Talking Points for Director Shinae Chun
At the Women's Museum in Dallas, Texas
Saturday, September 7, 2002

Talking Points

• Thank you so much. I'm very happy to be here today for this important graduation ceremony. And I'm so proud that the Women's Museum and the Department of Labor's Women's Bureau have been able to partner together to make these computer classes possible.
  
  
• The Women's Museum is such a wonderful, open facility and it will preserve the role of women in American history. But I also appreciate its role in helping us to prepare working women for the 21st Century by training them with IT skills for better paying jobs.
  
  
• This is a beautiful moment of energy, compassion and dreams, with women helping women. I want to again thank Beverly Lyle and her staff for their leadership and dedication.
  
  
• When I left Illinois state government, I realized how much I had depended on a secretary. I did not know how to operate a computer! So I bought a Dell Computer, and by calling the 800 number on many occasions to be helped by someone much younger than me (a very humbling experience), I learned how to operate that computer and actually attach documents. I learned to love that baby! And I was so proud of myself, as you all should be, by having that "can do" attitude.
  
  
• As the President's Economic Security Agenda states: "America has the most creative, productive and resilient workforce in the world, and the President wants to make sure that everyone who wants a job can find a job".
  
  
• To meet his challenge, we need to understand that the skills required in the workforce of the 20th century were drastically different in comparison to those required today and those that will be required in the future. It's a new day, and every woman has to have computer skills in order to compete in the 21st Century!
  
  
• Labor Secretary Elaine Chao recognized the same reality at the 21st Century Workforce Summit last year, when she stated: "Our economy is making a huge transition into high-skilled, information-based industries".
  
  
• Several statistics show this to be true.
  
  
• By 2008, the demand for computer support specialists is expected to increase by 103%; systems analysts by 94%; and database administrators by 77%. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1999).
  
  
• During the next decade, the demand for computer and information systems managers is projected to grow by 48%.
  
  
• Computer and mathematical occupations are projected to add the most jobs, 2 million, and grow the fastest among professional and related occupations over the next 10 years.
  
  
• 3 out of 5 new jobs will be in the rapidly growing business services industries - primarily in computer and data processing services.
  
  
• That's why I'm so proud of the hard work each of you has done, and the accomplishments you have made. Congratulations to all of you.
  
  
• Using the computer knowledge she learned at the Museum, Denise Johnson Stovall was able to write an article that was published in the New York Magazine.
  
  
• Jackie Mullendor was promoted from a part-time to a full-time position with Southwest Airlines as a result of the computer training she received.
  
  
• Gertrude Steward has become an Executive Administrator as a result of the skills she obtained from the computer training.
  
  
• I know that many of you have also received promotions or additional job responsibilities because of this training.
  
  
• You are closing the skills gap in the workforce, which is so important, because technology is the ticket to better paying jobs. Women in the IT sector earn 60% more than women in other occupations. Of the 54 jobs expected to experience the most significant growth between now and 2005, only eight do not require technological fluency.
  
  
• Technology provides many options for women, especially women with school-aged children. With high-tech skills, you can be self-employed or work for a corporation from home by telecommuting. Technology will allow women to balance their job and their family responsibilities.
  
  
• As we approach the anniversary of September 11th, it is good to remember that one of the keys to fighting terrorism is a strong national economy. And you are strengthening the economy by getting IT skills.
  
  
• Since the demand for computer-related occupations continues to increase as a result of rapid advances in computer technology and a continuing demand for new computer applications, don't stop here. Please continue to build on your IT skills.
  
  
• As they say in America, all good things must come to an end. But not this program. The Women's Bureau will continue to support this program for another year, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the Women's Museum.
  
  
• Funding from the Women's Bureau and in-kind contributions will come together to make this good program even better.
  
  
• Congratulations to each of you, and best wishes to you and your family.
  
  
• God bless you and God bless this great nation.