The U.S. Semiconductor Industry Needs Skilled Workers for Thousands of Open Jobs. Retaining International Graduates is a Solution.
Our Government Relations team is engaged with a large organization that focuses on high-skilled labor. Shorelight has a seat at the table because international students can and should serve as a talent pipeline in the US — but unfortunately, politics have gotten in the way. Instead of taking advantage of this growing talent pool in the US, we have increasingly made it more difficult to both study in the US and work post-graduation.
Fwd.US has done extensive research in this area; this report is a great read:
New FWD.us analysis shows that 5,000 international students will graduate with advanced degrees in semiconductor-related computer science and engineering fields this academic year. These skilled graduates could help solve persistent talent shortages that are actively hindering the United States’ semiconductor industry in the wake of historic investments to secure American leadership in semiconductor research, development, and production. Failing to retain these U.S.-educated STEM experts could imperil major investments in manufacturing, further weaken America’s hand in the global competition for talent, and close off opportunities for U.S.-born workers to work in the industry. By implementing policies to attract and retain these skilled individuals, the U.S. has an opportunity to boost innovation, solidify its leadership in cutting-edge fields, and strengthen national security.
Read the full story on Fwd.US >
China Was Long the Top Source of Foreign Students in the U.S. Now India Has Overtaken It.
We are all aware of the fact that demand from India has been growing at an accelerated pace post-COVID. Now, for the first time, India has sent more students to the US than China. “As of September, there were more than 320,000 active Indian student-visa holders compared with some 254,000 from China, according to a database maintained by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” It is important to note that China has also seen a rebound post-COVID. The US saw a 47% growth in visa for students this past fall, which was a significant recovery from the 45% drop we saw during COVID.
The reinvigorated overseas interest in American higher education is likely to be welcome news to college leaders, who have come to rely on international students for their talent and for their tuition dollars. New enrollments fell more steeply during the pandemic for international students than for any other demographic group.
Read more on The Chronicle of Higher Education >
International Students Killed in Israel as Conflict Intensifies
It is difficult to report on any tragic news about international students, and unfortunately this week brought grim news from the Middle East. No matter how we feel about the events unfolding in Israel and Gaza, the loss of life is tragic, and reports currently indicate that approximately a dozen international students from different countries were killed in the attack. Most of the international students were from Nepal, in Israel to study agriculture. Other students from Cambodia and Tanzania have also been reported killed or missing. Israel currently hosts approximately 12,000 international students.
International students in Israel have been caught up in the conflict, many of them studying agriculture and working on farms as part of an Israeli work-study program aimed at students from developing countries, or on short-term exchanges as part of their university studies.
Learn more on The PIE News >
