Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand covers a great number of challenging disciplines. And with STEM jobs rapidly increasing, it is essential you are equipped with core critical thinking and technical skills these jobs require. Learning these disciplines will lead to fulfilling careers in different fields that open abundant opportunities and even competitive pay.
Want to study Science and Technology but aren’t sure what careers are in the STEM field? Don’t worry! This guide will help you learn more about the different STEM careers so you can decide what to pursue.
What Careers are in the STEM Field?
The evolving Science and Technology industries offer new and exciting career opportunities. Many of which search for students with sharp talents in mathematics and science.
Here are some familiar fields you can go into:
- Engineering
- Natural Sciences
- Information Technology
- Statistics
- Computer Science
Engineering
Engineering covers a variety of careers with specializations whether that be industrial, mechanical, or electrical.
Some branches of engineering you can study include:
- Computer Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Computer Engineering
This branch of engineering specializes in developing computer hardware, systems, and networks. It integrates fields like Computer Science and Electrical Engineering providing seamless solutions. This career path is for problem solvers with a knack for technology.
- Average salary: PHP 786,000 / year
With the world continuously digitalizing, it is now possible to pursue an online computer engineering course in the Philippines!
Civil Engineering
This career specializes in the development and maintenance of various infrastructures such as roads, bridges or skyways, buildings and more. It also has sub-disciplines which you can explore such as environmental engineering, structural engineering, and surveying. You can pursue any of these specializations if you are interested in creating a skyscraper with your structure and design!
- Average salary: PHP 420,000 per year
Chemical Engineering
This branch of engineering focuses on the production of goods by means of chemical processes. This is applied with various science, engineering, mathematics and physics principles. Chemical engineers handle the process of fermentation, biomolecule production, microfabrication, and commercial chemical manufacturing, among others.
- Average salary: PHP 757,000 per year
Electrical Engineering
This focuses on the structure and application of various electronic and electrical systems. This branch of engineering has several sub-disciplines which you can specialize in. These includes power generation, electronic devices, motors, optical fibers, and telecommunications.
- Average salary: PHP 765,000 per year
Mechanical Engineering
This is branch of engineering covers a broader scope as it concerns any object or situation that involves the principles of energy, motion and force. Mechanical engineers create technologies that cater to human needs – from healthcare to energy and even celestial discoveries. The abundant need makes the career path constantly in demand from industries.
- Average salary: PHP 629,000 per year
With a vast number of branches and specializations, engineering offers plenty of possible careers in STEM.
Natural Sciences
Another area of STEM that offers a broad range of career paths is the natural sciences. It focuses on understanding and predicting matter, energy, and interrelations of natural phenomena.
Those interested in natural sciences can choose from entirely different branches including:
- Biology
- Astronomy
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Geology
Biology
It is known as the “Science of Life.” Biology concentrates on the behavior, characteristics, classification, and interactions of species. It can be further subdivided into fields such as botany, ecology, genetics, microbiology, and zoology. Those interested in studying living organisms will revel in a career as a biologist.
- Average salary: PHP 604,000 per year
Astronomy
This branch of science focuses on heavenly bodies like moons, planets, and stars and celestial phenomena. It aims to analyze and discuss events and objects from outside the Earth’s atmosphere. Astronomers use basic physics principles to study these data and understand the universe better.
- Average salary: PHP 851,000 per year
Chemistry
Chemistry concentrates on the composition, properties, and reactions of matter on the atomic and molecular scale. Its goal is to study matter through chemical processes done in well-funded laboratory and research institutes. Those who are analytical, methodical, and task-oriented will go far in this career path.
- Average salary: PHP 650,000 per year
Physics
This focuses on the science and law of matter, energy, and motion. This scientific branch develops theories and laws through experimentation and observation and create and apply methods to industry. Physics covers a broad scope and can further be sub-categorized into fields such as optics, applied physics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and more.
- Average salary: PHP 803,000 per year
Geology
This scientific career focuses on the composition and changes in rocks over time. It also studies the structure and the materials beneath the Earth’s surface. Geologists are constantly exposed to field works, physical experiments, and chemical analysis to help discover understand the changes and development of the Earth.
- Average salary: PHP 724,000 per year
The natural sciences have an abundance of career opportunities in science and technology. With fields and specializations within them, you can choose a path that’s right for you.
Information Technology
Focused on information and data, Information Technology is no doubt an essential area of expertise in demand by multiple companies. This makes it one of the most lucrative career opportunities in Science and Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Those who study IT learn interactive design and web application development. These help them specialize as system designers, media specialists, or even database administrators. Unlike the previous careers on this list, IT career paths usually stem from one degree program. To be an IT specialist, you need to finish a degree on Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
- Average salary: PHP 405,000 per year
Statistics
This is another discipline focused on data. Unlike IT, statistics focuses on the collection, organization, and analysis of data. Statistician also need to learn how to interpret, communicate and present their data. It is likely that they would also need to create projections and come up with the most wise and beneficial decisions in the light of uncertainty. Organizations and companies need statistician to arrive a censuses, experimentation, and forecasting.
Those who are detail oriented and enjoy mathematics and problem-solving will flourish in this career path. It’s also for people who relish looking at and organizing data.
- Average salary: PHP 786,000 per year
Computer Science
Computer science is another career path that deals with information. It studies automation, computation, and information, as it centers on data structures and algorithms. It has 2 sub-disciplines, namely theoretical and practical disciplines.
The theoretical disciplines are about the theory of information and computation. Meanwhile, the practical disciplines are about the design implementation of hardware and software.
When you enroll in Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, you will encounter some of these topics:
- The theory of Computation
- Cryptography and Computer Security
- Computer Graphics and Computational Geometry
- Programming Language Theory
Computer Science is for those interested in technology and programming. Those who enjoy problem-solving in relation to hardware and software may want to go for this career.
- Average salary: PHP 746,000 per year
To help you further decide if studying STEM is right for you, you need to know more about the advantages of having a career in STEM.
Advantages of a STEM Career
Having a wide range of specializations is not the only advantage of studying STEM. Here are some benefits to having a STEM career:
- Constant Learning and Innovation
- High-Paying Career
- Job Security
Constant Learning and Innovation
A career in STEM puts you at the forefront of discovering new knowledge and technology. You get to explore and learn more about the world around you as well as impart your knowledge to others.
High-Paying Career
One of the biggest reasons to pursue a career in STEM is the competitive salary. The more scientific and technology skills and knowledge you acquire, the higher your responsibility and salary becomes especially in during this evolving age.
Job Security
STEM is relevant to all industries. This makes STEM professionals an integral part of the workforce. Especially with the advancement of Science and Technology, more jobs are added to those qualified with technical skills.
Choosing a Career in STEM
Those who study STEM have a lot of choices. You have no shortage of career potential. It prepares you for careers in the natural sciences, engineering, information technology, and more.
You should know that in pursuing a career in STEM, you don’t only learn technical knowledge from the degree program of your choosing. You also hone your skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative thinking. Your skill set will provide major opportunities and insights into different sectors.
Explore STEM career paths and decide which one’s best for you!
We hope our guide helped you decide on the STEM career you want to pursue. But for those who want to explore more career choices, you can check out this article about careers to pursue.
Note: The average salaries on this article may vary and is used for educational purposes only.