6 Key IT Skills new grads are lacking

Bokeh · February 2012

6 Key Skills IT Grads Lack - Computerworld

it_consultant · February 2012

I say they basically lack all skills, unless they were in the IT workforce before they got their degree.

YuckTheFankees · February 2012

it_consultant wrote: »

I say they basically lack all skills, unless they were in the IT workforce before they got their degree.

I would agree with this statement.

N2IT · February 2012

Good article thanks for sharing

NinjaBoy · February 2012

4. The Tech Basics

I agree with this. I've met a quite a lot of people who have graduated either with their Bachelor's or Master's and expect a top whack job and salary (not all but most), believing that they'll make management (or at least a senior position) in a couple of months. Yet lack the fundamental basics on which to build a tech career on.

terryfera · February 2012

I found it slightly funny that they're complaining about new grads not knowing the new trends (BI, cloud) as well as legacy (Cobol, mainframes)... at some point you need to accept that in 2, 3, 4 years you cannot teach every technology and things like legacy systems or new trends are going to be the most difficult to justify. If colleges and universities are covering the most common technology that you would see, then this issue is exactly what you would expect to see since tried and true is usually what most companies rely on.

On another topic... I know coming out of college it was very difficult to see the big picture as far as systems integration goes... how the business processes and technology act together is a skill that I don't think you can teach easily because there is so much experience needed to get it right.

IT new grads should be treated like the trades... you may have the book knowledge but until you put in your hours in the real world it doesn't mean a whole lot. Apprenticeships anyone?

coffeeluvr · February 2012

Great article. We find a lot of the new grads lack good communication/social skills.

afcyung · February 2012

terryfera wrote: »

I found it slightly funny that they're complaining about new grads not knowing the new trends (BI, cloud) as well as legacy (Cobol, mainframes)... at some point you need to accept that in 2, 3, 4 years you cannot teach every technology and things like legacy systems or new trends are going to be the most difficult to justify. If colleges and universities are covering the most common technology that you would see, then this issue is exactly what you would expect to see since tried and true is usually what most companies rely on.

This is my thoughts exactly about this article. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Hypntick · February 2012

I left a rather decent paying job that dealt with mainframes, mostly because they refused to keep with current tech as well. Why would I bother learning 20+ year old systems, while it may mean some security for that job, it doesn't help me for when I want to move on to something else.

Turgon · February 2012

Bokeh wrote: »

6 Key Skills IT Grads Lack - Computerworld

People just lack skills. In the UK in the seventies kids had gymnastics lessons at school twice weekly and physical education twice weekly. Plus teachers ran school teams in their own time after school. Our population is less strong physically and mentally since this changed, as these are important years in your development. So says a retired Welsh Rugby international from the seventies who trained as a teacher. Plus everyone is wired, can't sit still and concentrate, can't dig a trench, read too little and are obsessed by trivial things. Diet has been bad the last 20 years too with good ingredients essential for personal development and health jettisoned in their daily intake.

My kids are brought up different.

JamesFigueroa · February 2012

I was just talking about this with my boss this morning...how funny. If I had a dime for everytime a school said they talk to "business leaders" about what they feel IT grads are lacking but for some reason the curriculum never reflects even modern technologies, id be rich lol. I just completed my AS in computer engineering and there is no classes on "business IT" or "system integration", hell in the manditory A+ class they spend 90% of the class on windows 95 and 98! The story does not change pursuing a BA unfortunately...thats why I find it ridiculous that some jobs will not hire someone UNLESS you have a BA in something. Granted there is the reality that whatever you learned in 4 years will probably be outdated by the time you graduate anyway. I think the best combo for an IT grad is work/intern and school...even if it means adding 1 to 2 years longer to get the BA because its impossible to take a full class load and work full time.

Turgon · February 2012

JamesFigueroa wrote: »

I was just talking about this with my boss this morning...how funny. If I had a dime for everytime a school said they talk to "business leaders" about what they feel IT grads are lacking but for some reason the curriculum never reflects even modern technologies, id be rich lol. I just completed my AS in computer engineering and there is no classes on "business IT" or "system integration", hell in the manditory A+ class they spend 90% of the class on windows 95 and 98! The story does not change pursuing a BA unfortunately...thats why I find it ridiculous that some jobs will not hire someone UNLESS you have a BA in something. Granted there is the reality that whatever you learned in 4 years will probably be outdated by the time you graduate anyway. I think the best combo for an IT grad is work/intern and school...even if it means adding 1 to 2 years longer to get the BA because its impossible to take a full class load and work full time.

