Connecticut Technology Council

Workforce Research Project Update

By Adam Harris
CTC Research Fellow

Having completed our preliminary research into the general trends of engineering and computer science graduation, we are now preparing to transition into the data collection phase of our project. Over the next few weeks, we will examine several perspectives of the perceived paucity of qualified technology employees in the state by reaching out to Connecticut’s employers, recent college graduates, and universities.

We initiated our data gathering process through the distribution of an online survey to the HR Directors of 61 technology-oriented firms. These questions are focused on the methods that companies utilize in their search for labor. Through this set of questions, we hope to build an understanding of how businesses connect with potential employees and whether these firms are constrained by an inadequate supply of highly-skilled workers.

To understand the viewpoint on other side of the employment story, with the help of Connecticut’s universities, we are also seeking to survey recent engineering and computer science graduates. Our goal is to identify the job-search methods and resources that they employ most frequently. In addition, we hope to discover whether these alumni were retained in Connecticut for employment and what factors contributed to their decisions to accept employment either in-state or out-of-state.

Finally, we will begin meeting with the deans of Connecticut’s engineering and computer science schools over the next week. In these interviews, we will discuss the career-readiness of these programs’ graduates, how these schools adapt their programs to keep up to date with the ever-changing technological landscape, and how the universities keep track of their alumni after graduation.

By gleaning information from all of these sources, we hope to gain a comprehensive understanding of the state of technology employment in Connecticut. Our findings will eventually be the basis of a policy paper suggesting how the results of this research might be used to increase graduate retention in Connecticut and better connect employers with highly-skilled technology personnel in our state.

Tracking Connecticut’s Computer Science Graduates

By Chris Huebner, CTC Research Fellow

This summer CTC has undertaken a research project in order to better understand what happens to graduates of Connecticut’s Computer Science programs. An early foray into the data has indicated that, although students studying Computer Science in Connecticut are far from extinct, their population is certainly not as healthy as it once was. In 2003, there were 450 students who graduated with a degree in Computer Science. This was a relatively healthy slice of the overall population. That year Bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science were earned by 2.8% of all graduates. By 2007, that number had slipped dramatically. 308 students, about 1.2% of Connecticut’s total graduating class, received Computer Science degrees. 2009 showed another drop to a 10 year low of 226. In 2011, the now-endangered Computer Science population had stabilized. 235 students graduated with degrees in the technology fields. Overall, from 2002 until 2011, the number of Computer Science degrees earned had decreased by over 34%.

This trend is not contained in Connecticut. Nationwide, the number of graduates with Computer Science degrees has degrees from 50,365 students (3.85% of the total graduating population) to 39,589 students (2.35% of the total graduating population). That is a 21% drop in Computer Science degrees. It is steep, but not as steep as the drop seen in Connecticut.

The drop in the number of Computer Science degrees earned in Connecticut is even more astounding when compared to the rise in degrees seen in fields that a 2011 Connecticut Department of Higher Education report calls “Priority Workforce Areas.” Computer Science, the Natural Sciences, Engineering and Business are the four priority areas. Of these four, three areas showed increases from 2006 to 2009. The number of degrees earned in Business increased 16.9% during that time while degrees in the Natural Sciences increased by 20.6%. The number of Engineering degrees earned increased by a whopping 43.2%. And, while these three areas showed incredible growth, the number of Computer Science degrees plummeted by around 40%.

What could have caused this drop in completed Computer Science degrees? Perhaps the start of the decline was initiated by the massive media focus on the dot-com bubble bursting. Fears that technology and computer science jobs could be outsourced could also have spurred the plunge in population of Computer Science students. It seems odd, however, that during a decade when many calls were made to increase the number of science and engineering students, and when programs like Project Lead the Way grew in popularity, computer science and technology fields were unable to develop.

High School STEM Education and Connecticut’s Engineering and Computer Science Fields

Adam Harris

CTC Research Fellow

Although the number of students graduating from Connecticut’s colleges and universities with Engineering degrees declined steadily from 1986 to 2002, the popularity of this field has rebounded over the past decade, with the number of graduates more than doubling between 2002 and 2009. While there may be several factors leading to the rising popularity of this discipline, one of the most significant is an increase in pre-engineering education in Connecticut’s middle schools and high schools. In 1999, Southington High School became the first in the state to institute courses through Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a non-profit organization that has been developing rigorous STEM curricula and training instructors since its inception in 1997. In the thirteen years since this program was introduced to Connecticut, an additional 41 high schools and 16 middle schools have begun offering PLTW course opportunities to their students.

