The US Army Corps of Engineers has been engineering solutions for America's challenges since 1775, designing iconic projects like the Washington Monument and Pentagon. As the country's only engineering school until 1802, Army engineers played a crucial role in America's growth and expansion. Today, the Corps works to strengthen infrastructure, restore ecosystems, and develop solutions to issues like climate change and renewable energy. However, the US faces a shortage of STEM professionals that the Corps is working to address through strategic outreach to students and communities to promote STEM careers and raise awareness of the Corps as a desirable employer.

1. The US Army Corps of Engineers – a Leader in STEM
•The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been engineering solutions for our Nation’s greatest challenges since 1775. Our legacy includes the design and construction of iconic American
projects including the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol Dome, the Library of Congress, the Lincoln Memorial and the Pentagon.
•When it was founded in 1802, the United States Military Academy at West Point was the United States’ only engineering school. Consequently, Army engineers played a crucial role in the
growth of the young republic, first improving inland navigation and later surveying routes for canals and railroads. They were the explorers, surveyors and map makers who opened the
American West.Engineers have served in every armed conflict in our history and supervised completion of the Panama Canal, as well as many other international projects. .
•We reduce risk and strengthen the Nation’s economy through infrastructure like levees, floodwalls, locks and dams.
•We improve the lives of our Service Members and their families by giving them the finest facilities in which to live, work and train.
•We help communities around the world recover from natural disasters.
•We restore the Nation’s ecosystems and waterways, helping to protect our environment and conserve natural resources by constructing sustainable facilities.
•We research and develop solutions to address complex and varied issues including sea level rise, climate change,force protection and renewable energy.
What is the STEM Challenge?
• Trends:
•In 2008, 4 out of every 100 U.S. college graduates was an engineer. This is among the lowest in the world – only 14 countries graduate a lower percentage of engineers – countries like:
Bangladesh, Cambodia and Cuba. In Russia, 10 out of 100 graduates is an engineer. In China, 31 out of 100 graduates is an engineer.
•The percent of all bachelor’s degrees awarded in a STEM field has been stable, ranging from 16to 17%over the period 2000-2009.
•The gap ofU.S. students interested in STEM fieldshas previously been filled by non-U.S. citizens, however, based on emerging economies in India and other countries, the U.S. is no
longer the premier destination for these STEM professionals resulting in a shortage and, therefore, a need to “grown our own”.
• Future Requirements and Increasing Diversity:
•The U.S. expects a total of 2.8 million STEM job openings by 2020 based on growth and retirements.
• The Nation will need to increase the number of college graduates by approximately 1 million more STEM professionals to fulfill the requirement.
• By the 8th grade, a U.S. student must preserve the option to pursue a career in STEM fields because of the hierarchical learning of mathematics.
• Only 6 out of 100 current 9th graders will go on to earn a STEM degree.
• Underrepresented groups are potential targets for increases in the STEM workforce; increasing overall diversity.
• Women earn 60 out of 100 BA degrees, in all fields. But, they only account for 10 out of every 100 STEM degrees.
• African Americans and Latinos account for 25 out of 100 BA degrees in all fields. But, they only account for 5 out of every 100 STEM degrees
•Elevating Army’s visibility as a Desirable Employer:
•The Army is typically not seen as a desirable employer - a recent survey of about 60,000 college students (in various fields of study) assessed the desirability of 100 potential employers.
In engineering fields, the Air Force ranked 15th, followed by the Navy at 34th and the Army at 41 st.
Meeting the Challenge
•Connecting the Corps with the Community and Making a Difference in the Nation’s STEM Challenge -
‒ Strategic and Grassroots Outreach with Elementary thru College Students, Academia and Community Leaders
‒ Outreach efforts encourage consideration of STEM Career Fields, Public Service and the Army Corps of Engineers as an employer of choice
‒ Connections in the community further the Corps mission
 USACE national partnership with Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools; yearly student project competition and awards ceremony
 Participation in DoD and Army Education Outreach Program events (STEM-Up, GEMS, eCYBERMISSION, Camp Invention, etc.)
 Involved in our local schools via grassroots efforts (JROTC programs, teacher training workshops, mentoring, science fairs, robotics, camps, etc.)
 Formal partnerships with universities, including historically black colleges/universities, minority-serving institutions
•Raising the Corps Visibility – Engaging Nationally - We are a Leader in STEM because of our People, Mission and Accomplishments -
‒ Multimedia Branding and Awareness Campaign in collaboration with Army Marketing and Research Group
‒ Look for every opportunity to tell the Corps story – when someone thinks of STEM, they should think of the Army Corps of Engineers
•Recruiting, Developing and Retaining Diverse and High Performing STEM Professionals (Attracting and Retaining our share of the best and the brightest)
 Building the future workforce – over 1000 student internship opportunities per year
 Seeking diversity – National corporate outreach and recruitment program targeting STEM professionals, particularly in underrepresented groups
 Employer of choice - contributing to the Nation – Public Service – Stimulating, Challenging and Rewarding Work BUILDING STRONG ®
 Employer of choice - Continual opportunities for professional development – Civilian Education System, Academic Degree Training, technical courses, certifications, etc.
 Employer of choice - Important Quality of Life programs – Recognition of Employee Achievements, Wellness Programs, Family Readiness, Telework, Employee Engagement, etc.