Let’s Talk About the Next Generation …

STEM!  It’s where it’s at!  Science, Technology, Engineering and Math!  I’m most interested in promoting the “T” in STEM and getting the next generation to think about careers in Technology.

Here’s some facts …

• Growth of STEM related employment opportunities over the next 10 years is expected to be almost double that of non-STEM opportunities: 17% vs 9.8%.
• Those choosing careers in STEM related fields will see a wage difference of almost 26% in their favor.
• Over the last 10 years, STEM related employment opportunities grew 3x faster than non-STEM related employment.
• Projections for the next 10 years show that STEM related employment opportunities will grow substantially faster than for non-STEM related employment – 29% for professional, scientific and technical careers; 47% for computer systems design; and 58% in management, scientific and technical consulting services.
• Four out of the six highest paying professions are STEM related: Life Physical and Social Science; Business and Financial Operations; Computer and Mathematical; and Management.

Translation: If you want a job after you get out of school, and you want stability and the ability to earn a decent living – you need a background in one of the STEM disciplines.

This means that students going through high school need to be taking courses heavy in math and science to prepare them for college level courses.  I’m by no means saying that this is the only way to break in to these disciplines – but, your chances go down significantly if you are not preparing yourself properly.

Folks, it is our job to be talking about this with our kids and their friends.  Promoting what it is we do, why it is exciting, why we love doing it!  Kids don’t necessarily want to take the math courses or the science courses – it’s our job to encourage and in some cases push them.  They need to understand the long term impact of not being prepared means when they enter the workforce after their education.

For me – it’s all about Technology.  If you’ve read my introduction, you’re aware of the fact that I was introduced to computers by the time I was 12.  Yes, that was a long time ago when they were rare!  Once I touched one, I knew that was what I wanted to do professionally and I’ve been blessed to have done it the last 37 years!  By the way, what I learned in school way back then about computers doesn’t even begin to touch the capabilities that we have today.  Translation, if you want a job that keeps giving you opportunities to grow professionally and personally, I can’t think of a better career!

Find someone – change their life by talking to them about opportunities that exist.  More importantly, the jobs that will be available to them and the money they can earn, by pursuing careers within the STEM fields.  Offer to take your daughter and her friends in to the office and give them a tour.  See if you can talk about what it is you do at your local middle or high school – most teachers that I know love to have guests come in and talk to the students if it can align with the subjects that they are teaching.  Find your Engineering instructor or the instructor that teaches computer classes and offer to be a resource.  If you’re in the medical field – maybe you could spend some time in the biology classes.

Folks, it’s up to us to open the eyes of the next generation!  Can you spare an hour or two every few months to walk in to your local middle school or high school and make a difference?

Sources:
-    http://www.esa.doc.gov/sites/default/files/reports/documents/stemfinalyjuly14_1.pdf
-    http://curiosityintheclassroom.com/media/pdf/Career_Informational_FINAL.pdf
-    http://dpeaflcio.org/wp-content/uploads/The-STEM-workforce-2012.pdf

If you'd like more information on my background: LinkedIn Profile