"It's important that we approach STEM not just as a subject, but as a mindset," says Camsie McAdams, former Deputy Director for STEM at the US Department of Education. Just to be clear, the STEM in question is not what supports a ROSE but, rather, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. According to the National Math and Science Initiative, three out of four of the fastest-growing careers require STEM education. The growing importance of STEM is not lost on Josiah Wandera, 28, who earned a degree in computer science at the University of Nairobi. "I have always been a fan of computers as it’s a generational thing," he says. Wandera is also a table tennis star, currently ranked a close second in his native Kenya. Winner of the Zambia Chinese Ambassadors Cup, Wandera also represented Kenya at the 2020 ITTF Africa Olympics Qualifiers in Tunisia. It may be difficult to discern which is is day job and which is his "side hustle." Judge for yourself: "I do websites and develop mobile apps as a freelancer as I continue seeking a permanent job," explains Wandera. "Table tennis for me has been a way of living... I have been lucky to win honors, thus cushioning me financially even if it’s just for a moment." However you slice it, Wandera's wide-ranging talents place him in elite company. His résumé is reminiscent of that of India's second-ranked player Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, 27, who earned an engineering degree from St. Joseph's College of Engineering in Chennai. Like Gnanasekaran, Josiah Wandera is an analytical player who applies his scientific mind to his quest for self-improvement. "Recently, I have developed keen interest in reading psychology books to deliberately sharpen my way of thinking and to try to be logical," he says. "Coming to table tennis and computer science, I just have to try and find a balance between the two. All work and no play makes you dull, right?" Clearly, great blossoms of achievement are growing out of the STEM mindset.

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