Many workers in the technology space have become weary and uncertain with their positions due to the current state of work in the industry. According to Layoffs.fyi, since 2022, over 300 tech companies have conducted layoffs which have affected nearly 97,000 workers. Amid these massive layoffs and reductions in staff, many job seekers are looking to different industries for their next career move.
The tech industry is not the only space for these aspiring professionals, as there are many other industries that can meet their needs and provide a satisfying career. Read below to learn more about these growing opportunities.
Finance & Accounting
Finance and accounting roles often require gathering, analyzing and reporting numbers and data, which is where tech professionals come into play for this industry.
One of the most sought-out positions for accounting and finance companies to fill are data analysts. Some of the responsibilities of this role include gathering information on mutual funds, stocks, bonds and more. It is estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that there is going to be a career outlook increase of 23% from now until 2030.
Another tech job that is in high demand in the account & finance space is cybersecurity roles. Having evolving technology at our fingertips is great, but it can also cause wide-spread security concerns, especially in this sector, with the large amounts of confidential information that is dealt with daily. The estimate of outlook for cybersecurity is 35% by 2030, which is a much greater job outlook compared to most jobs.
Also, with most of the work for data analysts and cybersecurity professionals being done on a computer, many companies are offering fully remote roles all over the U.S.
To learn more about securing a data analyst role, check out this blog here.
Here are some other tech jobs that job seekers can find in the finance and accounting industry:
Consider these tech jobs in finance and accounting to accelerate your career and professional development.
Manufacturing
When thinking of the manufacturing field, many could think of manual jobs that require a lot of physical work. Even though there are many “blue collar” jobs in manufacturing, there are also thousands of tech jobs in this industry.
Manufacturing is one of the biggest assets to the world economy. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the manufacturing industry contributed $2.3 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2021, which accounted for 12% of total U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).
To be able to build and pour these manufactured products, they first need to be designed. To be designed, there needs to be software which is where tech professionals come in. Many manufacturing companies use systems like SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD, Siemens and more to design their products and tools. With all these different types of software, tech professionals are needed to ensure these systems are properly working.
Here are some tech jobs that job seekers can find in the manufacturing industry:
These types of careers can help candidates gain knowledge, professional development and a new perspective, for a sometimes-misunderstood industry.
Healthcare
While the needs for tech software and companies often vary with the economy, healthcare is always needed no matter what economic state is present. Typically, doctors, nurses and caregivers support patients directly, but tech workers are needed behind the scenes to ensure that necessary programs and systems are running properly to ensure the proper healthcare of others.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that IT professional careers will grow over 11% between now and 2028, which is significantly higher than most occupations. The only problem with that statistic is that there is a shortage of healthcare IT professionals. This shortage is to the point where over one third of hospitals report having vacancies and looking to fill these critical roles. Due to this shortage, technology professionals can expect there to be numerous job postings available.
Being an IT professional is not the only tech career available in healthcare. Here are some tech jobs that job seekers can find in this industry:
Having a career in healthcare can be fulfilling for tech workers with these high sought-out positions.
Government
With the sweeping tech layoffs, many government sectors are targeting these affected workers and many others in the tech industry. According to GoGovernment.com, there are over 79,000 IT professionals in the government sector alone. With increasing technology, there are plans to add thousands more jobs to support government programs and protect national security.
These types of jobs are not only for national government. To be considered a government employee, a professional could be working for local, state or federal government. Being a government employee can also provide great benefits. Some of the perks that are offered to government employees include:
These benefits can be provided for not only just the employee, but also can be provided to significant others and children.
Here are some more jobs that tech professionals can get in the government sector:
A career in the government is not only fulfilling but can provide great benefits and experience for any tech professional.
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Tech companies are not the only destination for tech professionals. These industries and many others are hiring more than ever for this type of work.
Looking for your next great STEM career? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board designed specifically for STEM professionals.
Entering your last semester of college is exciting, but can also be nerve-wracking with the pressure of finding a job after graduation. If you are feeling these uneasy thoughts, you are not alone. According to a recent study, 24% of college students report feeling stressed with the idea of landing a job after graduation.
With the right tips and practices, job seeking in your last semester can be less stressful. Read below for some best practices of job searching when you are in your last semester of college.
Prepare Your Resume
The first thing you should do when starting your job search is to create or revise your resume. Your resume gives hiring managers a high-level overview of your experiences and abilities to see if you match the type of job they are hiring for. Without a resume, most hiring managers will not consider your application and move on to the next candidate.
Make sure your resume includes these sections:
Also, consider having a peer or professor to read over your resume before you submit it to job applications. This can be useful to make sure there is correct grammar, accurate/relevant information, ideal formatting and more.
Having a clean and standout resume can give you the extra edge when it comes to job searching while still in college. Check out our blog, Anatomy of a Resume to learn more about making the most of each section.
Use University Resources
While universities are a great place to learn new things and study for your future career, they also have career services departments that specialize in helping college students prepare and find their first job out of college. These departments employ full-time staff whose role is to provide opportunities and resources to guide you to career success following graduation.
