Choosing a career path can be daunting. However, making a choice doesn’t mean you will have to forgo exploring other exciting pathways. If you want to solidify a reliable career path while still ensuring you have a variety of options down the line, consider obtaining a degree in STEAM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, agriculture and math. Obtaining a degree in one of these fields opens countless doors, such as working on farms, developing new machinery, advancing technology and space exploration, or improving the way our society functions. Here are a few specific reasons to consider pursuing a STEAM degree.
Demand
The need for STEAM professionals is strong around the world. Among the many factors driving this demand are an increasing reliance on digital tools across industries, new discoveries around energy and technology, and the necessity to find sustainable ways to manage the world’s growing population.
Advancing Innovation
For some STEAM professionals, one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of the job involves being at the cutting edge of innovation and advancement. Many STEAM careers can lead to positions within startups or established businesses with robust R&D departments. If you are interested in helping to change the world through innovation, a STEAM career can facilitate that objective.
Job Retention
Due in part to the increasing demand for STEAM professionals, job retention in these fields tends to be high. For many professionals, building a retirement pathway and working their way up within a company is an important objective. High job retention also allows you to become an expert in your particular field without the delays involved with moving to new positions.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration This career path offers you an opportunity to work in virtually any sector and to learn about other disciplines within STEAM. You will have multiple options to apply your expertise in a variety of contexts and alongside other professionals.
Financial Security
A STEAM degree can be a good way to reach your financial goals. The high demand for STEAM professionals means positions requiring these degrees often provide very competitive salaries, benefits and retirement packages. The opportunity to achieve your financial goals often increases as you progress in your field and build seniority.
Flexibility Because you can take your STEAM degree in so many directions, professionals in these fields often report a high level of job satisfaction and flexibility. With a STEAM education, you can work in government, for nonprofits, at a major company or in an exciting startup. Some of these positions offer global travel while others allow employees to work remotely.
Research STEAM jobs by career pathway in the Forever Blue Network at ForeverBlueNetwork.org, or take your research to AgExplorer.FFA.org and complete the MyCareer Quiz.
