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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Are you a STEM professional and feeling lost on regular job boards? Check out STEMHUNTER, a smarter job board built for STEM professionals.
It is likely that the processes and procedures we use daily were generated by a creative idea. Having an open workplace where employees can use their imagination to improve processes, not only enables the company to progress, but also can personally benefit the employee’s career progression.
However, the biggest setback for creativity at work, is that many employees are analytically minded in their role and have never been enabled to think creatively. Roles in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields generally tend to be more technical, often requiring employees to follow strict policies and procedures.
According to a recent survey by Gallup, only 29% of workers strongly agree that they are encouraged to think and work creatively. When employees are motivated to think creatively, new processes can emerge, quality of work can improve and workflow may take shorter amount of time.
Here are five tips on how to encourage all employees at work to be creative, no matter what kind of role they are in.
Promote Testing and Acknowledge Failures
Creativity often brings failure. As a leader, it is best to acknowledge this, and support your employees if things don’t work out as expected.
If you give an employee a task where they encouraged to be creative and it does not work properly, avoid negative repercussions. Instead, provide constructive feedback and suggest analyzing their work to see what improvements can be made to make it better next time.
Testing new ideas and acknowledging failure is a main theme in Spotify’s yearly “Hack Week” event. This is a week where over 2,000 employees switch job roles and work on projects that they feel passionate about with an overarching goal. Problems are embraced and employees are encouraged to find new ways to solve them all while implementing them into their everyday work. This year’s event focused on being “greener” with work and employees were able to come up with new processes that reduced their carbon footprint.
If the employee succeeds the first time they compete a creative task, encourage them to continue thinking about the things that could be done to make it an even better process.
Provide Goals
Creating new ideas and processes can be extremely beneficial for organizations, but they should be within company standards and guidelines. Providing your workers with communication and guidance on the values and goals of the company will allow them to have good understanding of this while also being able to step outside of the box.
If you simply tell your employees to ‘think more creatively at work’, this can cause ambiguity and confusion for employees. Setting guidelines, but also allowing flexibility is the best combination for letting focused, creative ideas come to light.
For example, you may have a process for your team that you feel is taking too long and can be completed more efficiently. Present this goal to your team and encourage them to think of ways to improve this process. By promoting this opportunity for input, employees may provide a new perspective and offer suggestions for improvement. Continually look for ways to provide goals for your team to keep them inspired and excited to contribute to the team in a new way.
Celebrate Achievements
When an employee or team at your company comes up with a brand-new idea or improvement of current processes, it should be celebrated and recognized. This can be done by personally congratulating the individual(s), sharing an email highlighting the great work they have done or even company-wide recognition at your next town hall event. These are all great gestures to celebrate and promote this achievement.
This positive reinforcement not only recognizes the employees that are going above and beyond for your organization, but also provides positive reinforcement for their ideas. For the employee personally, they will likely feel a sense of pride and connection to your organization.
Celebrating achievements also encourages the other workers to keep thinking creatively. If they see one of their colleagues being praised for their work, they may be more likely to go out of their way to think differently to also achieve that award or recognition.
Offer Training Opportunities
It is likely that not everyone your team is naturally creative. Your employees may need an extra push through training and development opportunities to bring out creativity. This training can be done via webinars, professional development courses and in-person collaboration with experts that are experienced in creative thinking.
For example, the Imperial College of London offers a free course called “Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success. This course includes a variety of techniques to think different with the world around you and presents a focus on how to think more creatively at work.
Offering training like this not only provides employees with an opportunity to start thinking in different ways, but it also can give them tools to make their work even better.
Set Aside Time and Space for Creativity
If you want to enable your employees to think creatively, you need to give them the ability to be able to do so. As a leader, you should recognize that this is not something that will happen overnight. You will have to allow your team time and space to come up with new ideas.
Unlike giving an employee a specific task that needs to be done at a certain time, creativity has no real deadline. There will be employees that are naturally creative and maybe have creative hobbies, but if you want to enable analytical employees to open their mind, you need to give them the room to do so.