Here are some of the services career centers offer:
While these services are extremely helpful in job searching, there is only a fraction of college students utilizing these services. Gallup found that only 20% of college students utilize their school’s career center for job searching advice or services.
Most colleges also host a variety of different career fairs throughout the semester to allow students to have the opportunity to meet with potential companies and hiring managers. These career fairs can be general or specific to a type of major or field of study.
Consider utilizing one of these services from your university’s career center to give yourself an extra step ahead of others that are not taking advantage of these perks.
Start Searching Early
When job searching, it is typically better to start earlier than later. If you start searching too late into your last semester, you can find yourself at graduation without a position lined up.
After you revise your resume and figure out the type of role you would like, start searching on online job boards and network with others in your desired field. Searching early will give you a better understanding of the types of companies that are hiring for your desired role, an idea of your field’s salary outlook and if there is chance you may have to relocate for work.
The exact time to start finding a position can depend on the industry or role you are looking for. For example, if you are looking for a job in accounting, you could potentially receive a job offer a whole year before you even graduate due to the nature of the industry. But for a more creative role, like marketing or communications, employers will likely consider graduates who will be able to start in a month or two from the job posting date due to an immediate demand in these services.
It is a best practice to start looking at job openings during your second-to-last semester of college to research potential career paths. Then, start applying to relevant jobs at the beginning of your last semester. In addition to job searching, consider reaching out to professionals in your network that you may have met at professional events or previous internships. These individuals may have connections that can help you find different opportunities than what you are search for online.
Apply to Multiple Postings
While there are many job openings for soon-to-be graduates, it is important to apply to more than one job opening to cast a wide net. Many of the job openings you apply for may have hundreds of different candidates who are your competition. Beyond that, your chances of getting an interview for the position may be low even if you match every qualification in the job posting. For example, Zippia found that it takes around 21 to 80 different job applications to get a single job offer due to the many applications that a business can receive. With this in mind, only applying to a handful of jobs may not be the best decision when job searching in your final year of college.Also, it is important to keep your mind open to different types of roles. For example, if you are a mechanical engineering major, look at roles for mechanical engineers, civil engineers and construction engineers due to the overlaps of these types of industries.
Landing your dream job directly after college can be difficult. Consider each opportunity as a stepping stone to obtaining your dream job later. Simply getting experience in a field of work can be extremely valuable to growing your career. Just like many other things, dream jobs can take time to achieve.
Expect Rejection
When applying for jobs, rejection is almost inevitable. Being fresh out of college gives you a lot of advantages, but also can bring you disadvantages, like lack of experience. Many times, when you apply for a job, you may be competing with professionals who already have had a couple of years of work under their belt.
With so much competition in the job market, you may be faced with rejected applications or not being moved into the next round of an interview process. This should not be taken personally since almost every professional has gone through this at some point in their career. When you get a rejection, reflect on the reasons you didn’t move forward, and move onto the next opportunity.
The job market is also always changing. When the economy is facing more hardship, an increase in rejected jobs could follow. While the state of the market can be overwhelming and anxiety inducing, there is still a positive outlook for college graduates. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, hiring for the class of 2022 college graduates was up 31.6% from previous years.
While finding a job before graduation may be preferable, all hope should not be lost if you graduate without a job offer in-hand. Being patient in the hiring process is essential to keeping your stress low and can also be key to finding the best job after graduation.
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Looking for an entry-level STEM job? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board made specifically for STEM professionals.
Chemistry is an essential part of many innovative and future-focused businesses and is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing career fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is estimated that jobs for chemists will grow 6% over the next 10 years, which totals about 90,600 jobs.
With the right skills and tools, you can land a job as a chemist in no time. Read below to learn more about how to expand your skills and nail your next chemist interview.
Pursue Career Development Opportunities
Whether you are at the beginning of your career or are many years into it, career development is an important method of improving your skills. Career development involves sharpening skills, learning new things and meeting others in your shared industry.
Some ways to increase your career development include:
If you are a college student, consider looking into extracurricular groups or clubs that involve chemistry that would be ideal to put on a resume. Some of these groups could include honor societies, clubs or even studying groups. Being an active and engaged member of groups such as these will not only improve your skillsets, but could also lead you to helpful networking that could benefit you in future when job searching.
Being exposed to these types of professional development methods can also give you the opportunity to talk to other peers in your field which can lead you to dream job positions.
Evaluate Your Soft Skills
When thinking about becoming a chemist, you can assume that you are required to have a deep understanding of chemistry. While that is true, there are many other skills that applicants can have that will enable them to be successful in the chemistry field.
Skills that are not technical are considered soft skills. Soft skills are the common skills that help you interact and work with others. These can include interpersonal and communication skills.
Some of the soft skills, suggested by Scholarship Guidance, to be a successful chemist include:
A great way to show these skills during an interview is bringing them up in natural conversation with situations that demonstrate how you utilized that skill. For example, if the hiring manager is asking about a project you have worked on, you can mention that you utilized time management skills to make the project successful. Also consider including a small list of them on your resume so that the hiring manager can see them before they even interview you.
