An Eight-year Study of the Influence of IT Career Camps on Altering Perceptions of IT Majors and Careers

The number of IT professionals in the workplace depends in large part on the number of new university technology graduates, especially in computer science and MIS. Since 2000, this number has declined precipitously, and, despite the modest upswing since 2010-2011, organizations and universities still struggle with numbers. This study examines a partnership between one university and a global IT firm to help increase IT majors through an annual high school IT camp focused on invigorating interest in technology careers. These (hopefully) fun, four-day, in-residence camps, held annually since 2007, feature technology training, appropriate tours, engagement with technology professionals, and education on the nature of IT work and job prospects. Based on extensive data collection from five camps (2010-2014), participants (particularly males) significantly increased their career awareness and positive attitudes toward an IT career and were more determined to choose IT as a major and career. While we did not meet all objectives, the IT camps played a crucial role in boosting interest in IT as a career and enhancing perceptions and beliefs of IT