The Social Science Research Institute's Evidence-to-Impact Podcast shares an insightful, two-part episode titled “Building STEM Pathways: Connecting Youth, Education, and Industry”. In this episode, host Michael Donovan, associate director of the Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative at Penn State, sits down with Dale Keshishian, founder and CEO of HealthWorks Academies, and David Garbe, director of the Philadelphia Education Fund, to unpack the challenges, and opportunities, of building stronger STEM pathways for young people. Across the conversation, one message stands out: the challenge isn’t a lack of opportunity, but a lack of connection.
At the heart of the discussion is a disconnect many students face as they move through school without a clear understanding of how their learning translates into careers. As Keshishian explains, “We saw wonderful, smart, talented students not persisting in STEM because they didn’t know what to do with it after they were out of high school.” At the same time, industry demand continues to grow, particularly across health sciences and STEM fields, creating a missed opportunity for both students and employers. Garbe reinforces this challenge, noting, “There’s a lot of gaps in between education and the workforce... a disconnect between how students see themselves and how they see the opportunities in STEM after high school.”
Rather than focusing on isolated programs, the conversation emphasizes the importance of building connected systems that align education, workforce, and community efforts. “Our young people need authentic learning experiences that are directly tied to both of those pathways,” Garbe explains. These pathways must reflect the reality that postsecondary success is not one-size-fits-all. Whether students pursue college, enter the workforce, or move between both, they need clear and flexible options. Keshishian highlights this shift, asking, “How do we address STEM education, employment and continuing education for those students who tend to be disconnected once they graduate from high school?”
A critical part of this work is ensuring that students can see themselves in STEM roles. Representation, mentorship, and exposure all play a role in shaping student identity and aspiration. “Students of all backgrounds belong in these roles,” Keshishian emphasizes, while Garbe adds, “Having youth be able to see themselves in these roles is critically important.” Without that visibility, entire groups of students may never consider pathways that are well within reach.
Building effective pathways requires collaboration across sectors. From industry-informed teaching to ongoing professional development for educators, both guests stress that no single group can do this work alone. “Training one teacher can have an impact on over a hundred students,” Garbe points out. Equally important is engaging communities directly in the process: “We need to do the work with communities.” This collective approach ensures that pathways are not only accessible, but also relevant and sustainable.
As technology advances and workforce demands continue to shift, the need for strong, connected STEM pathways will only grow. When education, industry, and community partners align, and when students are placed at the center of that work, pathways become more than pipelines. They become opportunities for exploration, growth, and long-term success.
Listen to Part 1 of the episode on platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Blubrry. You can also access it on the Evidence-to-Impact Podcast Website.
Part 2 can also be accessed on platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Blubrry, in addition to the Evidence-to-Impact Podcast Website.
The EIC Podcast connects Penn State researchers, government partners and community leaders to discuss policy-relevant issues such as poverty, criminal justice, substance use and health care. By translating research insights into real-world understanding, the series aims to bridge the gap between evidence and practice. Through accessible conversations within the podcast, effective communication is tailored to diverse audiences, which empowers the public with accurate information that can influence policies, improve evidence-based approaches and support individuals affected by these challenges.
The Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative (EIC) is a research center and information hub for the science of using social science. The aim of the EIC is to improve the data, methods and processes related to research, the dissemination of evidence, and to understand the impacts of the use of research evidence on societal well-being. A center in the Social Science Research Institute supported by the College of Health and Human Development, the EIC leverages expertise in administrative data, program evaluation and researcher-policymaker relationships for social investment optimization.