This week, the Illinois CPA Society convenes to discuss how to ensure the future economic success of Illinois. The IIllinois CPA Society’s Midwest Accounting and Finance Showcase takes place August 28 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Beginning with a keynote by Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce’s President and CEO Theresa E. Mintle, the conference focuses on the economic outlook for Illinois in 2015.
Microsoft is a sponsor of the conference, and in addition to our technological showcase in the Exhibitors Pavilion, I am pleased and honored to be presenting on Chicagoland’s panel discussion titled “Top 10 Trends for a Successful Illinois: Looking Forward to 2015” alongside Lou Longo, Partner at Plante Moran Global Services; ÄKTA CEO John Roa; and Jim Kane, CEO of Kane & Co.
On our panel, we will discuss ways to ensure a bright economic future for Illinois, and I’ll be focusing on how STEM education enables that future. Our STEM education initiatives at Microsoft channel students’ passion and ambition in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and Microsoft Chicago’s Technology and Civic Engagement department directs these students to jobs in their field. We offer STEM programs for students such as Microsoft’s Imagine Cup, our Students to Business (S2B) program, YouthSpark’s TEALS (Technology Education And Literacy in Schools), and DigiGirlz.
According to Burning Glass, 76% of STEM job postings require a bachelor’s degree, but only 29% of bachelor’s degree graduates earn a STEM degree. Our initiatives aim to improve STEM education to increase the number of students with STEM degrees to fill those numerous job openings.
The increase of STEM students and workers in the Chicago metro area and beyond to Illinois guarantees success in the booming tech industry and in the economic future of Illinois. I look forward to see what my fellow panelists contribute and how they feel about Illinois’ future successes.
See you there!