Leveraging Workforce Shortages in Clinical Laboratories to Grow Diversity in STEM
- Chiemela
- Sep 3, 2024
- 3 min read
The chronic workforce shortage in the clinical laboratory industry is often seen as a challenge, but it also presents a unique opportunity: the chance to grow diversity in STEM fields. By recognizing the critical role each phase of STEM—science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—plays in the laboratory setting, we can build a more inclusive and diverse workforce that not only meets the industry's demands but also enriches it with varied perspectives and ideas.
As a product of the Philadelphia public school system, I witnessed firsthand the challenges of attaining academic excellence while navigating environmental distractions.
I remember how diverse my biology class was during my undergraduate years and the excitement we all shared in pursuing careers in STEM. However, as the years passed, I was appalled by how quickly that diversity dissipated. If I recall correctly, only four minority students, including myself, graduated from our class. This personal experience underscores the importance of leveraging current workforce shortages to enhance diversity in STEM fields, particularly in the clinical laboratory industry.
Science: The Foundation of Laboratory Work
In the clinical laboratory, science is the cornerstone. It drives the understanding of human biology, disease mechanisms, and the intricate details of diagnostic testing. However, in Pennsylvania, only about 18% of Black and Hispanic high school students express an interest in pursuing STEM fields, compared to 42% of their White and Asian peers. By encouraging diverse individuals to pursue careers in the scientific aspects of laboratory work, we can enhance the depth and breadth of research and diagnostics. Diverse scientific minds bring new approaches to problem-solving and innovation, leading to better healthcare outcomes.
Technology: The Backbone of Modern Laboratories
Technology in the laboratory setting includes everything from automated analyzers to advanced software for data analysis. The need for skilled professionals to operate, maintain, and innovate these technologies is greater than ever. In Pennsylvania, minority students are significantly underrepresented in technology-related fields, with only 12% of Black and Hispanic students pursuing technology majors, compared to 39% of White and Asian students. By tapping into underrepresented communities and providing them with the necessary training and opportunities, we can fill these technological roles while simultaneously growing diversity in STEM. This not only addresses the workforce shortage but also ensures that technology development and application are inclusive and reflective of a broader population.
Engineering: Innovating Laboratory Processes
Engineering in the laboratory context often involves optimizing processes, designing new equipment, or improving workflow efficiency. Engineers ensure that laboratories run smoothly and that new technologies are integrated effectively. Only 8% of engineering degrees in Pennsylvania are awarded to Black and Hispanic students, compared to 58% to White and Asian students. By promoting engineering careers within the laboratory setting to diverse groups, we can foster innovation considering a wide range of needs and perspectives, leading to more universally applicable solutions.
Mathematics: The Key to Data Interpretation
Mathematics is vital for interpreting the vast amounts of data generated in clinical laboratories. From statistical analysis to developing predictive models, mathematics helps translate raw data into actionable insights. Unfortunately, minority students in Pennsylvania are also underrepresented in mathematics-related fields, with only 6% of Black and Hispanic students pursuing degrees in mathematics compared to 41% of White and Asian students. Encouraging diversity in this phase of STEM ensures that the analytical approaches used in laboratories consider a variety of viewpoints, which can lead to more accurate and equitable healthcare outcomes.
Turning the Challenge into an Opportunity
The current workforce shortage is a call to action for the clinical laboratory industry. Focusing on diversity as we address these shortages can build a more robust, resilient workforce. This requires targeted outreach to underrepresented groups, creating pathways for education and training in STEM fields, and fostering an inclusive work environment that values and supports diverse talents.
By leveraging the opportunity presented by the workforce shortage, we can meet the immediate needs of the clinical laboratory industry and contribute to a broader movement toward diversity and inclusion in STEM. This approach will benefit the industry and the communities it serves, as a more diverse workforce is better equipped to understand and address the diverse healthcare needs of the population.
In conclusion, the shortage of skilled professionals in the clinical laboratory industry presents a unique opportunity to grow diversity in STEM. By recognizing and promoting the essential roles of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in laboratory work, we can build a more inclusive and innovative workforce to drive the industry forward. Let’s embrace this challenge and turn it into a catalyst for positive change.
Sources:
Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2023 State of STEM Report.
Pennsylvania STEM Coalition, Diversity in STEM: A Pennsylvania Perspective 2023.
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Annual STEM Report 2023.
Pennsylvania Mathematics Initiative, 2023 STEM Education Statistics.
Kommentare