Consider the ways in which you can encourage creativity for your team. This might include setting time aside in meetings to brainstorm ideas or setting up collaborative sessions with other departments. It may also include re-working your workspace to allow for collaboration and inspire creativity.
Many companies believe that having physically open and creative spaces in the office help encourage their employees to think more outside of the box. For example, Bumble offers a 1960s inspired workspace for in-office employees featuring comfy chairs and wide-open workstations. They also have designated “creativity” rooms that allow employees to let their minds flow on new ideas.
By thoughtfully setting aside time, and creating a space for creativity, you can make a proactive effort for process improvement and new ideas at your organization.
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Creativity in the workplace will take time, but by being strategic in your efforts, you can enable your team to contribute to your organization in new ways.
Looking for creative and hardworking employees? Check out STEMHUNTER today to learn more about our innovative STEM-focused job board.
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:
The COVID pandemic emphasized how crucial science is for health and innovation, and the importance of a vast number of experienced professionals throughout the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, technology (STEM) fields. From the pandemic alone, we saw the importance of all fields and functions of STEM come together to understand and manage the virus, create a vaccine and disseminate care throughout the world. Biomedical researchers in labs worldwide studied how COVID impacts the body and the mechanisms by which it was spreading, chemists, biotech and pharmaceutical scientists dove into R&D for vaccines and tech developers utilized digital technology to track cases and facilitate contract tracing. Additionally, data scientists tracked populations, public health experts coordinated international vaccination development and leveraged community health workers to distribute the vaccine.
With this in mind, it is no surprise that employment in STEM industries fared well during the pandemic and continues to grow significantly. STEM jobs have historically been less affected by recessions and unemployment – in 2020 the unemployment rate for STEM professions was 4% lower than the overall rate. When the US unemployment rate was at its highest in 2020, hovering around 8%, the unemployment rate for STEM professions was between 3.4%-4.3% depending upon the industry. The demand for scientific and technical professionals continues to rise – the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that STEM jobs will increase by over 10% by 2030, while non-STEM occupations will increase by just 7.5%.
Read on to learn which fields and jobs are fastest growing and most in demand:
The information technology (IT), computer science and computer engineering industry is expected to grow significantly in the next decade. Computer occupations as a whole are expected to grow by 13.4%, housing several of the industry’s top jobs, adding an increase of 441,500 jobs annually by 2030. The only IT field that is not expected to grow in the next ten years is computer programming, which has a projected –9.9% labor force loss by 2030.
| Job | Percent Employment Change, 2020-2030 | Occupational Openings, Annual Average, 2020-30 |
|---|---|---|
| Information Security Analyst | 33.3% | 16,300 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | 21.9% | 3,200 |
| Software and Web Developers | 18.7% | 216,000 |
| Computer and Information Analysts | 12% | 63,900 |
| Computer User Support Specialists | 8.9% | 54,800 |
Looking for a career change within the IT industry? Check out current openings in this high demand field, on STEMHUNTER.
The mathematics industry is projected to grow by over a quarter of its current size in the coming decade, bringing 28% more jobs to the industry by 2030. Statistics is the fastest growing STEM field – expanding by 35.4% before the end of the decade.
Math itself is only expected to grow marginally, at 2.7%, but that’s not the case for other math fields:
| Job | Percent Employment Change, 2020-2030 | Occupational Openings, Annual Average, 2020-30 |
|---|---|---|
| Statistician | 35.4% | 5,000 |
| Data Scientists | 31.4% | 7,100 |
| Actuaries | 24.5% | 2,400 |
Ready to take advantage of the rapidly expanding math field? Look at the statistics, data science, and actuary openings on STEMHUNTER!
