By Jazelle Reed on Jun 3rd 2010 5:34PM
Filed under: News, Education
African Americans have been missing out on jobs in the area of science, technology, engineering and math (summed up in the acronym STEM) for quite some time. Now is the time to put a stop to this startling trend. These jobs pay more than double in comparison to jobs in the service sector, which is traditionally where the highest concentration of African American employees are found. STEM jobs are important to the economy and our nation's future. Part of the reason they pay so well is because they create additional jobs through prompting innovation in various sectors, leading to overall economic growth.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) engineering jobs pay an annual salary of $74,670. The average salary for math- and science-related occupations is $69,830, and the average tech salary is $67,010.
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Employment Around Globe
NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Carl Louis searches for jobs at the New York State Department of Labor employment center on June 4, 2010 in New York City. Individuals looking for work can use the center to search for jobs, work on a resume and speak with employment professionals about gaining new skills. New Labor Department figures released today show that private payroll rose by 41,000, lowering the jobless rate to 9.7 percent from 9.9 percent. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carl Louis
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Jobs Around the World
NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on June 4, 2010 in New York City. Stocks fell sharply on Friday following news of a new four-year low for the euro and a poorer than expected jobs report. The Dow Jones industrial average lost as much as 337 points in late afternoon trading. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Jobs Around the World
NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on June 4, 2010 in New York City. Stocks fell sharply on Friday following news of a new four-year low for the euro and a poorer than expected jobs report. The Dow Jones industrial average lost as much as 337 points in late afternoon trading. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Jobs Around the World
NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on June 4, 2010 in New York City. Stocks fell sharply on Friday following news of a new four-year low for the euro and a poorer than expected jobs report. The Dow Jones industrial average lost as much as 337 points in late afternoon trading. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Jobs Around the World
NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on June 4, 2010 in New York City. Stocks fell sharply on Friday following news of a new four-year low for the euro and a poorer than expected jobs report. The Dow Jones industrial average lost as much as 337 points in late afternoon trading. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Jobs Around the World
NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on June 4, 2010 in New York City. Stocks fell sharply on Friday following news of a new four-year low for the euro and a poorer than expected jobs report. The Dow Jones industrial average lost as much as 337 points in late afternoon trading. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Jobs Around the World
NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on June 4, 2010 in New York City. Stocks fell sharply on Friday following news of a new four-year low for the euro and a poorer than expected jobs report. The Dow Jones industrial average lost as much as 337 points in late afternoon trading. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Jobs Around the World
NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on June 4, 2010 in New York City. Stocks fell sharply on Friday following news of a new four-year low for the euro and a poorer than expected jobs report. The Dow Jones industrial average lost as much as 337 points in late afternoon trading. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Jobs Around the World
NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on June 4, 2010 in New York City. Stocks fell sharply on Friday following news of a new four-year low for the euro and a poorer than expected jobs report. The Dow Jones industrial average lost as much as 337 points in late afternoon trading. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Jobs Around the World
NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on June 4, 2010 in New York City. Stocks fell sharply on Friday following news of a new four-year low for the euro and a poorer than expected jobs report. The Dow Jones industrial average lost as much as 337 points in late afternoon trading. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Jobs Around the World
NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on June 4, 2010 in New York City. Stocks fell sharply on Friday following news of a new four-year low for the euro and a poorer than expected jobs report. The Dow Jones industrial average lost as much as 337 points in late afternoon trading. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Jobs Around the World
STEM jobs require a college degree, which is a large factor in keeping many African Americans out of this sector. The percentage of African Americans with a college degree is roughly 27 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. However, this low percentage can be changed via proper planning and preparation early on in the academic careers of black students, starting as early as the middle school years.
The creation of programs that prepare African Americans for jobs within these sectors is also helpful. For instance, the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) provides strategies for success in various careers, including engineering, accounting, medicine, law and more. More information can be found through various CSTEP programs within educational institutions around the country. Google "CSTEP" with the names of your local education organizations and universities for more information.
The Obama administration has been helpful in facilitating increased employment in these sectors. The president has backed a $250 million public-private partnership, which will train 10,000 new math and science teachers and more than 100,000 existing teachers in STEM subjects.
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Comments: (11)
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By: jamarcus on 6/03/2010 10:39PM
The reason for this is as a community, we do not encourage our kids to major in science, math or engineering related fields. Instead, as a community we waste our time playing basketball or football or waste our time on rap music.
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By: dvine on 6/05/2010 9:27PM
i couldn't agree w/u more..
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By: sandra on 6/05/2010 4:52PM
jamarcus, I totally agree with you on this one. Yes, there are the outside forces that help to bring or community down. Quality education, especially in the areas of math and science. Supporting and advocating for quality Black teachers and schools,character building and a strong moral fiber are the key to saving our youth. But- I'm sad to say, it seems like our poeple in general are chosing to go down the road to perdition because of their love of money.
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By: Wilson on 6/03/2010 10:57PM
Where in the world did you come up with that theory concerning the black man and him waiting on reparations from the white man? thats not true, Plenty of blacks are in college, and more are getting smart and going for the education. There are still some who have not got the bug and choose to do other things ( They should not ), but i,am proud of black accomplishments to date, but admit there is much more to be done to convince young blacks the importance of education.
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By: kchi on 6/21/2010 11:16AM
Wilson you have a valid point I am a african american mother of four and the biggest of the behavioral problems come from our african american men hell I have a problem dealing with them so I do not to a large extent deal with they'er unpredictable typical behavior all you have to do is drive in all black neigborhoods and see for yourself all black men are not like that but a vast majority are I have my own place, work and go to school not to many of our men are doing that if they can live of someone some of their lazy a$$es will, good black men do not feel offended because I am not talking about because we have some left in our race but quite as kept many of our men aren't searching for nothing but respect look how far respect on the street has gotten many I and my daughter found great scholerships and grants through research I am a firm believer of reading and internet searches I refuse to be told any thing without proof.
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By: charles on 6/05/2010 9:06AM
I think you misssed it by a mile . have you thought about going outside your imediate family and maybe helping another young black man or woman find thier way? cherish what you have and dont dwell on the bad . I hear all the time about someone succeeding when they were expecte to fail . Jesse and Al believe me have very little if any influence in the black community , they have sold us out so many times it aint funny
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By: stare k on 6/05/2010 7:49PM
So what elsere is new? They gave all the decent jobs to whitie. As if blacks don't need a job .
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By: kchi on 6/27/2010 5:04PM
Come on are you serious by now we should have learned it is what you apply yourself too not who do we blame for our failures to do right we as african americans have to get it right and follow suite not be white cause we can be who we are and still follow suit Obama did it.
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By: stopwhining on 6/07/2010 2:21PM
@ Stare K- Oh please, if you believe that garbage you belong at the bottom of the totem pole.
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By: Pennstategrad on 6/08/2010 10:37PM
Stop blaming people. If African Americans dont have the qualifications, they wont get the job PERIOD. People are not out there holding jobs for black people. Go to school and get an education and compete. I've met a lot of black children who think like you and because of that they dont push themselve. I am so sick and tired of Africans American majoring in communications, ECON, African American studies. To me you are taking the easy way out. Its time we major in STEM and take control of our lives.
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