Science, Technology, Engineering, Math: Why it's Cool to Take More STEM Classes

By NEXT Staff on Monday, September 16, 2013

Looking for an exciting and in-demand career choice? Statistics show that an education in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) can be the answer for students looking for big salaries and stable employment. Not only did STEM jobs grow three times as fast as non-STEM jobs in the past 10 years, but STEM workers earned 26 percent more than those working in other areas. Not to mention the U.S. Department of Labor projects that by 2018 there will be more than 2.7 million job openings in STEM fields. But don’t take our word for it — check out some fast-growing STEM industries, their salaries and how you can get into them.

Math & Science Majors Are Really Cool!
These degrees from Arkansas colleges open doors to exciting careers like these:

Biomedical Engineering

Where to go: University of Arkansas, Harding University (Bachelor’s degree)

Cool job you could get: Medical product designer

What you could get paid: $91,200

Outlook: Expected to grow 62 percent by 2020

Environmental Science

Where to go: Hendrix College, University of Central Arkansas, University of the Ozarks (Bachelor’s degree)

Cool job you could get: Environmental protection assistant

What you could get paid: $80,040

Outlook: Expected to grow 19 percent by 2020

Computer Science

Where to go: University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas – Little Rock, Arkansas Tech University, University of Arkansas – Monticello, Arkansas State University, University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff, Southern Arkansas University, University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, Hendrix College, Henderson State University, Harding University, Philander Smith College, Ouachita Baptist College (Bachelor’s degree)

Cool job you could get: Database administrator or software developer

What you could get paid: $79,120 for database administrators; $90,470 for software developers

Outlook: For database administrators, jobs are expected to grow 31 percent by 2020; for software developers, 30 percent

Mathematics

Where to go: Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, Hendrix College, Henderson State University, Harding University, John Brown University, Philander Smith College, South Arkansas University, University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, University of Arkansas – Little Rock, University of Arkansas – Monticello, University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff, University of Central Arkansas, University of the Ozarks (Bachelor’s degree)

Cool job you could get: Actuary

What you could get paid: $106,680

Outlook: Expected to grow 27 percent by 2020

Source: 2012 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics