College of Computing Dean Lance Fortnow on Why Tech Degrees Matter
Layoffs and hiring freezes at many of the large, well-known technology companies have led to questions about the future of the tech workforce. Illinois Tech College of Computing Dean Lance Fortnow sees the recent developments not as a sign of things to come but as an opportunity—for other companies to hire tech workers who may not have been available in the past.
Despite the recent news of layoffs at the major computing companies, workers with tech degrees are still in high demand—and Lance Fortnow, dean of Illinois Tech’s College of Computing, says that a need to fill secure, well-paying jobs in the sector remains high.
These jobs are at companies that are not necessarily thought of as tech companies, though.
John Deere, a company known for their farm equipment, uses cameras and artificial intelligence on its tractors to ensure that pesticides are only used where needed. Pfizer uses computing and machine learning to digitally search for potential new drugs to fight cancer and other diseases.
“Companies that have lost prospective employees to the tech industry now have the opportunity to build up their ranks,” Fortnow says. “Every company that deals with data, which is just about every company, needs to use—not lose—that data. We have new, powerful tools to analyze and make use of data, as well as new cybersecurity threats, making tech graduates as much in demand as ever.”
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs in the computer and information technology field will grow three times faster than the average job growth over the next decade. Jobs in data science and cybersecurity are expected to expand 10 times faster. Salaries in the computer and IT field remain some of the highest in the country, with median annual salaries more than two times the national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Beyond the number and quality of careers that await those with tech degrees, here are three reasons why a tech degree matters:
1. Computing and Data Skills Are Valuable Across Disciplines
Having competency in tech skills opens the door to careers in other industries as the digital transformation matures. Software developers and data analysts are top tech jobs in industries such as insurance, finance, manufacturing, transportation, and banking. The need for cybersecurity experts across industries continues to grow.
Graduates with software engineering skills are particularly in demand, given the wide number of specialization paths. Businesses across industries are reliant on a workforce with a strong data analytical tool kit, as the need for those who can excel in data management and visualization has exploded over the last 15 years, and continues to grow.
2. Tech Hubs Such as Chicago Are Looking for Talent
Venture capital continues to flow into Chicago’s growing tech startup sector, as well as investment from big tech such as Google’s purchase of the James R. Thompson Center downtown for $105 million. In 2021 alone, nine Chicago-based companies crossed the billion-dollar “unicorn” valuation.
As Chicago’s tech landscape matures, Illinois Tech is primed to develop a diverse pool of talent who earn tech degrees that feeds the industry’s growing need.
“It is important for us to make sure that we partner with a lot of the companies in the city, providing internships and other opportunities, and work with the schools in Chicago to provide pathways that lead them into great tech careers,” Fortnow says. “We have a great source of talent…and I think that we can help provide talent to big [companies] like Google and small startups in the city.”
3. An Illinois Tech Education Provides the Tech Skills Needed to Stand Out
Beyond the traditional undergraduate and graduate computer science degrees, the College of Computing provides degrees in AI, data science, and cybersecurity to meet the growing demand for graduates who can process, analyze, and protect information. Illinois Tech is also designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the National Security Agency and is the host of ChiCyberCon, Chicago’s premier cybersecurity conference.
Illinois Tech’s one-of-a-kind Elevate program, which guarantees each student hands-on experience such as internships, research, and competition opportunities, is one example of how Illinois Tech builds bridges to connect students with tech career opportunities in the private and public sectors. These opportunities to transfer skills learned in the classroom to discover creative solutions to real-world problems gives Illinois Tech students a competitive advantage to land jobs in the tech industry.