New Ingredients for Student Success: Social Networks

New Ingredients for Student Success: Social Networks Bob Pearlmanbobpearlman@mindspring.comhttp://www.bobpearlman.org September 24-25, 2009 PowerPoint Slides at http://www.bobpearlman.org/commcollege.htm

Bob Pearlman Director of Education and Workforce Development, 2000-2001 Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, San Jose, CA Director of Strategic Planning, 2002-2009 New Technology Foundation, Napa, CA

“We play a huge role in getting students prepared for college who come in with skills below college level. If we could transform that group of students in America, that segment who are under-prepared from high school and that segment who enter community college and other institutions of higher education without the critical writing, reading, and thinking skills required for a college education and success in the workplace, we'll be doing a huge amount to move America forward.” -- TC Record Voice, September 2009

Assessment of 21st Century Skills Partnership for 21st Century Skills http://www.21stcenturyskills.org

21ST CENTURY SKILLS DEFINED LIFE & CAREER • Flexibility & Adaptability • Initiative & Self-direction • Social & Cross-cultural Skills • Productivity & Accountability • Leadership & Responsibility LEARNING & INNOVATION • Creativity & Innovation • Critical Thinking & Problem-solving • Communication & Collaboration INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY • Information Literacy • Media Literacy • ICT Literacy Partnership for 21st Century Skills http://www.21stcenturyskills.org

Silicon Valley, 2000 40% of workforce in 7 high-tech clusters

Silicon Valley, 1970 VALLEY OF HEART’S DELIGHT

The Year 2000 There’s a major problem ………in the Silicon Valley

The workforce gap in the Silicon Valley has widened from 160,000 in 1997 to 216,000 in 2000. Most alarming is the increase in the levels of unfilled positions Total Demand For High-Tech Industry Clusters - 2000 Estimated Gap For High-Tech Industry Clusters - 2000 (In Thousands) 216 Unfilled Positions 11% 160 Outside Recruits 7% Unfilled Positions Local Labor and Voluntary Movers 62% Outside Recruits Commuters 21% Commuters 100% = 570,000(1) Note: (1) Data is as of 10/2000. The total demand for high-tech industry clusters was 468,000 in 1997 Source: A.T. Kearney Analysis, Workforce Study

The incremental costs to businesses in the Silicon Valley due to this workforce “gap” have escalated to over $6 billion annually Annual Workforce Gap Costs ($ Billions) Incremental Cost Components (%) 100% = $5.2-$6 .6 billions 9.2 Turn-over Costs 16% 7.8 Salary Premium Hiring Costs Turn- over Costs Salary Premium 26% 2.6 Opportunity Costs Opportunity Costs 56% Hiring Costs 2% Source: A.T. Kearney Analysis, Workforce Study

The Workforce Gap • Why is there this Gap? • List 3 top reasons • 1. ____________________________________________ • 2. __________________________________________________________________ • 3. ____________________________________________

1999 Workforce Study found that Silicon Valley faced a significant workforce gap, costing industry $3-4 billion a year • Gap was composed of losses from unfilled positions plus additional salary premiums for workers linked to outside recruitment and commuting costs • 2000, CA State Senator John Vasconcellos called “our workforce gap … the number one crisis facing Silicon Valley today”.

Key Study Questions? • Could a homegrown workforce fill the gap? • Were local students interested in careers in the technology industry?

High-tech employment includes not only employment in high-tech clusters, but also employment in technology positions across all traditional industries Banking Industry Construction Industry Other Traditional Industries High-tech Clusters • Finance • Human Resources • Accounting • Marketing • Sales • Customer service • Database Development/ Administration • Digital Media • Enterprise Systems Analysis/Integration • Network Design/ Administration • Programming/Software Engineering • Technical Support • Technical Writing • Web Development/ Administration • Production • Logistics • Warehouse operations • Inventory management • Other • Finance • Human Resources • Accounting • Marketing • Sales • Customer service • Database Development/ Administration • Digital Media • Enterprise Systems Analysis/Integration • Network Design/ Administration • Programming/Software Engineering • Technical Support • Technical Writing • Web Development/ Administration • Production • Logistics • Warehouse operations • Inventory management • Other • Finance • Human Resources • Accounting • Marketing • Sales • Customer service • Database Development/ Administration • Digital Media • Enterprise Systems Analysis/Integration • Network Design/ Administration • Programming/Software Engineering • Technical Support • Technical Writing • Web Development/ Administration • Production • Logistics • Warehouse operations • Inventory management • Others • Finance • Human Resources • Accounting • Marketing • Sales • Customer service • Database Development/ Administration • Digital Media • Enterprise Systems Analysis/Integration • Network Design/ Administration • Programming/Software Engineering • Technical Support • Technical Writing • Web Development/ Administration • Production • Logistics • Warehouse operations • Inventory management • Other Job function Employment in Vertical Industries Employment in Horizontal Industries Note: (1) High-tech industry clusters, which includes Semiconductor, Computer/Communications, Software, Bioscience, Aerospace and Defense, Innovation/Manufacturing Services and Professional Services (2) Estimates of the preceding workforce gap do not include high-tech employment in horizontal industries Source: A.T. Kearney Analysis, ITAA, AEA

