A Changing Career Landscape

Technological advancements are driving significant transformation in every field. According to the World Economic Forum, 65 percent of the children now entering primary school will ultimately work in a job that doesn’t exist today. In addition to the changing competencies required, attitudes towards career paths are changing. We have entered into a 'gig economy' in which people are increasingly likely to have many careers over their lives rather than the traditional linear path. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills are inherently transferable and are critical for success in this changing landscape. Yet, most students leave STEM studies early simply because they don't understand where it can lead.

Let’s Talk Science’s Commitment

Let’s Talk Science inspires futures. We tackle key barriers to STEM engagement, including a lack of career awareness and lack of role models. We showcase diverse career paths and amazing opportunities that are available to people with STEM skills. Our mission is to motivate and empower youth to fulfill their potential and prepare for future careers and roles as citizens. Using STEM to support learning and skill development, we offer programs, services, and resources that help educators and support children and youth in developing critical skills, career awareness, and positive attitudes. Exposure to real careers and STEM role models helps youth rethink preconceived ideas about what a path in STEM can look like.

Through our Let’s Talk Science Outreach program, we create meaningful experiential learning opportunities for post-secondary students that build transferable skills in preparation for successful early careers. While building employability skills, our post-secondary volunteers are also catalysts for the next generation as they make STEM relevant to youth.

Let's Talk Science Impact Report

The impact results shared in this report underscore the importance of engaging youth early and often with meaningful opportunities that can help them make good personal decisions about their own learning pathways and future careers. 

Career Awareness

Over the past decade, attitudes towards STEM have improved considerably. With improving access to positive role models and influential popular culture, youth increasingly identify ‘normal people’ when asked to describe a scientist. However, their own self-confidence and interest in STEM tends to decline with age. Youth also often lack understanding of the connection between STEM skills and ‘traditional STEM jobs’ such as researcher, health care worker, science teacher, and engineer – most of which demand university completion. Few understand the importance of STEM learning for college pathways and skilled trades. In light of the massive disruption now underway, it is critically important that youth and educators become more aware of, and embrace, the changing nature of work and the diverse application of STEM skills in nearly every job.

Let’s Talk Science is ready to significantly expand our focus on career education. We commit to enhancing our training and development opportunities for our growing national volunteer network and expanding our online career education resources. We also commit to offering more professional learning opportunities for educators looking to inspire their students with career exploration.