2022 EDSIG Proceedings: Abstract Presentation
The Gaps between STEM Education and Industry: A Focus Group
Kim Nguyen
City University of Seattle
Sam Chung
City University of Seattle
Yu-Che Liu
City University of Seattle
Apiwat Chuaphan
City University of Seattle
Seyoung Nam
University of Washington
Millions graduate from universities across the United States annually, but only 14% of those hold STEM occupations (Cheeseman D. J. & Martinez A., Jun. 6, 2021). Amongst those, foreign-born workers contribute to $2.3 trillion in federal tax revenue each year (David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Rita Allen Foundation, 2020). However, the rest struggle to find jobs, despite the reputation and education their universities have provided. The acceptance rate of getting into big tech companies like Google can be as low as 0.2% (Popomaronis T., Apr., 17, 2019), making it 25 times more competitive than getting into Harvard. As such, many are reluctant to join STEM, especially international students, due to the uncertainty of the job opportunities. However, “Each additional 10 bachelor’s degrees awarded to international students by a college or university leads to an additional 15 bachelor’s degrees in STEM majors awarded to U.S. students” (Anderson S., Apr. 6, 2021). Yet, if international students are refaining from joining STEM, due to the difficulty of getting jobs post-graduation, universities, US-born students, U. S’s tax revenue, STEM talent diversity and more will be affected. So, how can this situation be improved? What is missing? Why do most foreign or even US-born graduates struggle to land a job in STEM after graduation? At first glance, many may argue that companies are asking for too high qualifications. The answer lies in the gap between academia and industry in deeper investigation. This paper is a study of a focus group of 6 students who have recently landed jobs in STEM at Google, Adobe, Amazon, Twitch, Redfin and Splunk - the tech giants. Throughout the paper, shortcomings of STEM training, crucial factors of success, and lessons learned from these students will be revealed, which could be applied to STEM education, and tremendously help the next generations of STEM students and educators to expand and improve the STEM education and workforce.
Keywords: STEM education, STEM industry, STEM jobs.
References
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David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Rita Allen Foundation (2020). STEM and The
American Workforce. An Inclusive Analysis of The Jobs, GDP, and Output Powered by Science and Engineering.
https://www.fticonsulting.com/~/media/Files/us-files/insights/reports/2020/march/stem-american-workforce.pdf
Cheeseman D. J. & Martinez A. (Jun. 6, 2021). STEM Majors Earned More Than Other STEM Workers.
https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/06/does-majoring-in-stem-lead-to-stem-job-after-graduation.html
Popomaronis T. (Apr., 17, 2019). Here’s
how many Google interviews it takes to
hire a Googler.
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/17/heres-how-many-google-job-interviews-it-takes-to-hire-a-googler.html
Collegetrasitions.com (May 26, 2022). How to Get Into Harvard: Admissions Data and Strategies.
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