Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Undergraduates' Knowledge and Interest in Quantum Careers: Barriers and Opportunities to Building a Diverse Quantum Workforce

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2404.03439
• Publication Date: 2024-04-04
• Authors: Jessica L. Rosenberg; Nancy Holincheck; Michele Colandene
• Keywords: Science and engineering

Efforts to build the workforce in support of second quantum revolution are growing, including creation education programs that will prepare students for jobs this area. We surveyed 186 undergraduate with majors across STEM disciplines and followed up group interviews understand their perspectives. The project was designed what these know about career opportunities level interest pursuing a related quantum. found most very little Nevertheless, except life sciences, there an careers. Across majors, women were less likely express careers than men, but difference disappeared when we examined only physical computer science majors. Of few who had knowledge concepts, learned topic from online media, especially videos. Some reported learning high school classes, where it taught as extension beyond usual topics course. our study identified multiple ways they would like learn more quantum, short videos, seminars, courses, certificates, degree programs.