STEM Careers are Great Careers

The mid-Atlantic region is a hot spot for STEM jobs. The Washington, DC/Baltimore corridor has the second-highest concentration of STEM jobs in the country with more than one million jobs in growing fields such as biohealth, IT, and cybersecurity. And, yet, we are struggling to produce graduates who are prepared for STEM careers: in the US, job postings outnumber qualified STEM workers nearly two to one.

Texas is also a great region for careers in STEM: the state is home to more than three-quarters of a million great STEM jobs. In 2018, Texas will demand a total of 715,380 STEM jobs (up from 584,120 in 2008), an increase of 22% and five percent more than the national average. Learn more about STEM careers in Texas >

The Baltimore region is unique in that it features growth in middle-skill STEM jobs: those jobs accessible to employees with an Associate’s degree or even a high school diploma. In fact, the Baltimore region is poised to add nearly 36,000 middle-skill STEM jobs by 2020. These jobs will be in the following high-needs areas: Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Design & Construction, Healthcare & Medical Records, and Biosciences. Read the full report >

Visit the resources below to learn more about how a STEM career could be the right path for you.

START NOW.

Build a well-rounded transcript with a focus in science and math. Take advanced classes and be sure to include one math and one science class each year.

EXPLORE YOUR INTERESTS AND MAKE CONTACTS IN THE FIELD.

Experience STEM first-hand through internships, summer jobs, or other opportunities. Ask people you know to introduce you to scientists and researchers, and ask them how they got started.

GET SOME EXPERIENCE.

Fund your education with a part-time job in bioscience. Some basic positions require just a high school diploma or specialized courses at your local community college. A good way to get your feet wet is to take an entry-level position to build experience while you are pursuing a degree at a community college or university.

KEEP BUILDING YOUR SKILLS.

Even after you are employed, engage in lifelong learning. Science and technology constantly change, and it is important to know what’s new and exciting.