Digital thrill is back: Computer science enrollment jumps at local schools

Crain's New York Business
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Computer science is cool again.

Alex Quick, a freshman at Pace University, proudly tells girls he is majoring in computer science. His passion for programming began when he got his first laptop at age 13.

"The geek stigma about the major needs to go away," Mr. Quick says. "Almost everything that is done today involves a computer."

The 18-year-old is one of many New York City students pursuing a computer science degree. For the first time since the dot-com bubble burst at the beginning of the decade, colleges here are seeing a renewed enthusiasm for the major.

"The rise of Google and interest in computer gaming has brought back the excitement," says Marsha Berger, acting chair of computer science at New York University. "We are on an upswing now."

Comments

[Sam]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but after the 2008 election, the H1B limits will be eliminated and Ms. Berger can say goodbye to the "upswing" in computer science enrollment. Four years from now, Alex won't have a job because we won't need entry level people in computer science.

Don't think game programming is being outsourced? Think again. Alex will face a lifetime of wage competition from poor, third world countries. It's not too late Alex. Change to your major to marketing. It's the only skill still valued by corporate America.