Specializing in Telecommunications: Networking Curricula of IS Programs in the United States.

Introduction Telecommunications is not typically an area that receives much emphasis in IS curricula. Gambill and Maier's survey of IS programs (1998) indicates that systems development subjects such as programming, database, and systems analysis and design comprise the bulk of IS-specific coursework. This emphasis may be understandable given that many IS graduates start out in entry-level application development and support positions and see this as their initial career path. An application development emphasis is also found in the IS 2002 model curriculum (Gorgone et al., 2002). Five out of the ten courses in the model curriculum relate directly to systems development skills and knowledge, while only two are telecommunications-related. These two courses are IS 2002.4 Information Technology Hardware and Software, and IS 2002.6 Networks and Telecommunications. IS 2002.4 is not a telecommunications course per se since it deals with the broader information technology (IT) infrastructure as well as telecommunications topics that serve as a prerequisite for IS 2002.6. Gambill and Maier's results (1998) showed, however, that only 78% of IS programs offered a data communications course and that only 38% included it as a program requirement. Even fewer (1.5 %) offered a course similar to IS 2002.4, with no program requiring it at all. Although this study predates the IS 2002 model curriculum by a few years, a similar level of coverage of the topics included in IS 2002.4 and IS 2002.6 existed in IS 1997, the prior version of the model curriculum. Anecdotal evidence from our IS program over the years suggests that there is a sizable minority of students who prefer the computer networking area over application development. In some cases this may result from having strengths in technical areas besides programming. In others, students are simply drawn to the computer networking and IS technical infrastructure subjects. Additionally, some employers hire IS graduates into positions involving networking and infrastructure support. Experience with such students and employment opportunities for them led to an interest in investigating IS programs that allow students to specialize in telecommunications. A number of similar terms are used to refer to this field. Telecommunications has broader connotations than computer networking or data communications. In addition to voice and data communications, telecommunications can also refer to broadcast telecommunications such as television and radio. The main emphasis here when the terms networking or telecommunications are used is on voice and data communications, which can of course include the use of telecommunication technologies for carrying video or audio data. Employment Opportunities in the Networking Field What opportunities exist for IS students who seek employment in the networking area? In discussing the future for American programmers, Mander (2001) notes that there is an undoubted skills shortage in the area of computer networking as this technology has increased in strategic importance during the 1990s. A study conducted in the late 1990's indicated that significant demand existed for IT graduates with skills in telecommunications and infrastructure support (Gonzenbach, 1998). More recent estimates provided by US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2004) of employment growth in different occupations from 2002-2012 suggests the networking field may offer increasing employment opportunities in the future. "Network and Computer Systems Administrators" and "Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts" are among the 30 occupations expected to grow the fastest from 2002 to 2012, with predicted growth rates of 37% and 57% respectively. One of these, "Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts", is predicted to be the second fastest growing occupation in the USA during this period. Total 2012 employment for "Network and Computer Systems Administrators" and "Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts" is estimated to be 345,000 and 292,000 respectively with a combined employment of 637,000. …