Jobs in STEM are some of the highest paying careers in the world, but with a high barrier of entry and stories of gender discrimination, many people feel like they cannot pursue careers in STEM. WIth a STEM salary, you can improve your economic standing and support your family with ease. Whether you aspire to work in healthcare, with computers, as an engineer or in another area of specialization, STEM expertise is highly valued and sought after. If you want a career in STEM, you can work on these skills to improve your chances of landing your dream job.

Critical thinking 

People working in the tech world face challenges that they are uniquely equipped to solve. STEM professionals use critical thinking on a daily basis to parse through heaps of information and come to reasonable conclusions. If you hone your critical thinking skills early on in your career, you’ll be much better prepared for a long career in STEM.

Problem-solving

STEM expert SarahBeth Hartlage, says that efficiency and value are two key things to keep in mind when applying for a job in STEM. A good candidate can quickly simplify a complicated problem and solve it using a simple, yet efficient, solution.

Adaptability

Just because you’ve graduated from college doesn’t necessarily mean you are ready for a full time career. There are many situations you will face in a workplace environment that you may not have encountered in college. However, if you are adaptable, you can overcome that barrier to entry and demonstrate to employers that you are ready to change and grow with a company.

Analytical mind

Data has become a vital component in every field of business, whether healthcare, technology, science, etc. If you become an expert in data analysis and understand different systems and processes you will become a highly desirable job candidate. Your ability to gather and interpret complex data from a variety of sources will prove useful across industries.

Team player

No matter if you’re working in a large or small team, collaboration is key. You need to know how to be a good team member and express your ideas while still allowing others to express theirs. For some people, being a team player comes naturally. For others, it’s a learned skill, but no matter what, experience and exposure will help you learn this valuable skill.

Communication

You can be an expert in your specialized field, but even so, you also need to express your ideas clearly. While there will be a time and place for complicated technical jargon, you should be able to simplify complex thoughts so that everyone can understand it easily. 

STEM skills can come in handy in a diverse spectrum of healthcare jobs. However, each career has different requirements. Basic knowledge of math and science can be helpful for entry-level employment in healthcare if you are tending to daily operations. But for an advanced career, you need to possess superior knowledge. If you are a high school or college student, you can focus on subjects like biology, algebra, physics, statistics, chemistry and computers for a career in healthcare. However, specifically for nursing and medicine, you not only will need the six skills mentioned above, you will also need to possess advanced math and science skills which can be honed with an advanced degree after your undergraduate college career.

Author Bio 

Valerie Byford is a professional physical therapist. One of her main interests is learning about new and alternative methods of healing. She also compiles lists of inspirational women  experts in STEM like SarahBeth Hartlage. Byford’s writing focuses on women, physical therapy and general healthcare issues.