5 Fast-Growing STEM Careers to Think About
By: VHS Learning
Over eight million STEM jobs represent 6.2% of the U.S. workforce and are estimated to support nearly 70% of the economy. With these statistics in mind, it’s clear that choosing a career in STEM can provide great opportunities and stability.
Many students don’t consider STEM careers due to the perceived difficulty or the educational commitment, but these jobs are extremely versatile and offer reliable employment options. Plus, over the next ten years, the number of STEM jobs are projected to grow 8.8%––a higher rate than non-STEM jobs. Some STEM careers have an even higher growth rate than the industry as a whole and will offer great opportunity to students entering the workforce over the next ten years.
Here are five fast-growing STEM careers to think about:
- Computer and Information Systems Manager
Expected ten-year growth: 11%
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree at minimum, master’s degree can help with career advancement
Often called information technology (IT) managers, computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, implement and manage technology and information systems for an organization. They will analyze the organization’s needs, recommend helpful upgrades, direct the installation and maintenance of computer hardware and software, and ensure the security of information stored electronically. Computer and information systems managers can find jobs in a very wide range of settings, including finance and insurance, corporate IT management, manufacturing, education, and more.
- Veterinarian
Expected ten-year growth: 17%
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree, then four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree
Especially during the pandemic, Americans have been adopting pets like never before, and current veterinarians are becoming overwhelmed with the demand for their services. Veterinarians provide care in an exciting variety of settings, from family pets like cats, dogs, rabbits, and reptiles to livestock and even exotic animals. Best of all, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that people who choose to be veterinarians experience virtually no unemployment throughout their career.
- Ecologist or Conservation Scientist
Expected ten-year growth: 8%
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree at minimum, master’s degree can help with career advancement
Ecologists and conservation scientists collect and analyze data, create reports and presentations, and provide information and guidance to government officials, businesses, and the public about environmental threats, hazards, and concerns. These scientists generally focus on one of two sectors of environmental science and management: protecting people’s health through environmental regulation or minimizing society’s impacts on the environment. Jobs in environmental science can be found in the government, private consulting agencies, and engineering firms.
- Dental Hygienist
Expected ten-year growth: 11%
Education needed: Associate’s degree (two years) and state licensure
Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases and provide dental cleanings and preventative care. They use a variety of tools to scrape off plaque, remove stains, and polish teeth, and many dental hygienists also use x-ray machines to get a deeper look at tooth or jaw issues. Dental hygienists work alongside dentists to provide patients with comprehensive dental care services, and to some extent, they must also be supervised by the dentist in their work.
- Psychiatrist
Expected ten-year growth: 12%
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree, then four years of medical school, then a four-year residency program
Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in mental illnesses and disorders. These medical doctors focus primarily on prescribing and managing medications and other interventions for patients’ psychological needs, although some psychiatrists also provide counseling and therapy services in tandem with this. Psychiatrist jobs can be found in clinics, hospitals, or specialized psychiatric care settings.
These are just a few of the STEM jobs that will experience higher-than-average growth over the next ten years, but these options offer opportunities for students with a wide range of interests, abilities, and access to higher education. STEM careers are a great choice for anyone entering the future workforce, as they are projected to only grow more in the future.
