Connect students with careers

By Shirley Greening

and Cheryl Feldman

These days, it is rather impossible to discuss workforce development and education issues without hearing about STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. The main reason behind this increased buzz is that there are not enough young people pursuing STEM careers to meet the demand for the high-technology jobs of the 21st century.

Recent reports from the U.S. Department of Commerce found that STEM jobs grew at a rate three times that of non-STEM jobs in the first decade of this century, and they are projected to grow by 17 percent during the second decade.

However, students are not entering these fields, and the pipeline of talent is quickly dwindling. Only about a third of bachelor's degrees earned in the United States are in STEM fields. Moreover, 28 percent of young people said they are not pursuing STEM careers because they were not well prepared in school to seek further education in these areas.

Industry-pipeline programs are a viable and successful way to fill the void. Earlier this year, WorkReady Philadelphia launched the newest biotechnology-focused education program, called Quest, for 25 high school juniors from Roxborough and Lincoln High Schools with funding provided by GlaxoSmithKline and the Philadelphia Foundation. The program, managed by the Philadelphia Academies, launched in January. There are four other WorkReady industry-pipeline programs focused on the construction, health-care, and financial-services industries.

Quest introduces students to biotechnology and molecular sciences - one of the fastest-growing industries in the country, with an expected job growth rate of 31 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quest's seminars, laboratories, and student-research projects were designed by Jefferson's Department of Bioscience Technologies faculty, and are guided by both alumni and current students.

Every week, we see the transformation of these students, both in the hands-on techniques labs at Jefferson, where they learn and perform the fundamental techniques that are in demand throughout the biotech sector, and at after-school programming organized by District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund, an affiliate of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees.

A high school student who is fascinated by science is a fantastic contribution to our region. However, a high school student who also understands recombinant DNA techniques; genomic pathology; microbial biotechnology; plant, animal, and forensic biotechniques; and who experiences the fun and pride of scientific discovery is truly priceless. Moreover, such students will be well prepared to enter the expanding biotech marketplace.

In honor of National STEM Education Month, we need to encourage more collaborations like the Quest program to help prepare our students for successful futures, specifically in the STEM fields. Our region's ability to build a strong and competitive pipeline of youths who will succeed in industries related to science, technology, engineering, and math is dependent upon engaging young people and generating interest at an early age.