8 great STEM careers you can pursue with a science degree
The possibilities for STEM careers are almost limitless, with new opportunities arising as technologies evolve, and there are many you can get started on right away
For many people, pursuing education is about earning a better life with new opportunities. This is the same reason many people look to careers in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) for their next stage in life.
Jobs in STEM fields are growing in Alberta and can offer solid earning potential even for newer grads, according to alis, an Alberta government website that provides career, learning, and employment information.
“There are so many rewarding career paths students can pursue with a science degree,” said Dr. Ken Munyikwa, associate dean of student experience in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Athabasca University. “Most of our alumni report finding satisfying, meaningful, and lucrative work in diverse technical fields.”
There is a wide array of options when considering a potential work path. Anyone considering this choice should add these titles to their shortlist of possible goals.
1. IT manager
This is consistently one of the best career paths for people interested in technology. IT manager roles can offer good pay and excellent job security.
The world is increasingly digital, and most types of companies and industries need qualified IT managers to keep their operations running smoothly.
Recommended programs
Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems
Master of Science in Information Systems
Graduate Certificate in Information Technology Management
2. Cyber forensic investigator
This is an emerging occupation, arising in response to consumer needs and technological advancements, that requires a keen understanding of computing and information systems.
A cyber forensic investigator retrieves and makes sense of the information contained on computer systems, storage devices, and in electronic documents and files. This includes working on devices that may have been erased, damaged, compromised, or corrupted by unauthorized access or malicious software.
Recommended program
3. Statistician
Do you have a head for numbers? Consider pursuing a career as a statistician! In this career, you plan, organize, analyze, and interpret studies to provide usable information for a wide range of activities.
For example, you might be involved in agricultural or health research, evaluating government programs, assessing environmental problems, improving manufacturing or business process, or forecasting future economic conditions.
Recommended program
“There are so many rewarding career paths students can pursue with a science degree. Most of our alumni report finding satisfying, meaningful, and lucrative work in diverse technical fields.”
– Dr. Ken Munyikwa, associate dean of student experience, Faculty of Science and Technology
4. Actuary
Like the role of a statistician, and requiring a similar educational background, an actuary helps organizations or individuals manage and monitor risks—including using statistics to evaluate the likelihood of future events.
An actuary designs creative ways to assess the potential for undesirable events, and their impact if they occur. They may evaluate uncertainties related to life or property, and may assess risk in the context of insurance, annuities, social security, worker’s compensation, pension, or other employee benefits.
Recommended program
5. Data science
Data scientists explore large amounts of data to identify patterns and relationships between variables. They use these patterns to make predictions. For example, they might look at a group of people who share certain traits and predict what they will do in the future based on what they have done in the past.
Recommended programs
Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems
Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics
Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics
6. Biologist
Biologists conduct research to learn about living organisms and natural or cultivate ecosystems to manage natural resources. They develop new practices and products in diverse areas, including environmental conservation, medicine, pharmacology, forestry, agriculture, forensics, plant breeding, and pest control.
Recommended program
7. Ecologist
Similarly based in biological and human sciences, ecologists study the interactions between living things and their environment. They do this to understand how natural and human-caused changes in the environment influence the behaviour and abundance of species.
They also study how interactions between ecosystems, species, and their environment influence the natural world, and may interpret and monitor ecosystems for science, policy, and land management.
Recommended program
8. Architect
Architects are professionals trained in building design and play a key role in developing the built environment. Typically, architects develop concepts and designs for structures like homes, office buildings, and public facilities.
AU’s pre-professional programs can provide a background in this field and ultimately lead to certification through the RAIC Syllabus Diploma in Architecture.
Recommended programs
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Graduate Diploma in Architecture
