Key Takeaways:
- A STEM major is any student who pursues the studies of science, technology, engineering or mathematics or the subfields of these majors.
- STEM jobs are expected to grow faster than all other occupations in the next five years.
- STEM programs open a window of opportunity, as there are many different potential career paths to choose from, including marine biologist, aerospace engineer, health information technologist and more.
- Some of the top schools for STEM majors include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), California Institute of Technology, Harvey Mudd College, Johns Hopkins University and The United States Naval Academy.
If you are a student considering a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) major, you likely want to look at the different aspects of this career path. STEM majors learn diverse and innovative skill sets and have a wide range of career options when they graduate.
If you have decided to dive into a major in STEM, considerable opportunities await you on the other side. This article discusses what STEM majors are, including examples of potential majors, career paths and top schools that offer a high-quality STEM education. It also touches upon the need to make STEM fields more inclusive.
What Is a STEM Major?
A STEM major is any student who studies the field of science, technology, engineering or mathematics. STEM majors encompass the many subsets of these four subjects, and depending on which of these four fields a student decides to pursue, specific career paths are available. Because job opportunities are often plentiful with STEM education, this field continues to grow and is a desirable career goal for many.
According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions in STEM fields are projected to grow 8% by 2029, compared to 3.7% for all occupations. This provides a promising outlook for future job security, as more and more STEM positions are becoming available by the day.
Examples of STEM Majors
To further understand the different career paths you can take when pursuing a STEM degree, let us dive into what specific majors are considered STEM majors outside the traditional four mentioned above. While this is not an exhaustive list of STEM majors, the following are some of the most prominent examples of STEM majors:
- Astronomy: This physical science major focuses on carefully examining the processes that keep the universe moving. Astronomy majors study theories behind how space began and the evolution of elements of the universe. This STEM major incorporates scientific methods and research projects to expand and deepen our understanding of the universe. Careers in this field include meteorology and aeronautical engineering.
- Biology: This wide-ranging major consists of many majors in STEM under its umbrella. Students in this major will study the biological world and encounter fields, such as marine biology, genetics, microbiology, molecular and cellular biology, in addition to immunology and neurobiology. Someone pursuing this field could become a cancer researcher, zoologist or even a doctor, among many other career paths.
- Chemistry: This major involves studying the complex elements of the periodic table that make up the world. These studies equip students with the problem-solving skills needed to contribute to research related to education, healthcare and other well-known industries. Students who study this major can become chemists, chemical engineers, chemistry teachers and more.
- Computer science: Computer science focuses on the intricate study of technology and examines topics like artificial intelligence (AI), software design and computer graphics. Computer science falls into the STEM category, as it has a foundation in mathematics and explores the theory behind programming and operating systems. Careers in this field include software development, UX design and information security.
- Engineering: This STEM major combines math, science and business principles, teaching students to design and conduct experiments. Potential career opportunities under this umbrella include becoming a biomedical engineer, automotive engineer, chemical engineer or civil engineering, which can involve working with healthcare equipment and building structures.
- Earth sciences: This major studies how the Earth works. It examines the geographic layers of the Earth and how each layer works synergistically with other layers. This major is also closely related to astronomy because of the physical influences in outer space on the Earth. Those who study this STEM major could become environmental scientists, geotechnical engineers or agronomists.
- Information technology: Often referred to as IT, this major encompasses computer science, business and communications. Students examine how these fields all function together in an organization. Careers in this field include computer and information research and computer networking.
- Mathematics: This major includes the study of algebra, calculus, geometry and equations to solve problems. This field focuses on training STEM majors in applied mathematics to use in real-world situations. Some of the potential career options in this field include becoming a mathematician, actuary, economist or mathematics teacher/professor.
- Physics: Physics is an area of science that breaks down and explains how the world works. These majors must have a strong mathematical background to succeed. Careers in this field can include data or research analysis.
Emerging STEM Paths
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Five of the Top Schools for Studying STEM
Many colleges and universities have programs that excel at training students in the STEM field. These programs allow graduates to enter the workforce prepared. The following is a list of five of these schools.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): Located in Cambridge, MA, MIT is home to a plethora of STEM students. 93.3% of the students attending earn a degree in STEM. In fact, of the five distinct schools at the college, three are solely STEM-focused.
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech): Located in Pasadena, CA, this institute boasts a STEM graduation rate of 98%. This school is a top choice among many because of its fame in science and technology. There have been 46 Caltech alumni and faculty that have won a collective total of 47 Nobel Prizes. Some of these individuals include Martin Karplus, Robert G. Edwards and Andrea Ghez, among others.
- Harvey Mudd College: Located in Claremont, CA, Harvey Mudd College is a highly selective college focused on STEM. 97.4% of its students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM major. Harvey Mudd College also offers interdisciplinary degrees across STEM programs.
- Johns Hopkins University: Located in Baltimore, MD, this university has a lower percentage of students who graduate with a bachelor’s in STEM (45%) than other educational institutions mentioned. However, exceptional scientific advances have taken place at Johns Hopkins University. Notable alumni from Johns Hopkins University include Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P., Bloomberg News and Bloomberg Radio, along with Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the U.S.
- The United States Naval Academy: Located in Annapolis, MD, this academy has 62.3% of its students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in STEM. The academy is well-known for training the Navy and Marine Corps. It implements a strategic educational program focused on training service men and women to be proficient in science and problem-solving.
Diversity in STEM
STEM programs are robust across the U.S., with many students entering the field, but continuing to encourage diversity in the STEM majors is essential. According to the Pew Research Center, the industry lacks representation of Black Americans and Latino populations in the STEM fields. Programs including Student Freedom Initiative and internXL, which are supported by leaders like Robert F. Smith, make it a priority to create a world where education is accessible to all populations. This will help create a more diverse STEM workforce in the future.
Follow Robert F. Smith on LinkedIn to learn more about new, emerging STEM majors, the importance of STEM education and how he promotes diversity and inclusion within the STEM field.
