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I am somewhat interested in STEM, but I don't really know what specifically I wanna do?
I am a bit interested in engineering, possibly heading down the medical route, cog sci, I'm not really sure #tech #women-in-stem #stem #tech #stemcareers #medical #cognitive-science #engineering #medicalschool
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14 answers
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Terence’s Answer
STEM is a basis for tons of different careers. It may be best to talk to people in the medical, engineering, or science fields. Perhaps professional contacts for your family and friends. See what they do and how they got into the work.
Another good source could be listening to podcasts or STEM related content on the internet. I listen to science podcasts like "Startalk" with Neil Degrasse Tyson, that goes across all sorts of topics from geology to astrophysics and beyond. Although I don't have a career in science, I have gained so many different perspectives and a lot more knowledge on the topics they cover. Youtube channels like "Smarter every day" show engineering and science concepts via easy to understand and fun experiments.
Believe it or not, the sitcom "Scrubs" is regularly cited as one of the most accurate portrayals of the early years as a doctor. Once you look past the great bits of comedy, the show deals with real situations like dealing with trauma, self doubt and self belief in those early years as a resident, and figuring things out on the fly. There's a lot of messages that ring true to life there.
All of this is to say, whether you have contacts, friends, or family to talk to, there is a wealth of content out there. Explore the content out there, learn to filter out what's useful to you, what's not, and build your knowledge. If you're into STEM, you probably have an inquisitive mind or like to figure things out, so you're just building that muscle!
Another good source could be listening to podcasts or STEM related content on the internet. I listen to science podcasts like "Startalk" with Neil Degrasse Tyson, that goes across all sorts of topics from geology to astrophysics and beyond. Although I don't have a career in science, I have gained so many different perspectives and a lot more knowledge on the topics they cover. Youtube channels like "Smarter every day" show engineering and science concepts via easy to understand and fun experiments.
Believe it or not, the sitcom "Scrubs" is regularly cited as one of the most accurate portrayals of the early years as a doctor. Once you look past the great bits of comedy, the show deals with real situations like dealing with trauma, self doubt and self belief in those early years as a resident, and figuring things out on the fly. There's a lot of messages that ring true to life there.
All of this is to say, whether you have contacts, friends, or family to talk to, there is a wealth of content out there. Explore the content out there, learn to filter out what's useful to you, what's not, and build your knowledge. If you're into STEM, you probably have an inquisitive mind or like to figure things out, so you're just building that muscle!
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Brayden’s Answer
You really cant go wrong with any STEM discipline. Both career paths offer a ton of jobs in a wide range of industries. Since you interesting in both then engineering then you definingly have the option go look into biomedical engineering where they look to design new drugs and medications to building prosthetics. Even if you wanted to stay more general and do lets say Mechanical engineering this doesn't mean you wont find work in medical. Those engineers just do more work in on the machine design side making new imagining systems like x-ray and ultrasound to making catheters. The possibilities in engineering are endless.
In the end you are going to just need to look into the types of classes that are required in each discipline and see if you find them interesting and what makes you happy. Once you truly love what you are doing the rest will cees to matter because you'll its no longer work because its fun.
In the end you are going to just need to look into the types of classes that are required in each discipline and see if you find them interesting and what makes you happy. Once you truly love what you are doing the rest will cees to matter because you'll its no longer work because its fun.
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Samantha’s Answer
Hey Shan! There as so many different career paths that you can take within STEM. I would recommend trying to set up some informational interviews with women in different STEM roles to learn more about them. This will give you a better idea of what their jobs look like day to day, I find this can be more useful than a job description at times. This really helped me determine where in STEM I wanted to work! Good luck :)
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Catherine’s Answer
If you are interested in both engineering and medical field, I would recommend you check out Biomedical Engineering as a major. It teaches you to apply engineering principles to medical problems and could be a great undergrad degree if you still wanted to pursue medical school later on. I would recommend checking out some curriculums for BME programs and see if the courses sound interesting to you!
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Nick’s Answer
I've noticed that successful people follow their natural curiosity into a successful education and career. For example, engineers as young people, would be taking things apart to see how they work and how they're made. Doctors were curious about health and the human body. I hope by this time you are exploring a wide range of topics, perhaps surfing Wikipedia and drilling deep into various subjects. Take note of the subjects that interest you most and may actually feel like an expert at. This could lead you to your natural talent where you should focus your education and lead you to a good a meaningful life.
Once you get into college, apply for relevant (paid!) summer internships immediately after your freshman year. If you do this every summer you'll get a good look at three jobs before you graduate and those companies will get a good look at you as a future long term employee. You will also learn enough about the work to shape your education effectively. You may even change direction, for the better, based on your experience. As I have said in many of my answers here at CV, an internship lead to my successful 40 year career as an engineer. Hoping you can follow.
Once you get into college, apply for relevant (paid!) summer internships immediately after your freshman year. If you do this every summer you'll get a good look at three jobs before you graduate and those companies will get a good look at you as a future long term employee. You will also learn enough about the work to shape your education effectively. You may even change direction, for the better, based on your experience. As I have said in many of my answers here at CV, an internship lead to my successful 40 year career as an engineer. Hoping you can follow.
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Ainsworth’s Answer
Hi Shan!
I'm happy to hear that you are interested in STEM. Engineering is a great place to learn and develop subject matter in the STEM field.
The STEM field is vast and can incorporate multiple disciplines. My suggestion is to start with what you do well at. Your strengths are a good place to start and are most recognizable. One good source to help you develop and knowing your gifts is a book titled " Strengthsfinder 2.0" by Tom Rath. Another source is to survey others that you are closet with and to interview them about yourself.
