Support for STEM Careers Means Inspiring the Future Energy Workforce
Lem Smith
Posted January 27, 2022
As an industry of innovators and problem-solvers, developing the next generation of natural gas and oil engineers, scientists, skilled tradespeople and technologists is the driving force behind API’s partnership with other industries and manufacturing sectors to elevate education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
More than two years ago we helped launch the STEM Careers Coalition with Discovery Education. The coalition – including the energy, manufacturing, aerospace, technology, engineering, consumer packaged goods, and pharmaceuticals & health sectors – seeks to change the culture of education and introduce young people to industry-related careers. Students can’t seek out careers they don’t know exist. We aim to fill that knowledge gap toward responsible energy production and environmental progress.
Here are just three of the ways the coalition is working to train and inspire the natural gas and oil workforce of the future:
- Support for Students: In the Careers Portal, short videos, profiles and student activation sheets describe a variety of STEM jobs and careers. Among the nearly 40 showcased careers are several done in partnership with API, describing jobs connected to natural gas and oil production, including good-paying careers as chemical engineers, geologists and welders. A Career Readiness section helps students find their passion and develop a career pathway.
- Support for Educators: Teachers are equipped with more than 30 standards-aligned Classroom Activities and Digital Lesson Bundles that will help support future career success, including several focused on energy. These activities integrate the teaching of critical STEM skills and feature a step-by-step guide for implementing activities in a classroom setting.
- Support for Employees: One of the most effective ways to inspire a young person’s career choice is through personal connections. Knowing someone in a particular field can make a big difference. With Share My Career, the STEM Career Coalition makes it easy for motivated natural gas and oil professionals to prepare a classroom presentation.
The STEM Careers Coalition also provides resources for parents and for STEM-related after-school activities. The coalition will host a Hands-On STEM event Feb. 22 to help students learn about the skills needed to tackle the world’s sustainability challenges. The virtual event is focused on 4th through 8th graders.
API has proudly demonstrated STEM support in other ways. For example, API President and CEO Mike Sommers participated in a coalition-sponsored executive roundtable in December to tout the importance of STEM in building the energy workforce of the future.
As we noted recently, STEM careers in natural gas and oil provide reliable employment, great pay and equal opportunity. Getting the word out to students and teachers through the STEM coalition is a big win for everyone involved.
About The Author
Lem Smith is API’s vice president for Federal Relations. Lem joined API in February 2020 as vice president for Upstream Policy & Industry Operations. He previously served as a principal at Squire Patton Boggs, an international law and public-policy firm, where he advised private and public sector clients on federal and multi-state policy matters and provided counsel on communications strategies, campaign affairs and crises management. Previously, Lem was director, U.S. Government & Regulatory Affairs at Encana, and responsible for all aspects of U.S. government relations and regulatory policy matters at the state and federal levels. Prior to that, Lem was director of Government Relations for Kerr-McGee Corporation. Lem began his career on Capitol Hill, working for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, U.S. Rep. Roger Wicker (Mississippi) and the late U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood (Georgia), where he negotiated key member priorities within the 2005 Energy Policy Act (EPAct). Lem is a graduate of the University of Mississippi.