Career questions tagged stem
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Popular careers within these fields include aerospace engineer, animal scientists, financial manager, computer support specialist, and a lot more. Please read below to find other opportunities. Read more Show less
What are some good engineering majors to pick in college?
I'm currently in high school right now, but I'm curious about what the more popular and hands on/high paying engineering ways to pick for my major in college.
What is a quality control engineer ?
Tell me what it is
As an aspiring PhD student, what fields combine cancer research with genetics, genomics, evolution, and outdoor field research?
I am interested in pursuing a PhD and conducting cancer research. However, I would like to combine my passions for genetics, genomics, evolution into my approach for cancer research. I also want to conduct research that involves field research (taking samples from natural systems and wildlife) to study the evolution of cancer. I would also like to compare the genomes of highly resistant organisms to identify novel compounds or genetic mechanisms that can be used to develop cancer therapeutics. Given all of these interests, what fields do I apply to?
What makes the most money?
What career paths and/or majors make the most money(STEM related)? I'm a high school student who wants ideas for what to do in the future.
“What subjects should I become strong in before studying neuroscience”?
I am a high school student interested in neuroscience, AI, and biomedical engineering, but I am still exploring which direction fits me best. I want to build useful skills before university and understand what professionals in these fields actually do. What subjects, skills, projects, experiences, and habits would you recommend me
I like both Biology and Maths, but I don't want PCMB burnout. then what subjects should I choose in 11th?
I'm a Class 10 CBSE student deciding between subject combinations for Class 11–12, and I'm torn between two paths. I'm genuinely interested in biology and enjoy understanding how living systems work, and I'm also naturally strong in Mathematics and find it engaging. However, I'm concerned about taking both—most students who choose PCMB report feeling overwhelmed by the pressure, and I want to avoid that suffocation. I'm interested in engineering, but I'm unsure whether I should go with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths), PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), or push through with PCMB. Which combination actually supports engineering careers? And what engineering fields can I explore with each option—especially if I take PCB instead of PCM?
OB/GYN Biostatistics Focused Research?
I recently got admitted into the 13th Cohort for the Cal-Bridge Undergraduate Program and was assigned homework by my mentors: compile a list of UC faculty with research experience and/or interest in biostatistics to contact for research in Summer 2027. I am trying to create the best strategy to develop that list. What I know right now is that I want to focus my research on women's health-related issues. However, I do not know what specific diseases or topics I want to delve into. The current idea I am working with is looking for undergraduate professors from UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UCLA, and UC San Diego who have biostatistics experience with an interest in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN). I chose these schools specifically as they are the only UC campuses to offer qualified biostatistics graduate programs. I am looking for genuine feedback on this strategy and any advice that people may have. Please be constructive with any criticisms and limit AI-generated answers.
How to choose a major properly? Is there a way be sure it is the one?
I'm a senior high school student. I love biology, and math (other science subjects are intersting for me but not fascinating like the ones above). Right now I`m thinking between medicine and biomedical engineering. Anatomy out of all biology topics interests me the most. But I`m also a fan of Math and I think there is not much of it when beeing a doctor. On the other hand, BME is much more unclear for me and not that defined. I`ve read the descriptions and different field they work in, but I`m still not sure if it`s that promising for the future, while being a doctor is clearly shown everywhere to be a great job, with great output. I`d like to know how the insides work in BME, and if there is a way to know if i`ll be interested in it. Would be greatful for any feedback from people working in these fields.
When would be an ideal time to do independent research as a pre-med student?
I'm a undergrad in the pre-med track, and I'm want to go into the research field. When do students usually start independent research? I know you can join labs and contribute to on-going research by cold-emailing professors, but I'm not really familiar with the independent research process as a credited class. Any advice would be helpful!
What did you do to discern what career to pursue?
I’m a high school senior, and I’m currently undecided on what major to pursue in college. I’ve always loved playing guitar and singing, but I’m unsure if this will be a secure career for me if I’d also like to attend college. So I’ve looked to engineering, even though the most engineering I’ve done was during middle school. I’ve looked into sound engineering and also I’ve gotten curious about biomedical engineering, because I think it’d be cool to program robots or design new tech in the medical field. I just want to have a stable career after college, so I want to make sure I choose a major that I’ll love but will also grant me financial security.
Between NUS and IIT which college and major are right for me?
