A new report breaks down where Silicon Valley firms draw their talent and, yes, North Carolina is on the list. But the state ranks below Missouri (??) and other states not known as high-tech hotbeds. But where is the top talent source? Hint: It’s not the country or state you think.

First, a bit of review that ties in with Cisco’s 550 job announcement last Friday.

Two of Cisco’s top executives point out that the networking giant hires more engineering school graduates from N.C. State than any other university.

In fact, NCSU grad Bil Dry drew the honor of briefing Gov. Pat McCrory on applications being developed by Cisco’s RTP brain trust. 

Go Pack! That’s great news.

So because Cisco and other tech firms in the Triangle (NetApp, IBM, Cree which was founded by NCSU grads) are so hot for local talent maybe that’s why North Carolina doesn’t rank higher as a talent pool for the Valley.

But ranking 29th on a new report compiled by Bloomberg Businessweek is at first glance not necessarily a flag-waving event for the state. After all, Missouri (28th), Maryland, Utah, Alaska, Michigan, Georgia (21st), Pennsylvania and Ohio ranked higher. So do several other states.

Texas comes in No. 2.

But what is the biggest source for Silicon Valley’s “Tech Immigrants,” as Bloomberg Businessweek calls them?

WRAL TechWire’s recent coverage of diversity, immigration issues:

  • Google’s work force: Very white, very male
  • Vivek Wadhwa: Google’s data disclosure shakes up the Valley
  • Author: Technology skills gap threatens U.S. future
  • Immigration reform advances but hurdles remain
     

What was your guess? Your assumption?

India? Nope. Came in ninth.

China? Nope. Came in seventh.

Japan? Try 12th.

The winner? 

Mexico.

Inside the Numbers

The focus of the Bloomberg Businessweek report is an intriguing graphic published last week. 

Titled “Tech Immigrants: A Map of Silicon Valley’s Imported Talent,” the graphic tracks data gathered from several sources for 2008-2012 with an update on 2013 immigration of jobs reaching 13,766.

That’s the highest in a decade, Bloomberg Businessweek says.

Some other interesting points:

  • Vivek Wadhwa, the former Triangle tech entrepreneur who as an academic at Duke University and elsewhere who has emerged as a leading authority on all things tech immigration, has reported more than once how important Indian Americans are to the tech economy. The Bloomberg Businessweek data bears that out, nothing that ONE THIRD of Silicon Valley startups were founded by Indian Americans.
  • Plus, Asian Americans now make up 50.1 percent of the Silicon Valley workforce – gaining majority status for the first time. White Americans make up 40.7 percent.
  • As for degrees in science and engineering, 64 percent of the foreign-born talent own these pedigrees compared to 26 percent of foreign-born workers across the U.S.

That last point certainly speaks to why so many technology companies are fighting to increase the number of foreign-born students and workers who can receive high-tech visas (H-1B).

This data also contrasts with Google’s recently disclosed data that shows the company’s work force is primarily white and male. Perhaps this information compiled by Bloomberg Businessweek shows that Silicon Valley is truly diversifying.

 You can find the Bloomberg Businessweek graphic online.