A Call to Action
Remember for Chinese, it takes 2 words combined to describe "Crisis" – "危机". The first character is about acknowledging the presence of risks and dangers, the second stands for opportunity, and to develop a blueprint for change.
On 25 November 2008, I had the privilege of facilitating a breakfast event hosted by UTS on the topic of "IT is exciting – Why don't young people know that?" As I reviewed the event's transcript in preparation for this online forum, it became abundantly clear that the overall conversation, led by the learned panel members, and supported by all the attendees, was an inspired one. I feel a summary would be presumptuous on my part and would only serve to diminish the many points and counterpoints presented.
The many great ideas should be further developed in this online forum. It should be our collective objective that this forum be the foundation to articulate and debate the issues, culminating in actions to help shape a great future for IT.
Let's go back in time, for often the past tells us about the future. Technology scholar Carlota Perez observed that over the last 250 years, the advent of each of the five groups of technological innovations – canals; the steam engine and railways; steel, electricity, and heavy engineering; automobiles, oil and mass production; and computing and telecommunications – initially prompted wild growth, then a corrective phase, and then several decades of steady implementation as each became integrated into the fabric of business and society. After causing a period of explosive growth, and then the dot-com bust, information technologies are now entering the period of integration. The horse buggies that faded with the introduction of railways; the trade boom that the canals enabled; what outlook for the neighbourhood video store when one can download a rental movie in seconds in the comfort of your home?
The golden age for an IT led innovation revolution has begun. As John Harvey observed, "IT underpins every industry". Karen Schrasser spoke of the perception that an IT career is a rigid, geeky, traditional one, when the truth is "IT is in everything". It should be no surprise that IT has become such a diverse enterprise.
But diversity and rapid changes can unsettle many, and cause others to stay away from this exciting profession. John Price argued that diversity is in fact the opportunity, an opportunity for a flexible, globally sustainable career. Careers full of possibilities that attracted Laura Jones, and many others of her generation. The very generation that will be the next custodian of an engine that underpins "everything". John Ridge said that it will take an unprecedented level of collaboration, private and public, parents and academia, to change perceptions and foster talents. To which, John Harvey cautioned that we already have a supply chain crisis, which if not addressed, will become a business crisis, and a crisis of nation.
Those at the event are now of "One degree of separation". As we all collaborate through this forum, imagine what "Six degrees of separation" can bring. The power of technology, combined with human passion and ingenuity is an unbeatable one. Now is not the time to get cautious in the face of a global downturn. We are already behind, if we don't act, the risks of not solving this crisis will increase. It's a global market; the window of opportunity to act decisively and quickly will close on us.
Here's a call for action to develop a blueprint for change.
Of course this problem has been investigated many times before, it's tempting to feel more talk is a waste of time. But this is a call to action!
What innovative approach or actions could we take to achieve significant breakthroughs?
Please use this forum [Exciting Careers in IT] to share your ideas. Thank you.
Julian Wee is with IBM, serving as Technology and Transformation Executive for Australia & New Zealand. He has over 24 years in the IT industry, with senior level technical and business roles in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. Julian has a passion for education, leadership, and work force development, and serves on the advisory boards of a number of academic institutions.
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RELATED CONTENT:
- Exciting Careers in IT online discussion forum (10 Dec '08 – 31 Jan '09)
- Understanding the Diversity of a Career in ICT – by Antony Wong
- IT in Schools – by John Ridge
- So what does an IT Skills Shortage mean to you? – by Patrick Wilson
- A computer science degree…… or six months experience? – by Amanda Buggy
sally.rose
December 10, 2008 at 6:31 am
Possible immediate actions.
The solution to the ICT skills crisis is certainly a complex web of things. But some actions are possible without a lot of fuss, they just need someone to have a go and see if they fly.
At the breakfast, a gentleman who's name I can't recall stood up and suggested using Youtube to circulate videos that portrayed the fun of working in IT. A cheap, easy & effective method of raising awareness by stealth. He got a huge round of applause for the idea.
So who's going to volunteer to make the video?
john.ridge
December 15, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Careers video
Since the event I have spoken to the gentleman concerned and we are embarking on the careers video project.
I think it is an exciting and relevant way to get the message across about IT careers.
Julian.Wee
December 19, 2008 at 5:08 am
Calling Web2.0ers
Hello all your IT Web2.0ers – love the video idea. How about a rave-on here (or facebook or whatever you fancy) about why you are excited about what you do? Anyone want to lead? You can start here.