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Empowering Latinos for Careers in Computer Science

Latino workers, who make up the second-largest population in the U.S., are severely underrepresented in STEM occupations. Computer Science is a leading STEM major and one of the fastest growing job sectors in the world. Our mission is to increase the number of Latinos in CS careers, majors, and apprenticeships.

The Issue

STEM Crisis

Hispanic and Black workers continue to be underrepresented in the STEM workforce

Education

Hispanic adults earned 9% of master’s degrees and 6% research doctorate’s in STEM as of 2018. This is lower than their 11% share of master’s degrees and 8% of research doctorate’s in any field.

Workforce

The representation gap in STEM jobs is largest among Hispanic workers, according to data from Pew Research Center, and that could consign them to lower paying jobs.

Wage Gap

The typical Hispanic worker in STEM earns about $65,000, or 83% of the typical white worker in STEM. Here too, the gap has widened: In 2016, the Hispanic-to-White pay gap in the STEM workforce was 85%.

Engage

Intentionality around community building in the Latino CS landscape

Enable

Activating partnerships across the CS landscape that connect Latinos from across the globe

Educate

Convening learning experiences that demystify CS and provide pathways to careers

What We Do

Hispanic workers are highly underrepresented in the STEM workforce – making up only 8% of STEM workers but 17% of total employment across all occupations.

The STEM Gap

The gap in STEM workforce representation is especially large for Hispanic adults. Hispanic workers make up 17% of total employment across all occupations, but just 8% of all STEM workers.

Total Employment
17%
STEM Workers
8%
Share of all STEM workers – 2016
1%

Latinos in CS Panel

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The Big Picture

STEM occupations, which tend to be higher-paying, are projected to grow in the next decade, especially in computer science and information security. Black and Hispanic people, especially women, may not benefit from that job growth because, as the Pew authors write, education trends “appear unlikely to substantially narrow these gaps.”

STEM Degree Attainment

Current trends in STEM degree attainment appear unlikely to substantially narrow these gaps, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of federal employment and education data.

Black and Hispanic adults are less likely to earn degrees in STEM than other degree fields, and they continue to make up a lower share of STEM graduates relative to their share of the adult population.

And while women now earn a majority of all undergraduate and advanced degrees, they remain a small share of degree earners in fields like engineering and computer science – areas where they are significantly underrepresented in the work force.

Our Aproach

The Road Ahead

Rebrand CS – for everyone

Studies show that children who study computer science perform better in other subjects, excel at problem-solving, and are 17% more likely to enroll in college.
Start Early

Among young women, those who try AP Computer Science in high school are 10 times more likely to major in computer science.
Equitable Access

Black and Hispanic/Latinx students who try AP Computer Science in high school are 7-8 times more likely to major in computer science