Consider analyzing the areas in which you excel and noting any opportunities for further development. Develop your soft skills by enrolling in courses, taking on new projects or asking for feedback from trusted colleagues.
Practice Interview Questions
After researching and applying for jobs, you will hopefully enter the interviewing stages for a new job as a chemist. Interviews can be nerve-racking and stressful for some. In fact, JDP found that 93% of job candidates report being nervous before a job interview.
A great way to combat this nervousness and uncertainty is to practice interview questions before the actual interview.
Here are some examples of questions you could be asked at an interview for a chemist:
Consider practicing these questions with a trusted colleague to ease your nerves and enable yourself to answer with no hesitation.
When you are answering the interviewer’s questions, try to tailor your answers to the type of industry that you are applying for. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the industry with the highest amount of chemists is the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry which means there may be a high probability of interviewing with that type of company. If you are asked, “why did pursue chemistry?”, try to weave in your passion for medicine and how it will fulfill you as a chemist. This will show the hiring manager you have a passion for their industry and are very interested in the position.
While it is good to practice interview questions, keep in mind that there may be other parts to your upcoming chemist interview with things such as a technical assessments, background screenings, personality tests and more.
Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviewing for a job not only lets an employer get to know you, but it is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the company and their values. Utilizing this time effectively can give you greater insights into the organization and show the interviewer that you are prepared and interested in the role.
Here are some questions to consider asking your interviewer:
Asking these types of questions can give you a better idea of the work dynamic, how others collaborate with each other daily and what the general company culture is.
Remember that you are also interviewing the company to see if they are a good fit for you and your career trajectory. If you ask these questions and your interviewer gives very general answers or tries to avoid the question altogether, this could be red flag. Consider taking a closer look into the company itself and its culture using websites like Glassdoor or directly reach out to current employees to see if it is a good fit for you.
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Landing a job as chemist does not have to be hard. With these tips, you can find yourself landing a chemistry job in no time.
Looking for your next job in chemistry? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board made specifically for STEM professionals.
Many professionals around the world are looking to improve their career development, whether it is for moving into leadership roles, becoming more attractive on their resume, or simply improving their work skills. For example, Lorman reported that 61% of adults in the U.S. are currently seeking career development opportunities when looking at job postings.
A great way to advance in your professional development is to receive a professional certification in a certain skill or field of work. Certifications are not just present in STEM fields, but are also seen in almost every other industry of the professional world.
Even though it is not required, many employers often help or completely cover the cost of certification exams to help improve the professional development of their employees. According to Robert Half, nearly 94% of companies cover all or some of the cost of professional certifications for their employees. This is a great perk that employees should take advantage of if their company offers it.
Gaining certifications will not only make you more qualified for more roles, but it can also lead to an increase in pay, change in position and can show your current employer that you are dedicated to advancing your career. According to Dice, a STEM professional who receives a professional certification will earn $12,000 a year compared to their counterparts who do not receive a certification.
Read below to read about the most in-demand professional certifications by employers in the STEM industry.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification (CSSC) is a certificate for professionals that have at least three years of work experience that would like to demonstrate their knowledge of the process of Six Sigma which involves statistics and data to reduce errors in workloads.
The Six Sigma certifications do not end at just the “Green Belt”. Professionals are able to expand their knowledge and earn more ‘belts’ that can represent their career development and expertise in this space. Just like karate, the highest level a professional can earn is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
One of the careers that Six Sigma certifications is most in-demand for is project management. This field encompasses a large range of industries which includes healthcare, IT, finance, manufacturing and more. According to Invesis Learning, nearly 52% of job postings for project managers in 2022 require a CSSC. Without a certification in Six Sigma, a job seeker could find themselves outnumbered by more attractive candidates and risk being unsuccessful in a job search.
The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification program is estimated to take between two to seven weeks to complete and the Black Belt certification program takes around one to three months to complete. Many universities around the U.S. offer classes and study sessions for professionals to obtain these certifications.
Project management is not the only profession that utilizes and prefers a CSSC. Other roles include data scientists, computer engineers, process engineers and more due to the nature of their work.
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert
Another in-demand certification in STEM is the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification. This certification involves a series of technical assessments for networking individuals. This certification program allows information technology professionals to demonstrate their skills of designing, building, implementing, troubleshooting and maintaining high-level networks.
Cisco offers a wide range of specifications for this certification to best fit the career path or industry that a professional may be in. Some of the specific certificate tracks include security, enterprise infrastructure, data centers and more. Cisco also offers four levels of certifications to allow professionals to continue their development and further their knowledge in this space.
According to a survey from Indeed, 82% of participants said the CCIE certification helped their career progression and 92% answered that the certification helped them find a better job in their preferred industry.
It is estimated that these types of certifications take around three to six months of studying for successful completion.
The roles that would benefit most from this type of certification would be information technology professionals, computer scientists, network technicians and more.
AWS Certifications
Many computer scientists around the world are completing certification programs through Amazon Web Services (AWS). According to Amazon, more than 400,000 professionals hold an active AWS certification. certification.
