Deshona
How are stem jobs different from regular jobs?
I have been in stem since 9th grade year and I'm wondering how are stem jobs different from regular jobs. Does stem jobs provide better benefits and a more creative way to be successful in a career than job that is not stem? #stem #stemcareers
3 answers
Roger Johnston
Roger’s Answer
I've had a long STEM career (and I still teach some STEM) and I would have to say it was very much like the old saying: "Find something you love doing and you won't work a day in your life."
STEM careers can be wonderfully satisfying, and can pay very well. You will want, however, to get as much education as your can if you want the best shot at the greatest careers.
STEM needs WAY more women than we currently have. And WAY more scientists and engineers who have good people skills, and are good at networking and working well with others.
SUBHASHINI B
SUBHASHINI’s Answer
Why STEM?
We Need STEM:
The demand for skilled workers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is closely linked to global competitiveness. How can counselors (and those advising students) inspire students to solve problems while promoting STEM careers?
There is a lack of gender and ethnic diversity of students entering STEM educational programs and career fields present additional challenges. Using creativity and innovation to address these challenges is critical to meeting this demand of skilled workers.
Not enough young people are being educating or inspired about interest in STEM. “The education in American junior high schools, in particular, seems to be a black hole that is sapping the interest of young people, particularly young women, when it comes to the sciences”.
Importance of STEM:
“In the 21st century, scientific and technological innovations have become increasingly important as we face the benefits and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past.” (National Science Foundation)
Technology is pervasive in almost every aspect of daily life, and as the workplace changes, STEM knowledge and skills grow in importance for a variety of workers (not just for mathematicians and scientists).
Stereotypes about women’s abilities and their role in the family often keep women from pursuing math and science careers.
What You Can Do:
Whether you’re a student, counselor, educator, or parent, you can get involved. You’re taking the first step by visiting this site. If you’re a student, push your school to teach STEM classes. Counselors, it’s your job to promote students to peruse a STEM. Educators, you should be teaching students the relevance of STEM in everyday life, and to you parents, push your children to do well in STEM.
Nicole Baillie
Nicole’s Answer
There are a few things that I think that STEM-related jobs can expose individuals to that maybe aren't as large of an impact in other fields. 1)the emphasis on technology. In STEM, participants, very often, are innovating and creating the technology that is used by masses. 2)the training in problem solving. When individuals apply themselves in STEM-related fields, they are building and using their problem solving skills to provide a product or service that can solve a problem that others, sometimes many others, haven't figured out how to solve. That STEM-based solution can be a way to do something faster, be less expensive and/or easier to access. 3)constant growth. In my opinion, STEM-related jobs have a high probability of becoming STEM-related careers because, when done effectively, STEM-based work can last a long time and can be a strong building block to creating the next important "thing" that can contribute to making society better.
To be clear, whether an individual decides to go into a STEM-related job or "regular" job, there are some basics that remain the same for being successful. Giving yourself the time needed to understand the question/problem, giving the best answer/solution you can find...and then doing it again with the goal of making it better.
Hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck to you!