patrick.net

Neither is the link

I assume this is the link you meant to post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/us-pushes-for-more-scientists-but-the-jobs-arent-there/2012/07/07/gJQAZJpQUW_story.html

Seriously? Yet more of this bullshit? These guys are worse than the NAR! There has been no shortage of scientists for decades yet this myth won't @#$%^# die!

I do laugh at the jobs are plentiful in the SF Bay Area part of the story. Sure there are lots of job advertised but the reality is that the job requirements are so specific its next to impossible to be a fit. That alone should give a clue as to the true nature of the market.

Its almost as if the powers that be WANT do discourage American kids from perusing careers in science - they've lied to their grandparents, their parents and now to them. Someone has to tell the truth so here goes:

Kids of America I am speaking to YOU - THERE IS NO SCIENTIST SHORTAGE!! THERE IS AND HAS BEEN FOR DECADES NOW A GROSS SURPLUS OF SCIENTIFIC LABOR. Go into finance and business instead - the salary to education ratio is FAR, FAR more favorable to you. And yes, I speak from personal experience!

Given the shit treatment of science majors, the lack of jobs, and the lack of respect, and the outsourcing of all science and technology, I guarantee you that there will be a shortage of scientists in the future.

High school and college students aren't idiots -- at least not the ones that could major in stem -- and they aren't going to enter any field were there is high unemployment, low job security, and depressed wages.

Notice that no one majors in manufacturing or agriculture today? That's why we need Mexicans. Same thing is going to happen to stem.

I think it all depends what your skill sets are. I work in biotechnology and there are tons of jobs with very few qualified applicants. Sure, you can get a PhD in how the eyes of a fly work,etc. but please pick up some marketable skill sets along the way or you will be toast in the job market.

Buster says

I think it all depends what your skill sets are. I work in biotechnology and there are tons of jobs with very few qualified applicants. Sure, you can get a PhD in how the eyes of a fly work,etc. but please pick up some marketable skill sets along the way or you will be toast in the job market.

Sure plenty of jobs posted. But as you say only perfect fits with highly specialized skillsets willing to work long hours for at best average wages and little to no job security need apply.

Nietzsche had predicted this phase of society. We are all becoming nihilistic "last men" who want only safety and comfort. Life is more than a job. There is nothing wrong about inspiring young people to want more. Science is one valid option. (I am not always agreeable with scientists.)

A society filled with people who are obsessed with marketable skills is one that will go down the drain.

We need a good mix of dreamers and doers. We need an environment that fosters entrepreneurship. Believe it or not, this actually means universal healthcare (so that your well being is not tied to a job) and deregulation of industries (rules tend to hurt emerging players much more so than establish players).

On an upbeat note, you can help American scientists by funding my company. We have 4 people in the company (2 with PhDs) and 4 advisers with PhDs. The subject areas range from chemistry 3, physics 1, EE 1, and math 1. If you are interested in being an angel investor, please contact me at oliverks1 at yahoo (you can figure out the rest of address).

Sorry for the shameless plug, but it is somewhat relevant to the post. Hire a chemists today, fund my company!

Oliver