I think self-discovery is the beginning of a good path for young adults and teens to access and understand their gifts so they can excel at their contribution to the world.
Read book Strengthsfinder by Tom Rath
Interview others you know well and ask them questions about yourself that will hopefully lead you to a better understanding of your strengths.
I'm happy to hear that you are interested in STEM. Engineering is a great place to learn and develop subject matter in the STEM field.
The STEM field is vast and can incorporate multiple disciplines. My suggestion is to start with what you do well at. Your strengths are a good place to start and are most recognizable. One good source to help you develop and knowing your gifts is a book titled " Strengthsfinder 2.0" by Tom Rath. Another source is to survey others that you are closet with and to interview them about yourself.
I think self-discovery is the beginning of a good path for young adults and teens to access and understand their gifts so they can excel at their contribution to the world.
Ainsworth recommends the following next steps:
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Vicky’s Answer
Hello Shan,
Here's a roadmap to guide you on your exciting STEM adventure:
1. Discover the Landscape: Dive into the tech, medical, and science sectors. Discover the groundbreaking innovations they're producing and how they're transforming our world.
2. Pursue Your Enthusiasm: Reflect on what truly ignites your excitement. Then, see how this aligns with various STEM professions.
3. Carve Your Own Route: Investigate the myriad of STEM professions available, such as coding, engineering, or research. Find the one that resonates with you and feels like the perfect match.
4. Engage with Experts: Connect with those who are already making strides in the STEM field. Attend events or use platforms like LinkedIn to gain their insights on the industry and potential career paths.
Here's a roadmap to guide you on your exciting STEM adventure:
1. Discover the Landscape: Dive into the tech, medical, and science sectors. Discover the groundbreaking innovations they're producing and how they're transforming our world.
2. Pursue Your Enthusiasm: Reflect on what truly ignites your excitement. Then, see how this aligns with various STEM professions.
3. Carve Your Own Route: Investigate the myriad of STEM professions available, such as coding, engineering, or research. Find the one that resonates with you and feels like the perfect match.
4. Engage with Experts: Connect with those who are already making strides in the STEM field. Attend events or use platforms like LinkedIn to gain their insights on the industry and potential career paths.
Vijay Reddy
Supply Chain Management/ Electrical Engineer/ Photographer/ Volleyball enthusiast
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Answer
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Vijay’s Answer
Hi Shan! great question. I have a bachelors degree in electrical engineering. I can share my thought process why I choose electrical engineering and my experiences while doing engineering. I am a very curious, out going, and never sitting at one place kinda guy. I love to open up things and find what's going on inside these devices (old recorders, cassettes, toys, watches etc). So after my 12th when the time came to choose what I have to do I thought about what am I good at, what gives me happiness, things I can do or learn while doing the course. I talked to my friends brothers and sisters to know what they learnt during engineering and what can they do after engineering. At the end of this process I realized by doing electrical engineering I will learn a lot about how devices work, how power comes to home etc. By following this path it helped me choose the right course.
So I would suggest to talk to people who have done STEM and ask them why they choose, what opportunities come after the program. Think about what you would really enjoy learning at the same time think how and if you can in next 4 or 5 years get a job, provide a job or just see a future which can help make career.
So I would suggest to talk to people who have done STEM and ask them why they choose, what opportunities come after the program. Think about what you would really enjoy learning at the same time think how and if you can in next 4 or 5 years get a job, provide a job or just see a future which can help make career.
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Rita’s Answer
Hi Shan! I am so glad that you find some interest in the STEM. There are multiple choices for STEM career. I would recommend you start networking with the folks in the STEM and learn what they are doing in their daily work. It would help you get some general idea of each industry. If there is some particular industry you find most passionate, I would also recommend taking some free online courses related. I know some universities also offer a variety of free class to public. Hope it helps!
Rita recommends the following next steps:
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Youssef’s Answer
Here is a good website to checkout when considering a career in STEM... it outlines the diverse opportunities the various fields have to offer and give you an insight on what to expect (https://www.bestcolleges.com/careers/stem/)
Check it out and see what resonates with you. The key factor for success is to pick a field that interests and motivates you so that you can truly achieve the best outcome.
Check it out and see what resonates with you. The key factor for success is to pick a field that interests and motivates you so that you can truly achieve the best outcome.
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Michael’s Answer
Hello Shan! STEM career opportunities are vast and very rewarding. To start, look within yourself and figure out what you enjoy. If you love to work with your hands, Mechanical engineering might suit you. Start by talking to your counselors and research the possibilities. Seek mentors in these fields that can give insight into their daily duties. Also, I recommend internship opportunities through your school or local organizations.
Hope this helps you. Take care and good luck.
Michael
Hope this helps you. Take care and good luck.
Michael
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Ed’s Answer
The sky is the limit for option but at the same time, the market might be the limit due to COVID and turmoil. It might be good to start picking up gigs if you can with services like fiverr or craigslist.
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Sarah’s Answer
Hi Shan! I'd start by asking yourself why you're interested in STEM? Are you excited about a couple of areas or one specifically? What would you love to wake up and do every day? Once you narrow down what about it interests you I think that a clearer path will emerge.
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John’s Answer
Here's a good site to research all the area's. Type in engineering or any area you may be interested in the Search Handbook box. This will give you lots of info about each field then will be easier to ask us more questions.
www.bls.gov/ooh
www.bls.gov/ooh