Computer manpower in the United States - supply and demand

Abstract

At a time when new departments of computer science, data processing, information science, information systems, etc. are being created and existing departments are trying to grow and compete with more established disciplines for scarce resources, it seems imperative that we attempt to keep abreast of the needs of industry and government for the graduates of these programs. This need must be monitored and matched against the production of graduates at all appropriate levels. The author has assembled extensive data on the latter over the past eight years while at the Southern Regional Education Board in Atlanta, GA (USA) during the period 1965--72 and currently at the University of Missouri-Rolla. The data was collected and published with support from the National Science Foundation. In this paper the author also develops estimates of computer manpower need and compares these estimates of need with estimates on production. These comparisons are presented on a State-by-State basis as well as National.