EMPLOYERS WITH Non-STEM JOBS COMPETE FOR STEM WORKERS
STEM occupations are NOT the elite cluster of highest paid earners. Although STEM wages are higher and growing faster than most non-STEM occupations with comparable levels of education, they are significantly smaller as a STEM career progresses than managerial and professional STEM-Competitor occupations.
Strong competition is occurring between employers who operate in economic sectors where operations require traditional STEM occupations vs. those whose operations require elite STEM competitor occupations. Elite occupations of the national economy are where compensation is greatest and job satisfaction is highest.
STEM-Competitor Occupations
Healthcare — Physicians, Nurses, Dentists (STEMM)
Managerial — Business Executives
Professional — Lawyers, CPAs
WHY DO STEM WORKERS DIVERT INTO Non-STEM OCCUPATIONS?
Their Cognitive Competencies and Values Are More Highly Valued
STEM competencies and values are in high demand in healthcare, managerial, and professional job sectors. This is the primary cause of STEM college graduates and career professionals diverting from a traditional STEM career to elite careers, where they can be more financially secure and achieve a high level of personal satisfaction.
WHAT ARE THE HIGHLY SOUGHT COGNITIVE COMPETENCIES?
STEM Knowledge
Production and Processing
Computers and Electronics
Engineering and Technology
Design
Building and Construction
Mechanical
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
STEM Skills
Mathematics
Science
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Complex Problem Solving
Operations Analysis
Technology Design
Equipment Selection
Programming
Quality Control Analysis
Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Equipment Maintenance
Troubleshooting
Repairing
Systems Analysis
Systems Evaluation
STEM Abilities
Problem Sensitivity
Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning
Mathematical Reasoning
Number Facility
Perceptual Speed
Control Precision
AND THEN THERE ARE THE Non-COGNITIVE COMPETENCIES
STEM Worker Values
Achievement
Independence
Recognition
STEM Worker Interests
Realistic
Investigative