I am a high school graduate who is currently deliberating between nus (national University of Singapore), bachelor in Biomedical Engineering and iit (Indian institute of technology), bachelor in medical science and engineering. I understand both are premier institutions and thus have trouble choosing. I'd like to know which has greater scope in the future, is there a necessity to pursue postgraduate in either, and which curriculum out of the two covers skills that employers are looking for. For reference I've attached a summary of both courses' curriculum below: IITM Medical Sciences and technology: • Foundational Sciences: Human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. • Engineering Tools: Signals and systems, fluid mechanics, biomaterials, and biomechanics. • Data & Tech: Artificial intelligence, machine learning, medical imaging, and healthcare data analytics. • Clinical Training: Mandatory hospital internships and hands-on clinical rotations. • Capstoning: Multi-disciplinary medical device design and drug discovery projects NUS Biomedical engineering: • An engineering foundation with specialized medical science and data literacy. • A common design and engineering core covering Python, machine learning, and mathematics • Transitions into major-specific courses like quantitative physiology, biomechanics, signal processing, and medical imaging. • A capstone design project and industry internship • Unrestricted electives for specialized tracks like tissue engineering or robotics. My own interests lie in the integration of biology and engineering, and their application in the real world, whether in industry on in research. So both courses are interesting to me personally. However i'm not sure how they fare in global job market. Thank you for your time.
What extracurriculars would be best and how to start?
Hi, I'm in 9th grade. I'm interested in smart hardware and intelligent automation—building physical systems that use software to interact with the real world. So, I have a few options.... I already do private vocal lessons and karate. I want to develop skills that enable me to participate in clubs such as science fair or doing independent robotics projects at home. I'm also looking out for coding projects, math and science written exams. I want to decide on 3-5 clubs to continue for a long time so I have a clear trajectory and story around my extracurriculars. Thoughts on which ones might be good and how to start?
If I do research with a professor how can I use this purpose to make a greater impact ?
I am doing research in stem and I want to make an impact with the knowledge I learn, what are some ideas I can lean on to, which will reach a greater audience specifically? any advice and guidance will be appreciated!
Is 50% of a standard work week sufficient for a part-time PhD?
I'm starting out on a part-time employer-sponsored PhD after spending a few years in industry. My employer has given me 50% of my usual work-week time - ie about 19 hours a week (flexibly scheduled to suit me, not a strict pattern)- to work on the PhD research work, with the expectation that the PhD is spread over double the full-time number of years. I know PhDs have a reputation for long hours - although I don't know to what extent this reflects the workload coming in fits-and-starts vs a steady workload; how much is down to poor student time management leading things to be packed in last-minute, and how much this reflects the workload *actually* being higher. Averaged over a year, how many hours a week is typically actually needed for a PhD? Is my work allocation enough, or do I necessarily need to put in outside-of-work hours to ensure I complete in time? If so, roughly by how much should I expect to need to put in?
What other strengths or experiences might I need to become a medical lab scientist?
I want a career that has something to do with health, science, and research . what other strengths would I need to become a medical laboratory technician
7th grade Career TIPS
Does anyone have anything recommended that helped them a lot that I should do or join for my passion, neurosurgery? Anything else that can impress the Medical admission officers? I'm planning to graduate College at the ends of Highschool with a Bachelor's Degree of neuroscience by doing College Credits in 7th grade. I'm in 7th grade as of right now. I also recently took a test called the NNAT3, and scored a 143, planning to join MENSA. Thank you! #medical doctor #doctor #neuroscience #neurologist #neurosurgeon #neurosurgery #biomedical #medical-education #accounting #finance #nurse #registered-nurse #nursing-education #pediatric-nursing #nursing #nurse-practitioner #surgeon #oral-surgery #neurosurgery #general-surgery #teacher #teacher-training #highschoolsenior #highschool-advice #middleschool #middleschoolstudent #giftedandtalented
Which degrees would you recommend for someone who's interested in Chemistry and the Beauty / Luxury Goods Industry (Cosmetics/Pharmaceuticals/Textiles...) ?
I'm applying for Chemical Engineering in uni - I’m choosing this path because I love chemistry and I want a degree that leads to a high earning career, specifically in the beauty and cosmetics industry (like L'Oréal, Estée Lauder, etc.). However, I've been told by current students that the math and physics are really hard, and I'm scared that I will drop out since I'm not the best at these subjects. Also, they claim that there isn't much chem in the degree anyway. I'm mainly choosing ChemE for the salary (as opposed to a regular chem degree), and for it being a 'general' engineering degree which allows for branching out into varying industries. I would like to work in a fun, sensory, and creative environment, collaborating with marketing and design teams, rather than sitting behind a computer doing stressful heavy simulation or structural modeling... Yet I feel like that's incompatible with the salaries I want. So which degree or studies would you recommend for me? Thanks!
