Interested in a STEM Career? Start Here!

So you’re interested in a career in STEM — great! The possibilities are endless and the demand for these jobs is growing rapidly. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were nearly 10 million workers in STEM occupations in 2021, and this number is projected to grow by ~11% by 2031.

Whether you’re passionate about experimenting and learning more in the field or simply want to explore the possibilities in this rapidly growing field, there’s plenty you can do to start preparing for a STEM career while you’re in high school. Here are a few of our tips and things to consider!

Research Specific STEM Careers

STEM isn’t just about becoming a mathematician or becoming a medical doctor. Careers in STEM include engineers, physical scientists, social scientists, architects, data analysts, and more.

Each of these career fields will have different educational requirements, which will determine whether you need a bachelor’s degree or specific certifications. It’s worth checking out what educational requirements you need to meet, so you can adjust the types of extracurriculars or classes you focus on.

Build a Strong Foundation in Math and Science

Math and science are two critical components of STEM — having a strong foundation in these subjects will make your chosen career field a little easier to navigate. If you’re struggling in these subjects or just want some extra help, try reaching out to your teachers or peer tutors. Sometimes, spending more time with the material can be enough.

You can also find resources for most math and science concepts online, both in written and video formats. Alternative explanations can expose you to a new way of thinking about the concepts you’re struggling with.

Take Challenging STEM Courses

Most high schools have a set curriculum, but it’s worth seeking out more challenging classes or electives, if they’re available to you. These are a good opportunity to see more of the advanced concepts you’ll encounter as you continue your career in STEM.

These classes will also help your college application stand out and show admissions boards the steps you’re already taking to enter a competitive job field.

Participate in STEM-Related Extracurriculars

Keep an eye on any STEM-related events that are hosted by your school or any surrounding organizations that are related to your chosen career field. These could be conferences with professionals in the field, hackathons, or other opportunities to get hands-on experience in the field you’re interested in learning more about.

Talk to Working STEM Professionals

If you can, it’s worth finding someone who works in the career you’re interested in. You can ask them questions about what working there is like, the type of work they do, what additional education they had to complete, and if there’s any information they wish they had when they first started in the field.

People working in the field will also have the most relevant and current information on what it’s like and how they think the job will change and develop in the future.

If you’re interested in STEM but haven’t figured out if you want it to be your career focus in the future, it doesn’t hurt to keep your options open as you go through high school!