What Is a STEM Career? Qualifications, Salary, and More

If you’re entrenched in a career discovery process and looking for a challenging and rewarding career, you’ve probably come across listings for STEM jobs.

You might think that STEM jobs only exist in the IT or healthcare industries, butSTEM careers support various industries and interests. Ask yourself, do you enjoy working with cutting-edge technology? Do you enjoy discovering real-world solutions to intriguing problems? If so, you can find a STEM career that fits your interests.

What Is STEM? Definition & Meaning

So, what exactly is a STEM career? You might already know thatSTEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. A STEM job requires skills in one or more of these areas and will also often involve using problem-solving skills to apply knowledge from these areas.

—What Are Common Qualifications for STEM Careers?

质量作ifications vary depending on the job, but employers often seek candidates with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Althoughmajoring in a STEM fieldis the most straightforward approach it’s no longer the only one.

Depending on the role you’re pursuing,many STEM companies offerinternships and apprenticeshipsthat enable you to gain experience and build your knowledge base. Also, gaining entry into the field with a portfolio, rather than a degree, is possible. For example, you might build software or web design skills in the IT industry independently. By building a robust portfolio, you can get your foot in the door without completing a four-year degree.

—什么是希望ed Salary for STEM Careers?

The salary range you can expect largely depends on your experience level and the type of job. According to theBureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),STEM career growth and salary are projected to doublethat of the average career. By 2031, the median wage is expected to be over $90,000. However, be aware that this estimate encompasses the entirety of STEM fields, and entry-level roles are often much lower than the median.

—Are There Remote and Flexible Work Options for STEM Careers?

Do you long for abetter work-life balance? The great news is that manySTEM jobs are ideal for remote and flexible work. If you’re looking to balance your personal life with your career aspirations, this is a massive benefit.

Tech, engineering, and IT companies were some of the first to embrace remote work. Now, they’re leading the flexible work movement with agile team communication tools and frequently offer the ability to travel andwork from anywhere.

What Fields Are STEM Careers Available In?

The fantastic aspect of a STEM career is that it’s more about your skills and interests, rather than a specific industry itself.阻止事业各个领域中可用in one form or another.

For example, if you’re passionate about technology, you can pursue a tech role in any industry that aligns with your interests. In today’s digital age, every industry requires tech support. You could build your career in the fashion industry and then quickly transfer that knowledge to a role supporting a sustainable nonprofit.

Other industries rely more heavily on STEM roles, such as engineering, financial services, IT, and software design. If you streamline your career interests, you can niche down to high-demand, industry-specific skills and become more marketable. The possibilities are endless!

Consider the following example jobs from each STEM discipline.

—Science

You can pursue any of the many branches of science. For example, thenatural and environmental sciences,such as geology or biology, can lead to jobs within national and state park systems. Or, you may become a computer scientist, archeologist, or psychologist. Beyond lab and research work, you can pursue roles in education or even a supporting role in a medical or pharmaceutical field.

—Technology

You might become a software designer or web developer within the technology field. Other job titles include cybersecurity analyst, UX designer, or software engineer, to name a few.

—Engineering

You can enter the energy world with an engineering degree, developing innovative green solutions that help reduce emissions and carbon footprints. Alternatively, you may become a civil engineer with the task of building roads and bridges. Other jobs include electrical engineers managing power grids or mechanical engineers developing robotics.

—Math

Mathematics is a broad field with many applications, such as working in accounting and finance. Other popular jobs are math professors or high school math teachers, which require an expert level of knowledge in mathematics and statistics. You may also become an actuary using risk assessment to advise businesses on the best strategies for their financial investments.

Companies That Frequently Hire for STEM Careers

Depending on your specialty and interests, there are manyremote-friendly STEM employers. We’ve gathered some companies that frequently post flexible STEM jobs in several categories to help you launch your career exploration.

Connecting With a STEM Career

Whether you’re just launching your career or you’reconsidering a career change, a job in a STEM field has a lot to offer. You can follow your passions and interests while completing meaningful work and gaining marketable skills.

If you're ready to explore remote and flexible job opportunities in STEM or any other career field, take the tour and discover how FlexJobs can help! With jobs posted daily in over 50 career categories, our jobs board has something for everyone.

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