Lessons I have learnt throughout my studies

Navigating science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) can be challenging. There are weighty decisions to make, such as choosing courses and pathways.

Here is some advice from a former CSIRO vocation student.

STEM is more than its components. 

STEM is not necessarily just science, technology, engineering, and maths. It encompasses skills that can be applied to many aspects of life. This skillset equips an individual with the ability to solve problems and enter a variety of career pathways.  

There are several ways to acquire these skills in and out of school. In the classroom, collaboration, problem solving, and creativity are practiced frequently within group projects, presentations, and assignments.

In your own time, utilising public spaces like museums, and parks, can provide the opportunity to improve critical analysis and independent thinking. These are just a few of many STEM skills. I found it helpful to know that working on these skills is beneficial, especially when overcoming obstacles like presentation anxiety. 

It’s about the journey, not the destination. 

Soon, 90% of jobs will require STEM skills. This means that they will not only be applicable to ‘traditional’ STEM roles, but also careers that aren’t usually associated with it. This skillset will enable you to thrive in any job and there are a diverse range of pathways where they can be developed.  

In school, I was often told that to be successful in STEM you had to go to university. However, this is not the only pathway and in reality, a large percentage of Australian STEM workers have completed vocational education and training (VET) courses. In 2016, of the 2.3 million STEM qualified individuals, 68% were VET qualified. 

Everyone’s pathway will be different, and that’s okay. But keep in mind, there are many ways to be successful with a STEM skillset.  

Actively look for opportunities to gain real world experiences. 

Obtaining work experience via internships or placements is important and here are a few reasons why: 

1. There is an opportunity to apply your knowledge and learn transferrable skills. It can be hard to imagine applying your current abilities to the real world, but you can start with repurposing those well-developed skills like time management. There is also a chance to add to that STEM skillset. I have found that networking is an essential skill in the workplace that students do not focus on. It can be nerve wracking, but it is important! 
2. It can expand your awareness of career pathways. Even if the work experience is not currently ‘relevant’, it can shed light on other career pathways or opportunities that may be of interest. 
3. It looks good to prospective employers because real world experience demonstrates that you are striving to learn beyond the classroom and have practical experience and workplace skills to bring to a role.  

Overall, there will be many opportunities available throughout your studies because companies value students. If you are having trouble thinking of where to look, there are currently two CSIRO led internship programs, Generation STEM Links and Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, which pairs university students with internships in NSW and Victoria. Or it can start with a simple search like “[industry of interest] internship programs”. 

Be Curious. 

Be curious. If a topic sparks your interest, go down a rabbit hole. If a career looks enticing, see where it could lead.  

Many of these decisions can be worrying, especially when everyone asks you the same question: “What do you want to do?” But remember, whether within a traditional STEM role or something unrelated, STEM is part of our lives.

The big question should really be: What are you curious about?