Turning Our Backs On Tech

Or perhaps the growing shortage of Chief Information Officers (CIOs). All of a sudden I've been getting copies of or links to this column in Fortune by Geoff Colvin. According to some sources there is a shortage of really qualified CIOs in the US. I can't say that I am surprised.

Being a CIO (I was one once in a small scale and without the title and pay check) requires a difficult mix of skills. Sure you have to be tech savvy but you also have to be business savvy and people savvy. Geeks who work best locked in a dark room coming out only for pizza, Jolt or Chinese takeout need not apply.

The column says a few things I have been trying to say.:

It isn't coding in cubicles anymore. Those jobs really are going offshore, and they should be. The jobs that remain are more demanding, higher paying, and multiplying fast - if only there were people to fill them.

This is a problem and companies, especially high technology companies have to have a hand in fixing it. They have to show people, especially students that there is a future, a bright, fun, exciting future, in computer science and information technology. But parents and teachers have to get involved as well.

Spread the word - "Companies big and small desperately need well-rounded IT experts."

Technorati tags: CIO, fortune, careers, computer science colvin