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Published Sat, Sep 18, 2010 02:00 AM
Modified Fri, Sep 17, 2010 05:51 PM

Stagnant career path

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In the Sept. 11 letter captioned "STEM for defense," the writer complains that American high school students are not motivated to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. American high school students are not motivated to spend years working for degrees in these fields because they do not feel that good jobs will be available when they graduate.

If American companies are not sending these jobs overseas, then they are bringing in foreign workers on H1B visas. Although CEOs say there are not enough highly trained Americans to fill these jobs, pay for IT jobs has been stagnant or worse for years.

Usually when workers are scarce, pay goes up. Instead, CEOs ask Congress for unlimited H1B visas.

Americans are smart enough to spend their time and energy in fields that need and reward workers. Are there fields like this anymore?

Are students not motivated, or do they just recognize 21st century American economic reality?

Henrietta Jenrette

Raleigh

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