Scientists and Engineers

To understand the importance of this group of professionals, we start by first summarizing the role of technology and of scientists and engineers (S&Es) in the U.S. economy. \nDespite a sizable expansion of the S&E labor force over the last two decades, the United \nStates has failed to produce sufficient numbers during a time when technology has come \nto play a more important role in determining the competitiveness of nations in the global \neconomy. The next section examines the phenomenal growth and characteristics of the \nAsian Pacific S&E labor force. Asian Pacific scientists and engineers have very high levels of educational attainment, are concentrated in research and development, and are \noverwhelmingly comprised of the foreign-born but U.S.-educated. The third section \nfocuses on the supply of immigrants, which is governed by a complex process involving \nthe "Westernization/Americanization" of higher education on a global scale and by immigration regulation. Together, these two factors have created an extremely educated \nlabor pool of Asian Pacific S&Es who fill critical positions in the U.S. economy. The final \nsection examines how well these professionals are faring. The analysis indicates earnings \nparity, although immigrants are likely to earn less than non-immigrants. The major issue \nconfronting Asian Pacific Americans in these fields is the "glass ceiling," specifically the \nbarriers to upper management positions.