Building a Quantum Pipeline

The ability to manipulate quantum states has the potential to completely alter the nature of our society and our economy, as has the growth of today's computer technologies. However, jobs associated with these new technologies will require the preparation of a diverse workforce trained to take on these new challenges. We have been working to build programs spanning the secondary, undergraduate, and graduate curriculum. We will describe our efforts to understand what students across the STEM disciplines know about quantum and the opportunities it presents as well as what barriers they see in pursuing a career in this area. We will connect the perception of students with the needs as expressed by members of the industry interested in hiring those workers. Only by addressing student perspectives and employer needs will we be able to create inclusive programs to build the quantum workforce of the future.