Three Key Indicators That You May Want to Choose a STEM Major by Craig Middleton explains why all students should at least consider a career in one of the STEM fields. If you know anyone currently in high school be sure to share this with them. Thanks, Craig.

Introduction

• One of the most overwhelming and intimidating decisions of our lives can come as early as high school when individuals are encouraged to choose a career path for their lives. At such a young age, many people are unsure of all of the amazing careers out there and can be indecisive on choosing a path they may follow for the rest of their lives. Some choose to mimic adult role models in their lives. Some students research jobs based on their strengths, interests and guidance. Some may have worked for years in a job they are unhappy with and begin the search all over again mid-life to pursue a career they enjoy.
• STEM careers are growing, stable and reliable. If you are unfamiliar with STEM, it is a core focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Many schools are emphasizing STEM learning disciplines beginning as early as preschool. These jobs can be very hands-on and there is a ton of variety depending on what you are looking for. How do you know if a STEM major is right for you? Spend some time evaluating your interests, strengths, goals and other relevant topics, as these will all impact your decision. With a STEM degree, you will have many possibilities for future careers. Here are some other key ways to determine if you might enjoy a STEM job.

1. Benefits

• The capability to support yourself and your family will play a large role in determining your career path. Benefits such as income, health insurance, paid time off, sick leave and retirement contributions should be considered heavily, especially when choosing between multiple job offers. STEM jobs often have good benefits packages.
• You can use a paystub generator to help see what your take-home pay will be. You can change state, marital status, pay rate, hours and pay frequency. The generator will then do all of the math to show you gross earnings, deductions and net pay. This will allow you to see exactly how much you will net each paycheck from any given salary. This knowledge allows you to know how much money you will have to pay your bills, which is important for choosing a career path.

2. Stability

• The stability associated with STEM majors is often noted. The field is expanding rapidly, meaning there are plenty of jobs in many locations. A quick job search for STEM careers can show you locations all over the United States and even globally. If you are looking to settle into a precise location, it is a good idea to search for jobs that interest you. The demand and growth lead to stability many people desire.

3. Flexibility

• Another strong draw to STEM majors is the ability to pursue many different career paths with a single degree. This flexibility can allow for future career switches without additional education. This can be reassuring for those nervous about working one job for the rest of their lives. It also means that you are very marketable for job openings because you have an education covering these popular topics. A STEM major is a great base for career flexibility. You can have more options with additional training and some employers may even pay for you to continue your education.

Conclusion

• College is a great experience in which the choices you make can impact the rest of your life. There are hundreds of possible majors, all of which have their own pros and cons. Spend time exploring majors, looking up the ones you have not heard of and reading into what types of jobs you can obtain with these various degrees. Lean on your strengths and interests for a strong indicator of a field you will enjoy. The STEM majors are a great fit for many individuals. You can choose from many jobs with a STEM degree, most of which are growing in demand and have solid salaries and benefits. This growing field is not one you want to leave unexplored!

Craig Middleton

• Craig is a New York City-based retired business consultant, who is an expert in education and cultural trends. He has a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters in Education from St. Johns and loves sharing his knowledge on the side through his writing. If you have any questions or comments you can direct them to Craig at craigmiddleton18@gmail.com.

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