SHPE Boston believes that the New England region, and in particular, the Boston area, is a premier place in the United States to cultivate and develop Latino talent for careers in science and engineering for three reasons.

 
 

 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the New England population is expected to grow from 14.7 million to 15.5 million people between 2010 and 2025. Over this same period, the regional Hispanic population will increase dramatically from 11.9% of the NE population in 2010 to 17.0% in 2025. This represents a net increase of 874,000 Hispanics or a 50% increase in the Hispanic population in the region over a 15 year period.

 

The Educational Network

 

There are approximately 168 universities in the New England region. 22 of these universities offer a standard selection of engineering disciplines, and 13 additional universities offer limited or specialized engineering programs.

 

The Professional Network

 

Thousands of science and engineering firms, including research and development, high-tech (i.e., hardware, software and IT services) and communications companies (as well as other science- and engineering-based organizations), have offices in the New England area. According to “The IT Industry: Hub of the Massachusetts Technology Economy,” November 2009, University of Massachusetts, Donahue Institute, Economic & Public Policy Research, the Massachusetts IT industry is home to 10,300 firms.  According to “The New England Technology Company Directory,” Mass High Tech, The Journal of New England Technology, in December 2009 high-tech companies in New England employed over 500,000 people.