STEM is far from being the only career option, and it’s time to stop pretending like it is
If there’s one thing that people tend to agree on, it’s that the future is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). However, could this idea negatively influence people that STEM is the only future they can pursue?
As humanity continues to advance through the digital age, it’s no surprise that technology and the sciences continue to advance alongside us. While schools across the globe are continuing to implement new digital programs and devices into curriculums, many jobs have switched to being fully remote or automated.
In light of this technological boom, many careers in the STEM field have seen increasing demand. A report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that STEM-based occupations are projected to see a 10.8 percent increase by 2032, with non-STEM careers seeing a mere 2.3 percent increase in the same time period. The United States isn’t the only nation experiencing this trend either. In India, for example, research has shown a 44 percent increase in STEM-related job postings from 2016 to 2019.
To sweeten the deal, these growing career opportunities also come with quite a hefty salary. A report from the National Science Foundation in 2020 revealed that those in the STEM field on average held salaries nearly 20,000 dollars higher than those in non-STEM jobs. This difference is even higher for certain races, with Asian STEM workers making close to 50,000 dollars more than their non-STEM counterparts. With such a significantly larger salary, it’s not surprising that many people are pushed to enter the STEM field, even at the expense of abandoning their dreams of working in the humanities or arts.
There has been growing demand worldwide for the younger generations to pursue STEM careers. Organizations like CODE.org have successfully introduced millions of students of all grades to computer science. Advanced Placement (AP) Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science consistently remain CollegeBoard’s most popular classes despite having such low pass rates. While these pushes for STEM learning are pivotal in helping kids discover potential careers in the field, this heavy societal focus on STEM places overwhelming pressure on many young students to pursue it despite lacking personal interest.
The growing demand for STEM careers paired with the rising cost of living and economic uncertainty has also contributed to the pressure. Instead of choosing careers based on genuine interest, many people feel the need to obtain STEM degrees due to society labeling them as being “useful” or “high-earning” (especially in comparison to the arts). Many students feel this pressure the strongest from their parents. In fact, studies show that only four percent of students who aren’t encouraged by their parents to go to college plan to major in STEM, compared to the 41 percent of students whose parents encourage them that plan to pursue STEM. It’s clear that many kids feel influenced to pursue STEM, both in and out of the house.
This pressure has been recently exacerbated by the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI). While AI has opened career opportunities in the technology and engineering fields, careers in the arts have been negatively impacted. High school students have reported feeling discouraged from pursuing art, knowing that AI art could eradicate career opportunities while art education remains costly. As such, the opening of careers in STEM has posed a threat to other fields, leading more and more individuals to turn to STEM.
Overall, despite the promising future of the STEM fields, it's imperative to acknowledge the pressure it has placed on students to pursue it. To alleviate this pressure, we as one society should all aim to appreciate and uplift other fields as well.
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