STEM Education, is it worth it?

A STEM education is a pathway to prosperity--not just for you as an individual but for America as a whole. However, many believe that too many Western jobs are being lost to cheaper-labor bastions like China or India. James Brown, executive director of the STEM Education Coalition says that our country's current and future economic prosperity and ability to innovate absolutely depend on a robust, high-quality STEM workforce. If we are to keep up with our global competitors, we must step up our nation's efforts to improve and encourage STEM education.

In 2010, there were 7.6 million STEM workers in the U.S., or about 1 in 18 workers; STEM jobs are expected to grow 17% from 2008 to 2018, compared with less than 10% growth for non-STEM occupations; STEM workers command higher wages, earning 26% more than their non-STEM counterparts; STEM degree holders earn more, regardless of whether they work in STEM or non-STEM jobs.

We see that STEM education is very important to our country's current and future economic prosperity, so what is driving our youth away from STEM careers? Is a typical STEM degree just too hard? Or is there some other disconnect?

Read "How to STEM Employment Concerns" to learn more.