AWS certifications heavily focus on cloud computing where companies can design, deploy and manage applications in a cloud setting instead of a physical hard drive or computer. This allows for more work being able to be done across multiple locations without the worry of data being lost through malfunctions of physical equipment.
Like other certification programs, AWS offers a wide range of paths of certifications that professionals can achieve and earn depending on their career level and specialty. Some of these certificates include DevOps engineering, data analytics, machine learning and many more.
It is estimated that a single AWS certification takes 80-120 hours of studying while working a full-time job which equates to about three months before the exam is taken.
Some roles that you can benefit from having an AWS certification are solution architects, cloud account managers, cloud developers, SysOps administrators and many others.
OSHA Lab Safety Certification
A certificate that not only improves your professional development, but also keeps you safe in the laboratory is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Lab Safety Certification. This certification program teaches laboratory professionals how to keep themselves and others safe while working with potentially toxic and harmful elements at work.
Working in a lab setting can be potentially life threatening if you are not aware of the proper regulations and actions to take while working. Nature, a scientific publication, featured a study regarding lab safety issues and the results were astounding. According to the study, only 40% of lab personnel were wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times at work. It also found that 25-38% of lab personnel have been involved in a type of accident or injury that was not reported to their direct manager.
Having this certification not only keeps yourself and others safe, but also allows employers to have a sense of ease for safety when they have an employee that is properly educated in lab safety. An employer is also more likely to hire a job candidate that is aware of safety problems compared to a candidate that is not familiar due to liability and financial reasons.
Consider this certification if you work in biology, chemistry, pharmaceuticals or any other field that works in a laboratory setting to ensure that you do not accidentally hurt yourself or others at work.
Principles and Practice of Engineering
Engineering is a broad term since there are so many different specializations that someone can go into, but there is one certificate that can be obtained by any engineer. The Principles and Practices of Engineering (PE) is a certificate that can be earned after a professional has demonstrated knowledge of engineering and has also completed experience in the professional world of engineering.
According to the National Society of Professional Engineers, this is the exact timeline for someone that wants to complete a PE certification:
Earning a PE can be lengthy process, but it can be very worthwhile in the end. Having a PE could lead to more leadership positions, more complex projects and a possible increase in salary. According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, engineering professionals with a PE can earn up to 13% more in salary compared to an engineer that does not have that certification.
Having a PE also gives you the ability to be able to official sign and seal documents with a PE symbol. Even though this could mean more liability for your work, it can be very fulfilling and can show employers that you are a trusted employee which could lead to more promotions.
If you are considering a path where you would like to teach engineering classes at a public university, you may be required to have a PE. Some of the states that require a PE for university level teaching are Arkansas, Kentucky and Missouri.
A PE is not required by all engineers, but it can be an official certificate that helps you stand-out in the job market and can help you obtain your dream job in engineering with its value and demonstration of skills.
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Obtaining professional certifications is a great way to improve your skills, demonstrate your talents and keep you safe and secure in the workplace.
Looking for a new job in STEM? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board specifically designed for STEM professionals and their needs.
When putting together your resume, it is easy to get overwhelmed by making sure that all your technical skills, education and previous work experience are listed properly. Many job seekers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, which traditionally require technical hard skills, often overlook the soft skills section of their resume.
Soft skills are the personal characteristics that help you interact and effectively work with other people. Soft skills can include traits such as being an effective communicator, possessing self-confidence, being analytically minded and more.
While it is important to portray your strong education and excellent technical skills, you may not be able to effectively execute them in the workplace if you do not have a powerful range of soft skills. According to the Stanford Research Center and Harvard University, 85% of job success comes from soft skills alone, while only 15% of work success comes from technical skills.
Consider developing these game-changing soft skills below to improve your resume and help you stand out from the crowd.
Teamwork
One of the most valuable soft skills that a job seeker can have is a strong sense of teamwork. No matter what role or position you work, at some point you will be required to participate in a group setting with your coworkers. Forbes has recently reported that more than 50% of workers in the U.S. rely on collaboration to get their job done.
To develop your teamwork skills, consider embracing yourself more into group work or offer your services to lead projects and help others. Volunteer for team-based activities and push yourself out of your comfort zone to develop your collaboration skills. As a technical professional, evolving these skills will make you a more well-rounded employee and will enable long-term success as you grow in your career.
Organization
Keeping an organized mental, digital and physical space is important when working in STEM industries. Without organization, projects and work can be forgotten about, often directly impacting your work performance.
For example, you may be looking for a job in the IT field. When working in IT, you are likely going to be asked to handle different projects, work with several customers at a time, figure out different solutions and more. Having so many tasks to keep track of requires a strong sense of organization. If you are unable to complete these jobs in an organized and timely manner, this can directly affect the way that your manager views your work ethic and can hinder overall performance.
If you are looking for ways to improve your organization, consider these tips:
Adding these small tasks into your workday, can make a big difference in keeping you organized throughout your workday.
Time Management
Development Academy has recently reported that only 18% or workers have a proper time management routine which means that an astounding 82% of workers function without one. With such a high number of workers not having a proper time management routine, hiring managers are looking for job seekers that hold this very valuable and sometimes rare soft skill.
