Best STEM Courses and Advanced Career Opportunities
In a world ruled by science and technology, the U.S. Department of Education says future success will not be driven by just what you know, but what you can do with that knowledge – how to solve complex problems and situations, analyze evidence and make sense of the information gathered. These critical skills are gained through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, i.e., STEM courses.
The U.S. Department of Commerce promises a bright outlook towards STEM education and its future. It has projected 10.5% growth in STEM-related jobs by the end of 2030 which is faster than average non-STEM positions. The good news for STEM degree holders is that they receive higher earnings, whether they are working in a STEM or non-STEM field. STEM-trained professions also experience lower unemployment rates compared to people working in other fields.
There are several STEM courses that you can choose from. If you are good in subjects like Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, the STEM courses are for you. You can choose any course as per your skills, interest, and demand of the said course in the job market. STEM jobs are not only high in demand and high paying, but they are also cool! We will take a look at STEM courses that can set you up for life.
Best STEM Courses
Nuclear Science
As a Nuclear Engineer, you will learn how to segregate or combine atomic nuclei in multiple ways for a multitude of applications. You will also learn to design, use, and maintain nuclear equipment, like radiation shielding equipment, nuclear reactors, and systems that operate on nuclear energy.
To specialize in this subject, you must develop a good grasp of subjects like chemistry, nuclear physics, materials, and mathematics. You also need to develop domain knowledge in the field you plan to build your application.
Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum Engineering is one of the all-time highest-paying STEM jobs. Here you need to learn things like how to extract oil and gas from the reservoirs below the earth’s surface. However, this is not an easy task as it requires an in-depth knowledge of materials, technology, chemistry, and the environment. Once you have earned a specialization in any of these areas – completion, drilling, reservoir, or production- you can apply for the desired position as an engineer. As a petroleum engineer, you can travel the world as many petroleum companies operate across the globe.
Data Science
Data Science is a field that requires you to collect, calculate and analyze a huge amount of data to help organizations and associations across the world solve real-life problems. This data helps to identify factors like understanding genetic issues or diseases and the best way to deliver a shipment. This course falls under STEM engineering courses. To be a Data Scientist, you must have a good understanding of Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Programming, and domain expertise. Having a degree in data science can land you a job as a Data Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Engineer, and Data Scientist.
Mathematics
To get a degree in Mathematics and Statistics in a STEM course you do not need proficiency in calculus, algebra, or geometry but you need to learn and develop new ways of solving math problems. A little expertise in programming can set your skills apart from the crowd. This degree is not only applicable to STEM courses but also to non-STEM courses. The opportunities for this degree are wide and open all over the world. After graduation with a degree in Mathematics, you can land a job in fields like big data, data engineering, computer science, business, data privacy, climatology, or system biology.
Cybersecurity
The advancement of technology has led to new threats to emerging technologies. To safeguard valuable online data across the globe, the world needs skilled people. A STEM course in cybersecurity teaches you to disarm threats like cyber-attacks, natural disasters, hackers, infiltrators, and malware. These are some serious areas of work and to be efficient you must have a thorough knowledge of computer languages, programming tools, and an exceptional acumen in mathematics. If you are a critical thinker and a problem-solver, this is for you. While working, your job role may include protecting citizens, customers, and users of online space from data leaks, scams, and hackers.
Software Engineering
Software engineering is one of the most popular STEM courses. You must have a good understanding of how to build and test computer applications, understand user needs, and keep the applications up to date as technology advances. The universities providing courses on software engineering also give you a sound knowledge of mathematics, computer science, programming languages, and the domain they want to specialize in. This course enables you to develop software applications for anything you want. You can choose to work on a specific type of application such as website/mobile app development, data analytics, or gaming apps.
The courses mentioned above are not just high in demand for employability, but they are also one of the highest paying jobs in various professions across the globe.