I just finished a book that says America's got some crazy catch-up to do in education if we're going to be relevant in a global economy.

The usual alarmist paranoia? Maybe.

But Thomas Friedman's "The World is Flat" opened my eyes. And there's a big lesson for girls in it.

The gist is this: Emerging economies in India and China are poised to surpass us in crucial job skills, particularly those relating to computers and engineering. These countries, who have workers to spare on account of their billion-plus populations, already do the job cheaper and are on the cusp of doing it better than Americans can.

China and India have engineers coming out of every orifice, and we're preoccupied with playing video games and pimpin' our rides.

The alarm bell has rung, and there's a bigger emphasis on math and science now than, say, 10 years ago. And I was really excited to hear about our local push by principals to redesign high school education to catch dropouts.

But part of our problem is cultural, and to that end, this is what I want to say to girls:

Do your math already!

I was a product of public schools, half here, half in California, and I put myself in honors math because I knew that was the path to a good university.

I took 'em all: algebras 1 and 2, geometry, trigonometry and calculus, and passed the AP calculus exam.

Then I dropped math altogether. Didn't touch it when I got to UCLA, dropped an astronomy class because there was physics involved.

Ixnay on the athmay.

I told myself it was because I hated math. I never had any fun doing my homework, was bored in class. I couldn't wait to never have to do math again! Oh, sweet liberty!

But did I really hate it? It's not like I sucked at it.

Looking back, I think it was because being good at math was uncool. It made you weird. Combine that with a healthy dose of social anxiety ... well, it's a recipe for becoming an English major.

Not that there's anything wrong with English, but we're going to need more engineers than writers in the Online-Fiberoptic-Satellite-Digital Age.

Now that I'm an adult and I've made peace with my inner nerd, I'd love to reach back to that awkward kid and tell her to stick with the math. But maybe I'll get the chance to give that talk to a future daughter.

The lesson: Be proud, nerd — you could be the next Bill Gates.

But maybe I'm worried for nothing. I was at the Iwilei Costco the other day and I saw a girl wearing a T-shirt that said "Geek is chic."

You go, girl.

Reach Christine Strobel at cstrobel@honoluluadvertiser.com.