Today’s tech/information boom is creating new opportunities for minorities in the U.S.. Since 2009, the number of blacks working in computer and mathematical occupations has risen by 37%, and the number of Hispanic/Latino workers in computer and mathematical occupations has risen by 35%. By comparison, the total number of workers in computer and mathematical occupations have only risen by 14% over the same period.
Why are minorities seeing gains in the tech/information sector today? First, the sector needs workers. According to data from The Conference Board, the number of want ads for computer and mathematical occupations are up 60-70% since 2009. Tech/information firms are complaining that they can’t get the people that they need.
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These trends show no sign of slowing down. This suggests that the tech/information boom will continue to open doors in 2014.
*These figures for the growth of computer and information sciences degrees for blacks are likely to be somewhat understated because the 2011-2012 data includes a category for two or more races that the 2008-2009 data does not have.
