..
In recent years, an intriguing phenomenon has emerged within the realm of higher education and the professional landscape, prompting an essential question: Why do some STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors find themselves graduating without immediate employment opportunities? Despite the widespread demand for STEM expertise, a notable subset of graduates faces the perplexing challenge of unemployment or underemployment. We have the same questions regarding non- STEM majors who have graduated, is it the area of study or is it the student?
This phenomenon raises a series of inquiries: What factors contribute to the job market challenges for STEM graduates? Why do some individuals with highly sought-after technical skills struggle to secure positions in their respective fields? Unraveling these complexities is crucial not only for the affected individuals but also for educators, policymakers, and industry leaders seeking to optimize the alignment between education and workforce demands in the ever-evolving landscape of STEM careers.
The pie chart below presents data taken from statstics of 2021 STEM and non-STEM graduates, with the purpose to show different paths graduates have taken. We see from the pie chart below that the majority of the 2021 graduates do a get a job in their field degree, compared to Health graduates who have the highest percentage of 8.3% graduates who do not get a job in their career field. We see that from the total number of graduates in 2021, 89.7% of graduates have majored in STEM, while about 12% of graduates are non-STEM majors such as economcis and health.