Computer Science: A dying field?

By Terran Odell
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

Computers have undoubtedly become an integral part of many businesses today. With the technology boom, came the need for computer scientists. But there has recently been a loss in demand for computer scientists due to outsourcing and an economic slump. This has a direct affect on those students at Cal State Long Beach who are majoring in computer science.

Computer science is a broad field. "There are a wide variety of jobs in computer science, but they all involve software in a very professional manner," said Computer Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) Department Head Dr. Wayne Dick said.

Dr. Alvaro Monge, graduate advisor for the Department of CECS is also concerned about the outsourcing of jobs in the computer science field. "There is a real concern of off shoring of jobs to other countries whereby companies can get projects done more cheaply due to relatively low-wages," Monge said. Johnson summed up the computer science market status: "Apply exceeds demand. The demand isn't that strong," Johnson said.

Students at CSULB realize this fact. "I think we need to be aware that the market isn't bearing the load it was two or three years ago," computer science major Clay Lowell said.

Dick said that there has been a drop in enrollment in the major due to the job market, and he feels that the result will be a drop in production of computer scientists. But despite the pitfalls of late in the job market, computer science is a very useful major.

The CECS department is encouraging their students to minor in another field, and they are also encouraging other students to minor in computer science or computer engineering.

"Our good students are still finding employment — good employment," Dick said.