---
title: "What Emerging Knowledge Economy?"
summary: |-
  The reality of the college and STEM debate is that none of the top fastest growing occupations even require a bachelor's degree.
date: "2013-08-29"
issues: ["Science and R&D", "Skills and Future of Work"]
authors: ["Robert D. Atkinson"]
content_type: "Op-Eds & Contributed Articles"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/publications/2013/08/29/what-emerging-knowledge-economy/"
---

# What Emerging Knowledge Economy?

It's not uncommon for many college education and STEM advocates to claim that the fastest growing occupations over the next decade will require a college education and/or STEM skills. In this view, the economy is shedding low skill jobs (either from automation or trade) and America is specializing in high-wage, knowledge-based jobs that require a college degree.

---
*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/publications/2013/08/29/what-emerging-knowledge-economy/*