Will the next generation of students graduating high school help shrink the cybersescurity talent gap in a few years?
If so, we had better start telling teenagers how great it is to work in InfoSec and give them a chance to learn about it.
A 2018 study by ProtectWise and Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) surveyed more than 500 millennials and post-millennials about career aspirations.
And these findings come from students who embrace technology.
- 68% of respondents would classify themselves as either a technology innovator or early adopter
- 48% have been part of a STEM program in high school
So what do these tech-driven teens have in mind for future careers? Here are the results of what they would like to do:
- 33% - video game developer
- 21% - computer or software developer
- 15% - engineering
- 13% - scientific research
- 11% - information technology
- 9% - cybersecurity
Why don't kids want to go into cybersecurity?
The report uncovered two telling themes that may be why cybersecurity is at the bottom of the technology pile for future job seekers.
First of all, the vast majority of students say they do not know anyone working in the field of cybersecurity.
Secondly, the vast majority of students say they have never had an opportunity to take cybersecurity classes or even learn much about it.
Thankfully, high school camps like these in Oregon are chipping away at the problem.
The more high schoolers we get interested in cybersecurity now, the more secure our organizations will be in a few years.
And, just maybe, cybersecurity will get out of last place in next year's survey.
