Iowa isn’t often a trend-setter in career improvement, but this week it is. Gov. Terry Branstad signed an executive order establishing an advisory council aimed at improving science and technology education in Iowa. Creating the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council, known by the acronym STEM, will result in a better educated population, and ultimately that will translate into more rewarding careers.
"We rank a little lower than the average of other states in terms of students taking the STEM courses today," said Branstad. "That's something we want to change. An increased focus in science, technology, engineering and math will lead to higher achievement and better career opportunities….STEM occupations are expected to grow by 17 percent between 2008 and 2018, versus 9.8 percent for non-STEM occupations," Branstad said.
A key point worth reiterating is that this sort of effort eventually results in better quality, higher-paying jobs.
