CAREER OUTLOOK
Recruiting Trends S
tudents should take heart. Projections in the Occupa- tional Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor show how STEM employ- ment options will likely to improve through 2020.
At least 20.5 million jobs are expected to be created during by then. The fastest-growing occupa- tions, which require at least a mas- ter’s degree, will be in health care, personal care and social assistance, and construction-related industries. In construction, a 33 percent increase, equaling about 1.8 mil- lion jobs, is anticipated although that will not meet the 2.2 million sector positions slashed during the recession. Architects, civil and construction engineers will be lifted by a slow return to normalcy. The Associated General
Contractors of America (AGC)
“represents more than 33,000 firms, including 7,500 of Amer- ica’s leading general contractors, and over 12,500 specialty- contracting firms.” In 2012, the AGC reported that while public sector growth may still be weak, private sector construction will be stable or strengthen, and nearly a third of companies will be hiring.
Information technology students should note that more companies are incorporating Building Information Modeling technology, which uses “three-dimensional, real-time, dynamic building modeling software to increase productivity in building design and construction.” Manufacturing presents a mixed bag. Output may increase while employment prospects remain flat. Computer, technol- ogy and management engineers will still be needed, however, to manage increasingly automated plants. Product, rubber goods and wood manufacturing are all expected to increase as hiring at unskilled levels falls in computer and electronic, apparel manu- facturing and chemical manufacturing.
The trend is not all south in machinery manufacturing.
The Wall Street Journal reported in December that, “in certain areas—notably aircraft, industrial engines, excavators and railway and mining equipment—the U.S. exports far more than it imports.”
Companies such as Caterpillar, the world leader in manu- 102 USBE&IT I WINTER 2013
facturing giant mining trucks, Deere, and the U.S. division of Komatsu are rushing to provide equipment to meet the global demand for minerals. The Journal also noted that the U.S. companies’ experience at developing military equipment has enhanced their private sector expertise in making durable, tech- nologically sophisticated machinery.
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction are expe- riencing stellar growth. By 2010, job growth in the oil and gas extraction and non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying is expected to rise, respectively by 15 percent and 14 percent. Astronomers, astrophysicists, would-be astronauts and a range of engineers received an early holiday present last De- cember when NASA announced a new multi-year Mars program. In 2020, a new robotic science rover will be launched. At the recent announcement of the new Mars program,
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said, “The Obama admin- istration is committed to a robust Mars exploration program. With this next mission, we’re ensuring America remains the world leader in the exploration of the Red Planet, while tak- ing another significant step toward sending humans there in the 2030s.”
As automobile sales surged in late 2012, the spirits of
students in automotive, design, mechanical engineering should be rising as well.
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EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK IN SELECT STEM SECTORS
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