STEM PROGRAMS & CAREERS

A U.S. University PerspectivePresented by:

James L. Goonan, Director

International and Graduate Admissions

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Barbara L. Heissenbuttel, Director

International Admissions

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Joan Liu, College Counselor

ACS Cobham International School

What is STEM?

STEM stands for a cluster of careers in the fields of:

Science Technology Engineering Math

What Do We REALLY Mean by STEM?

Any field or career that: Creates, Discovers or Applies

New Knowledge to Make Life Better for All!

In Other Words...

STEM careers : Search for new information, methods, and

ways to do and understand things better Work to effectively and efficiently solve the

world’s problems Require you to innovate, create, & discover Require you to ask why and how about

things that need to be built, invented and designed

We want you to explore STEM careers… because the World needs YOU and you may not

have been getting the message!

STEM Careers Are:

Cutting Edge Profitable Beneficial In Demand

People Attracted to STEM Are Usually:

Investigative people interested in:

Knowing Finding out Analyzing Thinking Exploring

People Who Like STEM Are Often:

Realistic people interested in work that demands:

Physical activities Hands-on tasks Practical solutions Tool-oriented problem

solving

STEM Fields Appeal to People Who Are:

Interested in creating & being “outside the box” (Artistic)

Interested in organizing, processing, & record-keeping (Conventional)

Interested in helping society and individuals (Social)

Interested in leading, persuading and selling (Enterprising)

How Do You Benefit From STEM Today?

Everyday outcomes of STEM:

Cell phones, smart phones or MP3 players - computer engineering, high tech manufacturing

Video games - computer engineering: hardware, and software

Animated movies - computer engineering: hardware, and software

Cars - mechanical engineering, high tech manufacturing, mining engineering, petroleum engineering

Digital photography - computer software and hardware engineering

Plastic - petroleum engineering

Some Places You Might Be Surprised to Find STEM

Health Care - Prevention, treatment, and management of illness by creating biomedical devices, and defining and developing chemical and biological processes

Construction and Mining - GIS computer programmed heavy machinery

Libraries - Computer information systems embodied

Manufacturing - Computed numerically controlled (CNC) machinery, Mechanical engineering

Social Sciences - Long distance psychotherapy via live video conferencing

What’s in It for You?

Earn good pay Earn respect Learn new things

everyday Create new technologies Be valuable to society

STEM graduates are in high demand! Total STEM jobs are projected to grow from 6.8 million to 8 million by

2018

Predictions indicate there will be 2.4 million total job openings by 2018

In the U.S. the annual supply of bachelor’s degrees awarded in STEM fields dropped 25% between 1985 and 2009 (24% vs. 18%)

According to IIE’s Open Doors Report, 41% of international students are studying STEM fields in the U.S.

International students can remain in the U.S. for Optional Practical Training for up to an additional 17 months after completing their degree!

Georgetown U. Center on Education and the Workforce and Institute for Higher Education’s Publication, Open Doors Report

Georgetown U. Center on Education and the Workforce

Examples of STEM Disciplines Biological/Life Sciences – Biochemistry, Bioinformatics,

Biomechanics, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Mathematical Biology, Pre-professional programs…

Chemistry – Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Chemistry…

Computer Science – Animation & Game Design, Computer Programming, Database Administration, Digital Forensics, Electronic Commerce, Software Engineering, Telecommunications and Networking…

Engineering – Aerospace, Automotive, Civil, Construction, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical, Nanotechnology, Petroleum, Robotics, Systems…

Information Technology – Data Communications, Multimedia Technologies, Network Security…

Math – Actuarial Science, Applied, Biostatistics, Cost Estimator, Economist, Financial Engineering, Market Research Analyst…

Physics – Astrophysics, Nuclear Physics, Quantum Physics…

The Top 8 STEM Careers (2010 through 2020)

Biomedical Engineers Medical Scientists Software Developers/Systems Software Biochemists and Biophysicists Database Administrators Network and Computer Systems Administrators Software Developers/Applications Actuaries

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration

Some Average Salaries Engineers: Biomedical, Electrical, Industrial,

Mechanical… depending on the specific field: $52K to $83K

Computer/Software Engineers: $60 to $85K Chemists: $66K Medical Scientists: $73K Geoscientist: $79K Environmental Scientist: $60K Biochemist/Biophysicist: $83K

These numbers were taken from the U.S. Occupational Outlook Handbook

High School Preparation

MATH AND SCIENCE COURSES ARE KEY!

TAKE AS MANY AS YOU CAN

In the US system, we expect to see 4 years of math and 3 years of lab-science. AP courses provide advanced standing.

In IB schools, SL math and physics are acceptable, but HL will lead to advanced standing.

Support and commitment lead to success

Take advantage of tutoring programs and study groups to enhance your learning.

Seek out a faculty mentor.

Join STEM clubs; go on field trips related to STEM subjects; enroll in science competitions.

Sign up for STEM summer camps or programs offered at universities throughout the U.S.

U.S. UniversityDegree Programs & Admission Criteria