This book is an essential resource that Latino/a students and families need to make the best decisions about entering and succeeding in a STEM career. It can also serve to aid faculty, counselors, and advisors to assist students at every step of entering and completing a STEM career.
As a fast-growing, major segment of the U.S. population, the next generation of Latinos and Latinas could be key to future American advances in science and technology. With the appropriate encouragement for Latinos/as to enter science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, they can become the creative innovators who will produce technological advances we all need and can enjoy—from faster tech devices to more energy efficient transportation to cures for diseases and medical conditions.
This book presents a compelling case that the nation's Hispanic population must be better represented in STEM careers and that the future of America's technological advances may well depend on the Latino/a population. It focuses on the importance of STEM education for Latinos/as and provides a comprehensive array of the most current information students and families need to make informed decisions about entering and succeeding in a STEM career. Students, families, and educators will fully understand why STEM is so important for Latinos/as, how to plan for a career in STEM, how to pay for and succeed in college, and how to choose a career in STEM. The book also includes compelling testimonials of Latino/a students who have completed a STEM major that offer proof that Latinos/as can overcome life challenges to succeed in STEM fields.
Table of Contents:
Foreword
Mildred García
Acknowledgments
A Note to the Reader
Introduction: What Is STEM and Why Is It Important for Latinx Students?
Laura I. Rendón and Vijay Kanagala
Part I: Planning for a Career in STEM
1. STEP 1: Preparing for a Career in STEM—°Preparate!
Karina I. Vielma
2. STEP 2: Choosing a College and STEM Program
Marcela Cuellar and Juan Carlos Garibay
3. STEP 3: Paying for College
Vincent D. Carales, Ripsimé Bledsoe, and Amaury Nora
Part II: Succeeding in College
4. STEP 4: Surviving Thriving in the First Year of College
Vijay Kanagala, Josephine J. Gonzalez, and Jose Adrian Leon
5. STEP 5: Choosing a STEM Major
Dimitra Jackson Smith and Frankie Santos Laanan
6. STEP 6: Continuing on to Graduate School in STEM
Leslie A. Coward, Kimberly A. Koledoye, and Stella L. Smith
Part III: Choosing a Career in STEM
7. STEP 7: Choosing a Career in STEM—STEM Majors
Rosa M. Banda and Alonzo M. Flowers III
Part IV: Sharing Stories
8. Testimonios
Vijay Kanagala and Laura I. Rendón
Testimonio 1
Stephany Alvarez-Ventura
Testimonio 2
Alejandro Araiza
Testimonio 3
Diana Del Angel
Testimonio 4
Julissa Del Bosque
Testimonio 5
Xiomara Elias Argote
Testimonio 6
Dana M. García
Testimonio 7
Karla Gutierrez
Testimonio 8
Rodolfo Jimenez
Testimonio 9
Ricardo Martinez
Testimonio 10
Olivia Moreno
Testimonio 11
Elvia Elisa Niebla
Testimonio 12
Semarhy Quinones-Soto
Testimonio 13
Marina B. Suarez
Testimonio 14
Simon Trevino
Part V: College and University Directories for STEM Programs
9. Listing of the Best STEM Colleges and Universities for Latinx Students
Demeturie Toso-Lafaele Gogue and Sarah Maria Childs
Part VI: Resources
10. Resources for Latinx Students Interested in STEM Careers
Cynthia Diana Villarreal and Sarah Price
About the Editors and Contributors
Index
About the Author :
Laura I. Rendón, PhD, is professor of higher education at the University of Texas-San Antonio. Rendón is a research specialist on college preparation, persistence, and graduation of low-income, first-generation students.
Vijay Kanagala, PhD, is assistant professor of higher education at the University of Vermont. His research interests include college access, success, and completion for low-income, first-generation college students.
Review :
The book is well written using easy-to-understand language, and includes explanations for specialized terms. It provides information and guidance to young Latino/a students and their parents who want to better understand STEM requirements, including information about choosing schools, financial aid and scholarships, career paths, and tips for success. . . . Every effort is made throughout this text to link readers to relevant information, and it is certainly a useful tool for anyone interested in working in the sciences.
