Volume 1 Issue 4 September 2005 |
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 Sloan
Career
Cornerstone Center Expands Biology Resources
 The
Sloan Career Cornerstone Center has recently expanded its Biology
resources to offer more information on a variety of degree fields within
the broad field of Biology. These include Bioinformatics and
Biostatistics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Ecology/ Environmental
Science, Genetics, Nutrition and Food Science, and many others. The new
Biology section includes salary information, employment data, ideas for
preparing to study Biology, links to associations and employers, and
career path forecasts for those with degrees in Biology. All Sloan Career
Cornerstone Center Biology resources are available to download in PDF format on
the site. Find out more...
Nuclear
Engineer Profile: Douglas Osborn
 Douglas
Osborn is a research scientist and risk analyst working at Sandia
National Laboratories in New Mexico. Since 1949, Sandia National
Laboratories has developed science-based technologies that support U.S.
national security. Osborn's work focuses on the safe and secure
transport and packaging of nuclear materials. He earned both a B.S. in
Chemical Engineering and an M.S. in Nuclear Engineering from The Ohio
State University.
Prior to entering college, he spent 6-years in the US Navy, and felt that
being a nontraditional student offered him a unique perspective. He
feels that college and his naval experience prepared him well for work
in the real world. "My technical and engineering knowledge were well
developed, but my writing abilities were somewhat lacking," Osborn says.
His advice to students? "I highly suggest that students earn graduate
level degrees, and pay special attention to their communication skills.
Your writing and speaking abilities will become very important once you
enter the workforce. Also try to intern or co-op with companies that
deal with nuclear issues. The co-ops and internships will provide you
with vital experience that may ultimately separate you from others when
applying for your first position. Don't worry about starting your career
before 25; spend a few extra years preparing yourself and maturing so
that you can be a true and respected professional when you enter the
workforce. "
Read more about Douglas
Osborn in the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center "Profiles
of Nuclear Engineers" website section.
Study
Shows Gains for Women in Mathematics
 A
recently-concluded study (sponsored by the Mathematical Association of
America, the American Mathematical Society, the American Statistical
Association, and the Institute of Mathematical Statistics) shows that
women are participating in mathematics in increasing numbers. The study,
which was published in the August 2005 issue of the "Notices" of the AMS,
shows that about one third of all doctorates in the mathematical
sciences during 2003-2004 went to women. This continues a long-term
trend of increasing participation by women that has persisted since the
1980s, when gender records began to be kept.
The study used the ranking of graduate mathematics departments by the
National Research Council to investigate the status of women in 48
mathematics departments in the United States. Women received 25% of the
doctorates at these institutions, up from 21% the previous year. Also
noted were the large percentage of women among undergraduate mathematics
majors, and the increased visibility of women in mathematics
competitions such as the Mathematical Olympiad and the Putnam
Competition. To view the full report,
click here.
Degree
Profile: Physics
 Physics
describes the world around us, from explaining the workings and making
possible the luxuries and conveniences inside our homes -- such as
energy efficient heat pumps, cel phones, microwave ovens, and DVD
players -- to describing the motions of the galaxies in our universe.
Physicists contribute to
meeting the needs and the challenges of the future, to making things
more simple and beneficial, and to furthering our understanding of the
way the world works. Their studies range from the tiniest particles of
matter to the largest objects identified.
 Physics
underlies all other basic sciences and is the basis for much of
technology because it is concerned with fundamental aspects of matter
and energy as well as the laws that govern their interactions --
interactions which make the physical universe work. Much of the
technological equipment and techniques used by other scientists were
originally developed by physicists, such as, x-rays, MRIs and other
medical instruments.
More than most other
majors, a physics degree is a passport into a broad range of science,
engineering, and education careers. Where you are likely to work will
differ by the level of your highest degree.
Find out more about Careers in
Physics and explore a variety of "Profiles
of Physicists" on the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.
Graduate
Enrollment in Science and Engineering Programs Up in 2003, But Declines
for First-Time Foreign Students
According to a new
report by the National Science Foundation, graduate enrollment in
science and engineering (S&E) programs reached an all-time high of
474,203 students in fall 2003, a gain of 4 percent over S&E enrollment
in 2002 and a gain of 9 percent over 1993. The report, "Graduate
Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering," also showed
that graduate enrollment in 2003 grew in all major S&E fields and in all
subfields except computer sciences. Computer sciences enrollment dropped
3 percent from the previous year, the first decrease in that field since
1995. Of the fields of study with the largest graduate enrollments
(10,000 or more), mechanical engineering led with an 8 percent gain,
followed by mathematical sciences and physics, each with 7 percent
gains.
Other highlights:
- The
proportion of women among S&E graduate students grew from 36
percent in 1993 to 42 percent in 2003.
- Over the past
decade, enrollment of minority students in graduate S&E programs
has grown, whereas enrollment of white students has declined.
White, non-Hispanic students accounted for 68 percent of all
U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolled in S&E graduate
programs in 2003, down from 78 percent in 1993.
- The number
and proportion of foreign students (graduate students with
temporary visas) increased every year from 1997 through 2002.
Although the number of temporary-visa holders rose in 2003,
temporary-visa holders as a proportion of all S&E graduate
students declined slightly, from 32 to 31 percent.
- In 2003
students with temporary visas were more likely to enroll full
time in a graduate S&E program than were U.S. citizens and
permanent residents. Eighty-six percent of temporary-visa
holders were enrolled full time, compared with 65 percent of
U.S. citizens and permanent residents. But for the first time
since 1994, the growth in full-time enrollment was greater for
U.S. citizens and permanent residents (7 percent) than it was
for foreign students (less than 1 percent).
Student
Corner: Why Accreditation is Important
 Students
who are interested in a career in engineering or engineering technology
should consider reviewing engineering programs and engineering
technology programs that are accredited. In the U.S., engineering
program accreditation is handled by ABET, Inc. If you choose to attend a program that is not ABET accredited, you should be sure that the university
is regionally accredited. Review lists of
accredited
engineering and engineering technology programs, or find out more
about
accreditation...
Precollege
STEM Projects
 Precollege
students with an interest in careers in science, technology,
engineering, or mathematics (STEM) should consider participating in STEM
programs and projects. Many projects are national in scope, but have
local components. Some are designed for high school students, while
others are designed for those in the middle grades, or younger. Each
presents an opportunity to network with other students, meet
professionals in the field, and gain experience in problem solving and
teamwork. The Sloan Career Cornerstone Center links to many
programs and
projects.
Career Cornerstone News is a publication of the
Sloan Career Cornerstone Center. Click here
to subscribe.
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