Personally I think we are too hung up about what is being taught in class. If what happens outside of class and in the years leading upto class is a mess you have a problem. Oxford University had to extend the physics degree a few years ago to four years to make sure the intake had enough time to get their maths up to scratch, and the students they accept all have top grades going in..

People need more fresh air, less TV, a better diet, more exercise, and need to read more and stop tweeting and playing computer games all day. School can only work with what it has to work with, it cant fix everything.

YuckTheFankees · February 2012

Turgon wrote: »

People need more fresh air, less TV, a better diet, more exercise, and need to read more and stop tweeting and playing computer games all day. School can only work with what it has to work with, it cant fix everything.

Dead on!

JamesFigueroa · February 2012

Turgon wrote: »

People need more fresh air, less TV, a better diet, more exercise, and need to read more and stop tweeting and playing computer games all day. School can only work with what it has to work with, it cant fix everything.

I agree that it cannot fix everything but in preparation for a career in IT, it could do a better job. Is it the end all be all, of course not but alot of people use it to springboard themselves into a career in IT and in fact, certain companies hold it against you if you dont have a "college degree"(ive been told this before, was a shoe in for a job but was not given the position SOLEY because I didnt have a BA). I feel that school should help ENHANCE a career, not make one but too often its the other way around for folks.

MentholMoose · February 2012

6. The Ability to Work on a Team

This one is kind of surprising. When I was in college I was constantly doing group projects. Sometimes someone in the group would flake, but that was hardly the majority. Maybe they are talking specifically about computer science, but although I was not a CS major I did take some CS courses and definitely had group projects.

Valsacar · February 2012

NinjaBoy wrote: »

I agree with this. I've met a quite a lot of people who have graduated either with their Bachelor's or Master's and expect a top whack job and salary (not all but most), believing that they'll make management (or at least a senior position) in a couple of months. Yet lack the fundamental basics on which to build a tech career on.

Hey, I made a Senior position in a year... would have been sooner (was told about 6 months after I started I was moving up on the new contract... stupid company that lost protested which caused a 6 month delay). Oh, wait... that was due to my experience and drive and had nothing to do with my degree that I only finished a couple months ago (conferral on Friday!).

Xcluziv · February 2012

This is a very interesting article. I guess I'm one of the exceptions because most of the skills listed have been instilled...but still have much room for improvement...thankfully I interned for a few summers in IT Support and received over and beyond the knowledge base for most things helpdesk wise and beyond. I was able to get familiar with legacy systems (AS400, etc.) I do find that some college grads do lack some skills, but I can only attribute that to that particular person. If you want more, you will do whatever it takes to get it. I'm a technology aficionado and engulf myself around people who share similar interest. Soft skills are intangible amongst anyone and these are a skillset that cannot be taught. Just had a conversation about people skills with my manager after I asked him to rate me my leadership since I'm reading "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" and they asked you to have your boss rate you on certain areas, and he stated that "This is a something that you alot of people don't have and will take you far in your career as a manager". I was like, really...(nowhere near a manager right now in my career) but the thought was amazing.

alxx · February 2012

coffeeluvr wrote: »

Great article. We find a lot of the new grads lack good communication/social skills.

+10000. To many who can't work in a team. Have no idea how to research or look up things for themselves.

Also go straight to code when ask to design and implement a program or system.

LinuxRacr · February 2012

Turgon wrote: »

Personally I think we are too hung up about what is being taught in class. If what happens outside of class and in the years leading upto class is a mess you have a problem. Oxford University had to extend the physics degree a few years ago to four years to make sure the intake had enough time to get their maths up to scratch, and the students they accept all have top grades going in..

People need more fresh air, less TV, a better diet, more exercise, and need to read more and stop tweeting and playing computer games all day. School can only work with what it has to work with, it cant fix everything.

Google "Green School Bali".