As an example, working in a lab requires a lot of time management skills. In a role such as a scientist, you may be required to oversee multiple experiments, help others with their projects, report your findings and many other tasks. Juggling all of these responsibilities can be overwhelming, but establishing effective time management skills can help you manage a large amount of tasks.
To develop your time management skills, consider making a list of all your projects, prioritize the ones are the most time sensitive and create a daily plan of how much time you are going to dedicate to each project. Additionally, consider utilizing a planner or keeping your calendar up to date. Block off time in your day to work on projects in advance to prevent your day from getting bogged down by meetings. These practices can lead to a more effective day and improve your time management skills.
Attention to Detail
Crossing items off and getting your work done is important, but making sure that your work is accurate and complete can be even more important. Having attention to detail is a crucial soft skill that many employers look for in STEM roles.
Attention to detail is especially important to those working in industries that require specific technical skills, such as the computer science field. With this type of work, you will be dealing with long lines of code and complex problems. When working on projects such as these, it is easy to make a small mistake. Without a good attention to detail, it may take time to figure out a small problem in a line of code. This can put the rest of your work on the backburner and could possibly cause significant delays for both you and your team.
Here are some effective ways to improve your ability to pay attention to details in your work:
These practices are easy to implement into your daily routine and can significantly improve your work quality when you take attention to detail very seriously.
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Consider adding your top soft skills to your resume to let potential employers know that you are a top-tier candidate for their job opening.
Looking for your next STEM career? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board specifically designed for STEM professionals.
The software development field is growing rapidly, and many people are interested in starting a career in this line of work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 163,000 software developer jobs will open yearly over the next decade.
Like most jobs, when interviewing for a career in software, you will be required to go through an interview process but there are some key differences that make software developer interviews stand apart from traditional job interviews.
This often lengthy process is overwhelming and stressful for some, but if you practice enough, you can be on your way to landing a job as a software developer. Here are some tips for how to prepare for your upcoming software developer interview.
Make a Good First Impression
When interviewing for a job, you want to start off by making a great first impression with the interviewer. When you make a positive first impression, you are more likely to get farther into the interview process and have a better chance of getting the job.
One way you can make a great impression is to be authentic and friendly. You do not have to be over enthusiastic and loud, just be sure that you have a positive demeanor and are fully engaged in the conversation you are having. For example, Seed Scientific found that 65% of candidates that do not make eye contact during the interview process, do not get the job they are interviewing for.
Another way to make a great impression is to be a good listener. Make sure that you are listening to everything thoroughly and be attentive to what the interviewer is saying. If it appears that you are spacing out, or not fully listening to the interviewer, this can be seen as a red flag and you could have a chance of no longer being considered for the job.
Practice Interview Questions
Without a doubt, you are going to be asked different types of questions during the interview process. These questions can include the interviewer inquiring about your professional background, career experience, skills and more.
It is always better to go into an interview overprepared than being underprepared. Consider how you’d answer common interview questions. Below are some examples of questions that you could be asked.
While there is no way of knowing the specific questions that you will be asked in an interview, you can prepare with practice questions that will be likely asked. Consider ways you can incorporate your experience and accomplishments into your answers to show the interviewer that you are capable and a good fit for their role.
Ask Thoughtful Questions
A job interview is not only for the interviewer to get to know you, but also for you to understand the company more and decide if the role is right for you. Typically, you can expect the interviewer to leave time at the end of the interview for questions. This is your time to show that you came prepared and get clarification on any questions you have.
It is a good idea to prepare questions ahead of time, so you can learn more about the company and see if you would be a good fit. Some questions you could ask include:
Consider asking questions such as these to gain a better understanding of the company and position responsibilities.
Looking for more example questions? Check out this article with more questions that you could ask your interviewer.
Expect a Technical Assessment of Your Skills
Software development is a career that is built around using different tools and programs to create products and services, so it is only natural that an employer would want to test you on your expertise in these areas when interviewing for a position.
Some of the skills that you could be tested on include:
When being tested, it can be expected that you may be nervous. Do not feel like you must get a perfect score on your assessment to be able to get the job. Often, employers are looking at different aspects of the assessment to analyze your problem solving and critical thinking skills. If you are intimidated by these assessments, there are many online resources that offer example problems and situations that you could be given in a technical assessment, like this guide from Dev Community.
If you show an understanding of the tools and languages that are required for the job, it will be clear that you are a qualified candidate and will increase your probability of being extended an offer.
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Although these interviews can be lengthy and challenging, by following these tips, you can easily land your next software development job in no time.
Are you looking for your next Software Developer job? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board made specifically for STEM professionals.
STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math. These industries are often grouped together for their technical and analytical focus, and generally require specialized skillsets or technical abilities. Because of this, jobs in STEM frequently require advanced education or specific certifications that are necessary to perform job duties. Due to the specialized knowledge and experience required, these positions often pay higher than non-STEM positions.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median annual wage for STEM occupations in 2021 was $95,420 versus $40,120 for non-STEM occupations. These roles also have a positive job outlook, with the BLS predicting that STEM positions will see a 10.8 percent increase in employment change from 2021-2031.
