The positive impact of careers in STEM fields

Choosing your career is an important step. While it’s possible to switch paths, your graduate job can shape your career for years to come. So, when deciding what route to take, you’ve got to consider your skill set, your ambitions and what kind of work will suit you. Plus, if you’re motivated by making a difference, you need to think about the impact your job will have on others. And that’s where this guide comes in.

In this article, we’ll explore the ways STEM careers change lives. Whether you’ve studied a STEM degree or are considering a move towards the sector, there are options open to you. We’ll cover the positive impact of various STEM professions in different areas:

• Science
  • Medical research
  • Environmental science
• Technology
  • Artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Medical technology
• Engineering
  • Civil engineering
  • Environmental engineering
• Maths
  • Meteorology
  • Statistics

Looking for a fulfilling job? Look no further.

There are many careers in science, with fascinating areas to specialise in. In a science job, you research and study your subject and can even address global challenges.

Here are two areas where you’ll make a positive difference:

Medical researchers dedicate their lives to understanding people’s health challenges and work tirelessly to discover breakthroughs to improve (and save) lives. Medical research includes developing vaccines and eradicating diseases.

Environmental scientists aim to understand and mitigate the impact of climate change. By researching sustainable practices, environmental scientists hope to create a better world, positively affecting the lives of future generations.

Technology is at the forefront of innovation, exploration and progress in our digitally driven world. By working in tech, you support the transformation of industries to create positive change.

Here are some of the areas where you’ll make a difference:

AI goes beyond writing a prompt to see what you’d look like as a rubber duck. It’s not all about novelties. For example, AI innovators are teaching models to spot illnesses through X-rays, MRIs and other scans. Using AI speeds up the process of finding illnesses, meaning more people receive support quicker.

Another worthwhile case is using AI to learn, catalogue and teach endangered languages. By doing this, languages (a vital part of cultures) will be saved from extinction.

AI is a growing industry, with more roles being introduced each year. As a relatively new field, there are still lots of question marks about ethics in AI. That means bright new minds looking to make a positive impact will be important in the space.

Software developers work on healthcare applications that improve patient care and streamline medical processes. Technological advancements improve efficiency and impact people’s wellbeing.

Engineering is an expansive discipline with specialisms spanning areas of infrastructure and technology. An engineering career will let you make a difference, with opportunities in these sub-sectors:

Civil engineers affect our day-to-day lives. They’re responsible for the design of infrastructures we use, such as roads, railways and sewage systems. We need civil engineers to design and improve infrastructures to keep society functioning. That’s a big responsibility!

By specialising in environmental engineering, you’ll look for alternative sustainable energy sources and explore how to use existing sources effectively. The aim is to work out how to minimise the impact fuel types have at every stage – including at disposal. Many of these themes expand into nuclear and energy engineering.

Jobs in maths are important. Here are two areas to consider if you want to have a positive impact:

There are lots of jobs in meteorology beyond presenting the weather on TV. Most meteorologists won’t work on telly at all. Instead, most will study short- and long-term trends in weather systems and the climate behind the scenes. Meteorologists have a big impact, especially when it comes to severe weather. They detect extreme weather systems and warn impacted people to adjust plans – or even evacuate.

Statisticians mathematically analyse datasets and make conclusions from that data. They work in all kinds of areas. If you want to effect change, look for roles that let you analyse data related to topics like the climate and vaccinations.

When deciding on the STEM career you’d like, think about the areas that suit your needs, ambitions and expectations. Plus, consider the impact your career will have. Remember, your work has the potential to shape lives, solve global challenges and contribute to a brighter future for all. If that excites you, then you’ll be well-suited to a career in a STEM field.

Our list covers just some of the STEM professions where workers make a positive change. Use our career path test to find other roles suited to your skill set.