In today's increasingly interconnected world, fostering diversity and inclusion in the engineering profession is not just a matter of social responsibility; it's also a business imperative. Companies that embrace diversity benefit from a broader range of perspectives, experiences, and talents, which drive innovation and enhance their competitive advantage.
A study by Harvard University revealed that companies with above-average diversity have higher innovation revenues and better earnings margins than those lacking diversity. This underscores the importance of creating space for more Hispanic professionals in engineering-related industries. At the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), we aim to empower the Hispanic community to excel in STEM and we do so by helping to bridge the representation gap in the semiconductor industry. Through internships, direct recruitment, and support, we are growing the talent pipeline and providing opportunities for Hispanic engineers to excel in the 21st century.
As National Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) comes to a close, our community has spent the last 30 days recognizing the significant roles our members play in their local communities, while collectively making a more substantial impact across the nation's workforce. This celebration holds a critical place in Corporate America as it shines a spotlight on the vibrant and invaluable contributions that Hispanics continue to make to the U.S. economy. This celebration serves as a reminder that, according to a report by the Pew Research Center, Hispanics make up 8% of the STEM workforce out of the total U.S. workforce, which stands at 18.5%. It’s incumbent upon us to acknowledge the remarkable progress made by STEM industries in their steadfast pursuit of diversity and inclusion, but there is still much ground to cover before our work can be considered truly complete.
In 2022, the U.S. Hispanic population reached 63.6 million, reflecting a 26 percent increase since 2011. As our community continues to grow, it is critical that we work towards parity in STEM enrollment and degrees earned. In partnership with the Latino Donor Collaborative, SHPE’s "Latinos in Engineering and Tech Report" underscores the importance of achieving parity in engineering and all STEM fields by 2060 to ensure accurate representation of Hispanics across various industries. To attain this goal, we must maintain purposeful investments that prioritize diversity, drive progress, and stimulate innovation.
To close out HHM, I joined Micron for a fireside chat to discuss the importance of diversity across STEM careers and the semiconductor industry. Micron is one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies and only U.S.-based manufacturer of memory. As a longstanding partner to SHPE, Micron recently joined our Industry Partnership Council, underscoring its commitment to increasing representation in the semiconductor industry and expanding pathways for future semiconductor careers.
The passage of the CHIPS and Science Act is a critical win for the country’s technology leadership and future of innovation – which will ensure American competitiveness for the long haul. The legislation aims to uplift underrepresented talent, including Hispanic communities, in the semiconductor industry so more people of all backgrounds can participate and contribute to the innovation economy. SIA reports it expects 280,000 additional jobs in the U.S. economy by 2030 as a result of the CHIPS and Science Act. Micron is already building a diverse and highly skilled workforce that can support the company’s investment in domestic leading-edge memory manufacturing at scale – the company will create approximately 11,000 new Micron jobs. Micron is committed to promoting and enhancing access to STEM careers for the Hispanic community through various outreach programs and partnerships. These include the Hispanic Youth Leadership Summit in Idaho, the National GEM Consortium, and student-focused initiatives like Chip Camp and Girls Going Tech. By investing in the next generation of engineers and leaders, Micron is helping to create opportunities for Hispanic youth to pursue careers in STEM fields.
It’s clear that diversity drives innovation. As Nobel Laureate Mario J. Molina said, "We need scientists all over the world from all different backgrounds." Different perspectives often lead to groundbreaking solutions, especially in an industry as innovation-driven as semiconductors. We remain committed to building out educational programs, skills development, and mentorship to equip Hispanic engineers with the tools they need to be catalysts for innovation.
Together, we can celebrate our collective heritage, recognize our shared accomplishments, and work towards a future where diversity and inclusion are the cornerstones of our profession and society.
Miguel Alemañy is the former Chair of the Board and interim CEO at the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
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