So, what roles fall under the STEM umbrella and does your occupation fit? Read below for more information on this topic.
Due to the fact that the term “STEM” encompasses broad areas of focus, it can be difficult to identify what specific roles fall under this category. Many jobs require some technical or analytical capabilities, so it can be a grey area whether they fall under STEM. For example, Accountants utilize mathematical principals, prepare data reports and analyze results, but this discipline typically falls under the business department of colleges and universities. With this ambiguity, you may be wondering how government and research organizations categorize STEM jobs versus non-STEM jobs.
The BLS defines STEM on their website, “to consist of 100 occupations, including computer and mathematical, architecture and engineering, and life and physical science occupations, as well as managerial and postsecondary teaching occupations related to these functional areas and sales occupations requiring scientific or technical knowledge at the postsecondary level.” A list of the specific occupations included in this definition can be downloaded here.
If your job title doesn’t fall within this list, it may still qualify as STEM by other sources. For example, the Occupational Information Network, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, has a list of 287 job titles that they identify as STEM occupations. On this list, you will find overlap with the BLS list linked above. However, you will also find that there are titles included on this list that are not included on the BLS list, such as, Psychiatrists, Video Game Designers and Penetration Testers. With this differing list, it’s safe to say that there is not one exact agreed-upon list of what job titles qualify as being STEM.
On STEMHUNTER, a job board built for STEM professionals, you can search and apply to jobs in science, technology, engineering and math fields. These jobs are at various organizations and can range in industry and experience level. Not sure if your career qualifies as STEM? STEMHUNTER’s search functionality allows you to search using specific criteria to find the best-fit job for your career. Once you’ve identified a job that you are interested in, STEMHUNTER makes it easy to ask questions before you apply. There is an option to ask questions to the job poster anonymously, so you can get answers about requirements, job duties, salary information and more. Once you are ready to apply, you can easily apply on STEMHUNTER and keep track of your application status.
What is the best way to see if there are jobs in your field on STEMHUNTER? Start searching today! Create a profile and be notified when a job matches your skills and experience.
Due to the great technological growth that we see every day, STEM jobs are some of the most in-demand jobs in the market considering that many industries are reliant on new age technology like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and more.
As technology becomes more sophisticated, new job opportunities will arise for those with advanced technical skills. For example, Pew Research reported that since 1990, STEM employment has increased 79%.
Wondering what are the most popular jobs in STEM right now? Here is a list of the 10 most in-demand STEM jobs of 2022.
IS Analyst
As an Information Systems (IS) Analyst, you can expect to be working with different types of technologies and leading new age projects. IS Analysts also research large amounts of technology and data to develop new processes and improve workflows.
In this line of work, you can find yourself in many different sectors of an organization. Some examples of direct sectors that IS analysts can work in include healthcare, IT, financial services and many others.
The national average salary for an IS analyst in the United States is $70,407 per year.
Data Scientist
Similar to IS Analysts, Data Scientists collect large amounts of data and analyze it. What makes them different from an IS Analyst is the amount of data they collect and what they do with it. Data Scientists collect massive amounts of data and try to present findings that help their organization make important business decisions This can include looking for patterns, developing visual data graphs, creating new algorithms and more.
This line of work has become increasingly popular recently, as many companies are looking to add these positions to their teams to improve functions and to keep up with changes in their industries.
The national average salary for a data scientist in the United States is $100,560 per year.
Software Developer
Software Developers play a crucial part to many businesses due to their role designing new software and programs that can improve functions and ensure that current systems work properly.
Another reason for the high demand of Software Developers, is due to the wide variety of industries that someone in this field can work in. Some of these industries include healthcare, social media and finance. With technology improving every day, most industries are looking for ways to develop new technology and tools and having strong software developers can help them stand out from competitors.
The national average salary for a Software Developer in the United States is $85,020 per year.
Web Developer
Software Developers make the systems that computers run on, while Web Developers make the actual websites using that software. Web Developers not only focus on developing websites, but also are responsible for the technical aspects of the website, performance and capability, loading speed and more. Web Developers can even create content for sites such as adding animations, color, typography themes, videos and more.
Having a dedicated team developing an online presence can be essential for most businesses. Due to this need, the web development field is growing every day.
The national average salary for a Web Developer in the United States is $77,200 per year.
IT Manager
IT Managers act as the leaders of technological efforts at companies by overseeing network security measures, directing online operations, guiding the directions for technological efforts for the company and more.
IT Managers typically have bachelor’s degrees in information science, computer science or other relevant fields. These types of degrees give them an opportunity to have a strong background in all things technology so they can work in a variety of fields.
Having such an important role at companies, IT Managers are highly sought out from companies in nearly every industry.
The national average salary for an IT manager in the United States is $151,150 per year.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers are trained to design and work with major transportation projects which is always needed for both major and minor cities. These projects include highways, roads, buildings, sewer systems and more.
With the variety of projects and industries, the demand for civil engineers is high. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, civil engineering jobs are expected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030 with an average of 25,000 openings per year.
