STEM fields have been and continue to be what pushes our society forward. Thanks to them, new technologies, medicine, infrastructures and more see the light of day every year. This wouldn’t be possible without people making the choice to pursue a STEM education. In today’s age, there are many options to future-proof yourself. Choosing a STEM career is one of them.
For the uninitiated, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It encompasses flexibility and creativity, as well as deep technical knowledge. Jobs in those fields are few of the most sought-after and highest-paying positions across the globe.
But how exactly does one get started on their STEM journey?
What kind of education, career choices, and other decisions do you need to get into the STEM job of your dream? Why would you even consider a STEM education or career? Keep reading to find out!
EDUCATION: NEVER TOO LATE
Education plays a critical role in ensuring that businesses around the world have the talents and labour they need to thrive. STEM education, whether on a bachelor, master, Phd or higher level, is one of the most straightforward way to get to your desired STEM career. But where should you start? Wherever and whenever you want!
Back to school for a STEM job?
“A new study enables you to change direction, fit it around your lifestyle, and get a sense of fulfillment.”
It’s never too late to start a new study. In fact, the average age of a postgraduate student is now 33 years old and has slowly been increasing in the past years.
While most employers expect bachelor levels or higher to complement their strong STEM departments, if you already have obtained a degree in a different field, all hope isn’t lost. More often than not, higher education includes many quantitative courses, such as introductions to analytics, mathematics or research methods. Unless your study is like night and day to a STEM direction, paired with the right complementary courses (often online!) you can hone your skills and sell yourself to the right company.
On the other hand, a new study enables you to change direction, fit it around your lifestyle, and get a sense of fulfillment. Most of all, if you’re returning to school later in life, you’ll have work experience to give you an edge.
Analytical masterminds
If you’re thinking web development, programming or data analytics, you can easily find courses on
HTML, Java, Python or R in every corner of the web. Trying them out is a great way to see if an education in the field is right for you. Slowly, you can build a portfolio, shop for the right study, and get into the STEM career of your dream. A degree will get you the interview, and a portfolio will get you the job. Are you already into data analytics, modeling or software development and looking for a job? Vorsers’ got you covered with alluring tech jobs.
Finding the STEM education that’s best for you
Thinking about all the options can get overwhelming. Here’s a rundown on one way to approach it:
- Picking a field: Mathematics, electronics, programming, science, hardware or software… Give any you want a shot, then go for a dive!
- Do something: It’s easy to dream, but it’s another story to take steps in the right direction and make things happen. Now is the time to start reading up on your field, and trying new projects out!
- Look up STEM educations: whether local or abroad, more and more universities are adding STEM courses to their repertoire. Attending (digital) open days, and looking at their curriculum is a good way to find out whether their study is right for you.
- Enroll and keep learning: keep a hold of projects you take on during your study, whether personal or professional. Building experience and, when relevant, a portfolio to show your future employer is sure to work in your favor.
THE STEM CAREER OF YOUR DREAMS
“Having the right job helps both yourself and society”
“If you are willing to do only what’s easy, life will be hard. But if you are willing to do what’s hard, life will be easy.” ― T. Harv Eker, author and motivational speaker.
You’ve heard it a million times: “STEM is hard!” But is it worth it? “Yes!” Like any other goal in life, taking shortcuts rarely pays off. Laying out an action plan, and continuously working towards it will always pay off down the line. It’s about mindset; you should see any hiccups on the road as learning experiences, and any successes as reward for your hard work.
Finding and pursuing the right job for you won’t only benefit you. It will also benefit everyone around you. You can read more about it on our blog: How having the right job helps both yourself and society.
Accelerated growth in STEM jobs
“There’s a million reasons to pick up a STEM career”
If you already got to dabble in STEM fields in your younger years, maybe your very first choice was to go straight for a data-driven, medical or engineering course. However, you possibly only got familiarized with these topics later in life. Maybe you saw the income that data analysts can make on average (€77k), or perhaps it was that of an industrial engineer (€63k) or a chemist (€65k). It’s not just the money; a STEM career brings exponential growth potential, lower competition, innovation, and increased job satisfaction.
In other words, there’s a million reasons to pick up a STEM career.
What are you waiting for?
If you’ve been considering a STEM job, take the dive! It’s never too late. If you’re already in a STEM job, why stop there? Maybe you’d like a slightly different position. There’s always something to aim for, a dream house, dream salary, dream job!
“The only thing stopping you, is you.”
Life is a journey, and education is a stepping stone to success. There’s always options for part-time or distance-learning. The opportunities are endless! Once you’ve got the STEM career of your dream in mind, the only thing stopping you, is you.
Finished your STEM education and interested in a STEM career? Vorsers’ got plenty for you.