STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM majors are degree programs that fall under these four broad categories. STEM disciplines span many academic departments, meaning there are a wide range of available majors for students. Some examples of STEM majors include:
- Science: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geoscience, Astronomy, etc.
- Technology: Computer Science, Web Development, Computer Programming, Information Science, etc.
- Engineering: Computer Software Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, etc.
- Mathematics: Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, etc.
STEM majors offer many opportunities to enter a career in one of the hard sciences or advance your current position. Occupations in STEM fields are projected to grow by 8 percent by 2029, compared with 3.7 percent for all occupations. STEM majors appeal to people with diverse interests and backgrounds, even if they don’t intend to enter a highly technical field. STEM courses often include experiential learning opportunities, labs, and projects, allowing students to explore, reflect, and apply their problem-solving skills to real-world projects. Earning a STEM degree doesn’t only boost your earnings potential and position you for success in a technical field; it offers you transferable skills that are attractive to hiring managers across all sectors.