FloOz · February 2012

i am currently attending university and i can tell you 6 months into my internship i have already learned more than i have in the 3.5 years of college. very sad...

kurosaki00 · February 2012

A Major is a general degree
Unlike a MS which can be more focused in certain areas, for example mine = Network Security
You cant expect someone with a major to do specific specialized tasks.
Is like asking someone with Network+ to configure some route in BGP
just... no
Thats why also, sometimes I get angry at people that are or just out fresh from a college (major/bach level).
They expect to know whats outside, how things work, to earn 25 bucks an hour because they have 4 years of GENERAL knowledge.
It doesnt work like that.

I think majors are all about having a foundation. Thankfully I took COBOL and RPG and many other legacy technologies in college.
I'm not a programmer but I understand logic, when I graduated I didnt understand static routes, but I knew what IP was and how it worked
Its about the foundation, its about when you apply for a job you grasp certain concepts
The employer will be like... this guy gets it! I can train him and mold him our way.
vs... he has no clue, Its gonna take a long time before he can be productive.
Lets face it, at least at entry level --> medium level (experience/skills wise)
You can know all you want, but every company has its specifics of how it works, how it functions, you always have to learn that. No matter if you have 40 yrs of experience, you dont arrive to a company knowing everything and how the company runs.
The foundation knowledge is about showing you can be an investment or not.

Thats my opinion at least on education nowadays.

it_consultant · February 2012

pruspeter wrote: »

i am currently attending university and i can tell you 6 months into my internship i have already learned more than i have in the 3.5 years of college. very sad...

IT should really be an apprenticed craft. If I were king of all things it would be similar to other tradecraft but a little more challenging, I genuinely think that IT is more difficult than plumbing. Anyway, this is how I would do it:

Associates Degree in a qualifying degree plan (unpaid) - achieve 1 level (helper)
Apprenticeship (unpaid) - Like an internship, work under a 5 (journeyman) or 7 (crafstman) level; achieve 3 level
Apprenticeship (paid) - Work under a 5 or 7 level, capable of executing most tasks under minimal supervision
Journeyman - Work without a net under a general specialty (networking, sysadmin, etc)
Craftsman - Specialist in one or two skills, journeyman on 2 others

Etc and so forth. This way there is a more logical path to the career. I had to, just yesterday, explain to my Master's Degree holding colleague why she is billed out at $55 an hour and I am billed at $140 an hour. She didn't learn crap in college and now she has all of 1.5 years of experience and I still need to help her troubleshoot printers.

Her : it wont print
Me : Does it have link
Her : yes
Me : Can you ping it
Her: yes, but I still can't print
Me : have you had it spit out a config page?
Her : how do I do that?
Me : Hold down the two buttons
Her : it says that it has an IP address but there is a conflict
Me : so you assigned it an IP and DHCP already handed out that IP, can you check the DHCP scope? You could convert it to a reservation...
Her : huh?

She has a master's degree.

veritas_libertas · February 2012

it_consultant wrote: »

IT should really be an apprenticed craft. If I were king of all things it would be similar to other tradecraft but a little more challenging, I genuinely think that IT is more difficult than plumbing. Anyway, this is how I would do it:

Associates Degree in a qualifying degree plan (unpaid) - achieve 1 level (helper)
Apprenticeship (unpaid) - Like an internship, work under a 5 (journeyman) or 7 (crafstman) level; achieve 3 level
Apprenticeship (paid) - Work under a 5 or 7 level, capable of executing most tasks under minimal supervision
Journeyman - Work without a net under a general specialty (networking, sysadmin, etc)
Craftsman - Specialist in one or two skills, journeyman on 2 others

Etc and so forth. This way there is a more logical path to the career. I had to, just yesterday, explain to my Master's Degree holding colleague why she is billed out at $55 an hour and I am billed at $140 an hour. She didn't learn crap in college and now she has all of 1.5 years of experience and I still need to help her troubleshoot printers.

Her : it wont print
Me : Does it have link
Her : yes
Me : Can you ping it
Her: yes, but I still can't print
Me : have you had it spit out a config page?
Her : how do I do that?
Me : Hold down the two buttons
Her : it says that it has an IP address but there is a conflict
Me : so you assigned it an IP and DHCP already handed out that IP, can you check the DHCP scope? You could convert it to a reservation...
Her : huh?

She has a master's degree.

I strongly agree with that. I'm a big supporter of Community and Tech colleges that have a Cisco academy, etc. Theory and hands-on learning should be taught together. Sadly though, this often not the case.

6 Key IT Skills new grads are lacking

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