Washington is among the top states in the nation for employment of scientists, engineers and computer specialists per capita, with significant growth projected to continue in those occupations in the future. At the same time, our state ranks only 38th in the production of bachelor’s degrees in those disciplines and 37th in bachelor’s production in all fields. As a result, we import college graduates to fill the jobs created by our growing economy.

Washington’s college students aren’t being prepared for the jobs of the future.

We are failing to prepare Washington students to seize the many opportunities in our growing, knowledge-based economy. According to Washington’s Employment Security Department, beginning in 2007, 47 percent of all job openings requiring a bachelor’s degree are in a limited number of high-demand fields, such as research, computer specialties and teaching. By contrast, only 14 percent of all students receiving a bachelor’s degree in Washington each year earn a degree in one of these fields.

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