However, motivation to pursue hi-tech careers is low among students; over half of the students expressed unfavorable perceptions about technology careers Most Cited Reasons for Motivation Gap (% of those responded “not interested”) • “People working with computers don’t really have a life…” • 11th Grader • “Computers are too complicated and hard to learn…” • 11th Grader • “I don’t want to sit in front of a computer all day…” • 8th Grader • “Computers are pretty boring…” • 11th Grader Source: A.T. Kearney analysis, Student Survey

Contrary to popular belief, the digital divide in Silicon Valley has less to do with access to technology, and more to do with factors that prepare and motivate students to pursue technology careers • High access to computer and the Internet at home and public schools • No correlation between access and awareness and motivation to pursue technology careers • Motivation gap is especially pronounced among students Student’s Motivation Gap Source: A.T. Kearney analysis, Student Survey

Of the 32% students that are motivated to pursue hi-tech careers very few are girls Desire to pursue a technology career by Gender (1) College Enrollment by Gender (2) Male Female Male Female Want to work in technology fields Plan to pursue technology careers Overall Technology Related Note: (1) Student surveys (2) Enrollment in University of California, Berkeley 1999-2000 Source: A.T. Kearney analysis, California Department of Education, AAUW Educational Foundation Research

The Workforce Gap • What are solutions? • List 3 top solutions • 1. ____________________________________________ • 2. __________________________________________________________________ • 3. ____________________________________________

To be determined in future studies The key driver of career motivation is the social network in which students gain access and exposure to information, knowledge and opportunities through members of the network Members of Social Network • Students express a strong preference to careers similar to their parents’ careers Parents • Most individuals obtain knowledge about careers through family, friends and mentors • Higher performing schools generate more interest in technology careers Relationships School Individual Media Summer Jobs/ Internships • Summer jobs have no future career context or experience • Internships are experienced by so few that no conclusions could yet be reached • Many individuals obtain career information form books, magazines, Internet, TV and other media Source: Student Survey, A.T. Kearney analysis High correlation Moderate correlation

“Social networks that can bridge across geography, race and class are key to success in the new economy. ‘Hard’ skills are essential, but it’s the connections and mentoring that provide information about what skills are necessary and a vision of how acquiring them can lead to new opportunities for all our residents”. -- Professor Manuel Pastor, Jr., University of California, Santa Cruz Professor Manuel Pastor, Jr., University of California, Santa Cruz

Summary of findings • The workforce gap in Silicon Valley, comprised of unfilled positions, outside recruits and commuters, has increased by over 25% since 1997 and cost business more than $6 billion a year in 2000. • High access does not appear to translate into high awareness of or motivation to pursue technology careers. • Motivation to pursue technology careers is less among females than males. • Social networks for technology acclimation drive an individual’s motivation and preparation to pursue technology careers • There are fewer technology related networking opportunities for Hispanics and African Americans than for Asians and Whites. Awareness Interest Motivation Preparation

"The 2002 Workforce Study emphasizes that a cooperative regional effort is needed to expand the social networks that connect young people with the Silicon Valley jobs of tomorrow. We must ensure that young people of all backgrounds have access to accurate, reliable information on high-tech careers and have relationships with role models and other adults who can provide valuable career-related guidance.“ -- Rebecca Guerra, Vice President, Worldwide Human Resources at Riverstone Networks Rebecca GuerraIndependent Human Resources Consultant , Board of Trustees, Santa Clara University

So how do you enhance a student’s social network? Cuesta College Students Allan Hancock College Students

What do they know re: What does the world of work or future careers look like for the students? • Opportunities • Skills that are needed • How to prepare?

