Strike While the STEM is Hot: Why You Should Get into STEM

Strike While the STEM is Hot: Why You Should Get into STEM

Technology grows at an exponential rate over the course of history. Parallel to this growth are three other fields: Science, Engineering, and Mathematics. Together these create “STEM,” an acronym made to encompass one of the most dynamic and kinetic ideas of the modern world. STEM comes to students as the future — the way they can impact the world around them. I am here to tell you that there is no better time to be part of it!

Now more than ever technology is deeply integrated into the lives of every person. It is growingly impossible to go a day in the modern world without some form of technology and still be a productive member in society. The truth of the situation is STEM fields are the way of the future and the best way to ensure an impactful career is to get into STEM now.

“According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 17%, while others are growing at 9.8%.”

” In 2009, the United States Department of Labor listed the ten most wanted employees. Eight of those employees were ones with degrees in the STEM fields: accounting, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, information sciences and systems, computer engineering, civil engineering, and economics and finance. According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 17%, while others are growing at 9.8%. ” (Source: sciencepioneers.org)

That difference is quite stark and only goes to show how quickly the field is developing and, in an increasingly competitive job market, it would seem that these fields would offer the most amount of job security while other fields may be shrinking at the same rate. Becoming part of the “STEM world” is a great way to ensure a future career.

Not only is the market and field expanding at rapid rates but the demand for competent members in the field is also blossoming.  The U.S Department of Commerce maintains that people in STEM fields can expect to earn 26 percent more 1on average and be less likely to experience job loss. That’s a huge positive for those willing to join the field. More money and career security is something that no other field can truly lay claim to.

Setting aside careers and money, STEM is also a broad field where one can range from an athletic trainer, to a biochemical engineer, to a financial examiner, or even a network analyst. The wide variety of ground and ideas that it encompasses allows one to truly explore their interests and passions. The inter-connectedness of all these ideas allows movement and dynamic learning where you can pick and choose your interests. With so many interesting facets in STEM, there is a field for everybody.

Finally, STEM is essential for the progress of the community as a whole. The workers in these fields are the ones solving the problems of the future. They are the ones going out and trying to cure diseases, developing education/technology, creating a dynamic economy, and generally making the world a more progressive place. The STEM workers are the ones making the largest impact on a global scale.

When surveying the potential options to look into, it would seem that STEM reaps the greatest benefits. Not only does one have career security, they may also be able to earn more money giving them a more comfortable lifestyle along with working a field of their interest and understanding that they are helping progress the world. It would seem that STEM is truly the way to go.


Sources:

Science Pioneers

Abishek is a freshman at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign majoring in Computer Science. He involves himself in multiple academic clubs, swimming, theatre , along with volunteering at a hospital. He hopes to go into a STEM career and work with technology.