'Stem-phasis' revisited: job outlook for science and engineering grads not so clear.

• Author: Dano, Mike
• Position: JOBS

IS THERE A SHORTAGE OF ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS IN THE U.S. WORK FORCE?

The popular opinion is yes, the American education system isn't producing enough science and math graduates. But new research from the National Bureau of Economic Research, the RAND Corp. and the Urban Institute has countered this long-cited outlook with evidence that the reverse is actually true: There are more science and engineering workers in the U.S. than there are jobs.

But does this apply in Colorado as well? Depends who you ask.

"It's hard to make a blanket statement that there is a shortage of engineers," said Marilen Reimer, executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Colorado. "Our member consulting engineering firms are telling me that they are finding it difficult to find experienced engineers, especially mechanical and electrical professional engineers with 10-15 years of experience."

Reimer noted that the recent recession had a major impact on civil engineers specifically, pushing them into other fields like finance, law and teaching. "That discipline is still recovering," she said.

Others in the field report that the talent shortage--or surplus--varies by specialty.

"We have not had any issue filling graduate level engineering positions with great, qualified candidates today," said Maura Horn, vice president of global talent development at engineering firm MWH Global. "There are more qualified candidates than we have positions to fill."

Horn said part of the shift is due to the fact that there are now software programs that have taken over the jobs of some design engineers. "However, we do struggle to fill more specialist roles, those requiring five to nine...