What Does STEM Stand For?

As technology use increases globally, the demand for workers in STEM fields grows alongside it. Below, you can explore what STEM is, the career options in each area, and how you can get started cultivating job-ready skills to enter into an exciting career in this space.

What is STEM?

STEM is an acronym that represents the four disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, defined as follows:

• Science: Science is the systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation. As a scientist, you build hypotheses and experiments to explain and predict natural phenomena. Scientific disciplines include biology, chemistry, physical science, and environmental science. You can also pursue many subdivisions of these broad categories, such as microbiology, zoology, and organic chemistry, among others.

• Technology: Technology typically refers to the practical application of scientific knowledge. This includes areas such as information technology, software development, and data science, to name a few. Technological innovation is usually centered around trying to improve the quality of life of a certain population or experimenting with new ideas.

• Engineering: Engineering refers to designing, building, implementing, and maintaining systems and structures based on scientific principles. It includes many disciplines, including biomedical engineering, civil engineering, petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, and more. Many of these disciplines collaborate to innovate new solutions to existing real-world problems. 

• Mathematics: Mathematics studies numbers, patterns, and shapes to make sense of the world around us. This lays the foundation for many other STEM disciplines and provides tools to create models and analyses when designing new tools or systems. A career in math could involve using theoretical mathematics in an academic or research setting or using applied mathematics to solve practical problems in business, manufacturing, government, life sciences, and other industries.

Many people consider STEM careers critical driving forces in modern innovation. Cultivating skills in each of the four areas may be useful for gaining a broad understanding of scientific inquiry and learning.

STEM vs. STEAM: What’s the difference?

While STEM stands for the above fields, STEAM includes an “A” for “arts.” This “A” represents the importance of arts and creative expression in the STEM fields and begins to bridge the gap between creative arts and science and technology-related fields. In STEAM programs, the focus is typically on more holistic approaches to problem-solving and innovation, utilizing human skills like collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

Why is STEM important?

STEM fields drive innovation, economic growth, and global progress. STEM education is designed to help you learn how to think critically, analyze findings, collaborate across disciplines, and solve complex problems.  STEM professionals grow in demand as we continue to discover new ways to perform daily tasks and design societal systems. Many STEM careers are projected to grow rapidly over the next decade.

The STEM workforce in a country is also important in terms of global competitiveness. STEM workers help drive innovation within our society and push economic development forward. This fuels integrating new products in our workflow, streamlines basic processes, increases our ability to communicate and collaborate across disciplines, and improves the general quality of life. 

Popular STEM majors and careers

You can choose from a wide range of majors and careers in the STEM field. Exploring different university programs, online courses, and informational videos can help you get a feel for the different areas you could pursue. 

Science

Science careers often involve research, data analysis, hypothesis testing, and study design. As a scientist, you may work in settings such as a laboratory, university, government agency, or private corporation. Scientists often look for gaps in existing knowledge and test hypotheses to fill these gaps. 

Job examples: 

• Biochemist

• Psychologist

• Geologist

• Physicist

• Environmental scientist

• Epidemiologist

Common entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, physics, or related field. Certain careers may require advanced degrees with specialization in the intended area.

Technology

Technology careers are typically centered around designing, innovating, and improving technologies. As a technological professional, you might work to develop new software to solve an existing problem, streamline or improve certain processes, improve business productivity, or reduce inequities across different populations. 

Job examples: 

• Software developer

• Data analyst

• Web developer

• Technical support specialist

• Computer programmer

• Cybersecurity specialist

Common entry-level education: Educational requirements vary widely. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field is required for many positions, but you can sometimes substitute an associate’s degree or relevant experience. Certain careers may require advanced degrees with specialization in the intended area.

Engineering

Engineering careers involve designing, building, and maintaining structures, machines, systems, and technologies. As an engineer, you can work in many industries, from developing new prosthetic devices to designing road systems for a new city plan. As an engineer, you will also play a large role in ensuring new productions are safe, efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. 

Job examples: 

• Biomedical engineer

• Electrical engineer

• Chemical engineer

• Aerospace engineer

• Software engineer

• Nuclear engineer

Common entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field. Certain careers may require advanced degrees with specialization in the intended area or professional licensure.

Mathematics

Mathematics is fundamental to many STEM careers. As a mathematics professional, you would use mathematical principles and computational models to make predictions, solve problems, and model new innovations. Many sectors, including finance, business, and education, rely on mathematicians to ensure the underlying principles of new innovations are sustainable and sound.

Job examples: 

• Statistician

• Actuary

• Financial analyst

• Data scientist

• Biostatistician 

Common entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, or related field. Certain careers may require advanced degrees with specialization in the intended area.

How to tell if a STEM career is right for you

To determine whether a STEM career is right for you, consider your areas of interest and educational path of interest. While STEM careers often offer high personal and professional benefits, these careers can require more extensive training and a faster pace than other areas. 

To succeed in a STEM field, it will likely be helpful to be comfortable with basic math and science principles, be curious about your area of interest, and enjoy the problem-solving process. The pros and cons of the position will vary from person to person, but general pros and cons include the following.

Pros of entering a STEM career

Several advantages of STEM careers make it an attractive career for many. Pros of entering a STEM career may include the following:

• High professional demand

• Competitive salaries and benefits

• Diverse opportunities

• Ability to make a real-world impact

• Fulfilling career opportunities

Cons of entering a STEM career

Understanding the disadvantages of a career in STEM can help you make an educated decision about your career path. While the cons for certain people may not be the same for you, some common cons may include:

• Extensive education and training

• Potential for costly mistakes

• Reliance on science and mathematical principles

• Demanding project schedules

Because STEM includes such a diverse array of positions and fields, the pros and cons for each position will vary widely. If a particular area interests you, it may be helpful to reach out to a professional in the field or a career counselor to ask questions, get advice, and decide whether it might be the right fit for you.

Getting started with Coursera

Pursuing a STEM education can open doors to many rewarding careers with high demand and earning potential. You will also be able to contribute to modern innovations that improve the world around us.

To begin building job-ready skills, consider starting with introductory courses and Specializations such as Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios, Information Technology (IT) and Cloud Fundamentals Specialization, or Introduction to Mathematical Thinking offered by top universities on Coursera.