Posted on 05/29/2014 6:46:01 AM PDT by Academiadotorg
That chart bears out, IMHO, the situations seen anecdotally.
Tech - you can do about the same in your field as opposed to any other high-tech job, i.e., the “going rate” is the “going rate” for a person with your skills. It shows a fluid marketplace. If you are working in a non-tech job, however, bingo ! you make less, because you’re now NOT being thought of as your tech-specialty. Fer example, if you switch from developing websites over to marketing, or customer service.
Math - right now “big data” for business and very much the gubmint is paying BIG for math people. In order to do this work one needs “higher math” skills, which most people simply do not have the brains to do. Mind you, most of the is going in goofy directions, but if it’s paying a lot, you’ll find willing employees. Advanced math degrees can qualify one to work in other high-tech fields. But right away we see a hit in pay, because the jobs are not so in-demand, and... you’re lumped into a job field that’s loaded with other people looking for work - and no advanced math degree is required for those jobs. Non-tech - same situation, but even moreso.
Engineering - people see a decent job market for their specialty (big corps would LOVE to flood this market with cheap labor). And, if you change specialties - you’re probably still doing something very technical, and you only made the switch because you could earn more. Engineering degree - and the work itself - requires a fair amount of smarts, so as much as big corps try to flood the market - trouble is, when they flood the market with stoopid people, even though they have the degree, they’re just not that effective at doing the jobs. Poor little corporate just has to pay up for decent engineers and dey don’t wike it.
Science - more esoteric field that engineering, and even math. It’s dang difficult to get the degree and to do the work. But big corps don’t need so many of these. Jobs where you actually work at science, as opposed to engineering, well, there’s not so many jobs. The degrees can be used to get into other high-tech fields - and undoubtedly it’s usually done to EARN MORE. If one switches to non-tech field... of course, you’re now competing with all non-tech people for those jobs, so you’re not going to earn as much as you could in a tech field.
IMHO, it’s pretty much what one would expect.
can anyone find stats on STEM people who own their own businesses that they’d like to share with the class ?
Two things about a physics degree:
1) most importantly,it is a certificate of intelligence.
2) additionally, the math required combined with that certified intelligence makes you a shoo-in for a high-paying career in finance, if that’s the direction you want to take.
I can't speak to civil engineers, electrical engineers, most sciences, or many other STEM disciplines. I have been an elected official in a major (founding 4) engineering society, am still semi-active and can say that from what I know nationally, there is a “strong” demand for mechanical engineers. Again, my understanding is that not all STEM degrees are in equal demand and not all Engineering degrees are in equal demand.
There is a resurgence of manufacturing that is coming back to the US. It is a trend not a stampede. That trend in greater manufacturing will be good for mechanical engineers.
The table you posted does not break things gown by detailed discipline. Not all Engineering degrees/jobs are interchangeable, nor are Science degrees/jobs. I fully believe that there may be engineering degrees that are in oversupply and that there are lots of science degrees that are in oversupply. However, I can attest to certain engineering degrees particularly mechanical and industrial engineering not being in an oversupply situation.
What kind of starting salaries do they receive? I would imagine they would be higher than some of the other engineering disciplines. Overall, wages have remained stagnant.
For what its worth, I have two ‘STEM’ degrees, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Both have served me well. Though I have been retired for 12 years, I could go get a job in the field, even part time. I have been offered.
I do not know today about the ‘eligibility’ of new graduates in the STEM’ fields, but I do know that with experience and being known in some fields can be a ticket to working in the field if someone so desires.
I have always been ‘flexible’ and that is one of the things that has made me valuable to employers.
Today I am no longer available for those who would employ me, but I do know that ‘STEM’ has a lot more viability than the easy stuff that so many students elect to take...because it is easy.
starting salary depends on the location, the industry, what marketible skills the student has acquired in college, and how they market themself.
For example, I tell student to make sure that in the capstone design project they are all required to do, to include a detailed examination of the various ANSI codes, standards, that would be applicable to their design project. It often doesn’t mater if it is an ASME Code, ASHRAE Standard, or SAE code, or an FAA certification requirement, as long as it shows a future employer that they have learned that meeting code/standard is a critical part of a commercial design. Those students who listen usually have no problem getting good jobs that they want.
For finding “typical” starting salaries, try the following an plug in Mechanical Engineer I or Manufacturing Engineer I and Seattle, WA
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