Americans’ Views On Engineering

1. A S S O C I A T E S HART RESEARCH Americans’ Views On Engineering Key findings from a nationwide survey among 808 adults conducted January 22 to 25, 2009 by

2. Methodology • Nationwide survey among 808 adults age 18 or over • Survey dates: January 22 to 25, 2009 • The data’s margin of error is ±3.5 percentage points for 808 adults at the 95% confidence level.

3. Summary Of Findings & Observations On the plus side… • Americans have high expectations of 21st century technological advancements. • Issues and problems that engineers address are seen as critical to our continued well-being and future advancement. • Americans are ready to invest in what it would take to be the leader.

4. Summary Of Findings & Observations However… • The public has little understanding of the world of engineers and what they do. • In the contest for the best and brightest minds, engineering is seen as losing out to other professions.

5. Americans are “can-do” optimists with high expectations of future technologi-cal advancements. How will our can-do optimistic spirit change in coming years? How will technological advance-ments in 21st century compare with those of 20th century? Not sure Not sure Will increase Will decrease Will be greater Will be less Will be equal Will stay the same

6. The U.S. is seen as the technology leader – in the past. Perceived Leader in Technological Advancements • 49% expect that at least oneof these countries will bebetter able to meet the challenges of the future than the U.S. • 25% expect that at least two will be ahead of the U.S. 20th Century Leader 21st Century Leader United States Japan China Europe India Russia

7. Less educated Americans are more optimistic about U.S. leadership. U.S. Ability to Compete Technologically  Has gotten better  Has gotten worse All adults High school/less education Some college College grads/postgraduates +16 -14

8. U.S. Tech Decline Is: Temporary Long term 55% 39% Education is the main reason given for a loss of U.S. competitiveness. Volunteered Reasons the U.S. is Falling Behind Technologically Education, poor education/system Lack of work ethic/ pride/motivation Outsourcing, sending jobs overseas Government, too many regulations Greed, too much focus on money/profit Not a priority, not enough spending U.S. politicians/leaders/politics

9. Gender and education gaps persist in appreciation of science/engineering. % selecting science and engineering as fields that don’t get enough credit/attention for contributing to Americans’ well-being All adults Men Women HS/lesseducation Some college College graduates Postgradeducation

10. 2.0 GPA on engineering knowledge: gender and education gaps continue. % who give themselves an A or B grade for how much they know about and understand the world of engineers and what they do College Graduates Non-college Graduates All adults Men Women Men Women

11. While engineering issues are important, most believe the field is losing young people. The field of engineering is: Not sure Losing young people Winning young people Neither winning nor losingyoung people

12. Net Education Hard, difficult, too much schooling Education reasons, lack of math, science Emphasis on health care, medicine over engineering 27% 16% 15% 12% Net Opportunity Not high paying, more money in other fields Lack of opportunity, more jobs in other fields Not enough publicity, not promoted Not as glamorous/ prestigious as other professions 32% 20% 10% 10% 9% Perceptions of opportunity and educa-tion put engineering at a disadvantage. Volunteered Reasons Engineering Is Losing to Medicine, Business, and Law* *Among adults who say engineering is losing to other professions

13. Among engineering challenges, life’s basics get top priority. One/Two Most Important Challenges to Pursue Medicines for new/more virulent diseases Economical & environ-mental energy sources Providing clean water around the world Restoring/improving urban infrastructures Securing cyberspace

14. Before hearing  After hearing 21% much more29% much more 15%26% 19%29% 18%31% 15%22% 16%25% Men Women High school or less Some college Collegegraduates Postgradeducation Learning about NAE challenges enhances perceptions of importance and interest in engineering. % saying engineering issues/problems are more interesting/important than those of medicine, business, and law 54% 40% Much more 27% Much more 18% Before hearingchallenges After hearingchallenges

15. Worker training for new technology 71% Upgrade K-12 math and science teaching 66% Higher standards for teachers and students 62% Gov’t tax funding for R&D in science/engineering 41% Longer school year for more science/math 37% Reform visa/immigration to attract best students 34% Tax breaks for investment in key industries 33% Tax breaks for R&D, even if business pay less taxes 33% Education is the place to start, but other ideas merit attention, too. % saying each step would do a lot to improve U.S. global competitiveness in engineering and technology

16. Strategic Recommendations • Broaden awareness. • Relate the profession to today’s problems and demands. • Challenge the country. • Target your message. • Tap into the atmosphere of national pride.

17. A S S O C I A T E S HART RESEARCH Americans’ Views On Engineering Key findings from a nationwide survey among 808 adults conducted January 22 to 25, 2009 by