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2019 Talent Index:
Illinois’ Computing Talent in Focus
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Each year, the Illinois Innovation Index takes stock of the state’s talent landscape in vital STEM fields. Over its past several issues, the Talent Index has highlighted the state’s strength in computer science; retention successes and challenges; and the growing share of Illinois’ workforce employed in STEM occupations. The 2019 Talent Index builds upon the work of previous issues, diving deeper into key computer and data science fields; examining retention and placement of recent graduates; highlighting underrepresentation and immigration challenges; and much more.
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Five Key Facts:
- Despite declining total college enrollment in Illinois, the state set a new record with 24,555 STEM bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees awarded in 2018. Illinois ranks 7th among states in STEM degree production.
- Illinois’ strength in both computer science and mathematics has positioned the state as a national leader in data science. Illinois’ retention of data science talent is strong, with recent graduates nearly six-times more likely to work in Chicago than any other city. Illinois employers of recent graduates in data science are led by AbbVie, State Farm, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Discover, and Accenture.
- Illinois is a national leader in computer science. Between 2013 and 2017, the state’s production of computer science more than doubled. Despite a decline in 2018, Illinois remains the second largest producer of computer science degrees in the nation.
- Illinois’ STEM workforce is among the largest in the nation. 346,460 Illinois professionals are employed in STEM jobs, sixth-most among states nationally. Over the past five years, STEM job growth in Illinois has outpaced the national average.
- Access to STEM degrees, and the high-paying jobs for which they prepare students, is not equally distributed among all Illinoisans. Despite some recent progress, women, African-American, and Hispanic or Latino Illinois residents remain underrepresented in both STEM degrees and employment.
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For previous issues of the Illinois Innovation Index, click here.
The Illinois Innovation Index highlights data and metrics on innovation and entrepreneurial activity across Illinois. The Index is a publication wholly researched and produced by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition.
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