Our goal is to better understand the factors that influence students to enter technical professions and discover who is taking an active role in promoting technology programs and careers. The United States is experiencing a decline in the number of students pursuing technology disciplines resulting in a significant drop in technical expertise.

With this study, we're working with partners in the technology industry to provide additional resources and support to the individuals who are already taking a leadership role in promoting technology disciplines and careers. Results of this study will allow our technology partners to work together with these individuals to enhance technology programs, encourage more students to enter technology fields and most importantly, maintain an open dialogue with students and recent grads for feedback on how to continuously improve their efforts.

In order to encourage participation, we are sponsoring a contest in conjunction with the study. The study consists of a quick online survey and you must have at least 50% participation within your group to qualify for the contest. The winner of the contest will be the group that yields the most responses (inside and outside of the group) including current technology students and recent graduates (class of 2004 or later) who are currently working in the technology field. The winning organization will be rewarded $1000. Second and third place awards are $750 and $250 respectively.

Click here to view contest instructions and rules.

How did you get my name?

We conducted online research at select universities to invite technology groups and departments to participate in this important, ground-breaking research study.

What is the average size of participating groups?

Participating groups range from 10-300 members, but any size group is welcome. In fact, we have organizations of all sizes participating.

We only have a few people in our group, so we probably can't win, can we?

In order to make it fair, we're not limiting participation to just your group. To get the most responses, your group should get as many technology students and recent technology graduates outside of your group to participate as possible. This is not limited to your University! Just make sure they reference your oroganization when filling out the survey.

How can my group get other technology students and recent graduates to participate?

Participation is not limited to your university or your state. Consider the following methods:

• Reach out to friends and family located anywhere in the U.S. - think about friends from high school that you've lost touch with
• Grassroots - encourage your friends and family to tell their friends and so on
• Post the goal of the study and the link to the survey on your Facebook, MySpace, and other social networking sites
• Discuss the study with classmates in your technology-focused classes and encourage participation
• Ask technology professors if they would be willing to let you announce the study at the beginning of class to generate awareness and provide them with the link
• Encourage participation from coworkers at your office!
• Announce the study at any other organizations, associations, or clubs you belong to - both inside and outside of your school

What happens if there is more than one group at my school participating in this contest?

Get to your classmates first and ensure that they list your group as the referring organization when filling out the survey!

Who are the technology partners you’re working with?

In order to ensure the data we collect is not biased, we are unable to share the name of our research partners.