Nationally, the exposure of pre-college students to engineering has had a significant impact on the career and educational futures of those who participate in PLTW. A nationwide study of PLTW alumni showed that students who took these courses in high school were five to ten times more likely to study engineering in college than their peers. In addition, a Milwaukee School of Engineering study suggests that PLTW students have a higher retention rate in their undergraduate fields of study (as much as 25% higher) than their peers who did not take PLTW courses in high school.

This influential program already seems to have had a significant effect on Connecticut students, as the number of CT schools offering PLTW’s engineering curriculum shows an increasing trend over the past decade that correlates strongly with the increasing trend of engineering degrees conferred on graduates from Connecticut’s colleges and universities. The scatter plot below shows data for the years 1999-2011 for the number of schools with PLTW engineering courses (x-axis) and the number of engineering degrees conferred (y-axis). The Line of Best Fit demonstrates a strong relationship between the two variables during this period, with a Correlation (R-squared) of 81.51%. While the strength of this positive relationship does not necessarily prove that PLTW causes students to pursue engineering degrees in college, it does suggest that there is a noteworthy relationship between the two variables.

Although the number of engineering degrees conferred in the Nutmeg State has increased significantly since 2002, other STEM fields have not shown the same growth; according to a 2011 report by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education, the number of Bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science decreased by 40.2% from 2006 to 2009, leaving 1,200 annual openings for computer specialists in the state. Providing insight into the cause of this deficit, a December 2009 article by Washington Post reporter Michael Chandler raised concern about the lack of computer science education in US high schools, suggesting that while American teens are whizzes at using computers, they are unlikely to play a significant role in technological innovations over the coming decades. The incredible effect of PLTW on the engineering field suggests that a similar approach might solve the computer science crisis the State of Connecticut now faces. Early exposure to programming courses, in addition to the training of motivated and inspiring technology teachers, may hold the key to improving the state’s computer science prospects.

Matthew Nemerson talks to WNPR about crowdfunding

Entrepreneurs all over the country are buzzing about crowdfunding. A new federal law will make it possible for small companies to attract investors online. But not everyone in Connecticut is thrilled about the new rules. WNPR’s Harriet Jones reports.

Earlier this month President Obama signed into law the JOBS Act, a measure with rare bipartisan support.

 Matthew Nemerson, President of the Connecticut Technology Council, says this new law could potentially speed up the pace of innovation.

“I think what we’re really doing here is reducing some of what have become very onerous costs of going public. And I think we’re looking at pools literally of billions of dollars around the country and around the world that are looking for new technology to invest in.”

To Read the Entire Transcript Click Here.

For more information about Crowdfunding: Click Here

 

 

Great Energy & Ideas at Startup Weekend: Stamford, 04/01/2012

Congratulations to MyStuDebt for getting first place at Startup Weekend Stamford. The Teams in the second and third place were Be Beautiful and Agricomm Weather.

There were many terrific startup ideas presented, and many potential businesses in the pipeline. We look forward to seeing the success of groups move beyond this weekend.

Slideshow of the events on Flickr.

Top Winners:

• 1st Place: MyStuDebt (Michelle Laviree and Amee Patel, @mystudebt):  Helping students manage and repay their loans.
• 2nd Place: Be Beautiful (Katherine Yarborough): BeBeautiful is an online clothing exchange where women can buy and sell clothes and be a part of an online wellness community.
• 3rd Place: Agricomm Weather (Linda Woods, #Agricomm): AgriComm Weather is a fully-customizable weather dashboard, created specifically for the agricultural commodity market.

Honourable Mention:

- Risknicity (Greg Berg, #Risknicity):Making buying car insurance as easy & as social as sharing photos on Facebook.

-Love Squadron (Kip Steele, #LoveSquadron)  Service that allows you to ask your friends to help you plan the perfect date.