One of the highest demand STEM fields, engineering, is not expected to grow at the same rate as its STEM counterparts in the coming decade, with only a 7.4% increase by 2030. Most engineering fields are projected to see just single-digit growth in the next ten years, and a couple are expected to shrink (nuclear engineering has –8.4% expected growth and –1.9% for drafting engineers). Here are the exceptions:
| Job | Percent Employment Change, 2020-2030 | Occupational Openings, Annual Average, 2020-30 |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineers | 13.7% | 23,300 |
| Chemical Engineers | 9.3% | 1,800 |
| Civil Engineers | 8.2% | 25,000 |
Despite this small percentage expansion, given the scale of engineering this amounts to 125,400 new jobs annually, so there is no shortage of opportunities to enter the field or grow professionally.
Are you an engineer seeking a career upgrade? Check out our top job openings on STEMHUNTER.
Among life and physical science fields, life sciences is expected to grow at a higher pace, with a 10.7% growth rate (33,600 additional jobs annually) expected compared to a 4.4% growth (11,200 new jobs) in biological sciences. Here are the industries’ high demand jobs:
| Job | Percent Employment Change, 2020-2030 | Occupational Openings, Annual Average, 2020-30 |
|---|---|---|
| Soil & Plant Scientists | 10% | 2,300 |
| Foresters | 10% | 1,400 |
| Psychology: Clinical, Counseling & School Psychologist | 10.4% | 25,000 |
| Environmental Science & Protection Technician | 10.6% | 4,700 |
| Physicists | 8.8% | 1,300 |
Are you a medical scientist ready to jumpstart your career? Create an account on STEMHUNTER today to be notified when positions are posted in this field!
With very few exceptions, all STEM fields are expanding, making this decade an ideal time to enter the field or pursue new career opportunities. There are more scientific and technical professional opportunities now than there were a decade ago and that will likely continue to increase. And, unlike other fields that are vulnerable to economic or geopolitical challenges, STEM fields have proven to be recession and global pandemic-proof.
Ready to grow in STEM? Check out the industry’s most in-demand jobs on STEMHUNTER, a job board specializing in scientific and technical jobs.
All industry data cited in the article is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Students who are prepared to enter the job market have an important decision to make about what occupation will be their first step in their career. Jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are great initial opportunities for recent graduates across a variety of different major categories. Additionally, these fields are growing! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM jobs are expected to grow 10.5% between 2020 and 2030 compared to 7.5% growth for non-STEM jobs. This could mean over 1 million more job openings spanning 10 years! Check out these 15 jobs that could be your way into a STEM career.
1. Laboratory Technician
For those interested in pursuing a career in the sciences, an entry-level laboratory technician position is a great starting point. Lab techs are exposed to a number of different sample types, collection techniques, scientific instruments and testing methods within a dynamic working environment. Lab technicians are able to move up within the ladder and advance into a Senior Laboratory Technician position and additionally grow into other scientific disciplines such as a chemist or associate scientist role.
2. Software Engineer
If you are looking for an exciting and dynamic industry, and ample career growth, the technology industry may be a great option for you! Entry-level software engineering roles offer a great opportunity for recent grads to learn new skills, get hands-on experience and understand the entire software development lifecycle. The career outlook for these positions is also good, with starting salaries being on the higher end for most entry-level positions and opportunities for advancement within the field.
3. Research Assistant
A great way to get your foot in the door in the research and development field is to get started as a research assistant. In this role, you may perform experiments and tests following specific guidelines as well as collect and analyze data to find results. Following this role, you may pursue career growth as a research associate or research scientist and define further what specific areas you are most interested in studying.
4. Jr. Staff Accountant
For graduates who are ready to learn accounting and financial principles through hands-on experience, a Jr. Staff Accountant role may be a great entry-level opportunity. This position’s daily tasks include preparing financial statements, updating accounts receivable, processing invoices and assisting with other financial duties. Individuals in this role will get real-world experience working in a business setting and gain valuable knowledge concerning accounting principles, policies and legal requirements. This first career step can lead into opportunities for growth and ultimately a lifelong STEM career in accounting.
