The Future Is STEM: Careers That Inspire Us

In this collaboration between The Stemistry Project (TSP) Marketing Team and the STEMpathize Blog Team, interns share the future STEM careers they wish to pursue and the inspirations behind their interest in these fields.

Career: Biomedical Engineer 

By STEMpathize intern Dayah Sokolov

When I was younger, I always imagined myself as a doctor, in a white coat with a stethoscope swinging around my neck. I was drawn to the idea of healing people, and being able to make a tangible difference in someone’s life. However, everything changed in middle school when I made the decision to join a club I had never heard of before, TSA, also known as the Technology Student Association. I signed up to complete a project on biomedical engineering, and I’ll admit it was only because the word medical was in the name. Since I had dreamed of a future in medicine, I figured it couldn’t be too far off. 

As I began researching the profession I discovered an entire world at the intersection of technology and healthcare. This combination of science, medicine, and engineering was something I had never deemed possible. The more I read about the field, the more it pulled me in, whether it was articles about designing prosthetics that respond to brain signals, creating machines that monitor peoples conditions from the inside of the human body, or developing devices that help people walk again. Biomedical engineering was the epitome of everything I loved about medicine, but with a creative and hands-on twist. 

What drew me in even more was the flexibility of the field. As a biomedical engineer, you can focus on what you're most passionate about, whether that’s innovating current implantable devices like pacemakers, or creating new tools that have never been previously imagined. It’s a career built on problem-solving, science, and innovation. Most professionals in this field have a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering, with many of them having a bachelor’s degree or higher. As healthcare technology evolves rapidly, there’s so much opportunity to grow and make an impact in this field, which is why I dream of pursuing a career in biomedical engineering. 

Career: Emergency Medicine

By STEMpathize intern Andrea Koo

Have you ever heard of the show Grey’s Anatomy? The Resident? Chicago Med? St. Denis Medical? These shows capture the fast-paced, intricate nature of medicine, with all its ups and downs. And although I admit I haven’t watched all 445 episodes of Grey’s, clips from these shows and real-life experiences as an EMT were the gateway to my interest in emergency medicine.

Emergency medicine involves diagnosing and treating patients in critical and urgent conditions, ranging from traumatic injuries to heart attacks, strokes, severe infections, or medical mysteries. It requires a combination of quick thinking, deep medical knowledge, problem-solving skills, adaptability, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Since emergency medicine doctors work in large multidisciplinary teams alongside paramedics, nurses, emergency nurse practitioners, hospital security, police officers, and administrative staff, as well as in close association with other specialties such as geriatrics or pediatrics, good communication skills are also crucial.

In order to become an emergency medicine doctor, one must earn a bachelor’s degree, take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), earn a medical degree, pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), complete a 3-4 year residency program, and earn an Emergency Medicine Certification. It typically takes around 11-12 years of training after high school, with added years if you want to specialize in a certain field. The outlook for the career is strong, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting overall employment to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033.

However, I should warn you now that becoming an emergency doctor is likely not going to recreate Grey’s Anatomy for you. It’s a fast-paced and ever-changing work landscape with high-stakes and immense pressure. The nature of the job means that it’s often physically demanding and emotionally taxing. But emergency physician Dr. Kathleen Clem says “there’s not a shift that goes by where I can’t go back and say, “I really helped somebody today. I helped make their life better.”...and that really keeps me going.” And with that sentiment in mind, I’m excited to pursue this career path, exploring the dynamic nature of this field that will keep me constantly learning and helping others.

Career: Orthopedist 

By STEMpathize intern Amala James

The first time I learned what an orthopedist was, I was sitting in a clinic after being diagnosed with scoliosis. Looking at the X-ray of my spine, however, I found myself being more curious than afraid. My doctor walked me through how the bones, joints, and muscles all work together, and I was fascinated at the intricate, interconnected systems that work to control movement and structure in our bodies. Around that same time, my mom developed epicondylitis in her elbow from repetitive strain at work. Watching her improve with treatment made me realize how much of a difference orthopedic care can make in someone’s life. Those moments sparked a genuine interest in the human body, and a desire to help people feel better and move more freely.

These experiences have inspired me to pursue this path in college, with the goal of going to medical school and becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Orthopedic doctors treat a wide range of conditions, from broken bones to spinal disorders, and often perform surgeries that restore movement and reduce pain. For example, they might assist an older adult in walking comfortably again through a hip replacement. It’s a demanding career that requires years of study and training, including a bachelor’s degree, medical school, and a residency in orthopedic surgery. But to me, it’s worth it. The idea of combining science, precision, and compassion to help others live healthier, more active lives is exactly what I hope to do in the future.

