Is IISME on your list? Start growing tomorrow's talent today

We continue to hear today that there are not enough job applicants for our technical jobs with the right skills for where businesses are headed or to meet expectations for supporting the growing demands in health care, renewable energy, bio-tech and many other areas of computer software, science, engineering and research. Technical skills based on proficiencies in math and science.

The solutions to these challenges don't come quickly - but rather through the partnering of business, educators and others to inspire students at early ages to pursue careers in these disciplines that will take us to places we have yet to go.

Parents play a large role in this obviously, but inspiration at the point of learning basic skills that relate to these future professional areas happens most often and most effectively in the classroom - with teachers.

I have just described the magic formula of Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Education (IISME). I call it magic because it is not a straight-lined equation. It is combined formula of opportunity, inspiration and renewed enthusiasm, framed in business needs, focused on dedication in teaching and discovery in learning, and guided by experienced hands from IISME.

IISME's work for more than 27 years has been to connect businesses and educators -- through work on "real world" projects -- to develop and enrich teachers' abilities to demonstrate to their students in the classroom practical applications of science and math in today's world, to make it relevant and exciting.

Enhancing teachers' subject area expertise, assisting them in transferring their learning from an 8-week summer program to revised curriculum, and renewing their enthusiasm for teaching and inspiring students to excel in science and math are win-win-win experiences. And your company can be part of making this difference - starting today.

There are a number of ways you can get involved and the first step (if you are not already working with IISME) could be to contact the organization to discuss your interests. Jennifer Bruckner, Executive Director of IISME in Santa Clara and her staff would be thrilled to hear from you. Check out their Website at www.iisme.org and learn of their many successes and involvements on a local, state and national level.

Nearly 3,000 faculty members at 650 schools have inspired some two million students as the results of IISME's efforts, 35 percent of whom are educationally disadvantaged and traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering fields. The importance of this to all those who participate is one thing - but the long-term benefactors are really all of us in business who are in constant pursuit of top talent for our jobs.

We at Merit Resource Group are finalizing our plans for continued support of the 2012 Summer Fellowship Program at IISME and hope that we may inspire you to get involved as well.

Anne Hausler, Merit's Director of Client Services, has been a dedicated member of the IISME Board of Directors for nearly 10 years and would be glad to share her perspectives with you about the importance and relevance of the work they do. If you know Anne and have not connected with her for a while, what a great topic to catch up discussing.

In the meantime, please accept our best wishes for a prosperous 2012 and every success in your pursuit of top talent for all of your jobs!

Best regards,
Rod

"Leadership is about how we shape futures that we truly desire, as opposed to try as best we can to cope with circumstances we believe are beyond our control."

— Peter Senge

(Shared from John Renesch's Mini-Keynote blog)