There’s a buzz in the air and it’s not about back to school. The buzz is all about STEM. For those of you who may not know, STEM is the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The goal is to promote learning around these disciplines so students can obtain jobs within the technology field after they graduate college.
Working in the world of technology myself, I can understand how these STEM skills are paramount to one’s success within the technology industry. However, after taking part in a couple of STEM-related career days with high school aged students, I feel there is another acronym that needs attention, SOIL. You see, for me, you can’t have the STEM without the SOIL.
I define the SOIL as:
Stimulation is needed in order to get kids even thinking about a career that involves some sort of technology experience. Educators, school counselors, and parents need to help with this. We need to have those conversations about what kids realistically see themselves doing after completing their education.
Opportunities need to be identified, whether they are within the field of technology or some other avenue of interest to these young minds. Not everyone can be steered toward a career in technology. We have many students who are of the creative mind and need to concentrate their focus on arts or entertainment.
Inquisitiveness needs to be heightened. In my experience with high-schoolers, it was evident inquisitiveness was lacking. They were not bursting with excitement; they were not tripping over each other to ask questions. I could chalk it up to a lack of maturity, but I feel they lack a curious mind. The stress to succeed is at an all-time high. Educators are so focused on preparing kids for the workforce that sometimes we forget they lack life experience.
Long-term goals need to be determined. The youth of today simply cannot wait until college graduation day to figure out what their career goals are. The workplace is too competitive for complacency. It is all of our responsibility to steer these kids in the right direction. It starts with learning the life skills necessary to compete in the corporate world or in an entrepreneurial world if that’s the direction they choose.
Tools to Get Started
There are some great tools out there to help get our leaders of tomorrow started.
- YouScience is an online tool that was developed to help students understand how their talents, interests, and passions fit in with real-world careers. The tool consists of 11 aptitude brain games that reveal your natural abilities in skills needed for high-demand careers.
- Adventures in Education provides students an opportunity to take inventory of their skills and interests, establish career goals, and develop a strategy to achieve those goals.
- Focus 2 Explore guides individuals through the process of career planning and college selection. Users discover majors, explore career paths, and find colleges matching their interests and personal preferences.
Before we plant the STEM, we need to make sure they are equipped with the SOIL in order for them to grow.
Alaine Carrello is a senior trainer in Learning and Development at Verizon. She has been with Verizon Wireless for more than 20 years and has been in the Learning and Development organization since 2010. Carrello is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Bellevue University with a Bachelor’s degree in Adult Education. Creative writing is her passion and she recently published her first book.
