04/06/2007: "Engineering and Computer Science Graduates"
Economic growth and development is dependent on numerous variables. In many cases, the availability of engineering and computer science talent is a major determinant.
With the complexity and sophistication of operations in most industries—ranging from manufacturing to oil and gas exploration to construction—there is a corresponding rise in the need for engineers and computer science specialists. Securing sufficient numbers of these kinds of skilled professionals in emerging sectors projected to dominate the business landscape of tomorrow is critical.
Those geographic areas that are able to meet the escalating demand for engineers and computer scientists are not only likely to reap the rewards of their services and leadership, but will undoubtedly be highly attractive to corporations seeking the best locations for their operations.
In fact, a substantial supply of scientific and engineering personnel is frequently cited as the most important factor in drawing new business activity into a region, especially since technology centers tend to cluster around locales with a plentiful supply of these types of workers. The capacity, efficiency, and productivity of the economy of such a location is significantly enhanced.
Therefore, it is easily understood that stimulating the number of engineering and computer science students and, hence, the quantity of these science professionals available to enter the workforce, can produce significant positive effects.
Across the US, hundreds of thousands of new engineering and computer science jobs are predicted to be created over the next 10 years. About half of the employment in these fields is forecast to fall within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector; other significant sources of jobs include government and manufacturing.
Industrial engineering is projected to see growth in the range of 20% over this timeframe, closely followed by civil and environmental engineering. Computer-related professions are also expected to continue to experience significant expansion.
Moreover, the availability of engineers and computer scientists is a primary factor in capturing emerging technology sectors. These professions typically involve relatively high wages (compared to other four-year college degrees) and high value-added occupations.
Unfortunately, Texas currently lags most of its key competitor states in the number of engineering and computer science degrees earned each year. Of the 10 most populous states, Texas ranks ninth in the number of science/engineering degrees awarded per thousand college-age residents. In fact, over the past decade or so, the rate has remained fairly constant, while other states have achieved noteworthy gains.
The evolution of the US business environment is generating a significant demand for engineers and computer scientists. An initiative from state universities in Texas to improve the graduation rates of students majoring in engineering and computer science would have remarkably positive impacts on business activity. In a recent study, my firm estimated that adding 25% to the pool of engineering and computer science graduates would lead to job gains across the state of more than 29,000 in 10 years and over 65,000 in 15 years. These enhanced opportunities would be spread through both large and small Texas communities.
As noted, a concentration of engineers and computer scientists improves the ability to attract emerging, high-growth sectors, thereby substantially benefiting economic development. If Texas were to generate a 1% increment of the US market share of these industries, the aggregate gains to the state economy would total almost $17 billion in annual output and more than 174,000 permanent jobs.
Increasing the number of engineering and computer science graduates enhances both the productivity and the capacity of the workforce. Efforts in this regard are vitally important to our state’s long-term prosperity and are certainly worthy of considerable support.