The STEM Pipeline Gap: Why Indian Engineers are Filling the US Talent Void

The number one type of visa case I handle are Indian nationals with engineering degrees.

Mechanical engineering. Supply chain engineering. Software engineering. Put the word "engineering" after anything, and there's likely a candidate from India with that exact credential.

This isn't a coincidence. It's the result of different educational pipelines and timing.

When I was in school, STEM wasn't even a word. It wasn't a category. Girls especially weren't encouraged toward math and science (my least favorite subjects). That simply wasn't the culture.

Now, in American preschools and elementary schools, it's STEM, STEM, STEM. But many of the workers in today's workforce did not receive a STEM-focused foundation in primary and secondary education. It's going to take time to catch up.

Meanwhile, India was building that pipeline decades ago. And you can see it in the candidates I work with.

Many of them have two or three degrees. A bachelor's from a top university in India. Then one or two master's degrees earned here in the United States, sometimes while waiting for an H-1B lottery slot that never came.

Here's where it gets complicated:

These workers often end up in entry-level positions despite being overqualified. They're not getting paid under market rate because the prevailing wage requirements prevent that. But a person with two master's degrees doing entry-level work isn't exactly "taking" a job from an American worker. He or she is filling a gap that the local talent pool couldn't fill.

I firmly believe that an employer would not invest its staff's time, funds, and resources to sponsor an employee if he or she were not the best candidate for the job.

Until America's STEM pipeline matures (and that could take another decade or more) this pattern will continue.

What's your take on the STEM talent gap? Have you seen this play out in your industry?

If you're hiring engineers and need visa guidance, reach out. Call (949) 940-6725, or book a consultation online to speak with one of our experienced immigration attorneys.

DISCLAIMER: This post does not constitute legal advice. Always consult with a qualified, licensed US immigration attorney about the facts specific to your case.The number one type of visa case I handle are Indian nationals with engineering degrees.