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The 8 best STEM jobs you’ve never heard of
People tend to think of STEM workers as serious guys in white lab coats, doing complicated experiments in labs without any creativity involved. And sure, there are some lab coats involved in some roles, but STEM jobs are so much more than that.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and maths. Jobs in the field range anywhere from video game tester to architectural engineer. STEM professionals are problem-solvers, dreaming up clever answers to important issues – and they’ve got creativity skills to boot.
Here we’ll round up 8 of our fave STEM jobs you’ve probably never heard of.
1. Commercial diver
Commercial diving work usually involves manual labor, but your work site is underwater. As a diver, your work could involve underwater welding, video inspections and photography, pipeline repairs and bolting.
You'll need to be able to work as a team, a professional attitude, good awareness of safety and reliability. A sense of adventure helps too!
'STEM pros are problem-solvers, dreaming up clever answers to important issues. Here are 8 roles you've never heard of'
Learn more about how to become a commercial diver.
2. Forensic scientist
A forensic scientist examines different material connected to crimes. That could be
blood, hair, clothing fibres, glass fragments, and tyre marks. They analyse samples of body fluid in the lab, and use different techniques to analyse evidence – these include DNA profiling (a way of using skin cells, blood, saliva or hair roots to find out whose DNA it is).
Sound cool? You’ll need a curious mind, communication skills and a methodical approach.
Check out these forensic science jobs.
3. Meteorologist
You might have heard of a meteorologist, but do you know what they actually do? These are the folks who observe and analyse weather conditions. Then they forecast and report the weather. It’s a common misconception that they’re the weather presenters we see on TV.
Obviously the public needs weather forecasts. But various industries also need meteorological forecasts, including the armed forces, farming, the media, and health services.
Read about life as a meteorologist.
4. Science lab technician
Science lab technicians provide support to the lab’s scientific team, making sure everything in the lab runs smoothly. Science lab technicians help scientists carry out investigations, measuring, recording and analysing different scientific data. They work in biology, chemistry, physics and the life sciences.
Find out how you can become a science lab technician without going to university.
5. Biomedical scientist
A biomedical scientist does different scientific tests to help diagnose and treat
in the human body
diseases. Great biomedical scientists have solid attention to detail, a curious attitude and leadership skills for heading up a research team.
Check out these biomedical science jobs.
6. Fingerprint officer
The cool-sounding job of fingerprint officer involves checking and comparing fingerprints that have been taken from crime scenes. They compare the prints with those of crime suspects, working with other professionals in the police.
Fingerprint officers are patient and organised, with a logical approach to solving problems.
Find out more about jobs to do with science and police careers.
7. Shipyard engineer
Working for a shipyard involves carrying out repairs, refits and conversions on boats and ships, as well as building new vessels from scratch. Working for a shipyard involves carrying out repairs, refits and conversions on boats and ships, as well as building new vessels from scratch.
Hear what life as shipyard engineer is really like.
8. Game programmer
Programmers write, test and fix the code that runs video games. They’ll usually have a degree in a subject like maths, physics or computer science, and some experience of coding in C+ or C++ or another programming language.
At school or college it makes sense to study maths, physics, computer science.
Read what it’s like to be a game developer, and check out these other games jobs.
Image credits
Main image via Freepik, crime scene via Wikimedia Commons,
