Gen Z Perspectives on STEM Education

Gen Z is moving into the workforce. Are they prepared for careers in STEM?

Careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are the jobs of the future. American businesses need employees who are ready, willing and able to pursue them. These future workers are the youth of today — Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2011.

Gen Z is making its way into the workforce. Yet much remains unknown about the degree to which Gen Z members are interested in STEM careers and whether the U.S. education system has prepared them for STEM roles.

New research from Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation finds a majority of Gen Z express interest in STEM careers. But far fewer say they intend to pursue them. Gen Z members are also learning about STEM careers in school, but not enough about basic STEM concepts.

Despite decades of investment in STEM education, research finds even more targeted approaches are needed to bridge the gap between student interest and the actual pursuit of STEM careers.

While 75% of Gen Z  youth are interested in STEM occupations, less than half say they have engaged in hands-on STEM learning classroom activities. Students aren’t receiving enough instruction on foundational STEM concepts that underlie many STEM jobs.

At the same time, research tells us that career exposure will drive career interest, and exposure to STEM specifically leads to interest in future careers in STEM. We have an opportunity to encourage and prepare students to work in the careers of the future. More than 40% of Gen Z were not previously aware of government and military STEM opportunities, but many say they would be willing to work in a public sector STEM job. This is a great example of exposure increasing interest, and we should be integrating career-exposure into more classrooms. 

Today’s students are not learning enough about careers that interest them in the classroom.

With this research, we have a better understanding of the types of careers Gen Z students are interested in. It gives us a guide to better design engaging, career-relevant curriculum. The latest Gallup STEM survey reveals what types of jobs students want – with leading interest in careers such as media and arts (11%), healthcare (11%), technology and math (10%), and engineering (8%).

Teaching students about the jobs of the future helps build awareness of in-demand careers. It is paramount to helping Gen Zers unlock their full potential.