The study of the sciences, also called STEM (which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) represents an incredibly broad and interesting choice of career paths for those with an aptitude and love of the disciplines. From practical engineering to theoretical research and even education, the STEM subjects are some of the most interesting and challenging out there for students. There are, however, countless careers in STEM, and this is only a quick look at a few of those that offer good career growth opportunities in the longterm while being interesting and engaging for those with the knack.
Information Technology
Information technology as a discipline is incredibly broad and covers many different areas of technology and how we use and interact with technology every day in our careers and lives.
Right now, some of the most sought-after careers in information technology are:
- Cybersecurity, which is concerned with keeping company or enterprise money, digital assets, and information safe from bad actors and hackers.
- Full stack software development, which focuses on the end-to-end development of both the user interface and middleware, and even the underlying technologies of mobile applications.
- DevOps, which focuses on running the systems and processes that interface between the software development teams and engineering teams in a software development environment.
Information technology is a very fluid career where the way things are done and the technologies we use are constantly changing and improving, so if you’re looking for a career that will constantly keep you on your toes and continually learning, then information technology is a career for you. To get started, Wilfrid Laurier University offers a Computer Science Masters Degree, which will provide an excellent gateway into the world of information technology if you have a related bachelor’s degree already.
Environmental Scientist
As we begin to understand more about our world and what the effect industry and humanity are having on it, and threats like global warming and deforestation become more top of the mind, the environmental sciences are quickly becoming more important.
Environmental science is a multidiscipline career that offers a tough, challenging career caring for our planet for those who have an interest in the natural sciences. Environmental scientists can expect to obtain not only an understanding of how the different aspects of the environment affect each other but also how the social sciences of understanding how human beings play a part in the environment and the impact we have on it.
Some of the careers you might find yourself in as an environmental scientist are:
- Agricultural Science, which will see you working with farmers and agriculture to improve farming practices and food quality, and crop yields.
- Nature Conservation, which is the pursuit of enforcing, managing, and protecting wildlife areas, reserves, and natural ecosystems.
- Zoology, the study of animals in their natural habitats and researching different species of animals and how they live and behave.
- Meteorology, which will have you studying weather systems and understanding how to predict the weather, as well as helping with climate change research and predictions.
Engineering
Engineers will find themselves responsible for designing, building, and using machines and structures in our world. We find engineering disciplines or the products of engineering in every industry in every country on earth. Engineering was responsible for the buildings you live and work in, the computer you’re using to read this, the machines used to manufacture the clothes you wear, and the fuel that drives your car – and your car itself – engineering is everywhere. Naturally, there are a vast number of different career paths for engineers to follow.
Some engineering careers you might be interested in are:
- Industrial Engineering, which is concerned with the processes involved in the production and how to improve them by making them more efficient, waste less, and lower costs.
- Civil Engineering, which is the discipline of developing and working on the physical built environment around us, like buildings, roads, bridges, dams, and other man-made structures.
- Electrical Engineering, responsible for working with power generation and supply systems like power stations, high voltage electricity distribution and the improvement of these systems.
- Chemical Engineering, which is the design and development of manufacturing processes specifically for chemical manufacturing and the safety, processes, and operations of this type of manufacturing.
Engineering is a rewarding discipline as you can often physically see what your work is producing as it is built, designed, and engineered. It’s versatile and while rewarding, can be both physically and mentally taxing, so be prepared to work hard in this rewarding career.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of understanding and researching chemicals, which is often done by using substances and examining and studying how they react with each other and the environment, how they change, and the energy they produce. It’s a fascinating career for those with an aptitude for it, and a career in chemistry is usually one that will see you researching and working in labs.
Some chemistry careers you might be interested in finding out more about are:
- Toxicology, which is the study of how different substances affect the blood and tissue of humans and animals, as well as testing for these substances. Toxicologists are often involved in criminology.
- Oceanography, a career that will see you researching and striving to better understand our oceans and marine ecosystems and water, sea currents, and other ocean-related studies.
- Pharmacology, which looks at how drugs and pharmaceuticals affect humans and animals and how they can be used in healthcare.
Chemistry is a fascinating and challenging career, and one with many different disciplines with a lot of hands-on experimentation and study. Chemistry might interest you if you like to explore the way things interact with each other physically.
From electrical engineering to astronomy and even theoretical physics, there are many STEM job opportunities available for everyone with an interest in the world around us and how it works, how we interact with it, and how we can improve it. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics will all push you hard, but they are infinitely rewarding career paths waiting for you out there in the sciences.
