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STEM Jobs Outlook Strong, but Collaboration Needed to Fill Jobs

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I beleive with the economey like it is with a shortage of jobs, our students are hesitant to go into debt with student loans. They have big expectations and are looking for carrers rather than jobs but with colledge tuition at record highs they need these companies to be more generous with schollarships and internships to help coach our kids into the new buisness models.

Rowdy Breaux of LA 8:30PM November 17, 2011

I believe the whole picture carries some clues. Currently it is estimated that a full 60% of post-doctoral scholars and PhD students in science will leave the scientific workforce for lack of career opportunities. The amazing advances in science that are happening today draw students to advanced studies. A distinction between 'STEM' jobs at the bachelor degree level, and the saturated job market at the advanced studies level (PhD) may help unpack this issue so we can create viable solutions.

Kennan Salinero of CA 11:07PM November 14, 2011

Dr. Schiavelli, how is a school like the Harrisburg University of science and Technology meet the needs of STEM students w/o a math or engineering department? http://watchinghu.blogspot.com

Hector Haston of PA 8:05PM November 14, 2011

I think that a huge problem with this, as well as many other jobs within industries is that students do not know "who" to go to for accurate and good advice as to which fields they should go into. It is my opinion that universities should be much better equipped with people who can direct new students into the industries with the need, as well as providing students with the ability to choose something that is beneficial to our country's needs but also allows them to pick something they will enjoy. Universities/colleges do not do a good job with this.

Heidi of MI 11:39AM November 14, 2011

If they're so desperate to fill these jobs, then why have starting salaries for engineering grads been pretty much stagnant for over 10 years? What happened to supply and demand?
Top jobs in finance and management consulting pay 2-4 times as much as engineering jobs out of college. Engineers don't see their pay considerably improve until 8-10 years into their careers when they've stopped doing grunt work. By that time their peers in finance are millionaires.
So long as all the largest allocation of pay goes to those who control the money instead of those who actually produce "things", that is where all the talent will go and the US economy will continue to suffer. Offer starting engineers $70,000 instead of $40-50k and the supply problem will be solved within 10 years...

doubleplusgood of MI 2:12AM November 10, 2011

I really enjoyed this article. Business involvement prepares students to enter STEM careers and motivates students to choose to study STEM fields. Dow Chemical and Northrop Grumman are excellent examples of corporate citizenship through educational involvement.
The EnergySolutions Foundation, is currently developing an online educational game that connects STEM education with industry. In particular, the game creates student awareness of job opportunities in the nuclear energy industry. The game teaches science curriculum and responds to the industry's need to prepare a future workforce as over 1/3 of the nuclear industry will be retiring in the next five years. We are inviting members of the nuclear energy industry to partner on this project. Learn more about the game at http://corereaction.org.

Kiersten of UT 2:41PM November 09, 2011

Prepare for unemployment when employed. As businesses, universities, states, counties, cities stumble through the recession some find themselves in a phase of creative disassembly. Hundreds of thousands of jobs are shed. World class University of California Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau ($500,000 salary) and his $7 million outside consultants are firing employees via Birgeneau’s “Operational Excellence (OE)”: 2,000 axed by end 2011. Yet many cling to an old assumption: the implied, unwritten management-employee contract.
Management promised work, upward progress for employees fitting in, employees accepted lower wages, performing in prescribed ways, sticking around. Longevity was good employer-employee relations; turnover a dysfunction. None of these assumptions apply in the 21 century economy. Businesses, universities, public institutions can no longer guarantee careers, even if they want to. Managements paralyzed themselves with a strategy of “success brings successes” rather than “successes brings failure’ and are now forced to break implied contract with employees – a contract nurtured by management that future can be controlled.
Jettisoned employees are discovering that hard won knowledge earned while loyal is no longer desired in employment markets. What contract can employers, employees make with each other?
The central idea is simple, powerful: job is a shared partnership.
• Employers, employees face financial conditions together; longevity of partnership depends on how well customers, constituencies needs are met.
• Neither management nor employee has future obligation to the other.
• Organizations train people.
• Employees create security they really need – skills, knowledge that creates employability in 21st century economies
• The management-employee loyalty partnership can be dissolved without either party considering the other a traitor.
Sustained employability in the 21st century economy is security. Employability: are you employable in the job market?

Milan Moravec of CA 3:24PM November 05, 2011

we have a solution ..... EARLY RESEARCH PARTICIPATION .... see http://www.bestearly.com/ and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ2PMfCYoAU
With our country facing zero employment growth and a jobless rate stuck at 9.1 percent, it is important to highlight all efforts designed to solve our economic problems in both the short and long terms. BEST Early, a local nonprofit, founded by Andrews University Professor Desmond Murray has for over a decade been providing science jobs for high school and college students in his laboratories. This local initiative is done with the background of a 2005 National Research Council report that says ‘the quality of science laboratory experiences is poor for most U.S. high school students.’
Murray’s approach of early research participation address both the short-term needs of local students looking for meaningful jobs and the long-term goal of building our nation’s scientific and technical workforce and innovation capacity as President Obama has often discussed. The BEST Early programs are ‘incubators of innovators’ that engages local high school students in high-level scientific research and discovery. Areas of research and development includes making sunscreen materials; sensors for toxic substances found in the environment, agricultural pesticides and chemical warfare agents; and new ‘hybrid’ drugs that offer the potential of reducing the number and cost of drugs while increasing their efficacy.
These students’ research has been acknowledged regionally, nationally and even internationally. Over 650 students have participated in early research, establishing research collaborations with scientists in Michigan, Illinois, and France and producing three YouTube videos on early research.
For over 85% of past participants, this was their first hands-on experience conducting independent lab research. Nine out of 10 students felt the experience was positive and important and ¾ indicated greater interest in research.
for more see: see http://www.bestearly.com/
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ2PMfCYoAU

desmond murray of MI 11:15AM November 05, 2011