Scientist Shortages?

[Hannah Bell]

In 1987 the National Science Foundation projected a shortfall of 675,000 scientists and engineers between 1990 and 2005. The shortage has yet to appear, but that has not stopped similar dire projections from reappearing in 1998 (the IT worker shortage) and 2002 to the present.

PhD Shortage Predictions, 1988

http://www.phds.org/the-big-picture/scientist-shortages/phd-shortage-predictions-1988/

IT Worker Shortage, 1998

http://www.phds.org/the-big-picture/scientist-shortages/it-worker-shortage-1998/

S&E PhD Shortage Predictions, 2002

http://www.phds.org/the-big-picture/scientist-shortages/s-phd-shortage-predictions-2002/

How and Why Government, Universities, and Industry Create Domestic Labor Shortages of Scientists and High-Tech Workers

Among serious analysts, who have examined the surge in Science and Engineering (S&E) PhD production, there is little question but that

1. The market has been glutted since the beginning of the 1990s.

2. The magnitude of the surge in production emanates from the temporary visa sector with smaller increases and fluctuations among immigrants and citizens.


The magnitude of the surge in production emanates from the temporary visa sector with smaller increases and fluctuations among immigrants and citizensThe magnitude of the surge in production emanates from the temporary visa sector with smaller increases and fluctuations among immigrants and citizens.

There is also agreement among these analysts on a third point: this saturation of the market is allowing scientific employers unprecedented opportunities to save on labor costs by decreasing wages, benefits and commitments...

Authors David Berliner and Bruce Biddle, concurred in their book "The Manufactured Crisis":

"In 1985 the National Science Foundation (NSF), no less, began an energetic campaign to sell the myth , basing its actions on a seriously flawed study that had been conducted by one of its own staff members. The study in question argued that supplies of scientists and engineers would shortly decline in America and that this meant we had to increase production of people with these skills. This thesis was dubious at best, but, worse, the study made no estimates of job-market demands for scientists and engineers. Thus, the researcher completely forgot to worry about whether these people were likely to find jobs."

http://nber.nber.org/~peat/PapersFolder/Papers/SG/NSF.html#Flood

[dkf]

1. Are you arguing we don't need more scientists?

Well maybe if more people were scientifically literate we could do something about global warming.

The fact that we can't get the Populace to give a crap must surely be indictment of our educational system.

[Hannah Bell]

2. are you trying to advertise your inability to read?

[physioex]

3. Correct....

As far as I am concerned there cant be enough scientists and engineers. Not all people are academically capable or willing but anyone that is should be given the opportunity.

Really there is a domestic demand for IT workers and scientists, but because of outsourcing the people here don't get jobs.

Oh yea there just isn't enough emphasis on mathematics and science in our public schools.

[OlympicBrian]

4. Add to this that US companies are building research centers preferentially overseas nt