As we suddenly see the burgeoning of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) field, it is no surprise that the need for skilled workers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) will increase exponentially as we become increasingly more reliant on quickly changing technology. STEM majors have historically been known for having ample opportunities (with the U.S. Department of Labor predicting growth in these fields to be significantly higher than average) alongside high salaries.
The U.S. Investment in STEM
The U.S. has been increasingly focused on STEM education, pointing to a shortage of domestic STEM talent:
- As early as 2008, the Department of Homeland Security extended the Optional Practical Training period for STEM graduates for 17 months; and then again in 2016 to 24 months (non-STEM majors have OPT for 12 months whereas STEM majors can have up to 36 months total).
- In 2009, President Obama created the Educate to Innovate program, which secured more than $1 billion in private investment for improving STEM education.
- In October 2015, President Obama signed into law the STEM Education Act of 2015, expanding researching and training opportunities for math and science teachers, boosting research in informal STEM education and adding computer science into the definition of STEM education.
- In December 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration initiative implemented and scaled equitable, high-quality STEM education for all students from PreK to higher education—regardless of background— to ensure their 21st century career readiness and global competitiveness.
It is clear that STEM is the way of the future and career advancement. While STEM majors may be more difficult and intensive to complete than some other majors, the payoff for time spent in these fields will often be significant for students — not only when it comes to employability but also when it comes to staying in the U.S., notably through the OPT program.
Three Major Benefits to studying STEM
- As seen above, this is a growth industry and the U.S. Department of Labor finds that STEM occupations are predicted to grow faster compared to o_ther careers: “In 2021, there were nearly 10 million workers in STEM occupations and_ this total is projected to grow by almost 11% by 2031, over two times faster than the total for all occupations__. They also pay substantially more: Median annual wages as of May 2021 were $95,420 for STEM occupations, compared to $40,120 for non-STEM occupations.”
- Immediate opportunity to stay in the U.S. longer after graduating from a postsecondary program/institution given that STEM majors qualify for a 24 month extension of their initial 12 month OPT period.
- Sponsorship of highly skilled workers in this growing field is more likely than other fields given the talent shortage within the U.S., offering international STEM students greater likelihood of finding employer sponsorship to legally stay and live in the U.S. after graduation.
TLDR:
STEM majors, while being more intensive than some other fields, are a pathway to an extended period of OPT in the U.S., higher starting salaries, and an increased likelihood of employer sponsorship given the 36 months of OPT time to fully train on the job in the U.S. To better see career opportunities in the field alongside the numerous companies that offer sponsorship to STEM graduates, download the FrogHire.ai extension, which will help you filter the companies across the U.S. which actively seek international talent with STEM expertise.
