10 Career Ideas for STEM Majors
STEM majors have many career options after graduation, both in STEM roles and in alternative fields. Luckily for grads with science, engineering, technology or math degrees, the job outlook remains very positive. STEM occupations are slated to grow at more than double the rate of non-STEM jobs over the next ten years, and the median salary for STEM roles is significantly higher than non-STEM positions. This isn’t necessarily surprising, as many STEM jobs require extensive training and education in the field.
However, not all careers for STEM majors are in STEM-related industries or roles. Earning a STEM degree can also help you excel in other fields, such as business and education. If you’re not quite sure what you want to do after graduation, here are ten career ideas that are perfect for STEM majors.
For more career ideas, check out the full replay of our panel, “Opportunities in STEM: Diverse Career Paths to Consider,” here.
STEM Teacher
Teachers play a critical role in developing the next generation of STEM professionals. However, science and math teachers have traditionally been more difficult to recruit than teachers for other subjects. This has led to a shortage of STEM teachers, particularly in low-income communities. Finding teachers who actually majored in the subject they teach is extra challenging. That’s why it’s so critical that more STEM majors step into the classroom after college. If you enjoy working with children or have always wanted to make a difference with your work, consider becoming a teacher.
You do not need any teaching experience or an education degree to become a teacher at Success Academy, the largest and highest-performing charter school network in New York. Instead, Success Academy will provide all the training you need to become an excellent teacher. Before you even step into the classroom, you’ll complete an intensive summer training program and continue your training throughout the year. You’ll even have the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in education for free after one year of teaching!
Success Academy has worked to redefine K-12 STEM education, ensuring that students experience a rigorous curriculum that prepares them to pursue the field beyond high school. Starting in elementary school, students take science classes everyday, even getting the opportunity to study engineering and computer science as early as kindergarten! STEM teachers at Success Academy have ample opportunities for advancement, with the potential to move into positions like Math Lead or Assistant Principal of STEM. There are also plenty of opportunities to explore different career paths, such as curriculum development.
If you want to make a real impact with your work, you can learn more about Success Academy here.
Technology Consultant
If you enjoy working with both technology and people, a career as a technology consultant might be perfect for you. Technology consultants typically work with clients to solve business problems and help them improve the way they use technology. That means you’ll need both the technical skills to solve complex problems and the business acumen and customer service skills to work with clients. In any given day, you may be executing technical feasibility studies, providing technical documentation, developing custom applications, querying datasets, preparing client presentations, or any number of other related tasks, depending on the organization and business unit you work within. If you majored in computer science, mathematics, management information systems, or similar fields, this might be the perfect career for you. Learn more about what it takes to become a technology consultant with the replay of our panel discussion, “What is Tech Consulting? What To Know and How to Get Hired.”
Companies who hire for this role type on RippleMatch:
Credera is a consulting firm focused on strategy, transformation, data, and technology. They work across a number of industries, including consumer goods & services, healthcare & life sciences, financial services, public services, and many more. Credera’s mission is to make an extraordinary impact on their clients, people, and communities. Learn more about Credera here.
SAP is a market leader in end-to-end business application software and related services for database, analytics, intelligent technologies, and experience management. They help more than 400,000 customers worldwide work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively. Learn more about SAP here.
Data Scientist
Do you enjoy solving complex problems and have a penchant for numbers? Then a career in data science might be in your future. The demand for data scientists is growing, as more companies increase their reliance on technology and look to make data-backed decisions. The significant demand for the position, coupled with high salaries and rates of employee satisfaction, have led to the role of data scientist consistently being named one of the top 10 jobs in America by Glassdoor. Since almost every industry needs data scientists, you’ll have the flexibility to work for organizations aligned with your interests and values. While a degree in data science would of course set you up well for this role, having a background in a variety of STEM fields, such as mathematics, computer science, statistics, or economics will also benefit you in the field.
Companies who hire for this role type on RippleMatch:
Carmax is the largest used-car retailer in America. They have revolutionized the auto industry by embracing technology and ensuring that customers always have an honest, straightforward experience. Learn more about Carmax here.
NielsenIQ is the undisputed industry leader in consumer intelligence. Through comprehensive data sets and powerful insights, they enable retailers, manufacturers, and other partners to make confident business decisions. Learn more about NielsenIQ here.
Software Engineer
Software engineering is one of the most sought-after careers for STEM majors. Software engineers are needed in every industry, by companies of every size. Software engineers can develop everything from websites, to computer games, to operating systems, to computer applications and more! The opportunities really are endless, which means you can have the freedom to set your own career path. Software engineers come from a variety of backgrounds, but students who majored in computer science, software development, or computer engineering are most likely to apply to these roles. Learn more about what it takes to land your first role in software engineering.
Companies who hire for this role type on RippleMatch:
Sentry is a mutual insurance company that offers a full line of property, casualty, and life insurance products to help protect businesses, cars, homes, lives, and retirement income. They provide individualized service to customers by using dedicated teams to serve specific industries. Learn more about Sentry here.
