In Search of Next-Gen IT Talent

IT talent: It’s a white-hot topic right now, something that every CIO seems to be struggling with. Whether you’re looking for specialists in cloud, big data or mobile–or you just need more business-savvy IT pros–the reality is most of you are in the market for more and better talent.

But why is this such an issue? Is the profession not cool or interesting enough for today’s youth? Are our schools failing to introduce and prepare our young people for an IT career? This is such an important issue that Gary Beach, one of my mentors and the publisher emeritus of CIO, recently wrote a book, The U.S. Technology Skills Gap: What Every Technology Executive Must Know to Save America’s Future.

“Remember that the education system is what feeds the talent pipeline for corporate IT departments–a pipeline that is drying up,” Gary said in a recent column. “Every CIO has a professional obligation to get involved in the campaign to improve our nation’s education system.” He suggested pushing back against the popular notion that IT professionals are socially inept–we need IT pros who are good communicators–and educating local schools about the benefits of IT careers.

SOURCE: computerworld.com