Anyone seeking employment in science, engineering, or technology is rightfully confused by the mixed messages about the state of the U.S. economy. Is the employment glass half-full, half-empty, or just the wrong size?

There are indications that the economy may be moving from robust to barren.

The national debt is swelling, and neither Congress nor the administration has a promising plan to curb its growth. Housing construction, the engine that has helped drive the U.S. economy for several years now, is showing signs of fatigue. Energy costs are a constant source of unease for consumers and businesses alike, who are confronted by rising costs every time they fuel their cars, pay their electric bills, or purchase heating oil for homes or factories. This is beginning to make people a little less sure of the future, confident only in the knowledge that everything---from cars to zucchini---is getting more expensive.

Reasons for Optimism

But there is also good news, and much of it is in the science and engineering sector.

While the go-go hiring days of the Internet boom may not return anytime soon, employers appear willing to continue hiring at or around current levels. According to the winter 2006 Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, 21 percent of the firms surveyed said they plan to hire in the second quarter of the year, about the same level as the 20 percent who intended to hire in the first quarter of the year.

The picture is looking brighter for IT professionals, according to a survey by employment firm Robert Half Technology. There was a net 12 percent hiring increase last quarter, and the “IT Hiring Index and Skills” report, issued in March 2006, reveals a net 8 percent hiring increase planned by responding employers for their IT departments in the second quarter of this year. This projection is less than the net 9 percent increase anticipated at this time last year; however  in comparison, 8 percent isn't great, but it is still growth.

Proof in the Numbers

The American Electronics Association (AEA) recently reported that employment in the U.S. tech industry is growing at a healthy rate.
ź U.S. high-tech employment totaled 5.72 million jobs in June 2005.

Tech employment grew steadily from January 2004 to June 2005, adding nearly 190,000 jobs, a 3.4 percent rise.

As of June 2005, the tech sector had generated a net increase in jobs over the last six, 12, and 18 month time spans.

High-tech manufacturing employment added 21,800 U.S. jobs in the last 18 months, a rise of 1.6 percent.

High-tech services employment added 167,000 U.S. jobs in the last 18 months, a 4 percent rise.

You can read more of the “AEA Competitiveness Series” report online at www.aeanet.org.

The future for qualified science and engineering workers is especially bright when you factor in the significant, generational "changing-of-the-guard" that is about to take place as baby boomers prepare for retirement. According to the National Science Foundation’s report, “Science and Engineering Indicators, 2004," more than half of science and engineering workers are already over 40, and 26 percent are older than 50. Government agencies and corporations alike are already expressing concern that there will not be enough qualified science and engineering talent in America to replace those who will leave the workplace over the next decade.

Despite concern about outsourcing, global competition, and cutbacks in U.S. technology manufacturing, there are still more reasons for optimism than alarm. It’s a good time in America to be a young, highly qualified science and engineering professional.

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Bruce E. Phillips can be reached at BPhillips@ccgmag.co