There is a growing demand for professionals that possess
STEM skills, yet there is a decline in young professionals in STEM. To add to
this demand, according to a recent article by Business Insider, there has been
a forty-four percent drop in the labor force participation rate since 2007 that
can be directly attributed to retiring baby boomers. Current trends show that this rate isn’t
about to slow down anytime soon. The
problem is that there’s more people leaving and less people entering the STEM
field. Of the students that pursue a Stem major, thirty-eight percent of them
won’t graduate with one. How do we change this? It starts with the young. Let’s look at the facts. In 2013,
·
56 percent of US high school graduates were not ready
for college level math
·
69 percent of U.S. high school graduates were not
ready for college level science
·
Students who progress through at least Algebra
II in high school are two times more likely to graduate with a bachelor’s
degree
·
29: The number of countries whose high school
students performed better than U.S. students in math in 2012
·
22: The number of countries whose high school
students performed better than U.S. students in science in 2012
The statistics show that American students are not prepared to pursue a STEM degree in
college. Young children are initially drawn to science and engineering, yet
that interest quickly diminishes as they begin middle school. The facts
demonstrate a problem in our public education. Over one third of public math and science
school teachers did not study their subject in college and/or are not certified
to teach it. Most of us can agree that if we weren’t properly taught something,
we aren’t going to become passionate about it.
Building a strong background in STEM skills for our
children, teens, and young adults will provide rewarding and lucrative careers
in their future. Our world is now
technology driven; there is no impending decline in STEM jobs in the future. An
education that integrates STEM skills into our classrooms will allow our young
people to reach their potential in STEM at the college level. Young people are
our workers in training.
Paladin Consulting connects talented STEM professionals to
exciting career opportunities. We are always looking for skilled professionals
to place in innovative, new roles. If you are ready to take on a new
opportunity, apply online today.
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