Are you thinking about earning a STEM degree?
5 Reasons why you should get a STEM degree
The importance of STEM education is nothing new. From analytical thinking, to creative problem-solving and experiential learning, the benefits of STEM have made their way into the classrooms of school-age children. But, what about college? Should you pursue a STEM degree? Check out our five reasons why you should consider earning a STEM degree.
5. Learn technical concepts and skills
Earning a STEM degree won’t guarantee you a job. But, if you’re engaged in your studies, you’ll get to challenge your brain with deep concepts and complex topics. The U.S. Department of Education highlights how important STEM skills, content knowledge, and literacy are when it comes to facing the challenges ahead of us as a country and as a world.
4. Job security
STEM programs are still in-demand. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the STEM employment rates will grow another 8% by 2029. One of the largest jumps in STEM career opportunities appears to be happening within the mathematical sciences field. This would include business analytics and data science, for example. Job security isn’t guaranteed in any field, but STEM skills can help to equip you with highly marketable skills.
3. High earning potential and flexibility
Income is not everything. However, it’s an important factor to recognize when choosing a degree program and field of study. STEM jobs are well-known for their high salaries. As of 2022, STEM jobs saw an annual mean income of $100,900, according to CNBC. This is nearly double that of non-STEM jobs. In addition to higher salaries than non-STEM jobs, most men and women who currently work in STEM careers state that the flexibility to balance work and family is most important to them.
2. You love to problem-solve.
Problem-solving is the foundation of STEM education. Technically, problem-solving is considered a soft skill. Improving your soft skills, like problem-solving, will help you find success in every area of your life, but especially in the workplace. In order to solve a problem, you must identify it. If you love to figure out how things work or why something isn’t working, a STEM degree could be a great fit for you. Problem-solving requires creativity, so if you’re concerned about
1. You want to make a difference.
It can be easy to think that when choosing a career path, you either want to work with people or you don’t. Whether you want to be interfacing with people frequently, or you’d prefer minimal interpersonal communication, STEM jobs contribute to important projects that impact real people. Even further, the U.S. Department of Energy states that some of the fastest growing STEM jobs are positions that help care for our planet and fight climate change.
Or, consider something like digital accessibility. STEM makes important and enjoyable tools more accessible to a variety of people. Have you ever used an app that just didn’t make sense or was hard to use? Think about how important it is to create apps that are usable by a diverse population. Accessible technology means that users can interact with the tech in a way that works best for him or her. STEM professionals can be a part of improving and innovating with accessibility in mind.
If you love STEM content and want to use your talents and passion to serve the world around you, pursuing a STEM degree can help you live out your vocation.
Getting your STEM degree at Concordia University Ann Arbor
Concordia University Ann Arbor offers a variety of STEM-designated degree programs for undergraduate and graduate students. If you want more information about our STEM programs, sign up for our monthly newsletter.
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— Vanessa Lane is the Content Marketing Lead at Concordia University and can be reached at vanessa.lane@cuaa.edu. When she's not at work, she can be found playing with her kids or watching NBA basketball with her husband.
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