Understanding what drives STEM professionals
As we move towards a post-pandemic era, we examine and reveal the changing expectations of experienced STEM professionals. Their skills are hard to find, so retaining and attracting them for the long-run will be crucial for employers.
A significant number of people employed in STEM sectors are aligning their career goals with their life priorities. It’s a trend that’s consistent with other shifts that have transformed the world of work over the past few years.
About the research
We gathered insights from 5,000 STEM specialists across our key global regions, including the US, UK, Germany, Netherlands and Japan, inviting them to take part in a survey, revealing how their expectations and decision-making are shifting as their careers transition into the post-pandemic era.
Respondents included permanent and contract workers across a broad range of STEM sectors, from life scientists and IT practitioners to engineers and healthcare experts.
View a snapshot in our infographicDive into the research
Career aspirations of STEM professionals are changing
STEM professionals' career aspirations are changing. We unearth these changing expectations and motivations in our research.
Salary and benefits are still the top priority for STEM candidates
Companies who delay in recognising market value of sought-after specialists risk losing them to a better considered offer.
Flexible working options are no longer regarded as an added benefit
Flexible working options are no longer being regarded as an added benefit – they are now expected to be a standard given of employment.
Women are a powerful source of new talent
Women are a powerful source of new talent to help address the STEM gender gap and shortages of STEM skills. But there is still work to do.
Employers need to recognise the value of career development
Employers need to recognise the value of having clear career pathways to attract and retain sought-after specialists.
Extending the recruitment search creates new opportunities
By extending their recruitment search to other sectors, STEM organisations can increase their chances of finding the most-suitable candid...
Contract workers are in greater demand
Contract workers are in greater demand causing agile, change-aware STEM organisations to rethink the ways they access talent and capability.
Making a difference is becoming an important factor when searching for a new job
STEM employers can enhance their attractiveness to top candidates by ensuring that they have a positive impact on society and the environ...
Bringing skilled people together to build the future
STEM professionals know their worth in this changing world of work. And employers need to tap into their skills if they are to build the ...
The specialists are here
But their expectations are changing.
This report provides special insight into the career journeys and the big picture dynamics that directly and indirectly shape recruitment in the STEM sectors. Are you prepared for this new era?
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