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NEW SURVEY REVEALS HOW STUDENTS CAN BETTER PREPARE
TO BECOME FUTURE DOCTORS, SCIENTISTS, SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS,
AND ENGINEERS
~ Microsoft Aims
to Help Students Pursue and Succeed in Growing Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math Fields ~
September 2011
Redmond, WA --Today's
global workforce is as competitive as ever, and students
in the U.S. are finding themselves less prepared than
their peers in other countries, especially when it comes
to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
education.
Fewer than 15 percent of U.S.
college undergraduate degrees are in science and engineering,
compared to more than 30 percent in India and more than
40 percent in China. By 2018, according to the U.S.
Department of Labor, the U.S. will have more than 1.2
million job openings in STEM-related fields, and with
current numbers, there will be a significant shortage
of qualified college graduates to fill them.
Microsoft Corp. today announced
the findings
of two national surveys conducted by Harris Interactive
among college students currently studying science, technology,
engineering, and math degrees, and parents of K-12 students.
The goals of the surveys were to gain insight about
what can better prepare and inspire students to pursue
post-secondary education in STEM subjects.
The state of STEM education
has been a leading topic of conversation and concern
among education leaders, policymakers, business leaders,
parents, and even students in recent years. It is vital
to support students' interest in STEM from an early
age by offering programs and opportunities that encourage,
educate and empower them to succeed.
Microsoft is doing its part
by offering student technology focused programs like:
the Imagine Cup where students use technology to solve
world problems; Kodu Game Lab where students learn to
create and design their own video games; and Digigirlz
where girls learn about careers in technology through
workshops with Microsoft employees. One of the goals
of these programs is to attract and motivate youth to
study STEM fields.
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