Gov. Scott is absolutely right about the need for more S.T.E.M. degrees – and here are stats to back him up
The following is a guest post from attorney Paul Phillips.
Governor Scott has been criticized lately for saying that people should get “degrees in things where you can get jobs.” This came shortly after a previous statement by Governor Scott that Florida doesn’t need “a lot more anthropologists in this state.” Although the press and several blogs have been quick to fill headlines regarding this statement, few of these headlines have the courage to admit that Governor Scott is absolutely correct.
Why is Governor Scott correct? Simple. The demand for graduates with liberal arts degrees is far lower than the demand for graduates with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics degrees – or what are known as “STEM” fields of study.
STEM fields are those that are supposed to be both relevant and necessary for advanced societies and include agriculture and natural resources, biological and biomedical sciences, computer and information sciences, engineering and engineering technologies, mathematics and statistics, and physical sciences. Studies have shown that these types of degrees are in demand.
Recently the National Association of Colleges and Employers named the top five in-demand bachelor’s degrees in its “2011 Job Outlook.” Basically, the National Association of Colleges and Employers paid researchers to poll employers to see what positions they felt would be in need for 2011. The list looked something like this: 1) accounting 2) finance; 3) engineering; 4) computer science; and 5) business administration. However, these are not the degrees students are seeking or receiving.
The Princeton Review states that the top ten majors in the United States are: 1) Business Administration; 2) Psychology; 3) Nursing; 4) Biology/Biological Sciences; 5) Education; 6) English Language and Literature; 7) Economics; 
Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric; 9) Political Science and Government; and 10) Computer and Information Sciences. Graphically, the field of study picture for the last 20 years or so looks something like the graph above.
Between 2000 and 2009, undergraduate enrollment at 4-year institutions increased from 7.2 to 10.0 million students, and is expected to reach 11.1 million in 2020. According to the chart above, business administration is the most popular major by far, followed closely by social sciences and history – which includes Governor Scott’s beloved anthropology degree and other related fields of study. But what else does the chart say about college majors?
For one thing, not only are more students are studying visual and performing arts than engineering, but the number of students studying the performing arts increased substantially more then the number of students studying engineering over the past two decades. Additionally, students majoring in education decreased, while the single largest growth has been in business – but followed closely by social sciences and history.
Even more interesting is the fact that these figures include international students, who overwhelmingly major in STEM fields of study, so one could surmise that a graph which excluded foreign students would look worse. What’s more, not only do foreign students major in STEM fields of study, but they continue with their education in the United States and earn advanced degrees as well. In 2006 for example, foreign students earned 47.9 percent of the doctorates in physical sciences, 55.3 percent of the doctorates in mathematics, and a whopping 61.3 percent of the doctorates in computer science. Then, studies suggest, an average of 44 percent return to their countries upon graduation, depending on the degree earned and other factors. But those who remain, fill high level, high-paying positions in research and technology.
I could go much deeper and provide additional facts about the percentage of STEM degrees earned by US students, as compared to students in other countries; or provide data relating to the hiring of foreign educated individuals in the US and abroad, but why state the obvious. Yet, it is surprising that people blame everything from the government to Wall Street for their lack of employment opportunities. But, as a friend of mine said to me recently, “I think people simply need to realize that you can pursue that degree in classical mythology, but understand your windows of opportunity are directly proportional to your lack of an applied science degree.”
Sorry, there is absolutely no excuse for attacking liberal arts degrees. I think this is part of a larger scheme to attack education as a whole and dumb down the people. Shame on Scott.
BTW, nice sunglass smiley face.
Liberal Arts degrees are not being attacked. Anyone with the money, will be able to pursue the degree of their choice. Yet, taxpayers are tired of paying for college educations that result in jobs that don’t require said education. There is a saying that goes something like this: STEM graduates ask “What”, “Why” and “How”. Liberal Arts grads ask, “Would you like fries with that?”