5. Registered Nurse
Healthcare is a growing industry with great entry-level opportunities, including registered nursing positions. A career as an RN can be rewarding, as these individuals are responsible for a range of different patient services. These positions also offer a range of work schedules and sometimes have the ability for travel. Registered nurses have the ability to grow their career within their discipline or move into another role that utilizes their skills such as a nurse educator or clinical manager.
6. Jr. Information Security Analyst
As the world becomes more reliant on technology in our work, school and daily lives, data security is becoming increasingly important. A great role to get started in this field is a junior information security analyst. In this role, you can get exposed to a wide range of data security procedures, protocols and tools to help an organization avoid cyber threats. There are many tech jobs that you can move into within the data security field following his role, including cybersecurity analyst, penetration/vulnerability tester and potentially working your way up to a chief information security officer later in your career.
7. Financial Analyst
Do you enjoy working with numbers and identifying results that tell a bigger story? A job as a financial analyst may be for you! In this role you can expect to analyze financial statements, provide recommendations and prepare reports for your organization. Career growth from this role, can include paths in finance, such as, financial manager, business analyst, or continuing into a senior financial analyst role.
8. Project Coordinator/Jr. Project Manager
For organized self-starters who enjoy communicating with different groups of people, project management is an excellent job for recent graduates. Starting as a project coordinator or junior project manager, you will work with internal and external groups to keep the project moving. You may organize project tasks, answer basic customer questions and serve as a liaison for your company to the customer. From this, you can move up within project management and attain certifications within the field.
9. Web Developer
Students with or without degrees in Computer Science can enter the exciting career path of a Web Developer. With many online, bootcamp and employer-taught programs, this job for recent graduates is available for grads from a number of different major disciplines. As a web developer, you will be responsible for building, supporting and optimizing various web projects. This is a great career path for those who are lifelong learners, enjoy problem solving and have a good attention to detail.
10. Data Analyst
A career as a data analyst can be rewarding. In this role, you can utilize technical skills to extract data sets, create useful reports and present findings to management teams so they can make informed decisions. Starting a career as an entry-level data analyst can lead you to many different career paths. Some of this career growth includes moving into a data scientist position, progressing into management levels as a data analyst, or moving into a more specialized position such as a health care analyst.
11. Engineering Analyst
Engineering is both an exciting and broad STEM Career. While many engineers define their specialty earlier in their education, there are still opportunities to get into the field following graduation for those that did not study engineering. One of those ways is as an engineering analyst. This position uses data to improve processes and propose solutions to management to help the project get underway efficiently. From here, engineering analysts can move into a project management position or into other engineering roles with additional education or certifications.
12. Biological Technician
If you are interested in science, a career as a biological technician might be something you’d enjoy! Biological technicians are responsible for performing important laboratory tasks to ensure that processes are being executed effectively. In this occupation, it is helpful to have good organizational and observational skills as well as an excellent attention to detail. In this field, career growth can include moving into the biology field as a biologist or into the medical field as a medical laboratory technician.
13. IT Support Technician
Starting off a career as an IT support technician is a great way to get experience in the technology space. This job is an essential function at many mid-size and large corporations. In this role, you will work with others to troubleshoot technology issues and upgrading company hardware and software. This role also requires excellent communications skills, as IT support technicians work with a variety of internal and external groups to communicate issues, processes and solutions. From this career, you can pursue tech jobs in cyber security, management or cloud/system administration.
14. Project Engineer
Another way to get into the engineering space is by starting your STEM career as an entry-level project engineer. Some companies may require that you have your Professional Engineering license and/or internship experience, but many have programs designed to develop entry-level employees’ skills and expose you to multiple areas of the business. This is an excellent position to get on-the-job experience and explore areas of engineering that you may want to specialize in later in your career.
