March 7, 2000

We always hear how technology - specificially computers - the internet and e-commerce are revolutionizing businesses. Technology is also re-shaping college campuses in Utah so students of today will be able to run businesses of tomorrow. News Specialist Scott Light has the story.

Dave Earl is a senior at Westminster College and he's also a trendsetter. He's part of a growing number of students who want the technical skills from computer training along with the business skills from a four-year college.

At Westminster.. he's getting both.

Dave Earl/Westminster College Student: "BEING ABLE TO TALK THE BUSINESS SENSE WITH THE COMPUTER SENSE IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THE BUSINESS WORLD."

Dr. James Seidelman/Westminster College: "WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS PREPARE WHAT WE VIEW AS THE I-T PROFESSIONAL."

To do that, Dr. James Siedelman and others created a four year program where business students can get a management degree and at the same time become a certified Novell engineer. That's the degree Dave Earl is shooting for.

The program also works vice versa. The person who's already a computer engineer can come back to school for business management.

"THE I.T. PROFESSIONAL IS CAPABLE NOT ONLY OF MANAGING THE COMPANY'S NETWORK BUT AS WELL AS HELPING THE ORGANIZATION MAKE VERY GOOD DECISIONS."

At the University of Utah, the move to inject technology into the business cirriculum is even broader. In fact, it affects the entire school of business from areas like management to marketing and accounting.

The U is currently developing an entire information systems program for undergraduates. Dr. Kay Nelson is already teaching classes in e-business to grad students. She says colleges and universities can't forget who's really behind all this high-tech stuff.. people.

Dr. Kay Nelson/University of Utah: "BUT THE ONE THING THAT REMAINS THE DIFFICULT PART OF ANY INFORMATION SYSTEM IS PEOPLE. IT'S STILL ULTIMATELY COMES DOWN TO RELATIONSHIPS AND PEOPLE UNDERSTANDING BUSINESS PRACTICES."

Both schools say technology-in-education is no fad. Well-trained I.S. professionals are considered the single biggest growth factor in business today.

And the jobs will be there. International Data Corporation estimates by 2002, there will be a shortage of 60,000 employees who possess skills in both management and information technology.