Student Retention in STEM Disciplines is Essential for a Sustainable STEM Workforce
College graduates with undergraduate and graduate STEM degrees are in high demand for traditional STEM jobs in computers, math, engineering, architecture, and the life and physical sciences, as well as STEM-competitor jobs in healthcare, the law, and management. Of all the jobs in the national economy, 40% now require STEM competencies. In spite of the high demand for STEM knowledge, skills, and abilities in jobs in and outside traditional STEM careers, many students are diverted from STEM degrees and careers. The diversion process starts early in K-12, and it continues through post-secondary education.
- Only 25% of the abundant number of K-12 students who have science and math aptitude ever declare a STEM major in college.
- Only 19% of all college students graduate with a STEM undergraduate degree. That statistic for women is 12%.
- At graduation nearly half of all graduates with STEM undergraduate degrees divert into STEM-Competitor careers or to other careers outside STEM where their knowledge, skills, and abilities are highly desirable. For women, nearly 60% of those who graduated with a STEM degree divert into other careers within two years.
- Ten years after graduation, another 20% of STEM graduates divert to other careers so that only 8 out of 100 college students who have an undergraduate degree ends up in a traditional STEM career. For women, the statistics are 3 out of 100.
Services for Students
Because of the high current and future demand for STEM knowledge, abilities, and skills in the workforce, we work with high schools and universities to generate students with an authentic interest in STEM and the academic performance that enables them to have successful, long-term STEM and STEM-related careers. With universities we create academia-to-business partnerships for STEM student success and retention and long-term commitment to STEM disciplines required by our economy. Our services include:
- Career and life coaching seminars that give students the opportunity to explore interests, passions, values, and possibilities for their academic focus and professional success.
- One-on-one and group career and life coaching to support recruiting and retention of women in STEM education.
- Academia-to-business program design and management.
- Academic coaching and tutoring.
Learn more here.