This book is an essential resource that Latino/a students and families need to make the best decisions about entering and succeeding in a STEM career. It can also serve to aid faculty, counselors, and advisors to assist students at every step of entering and completing a STEM career.As a fast-growing, major segment of the U.S. population, the next generation of Latinos and Latinas could be key to future American advances in science and technology. With the appropriate encouragement for Latinos/as to enter science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, they can become the creative innovators who will produce technological advances we all need and can enjoy-from faster tech devices to more energy efficient transportation to cures for diseases and medical conditions.This book presents a compelling case that the nation's Hispanic population must be better represented in STEM careers and that the future of America's technological advances may well depend on the Latino/a population. It focuses on the importance of STEM education for Latinos/as and provides a comprehensive array of the most current information students and families need to make informed decisions about entering and succeeding in a STEM career. Students, families, and educators will fully understand why STEM is so important for Latinos/as, how to plan for a career in STEM, how to pay for and succeed in college, and how to choose a career in STEM. The book also includes compelling testimonials of Latino/a students who have completed a STEM major that offer proof that Latinos/as can overcome life challenges to succeed in STEM fields.

Presents current qualitative and quantitative research findings on what has been shown to influence Latino/a student success as well as personal testimonials of Latino/a students' success in STEM

ForewordMildred GarcíaAcknowledgmentsA Note to the ReaderIntroduction: What Is STEM and Why Is It Important for Latinx Students?Laura I. Rendón and Vijay KanagalaPart I: Planning for a Career in STEM1. STEP 1: Preparing for a Career in STEM-°Preparate!Karina I. Vielma2. STEP 2: Choosing a College and STEM ProgramMarcela Cuellar and Juan Carlos Garibay3. STEP 3: Paying for CollegeVincent D. Carales, Ripsimé Bledsoe, and Amaury NoraPart II: Succeeding in College4. STEP 4: Surviving Thriving in the First Year of CollegeVijay Kanagala, Josephine J. Gonzalez, and Jose Adrian Leon5. STEP 5: Choosing a STEM MajorDimitra Jackson Smith and Frankie Santos Laanan6. STEP 6: Continuing on to Graduate School in STEMLeslie A. Coward, Kimberly A. Koledoye, and Stella L. SmithPart III: Choosing a Career in STEM7. STEP 7: Choosing a Career in STEM-STEM MajorsRosa M. Banda and Alonzo M. Flowers IIIPart IV: Sharing Stories8. TestimoniosVijay Kanagala and Laura I. RendónTestimonio 1Stephany Alvarez-VenturaTestimonio 2Alejandro AraizaTestimonio 3Diana Del AngelTestimonio 4Julissa Del BosqueTestimonio 5Xiomara Elias ArgoteTestimonio 6Dana M. GarcíaTestimonio 7Karla GutierrezTestimonio 8Rodolfo JimenezTestimonio 9Ricardo MartinezTestimonio 10Olivia MorenoTestimonio 11Elvia Elisa NieblaTestimonio 12Semarhy Quinones-SotoTestimonio 13Marina B. SuarezTestimonio 14Simon TrevinoPart V: College and University Directories for STEM Programs9. Listing of the Best STEM Colleges and Universities for Latinx StudentsDemeturie Toso-Lafaele Gogue and Sarah Maria ChildsPart VI: Resources10. Resources for Latinx Students Interested in STEM CareersCynthia Diana Villarreal and Sarah PriceAbout the Editors and ContributorsIndex