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America is gradually losing ground in the field of science and technology due to a reduction in the number of qualified personnel. According to recent estimates, the annual losses for the American economy could reach a whopping $480 billion.
Historically, the main engines of innovation in the United States of America have been and remain STEM specialists, they are the ones who develop the IT sector, medicine, industry and other key industries. However, today the number of graduates in STEM fields does not cover the needs of the market: many talented foreign students leave the country after studying, and local young people are less likely to choose technical and scientific specialties due to the complexity of studying and career uncertainty. If this trend continues, unpleasant changes are coming to the United States:
- The introduction of new technologies will slow down (or there will be practically none),
- Competitive advantages in the world market will disappear,
- Productivity in high-tech industries will decrease,
- The number of high-paying jobs will decrease.
So the annual loss of $480 billion is not just a preliminary statistic, but the real cost of lagging behind in innovation.
To solve the growing problem, experts offer several simple solutions: for example, simplify visa rules for international graduates of STEM programs so that they stay to work in the United States, add incentives in the form of grants, scholarships, and job guarantees for all students. It is possible to increase funding for STEM education at all levels: from schools to universities, in addition, it will be effective to strengthen the partnership between universities and business so that educational programs meet the real needs of the market.
The United States has long held the status of a world leader in science and technology, but without urgent measures to fill the personnel shortage, the state risks losing this superiority.