Can Facebook enhance a student’s social network?

Programs and Strategies that Enhance a Student’s Social Network 1. Internships Stephanie Chu Napa New Technology High School student Stephanie Chu points to her office door at Net-Flow Internet Solutions. Before coming to Net-Flow as an intern, she didn’t know what she wanted to do in her career or what to study in college. “Now I get paid for what I like to do”, she says. Her boss, Dean, wants her to continue working with them while in college by telecommuting.

Oscar Kegal “After High School, that’s it, I’m out of here”, says Oscar Kegal, a Hispanic student from San Francisco’s Mission High. But after taking part in the Cisco Networking Academy and interning at M Squared, Inc., Kegal says he is going to college and will be successful. His supervisor, M Squared principal Claire McAulliffe, is impressed with the level of work that young people can do. “Maybe one day I will own my own networking company,” Oscar says.

Aiyahnna Johnson “My nickname was ‘Trouble’”, says Aiyahnna Johnson, an African-American student at Oakland Tech. “When I was accepted into the Health Academy I started to think more about school and what I wanted to do”. Her supervisor/mentor at the Eastmont Wellness Center, Sandra Williams, expects Aiyahnna to become an obstetrician or gynecologist and to return to work at the Wellness Center and become a community leader.

400+ full-time high school interns since 1993-2000, plus college interns • Up to 50 annually • Company, maker of AutoCAD, employs 1800 in Marin County, California • Win-Win for students and the company

Internships • Major impact on high school and college performance • Major impact on Post-secondary success

Intuitions Confirmed...The Bottom LineReturn on School-to-Work Investment for Students and Employers • This important study details impact on: • Higher Academic Achievement • Better College Preparation • Reduced Training & Supervision • Increased Retention • Increased Hires • Better Attendance • Reduced Recruitment Costs • Reduced Turnover • Higher Productivity • Benefits-Cost Ratios Autodesk ROI: $2.32 return for each dollar invested in the Autodesk high school intern program

Programs and Strategies that Enhance a Student’s Social Network 2. Mentoring Mentoring can also play a key role. Organizations like International Telementor (http://www.telementor.org/) and BeAMentor (http://www.beamentor.org/) link students with long-term mentors in the workplace by telecommunications. These telementors consult with students on their projects and advise students on their college and career plans. IBM

Programs and Strategies that Enhance a Student’s Social Network Programs and Strategies that Enhance a Student’s Social Network 3. Teacher Externships 3. Teacher Externships Another way to connect students is to help their teachers become effective networkers. Programs such as IISME (Industry Initiatives in Science and Math Education, http://iisme.org/) provide teachers with 6-8 week summer internships at technology companies. The experience not only updates teacher skills and provides them with new curriculum ideas, it also connects them with the industry contacts that can provide social networking opportunities for their kids.

Summer 1978 – a personal story MIT Work in Technology and Society (WITS) Teacher Extern at Data General, Westboro, in Customer Education Training Center

What Teacher Externs will know and be able to do • What you will know: • The regional economy – what business does • How people work: projects, teams, leadership and project management • 21st Century Skills • What you will be able to do: • Answer the question: “What am I learning this for?” • Bring real life into the classroom • Bring the classroom to real life • Bring students to the 21st Century Workplace through projects, mentors and internships • Bring the 21st Century Workplace to students through speakers, volunteers, telementors

Programs and Strategies that Enhance a Student’s Social Network Programs and Strategies that Enhance a Student’s Social Network 4. New Teaching and Learning Practices 4. New Teaching and Learning Practices

Programs and Strategies that Enhance a Student’s Social Network 5. Social Networking Practices at New Technology High Schools Brown Bag Lunches (Coppell, Albany) Business Advisory Committee for Internships (Albany, Napa) Community College Partnership and Courses (All) Teacher Externships (Albany, Manor) Industry Tours (Manor)

The Old Formula: Education => Student Success

The New Formula: Education => Student Success + Skills (Hard & Soft) + Social Networks

Contact Information PowerPoint Slides at www.bobpearlman.org/commcollege.htm

New Ingredients for Student Success: Social Networks