These days, STEM is all around us. From new, high-profile projects within universities to cutting-edge breakthroughs in medicine and technology, we increasingly see the term STEM in our daily lives. But what does it really mean? And how did it become such a big part of our world? Linked together in a single, memorable term, STEM is the umbrella for all Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields—an enormous net of research and expertise that covers everything from aerospace engineering to zoological sciences. Why group them all together? Because as workplaces and universities become more international, interconnected, and interdisciplinary, STEM fields have become increasingly collaborative, sparking innovation across disciplines.
No single factor can account for the rapid rise of STEM in both academic popularity and professional demand, but one thing is clear: in both college admissions and the job market, students and recruiters are focusing on STEM skill sets. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth of jobs within STEM between now and 2032 will outpace the growth of all non-STEM roles combined. The rise of AI, groundbreaking advancements in biomedical technology, and a growing reliance on data-driven decision-making are just a few reasons why STEM majors—and their corresponding career paths—have skyrocketed in popularity since the turn of this century.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the core STEM fields and some of the exciting career paths they can lead to. Studying any of these subjects at the undergraduate level typically results in a Bachelor of Science degree. Though often housed in separate university departments, STEM consists of:
Science
Sometimes called the “hard sciences,” this includes subjects like biology, physics, and chemistry. We’ll be covering these disciplines in more depth in our next blog post, which will focus on pre-med and nursing.
Technology
In this context, technology is a catch-all term for the computer sciences and adjacent studies like IT (Information Technology) and data science. Coursework often covers programming, cybersecurity, and data structures. While software development is a frequently chosen career path, studying computer science can also open doors to careers in web and app development, AI, and data analytics.
Engineering
At its core, engineering is the science of making things work. In practice, engineers work across nearly every industry, designing everything from manufacturing processes to bridges and tunnels. A few major subfields include:
- Mechanical Engineering: Focuses on designing and manufacturing machinery
- Civil Engineering: Involves designing public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and transportation systems
- Computer Engineering: Blends hardware and software development, specializing in circuit and system design
- Biomedical Engineering: Applies engineering principles to medicine, developing medical devices, biomaterials, and genetic engineering solutions
Mathematics
Forget any associations you may have with your high school algebra class… Studying math at the university level is dynamic, intense, and highly interdisciplinary. Math students often collaborate across departments, working alongside engineers, scientists, and even linguists. Math degrees open doors to careers in finance, research, analytics, and technology. And, according to studies conducted by NBC News in partnership with ZipRecruiter, math has one of the lowest postgraduate “regret rates” of any bachelor’s degree.
Students interested in STEM should aim to incorporate challenging science and math classes into their high school curriculum whenever possible. While STEM fields offer exciting opportunities, they also come with unique challenges. Compared to liberal arts degrees, STEM programs often require significant time commitments devoted to studying, research, and lab work. Additionally, introductory STEM courses can have large class sizes and coursework can be highly specialized, demanding intense focus.
For a long time, STEM had a reputation for being a “boys’ club” that rewarded the well-connected and excluded women, people of color, and other historically underrepresented groups. Thanks to the push for “Women in STEM” and other similar initiatives beginning in the late 1980s, the field has now become an increasingly diverse and inclusive space. Today, a vast array of scholarships, alumni organizations, and mentorship programs exist to support students of diverse backgrounds who are interested in pursuing STEM careers.
At Plan the Path, we find that one of the reasons so many students get excited about STEM is the potential to solve real-world problems. Because STEM fields like engineering prepare students to tackle challenges including civic infrastructure issues, public health preparedness and climate resilience, they remain practical, durable, and resilient career choices. If you have questions about applying to STEM programs or studying STEM at the college level, connect with Plan the Path and begin your higher education journey today.