STEM education: What subjects can I study?
Are you a critical thinker with an analytical mind? STEM education could be for you…
The sectors of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are always evolving, meaning there are a number of jobs available. But what does STEM education actually entail, and how can you gain the skills you need to get started?
Here’s a quick rundown of what STEM education means, and a list of the subjects you could study in this fast-growing field:
What does STEM stand for?
STEM is a broad term that groups together four academic disciplines; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Forming the basis of a number of jobs, STEM is learnt and put into practice by the nuts and bolts of society – from research scientists and doctors right through to software developers and engineers.
What is STEM education?
STEM education is the teaching of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in an academic context.
You’ll find STEM in all levels of education, from school curriculums, college subjects, and university degrees, right through to CPD courses and professional certifications.
These four subjects are typically taught through hands-on learning and real-world projects – enabling students to prepare for a job in this growing field.
What are STEM subjects?
STEM is an umbrella term that covers a range of subjects, and many academic disciplines that fall under this category.
Here are just a few areas of STEM that you could study in:
Science
Technology
Engineering
- Aerospace engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Robotics
- Electrical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Petroleum engineering
Mathematics
However, this is by no means an exhaustive list, and there are many other subjects that fall under the category of STEM.
What skills can I gain from STEM?
There are many skills you’ll gain from studying STEM. Aside from gaining advanced knowledge in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, you’ll also develop vital soft skills and hard skills in:
- Problem solving
- Creativity & innovation
- Critical thinking
- Numerical skills
- Logical skills
- Research skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation
- Leadership skills
These skills aren’t just vital for a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, they’re also transferable skills that you can apply in a range of different jobs.
What are the advantages of STEM education?
STEM jobs are on the rise, making knowledgeable professionals extremely valuable.
In fact, according to a report from Engineering UK, the country will need around 1.8 million engineers and technicians by 2025.
Here are just a few reasons to study STEM:
- You’ll be more employable. Because of the rise in STEM based roles and the consequent skills gap in this field, getting qualified in STEM will make you more attractive to employers, opening up many exciting opportunities.
- You’ll learn how to innovate. STEM comprises four of the most innovative subjects in the world. Studying this area won’t only require you to think technically and creatively, it’ll also mean using different perspectives to solve problems and even tackle ethical issues.
- You’ll gain transferable skills. STEM skills aren’t just useful in STEM jobs. Everything you learn – from problem solving to communication – can be put to use in any industry, making your job opportunities vast.
- You could change the world. Whether it’s through discovering medical breakthroughs in science, protecting wildlife as an environmental engineer, or even introducing robots into workplaces while working in AI – STEM is a life-changing (not to mention extremely rewarding) career path.
Examples of STEM jobs
There are hundreds of jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that you could be doing right now.
Here are some examples of STEM careers:
- Actuary
- Information Security Analyst
- Petroleum Engineer
- Radiologist
- Systems Developer
- Materials Scientist
- Accountant
- Chemist
- Environmental Engineer
- IT Support Technician
- Web Developer
- Analyst
- Programmer
- Biologist
- Computer Network Architect
- Civil Engineer
- Statistician
- Database Administrator
- Economist
- Mathematician
- Data Scientist
Five of the best paying STEM jobs
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