Addepar is a FinTech company building a modern financial data aggregation & analytics platform. They “bring data, technology and people together to optimize how capital is put to work.” Learn more about Addepar here.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers play an important role in our everyday lives. Almost every process or machine we use was designed or developed by mechanical engineers, from microwaves, to cars, to medical equipment. As a mechanical engineer, you’ll get the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. You’ll also be able to choose from a wide range of industries to work in, like automotive, pharmaceutical, consumer electronics, or energy. Unlike some of the other roles in this list that are open to a variety of majors, mechanical engineers need specific training in the field. So you’ll typically need a degree in mechanical, electrical, or another similar engineering field to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.
Companies who hire for this role type on RippleMatch:
GlaxoSmithKline is a science-led global healthcare company with three businesses that research, develop and manufacture innovative pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines and consumer healthcare products. Their goal is to help people do more, feel better, and live longer. Learn more about GSK here.
Aptive is a global technology company that develops greener, safer and more connected solutions to enable the future of mobility. They address mobility’s toughest challenges through software and systems integration expertise, delivering market relevant solutions for their customers. Learn more about Aptive here.
Sales Representative
Just because you majored in a STEM field doesn’t mean you have to stick strictly to a scientific or mathematics-related career. In fact, your background in STEM might make you an ideal candidate for a sales position. A great salesperson knows their product inside and out, so having technical skills will give you an advantage at many companies. Some technical or scientific sales roles will actually require a STEM degree, especially in the medical field. Biology, chemistry, or physics majors are uniquely qualified for medical sales roles, while computer science or engineering majors can do great in technical sales positions. STEM majors will likely also excel in SaaS, telecommunications, or hardware sales, all roles that could benefit from a background in tech.
Companies who hire for this role type on RippleMatch:
Ericsson is a global leader in 5G and telecom technology. They equip carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile with cutting edge technology like VR and AI to help them meet the needs of their customers. Learn more about Ericsson here.
Eaton is a power management company that provides sustainable solutions to help customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical power. They aim to help people and the environment through technologies that are more reliable, efficient, safe and sustainable. Learn more about Eaton here.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts play an important role in organizations, using data to help companies make import business decisions. The role varies by the type of organization, but analysts typically recommend investments, assess the performance of those investments, analyze business decisions like budget allocations, and evaluate company financial performance. While a financial analyst working for an investment bank will probably have different responsibilities than one working for a software company, the skills needed for both will be very similar. A deep understanding of data and statistics is a given, making it an ideal role for graduates who majored in mathematics, economics, statistics, or data science.
Companies who hire for this role type on RippleMatch:
eBay is a global commerce leader that connects millions of buyers and sellers around the world. Their ecommerce solutions enable economic opportunity for individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations of all sizes. Learn more about eBay here.
Epic develops healthcare software that is used by hundreds of millions of patients and doctors around the world. Their mission is “to help the world get well, help the world stay well, and help future generations be healthier.” Learn more about Epic here.
Product Manager
Product managers drive the strategy and execution of products within an organization. The role requires collaboration with many different internal teams, and often calls for a deep technical knowledge in order to properly analyze the product. This is particularly true of technical product managers, who often come from computer science backgrounds. If you are a strong communicator with an analytical mindset and think you may prefer to work on the business side of things as opposed to actually developing products themselves, then this might be the right role for you. Students majoring in data science, computer science, or software engineering would be particularly well-suited for product manager positions.
Companies who hire for this role type on RippleMatch:
Zillow is an online real estate marketplace that has become a household name. They believe that our homes are the heartbeat of our lives, so they have reimagined the world of real estate to make it easier to move from one home to the next. Learn more about Zillow here.
Nuance is the pioneer and leader in conversational artificial intelligence (AI) innovations that bring intelligence to everyday work and life. They deliver solutions that understand, analyze, and respond to people, amplifying human intelligence to increase productivity and improve security. Learn more about Nuance here.
Research Associate
Research associates work to design and develop products, therapies, and programs at scientific organizations. As a research associate, you’ll likely conduct experiments, report on your findings, and troubleshoot challenges. Research associates play a key role in developing medicine and therapies used around the world, so your work will have a true impact on society. If you’re majoring in biology, chemistry, or a related field, this could be the perfect role for you.
Companies who hire for this role type on RippleMatch:
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases like cystic fibrosis. Learn more about Vertex here.
Kallyope is a biotechnology company focused on identifying and pursuing therapeutic opportunities involving the gut-brain axis. Learn more about Kallyope here.
Cybersecurity Professional
Cybersecurity is an increasingly important field, as ever-evolving technology leaves everything from hospitals, to small businesses, to governments, to small businesses at risk of data breaches. Cybersecurity professionals are responsible for keeping organizations’ data and systems safe, thereby maintaining the trust of customers and stakeholders. As a cybersecurity professional, you’ll assess risk, identify vulnerabilities, and work to limit threats. It’s a great career for anyone interested in information and data security, especially if you have a degree in computer science, information technology, computer engineering, or other related fields.
Companies who hire for this role type on RippleMatch:
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Their goal is to use the finance products, expertise and systems they have developed to build a better working world. Learn more about Ernst & Young here.
Palo Alto Networks is a global cybersecurity leader, shaping the cloud-centric future with technology that is transforming the way people and organizations operate. They protect tens of thousands of organizations across clouds, networks, and mobile devices. Learn more about Palo Alto Networks here.
