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A groundbreaking report released today by SHPE: Leading Hispanics in STEM, a national organization representing more than 20,000 Hispanic professionals and college students in STEM, and the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC), a think tank dedicated to producing research that highlights economic opportunities for growth, reveals that Hispanic college students and young professionals are critical to filling the projected demand in the U.S. for 11.8 million STEM professionals by 2030 that are helping drive the country’s economy forward.
The findings of the “2024 SHPE-LDC U.S. Latinos in Engineering and Tech Report” were the focus of an interactive panel on February 18 on LinkedIn featuring Ana Valdez, President and CEO of Latino Donor Collaborative, and Dayna Martinez, SHPE Senior Director, Research & Impact.
The “2024 SHPE-LDC U.S. Latinos in Engineering and Tech Report” documents significant progress in Latino representation in engineering education, with undergraduate engineering enrollment increasing by 39% from 2012 to 2022. Engineering degrees awarded to Hispanics rose by 57% during the same period.
“With Hispanics comprising over 25% of America’s youth (population under 18 years of age) and nearly 16% of undergraduate engineering students, the talent pipeline is critical to filling the projected need for 11.8 million STEM professionals by 2030,” SHPE CEO Suzanna Valdez Wolfe said. “Empowering Hispanics with resources and opportunities isn’t just an investment in our future—it’s essential to meeting America’s growing technological demands and contributing to a growing, thriving U.S. economy.”
“Latino involvement in engineering and technology is essential for sustaining global competitiveness and driving progress in the U.S. This report offers the most compelling evidence to date that by supporting and inspiring young people to pursue STEM education, we can effectively eliminate concerns about a shortage of qualified talent,” Ana Valdez, CEO and President of LDC, said.
Key findings from the report include:
- 22% of Hispanics aged 25-34 now hold bachelor’s degrees or higher, compared to 16% of those aged 50 and older
- Master’s degrees in engineering awarded to Latinos increased by 37%, while doctoral engineering enrollment grew by 50% from 2012-2022
- Latinos are projected to account for 78% of all net new workers by 2030
- Hispanic participation in AI technical roles increased by 59% between 2018 and 2022
- SHPE members have a graduation rate of 88%, significantly higher than the national engineering rate of approximately 50%
Latino youth demonstrate strong adaptability and engagement with emerging technologies compared to other groups. Among young Hispanics, 54% use artificial intelligence (AI) for information gathering, while 39% use it for creative applications such as image generation and 27% for music production. This active use of AI signals not only engagement with the technology but also early skill development, laying the foundation for Latinos to transition from users to developers of AI-driven solutions.
Moreover, 64% of respondents are motivated by the opportunity to solve real-world problems through engineering and technology, aligning with the values of community and service emphasized in Hispanic culture. For many, financial incentives and earning potential (52%) add to the appeal, as does the promise of continued career growth and diverse opportunities (50%) in these dynamic fields. Personal experiences (47%) also play a role, with exposure to technology or role models often sparking an enduring interest in STEM.
However, challenges remain: The report identifies several areas requiring attention, including financial insecurity (affecting 66% of Latino students), housing instability, and the need to increase institutional support and mentorship opportunities. The report concludes with specific recommendations for stakeholders, including expanded mentorship programs, increased STEM funding, and partnerships on internships, career fairs, and public-private initiatives to promote careers in STEM.
The report can be accessed here: LINK https://shpe.org/resources/research/
About SHPE:
SHPE: Leading Hispanics in STEM is a nonprofit organization serving and advancing Hispanics in STEM. With more than 20,000 student and professional members, SHPE’s mission is to change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development. For more information, please visit https://www.shpe.org/.
About Latino Donor Collaborative:
The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) is an independently funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and think tank. The LDC has consistently provided economic and business data through meticulous research and fact-based insights. Its reports have become essential tools for U.S. resource allocators, highlighting the growing opportunities presented by the myriad contributions of U.S. Latinos across the social spectrum. Learn more athttps://www.latinodonorcollaborative.org/.
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