Think You Know the Facts About STEM?

There's so much written about STEM education and employment that it's easy to be confused as to what is a fact and what is a myth. Here is our short attempt to distinguish between the two.



What Count as STEM Occupations?

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, but there is no standard definition of STEM jobs. The United States Department of Commerce groups STEM jobs into three broad categories that include professional and technical support:

• Computer science and mathematics


• Engineering


• Life and physical sciences

Fact or Fiction: There is a STEM Skills Shortage, and We Can't Find Enough Workers to Fill It

There is a bit of truth to this statement—and a bit of exaggeration. Some STEM fields, like aerospace engineering, are projected to lose jobs while others—especially in the hot, IT field—are going to struggle to meet demands. STEM contains too much variation to make such a blanket statement.

Fact or Fiction: The Vast Majority of College Graduates with STEM Degrees Have STEM Jobs

Fiction—nearly three-fourths of graduates with degrees in STEM fields are not working in STEM jobs.

Fact or Fiction: There Are More Women in the United States with Degrees in Computer Science Than Ever Before

Fiction—in 1985, women made up 37% of computer science college graduates. As of 2012, that number had declined to 18%.

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Originally published on Randstad.

Opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of WITI.