kansas Counties are Projected to lose large percentages of their population before 2064.
However, CS careers offer a great way to combat rural Kansas brain drain. A study from Digital Ocean found that 86% of IT Developers worked remotely in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic made remote work a larger trend.5 Students have the opportunity to grow up in a rural area, attend a Computer Science university or training program, and return home with remote work if they choose. Many professionals who have never lived in rural areas before are also moving out to rural Kansas in remote work professions, seeing a substantially lower cost of living.
Not to mention, there are lots of great firms that are always hiring computer scientists in rural Kansas, like our partners at NorthWind Technical Services in Sabetha.
How to Get Started Learning CS
References
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Computer and Information Technology Occupations.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed April 25, 2022. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm.
- KCUR 89.3 - NPR in Kansas City. Local news, entertainment and podcasts. “Kansas City’s Tech Market May Need Coding Skills Enough To Drop The B.S. Degree,” March 11, 2019. https://www.kcur.org/news/2019-03-11/kansas-citys-tech-market-may-need-coding-skills-enough-to-drop-the-b-s-degree.
- Bean, Nathan. “Why Learn CS (In Rural Kansas.” Presented at the Project LEAPES Teacher PD, Salina, KS, April 8, 2022.
- WSU CEDBR. “Kansas Population Forecast.” CEDBR.org, 2016. https://www.cedbr.org/population-projections-2.
- Code a New Career | ComputerScience.org. “Guide to Remote Work in the Computer Science and Tech Industries,” November 4, 2021. https://www.computerscience.org/resources/working-remote-in-computer-science/.