What are STEM Careers?
Careers in STEM are often related to technical occupations that require good analytical skills. These types of jobs tend to need scientific knowledge or mathematical skills in many routine tasks.
If you want to pursue a career in highly technical fields, STEM education in both high school and in college is a must. You’ll learn valuable knowledge and skills that will help you become an effective problem-solver and technology innovator.
And STEM careers are definitely not limited to academic institutions and research institutions. You can choose career paths in many fields and industries, with lots of career options to pursue depending on your college major. STEM careers are available both in government service and private sector.
What does it mean to have a career in STEM?
Having a career in STEM typically means having a job that requires scientific knowledge and technical skills. The entry barrier in STEM careers is relatively difficult because of the required aptitude and competencies.
In many cases, it requires passing professional board exams. This also means there STEM specialists are in high demand, and there’s relatively low competition because there are fewer qualified professionals.
What are some STEM careers?
Some STEM careers have highly technical job descriptions. Skills in programming, computer science, and engineering are typically involved in the routine tasks. Sometimes it involves cutting-edge technology and advanced science.
That means some STEM careers require a postgraduate degree. These careers can be categorized into academia and research, engineering, computer science and information technology, and administrative careers.
Here are some examples of STEM careers you may be interested in pursuing.
Engineering occupations
Engineering is to do with the application of science and mathematics in the real world to build something practical or useful. In other words, engineering is mainly concerned with technology.
1. 3D printing engineer
You can purchase consumer 3D printing machines that are relatively affordable. Depending on the type, you can use metals or polymers to print objects - from artworks to machine components. You may design your own 3D objects using software or you may download templates online. For industrial applications such as designing automobile prototypes, 3D printing engineers are the ones who come up with the designs. They are also the ones who test the prototypes before mass production.
2. Computer graphics engineer
The job of computer graphics engineers has some similarities with computer graphic artists. However, the main difference is in the technical application. Computer graphics engineers design 2-D and 3-D models from sketches. They are involved in designing intricate machine prototypes, architectural blueprints, and video games.
3. Robotics engineer
Industrial production of intricate electronic gadgets and machinery requires precise and fast robotic manipulations. These include printing circuit boards and assembling vehicles.
The main task of a robotics engineer is to design industrial robots that can be programmed and function autonomously based on the specific needs of a manufacturing company. Robotics engineers are also typically involved in purely scientific research such as designing robotic probes and rovers for space and planetary explorations. Some robotics engineers also work in the entertainment industry, designing animatronics.
Did you know? Many cutting-edge corporations in the robotics industry use Arduino components to prototype, test, and build their new technology.
Careers in computing & information technology
Computer programmers and software developers are among the most in-demand professionals in the world today.
Their work has wide-ranging business applications. Virtually all businesses, particularly large corporations, need computer systems to operate. These include database networks, digital security, financial transaction networks, and specialized software applications.
4. Curiosity
A software developer is someone who writes computer program codes and compiles them to produce software applications. Oftentimes, software developers work in teams to produce applications that have complex codes and functions. These include business software applications, online applications, and computer games.
5. Computer network architect
Computer network architects work with programmers to design either wired or internet-connected networks - you can start learning about this today with our Explore IoT Kit!
They make sure that networks will function smoothly and securely. Their designs may include networking the computer systems of a building or globally networking supercomputers. They may be involved in large corporate or government projects like cyber defense systems.
6. Computer programmer
A computer programmer has similar tasks and responsibilities to a software developer. However, a computer programmer must also know assembly language or machine language programming. This is a deeper and more fundamental level of programming knowledge that some software developers do not have. It may also be necessary to know about analog programming that involves assembling logic circuit boards.
Other STEM education-related occupations
Aside from the specialized STEM occupations, there are also some STEM education-related occupations that have somewhat more generalized applications. These occupations can have either academic and business applications.
7 . Operations research analyst
Operations research, sometimes called management science, is concerned with improving the decision-making process of management. It mainly focuses on the efficiency of operations such as assigning the most cost-effective routes for buses. It is a discipline that involves mathematics and other analytical tools.
8. Mathematician
Pure mathematicians are often employed in universities as professors and researchers. They work on difficult mathematical problems that may not yet have practical applications. Some of these problems include the millennium problems in math:
- Riemann hypothesis
- P versus NP problem
- Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture
- Hodge conjecture
- Navier-Stokes equation
- Yang-Mills theory
- Poincaré conjecture (the only solved problem so far)
Some mathematicians also work along with theoretical and experimental physicists in projects like the Large Hadron Collider. Mathematicians provide the quantitative-predictive basis for physics and other sciences.
9. Technical writer
Technical writing has a very broad scope. Writers who want to focus on technical writing can work either as an independent contractor or as a formal employee in private businesses or in government.
Technical writers are the ones who write manuals for operating machines, popular science articles, patent reviews, and manufacturing processes. One of the main tasks of a technical writer is to communicate complex technical facts and details in a simplified way to decision makers and the general public.
Summary
Careers in STEM can be classified into different categories, such as pure academic and research, engineering, computer and information technology, and business-industrial applications. The entry barrier is often difficult because of the high level of technical knowledge and skills required. However, if you have the qualifications, competition among STEM professionals is relatively low compared to other careers.
Are you an educator looking for STEAM resources for middle school, high school or university? Take a look at Arduino Education kits and how they can support your hands-on STEAM lessons.