© Pint of Science, 2024. All rights reserved.
Why is working in STEM industries so important?
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are the building blocks of modern society. People who pursue careers in these sectors are leading our generation forward with innovative technologies, life-saving drugs and a better understanding of the world around us and how we can work together to save it. Today, we’d like to look at some of the reasons why it’s so important to steer young people into crucial science jobs.
Creating New Medicine
One reason that STEM careers are particularly appealing and important is because they give people the opportunity to save lives. Contributing towards a potentially life-saving drug or ground-breaking treatment technique allows STEM workers to give back to the community in a way that improves the lives of hundreds (if not thousands) of people. While jobs in medicine can be particularly challenging and hard to obtain, they are no doubt some of the most rewarding science jobs on the market.
The world is currently in a state of panic over the COVID-19 pandemic, which has created several pressing challenges for individuals and organisations alike. In many ways, there has never been a more important time for researchers and medical professionals to come together and work towards a common goal – finding a cure and stopping the spread of the virus. This pandemic, like many other illnesses and diseases, is sadly impacting people across the globe. Scientists are already working on medicine that could vaccinate people against COVID-19 in the future.
Some other important medical research that’s going on right now includes: trials of immunotherapy to help children with peanut allergies build up a tolerance to peanuts, development of an antibiotic envelope to prevent cardiac implant infections and the creation of a dual acting osteoporosis drug (learn more here).
If you want to pursue a career in a life-changing sector, there are lots of different avenues to consider. Biotechnology, cell therapy and forensic science are amongst the most popular, but there are many other areas you could specialise in to really make a difference to society.
Saving the Environment
Besides saving lives, people working in STEM industries play a significant role in the fight against global warming. Back in 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that “to keep the rise in global temperatures below 1.5°c this century, emissions of carbon dioxide would have to be cut by 45% by 2030”. It’s predictions like this that make it clear why new technologies needs to be put in place quickly, and why STEM jobs are so critical to our survival.
The main goal that scientists and engineers are working towards is building a world that relies less on fossil fuels and more on clean green energy. We’ve already seen industry and society taking steps in the right direction. For example, over 35,000 new electric cars were registered in the UK in 2019; in 2017, 15% of the UK’s entire electricity was generated from wind power and around 70% of all UK packaging waste was either recycled or recovered. But we need STEM workers to continue innovating so that we can make greener choices in all aspects of our lives.
If your career aspirations stem from a desire to build a greener planet, why not consider a career in geoscience, environmental engineering or agriculture? STEM industries like these will have a significant impact on our lives in the coming years, so now is a great time to get involved.
One thing’s for sure: even in turbulent times, people working in STEM careers thrive. While human beings are around, there will be a need for continuous technological, medical and scientific advances, making STEM one of the most important industries on the planet! Visit Hyper Recruitment Solutions to explore STEM career options today.
References:
- This is Money: Demand for electric cars
- The Switch: Wind Power Generation in the UK: The Ultimate Guide
- Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs: UK statistics on waste