The United States has become a global leader due in major part to the innovation and accomplishments of STEM workers; however, 74 percent of graduates who attained a STEM degree are pursuing unrelated career paths. Furthermore, the amount of high school seniors who are interested in pursing a STEM career is diminishing as well. These two factors are leading to a significant gap between adequate U.S. STEM workers and the jobs projected to be opening.
The State of the STEM Skills Gap
The STEM skills gap is a hindrance to the future employment and expertise of U.S. workers – according to data from the U.S. Labor Statistics, job vacancies in STEM related fields are expected to rise by 9 million between 2012 and 2022, yet the U.S. is not producing suitable talent to fill those positions.
Right now, three-quarters of the fastest growing occupations require significant mathematics or science preparation, and by 2018, there could be 2.4 million unfilled STEM jobs. This strongly validates the need to generate and support the interest in science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics education.
Why We Support the Future of STEM
Adecco views STEM as the lifeblood of innovation for the economy, and we want to be at the forefront of bridging the connection between its pioneers and the businesses that keep industry jobs flourishing.
Apply for the 2015 Engineering & Technology STEM Scholarship
That being said, Adecco is once again offering it’s Engineering & Technology STEM Scholarship worth $5,000 for high school seniors intending to major in science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics, and college students majoring in STEM paths.
Applicants are required to complete a brief online form and submit an application packet postmarked by March 16, 2015 including the following:
- Official transcript
- SAT/ACT scores
- Signed terms of agreement
- Signed letter of recommendation
- Personal statement/essay
Comments are closed.