Every Job is a STEAM Job: Why Your Child Will Use Tech in Their Future Career
From an early age, kids are asked what they want to be when they grow up. Parents gift toy stethoscopes in hopes that they’re raising a future doctor or sign their kids up for singing lessons to foster a lifelong love of music.
While some childhood career choices are more realistic than others (not many children grow up to become pirates and princesses), almost all of them will be related in some way to science, technology, engineering, the arts, or math.
Keep reading to learn why even actors and journalists will need STEAM skills to succeed in the future.
The Growth Rate of STEAM Jobs
According to the Georgetown Public Policy Institute, STEAM is one of the fastest growing fields in America. By 2020, the number of STEAM jobs is expected to have grown 26 percent since 2010. This is second only to healthcare professionals, who are expected to see a 31 percent increase in jobs by 2020. These aren’t low-skill or entry level positions either, as 95 percent of STEAM job postings by 2020 will require candidates to have a postsecondary education. This is dramatically higher than the national average, where 65 percent of job postings in 2020 will require candidates to have a postsecondary education. Not only are STEAM jobs in demand, but they’re also profitable. Lydia Dishman at Fast Company reports that programming jobs tend to pay up to $22,000 more than openings that don’t require coding skills — and nearly half pay more than $58,000 annually. These skills are also easier to come by. “Acquiring such knowledge used to land squarely in the environs of higher education,” Dishman writes. “While tech’s current most in demand job of data scientist usually requires an advanced degree in math and physics, programmers don’t need a computer science degree to succeed.” Early development programming skills and postsecondary certifications are making it easier for people to build their programming skillsets without getting a master’s degree. However, this begs the question: What job positions are all of these STEAM employees filling? Is there really that much demand for web developers and software engineers?Every Job is a STEAM Job
Vince Bertram, CEO of Project Lead The Way, cites a 2014 Census Bureau report that 74 percent of graduates from STEAM programs find employment outside their field. His belief is that instead of treating STEAM graduates as future STEAM workers, we should simply treat them as future employees in the overall workforce. As many as 26 million jobs in the United States require some form of STEAM knowledge — representing 20 percent of all U.S. jobs. In other words, STEAM refers to skills, not industries. “We’re living in transformational times, and if your job description isn’t already changing, it probably will in the near future,” Daniel Burrus writes at the Huffington Post. “Even many traditional roles are becoming harder to fill because of a lack of up-to-date skills.” Every job is becoming a STEAM job as traditionally non-tech fields adopt science and technology to improve their operations.10 Traditionally Non-Technical Fields Embracing STEAM
You can find STEAM professionals in almost every field, from corporate developers to multimedia artists. This is what makes STEAM so exciting: These skills can help you do just about anything! “[STEAM professionals] are working to find solutions for global warming, cancer, third world hunger, disappearing habitats, and an interdependent world economy,” the team at Science Pioneers writes. “Yesterday’s stereotype of the geek in a lab coat is not representative of today’s STEM teams, where economists work with researchers on technical transfer and engineers build the state-of-the-art equipment for businesses working with cutting-edge technologies.” Here are 10 unconventional fields that are thriving with the help of technology and STEAM professionals who are making companies more successful.Fashion and Cosmetics
When most people think about the fashion industry, the last thing that comes to mind is the “geek in a lab coat” that the Science Pioneers mentioned. In an article for STEM Jobs, Dorothy Crouch highlights the needs for such skills in the beauty industry. A few examples include:- Chemists who develop new creams, colors, and products
- Researchers who analyze industry trends and test product effectiveness
- Engineers who design packaging and manage the logistics of shipping
- IT specialists who develop the company’s infrastructure
Restaurant Operations
Restaurants can be one of the most volatile entrepreneurial options. Ebbs and flows in food trends mean restaurants have to follow the whims of the people. One year cupcakes are in, and the next year everyone is ordering macarons or eclairs. Without understanding customer trends, restaurant owners could go out of business. According to Smallbiz Technology, big data gives restaurants the insight they need to improve their odds for success. Marketing analysis gives owners insight into what campaigns are the most effective while restaurant trackers can help them predict what foods will be the most popular or what times of the day more wait staff will be needed. Data and analytics work together to bring in more customers and increase the chances of creating a positive experience that makes them return.Environmental Preservation
While environmentalism seems to check the science box of STEAM, math and technology are used more often to protect our planet. For example. Bobbi Peterson explains how math is used to develop better renewable energy sources, while technology makes it easier for environmentalists to monitor the emissions output of companies. In fact, artificial intelligence sensors can gather data on chemical outputs and immediately alert companies when their emissions are exceeding federal regulations.Public Policy
Students are offering their STEAM knowledge to lawmakers to creatively solve problems within their communities. Last fall, for example, government officials in Columbus, Ohio challenged high school students at the Metro Institute of Technology to a hackathon to handle to the nation’s opioid crisis. Students respondied by developing theoretical products that could lock medication away until the precise day a doctor says it should be taken. Then, the students came up with unique marketing strategies to raise awareness about opioid abuse among young people. These solutions can have life-saving implications and could inspire students to enter politics to help their communities.Air Travel
Engineers are constantly needed to improve the logistics of flight plans and the development of airplane technology. However, STEAM experts have also been called by the TSA to use biometrics as a way to improve airport security while moving travelers through the gates more quickly. “With border control and safety issues increasing, facial, fingerprint, and iris-recognition are all currently being trialled as ways to improve the experience at airport security around the world,” the team at the World Travel & Tourism Council writes. “In the U.K., over 100 e-passport gates are in use across 18 terminals.” Like the opioid example, these processes save lives. Today’s investment in STEAM could provide a creative tech solution to stop terror attacks in the future.Hospitality
Brigitta Carter provides a list of ways hotels embrace technology and incorporate STEAM into traditional hospitality roles:- Data analysis makes it easier to track customer preferences and make suggestions closer to their needs.
- Keyless entry and digital check-in makes it easier for travelers to access their rooms.
- Investments in energy-saving technology lower operating costs and decrease the hotel’s global impact.