The national average salary for a Civil Engineer in the United States is $88,570 per year.
Mechanical Engineer
Like Civil Engineers, Mechanical Engineers are responsible for designing a wide array of different projects. Mechanical Engineers focus on power-producing machines which include engines, generators, HVAC units and more.
The outlook for Mechanical Engineers is growing every year. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor reports that there are nearly 17,900 yearly openings for mechanical engineering jobs. This high number is because of the variety of industries a Mechanical Engineer can work in. These industries include research and development, manufacturing, construction and more.
The national average salary for a Mechanical Engineer in the United States is $90,160 per year.
Chemist
Chemists play an important role in making new medicines and developing new products on a chemical level. Many societal advances would not be possible without Chemists, so there is typically a high demand for them. Chemists can work in a number of industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, manufacturing and more.
There is a common misconception that chemists must have a higher education than a bachelor’s degree to obtain a job, but there are many Chemist positions that do not require a master’s degree or a PhD.
The national average salary for a Chemist in the United States is $76,094 per year.
Biologist
Biologists lead the way for advancement in medical research and learning more about the natural world around us. They have a wide array of tasks like collecting samples, conducting research, performing tests and reporting their findings to help advance the study of life.
Biologists are not just limited to studying general life. Many Biologists work in conservation efforts, laboratory environments, forensics and more. Biologists are always in demand due to the variety of fields that they can work in.
The national average salary for a Biologist in the United States is $82,549 per year.
Physicists
The daily workload of a Physicist includes exploring properties and laws of science, studying theory, performing experiments and more. Many Physicists are employed through NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, colleges and laboratories.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the employment of Physicists is expected to grow 8% between the years of 2021 to 2031 with an average of 2,100 openings per year.
The national average salary for a Physicist in the United States is $122,850 per year.
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The STEM field is growing every single year and is considered one of the most sought after career fields. While many woman are graduating with STEM degrees and entering the field in higher numbers than ever before, there is still a huge problem that they are facing: unfair wages compared to their male colleagues’ earnings.
The Current State
According to the Stanford Graduate School of Business, a woman in engineering and technology makes nearly $4,000 less than men in entry-level positions. This study was done with men and women that are working the same exact positions with the same amount of previous experience.
These wage gaps are not only seen between men and women, with women of color being affected the most with the wage gap. Pew Research Center found that Black and Hispanic women make 83% of what a White man would earn working the same position in the STEM field.
Within the STEM field, women in different positions experience varying wage gaps. For example, new female gradates in computer science make an average salary of $79,000 while male graduates make an average of $82,000 (National Center for Women & Information Technology). Regarding the science field there is a much bigger wage gap. This gap has been reported to be at least $18,000 for candidates with PhDs as reported by the US National Science Foundation’s annual census.
While there is a wage gap present in STEM fields, women working in STEM experience a much smaller wage gap compared to women in other fields. In a study from the U.S. Department of Commerce, it was found that women in STEM jobs earn 33% more than women that work in non-STEM positions.
What Can Be Done?
Fixing the wage gap for every women in STEM is hard, but not impossible.
The first thing that can be done is to make employers aware of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which is a federal law that requires equal pay for equal work. If an employer is found to not be properly following this federal law by providing unequal wages, it could lead to legal troubles and lawsuits.
Another way to close the wage gap is to schedule regular audits of employee wages at the company and investigate any disparities between men and women’s pay if they are present. Conducting an audit like this can help pay disparities be identified and enables leadership to take action to close the gap.
Many research studies, like the one from Stanford, have found that women have a harder time negotiating salary during the hiring process compared to men due to social norms and fear of retaliation for doing so. This lack of pay negotiating can broaden the wage gap more. To avoid this wage gap from widener more at a company, women should be encouraged and open to negotiating their salary.
Sometimes it can feel that there are a lot of factors preventing the wage gap to be closed with preconceived notions of gender roles and lack of action, both of which can be disheartening for women in STEM. Closing the wage gap will take time, but with push from both job seekers and employers, it can be improved over time.
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High school graduates have a difficult decision to make when choosing their college major. With jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) growing 79 percent since 1990, and STEM occupations averaging a salary of $100,900, majoring in a STEM field may be of interest to many future college students. Here are the different majors and corresponding occupations that students can pursue careers in.
Astronomy/Astrophysics
Astronomy and Astrophysics majors study the creation of the universe and everything, including black holes, planets, suns and galaxies, within it. The coursework for this major typically includes classes in data modeling, physics and mathematics.
Common jobs for Astronomy/Astrophysics majors, include:
Agronomy/Crop Science
Agronomy majors study plants and soils, how they are produced and their interaction with the environment. Curriculum for Agronomy/Crop Science degrees can include the application of biological, chemical and physical science principles to the cultivation of plants.
Common jobs for Agronomy/Crop Science majors include:
Biology
A Biology major can open the door to a variety of career possibilities. While some may study biology in a pre-medicine capacity hoping to later pursue career in the medical field, others may have an interest in a life science career.