Advice for a mature student part-time PhD?
Having previously finished my studies at Masters level and after spending a number of years in industry in operational technical roles, I've started doing more research work and found myself underqualified for research positions, having not originally completed a PhD. I'm fortunate that my employer has been able to support a part-time PhD to rectify this - however, as someone coming back into University as a part-time mature student, what change of mindset from my current industrial work approach do I need to be successful in a PhD and in research work?
How should I spend my summers in high school? Productive or fun?
Hello! Thank you so much to anyone who answers my question(s)! Interested and open to anything. Is there still time to travel or is it better to stay and prepare for upcoming year?
What career should I pursue, I am from biology background and confused?
Hey, I am a 3rd year student at IISER Bhopal. I am very much confused about what career should I pursue. After coming to the institute I got to know that I am not interested in research. In school I used to get good marks in everything so never thought of any subject as my fav one. Currently I am not interested in any kind of activities. I feel demotivated often. Sometimes it feels like that maybe I should join Indian foreign services but feels like I am behind and I don't want my parents to know about it and after my post graduation I need some kind of job or work. Then I think of being a business woman (joining iim) but then I don't know if I will like that career because since my school days I was never interested in it. My college grades are very bad. My dreams or things that I want to get fulfilled: 1) Time for my family and myself; 2) I want to build a university of my own; 3) I want to travel in foreign countries; 4) A good and stable income; 5) Social work
How do I do harmless chemistry expiriments at home?
I like to learn more about chemistry and i want to make some at home so just materials and guid lines in how to do them at home.
What is it really like to study and work in engineering?
I am a high school student and am doing an interview for a project that’s supposed to help me with my future pathway. I want to be an engineer and need someone with that expertise to answer a couple of simple questions. - What’s the most life-giving part of your career (or college/major)? - What is something you wish you would’ve done (or not done) in working toward your career (or college/major)? - What is something you wish someone would’ve told you about your career (or college/major) that you didn’t anticipate? - Does your career (or college/major) relate to math (or require certain math courses) in any way? Thank you! I am going to use the interview for the project and I would be very grateful for any answers *Note: Edited by Admin for clarity
How rewarding is it to know you are directly helping or contributing to something that can benefit many people?
Specifically for those in STEM areas. This fall, I will be attending the University of Washington - Seattle, intending to major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. I am interested in conducting research in a lab or potentially studying medicine. I would like to know what it feels like to have a direct impact on people's lives, whether you are working in a hospital or a lab.
What careers can I pursue with an Environmental Science degree??
I am interested in field work and don't shy away from research. I am only just starting out at a university this fall, but want to set my sights on future employment.
What are some good study habits or study methods that you would recommend to a first-time university student? #Spring26
I'm potentially transferring to a STEM university and my major would be business analytics. Some study methods I currently use are flashcards and rewriting notes. #Spring26
#spring26 Will I make a good impact on the world?
I love sports but got injured my freshman year. I want to help other athletes never experience injuries. I am also ranked #1 in my class currently.
What jobs can you go into with a biomed engineering degree, and what courses would you usually take?
I'm a high school senior, and I'm planning to major in biomedical engineering in college this fall and I've heard that there's lots of different ways you could go with the major. I also wanted to ask what are some of the core/main/important courses you would take with biomed as your major. I know, of course, there'll be many science (chem, bio, physics) courses, but is it heavily physics-focused? I'm kind of struggling in physics so I'm wondering if I should switch to biochem or something instead of engineering.
How difficult is it to become an astrophysicists, and is it worth it?
On average, how much schooling is required for this profession? If one were to graduate with a bachelor’s in physics, is there a specific degree for astronomy to pursue when going to grad school? Is the field in demand nowadays? While I have a passion for the field and that’s the reason why I plan on pursuing it, I also understand that i’ll likely go into some debt. Does an astrophysicist job pay well enough to get said debt paid off somewhat quickly?
What is advice you would give someone entering their first year of college in engineering ?
I am pursuing a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering and was curious on what someone would recommend to be successful. What are some good resources, or general tips that you wish you received when you were a student?