African-American Engineers: Social and Cultural Solutions for Underrepresentation

African-Americans are seriously underrepresented in the engineering field.Of 12.3 % of the African-American US population, only 5.3 % were awarded bachelors degrees in 2001. 1 The numbers are even more dismal when considering the conferring of masters and doctorate degrees with 4.5% and 3.4%, respectively.African-Americans are not the only minorities that are insufficiently represented in engineering.Hispanics, Native Americans, and women are also disproportionately represented as compared to the population distribution.In terms of the reason for the shortage of diverse groups in this scientific field, there are differing and multiple reasons; each equally important and particular to the specific groups mentioned.Because of the complexity and varied reasons for the minority shortage and because of the limitations of this paper, the focus will be the issues and solutions to this problem as they pertain to African-Americans.By bringing into focus, the problematic aspects of this situation and possible social and cultural causes, we hope to help find ways of counteracting this problem, thereby, finding additional and more meaningful solutions.Why is African-American underrepresentation problematic, or even important?The shortage of sufficient minorities within the engineering field is problematic for many reasons.First, the United States is a diverse nation that is fast becoming even more diverse through increased immigration and the birth of babies to minorities.When solving problems within a diverse population, different people are able to bring into the mix, different experiences.A diverse workforce and dissimilar personnel backgrounds allow for multifaceted perspectives which result in varied solutions to problems which would benefit the entire American population.An example of well-utilized diverse potential may be seen in creation of the award-winning Chrysler 300 sedan.As stated by Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda, "One of the Chrysler Group's greatest strengths is a diverse workforce of individuals who weave their talents into the fabric of this company and the communities they represent.Ralph Gilles [Chrysler 300 sedan and Dodge Charger designer] has done exactly that with his passion and talent for design." 2 3 Untapped resources and potentialities can result in unrealized growth and possibilities.Without utilizing all possible talents from diverse sources there could be a loss of possible creativity and talent which could otherwise benefit all citizens.