兰德-Postsecondary-Education-and-STEM-Employment-in-the-United-States_-An-Analysis-of-National-Trends-with-a-Focus-on-the-Natural-Gas-and-Oil-Industry_100页_1mb

Summary of "Postsecondary Education and STEM Employment in the United States"

Core Content

This report examines the relationship between postsecondary education and STEM employment in the United States, with a focus on the oil and natural gas industry. It analyzes trends in degree attainment, employment outcomes, and the impact of licenses or certifications on employment in the STEM economy.

Main Objectives

1. Document trends in STEM postsecondary degree attainment over the past decade.
2. Examine the relationship between STEM degree attainment and employment outcomes.
3. Explore whether obtaining a license or certification improves employment outcomes beyond traditional academic degrees.

Key Findings

Trends in STEM Postsecondary Degree Attainment (2003–2015)

• Bachelor's degrees: The number of bachelor's degrees awarded in STEM fields increased from 469,923 to 680,890 between 2003 and 2015, representing a 36% share of all bachelor's degrees.
• Associate's degrees: The number of associate's degrees awarded in non-STEM fields grew more significantly than those in STEM fields.
• Gender gap: Women earned 31.1% of all bachelor's degrees in STEM in 2015, compared to 42.4% for men, resulting in an 11.3 percentage point gap.
• Race/ethnicity disparities: Asians had the highest proportion of STEM bachelor's degrees (50%), while blacks had the lowest (30%).

Relationship Between STEM Degrees and Employment Outcomes

• STEM employment: 40.5% of STEM bachelor's degree recipients end up working in STEM occupations.
• Industry employment: 5% of STEM bachelor's degree recipients are employed in the oil and natural gas industry, compared to 2.7% of non-STEM recipients.
• Wage differences:
  • STEM bachelor's degree holders earn $37.67/hour versus $31.50/hour for non-STEM holders.
  • STEM industry workers earn $31.98/hour versus $23.63/hour for non-STEM industry workers.
  • Oil and natural gas industry jobs pay $30.46/hour on average, compared to $25.47/hour outside the industry.
• Gender differences:
  • Women are less likely to work in STEM occupations than men, even with a STEM degree.
  • Women working in STEM occupations earn $10.37/hour more than those in non-STEM occupations, while men earn $6.83/hour more.
• Race/ethnicity differences:
  • Blacks and Hispanics are less likely to work in STEM jobs than whites.
  • Among STEM job holders, whites earn $33.86/hour, blacks earn $26.97/hour, and Hispanics earn $24.22/hour.

Impact of Licenses or Certifications on Employment Outcomes

• Employment rates: Holding a license or certification is associated with a higher probability of employment, especially for those without a high school diploma.
• Wage premiums: Women with licenses or certifications earn $10.10/hour more than women without, while men with such credentials experience a $2.11/hour penalty.
• Industry-specific benefits: The benefits of licenses or certifications are stronger for overall employment and STEM jobs than for oil and natural gas industry jobs.

Key Information

• The oil and natural gas (ONG) industry is a significant employer in the U.S. and is projected to have 1.9 million direct job opportunities between 2015 and 2035.
• STEM jobs constitute 20% of all U.S. jobs and are expected to grow 9% between 2014 and 2024.
• Women and racial/ethnic minorities are underrepresented in STEM postsecondary education and employment, with persistent disparities in degree attainment and wage outcomes.
• Sub-baccalaureate credentials (such as associate's degrees and certifications) are important for STEM employment, particularly for those not pursuing four-year degrees.

Conclusion

The report highlights the importance of postsecondary education and credentials in supporting the STEM workforce. While STEM degrees and certifications are linked to better employment outcomes, there are significant disparities in access and success for women and racial/ethnic minorities. Without addressing these disparities, the STEM economy and the oil and natural gas industry may not achieve their full potential in terms of workforce development and innovation.

Supporting Organizations

• American Petroleum Institute (API): Funded the report and represents the U.S. oil and natural gas industry.
• RAND Corporation: Conducted the research, with contributions from RAND Labor and Population and RAND Education.

Data Sources

• Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): Used to track degree attainment.
• American Community Survey (ACS): Analyzed employment and wage data.
• Current Population Survey (CPS): Assessed the impact of licenses and certifications on employment.

Recommendations

• Policymakers and educators should focus on expanding STEM education and training opportunities for all youth, including those not pursuing four-year degrees.
• Targeted programs should be developed to address disparities in STEM degree attainment and improve employment outcomes for underrepresented groups.
• Investment in sub-baccalaureate credentialing is crucial for supporting the hidden STEM economy, which includes many blue-collar STEM jobs.