Entry Level Jobs that Can Lead to STEM Careers

According to the report Still Searching: Job Vacancies and STEM Skills, advertisements for STEM occupations requiring no more than a high school education were among the most difficult-to-fill jobs; with some advertised for over 60 days.

Some of the entry-level STEM jobs that required a high school diploma or short-term training mentioned in the report were: medical and lab technicians, broadcast technicians, HVAC technicians, geothermal technicians, and auto mechanics. 

Do you know of any current pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, or IET programming that currently exists that helps adults enter STEM-related career pathways?

How might Teaching Skills that Matter or TSTM prepare adult learners for STEM careers?

Please join in the conversation and share your thoughts and ideas!

 

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According to Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education several high demand STEM careers are in the information technology or IT sector. Although most of the high demand occupations do require a bachelor's degree, adults can get started in this industry with certifications or associate's degrees and work their way up to a bachelor's degree. 

One example of a high demand occupation in IT is Information Security Analysts. About 13% of people working in this occupation have an associate's degree. According to Oak Ridge, "Demand for information security analysts is expected be very high, as these analysts will be needed to create innovative solutions to prevent loss of critical information and keep hackers from causing problems for computer networks. Information security analysts must stay up to date on cyber security and the latest methods attackers are using to invade and compromise computer systems. These analysts have to be knowledgeable of new security technology to decide what will most effectively project their organizations."

What type of problem solving activities could adult learners be doing in our adult basic education programs to be better prepared for this type of career path?

We had a great session about STEAM and career pathways at the 2022 COABE conference. In case you missed the session, here are some of the highlights:

STEAM/STEM Statistics:

  • Between 2017 and 2029, the number of STEM jobs will grow 8 percent, a higher rate than non-STEM jobs—with positions in computing, engineering, and advanced manufacturing leading the way. (Via the US Bureau of Labor Statistics) 
  • Regarding the job outlook from 2019-2029, employment in software development is projected for 22% growth. (Via the US Bureau of Labor Statistics)   
  • Overall, since 1990, employment in STEM occupations has grown 79%—increasing from 9.7 million to 17.3 million. (Via a 2018 article from Pew Research Center)
  • In the 2019 STEM survey by Emerson, it was stated that 2 of 3 US women said they weren't encouraged to pursue a STEM career. (From Emerson.com)
  • As of 2019, women comprise just 27% of the STEM workforce. (Via census.gov)
  • 40% of Black students switch out of STEM majors before earning a degree. (Education Advisory Board)

Other LINCS Resources:

Pennsylvania Resources:

  • Pennsylvania created blank career pathway maps
  • Set up public Wakelet board to share maps and resources. 
  • Connected with PA Society for Biomedical Research and asked them to fill in the blank maps to show career pathway options that started with entry-level jobs in the biomedical field (see the maps on the Wakelet board link above)
  • Connected with https://www.fabfems.org/ to get a female engineer to do virtual webinar about how she became an engineer and the various types of jobs and education in engineering field
  • Shared CareerOneStop videos 
  • Reached out to local K12 to find teacher in the workplace opportunities in which adult ed teachers could participate - here’s an example