Posted on 05/21/2014 11:23:28 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
A new study from the Center for Immigration Studies asks whether or not there is a shortage of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workers in the United States, and their resounding conclusion is "no". The report released today and written by CIS researchers Steve Camarota and Karen Zeigler found that there are more than 5 million native-born Americans with an undergraduate degree in STEM, but not working in STEM with another 1.2 million degree holders not working at all. Additionally, there are 1.6 million foreign-born residents with an undergraduate degree in STEM that are also not working in STEM fields or working at all.
The study comes in response to continuous calls from the tech business community and Members of Congress that the country needs more STEM workers to remain competitive in the global marketplace. In the first quarter of 2013 alone, while the Gang of Eight was writing its massive immigration bill, tech companies spent $13.8 million on lobbying Congress for more foreign STEM workers.
Among CIS's findings:
The report notes that wages for an individual who holds a bachelor's degree in computer science as seen annual salaries rise from $82,896 in 2000 to only $85,896 in 2012 -- an increase of only 0.3%. But, over the same time frame, annual salaries for petroleum engineers have jumped from $86,448 to $132,618 because of the development of shale fracking. The comparison shows the impact that a shortage of workers has on annual wages. Across all the major STEM fields, including petroleum engineering, there was only a 0.3% increase in salaries from 2000 to 2012. Further, the research shows that there has been the same paltry increase in salaries for individuals with advanced degrees in STEM.
To read the full study, visit CIS.org.
Then why are we still handing out HI-B visa’s like candy?
But we need to give amnesty to the illegals and import more low cost foreigners!
Because there are not enoufgh Americans doing the work needed ... for what the companies FEEL LIKE PAYING THEM.
Nobody says STEM but government liberal weenies.
Actual working people say science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workers.
They’re more easily controlled.
I have 4 stem degrees and I do not work in stem by choice.
A lot of stem graduates go into business management.
“But we need to give amnesty to the illegals and import more low cost foreigners!”
BINGO! Ever been to Microsoft lately? My college frat mate works there. There’s a game there called ‘spot the white guy’ and you know the reason why...
exactly
How many of them started as programmers or engineers and got into technical management or technical sales? That is where you can make real money.
what is the H1B visa game actually about
it is NOT about a general shortage of workers in certain categories
as much as it is about specific employers NOT wanting to look for a qualified candidate already able to work legally in the U.S. in a particular category but the employer already having chosen a foreign resident they want to import to the U.S. for a job, a job for which there is in most cases - as the CIS STEM report shows - someone already in the U.S. and qualified for
Right, and piling them all together in an average is misleading. A BA in a hard science is not a ticket to a great job. Generally, the good jobs are at the Ph.D. level. The same is true for math.
In engineering, however, a BA from a good school is by and large a ticket to a great job. I personally know of recent engineering graduates from the New Mexico School of Mining and Technology, the Colorado School of Mines, and Texas A&M walking into $100+K/year jobs in fields such as mechanical engineering, logistics, and chemical engineering. The petroleum engineering jobs have a $100+k base (I know of one student whose base is $131k)AND a per diem when working at rigs (up to $900/day) plus expenses.
Of course, engineering programs are hard work. It’s much easier to be an ed major or a “studies” major.
I’m of the STEM of Abraham with a STEM degree and I steered the wheel of an 18-wheeler for fun and profit after finding my degree didn’t get me where i wanted to go. I’ve since pruned the STEM and find that I prefer retirement with a splash of saltwater.
This, and the fact that there are many pre-med biology majors who decide (or have it decided for them) that they are not going to go to med school. Each year there is a surplus of these majors who then find out that good jobs in biology require a graduate degree. Some of them re-direct their careers by going to nursing or pharmacy school, where they can make good money and use some of their biology training.
I don't think this is merely a dollar and cents business decision. Henry Ford knew if he paid his employees top dollar it would create a stronger customer base for his own products. This is common sense. I think the heads of these multinational corporations and, more importantly, the heads of the Globalist Banks and Hedge Funds that control these corporations hate America and Americans and are doing this deliberately to destroy the American Middle-class.
Because there is a shortage of skilled STEM workers.
The mere possession of a degree is no guarantee of ability. I look for track record using the skills and ability to work well with the current team when interviewing a candidate. The ability to quickly master a new technology is also key. The CS field moves very fast. Business and industry are constantly pushing the next meme or fad. If you're not ready to embrace and exploit the opportunity, you lose.
Bingo. Same reason we "need" more farm workers.
Ditto! Timely reminders that conservatism does not equal corporatism.
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