{"id":3604,"date":"2022-01-25T22:31:43","date_gmt":"2022-01-25T22:31:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.computerscience.org\/?p=3604"},"modified":"2022-12-22T21:48:49","modified_gmt":"2022-12-22T21:48:49","slug":"resources-diversity-inclusion-in-stem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.computerscience.org\/resources\/diversity-inclusion-in-stem\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Diversity and Inclusion in STEM"},"content":{"rendered":"

The broad STEM industry (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) contains hundreds of job titles, degree programs, and unique experiences. While the STEM industry features various employment options, the lack of effective support for people of diverse demographics limits many from entering into these lucrative fields.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The words diversity and inclusion often link together to form one idea about improving representation in the workplace. However, their definitions represent distinct concepts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Diversity can describe various individual and cultural traits, plus other groupings of characteristics. Often used in reference to race and ethnicity, diversity also includes gender<\/a> identity, physical ability, age, and socioeconomic status. Many of these characteristics can change over time and in different circumstances.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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While the STEM industry features various employment options, the lack of effective support for people of diverse demographics limits many from entering into these lucrative fields.<\/p><\/slot>\n <\/p>\n

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Inclusion, in this context, involves recognizing, inviting, and uplifting people with diverse characteristics. Inclusive environments can generate innovative products, create a shared sense of belonging, and improve company productivity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Several groups, including Black and Hispanic workers, are underrepresented in the STEM field, meaning they comprise a smaller percentage in the industry than in the overall population.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Companies and hiring managers in the STEM industry continue to seek opportunities to improve diversity and inclusion. Resources that encourage minorities to pursue and thrive in STEM careers support a more diverse industry.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Here you will find a guide to such resources in addition to ways the STEM field works toward increasing inclusivity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n\r\n

What is STEM?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

The STEM field consists of a vast network of career titles and unique employment opportunities. STEM workers typically hold a degree in a STEM-related category, such as science, technology, engineering, math, and healthcare fields. The STEM industry includes over 70 occupations, with employees obtaining various levels of education.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In the 21st century, nearly all industries include STEM-related occupations. Growth in STEM occupations increased almost 80% since 1990<\/a>, primarily due to increases in computer technologies. Healthcare practitioners and technicians make up the largest division of STEM employees, with computer workers coming in second.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

According to the Pew Research Center<\/a>, healthcare practitioners earn the lowest median salaries of STEM workers. In contrast, computer, mathematics, and engineering professionals earn the highest median wages.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Evolution of the STEM Field<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Computer jobs increased by 338% between 1990 and 2018, according to the Pew Research Center<\/a>. Healthcare workers have nearly doubled while the employment of physical scientists has decreased by almost half in the same period.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The BLS projects STEM jobs to grow 8% by 2029<\/a>, more than double the projected growth rate for jobs across all industries. By 2029, the STEM industry is projected to see an additional employment increase of 11%. The fastest projected job growth in STEM, mathematical science, make up just 2% of all STEM jobs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Computer jobs increased by 338% between 1990 and 2018, according to the Pew Research Center.<\/p><\/slot>\n <\/p>\n

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STEM workers need cognitive competencies, such as math and science knowledge, plus problem-solving skills, investigative abilities, and deductive reasoning skills.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Broadening the understanding of required skills for STEM careers and widening opportunities for STEM education can bring more diverse individuals into the field. The development of all employment sectors depends on the evolution of STEM.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Job Opportunities in STEM<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

The growth of the internet and information technology has led to an increased need for computer specialists across all business sectors. This demand also expands the variety of organizations seeking STEM-educated professionals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

With a median salary of $77,400<\/a>, STEM workers generally earn higher salaries than employees in other occupations. Most STEM workers hold at least a bachelor's degree in a STEM-related field. Advanced degrees often connect workers with higher salaries in their careers and an increase in promotion opportunities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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With a median salary of $77,400, STEM workers generally earn higher salaries than employees in other occupations.<\/p><\/slot>\n <\/p>\n

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Healthcare systems host a majority of employment opportunities in the STEM industry. This sector includes positions such as nurses, dental hygienists, physicians, and laboratory technicians. While healthcare professionals tend to receive lower salaries than other STEM jobs, some positions remain at the higher end of the pay scale. For example, physicians, dentists, and pharmacists receive some of the highest salaries in the industry.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Computer occupations account for a large percentage of the STEM workforce. Software developers rank highest in the employee count, while information security analysts<\/a> receive the highest salaries in the field.<\/p>\r\n

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Career Demographics in STEM<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

Demographics within the STEM field vary significantly between occupations. The Pew Research Center<\/a> studied trends in the STEM profession, providing vital data on demographic representation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

White workers represent the largest racial demographic in the STEM field, accounting for 69% of all STEM<\/a> employees. This percentage represents an overrepresentation compared to the overall workforce. While women constitute half of all STEM positions, they do so only in the health industry, leaving significant representation gaps in other areas of STEM.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The educational background of STEM employees also constitutes an essential demographic factor. STEM workers obtain bachelor's degrees at higher rates than other employment sectors. For example, 29% of STEM workers earn advanced degrees, compared to 12% of all workers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Race and ethnicity demographics represent a large area of focus in workplace environments. Other demographics such as gender identity, age, and educational background are significant as well. Detailed demographic breakdowns regarding race, sex, and other characteristics make up the following sections in this guide.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

STEM Employment by Race and Ethnicity<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

The United States Census Bureau<\/a> uses white, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander as race and ethnicity categories.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Although the categories can be limiting or inaccurate, analysts use these identifiers to study demographic representation in STEM fields. The identifiers noted in the tables and resources below reflect the available Census Bureau data categories and characteristics.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n
<\/th>\r\n % in U.S. Population<\/th>\r\n % in STEM Field<\/th>\r\n Median STEM Salary<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
White<\/th>\r\n 60.1%<\/td>\r\n 69%<\/td>\r\n $71,900<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Black<\/th>\r\n 13.4%<\/td>\r\n 9%<\/td>\r\n $58,000<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Asian or Asian American<\/th>\r\n 6%<\/td>\r\n 13%<\/td>\r\n $90,000<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Hispanic<\/th>\r\n 16%<\/td>\r\n 7%<\/td>\r\n $60,760<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
American Indian or Alaska Native<\/th>\r\n 1.2%<\/td>\r\n .3% *engineering<\/em><\/td>\r\n N\/A<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Pew Research Center & Sandia National Laboratories<\/em><\/small><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Black and Hispanic individuals, both underrepresented in the STEM industry, work predominantly in lower-paying STEM jobs, with median annual salaries of $58,000 and $60,760, respectively. Conversely, Asian or Asian American STEM workers account for an overrepresentation in the field and receive the highest median annual salaries of $90,000.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\n

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STEM Employment by Gender<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Historically, research studies, including those in STEM, have collected data using binary gender identifiers rather than more inclusive gender identifiers. The information below uses BLS data to compare percentages of women and men in each STEM field along with their median salaries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n