Other Participants:

• Caregiver Roadmap
  
• Challenge Good
  
• Enerknol
  
• Gabinja                                                                    
• Palobo
  
• The SuperHero Academy
  
• Webcard
  

Thanks go to the:

Speakers:

Richard Blumenthal, US Senator for Connecticut

Jonathan Yarmis, Doctor Disruptive

Bob Dorf,Startups Owner Manual

Art Shulman, Former COO Priceline Gasoline

Erik Endress, CEO Share with 911

Joe Rutledge, Former CMO Priceline.com

 

Mentors:

Doug Campbell, CEO, SuccessCoach

Joe DeMarco, Ponus Ridge Investments

Richard Guha,Max Brand Equity

David Furth, Leap the Pond

Ira Yellen, First Experienc Communications

Leonard Vignola, Beacon Partners

Anand Katragadda

Lafir Thassim, UBS Investment Bank

Alex Zesch,VP Technology and Marketing, IRA Market

Cindy McLaughlin,CEO, Style for Hire

McAdory Lipscomb Jr.,Founder, CEO Coach

Liwen Yaacoby

Michael Grunei,William Perrone (William and Diggins)

Kelly Hadous,Win The Room™

Scott Fuller,Business Advisor

Judges:

Joe DeMartino,Former President, Angel Investor Forum

Dale Kutnick,SVP, Gartner

Steve Obsitnik, Candidate for U.S. Congress (CT 4th District)

Geoff Schneider, Founder, Cava Capital

Konstantine Drakonakis, Director, New Haven, Launch Capital

Pauline M. Murphy, Managing Director, Investments, Connecticut Innova

Bill Gordon,Entrepreneur In Residence, Stamford iCenter

 

 

Connecticut IT Jobs Report April 2012

Labor demand for IT specialists in Connecticut declined slightly in March. Online job postings decreased 2.5%, with employers providing a daily average of 770 opportunities. Nevertheless,the job seekers in Connecticut fared better than those in other states.

Employer participation in the job market was mixed. While postings in Healthcare and Financial Services declined, there were additional openings with HiTech and Insurance companies.

Read the Full Report:Download Skillproof IT

Connecticut Report April 2012.                                                        

View Archive of Connecticut IT Jobs Trends Reports

Click here for a range of data and articles on the

economic outlook for Connecticut, prepared                                                       

by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics

See the data for unemployment among

all New England States

Technology Incubators Post Impressive Gains

Technology-focused incubators long have been praised by economic development professionals for their essential role in helping entrepreneurs succeed and populating regional economies with high-tech jobs. A number of incubators recently have unveiled data to support that view, including the first impact report from Detroit's TechTown and an annual progress report from the Birmingham Innovation Depot, which posted impressive results in 2011.

Recent announcements of new incubators launching across the U.S. and those citing notable impact measures is included below.

Detroit's TechTown revealed that between 2007 and 2011, they helped 647 companies create more than 1,000 jobs and raise $84 million in startup capital. Additionally, active and graduate clients generated a combined total of $52 million in revenue in 2011, up from $41 million in 2010. The report highlights successful companies supported through TechTown's entrepreneurial programs, which include mentoring, financing, and access to Wayne State University's research, academic and technology assets.

Birmingham's Innovation Depot released its annual progress report, which revealed companies supported by the incubator posted record sales figures in 2011. The incubator is home to 84 companies and graduated 10 companies last year. Over the last four years, tenant companies had an economic impact of $1 billion, reportsAlabama Live.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that 22 technology-focused companies have graduated or soon will graduate from a city-sponsored business incubator launched three years ago. Approximately 550 companies are located within the 10 city-sponsored incubators and those companies have raised more than $78 million in investor funding, according to a news release.

The University of Washington (UW) opened the New Ventures Facility with the goal of doubling the number of startups produced by UW over the next three years. The new facility initially will host up to 15 companies with room for 25 companies when the space is completed.

With funding from the Maine Technology Institute and Blackstone Charitable foundation, three small business incubators joined to form the Maine Incubation System (MEBIS) to increase the number of entrepreneurs reached across the state. MeBIS will provide business assistance and improve technology infrastructure, specifically through the creation a cloud technology network.

 

Tech Trends - article picks from SSTI staff, Week of 04/02/12

U.S. Manufacturing Office Seeks Input on Program Design for $1B Initiative 
The U.S. Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office will hold its first workshop to help design a national network of regional manufacturing innovation hubs on April 25 at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. The event will be the first in a series of meetings to gather ideas from industry, academia and government participants on how to best structure the proposed National Network for Manufacturing Innovation. The president's FY13 budget requests $1 billion for the initiative to create up to 15 regional institutes, which will help develop industry-relevant manufacturing technologies. Read the announcement...

