We’ve all heard that there are lots of STEM job opportunities available for students entering the workforce. So, what exactly are those STEM job opportunities, and why is there such a surge of interest in them?

STEM career opportunities abound in the dynamic fields of science, technology, engineering, and math, all of which are constantly evolving.

This article will list some of the most in-demand STEM jobs right now and explore the skills needed to succeed in said jobs. It will also go into detail as to why there is a push for teachers to provide a comprehensive  STEM education.

The following factors have contributed to the increased interest in STEM careers:

Growing Job Market

Technology is evolving at a breakneck pace. With that, there is a growing need for experts who are familiar with these technologies and can recommend viable solutions. Furthermore, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 10.5 percent increase in STEM occupation employment by 2030 and a 7.5 percent increase in non-STEM occupation employment. In 2021, those working in STEM fields earned a median annual salary of $95,420 in 2021.

Critical and Creative Thinking Skills

People pursue STEM careers to put their creativity and critical thinking skills to use. STEM necessitates testing, research, and, on occasion, the use of scarce resources. The work itself strengthens one’s ability to think critically and creatively in order to develop practical, problem-solving solutions.

Problem Solving

Gen Y kids are eager to solve some of the world's biggest problems like climate change, sustainability, health care all of which revolve around STEM. This is especially true of young women who often get into fields of science and engineering that has a specific end result of helping people, animals or our planet.

Reduced Unemployment

Since STEM careers provide more job availability, STEM graduates are less likely to be unemployed. This is beneficial to the economy and society as a whole, while also providing a sense of financial stability to young adults entering the workforce.

We commonly hear people say: Teachers are preparing students for STEM jobs that don’t exist yet. While this may be true, you can rest assured that there are jobs that currently exist that you can focus on while teaching your students.

 

In demand STEM Careers and how to teach about them:

Software Development

Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. You can develop software for either systems or applications. Software developers create applications that enable people to perform specific tasks on a computer or other device. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for software developers will grow by 22% from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the national average.

In one of my STEM classes, a student expressed an interest in learning how the game apps he uses are created. He went on to say that he wanted to make his own game app for other people to play. I excitedly told him right away that pursuing a career in software development would put him in the best possible position to do so. Students who enjoy thinking outside the box and game theory will thrive in this rapidly growing field. As an educator, it’s important to pay attention to and acknowledge your students’ interests. This will help guide them into careers they love and are good at.

Information Security Analysts

Those who choose this career path plan will carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems. Ensuring people’s privacy and protecting personal data are essential to technological growth and expansion. In light of this, information security analysts are needed to create safeguards that will protect personal information as well as come up with innovative solutions to prevent hackers from stealing critical information or creating problems for computer networks.

According to the U.S Bureau of labor statistics, jobs for information security analysts are expected to grow 33 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Over the next 10 years, an average of 16,300 openings for information security analysts are expected.

Students who are always debugging and finding errors in math problems or written text make great cybersecurity experts. Attention to detail is key in this role.

Automation and Robotics Profession

I was explaining to a group of new summer camp students (ages 5 to 15) what they would be learning during the month-long Boot camp. I tried to focus on what they will be able to achieve after taking the course on automation and robotics, part of which was the method of using their cell phone to switch on or off electrical devices such as light bulbs, fans, and other things. When they heard this, they all looked at me in awe, and one of them exclaimed with enthusiasm, "Ma’am, this is what I want to learn! I want to control the electricity in my house!" Comments like this remind me of why I love what I do – I’m teaching students how to apply their personal interests to their future careers.

According to research, there is little doubt that the increased use and demand for robotics and automation in the industry will change labor demand. In fact, research shows an increase in labor demand because of efforts to automate. For example, Embedded Systems Engineering is one of the professions that will be required in automation and advanced robotics technology.

Data Science and Data Analysts

Organizations in the twenty-first-century use complex data in large quantities. And someone is needed to manage all this data. A data scientist is most likely employed. Data scientists combine various statistical and computational disciplines to interpret data for use in decision-making.

According to the article Data Scientist: The Sexiest Job of the 21st Century by Thomas H. Davenport and DJ Patil, a lack of data scientists is a serious constraint in some industries.

