Allows students to develop skills both in and out of STEM fields

Lynne K. Varner illustrated the need for improved STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in her recent column [“Better STEM education, training needed for mismatched workers,” Opinion, Nov. 15].

But I do not fully agree with her reasoning. We do not need our schools to become STEM education factories, providing an assembly line of students to fill jobs. We need to provide students with comprehensive educational opportunities that allow them to develop a wide variety of skills, both in and out of the STEM fields.

As Varner suggested, companies can partner with schools directly to create courses and internships that link directly to industries. I would also like to suggest that companies find ways to support other areas of education, ensuring that students are fully educated.

Graduates with broad skill-sets are better able to adapt to a changing job market and their own changing interests. Premier local companies were not created by individuals with narrow skill-sets and not populated by employees who were on trick ponies. They were created by entrepreneurs who could think outside the box. If these companies want to remain great, and continue to create and to innovate, they would look for workers with the same qualities and support comprehensive education.

— Kristin Austin, Bothell