Parker
What classes best prepare you for a career in STEM fields?
I am getting to that point where I need to seriously get my future figured out. #college #science #education #stem #highschool
5 answers
Catrina Diggs
Catrina’s Answer
STEM refers to science, technology, engineering, and math fields. This can include NUMEROUS majors! In general, you should prepare yourself with high level math courses. Science and engineering programs will require at least Calculus and sometimes up to Calculus III. Technology programs vary but Computer Science majors will also require several math courses beyond Calculus and possibly a science sequence, such as Physics I and II. Gaining experience with computer systems is integral as well for each STEM area. In high school, I suggest continuing the math sequence in your school and challenge yourself as much as possible (but within reason). Discuss with your guidance counselor your strengths and skill sets. STEM fields are very hands-on, so taking on courses like this in high school will be good experience.
Catrina is spot on! From high school, the classes that helped me most through my college education were definitely my math classes! Physics and chemistry were helpful too, but the language of both of the subjects was always spoken in mathematical jargon. I've also seen that programming has become increasingly important as well as the ability to learn new software on the fly. Most importantly, the root of all STEM career fields lies in the ability to think logically, analytically, and creatively to solve problems. Challenge yourself and learn as much as you want.
Taylor Duran
Anne Harvey
Anne’s Answer
Catrina has some very good advice. You will need math and physics as background for all STEM fields. But...not all science fields require higher level math on the job. Statistics is one often overlooked course. Stats is essential in Life Sciences even if Calculus is less so. I'm saying this because some people are discouraged from going into some branch of science because they think they might have to do math problems all day. That simply is not true. You must have a good working knowledge of mathematics as background, but if you're not a mathematician that doesn't mean you can't be a good scientist.
As Catrina said, YOUR strengths and YOUR skill set should guide you when deciding what to study as a college undergraduate and beyond.
Marjorie A. Goode
Marjorie A.’s Answer
STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology, and Math)
Science: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Anatomy, Life Sciences
Engineering: Precalculus, Calculus (AP and related), Multivariable Calculus, Pre-Engineering
Technology: Precalculus, Calculus, Computer Science (and related), Foundations of Technology
Math: Algebra - Calculus
Hope this helps!
Michael Marshall
Michael’s Answer
I'll point the question back at you. Why are you interested in the STEM field(s)? Do you enjoy the satisfaction of solving problems? Do you like biological or chemical interactions? Do you think in terms of energy and physics? Do you wake up in the morning wanting to do a 'job' and then go home? Or do you picture a career in which every day is a new set of problem solving opportunities?
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