Published July 2001

Programs aimed at recruiting for high-tech field

By Renee Radcliff
Guest Columnist

During the past decade, Washington’s high-tech companies have created more than 50,000 new jobs — doubling the number of industry positions to more than 100,000 family-wage jobs and providing the impetus for the development of about 250,000 new positions in supporting industries.

And yet, the high-tech and higher-education communities continue to struggle in the recruitment of women and minorities to high-tech-related degree programs.

That’s why Washington’s high-tech community has gotten behind a number of programs designed to attract women and minorities to the fields of math, science and electrical engineering.

These programs work. Not only do they attract traditionally under-represented students to high-tech degree programs, but they also produce students who are better prepared for further educational opportunities and ever-evolving work situations that require innovative thinking, creative problem solving and the ability to work closely with others.

A recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, the state’s Math, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) program reaches out to students in grades K-12.

The program provides enriching opportunities to under-represented students to assist them in achieving their full potential in these areas of study. The MESA program reaches approximately 4,200 students each year through classes, clubs, summer camps and conference programs that actively engage students, teachers and parents in the areas of math, science and pre-engineering.

Administered through the University of Washington’s College of Engineering, the MESA program is designed to interest young students in areas of study that will eventually lead to careers in the high-tech community.

Many capable individuals with disabilities face challenges as they pursue academics and careers. They are under-represented in many challenging and rewarding career fields, including science, engineering, mathematics and technology.

DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Inter-networking and Technology) serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. It promotes the use of computer and networking technologies to increase independence, productivity and participation in education and employment.

This local program also has received national recognition for innovation in outreach to under-represented populations.

For those interested in pursuing advanced technology degrees, the University of Washington has developed distance-learning programs in the areas of aeronautics and astronautics, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Course offerings in these programs are delivered to students via a microwave network that allows one-way video and two-way audio communication, overnight delivery of videotaped lectures and course materials, and the posting of class notes and homework on the Internet. This option enables students who are working or raising families to further their education on their own time schedule.

The need for appropriately trained scientists, engineers and technicians continues to grow. Engaging students in math and science at an early age and recruiting students in under-represented populations are just two of the ways in which we can work toward meeting the employment needs of our state’s high-tech companies.

Renee Radcliff is Executive Director of the Washington Council of AeA, Advancing the Business of Technology.

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