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Driving Global Economic Success Through Diversity and Prosperity in STEM Education

Multiple academic studies have demonstrated that encouraging children to pursue a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) career gives them a distinct business advantage later in life. For generations, STEM education has remained an integral approach to learning and development, helping students develop the critical thinking tools that are vital to an ever-evolving world. In addition to the academic value it delivers for students, STEM contributes to creating essential roles and opportunities in the job market that drive the global economy. 

Employment opportunities for STEM graduates

Solongo ChuluunbaatarSolongo ChuluunbaatarSince the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance and value of STEM careers have only been further reinforced by shifts in the global economy and responsive technological advancements. According to STEMEducationGuide.com, a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,  as of 2020, over 10.2 million people work in a STEM field in the United States, representing 6.6% of American jobs. STEM occupations have an average salary of $100,900, nearly double the national average for non-STEM positions.

As the world becomes increasingly digitalized and reliant on technology, the demand for STEM skills and careers is growing rapidly. As such, STEM students are invaluable to the economy and workforce. As technology continuously evolves, so does the job market as it adapts to advancements in every industry. New roles and positions are created to align with current technological innovations. STEM experts are instrumental in the design, development, and implementation of solutions to the world’s complex problems. According to Dell Technologies, professionals believe that 85% of STEM jobs that will be needed in 2030 don’t exist currently. Substantial changes in the field are right around the corner.

Challenges and the need for improvement

STEM students possess the knowledge necessary for driving innovation and economic growth. For this reason, it is important that they receive academic resources and opportunities that effectively promote the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Unfortunately, STEM education is currently facing challenges that could affect the success of skilled students around the globe.

Despite the incremental increase in women entering STEM fields, there are far fewer female workers in computing and engineering than men. According to the Pew Research Center, women earned 53% of STEM college degrees in the United States in 2018, but only 22% of those were in engineering and 19% in computer science. These two STEM fields, in particular, are dominated by male workers and lack gender diversity. At the same time, women greatly outnumber men in the world of healthcare. This is only the tip of the iceberg.

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