The rise of Latinos in STEM careers underscores its vital importance to the U.S. economy

The North American country released the “US Latinos in Engineering and Tech Report” revealing shocking data on the growing participation of Latinos in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields in the United States.

According to a report in which both the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and the Latino Donor Collaboration (LDC) participated, it says The representation of Latinos in engineering has grown significantly in recent years. The analysis reports that enrollment of Latinos in university engineering programs will increase by 73.6% between 2010 and 2021. Additionally, STEM fields are predicted to have a promising future with a forecast of 10.9 million vacancies by 2031. .

The report emphasizes that this participation is not only inclusive but also a compelling economic imperative. “Latino participation in engineering and technology fields is not just about diversity and inclusion; It is a vital component to maintain our country’s global competitiveness and technological advancement.” said Sol Trujillo, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board and President and CEO, Latino Donor Collaborative, in their introductory letter to the analysis.

Enrollment and graduation growth of Latinos in engineering is significant. While Latinos make up 9.4% of the engineering workforce, their presence in undergraduate engineering education has increased to 15.8%. Not only does it show proportional growth, but A An increase in the total number of enrollments and, consequently, in the number of graduates.

Latin Americans, who represent 19.1% of the total US workforce, accounted for an impressive 73% of the growth in labor force participation between 2010 and 2020, more than all other major demographic groups.

therefore, The influence of Latinos on the engineering and technology workforce is undeniable, and they make up 25% of the youth in the United States. “Latinos in the United States exhibit the highest labor force participation rates among the nation’s major demographic groups,” the report states. The presence of these young people is critical to the future growth of the American economy and technological innovation.

The report also addresses the worrisome shortage of engineering and technical professionals. According to the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the 49% of companies had to turn down jobs due to lack of qualified workers. The demand for new civil engineers is projected to be around 25,000 per year this decade.

Therefore, the growing participation of Latinos in these fields is vital: “Latinos in the United States are poised to play a fundamental role in shaping the nation’s technological trajectory through their major contributions to the engineering and technology fields.” However, for Latinos in the United States to reach their full potential in these areas, It is important to understand your critical needs, challenges and opportunities” the report underlines.

In addition to enrollment and graduation increases at the undergraduate level, Latinos have also experienced significant growth in engineering master’s and doctoral programs. Among the most significant statistics is the growth in degree attainment. “The number of engineering degrees awarded to Latinos increased from 7.0% in 2010 to 13.6% in 2021., representing an increase of 94.3%,” the report said. Additionally, the proportion of Latinos in graduate engineering programs has increased significantly, rising from 3.9% to 7.5% between 2002 and 2021.

Despite progress, the report also reveals continuing challenges Latinos face in these fields. Key needs identified include mentoring and financial support. “65% of undergraduate students and 63% of graduate students report facing significant financial challenges,” the report notes. Additionally, 43% of US college students attending four-year universities report experiencing some degree of housing insecurity.

But these are not the only barriers that Latinos who want to study this profession face. Limited access to role models and mentors is another major barrier “Half of Latinos believe lack of access to a quality education to prepare for STEM fields or lack of a mentor to encourage them to pursue a career in STEM are important reasons young people do not study STEM subjects in higher education.” .,” reveals research cited from the Pew Research Center on the Development of Research.

Therefore, SHPE has worked to address these barriers through academic support programs, professional development, and financial assistance. SHPE has 14,351 members and reports an 87.7% graduation rate among its members, compared to 50% of the general US population, a significant difference that demonstrates the effectiveness of its programs.

However, there are challenges. According to the SHPE survey, 51.3% of Latino college students report having “fair” or “severe” mental health problems, and 40.9% report similar challenges with their physical health. This situation is exacerbated by cultural barriers and stigmas surrounding mental health treatment. “Addressing this requires early and culturally sensitive interventions that engage families and communities, as well as educational efforts to improve access to and awareness of mental health within the Latino community in the United States,” the report recommends.

In conclusion, the growing participation of Latinos in engineering and technology is critical to addressing the workforce shortage and maintaining America’s competitiveness on the global stage. The importance of encouraging young people to take an interest in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.