Communications of the ACM
Recruiting the Next Generation of STEM Employees
Hiring experts suggest introducing K-12 students to science, technology, engineering, and math, helps guide some of them to those sectors for careers.
Credit: Federal Highway Administration
Hiring experts in various fields contended at the recent U.S. News STEM Solutions Conference that introducing programs to reach students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels will help nurture next-generation science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) employees.
Shell Oil's Michael J. Alvarez details his company's outreach initiatives, which include supplying two- and four-year scholarships and internship programs, teaming with science-focused organizations, and building a Web presence that gives students, teachers, and parents resources for the next generation of potential engineers.
Meanwhile, Motorola Solutions and Texas Instruments participate in robotic competitions for students, and Caterpillar has fostered strategic university partnerships. "We do research work with faculty and students at those universities," says Caterpillar's Gwenne A. Henricks.
However, key issues these efforts have not addressed include immigration reform that must parallel initiatives to foster domestic STEM professionals. "Otherwise we run the risk as businesses of losing those jobs elsewhere," says Motorola Solution's Michele Aguilar Carlin.
Building strong science and math cultures in education is another challenge to be met, according to Texas Instruments' Samantha Dwinell.
From U.S. News & World Report
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