Why are your programs necessary and important?

Currently, there is a lack of diversity in computing, as well as other STEM fields. Currently, women, Black and Hispanic people are underrepresented in STEM. According to the PEW research center:

• Women Earn 58% of all college degrees, but in 2018 earned just 19% of computer science degrees

• Women are just 25% of those working in computer occupation

• “Hispanic workers are highly underrepresented in the STEM workforce – making up only 8% of STEM workers but 17% of total employment across all occupations.”

• Black workers, who comprise 11% of total employment across all occupations…Black workers account for just 5% of engineers and architects and 7% of workers in computer occupations.”

Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/04/01/stem-jobs-see-uneven-progress-in-increasing-gender-racial-and-ethnic-diversity

Furthermore, those from economically challenged backgrounds are also underrepresented and have less opportunities to learn computer science than their peers. According to Amazon Future Engineers Report in 2021: 

• “The gaps between student interest and participation in computer science classes are particularly large for students in lower-income households (among those in households earning less than $48,000 a year, 59% are interested but 37% have taken a class), as well as Black students (60% vs. 42%) and Hispanic students (61% vs. 44%)”

• “Overall, 70% of students say computer science classes are available at their school. However, this figure is significantly lower among underserved groups, particularly rural students in low-income households (46%).”

Source: https://www.gallup.com/analytics/354740/study-of-student-interest-in-computer-science.aspx 

This lack of representation is problematic- for both underrepresented individuals and workplaces. First, there is better pay in STEM fields that can help lift the economically disadvantaged out of poverty. “In 2019, median earnings for full-time, year-round workers ages 25 and older in a STEM job were about $77,400. The comparable median for workers in other, non-STEM occupations was $46,900.”

Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/04/01/stem-jobs-see-uneven-progress-in-increasing-gender-racial-and-ethnic-diversity/ 

Next, STEM jobs are growing and important to our society. As our population becomes more diverse and STEM jobs more in demand, if we do not create more interest in STEM fields, then jobs will go unfilled in the future. According to the NSF, the STEM workforce is 89% white and 72% male, while the overall workforce is 78% white and 53% male. Right now in the U.S., there are currently more non-white children than white children, and nearly half of all children born are female.”

Source: https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2018/nsb20181/report/sections/science-and-engineering-labor-force/women-and-minorities-in-the-s-e-workforce#minorities-in-the-s-e-workforce 

Finally, having a more diverse workforce is good for businesses too! Diversity and inclusion initiatives increase innovation, productivity, and revenue across STEM fields.  “Increasing a company’s workforce diversity generates higher revenues, up to $570 billion in profit across the technology industry alone.”

Source: https://www.computerscience.org/resources/diversity-inclusion-in-stem/