Outsourcing of computer jobs a misconception (03/10/2006)

Posted By: David Chin ( chin@hawaii.edu )

Reference: http://media.www.stateronline.com/...

Outsourcing of Computer Jobs a Misconception
Daily Kent Stater (03/08/06) Whinnery, Megan

While the perception that computing jobs are migrating overseas dampens interest
in math and science among college students, a recent ACM study has found that
the widespread outsourcing of tech jobs is largely a myth. The fear that jobs
are disappearing could sap the domestic labor supply, warns Robert Walker,
associate professor of computer science at Kent State University. ACM's task
force of computer scientists, economists, and social scientists found that
between 2 percent and 3 percent of computer-related jobs are being lost to
foreign countries, while new, higher-level domestic jobs are being created in
their place. "The offshoring of jobs in the computer industry isn't a big
problem," said C.C. Lu, computer science professor at Kent State. "No matter how
offshore it's going, we still need a lot of software engineers here." The ACM
study also found that Canada is the most popular destination for outsourced
positions, followed by Ireland. India ranks third, though much of the work there
is in low-level call center jobs. Call center work is considered a career in
India, and Walker contends that the country lacks the infrastructure to
establish the research required for advanced computer jobs. "I hope the guidance
counselors and teachers don't give students wrong information," Walker said.
"Things aren't bad now, there are plenty of good-paying jobs." Walker cautions,
however, that fears of outsourcing could become a self-fulfilling prophecy if
they discourage students from studying math and science, forcing U.S. companies
to look overseas for skilled workers. The NSF has found that computer science
graduates earn the highest median income among all science graduates. To view
"Globalization and Offshoring of Software--A Report of the ACM Job Migration
Task Force," visit http://www.acm.org/globalizationreport