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What STEM careers are most in demand? Here are 10:
DATA ANALYSIS Most businesses rely on data, and they need people with
the skills to interpret it. “You could work at the Gap and be a data scientist, or you
could work for a pharmaceutical company and be a data scientist,” says Henkin. “The data is everywhere, and we’re making such precise decisions based on it.” SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT Let’s face it. In the age of smartphones and virtual
everything, software keeps us operational — and entertained. No end is in sight in the demand for technical and creative masterminds who conceive, program and troubleshoot computer software. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING When it comes to the “E” in STEM, engineering is in high demand.
Mechanical engineers in particular design, produce and operate machinery. These days they are likely to be trigonometry whizzes attracted to 3D printing and nanotechnology. They could find themselves at home in a LEGO design studio, a Formula One racing team or a NASA robotics lab. BIOCHEMISTRY You don’t need a worldwide pandemic to recognize the
need for experts who can decipher biological problems. It’s true, biochemists have played enormous roles in developing vaccines and other pharmaceuticals. But understanding the chemistry of life can also open up a world of other opportunities, including in forensics, ecology and food production. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY To run most efficiently and profitably, most businesses
need information technology experts capable of tailoring computer systems. “From the car you drive and the streaming entertainment
channels you enjoy, to a telehealth visit with your doctor and the ease and efficiency of online banking, today’s IT professional plays a leading role in virtually every business and industry,” said Steven Ostrowski of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a nonprofit
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association for the IT industry and workforce. ACTUARIAL SCIENCE That’s right, the world needs actuaries — those with an
expertise in mathematics to evaluate the likelihood of future events, risks and rewards. Actuaries have found many niches, most notably in the insurance industry and government.
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INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYSIS There’s detective work involved, and maybe even a few
cloaks and daggers. Unfortunate but true, with the increase in hacking, companies, government agencies and private citizens increasingly rely on information technology experts to protect computer systems and networks from information disruption, theft and damage. HEALTHCARE
If you have a passion to help those suffering from disease
and injury, the field of medicine has many needs, including physician
assistants,
imaging
technologists,
telemetry
technicians, and clinical laboratory scientists. TECHNICAL WRITING Many facets of STEM are highly technical. That’s where
technical writers come in. Someone needs to explain all this in clear, concise language! This is not limited to the written word. Communication needs to be clear in any medium. If you are good at getting people to understand complex issues, this could be a good career to pursue. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING With increasing concern about environmental degradation,
environmental engineers are increasingly in demand to find novel solutions to the human impact on our natural world. Career opportunities are high in the areas of public health, pollution and building design.
2021 TeenLife Guide to Your Future In STEM
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