These days, it is increasingly common for students to choose non-scientific fields when entering university. This tendency stems from many factors, and could lead to several social implications.
The increasing number of students avoiding science majors stems from the subject's complexity and lengthy duration of such degrees. Many scientific disciplines, particularly involving mathematics or physics, are often considered overly challenging due to abstract concepts and complex formulas. This has driven a large number of learners to enroll in other less demanding courses instead, such as business or the arts. Furthermore, science-based fields such as medicine or engineering often require significantly more years of study before students are allowed to graduate, which can delay their entry into the workforce compared to their peers. This has prompted many individuals to pursue careers in fields like law to start earning sooner.
Fewer STEM majors can hinder scientific progress and impact the job market. In the event that there are insufficient science graduates, the world could very well have fewer scientific breakthroughs as the problem worsens. This may hinder development in various sectors, including healthcare and technology, ultimately slowing down global innovation and economic growth. Another concerning impact would be the rise in unneeded or redundant personnel across other majors, and a shortage of top talents in science. In other words, graduates in popular fields such as business, marketing or social sciences would have to face even fiercer competition to secure a job, while scientific institutions and tech companies may struggle to employ enough qualified recruits.
In conclusion, the inherent difficulty of science and long study periods have deterred students from pursuing this subject in higher education, and this trend could impede scientific innovation and cause unequal labor distribution.