Obsolescence Of The Computing Professional: The problem and possible solutions

ABSTRACT

It has been said that the “half-life” of computing knowledge is only five years. That can be rephrased for those unfamiliar with the jargon of physics. First of all, consider an individual just completing his formal education today. (For example, someone who has just obtained a bachelor's degree with a major in data processing.) Then, the assertion is that what he knows today will constitute less than half of what he will need to know to do his data processing job competently five years from today, because half of what he will need to know at that time is not known today. (Or if it is known, it is so new that it hasn't found its way into the curriculum as yet.) The evidence for this assertion is examined, resulting in the conclusion that though the evidence is indirect, a strong case can be made that the “half-life” of knowledge in data processing is much shorter than an individual's working lifetime. As a result, many professionals in the computer field will have trouble coping with the pace of change.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.7 THE COMPUTING PROFESSION
      K.7.1 Occupations

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education

General Terms:
Human Factors