Americans find high value in STEM careers, digitalization

The Randstad Workmonitor survey has revealed that 68% of American workers would choose a field of study focused on science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).

"Employees understand the value of STEM talent today; they see their employers on the hunt for that talent and how in demand STEM skills are in the modern workforce," Graig Paglieri, group president, of Randstad Technologies and Engineering, said. "The survey endings don't necessarily mean people in non-STEM roles have career regret or think their jobs will be taken over by automation and robots. However, it's clear most people think having at least some formal STEM education continues to be valuable in today's job climate."

Sixty percent of employees, meanwhile, believe their employer faces difficulty hiring qualified candidates for STEM-related position, with 47% responding that their employers are facing an increasing need for employees skilled in STEM areas.

"Formal education aside, employers who proactively provide upskilling opportunities to their employees will be at a greater advantage long-term than those who do not – honing STEM talent from within can be a great way to close the skills gap many organizations feel right now," Paglieri said.  

The Workmonitor survey also showed that Americans would do well to prepare – or continue to prepare – for digitalization in the workplace. While 27% stated that they believed their job would be automated in the next five to 10 years, approximately half reported that they were beginning to take action in learning about artificial intelligence.

At the same time, 79% said they felt comfortable dealing with on-the-job digitalization – with 62% believing that their employer should invest in digital skill development for employees.

The Randstad Workmonitor survey is conducted quarterly, online among employees aged 18-65 who work a minimum of 24 hours per week. The 2019 second quarter survey was conducted from April 23 to May 9.

Randstad North America is a subsidiary of the Netherlands-headquartered Randstad NV. The North American arm employs more than 5,700 associates, as well as a deployed workforce of 100,000 in the US and Canada. The company offers employment and staffing solutions, in addition to outsourcing, consulting, and workforce management services.