Teen boys’ interest in STEM fields dips, public service ticks up, new survey says

Although Colorado schools are moving toward an increased focus on STEM fields, a new survey says teen interest in the subjects is on the decline.

STEM — which stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics — encompasses a range of fields that fall under this umbrella, including careers in areas such as computer science and civil engineering.

Only 24 percent of boys are interested in a career in STEM-related fields, as compared to 36 percent in 2017, according to the survey administered on behalf of Junior Achievement and Ernst & Young LLP. Girls’ interest remained stable, though low, with 11 percent interested in a career in a field focused on a STEM subject.

The study examined re- sults from ORC International’s Youth CARAVAN survey involving 1,000 students between 13 and 17 years old, according to a news release from Junior Achievement, a nonprofit focused on career preparation and youth entrepreneurship.

The main factors influencing teens’ top career choices are whether or not they are “good at it” and if it helps people in some form, the study states. While STEM fields saw a decrease in interest, more teens are showing an interest in public service — this year, 10 percent of teens indicated they would like to pursue a career in public service, as compared to 7 percent last year.

Kim McGrigg, director of communication at Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain Inc., said teens’ decreased interest in STEM may be because of a perception that these careers do not have a strong altruistic aspect.

To catch teens’ attention, it is important to highlight the ways STEM can be used to help others, McGrigg said.

“A job that you’re good at or a job that helps people is not separate from a job in STEM,” she said. “So how can we as a community help kids make a connection between STEM and doing good for the community, and not just thinking about it as math and robotics and coding?

“I think the answer is to bring in more people who are in STEM careers and passionate about their work and doing cool things in the community and putting them in front of kids.”

With STEM jobs recently outnumbering qualified employees, students’ decreased interest in this field may take on new significance.