Preparing for Tomorrow’s Careers
Driving Cross-Sector Collaborations to Expand STEM Opportunities and Talent Development in Michigan.
Preparing for Tomorrow’s Careers
Driving Cross-Sector Collaborations to Expand STEM Opportunities and Talent Development in Michigan.
What We Do
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Connecting schools, businesses, and communities.
Hands-On STEM
Real-world programs and industry partnerships for students.
Southeast Michigan STEM Alliance
Member of the international STEM Ecosystems Network -120+ Members, 43 States, 8 Countries
Empowering the Next Generation of STEM Leaders
The acronym STEM—coined by the National Science Foundation in the early 2000s—refers to four key disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
STEM education addresses national economic, political, and educational concerns. Once a strength for American students, these fields have seen declining interest and performance, prompting efforts to reinvigorate participation and quality.
President Barack Obama emphasized in 2010, “Leadership tomorrow depends on how we educate our students today—especially in science, technology, engineering, and math.”
- Increasing advanced training and careers in STEM fields.
- Expanding the STEM-capable workforce.
- Increasing scientific literacy among the general public.
- Increasing the number of students who pursue advanced degrees and careers in STEM fields.
These goals are not mutually exclusive and are interconnected with various intermediate goals, such as learning STEM content and practices, developing positive dispositions toward STEM, and preparing students to be lifelong learners. The national strategic plan aims to achieve these goals through a combination of STEM engagement, teaching and learning, workforce development, research and innovation capacity, and creating supportive STEM environments.
Why STEM is Important
STEM education is critical for Michigan’s growth. Yet public education programs lack funding for STEM initiatives, leaving gaps in skills needed for innovation, problem-solving, and high-demand industries.
- STEM jobs will grow 17% in the next decade, compared to 9.8% for non-STEM jobs.
- Fastest-growing roles include biomedical engineers, data analysts, medical scientists, programmers, and app developers.
- Many STEM jobs require degrees, but others are accessible with training and certifications.
- College graduates earn 84% more over a lifetime than high school graduates.
- STEM majors earn even more—STEM workers average 26% higher pay and face lower unemployment.
- Even outside STEM fields, STEM degree holders enjoy higher earnings.
The need for STEM workers in Michigan and the U.S.:
- By 2032, STEM occupations in the U.S. are projected to grow about 7%, compared with about 2% for non-STEM occupations.
- Computer and mathematical occupations are projected to be among the faster-growing major occupational groups through 2032, driven by demand for software, data, and digital services.
- Demand for cybersecurity talent remains strong, with employers continuing to report workforce and skills gaps in the field.
- In Michigan, the Hot 50 Jobs Outlook through 2032 highlights strong demand for STEM careers, including software developers with more than 3,300 projected openings.
- Michigan’s long-term career outlook through 2032 points to continued demand for high-skill, high-wage technical roles as the state’s economy becomes more technology-driven.
- Detroit ranks among the top 10 cities with the highest demand for IT jobs—but for every 8 jobs, only 5 qualified workers are available
These trends reinforce the need to expand the pipeline of skilled workers in computing, engineering, data, and cybersecurity.
As Andrew Rasiej noted, “The only way for this dynamic to change is for innovation industries to support schools, advocate for new policies, and fund change. Failure risks both business success and our communities’ future.”
Your donation helps fund grants, programs, and daily operations that expand STEM education across Michigan.
- The Michigan STEM Partnership is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
- All contributions are tax-deductible and deeply appreciated.
- Donations can be made securely via PayPal.
1) U.S. Commerce Department, 2011
2) Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition
3) "What's it Worth? The Economic Value of College Majors," Georgetown University, 2010
4) U.S. Commerce Department, 2011
5) National Commission on Mathematics and Science for the Twenty-first Century, 2000
6) Employer Playbook: Best Practices and Tools to Recruit Technology Talent from Non-traditional Sources
7) Gartner
STEM Research & Data
National STEM Employment
Top National STEM Job Employment Issue
The leading national issue in STEM employment is a mismatch between the number of STEM graduates and the actual demand for their skills in relevant jobs. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects strong growth in STEM occupations—about 8.1% from 2024 to 2034—many graduates do not end up in STEM careers, and those who do often leave within a few years U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics+1.
