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What careers might suit someone interested in both STEM and the humanities?
I'm a HS junior and I've always been interested in both STEM and the humanities. I especially like science, computer programming, and history. I've struggled to narrow down specific careers I would like to pursue, since I'd really like to combine multiple of my interests. I know that I could probably major in interdisciplinary studies in college, but what kinds of careers might span fields like this?
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Indigo !
It's wonderful that you have a variety of interests, however, careers do not have to be based on interests and it's perfectly fine if you choose one to focus on as that may be important for a future career. The aim is not to take all of your interests and figure out a career, rather be drawn to a career so you'd know what to Major in at college.
I would highly advise not majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies, as that is not geared to a specific career and employers never request that applicants have that degree. Out of all of your interests, take the one you love the most and focus on that one, explore the academic path and the work involved. Choosing a Major or a Career is not about creating one for all the subjects we like. It's about getting the right college Degree for the right career.
You can always do your interests outside of whatever career you choose and no matter which career you choose, you'll be using computer technology and programs as part of the work. Also avoid Majoring in Liberal Arts or Humanities or General Studies. These are not degrees that are geared to a career. A good way to discover what employers are looking for is to read the job descriptions on employment websites. See what the required degree is for specific jobs. Let inspiration for a career come to you naturally and then you'd know which Major and Degree to aim for.
Trying to pre-plan combining several interests for one career may end up being disappointing. Employers want people that are experts in one focused field with the skills to do the work. If you haven't chosen a career goal by the middle of your Senior year in High School, you can enroll at college as an undecided major until you're sure of what you want for your future. You do not want to end up having a Bachelors Degree that isn't what employers are asking for.
I hope this is something to consider and I wish you all the best moving forward !
It's wonderful that you have a variety of interests, however, careers do not have to be based on interests and it's perfectly fine if you choose one to focus on as that may be important for a future career. The aim is not to take all of your interests and figure out a career, rather be drawn to a career so you'd know what to Major in at college.
I would highly advise not majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies, as that is not geared to a specific career and employers never request that applicants have that degree. Out of all of your interests, take the one you love the most and focus on that one, explore the academic path and the work involved. Choosing a Major or a Career is not about creating one for all the subjects we like. It's about getting the right college Degree for the right career.
You can always do your interests outside of whatever career you choose and no matter which career you choose, you'll be using computer technology and programs as part of the work. Also avoid Majoring in Liberal Arts or Humanities or General Studies. These are not degrees that are geared to a career. A good way to discover what employers are looking for is to read the job descriptions on employment websites. See what the required degree is for specific jobs. Let inspiration for a career come to you naturally and then you'd know which Major and Degree to aim for.
Trying to pre-plan combining several interests for one career may end up being disappointing. Employers want people that are experts in one focused field with the skills to do the work. If you haven't chosen a career goal by the middle of your Senior year in High School, you can enroll at college as an undecided major until you're sure of what you want for your future. You do not want to end up having a Bachelors Degree that isn't what employers are asking for.
I hope this is something to consider and I wish you all the best moving forward !
Updated
Godfred’s Answer
There are actually careers where all three of those interests come together. Here are a few
Computational historian - You use coding to analyze historical data, like studying patterns in old census records or building databases that track events over time. Universities and research groups hire people who can do this.
Museum tech specialist - Museums need people who understand both history and technology to create digital exhibits, manage their collections online, or build interactive displays.
Science communicator - If you like explaining things, you could research scientific history and write about it, make videos, or work at science museums. It's about understanding the science and telling the story of how discoveries happened.
Digital archivist - Libraries and government agencies need people to preserve and organize historical documents using modern technology. You're protecting history while using current tech skills.
Bioinformatics - If biology interests you at all, this field uses programming to analyze genetic data or track disease patterns. You'd work in research labs or hospitals.
Legal tech researcher - Law firms need people who can research historical legal cases and understand technology, especially for patent law or tech-related cases.
Honestly, for college, I'd just major in computer science and take history classes you care about, or flip it. Having actual skills in both areas matters more than finding the perfect interdisciplinary program name.
Computational historian - You use coding to analyze historical data, like studying patterns in old census records or building databases that track events over time. Universities and research groups hire people who can do this.
Museum tech specialist - Museums need people who understand both history and technology to create digital exhibits, manage their collections online, or build interactive displays.
Science communicator - If you like explaining things, you could research scientific history and write about it, make videos, or work at science museums. It's about understanding the science and telling the story of how discoveries happened.
Digital archivist - Libraries and government agencies need people to preserve and organize historical documents using modern technology. You're protecting history while using current tech skills.
Bioinformatics - If biology interests you at all, this field uses programming to analyze genetic data or track disease patterns. You'd work in research labs or hospitals.
Legal tech researcher - Law firms need people who can research historical legal cases and understand technology, especially for patent law or tech-related cases.
Honestly, for college, I'd just major in computer science and take history classes you care about, or flip it. Having actual skills in both areas matters more than finding the perfect interdisciplinary program name.
Updated
Luis’s Answer
If you enjoy STEM, you might consider a career in computer science. There's a wide range of opportunities, and you can find jobs that also match your interest in the humanities.
Updated
Hani’s Answer
You have many exciting choices, like becoming a Software Engineer or a Data Center Engineer. STEM offers you a world of possibilities. What do you love doing the most?
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Software’s Answer
Consider pursuing a dual degree in both computer science and statistics, and perhaps a master's degree in statistics as well. Statistical methods are being developed, then implemented using computer science techniques, to perform analysis on and reconstruction of historical manuscripts. One method developed is called the Coherence-Based Genealogical Method. This blends STEM and the humanities. Finding this kind of work will be exceptionally limited, but it's out there. A useful way to find which college to apply to is to look at what the professors there (in the humanities, statistics, or computers science department) are currently researching. Check if any of the research blends your areas of interest. You can even use that investigation to influence the admissions essays you write!
Separately, you might find the most fulfilling path to be a computer science career with healthy work-life balance, whereby you can spend your free time investigating whatever you like in the humanities.
Separately, you might find the most fulfilling path to be a computer science career with healthy work-life balance, whereby you can spend your free time investigating whatever you like in the humanities.
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Jennifer’s Answer
Explore how AI can help you combine these skills into a career that you will enjoy.
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Wong’s Answer
Hello Indigo. It's great that you're interested in both STEM and the humanities. Many people think they have to choose one or the other, but there are actually a lot of careers that combine both.
If you like science and history, you might enjoy jobs that tell stories about science or help people understand it. For example, you could become a science writer or science journalist, explaining new discoveries in simple ways.
Since you're also interested in computer programming, there are careers that mix technology with people and culture. The digital humanities is one example, it uses coding and data tools to study history, literature, and art.
Another exciting path is human-computer interaction (HCI), where people study how humans use technology and design systems that make tech more user-friendly.
You're right that an interdisciplinary major could be a great fit, but you could also double major or minor across fields. You can look for programs that encourage combining computing, science, and the humanities. Hope this helps.
If you like science and history, you might enjoy jobs that tell stories about science or help people understand it. For example, you could become a science writer or science journalist, explaining new discoveries in simple ways.
Since you're also interested in computer programming, there are careers that mix technology with people and culture. The digital humanities is one example, it uses coding and data tools to study history, literature, and art.
Another exciting path is human-computer interaction (HCI), where people study how humans use technology and design systems that make tech more user-friendly.
You're right that an interdisciplinary major could be a great fit, but you could also double major or minor across fields. You can look for programs that encourage combining computing, science, and the humanities. Hope this helps.