Obama Administration Announces $200M in Data-Driven R&D 
Six federal departments and agencies today announced a total of $200 million in commitments to support R&D related to the manipulation of large data sets. The Big Data Research and Development Initiative will invest in efforts to improve our ability to extract knowledge from large collections of digital data. The announcement comes in response to recommendations issued last year by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, which found that the federal government was under-investing in data science. Learn more...

New SBA Online Portal to Connect Small Businesses with Corporate Supply Chains 
The SBA announced Supplier Connection, a private-public collaboration intended to help small businesses strengthen their revenue streams by gaining access to more than $300 billion in combined supply chain spending by a consortium of 15 of America's largest corporations. Supplier Connection, a free online portal created by the IBM Foundation, allows small businesses to send information about their products and services to 15 large private sector companies. The Obama administration hopes it will help bridge the gap between small, nimble businesses looking for new opportunities and large corporations looking for innovative new ideas and diversity in their supply chains. Visit the Supplier Connection website...

Inside Higher ED: Stem Cells Revisted 
State level threats to stem cell research are on the rise as the policy debate at public universities heats up in Michigan and Nebraska. At the same time, the issue remains absent on the presidential campaign trail.Read more ...

New Book Explores Methods to Foster Innovation in the Workplace 
Science writer Jonah Lehrer explores where innovative thoughts originate and how some companies are creating environments where they are more likely to occur. Read more ...

Five Trends Shaping Workforce of Advanced Economies 
A growing skills mismatch and geographic imbalance are highlighted in the McKinsey Global Institute's latest discussion paper, which explores the forces shaping new jobs created, who fills them, where they are located, and what they pay. Read more ...

Nominations Open for Excellent K-6 Math and Science Teachers 
The nation's highest honor for math and science teachers recognizes the most inspiring teachers. Awardees receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation, professional development opportunities and more. Nominations are due April 1. Read more ...

Benefits to Public Workers Cut by 43 States over Three Years 
NCSL highlights major changes in state retirement plans to address long-term funding issues from 43 states in 2009-2011. Read more ...

Consumer Survey Reports U.S. Economic Model Broken 
A recent consumer survey found working Americans feel as worried about their financial situation today as they did a year and one-half ago. A striking 63 percent of respondents think the U.S. economic model no longer works for most Americans. Read more ...

BLS Reports 3.1M U.S. Jobs Were Green in 2010 
California had the largest number of green jobs and Vermont had the highest percentage of employment in green goods and services at 4.4 percent. Read more ...

Patent Decision Could Be Setback for Life Sciences Industry 
A recent Supreme Court ruling could affect the patentability of life-sciences inventions developed at universities and other research institutions. Read more ...

Minority Biomedical Entrepreneurship Conference in Cleveland 
The America21 Project and BioEnterprise are hosting the first annual event May 21-22. Attendees can connect with capital investment resources and learn about trends. Read more ...

CTC's, Matthew Nemerson Speaks to WNPR from Jinian, Shandong Province, China

Harriet Jones of WNPR reports: Shandong is Connecticut’s sister state and Matthew Nemerson, CEO of the Connecticut Technology Council is among a few of the original delegates from the first mission back in the 1980s to have returned to Shandong this week.

“A very small and hopeful state 25 years ago. Now a larger economy than Germany, it seems.”

Speaking to WNPR from the city of Jinan he says business meetings have been proceeding alongside diplomacy.

For the entire Transcript click here

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In the news: 3/14/2012 article by David Krechevsky, Republican-American -
State, feds to promote Conn. firms during trade mission to China The Republican-American.

3/14/2012 Back to Shandong Province - Opportunity for Tech Firms

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For other articles on this subject

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Mayor Drew visits China to bring potential investors to Middletown

MIDDLETOWN — Mayor Dan Drew is returning this weekend from a week-long trip to China meant to recruit possible investors for the Aetna property specifically and Middletown in general.

The week-long trip took the delegates through Beijing, Shanghai and the industrial and technology manufacturing cities in the state of Shandong.

Click Here for the Full Article : MiddleTown Press

Also Check out this Article on CTC's  Blog