Research Brief
The Uphill Climb: Women and Some Minorities Encounter Disparities in STEM Occupations, Even with Post-Secondary Education
Dec 8, 2017
An Analysis of National Trends with a Focus on the Natural Gas and Oil Industry
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This report aims to contribute new knowledge to understanding the role that postsecondary education — including bachelor's degrees, associate's degrees, and sub-baccalaureate credentialing programs — plays in meeting the increasing demands of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce, and particularly in the oil and natural gas industry. As the economy becomes increasingly reliant on workers with strong quantitative and analytical skills, there is a growing need for policymakers to identify efficient ways to prepare all youth — including those not continuing on to college — for careers in STEM. As part of the study, the authors analyze data from three national data sources: the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, the American Community Survey, and the Current Population Survey. The study indicates that the receipt of a bachelor's degree in a STEM field and the attainment of a certification or license (in any field) are important educational milestones that support success in the STEM labor market. However, in both absolute and relative numbers, women and racial or ethnic minorities are less likely to earn these critical degrees and to enter STEM employment. Without stronger support for these traditionally underrepresented groups, the STEM economy in general and the oil and natural gas industry in particular may fail to optimize the pool of potential workers that it needs to sustain growth and innovation.
Chapter One
Introduction
Chapter Two
Trends in STEM Postsecondary Degree Attainment
Chapter Three
Relationship Among STEM Bachelor's Degree Attainment, STEM Employment, and Employment Outcomes
Chapter Four
Relationship Between Postsecondary Licenses or Certifications and Employment Outcomes
Chapter Five
Summary and Conclusion
Appendix A
STEM Degrees
Appendix B
STEM Occupations and Industry Groupings
Appendix C
Analytic Methods
Appendix D
Additional Tables and Figures
This research was sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute and undertaken jointly by RAND Labor and Population and RAND Education.
This report is part of the RAND Corporation research report series. RAND reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity.
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.