The global economy will need well-educated engineers and scientists. Currently the U.S. is not producing enough scientists to meet the potential demand. While the number of males entering computer science programs continues to grow, the percentage of freshmen women pursuing a computer degree has not changed much over the past decade. Similar patterns can be found in engineering. Women, however, have focused on medical careers, surpassing men in attendance in medical schools.
Many companies look abroad to India, Russia, and Israel for engineers and scientists.
A wild card in the future global labor market concerns China. With its wealth of human resources, China could capture a large share of the manpower needs of global companies if they elect to allow their people greater access to positions. To obtain a job in the new economy, young people will be required to be well educated. This will not mean that everyone will have to attend a four-year college. In fact too many students come to college today believing they have to have a diploma to land the perfect job.