Meeting the IT Skills Crisis: An Interdisciplinary Response

摘要

The pervasiveness of computers in modern life hascreated a need for greater diversity in the knowledge andskills of information/technology professionals. We, aswell as others, have identified an IT education gapbetween the technical focus of computer science degreesand the business focus of MIS concentrations. Wedescribe a new interdisciplinary curriculum (a Bachelor ofScience in Information Science) that NortheasternUniversity has developed to fill the IT education gap. Thenew degree draws from computer science, business, andbehavioral science, offering a balance between thetechnical, functional, and human dimensions ofinformation/system analysis and design not found in otherundergraduate programs. It encompasses three broadcontent areas: computer technology, information systemsand human/organizational context. In addition, studentsacquire the analytical models and tools needed toapproach the content areas from a conceptual perspective.An experiential learning requirement enables students toapply their classroom knowledge and skills in relevantproductive work. In the future, academics andpractitioners need to work together to better articulatenew career paths for information/technology professionalsand the appropriate educational programs to serve theirneeds.