Stemming the flow - the reluctance of youth to pursue STEM careers

A Reuters article recently points to an ASQ Survey results stating that youth in the US are reluctant to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) for a number of reasons, perhaps the most disturbing of which is that too much work is involved.

There were 713 respondents surveyed from grades 6-12 who offered the following insights:

• STEM careers offer the most opportunities
• STEM degrees cost too much
• their grades aren't good enough
• too much work is involved
• teachers aren't preparing students well enough for STEM careers (with girls feeling underprepared x4)

I'm not sure if these results for US students translate to the rest of the world, but let us assume they do. So there is a major paradox present here. There is recognition of the opportunities offered by STEM-related careers, but (leaving cost aside) students feel underprepared, disinclined or insecure about pursuing these careers.

Of course, it is probable that a section of those surveyed have not been aligned to STEM careers no matter what the circumstance. However, what seems to be lacking is a passion and drive for STEM careers and visibility of a pathway towards that career.

Certainly from any engineering perspective, there are a number of programs on offer to ignite that passion. See the F1inSchools program that we have been specifically involved with, but also a list of engineering programs for schools is available at the Australian National Engineering Taskforce website.

Such programs ignite the interest, the passion and the drive for students to prepare themselves to take advantage of STEM opportunities.

Click here to read the results of the STEM survey.