2017 Annual Conference

Angela Cleveland, Maria Grovner

Learning objectives: Participants will leave with:

• A new sense of what computer science is and who's right for it;
• An understanding of accessible new courses (including AP Computer Science Principles) that are changing the face of CS education
• Concrete tips for talking about computer science education and careers with students and their parents, teachers and other influencers;
• Confidence that they are supporting viable pathways, whether students' postsecondary plans are for 2- or 4-year college or military service;
• A Counselors for Computing kit with useful resources such as the "What computing major is right for me?” handout and the magazine called Careers with Code (published by Google).

Outline: 

1. Introductions
2. Importance of computing to society and as the backbone of innovation in all STEM disciplines and business sectors. Includes brief icebreaker game: "Computing Is Everywhere"
3. Distinguish between using and creating technologies - Create a quiz - sort among "use" and "create:
4. Computing job growth projections to 2024 for the nation and for Georgia
5. What this means for students and advising students: Jobs are available, they are cross-disciplinary, and given commensurate levels of education and time to graduation, computing occupations are more stable and pay better than other jobs. (Show employment and salary data for voc. certification, 2-year, 4-year, advanced degrees)
6. Why Diversity? Explore the association between diversity of thought and innovation; how having all minds on the job: enhances innovation, expands the qualified employee pool, improves the bottom line, and most importantly (from the counseling perspective), promotes equality. All youth should have access to creative and high-paying jobs in computing.
7. Young women have potential yet aren't selecting computing education or careers. Explore why, discuss solutions
8. How to talk to young people about careers in computing (talking points card)
-Show opportunity (where the jobs are, salary expections)
-Connect to Interests (art -> create software to aid art restoration, healthcare -> develop mobile "vitals" apps)
-Connect to what kids, and esp. girls want out of a career: WGBH Study: good pay, feeling passionate about their jobs, doing interesting work, having the power to make a difference
10. Tips for telling the story to kids: Paint a positive picture about who does computing, show what real people accomplish with computing, use evocative language (participant quiz!)
11. Tips for telling the story to adults: Computational thinking as source of 21st c. skills
12. Materials showcase, including Google Careers with Code magazine. Together, brainstorm scenarios in which counselors present computing as a viable education and career pathway 
13. If time allows, practice talking to a "student" or "class" about computing.