What is a STEM career? 

STEM careers encompass jobs in science, technology, engineering, maths, and medicine. A STEM career is any role in which you apply knowledge from one or more STEM disciplines. These rewarding positions demand innovation and underpin societal progression.

Beyond making significant contributions to the world we live in, there are lots of reasons to consider a career in STEM. Read on to discover the top 7 reasons people pursue a STEM career, and perhaps you’ll find inspiration for your own career journey!

Why pursue a STEM career?

1. Diverse STEM career opportunities

STEM careers are vast and varied.

Vast – STEM careers account for one of the most expansive ranges of job roles and opportunities. New roles emerge as technology advances and research evolves. For example, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) being developed, new roles have emerged in many STEM disciplines to incorporate AI, with STEM graduate jobs now expected to grow at double the rate of other occupations.

Varied – STEM career opportunities are diverse, ranging from space exploration to the development of life-saving medical treatments. This variety ensures that you have the flexibility to explore numerous paths with a background in STEM, so that you can find a role that aligns with your passions and skills.

The STEM jobs list below displays the variety of STEM career opportunities, categorised into science, technology, engineering, maths, and medicine jobs.

Examples of popular careers in STEM. Within Science, examples include: Laboratory technician, Assistant ecologist, Chemist, and Museum curator. Within Technology, examples include: IT support, SEO specialist, Computer scientist, and Web designer. Within Engineering, examples include: Sales engineer, Engineering Maintenance Technician, Architectural technician, Electrical engineer. Within Maths, examples include: Payroll specialist, Junior data analyst, Mathematics teaching assistant, and Accounting assistant. Within medicine, examples include: Health care assistant, Veterinary assistant, Trainee dental nurse, and Carer.

2. High demand and job security

STEM careers are in high demand, with industries facing a shortage of skilled professionals. In the UK alone, there is a shortfall of over 173,000 skilled STEM workers. This high demand means you should be able to find employment relatively easily after graduating, with employers even branching out to non-STEM graduates, of whom 12% will enter STEM roles.

This shows that while a STEM degree can give you a ‘faster start’ in securing a graduate-level job in the field, you don’t necessarily need to be a STEM student to consider a career in this area. If you’re a non-STEM student, a conversion course might be helpful to bridge the gap as you transition into a STEM career.

This high STEM demand also results in significant job security. Once you have your foot in the door with your first STEM job, the high demand for employees will likely mean that companies hope to keep you long-term. As a result, STEM careers often allow for movement between roles within the industry and opportunities for career progression.

Bar chart comparing STEM graduates and non-STEM graduates in terms of their employment rates. The graph has employment type on the X axis and percentage of total individuals on the Y axis. Employment in STEM graduates compared to non-STEM graduates is 87% to 82%, respectively. STEM-related employment in STEM graduates compared to non-STEM is 46% to 13%, respectively.

3. STEM careers at the forefront of innovation and discovery

Working in a STEM job means being at the forefront of exciting developments and discoveries in a rapidly changing environment. You will be contributing to cutting-edge research, developing new technologies, or solving complex problems. This likely means your STEM career will not look the same throughout your lifetime, as you will adapt to keep up with new knowledge and understanding.

If you are excited about making a personal contribution to the world’s STEM knowledge, you can hear more about life on the cutting edge of research from those who have been there themselves.

4. STEM careers contribute to society

By placing you at the forefront of discovery, STEM careers offer the opportunity to change and better our world. Whether you are responsible for making discoveries , consulting on climate change, or educating the next generation, your work can directly lead to significant societal improvements. This bodes well as the latest career satisfaction studies show that focusing on what you can offer the world could be the most fulfilling approach to take to your career.

However you contribute to research in your STEM career, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have left a positive mark on the planet.

Bar chart comparing the percentage of total individuals that strongly agree their career is meaningful across different STEM disciplines. The graph has employment type on the X axis and percentage of total individuals on the Y axis. The percentage of individuals is 62 in medicine, 43 in psychology, 34 in physics, 36 in engineering, and 34 in maths.

5. Competitive salaries

One of the key attractions of a STEM career is the potential for a higher-than-average salary. Research indicates that STEM graduates can earn nearly 20% more than their non-STEM peers. In the UK, the average salary for STEM graduate jobs is £30,973, compared to a £26,023 average salary for university graduates as a whole. These higher wages provide financial security to reward your specialist knowledge and the intensive education pathway that lead you to a STEM careers. Note that the average salary varies between jobs in science, technology, engineering, maths, and medicine, as shown below.

An image showing a bar chart comparing the average annual income of professionals across different STEM disciplines. The graph has employment type on the X axis and average annual income on the Y axis. Theaverage annual income is £34950 in medicine, £24998 in psychology, £28990 in physics, £22530 in chemistry, £24998 in biology, £30998 in engineering, £29933 in technology, and £30950 in maths.

6. Personal growth in a STEM career

A career in STEM is not just about professional development; it also fosters personal growth. STEM careers require continuous learning and enhance your cognitive skills. Additionally, working in STEM often involves collaboration with diverse teams, helping you develop strong communication and teamwork skills. Collecting skills through these experiences contribute to making you a well-rounded individual. You can see more of the skills a STEM career encourages in the image below, or by visiting our STEM skills article.

You can also read about how those in STEM graduate jobs feel a STEM career has made them a better person.

An image showing the different skills you will gain from a career in STEM. The skills listed include: communication, Leadership, time management, critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, analytical skill, problem-solving, attention to detail, and motivation.

7. Bring a diverse perspective to your STEM career

Diversity is crucial in STEM careers because it introduces different perspectives, which can lead to innovation. Whether you are from an underrepresented group, have a non-STEM background, or are the first in your family to consider a STEM career, your unique experiences are invaluable. By bringing your perspectives to STEM, you can help drive the development of inclusive solutions that benefit everyone and reflect the needs and challenges of a global society.

Consider the personal perspective you bring and take a look at the following resources, created to support different audiences in finding a STEM career.

  • Article on conversion courses to transition into STEM after a non-STEM bachelor’s degree
  • Article on entry-level STEM jobs that do not require a STEM degree
  • BBSTEM organisation that inspires and supports the Black British generation to pursue STEM careers
  • The Stemette Society for young women and non-binary people interested in STEM
  • In2careers programme equips young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with the tools, expertise, and networks they need to thrive in a STEM career
  • The Enable Science Network supports disabled individuals to succeed in STEM careers

Is a STEM career worth it?

Evidently, a STEM career offers numerous benefits, from diverse job opportunities and high demand to competitive salaries and transferable skills. Whether you are committed to a long-term career in STEM or just exploring it as an option, pursuing a STEM job is definitely worth considering.

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