NEWS RELEASE
March 2, 2010
State Releases New “Hot Jobs” Report,
Prospects for “STEM” Careers Highlighted
New information is now available for Missourians looking for which jobs will be “hot” this decade. The report shows that youth and adults with an interest – and skills – in science, technology, engineering, and math have many bright prospects in Missouri.
The “Missouri’s Hot Jobs” report suggests which occupations are most likely to be in demand through 2018, according to the Missouri Economic Research Information Center (MERIC). The report is available online at www.missourieconomy.org and www.missouriconnections.org.
Its release is timely, state officials said, as the first week of March is now designated by the governor as a time to promote the importance of careers and education related to science, technology, engineering, and math, or “STEM” for short.
“With 86 STEM occupations identified in Missouri, 51 are on the new ‘Hot Jobs’ report,” said Dr. Marty Romitti, MERIC director. “That should give students, parents and adult jobseekers even more reason to take the time to explore the many excellent and diverse career opportunities available in the STEM fields.”
To be rated “hot,” an occupation must be growing, have numerous openings and offer better-than-average wages according to MERIC, which partnered with the Missouri Department of Education to create the report.
Wage data for Missouri occupations also place STEM occupations in a favorable light. While the average wage of all Missouri occupations is $38,849, the average wages of STEM occupations are much higher: $66,584 for math-intensive occupations; $69,816 for engineering-intensive; $72,407 for technology-intensive; and $104,844 for science-intensive.
Missouri Commissioner of Education Chris L. Nicastro noted that providing high-quality, comprehensive STEM experiences is central to Missouri’s educational reform plans and will affect teachers, students, public schools and other institutions.
“Given the projections concerning the importance of STEM careers to the future economy, schools have a responsibility to provide education and training solid in STEM and to help students explore these growing fields,” Nicastro said. “Students must not only be prepared to compete for jobs in Missouri; they must be able to compete in the global community.”
Missouri is approaching STEM content as a curriculum priority. One key objective is to increase the number of minority and female students graduating from high school with a concentration in STEM-related coursework.
“Our goal of helping all students become college- and career-ready will require a focus on rigorous, STEM-related courses and activities,” Nicastro said.
Getting students excited about STEM careers is not just good for the future of individual students but also for the future of Missouri, said Byron Keelin, executive director of the Missouri METS Coalition. The coalition is a non-profit organization formed in 2006 to foster communication and awareness with government, business and community leaders on the importance of STEM education for a prosperous and globally-competitive workforce.
“The people involved in the economic development of this state realize there is enormous opportunity for growth in the STEM fields,” Keelin said, explaining the purpose of STEM or METS Week. "That is why Missouri is prioritizing the advancement of STEM training and education. It’s a matter of developing our workforce to attract quality employers to this state.”
Other news:
- State Releases Report on Missouri's Jobs
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Southeast Missourian (2/28/2010)