Career: Computer Science and Engineering 

By Sara Mohsin

A STEM career that interests me is Computer Science and Engineering. I grew up in the Bay Area, so I was surrounded by people who laid the foundations for innovative technology and engineering. Steve Jobs (the founder of Apple) literally went to my high school. Seeing important discoveries and inventions occurring around me definitely inspired my interest in a career in tech and engineering. All of the people in my social circle are either involved or have a close family member who is involved in the tech industry. For me, joining the industry seems like a viable option, where I can really connect to others, make a visible impact, and build a community.

This career field interests me because of how diverse it really is. Whether I want to work in hardware, software, design, working with consumers, working in a team, or working alone, computer science and engineering covers it all. What really excites me about it is how fast changing and evolving tech is. A few years ago, I thought the tech industry peaked after the invention of smartphones, laptops, and flat-screen TVs. However, I was wrong. For example, in the past 2-3 years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been created and is evolving rapidly. Even though its creation might not be as revolutionary as modern tech devices, it’s really changed the way that things work in businesses, workplaces, and even society. It can help others advance in school, their work, or even with simple things, like baking a cake. Being able to contribute to something this fascinating, that has the potential to be vital in future society, is very fulfilling, especially since I love making a visible impact.

Engineering and computer science involves designing, creating, and enhancing computer systems, computer hardware, and software. Jobs in this field include building circuits, creating algorithms, programming, working with AI, robotics, and/or cybersecurity. An undergrad and/or bachelor's degree in computer science of a field of engineering is usually required; some jobs and careers may even need a master’s degree. Programming, problem-solving, critical thinking, math, and teamwork are important skills to those involved in this field. The future outlook for tech (engineering and computer science) careers is very strong, with rapid growth in fields like AI, green energy, and cybersecurity. All of these factors make it an interesting and highly sought-after career path that I would love to pursue in the future.

Career: Physical Therapist

By TSP intern Shriaditi Kancherla

One future career in STEM that interests me is becoming a physical therapist. This type of career centers around the “S” or Science field of STEM. A physical therapist (PT) is a healthcare professional focused on helping people manage, address, and recover from physical pain that may have been caused by injuries (broken bones, dislocations, etc), illness, or chronic conditions. PTs help address immediate pain through massage and exercise, and create recovery or treatment plans for patients (for example, an exercise or stretching routine). The main goal of PTs is to help an injured/unwell person reduce their pain, strengthen or build endurance of a patient, or prevent an injury or severe pain from occurring again. 

In order to become a physical therapist, you will need to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree (DPT). You will first need to get a bachelor’s degree, which takes four years. Common majors include biology, kinesiology, exercise science, or health sciences. Then, you can apply for a DPT program, which takes three years to complete. After finishing your DPT, you will need to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) in order to work in the United States. You may also need to complete other licensing exams to work in your state. The median salary of a physical therapist was $ 99,710 according to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, and there is an expected increase of 14% in new jobs in PT between 2023-2033. Physical therapists can work both inpatient (working in hospitals to provide care to patients, a lot more structured and intense due to the severity of the condition) and outpatient care (in clinics, usually less structured and intense). PTs may work one-on-one with patients for several weeks or months, and need strong communication and interpersonal skills.

I started to become interested in physical therapy as I began to explore fields and careers in healthcare. While I didn’t know much about PT, as I began researching, I felt like PT meshed together many of my interests and core values. Recently, due to an injury, I actually started going to physical therapy, and the positive experiences I have had have further bolstered my interest. Seeing how a physical therapist can impact a life from a personal perspective has made me consider this career a possibility. Its focus on preventative care, rehabilitation, one-on-one interactions with patients, and ability to help people return back to their daily lives are what make this career exciting! 

Images Cited:

E, M. (2021). First aid worker taking care of a victim. In Unsplash.

Fotos. (2022). Orthopedist holding skeletal diagram. In Unsplash.

Smith, Dana. “What to Look for in a Physical Therapist.” The New York Times, 6 July 2021, www.nytimes.com/article/physical-therapist-search.html.

ThisIsEngineering. (2020a). woman in white and black polka dot shirt holding white

headphones. In Unsplash.

ThisIsEngineering. (2020b). woman in white long sleeve shirt using black laptop computer. In Unsplash.