LOL, TGIF, BLT, BYOB and STEM. Modern English seems to be ushering in new acronyms at an alarming rate–making many of us feel like an out of touch POTATO. Person over thirty acting twenty-one. In case you haven’t yet encountered the biggest acronym to hit the realm of education and career planning, here it is–STEM. If you’ve heard this one before, get the person beside you to give you a congratulatory pat on the back. And if it’s completely new to you, ignore the person beside you and read on.
STEM is short for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, four related and very in-demand fields. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these areas of expertise are expected to grow at a rate of 55% faster than occupations outside of the STEM sphere. Not only are these areas expanding at leaps and bounds, but there are many high paying STEM careers. And, over the next ten years, the American workforce will not have enough qualified STEM workers to meet the demand.
This means that a person with an aptitude for one of these areas stands a very good chance at embarking on a great career.
STEM is Science
If your favourite subjects included chemistry, biology, physics, and geology; you love to conduct research; and you have a natural curiosity about the world around you, you may love a career in the sciences. Some possible occupations include Astronomy, Metallurgy, Cryogenics, Atmospheric Science, Geophysics, Oceanography, Nuclear Physics, Forensic Science, Medicine, and Astrophysics. Whether you are working for private industry, a branch of the government, or a University, you can rest assured that the scientific field is a growth industry in desperate need of qualified and passionate professionals.
STEM is Technology
If you possess an aptitude for spatial reasoning, an ability to grasp new technologies quickly and easily, a keen desire to know how things work, and excellent problem-solving and analyzing skills, you may thrive in a career in technology. A fast-paced and growing industry, some occupations that fall within this realm are that of the dental technician, pharmacy technician, forestry and conservation technologist, Nuclear Medicine or Radiation technologist, Medical Records Technician, Petroleum Technologist, or Agriculture/Food Science Technologist. Not only are these jobs in hot demand, but you will also be able to put your knowledge to use benefiting others.
STEM is Engineering
If you possess excellent analytical skills, an eye for detail, a healthy blend of logic and creativity, and a head for numbers, you may wish to consider a career in Engineering. A few of the occupations that fall within this category include the Civil Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, Architect, Computer Hardware Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Water/Resource Specialist, and Transportation Planner. Yes, the creations that you once built with your Lego can finally become a reality.
STEM is Mathematics
If you possess a natural head for numbers, an analytical mind, an ability to think in the abstract, and mathematical concepts come easily to you, you may wish to pursue a career in mathematics. Some potential careers include working as a high school math teacher, an actuary, an operations research analyst, a statistician, a physicist, or a mathematician.
Endless Possibilities
A STEM career can lead you to unexpected and amazing adventures. Whether you’re compiling statistics for a Billboard chart, engineering the world’s tallest rollercoaster, developing a Howard Wolowitz-style toilet for outer space, building the Honda Robot, researching a cure for cancer, teaching young minds about the wonders of science, or engineering a new subway system, your natural aptitudes and acquired skills will be put to use carving out a long and happy career and making the world a better place.
Images courtesy of Thinkstock.com.
What STEM career most interests you?