OMAHA, NEBRASKA - AIM issued a report today that says Iowa's total postsecondary information technology (IT) degrees and certificates awarded was 2,333 for the 2012-2013 academic year. The total is 7% lower than the previous year. "After four years of steady growth, 2013 saw an overall decrease in the number of college IT degrees and certificates awarded in Iowa," according to Levi Thiele, AIM Director of Research.
Among other trends in Iowa; 25% of the total number of IT degrees and certificates in Iowa were awarded to women, a higher percentage than the national average; bachelor's degrees remain the most common degree awarded in Iowa in IT; and the five most popular IT degrees included: (1) Computer and Information Sciences - General, (2) Computer Science, (3) Computer / IT Administration and Management, (4) Computer Programming, and (5) Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications.
The report titled, "Iowa Postsecondary IT Degree Completions, 2009-2013" details a number of findings including postsecondary IT degree completions, IT degree award levels, analysis of gender, race, and ethnicity completions and the most popular IT degrees and certificates pursued.
The expectation for high-tech high-skilled workers in Iowa to effectively compete in ever-changing economic markets, means keeping technology education a priority. The Iowa Postsecondary IT Degree Completions study provides a fact-based measure of critical education priorities.
Analysts predict more than 4 million U.S. IT and computing jobs by 2020. Even if the actual job totals turn out to be lower, there is no way to fill those jobs with American students without education systems that adequately prepare them.
Based on the research, Dr. Thiele adds, "While women are making gains in IT degree completions in Iowa, they are still underrepresented. In order to keep up with the growing job market needs, we need to produce more graduates to fill these jobs and that includes more women graduates."
About AIM
AIM is a not-for-profit community organization that promotes technology to empower people, enhance organizations and create brilliant communities. AIM's signature services include Careerlink- the region's leading career development website and Infotec- the Midwest's premier business and IT conference, and Hatchfund- a crowdfunding source for artists. For more information about these services, training, youth programs, research and more, visit www.aimforbrilliance.org.
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