Why the Mismatch Exists
- High attrition rates: Research shows 40–70% of STEM graduates never work in a job related to their degree, and many who do exit the field within a few years start-engineering.com.
- Job demands and burnout: STEM roles—especially in engineering and tech—can involve long hours, high stress, and unclear advancement paths, leading to early career turnover start-engineering.com.
- Skill misalignment: Employers often seek narrowly defined experience rather than generalist skills, and may prioritize international hires over domestic talent start-engineering.com.
- Career redirection: Graduates may move into finance, consulting, law, or other fields where their problem-solving and quantitative abilities are valued, even if not in traditional STEM roles start-engineering.com.
Broader Labor Market Context
- Growth vs. supply: The BLS projects STEM employment will grow faster than the overall workforce, but the NSF/National Science Board estimates a larger, more diverse STEM labor market when including non-degree, on-the-job roles ASCD.
- Earnings gap: STEM jobs pay significantly more—averaging around $112,800 annually compared to $64,430 for non-STEM roles RCLCO Real Estate Consulting.
- Industry drivers: Growth is being fueled by generative AI, green technologies, and federal investments in semiconductors and clean energy RCLCO Real Estate Consulting.
Implications
The “shortage” narrative is being challenged by evidence that the problem may not be a lack of graduates, but rather a misfit between education, job expectations, and employer needs. Addressing this requires:
- Expanding pathways beyond four-year STEM degrees (e.g., apprenticeships, associate degrees, vocational training) ASCD.
- Aligning education with industry needs and offering better retention strategies.
- Encouraging employers to value diverse skill sets and domestic talent.
In short, the top national STEM job employment issue is not necessarily a shortage of workers, but a mismatch between what graduates are trained for and what employers need, leading to underutilization of talent and wasted educational investment start-engineering.com+1.
United States
• Majority of fastest-growing jobs require post-secondary education; Engineering has highest median earnings.
• By 2018, 92% of traditional STEM jobs require post-secondary training.
• Women are 23% of STEM workers vs. 48% of all occupations; underrepresented minorities also lag behind.
• Half of STEM jobs do not require a four-year degree, paying ~$53,000 (10% above comparable non-STEM jobs).
• Women’s share of CS degrees dropped from 29.6% in 1991 to 18.2% in 2010.
• Less than 50% of entry-level STEM jobs require a college degree, though higher education increases pay.
Business & Industry Partners
Build a Better Talent Pipeline
Struggling to find qualified candidates? By becoming a STEM Partner, your organization helps develop Michigan’s future scientists, engineers, technologists, and mathematicians while supporting programs that drive STEM education.
Strengthen Michigan’s Economy
STEM careers are among the fastest-growing fields. Partnering with us helps:
- Keep jobs local
- Diversify and grow Michigan’s economy
- Boost per capita income
- Deliver STEM programs and job training in schools
- Support STEM initiatives outside the classroom
How Your Organization Can Help
- Host internships, co-ops, or lab experiences for high school students
- Advocate for updated STEM requirements in schools
- Provide teacher and school training programs
- Join the MTAM Business & Industry Partner Program (details coming soon)
- Fund STEM education initiatives and programs
Support Michigan STEM Partnership
The Michigan STEM Partnership is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Donations help expand STEM programs across the state.
STEM-Supporting Michigan Companies
Southeast Michigan STEM Alliance
The Michigan STEM Partnership and Southeast Michigan STEM Alliance are committed to developing and providing initiatives that improve systems supporting STEM. This includes business development, training programs, STEM education, and community based initiatives. The Partnership works with all stakeholders to provide resources and funding that enhance and expand STEM learning opportunities for all populations and sectors.
Resources
About STEM Ecosystems
Participating STEM Learning Ecosystems
Why STEM Ecosystems
Resources