Common jobs for Biology majors include:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the study of chemical reactions and interactions with living organisms. This practice is important for the development of vaccines and medications. The curriculum for Biochemistry is a mix between both biology and chemistry-focused courses. This major can be combined with other educational degrees to help you specialize in various areas of interest.
Common jobs for Biochemistry majors include:
Chemistry
Explore the complex ways that elements combine together and how matter undergoes change with a degree in Chemistry. Coursework in this field can include concepts related to chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics and periodic concepts. Studying this field can lead to careers in many different industries, including: specialty chemicals, medicine and research.
Common jobs for Chemistry majors include:
Environmental Science
Environmental Science majors study Earth’s natural environment and the impact humans have on it. Courses for this major can include chemistry, biology and geology. Often times, the curriculum will include laboratory classes and field experiences.
Common jobs for Environmental Science majors include:
Food Science & Technology
Students who pursue a major in Food Science & Technology will learn about using science to safely create, manufacture, package and preserve food products. They will have coursework in areas such as chemistry, microbiology and food safety.
Common jobs for Food Science & Technology majors include:
Microbiology
When you study Microbiology, you will learn about the way that microscopic organisms evolve, function and cause disease. This scientific major includes coursework in chemistry, biology, biological chemistry, physics and other topics. A degree in Microbiology can open the door to a number of different scientific careers.
Common jobs for Microbiology majors include:
Physics
A Physics major studies the relationship between energy and matter. Students who pursue this degree will get exposure to scientific methods and concepts that can be useful in a number of career paths.
Common jobs for Physics majors include:
Computer Science
Explore computer systems and the way humans interact with them with a Computer Science major. The curriculum for this major includes the programming and design of software as well as theory and problem-solving methods. Coursework may also include calculus, statistics, data visualization, among other subjects.
Common jobs for Computer Science majors include:
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a growing field with ample career opportunities. A major in Cybersecurity can open up doors to the various areas of information technology space. Students in Cybersecurity will likely study information systems, computer science, cyber defense, mathematics and other related courses.
Common jobs for Cybersecurity majors include:
Data Analytics/Data Science
Data Analytics/Data Science majors collect, manage and analyze large, multifaceted data sets to make informed business decisions. Often, students studying this discipline will complete coursework in computer science, statistics and mathematics.
Common jobs for Data Analytics/Data Science majors:
Computer Engineering
Students interested in using creative problem-solving methods to work with computer software and hardware should consider a major in Computer Engineering. Within this major, student can specialize in various areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence or cybersecurity. Coursework in this major can include foundational mathematics, calculus, data structures or computer architecture.
Common jobs for Computer Engineering majors include:
Aerospace Engineering
Those majoring in Aerospace Engineering will take courses in physics and mathematics as well as engineering lectures and labs. This curriculum prepares students in the design, propulsion and systems for both aircrafts and spacecrafts.
Common jobs for Aerospace Engineers include:
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering combines both engineering and scientific techniques to find innovative solutions to issues in the medical field. Students majoring in Biomedical Engineering will likely take courses in chemistry, physics, bioelectricity, biomechanics and other related courses.
Common jobs for Biomedical Engineering majors include:
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering majors will study the planning, design, development and evaluation of structures and systems, such as buildings, tunnels, airports, drainage systems, railways and bridges. This major open the door to a range of different specialties within the Civil Engineering field.
Common jobs for Civil Engineering majors include:
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Industrial & Systems Engineering (ISE) majors utilize scientific and mathematical principles to design, implement, evaluate and improve systems of people, information and materials. Students who study ISE will learn about creating efficiencies and eliminating labor or material waste in various business or manufacturing processes.
Common jobs for Industrial & Systems Engineering majors include:
Materials Science & Engineering
Explore the structure, processing, properties and performance of materials used in engineering systems with a degree in Materials Science & Engineering. Coursework for this field includes foundational engineering courses and typically students have the ability to specialize in various areas of Materials Science & Engineering, including biomaterials, electronic materials, metallurgy and polymers.
Common jobs for Materials Science & Engineering majors include:
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering majors study a diverse curriculum. This involves creative design, manufacturing engineering, machine elements design, measurements, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, among other topics.
Common jobs for Mechanical Engineering majors include:
Actuarial Science
The study of financial implications of uncertain future events and quantifying and managing risk is known as Actuarial Science. Students with this major will learn modern business practices, have an understanding of finance principles and develop quantitative reasoning skills.
Common jobs for Actuarial Science majors include:
Applied/Pure Mathematics
Applied Mathematics focuses on applying analytical and computation math techniques and principles to solve real-world problems in various industries. While Applied Mathematics is the practical use of mathematical practices, Pure Mathematics is the theoretical study of boarder mathematical concepts, such as proofs, theorems and abstract concepts.
Both of these majors can lead to a number of mathematical career paths within different fields of study.
Common jobs for Applied Mathematics majors include:
Statistics
Statistics majors study the collection, interpretation and analyzation of data. These students will take a number of courses in mathematics, including calculus and linear algebra. They may also complete coursework in programming languages and data modeling.
Common jobs for Statistics majors include:
