The Importance Of Employment To Reduce Disparities In STEM Employment

Michael S. Teitelbaum argues in his report, “ The Myth of the Science and Engineering Shortage” that while it may be true that there is an increase in STEM jobs in the US, the fact is for the majority of STEM jobs the wages have been stagnant or declining, indicating that there is no demand for STEM graduates. Teitelbaum continues by stating that it is very simple to claim there is a shortage in STEM by hand-picking specialized fields in STEM that may currently have a shortage due to location and specific years, as a result of changing technology, But to state that all STEM related occupations are experiencing a shortage because a few specialized fields are experiencing a shortage is dangerous as it paints a false a narrative of reality to pursuers’ of STEM degrees. In addition when comparing the unemployment rate of occupations such as registered nurses, physicians, dentists, and lawyers to occupations in STEM, that proponents of STEM have valiantly claimed are experiencing a massive shortage, the unemployment for STEM occupations is staggering. With recent graduates suffering the most with unemployment rates in engineering and computer science above seven percent, as well as an unemployment rate hovering slightly below twelve percent for graduates in information systems ( Teitelbaum). Teitelbaum states that while it may be true that the US is consistently scoring in the middle in international assessments, they are still producing a third of all high-performing students in science and fourteen percent of high-performing students in math. In addition, he states he is not against the push for science and math, as he believes all high school students should be adept in both, but that there is “a big disconnect between this broad educational imperative and

By the year 2020, the Hispanic population in Texas will outnumber the non-Hispanic White population (Petter and Hoque, 2013). However, Hispanics do not play a significant role in the STEM workforce (Robinson, 2007). The drastically low number of Hispanic students with a STEM degree only represent 5% of the total STEM workforce (Clewell, 2006; Malcolm, 2010; Arcidiacono, Aucejo, & Hotz, 2013). To further amplify the situation, 25% of jobs created over the next six years will require a bachelor’s degree (Strong American Schools, 2008).

As a part of the HBCU Alumni Alliance’s Higher Education initiative program; Alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are concerned about the inadequate representation of minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related professions. Consequently, DCHBCUAA STEM professionals have designed and organized an instructional hands-on STEM workshop for students in grades 10-12, to enlighten them on the different facets of professions available in the sciences. As a part of our community partnership with Kaiser Permanente, we have a workshop scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 800 am-5:00 pm, at 2101 Jefferson Street in Rockville, Maryland.

Alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are concerned about the inadequate representation of minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related professions. Consequently, DCHBCUAA STEM professionals have designed and organized an instructional hands-on workshop for students in grades 10-12. The workshop is designed to increase their awareness of the exciting opportunities available in the sciences and to provide an opportunity for students to talk to subject matter experts currently working in STEM occupations.

Since the 1990’s however, there has been a 33% increase in the number of Hispanic Students enrolling in STEM programs. This does not mean that they necessary complete their degree, as Hispanics more likely to drop out of the program or university than their white counterparts. It used to be that one required a formal collegiate education in order to enter the STEM field, but more and more STEM students are entering the field through the completion of IT technical programs, or certificate programs. Hispanics have been taking advantage of this easier pathway into STEM careers, as 24 % of all STEM technical certificates were earned by Hispanics in the 2009-2010 school year. Unfortunately, the percentage of STEM degrees earned by Hispanics experienced

51 percent of the United States is female but only 34.4 percent of doctors are women. While 90.4 percent of nurses are female (“Women in Medicine”; “Male Nurses Becoming”), the women who do become doctors earn an astounding 25 percent less than their male counterparts (Groves). These staggering figures are only a single piece in the larger overall lack of women in STEM, or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, which has remained prevalent since the beginning of these fields. Although women are underrepresented in these STEM fields, this is not due to ineptitude, but instead it is a result of the force of societal stereotypes coupled with their wider range of abilities. The recent increase in women’s association with STEM seems

In a speech in February 2013 President Barak Obama said, “One of the things that I really strongly believe in is that we need to have more girls interested in math, science, and engineering. We’ve got half the population that is way underrepresented in those fields and that means that we’ve got a whole bunch of talent…not being encouraged the way they need to.” It been three years since President Obama has made that statement and the underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering and math as known as STEM majors is still a big problem today. The STEM workforce is crucial to Americas global competitiveness and groundbreaking capability. The people who work in the STEM field make up nearly half of the United

STEM Students Continue to Be Underrepresented in Schools Photo Credit: Black Youth Project Tiana Young is an incoming first-year college black student who wants to double major in aeronautical and mechanical engineering. Although Rensselaer Polytechnic University may not have been her first choice, this private institution is one of the best schools in the U.S. that specializes in science, math, technology, and engineering. However, what makes it less appealing to Young, is the school’s lack of diversity which is a huge concern for her. Young graduated from a high school that is almost entirely composed of black and Hispanic students.

Foundation requests funds for our STEM initiative to give underserved kids in disadvantaged neighborhoods the opportunity to participate in STEM programs and increase the number of minority and at-risk youth pursuing higher education and careers in STEM-related fields. We know this is an important step in preparing school-age children to start thinking about educational attainment and their future career paths. The U.S. Department of Commerce projects that STEM occupations will grow by 17 percent from 2008 to 2018, compared to 9.8 percent growth for non-STEM occupations. In addition, STEM workers command higher wages, earning 26 percent more than their non-STEM counterparts.

In America today controversy is on the rise about the desperate need for more STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) workers. Many researchers have argued that STEM jobs need to be filled with more graduates that have liberal arts backgrounds. Alternatively other professionals argue that there isn’t really a shortage at all but instead a lack of STEM talent in specific areas. Educators need to encourage more students to choose majors in STEM fields. The president’s council of advisors on science and technology makes a very valid point. Over the next decade if the country were to retain its historical preeminence in science and technology, the U.S. will need to produce approximately 1 million more STEM workers. Some argue that the need to graduate more workers for STEM areas, while others admit that there is a need for more student majoring in STEM fields but also that we need more diverse students with liberal arts backgrounds. Along with more gender based diversity.

A goal of President Barack Obama’s Educate to Innovate initiative in 2008 was to increase the contributions of underrepresented minority (URM) students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) (White House, 2009). Notably, in the context of the United States, the fastest growing and youngest URMs are Hispanics. Demographic projections suggest that Hispanics will comprise 30 percent of the U.S. population by 2040 and the majority demographic group in several states (United States Census, 2008). Thus, the need to encourage and support innovation and competitiveness in STEM participation is important, especially for Hispanic students, who are significantly underrepresented. In 2009, Hispanics represented 16 percent of the U. S. population and 26 percent of all undergraduate enrollments, but they earned just 11.9 percent of STEM bachelor’s degrees in that year (National Science Foundation (NSF), 2010). In terms of STEM disciplines, Hispanics received 3.4 percent of all bachelor’s degrees awarded in the life sciences, 0.7 percent in the physical sciences, 0.5 percent in mathematics, 2.6 percent in the computer science field and 4.7 percent in engineering (Chen, Ho & Soldner, 2013). This low STEM degree

After high school, I plan to pursue a college degree at the University of Texas in Austin, or another top tier college, in order to double major in business and chemistry. The reason I wish to major in these two disciplines is because of my involvement in the technology startup industry and my work promoting STEM. Through my participation in an honors or research program, my goal is to conduct a research project analyzing the disparities that exist for minorities in the STEM industry, as well as noteworthy solutions organizations are using to eradicate those disparities.

This report navigates the current state of STEM demographic in the country. It examines the reasons why there are less females undertaking STEM majors and gives recommendations on the problems. A brief history on STEM is outlined and the discussion follows with in depth analysis on the subject. STEM is a very critical education discipline with an importance in the economy of the country. Much as it is important, few students choose a career path in STEM. Although, there are more than 50% female students in Colleges and Universities, 12% take STEM related course. Why is this? This report is a compilation of empirical data collected in journals on the same subject explaining

To add to the stereotypical gender roles women have been trying to repair for years, women are much more likely than men to work in service occupations like personal care aides, home health aides, nursing assistants, and other roles that include a gentle touch. Although these occupations are on the rise as far as growth for the upcoming years, the median annual earnings for these jobs are less than $25,000 per year. In addition, women are less likely than men to work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (“STEM”) occupations; jobs that are stereotypically more demanding, and meant to be fulfilled by men. According to the report, only 4.6% of women work in STEM occupations, compared to 10.3% of

Today’s college students have the opportunity and freedom to choose their major and their career path. Many factors influence the decision of a college student’s career paths including background, general interests, personal strengths, time commitment, and job outlook. Although many important decisions are made in college, one of the most important is the choice of major and career track. Out of hundreds of majors the science and engineering fields are under-represented by women. Although the numbers of women in science technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEM, majors has been increasing in the past years, women still are in the minority in the STEM fields. In her study, Lona Whitmarsh