CDM’s Pioneering Externship Program Prepares Students for Careers in Engineering

July 26, 2006

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS—To encourage today’s students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), CDM has hired local high school students and teachers to work alongside seasoned engineers this summer. In collaboration with the Leadership Initiatives for Teaching and Technology (LIFT2), a public-private partnership dedicated to increasing the number of Massachusetts students interested in STEM fields, the program offers participants a real life, research-based, professional learning experience.

“By placing two teachers and five students in hands-on engineering externships, CDM has made a very significant commitment to furthering the STEM education initiative,” said Dave Cedrone, LIFT2’s program director. “CDM also took the lead in bringing together legislators, state officials, educators, and consulting engineers to collaborate with LIFT2 on creative solutions.”     

Both Massachusetts and the United States in general are experiencing a shortfall of professionals with STEM educations. In 2004, only 76,000 students graduated with engineering degrees in the United States. In contrast, China expects to graduate 500,000 engineers in 2006. A significant boost in engineering graduates is needed to sustain Massachusetts’ innovation economy and maintain the United States’ competitive edge. Recent estimates indicate a shortfall of 24,000 STEM-skilled workers in the United States by 2009. By mentoring and providing exciting, practical experiences to teachers and students, CDM hopes to help reverse this trend and strengthen the U.S. engineering field.

“To solve these problems, we must look to our middle and high schools,” said William S. Howard, CDM’s chief technical officer. “We need to motivate youngsters to become scientists and engineers.”

This summer, the students and teachers will experience a wide spectrum of employment opportunities—including computer-assisted design, global information system (GIS) preparation, hazardous waste assessment, and data collection—while realizing the impact STEM professions have on the world around them.

CDM is a consulting, engineering, construction, and operations firm delivering exceptional service to public and private clients worldwide.

Release Number: 431-06