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So it's been said, and so it is done.

Dr. Doom it is.

I was never called Dr. at work except in jest.  One place I worked had about 1600 employees and 500 were PhDs.  My nickname - by which I am still referred at times by friends - was Dr. Doom.  I was known for killing projects.  A lot of folks for some reason felt it was their duty to drag something out long after it was clear it made no sense.

One buddy of mine at work had a PhD in Chem Eng from Columbia.  He was older and very smart, and very unmotivated.  I never understood why he didn't work harder until a few more years passed.  He would do a great job if I could get him interested in some challenge.

He actually was demoted, something very rare at work.  He didn't care.  He retired and became a travel agent, I used him a few times when that was a thing.

I think we've talked about, how in France and Germany and Italy, they have a specific respect for engineers.  When I was living and working in those countries, they'd call me Dr. utee94 even though I only had a bachelor's in engineering (BSEE).

I'm a fan of the arts too, and I agree that the "A" doesn't belong with STEM.  Might as well make it STEAMESS, to get English and Social Studies in there too.

Then you can add Gym class and just make it SCHOOL!

Ha!  Indeed.

I think Dr. Doom doesn't see the labels as important, and he might be right.  Personally I think the label is important, because I think encouraging people into STEM is important to our nation's future, both from the perspective of the economy, and from the perspective of national security.  In some cases, as we're finding out right now, those actually overlap pretty heavily.

And I think that turning STEM into STEAM (or STEAMLESS), undermines the purpose of labeling it STEM to begin with.  That was a specific movement with a specific purpose and a specific goal.

The arts can have advocates, too.  I am one of them.  I probably give more money to the arts, than I do to the sciences.  But I don't think those two messages should be combined.

I just wondered why it matters.  When I was in school the term STEM was never used that I ever heard.  I don't think it's some technical term or official term today that means anything.  They could include political science as being a science and it doesn't really change anything of substance.  They can call me a philosopher and it doesn't matter either.

I think it's a useful term, actually, when used descriptively, but I'd be surprised if it has some official standing.

I doubt an Art Major would apply for an engineering job, nor would a chemistry major.  I doubt employment ads go out using STEM as a requirement for the major.  I'd guess they are more specific than that, I need a BS in chemistry for this job.  

Maybe I'm wrong.  That's fine.  They could make it STEAM or whatever and I'm not going to look at a resume from an Art major who claims it's a STEAM degree.

I would get some weird resumes when we advertised for jobs at times.  Usually recruiting would ferret them out for us.

I just wondered why it matters.  When I was in school the term STEM was never used that I ever heard.  I don't think it's some technical term or official term today that means anything.  They could include political science as being a science and it doesn't really change anything of substance.  They can call me a philosopher and it doesn't matter either.

I think it's a useful term, actually, when used descriptively, but I'd be surprised if it has some official standing.

Badge has it right, it's a collection of disciplines that basically are underrepresented but have excellent job prospects, not only now but in the future as our society gets increasingly technological and complex. 

And despite the need for it and the [high] salaries commensurate with this kind of work, kids weren't going into it because it's not cool and it's really damn hard. 

Back in the cold war, the term STEM wasn't used but there was always a push for the technical fields because it was how we'd beat the Russkies. But I think it lagged somewhat after the cold war ended. After the 80s everyone wanted to be an investment banker, and today everyone thinks they're going to be a Youtube star or an Instagram influencer. You can do those without a bunch of math.

So the focus is on reminding kids that yeah, taking all those math and science classes is hard, but there's a real nice life waiting for you on the other side.

I doubt an Art Major would apply for an engineering job, nor would a chemistry major.  I doubt employment ads go out using STEM as a requirement for the major.  I'd guess they are more specific than that, I need a BS in chemistry for this job. 

Maybe I'm wrong.  That's fine.  They could make it STEAM or whatever and I'm not going to look at a resume from an Art major who claims it's a STEAM degree.

I would get some weird resumes when we advertised for jobs at times.  Usually recruiting would ferret them out for us.

You're missing the point, and I guess you'll continue to do so, but I'll try again.

STEM was a term used for specific programs in the elementary, middle, and high schools, to promote to children that Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, are positive areas of study that can result in good careers.  That was STEM's focus, that was its target, and its goal was to encourage more participation in those subjects at younger ages, with the ultimate result of generating more engineers and scientists and mathematicians in the workforce here in the USA.  As bwar, badgerfan, and I, have pointed out, currently there is a shortage, and it's getting worse with every passing year. 

So while there is nothing wrong with the Arts, in fact there is a lot that is very much right with them, they have absolutely nothing to do with the original intent of the STEM programs in elementary and secondary education, and indeed introducing the Arts into the STEM movement undermines its charter and dilutes its message.