15. Jr. Network Administrator
Junior network administrators have an important role in keeping a company’s computer network running efficiently. This role is responsible for maintaining and fixing company hardware, continually improving the network and teaching others how to use the systems. This tech job offers a range of career development options including moving into a management role or advancing into more sophisticated information technology positions.
There are many other careers in STEM that you may want to explore. Search entry-level careers and more on STEMHUNTER!
Whether you are creating a resume for the first time or updating an existing resume, you want to make sure you are putting your best foot forward. Several mistakes are commonly made and can cause headaches for the individuals reviewing your resume. Avoid the items below to increase your chances of getting in front of the hiring team and landing the job.
1. Missing Information
A mistake commonly seen is missing information on a resume. This includes contact information as well as employment and education details. To start, make sure that your phone number and email can be easily found on your resume (common practice is to feature these items toward the top, near your name). Additionally, make sure you aren’t leaving off any important sections that may show a recruiter why you’d be a good fit for their role. Your education and employment sections should paint a picture about your background and capture the dates (month and year) that you were employed. Including the major sections on your resume will give you a good starting point to create an effective resume.
2. Incorrect or Inconsistent Details
Just as it is important to make sure you aren’t missing any information on your resume, you’ll also want to ensure that the details you provide are accurate and consistent. Incorrect contact information can frustrate hiring teams and more importantly, make you miss out on potential job opportunities. Additionally, make sure that your resume and online profiles, such as LinkedIn, include consistent information. Having varying experience or incorrect dates on your resume can be confusing and hiring managers can become apprehensive about hiring you.
3. Spelling & Grammar Issues
You’ve heard it time and time again. Proper spelling and grammar on your resume is extremely important. Your resume is likely one of the first things a recruiter looks at when considering you for a job opportunity and is how they form their first impressions. Hiring teams will often come back to your resume throughout the hiring process to review your experience and responsibilities. Fortunately, this common mistake is easily avoidable by using online tools like Grammarly or asking trusted colleagues to review your resume before applying to jobs. Taking the extra time to make sure your resume is polished and professional will go a long way in your job search journey.
4. Length (Too Long or Short)
While resume length isn’t something that is a dealbreaker for most job seekers, there are times where it can hurt your chances of getting in front of the hiring team. Resumes that are too short often fail to include important details that help recruiters and hiring managers understand your responsibilities and experience. Resumes that are long often go into too much detail, risking the chance that you lose the hiring managers attention. So, what is the perfect middle-ground? Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. While it is recommended you aim for your resume to be one to two pages, the length can depend on your experience, industry and overall career situation. Whether your resume is one page or four pages, capturing your experience as accurately and concisely as possible is most important.
5. Lack of Specifics
As you are forming concise bullet points to describe your experience, think about where you can be specific in your descriptions. If you managed a team, how many people did you manage? If you had a budget to work with, how much were you given? Having vague explanations can leave a recruiter wondering what your actual duties and responsibilities were. You can also utilize specifics to show off your accomplishments. For example, if you increased company sales, include the amount or percentage. Being as specific as possible is an excellent way to paint a picture for the hiring team considering you for a role.
The right preparation can make all the difference when interviewing for your dream job. Check out these six interview best practices that will prepare you for your interview, allow you to showcase your talents and make a lasting impression on your interviewer.
1. Do Your Research
You’ve made it to the interview – that’s half the battle. Give yourself a fighting chance by researching your prospective employer. Researching the company will not only show your enthusiasm for the job, it will also give you an introduction to the company culture so you can determine if the company is the right fit for you.
Take a look at the company website and social media platforms. Do they post company news or have a company blog? Have they been involved in any charity or community engagement initiatives? Also, don’t hesitate to ask your recruiter for the names of your interviewers. Google their names and check out their LinkedIn profiles to familiarize yourself with their work history and current responsibilities.
2. Practice Your Interview
We’ve all been on the receiving end of a difficult interview question. How you answer can make or break your chances of getting your dream job.