Because of the massive increase in data generated by internet usage globally, new areas of analysis have emerged, such as the study of internet search data and the monitoring of social media and smartphone usage. If you notice a student excelling in the statistics section of a math class or creating a chart or tables depicting the robot's route, encourage them to become a data scientist.

Energy Management and Environmental Engineer

Energy management is a career in high demand as pollution and climate change become more prevalent. Especially with the new clean energy laws passed in the Inflation Reduction Act.  Students who are passionate about the environment but also interested in how systems work would make great energy managers or environmental engineers. Environmental engineers use their knowledge of science and engineering to protect the environment from the harmful effects of human habitation. They also create low-impact solutions for basic human needs such as housing and access to clean water.

STEM Careers that do not require a College Degree

A strong background in design thinking, problem solving and engineering principles are necessary for the majority of the STEM careers mentioned above. However, there are more than enough STEM career options available to students even if they do not want to pursue a bachelor's degree.

Many of these career paths are accessible in high school CTE programs. Make sure you are connecting with your local CTE programs to build great connected education experiences for your students.

Electronic Assembler

Students who enjoy building, assembling, and soldering might be well-suited for a job as an electronic assembler. Electronic assemblers put together electronic toys, household appliances, technological devices, and other items. They achieve this by assembling components according to architectural plans or mockups. You can learn more about what an  electronic assembler does here.

Want a great program you can do with your students to teach them about becoming an electronics assembler? Check out www.Patchr.io  (Tell them WhyMaker sent you!)

Machinist

Individuals who pursue this career path operate both manual and automated machinery in manufacturing facilities in order to increase accuracy and productivity. They are also involved in the physical product design of devices or gadgets we use daily. If you notice students who are interested in working with machines, have an attention to detail, and understand how to measure, this is an awesome career for them.

Graphic Design

Graphic design is a high-demand, rapidly expanding STEM career that does not require a degree. Graphic designers can help large and small organizations effectively communicate their message through visuals and creative branding techniques. Some of my students (between the ages of 14 and 16) are able to create attractive flyers using a software design program called Canva. This free, easy-to-use online program is a great tool to encourage your students to explore their creative sides.  

Health Care

The healthcare field is one of the fastest growing career fields in the world. There are so many different options to work in health care. Many of those options start with a certification you can receive in high school and constantly working your way up the education and career ladder. Check out what our friend Linda Romano is doing with health care and our youngest learners.

A great health care and STEM activity I used in class recently piqued students' interest was conducting a blood flow simulation experiment.

Students created a heart-shaped model using straws, plastic cups, modeling clay, a stopwatch, water, red food coloring, a measuring cup, scissors, and a permanent marker. We learned about the heart's role in blood circulation and what happens to blood flow when someone has Coronary heart disease.

Ultimately, STEM careers benefit our world, and students who are prepared for them have a better future. Teachers must keep up to date on developments in upcoming STEM careers and refresh their knowledge. Effective instruction is critical and will have a large impact on how well STEM students perform in the future.

 

Roles of Teachers in Preparing STEM Students for STEM careers in the Future

As professional educators, it is our duty to help students discover their passions and find realistic pathways to pursue those interests. STEM careers are on the rise and can appeal to many different types of people and skill sets. Even for students with no desire to enter the field, the skills they can learn from STEM activities are invaluable and easily transferred to all careers. This is why teachers are being encouraged to integrate STEM activities into their regular curriculum.

One of the best ways I’ve found to engage my students' interest in any STEM career is to get them excited. How do I achieve this? I have discovered that including more project-based and hands-on learning activities increases my student's interest and attention span. The most effective teaching tools are when students can dive in and create their own knowledge in hands-on learning experiences that are connected to the real world. Once you’ve incorporated fun STEM activities, you might begin to see where your students excel and what topics or skills pique their interest. Then, you can recommend possible career paths for them to follow, if they so choose. Sometimes, STEM education can even lead to students discovering alternative career fields they may want to pursue.

 

WhyMaker has a great STEM careers playlist on Youtube you could constantly show you students. Reach out it info@whymaker.co when you want to chat more about how WhyMaker can provide your teachers with more ways to teach about STEM careers into everyday lessons.