What is STEM?
Interest in STEM education and careers is rapidly growing, drawing more people toward the cutting edge of technological progress. STEM—short for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—represents fields that are essential for driving global innovation and strengthening a nation's leadership on the world stage. Professionals in these areas are not only expanding our understanding of the universe but are also paving the way for a brighter and more advanced future.
A STEM-centered education emphasizes problem-solving through analytical thinking, a versatile skill applicable across various fields. A solid grasp of math, science, and programming is highly sought after by many employers, making it a valuable asset for job seekers.
Skills Required for STEM Professionals
Depending on your chosen field of STEM study, you can expect to use technology, engineering, math and science to solve the problems you will be facing. Along with your core pool of STEM knowledge, some of the essential hard skills required for the field may include:
- Analytical Reasoning – can you use data to find and identify patterns to generate relationships
- Inquiry-Based Problem Solving – the questions you will face will be based on mathematical and scientific principles, so your background should enable you to approach problems in creative and critical ways and find technical solutions
- Scientific Computing – you should be able to complete simulations with numbers, as well as use theories, techniques, and tools to help you solve the problems placed before you
While the hard skills are an important asset as you embark to finding a STEM career, it’s important to not forget important soft skills that will be useful:
- Proactivity – you will encounter many difficult problems and you need to be able to analyze a situation to look at all the different parts that play a part. Offering solutions will allow you and your team to create innovative solutions
- Communication – the ideas you have will need to be conveyed both verbally and written. You should also be comfortable in presenting to audiences both large and small as well as answering questions
- Collaboration – many times you will be working as a team to solve complex problems. Working with others and communicating clearly will help you and your team to work together in the right direction in creating solutions
- Leadership – as a STEM professional, you should be able and ready to lead a team in keeping them (and yourself) motivated, especially when stumbling blocks arise
The Growth of STEM Careers
For those considering a career in STEM, it is crucial to recognize that numerous prominent STEM professions have arisen within the past ten years, highlighting the ever-evolving nature of the field. Consequently, you may find yourself preparing for roles that were previously inconceivable. As of 2019, STEM expertise or knowledge was a prerequisite for 23% of the workforce in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment in STEM-related fields will outpace non-STEM occupations by 10.8% from 2021 to 2031.
The growth and expectations within the STEM field also bring lower unemployment rates and higher median wages. STEM workers can expect an unemployment rate of just 2%, compared to the 4% rate in other labor forces (this statistic remained true even during COVID).
STEM Work Force
The ever-changing world we live in can make for uncertainty, especially when it comes to choosing a field of employment. Though you may be studying for a job that does not even exist yet, you can have confidence in the dependable nature of the STEM field.
When it comes to those working in the STEM field, it’s interesting to note that a little over half of STEM workers do not have a bachelor’s degree with 19% of them working in health care; 20% in construction; 21% in installation, maintenance, or repair; and 14% in occupations related to production. STEM occupations are expected to grow, both workers who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, as well as in the skilled technical workforce.
Popular STEM Careers
The occupations that require an understanding of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics have a positive outlook, both in growth and in pay. Some popular and well-paying jobs are listed below:
Anesthesiologist
($331,190 average yearly salary)
An anesthesiologist is a doctor who specializes in providing medication to prevent pain and discomfort that may come when undergoing surgery. They may be working with anesthesia when “putting a patient to sleep,” sedating a patient, or injecting a patient with local anesthetic to numb different parts of the body that are being operated on.
Biomedical Engineer
($101,020 average yearly salary)
Biomedical engineers use their understanding of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science and biochemical understanding to help solve problems to improve human health and care across the board. This cutting-edge field may be developing more life-like prosthetic limbs or working to 3-D print organs but is continually advancing and overcoming obstacles.
Civil Engineer
($95,490 average yearly salary)
The job of civil engineer plans, designs, and maintains buildings and other infrastructure such as airports, roads, city water drainage systems, and bridges. These important networks and facilities help to get people, water, electricity, and goods from one place to another. You may be working for a government entity or a private company.
Computer Programmer
($96,650 average yearly salary)
If you enjoy designing, writing, testing, troubleshooting, and maintaining the code of computer programs, you may be interested in becoming a computer programmer. Programmers take created designs and turn them into useable instructions written in specific computer languages.
Database Architect
($121,840 average yearly salary)
With an understanding of IT, database architects help develop, maintain, and integrate databases that are organized, comprehensive, and easy to use in meeting strategic goals.
Industrial Engineer
($95,200 average yearly salary)
An industrial engineer finds creative ways to improve effectiveness in the workplace, whether that be focused on workers, machines, information, materials, or the energy used to produce materials or offer a service.
Information Security Analyst
($113,270 average yearly salary)
As an information security analyst, you protect computer networks and its information by planning, installing, upgrading, and monitoring its security. You also look for security risks and checks for system vulnerabilities to ensure that the correct security controls are used to protect digital files as well as responding to security breaches and computer viruses.
Software Developer
($120,990 average yearly salary)
A software developer researches, creates, and implements programs for computers. They use computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis to implement solutions based on user needs whether that is creating updates for software or enhancing current capabilities.
Video Game Designer
($83,470 average yearly salary)
A video game designer imagines and creates the plot and characters, along with the visuals, audio, and movement of a game based on the set purpose of the game. There may be multiple projects in varying stages of development that you will have to pitch, manage, and prototype.
Web Developer
($81,320 average yearly salary)
creates and publishes websites, applications for websites, and interactive online interfaces that are structured correctly in accordance with industry standards and is compatible no matter the browser or device.