Once you’ve done your research on the company, take the time to practice your interview. Think about your background and job history. Are there any gaps in between jobs? Are you changing industries? Why are you pursuing this opportunity and how will it affect your long-term career goals?
If you are new to the job hunt or just struggling with this step, try looking for outside resources. Many communities offer career development workshops and mock interviews, which can be a great way to practice your interview skills so you can nail your next job interview.
3. Interview Your Prospective Employer
Today’s job seekers are just as interested in finding a good fit as employers. Use the interview process to your advantage by creating a list of questions for your prospective employer. The information you uncover during your research will help you tailor your questions to each interview. Not only will these questions help you determine if a job is the right fit for you, they will illustrate your industry knowledge and enthusiasm for the job.
4. Pay Attention to Body Language
Interviews put you on display. They are an opportunity to showcase not only your talent, but how you interact with others in the workplace.
So, it is important to remember body language can speak volumes during an interview. Crossing your arms, biting your nails or being unable to make eye contact can count as immediate strikes against you.
If you struggle with any of these habits, take a deep breath and check in with your body throughout the interview. Try to sit comfortably with your arms relaxed at your side or on the arms of a chair, smile, and lean in when you want to show enthusiasm.
5. Dress The Part
We’ve all heard the phrase: dress for the job you want, not the job you have. This is especially true when dressing for an interview. Make sure to get a good night’s rest before your interview and give yourself plenty of time to get ready so you appear well-groomed and professional.
Remember: Even if your interview is virtual, you still need to dress the part. You only get once chance to make a first impression, and dressing professionally is the easiest way to start your interview off on the right foot.
6. Express Gratitude
The interview is over. You’ve done your best, and now all that is left to do is wait – right?
Not quite. Sending a polite and professional “Thank You” note within 24 hours can be a great way to ensure you made the best impression possible. Expressing your gratitude can also further show how passionate you are about the job.
Also, don’t be afraid to follow up with your recruiter by phone. We’ll be happy to communicate any feedback so you can stay informed and make the most out of your job search.
Job searching can feel like a mindless cycle of submitting resumes and refreshing your inbox only be left in the dark about your application status. It is easy to lose motivation during this seemingly endless process and neglect what made you begin looking for a new opportunity in the first place.
Recruiters weighed in on this topic, using their knowledge of the hiring process and personal job search experience to come up with five tips for staying motivated during the job search process.
1. Be Tenacious
Rejection is just another step closer to finding the right opportunity. As a Recruiter wrote, “A job search is similar to a maze. You will go down wrong routes multiple times only to get rejected, but you have to keep trying to find the way out. That is when you find your dream job!”
2. Stay Organized
Adequate preparation can ease the woes of job searching. An HR leader offers her wisdom on this topic, “If you want to find a job sooner rather than later, make quantifiable goals for yourself. Apply to a set amount of jobs every week and remember to take notes on the positions you are applying for. While it’s good to be motivated in the number of applications you submit, a poor response during a phone interview such as, ‘I have applied for so many jobs.. which one is this again?’ could hurt your chances on landing the opportunity.”
3. Remain Positive
Think of denial from employers as a way of agreeing that the opportunity wasn’t a mutual fit and that there are still other opportunities out there. “One ‘no’ does not dictate your whole job search, keep your head up and continue searching. A better fit will always be around the corner, even if it takes longer to find than expected,” another Recruiter describes.
4. Utilize Resources
Whether you just graduated college or are well into your career, there are a variety of resources available to you. Leverage creativity in your search to help you break the application cycle and potentially get a leg up over other applicants. “Ask a friend to look over your resume to be sure that things are spelled correctly and that there is proper grammar. Sometimes another person can give you a tip that might improve your resume and set you apart,” another HR leader explains.
5. Have Patience
In the hiring process, it is easy to become agitated and impatient. Make sure that you give the employers ample time to go over your qualifications and skill set. A Recruiter explains, “Sometimes feedback takes longer than expected, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the company isn’t interested in you as a candidate!”
