STEM-related fields are also considered the highest-paying and most promising careers, with a huge talent gap, making them a super popular major for students studying in the U.S.
1. What Are STEM Majors?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, a U.S. initiative to encourage students to major in these fields.
The initial policy purpose of STEM in the United States was to encourage students to major in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Generally, most science and engineering majors fall under the STEM category, such as chemical engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, biological sciences, and aerospace.
On the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website, you can find a long list of over 400 majors that are part of the STEM program.
2. Advantages of STEM Majors
Extended Post-Graduation Transition Period
For international students, finding a job after graduation requires applying for OPT (Optional Practical Training), which allows legal internship and work in the U.S., but with a time limit. The standard OPT lasts only one year, meaning graduates must leave the U.S. if they do not secure an H1B visa within that year.
The U.S. government has been increasing investment in STEM education and advocating for retaining innovative talent. The Department of Homeland Security’s policy on "STEM OPT Extension" extends the original OPT period to 36 months or more.
The implementation of the STEM program greatly helps students in these fields find jobs or internships; during the OPT period, international students have ample time to apply for work visas and change their immigration status.
High Return on Investment
STEM majors come with generous scholarships, and the high demand for tech talent leads to high salaries for STEM graduates. According to CGG surveys, STEM majors dominate the top ten highest-paying majors for U.S. graduates.
According to PayScale (a survey of U.S. college graduates' salaries), among over a thousand schools, the median early-career salary for STEM majors is approximately $46,000, and the mid-career median salary is around $77,000.
Broad Employment Prospects
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities in STEM fields increased by 10.5% between 2009 and 2015, adding more than 800,000 jobs.
Further, computer-related positions are expected to see remarkable growth from 2014 to 2024, with 500,000 new jobs emerging. Meanwhile, engineering and STEM-related management positions are also projected to grow by 50,000 each.
3. Top 10 Hot STEM Majors
Here are the top 10 hot STEM majors for your reference when choosing a major.
Information Technology
Since 2014, information technology (IT) has consistently ranked first in predictions of future job opportunities over the next decade.
The main reason is that in this era of rapid information development, IT provides many essential workplace skills, such as computer programming, databases, network management, web design, and system analysis.
Computer Information Systems Security
The Information Systems Security major focuses more on IT security, learning from a more comprehensive perspective how to maintain the computer systems security of a large enterprise and prevent attacks.
Related areas include network security, access control, mobile device security, e-commerce security, network security system analysis, information technology investigation, data security, cryptography, etc.
Computer Engineering
In STEM employment, computer engineering ranks third in salary, with a broad range of employment fields, including telecommunications, aerospace, transportation, energy, medical science, and even government and education.
Undergraduate computer engineering provides a solid engineering education, while graduate-level programs focus more on career-oriented professional skills training.
Network and System Administration
Network and system administration is a crucial part of an IT department within a company, especially for large companies that need to manage various types of employee access; daily operations rely on computer communications.
Network administrators often need to oversee the execution, maintenance, and security of computer network systems, and sometimes guide and manage network technical teams, programmer teams, and system analysis teams. Core courses in network and system administration include cybersecurity, database organization management, and project management.
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
This major is somewhat similar to network and system administration but is more technical. Network and system administration involves system planning for enterprises of a certain scale and complexity, while network technicians focus more on building and maintaining networks. Courses include LAN/WAN technology, cybersecurity, digital forensics, etc.
Information Science/Studies
This area goes by many names—some schools call it Information Science, others Information Studies, and some Information Systems, but it's essentially the same major category. It's a broad major that studies corporate information technology systems from a macro-framework perspective, rather than the technical level.
Some programs also include business or management courses to help students better understand the needs and goals of non-technical departments, thereby better serving the company’s technical development.
Computer Programming
In recent years, graduates of computer programming have been finding employment in an increasingly diverse range of fields. Some work at start-ups designing the next globally popular app, or at large international companies like Apple or Microsoft, playing key roles in major operating systems. Courses typically include data structures, user-centered design (UCD), application design, database systems, and graphical interface development.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineering involves the research and design of transportation and infrastructure systems. It requires knowledge of environmental systems, geophysics, advanced mathematics, and engineering mechanics to ensure the safety of facilities such as roads, bridges, dams, tunnels, and airports.
Computer Science
The well-known CS major is arguably the widest in employment and application. Its curriculum branches cover almost every aspect related to computers: system administration, software development, information technology management, computer systems research, and other specialized courses, providing many essential skills and knowledge for other STEM fields.
Petroleum Engineering
Over the past 20 years, the energy sector’s employment landscape has changed significantly, but for engineers, the oil industry remains very attractive.
4. Recommended STEM Majors for Liberal Arts and Business Students
In fact, STEM majors are not only for science and engineering students; some liberal arts and business students can also apply for STEM majors.
Recommended STEM Majors in Education
Recommended programs:
Educational Statistics and Research Methods
Educational Evaluation and Research
Educational /Instructional Technology
Recommended schools:
Tufts University
Johns Hopkins University
Boston College
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Recommended STEM Majors in Psychology
Recommended programs:
Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics
Comparative Psychology
Developmental and Child Psychology
Experimental Psychology
Personality Psychology
Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology
Social Psychology
Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology
Psychopharmacology
Research and Experimental Psychology
Recommended schools:
Brown University
Pomona College
Northwestern University
Claremont McKenna College
Emory University
Recommended STEM Majors in Business
Recommended programs:
Management Science
Business Statistics
Actuarial Science
Management Science and Quantitative Methods
Recommended schools:
University of Southern California
Washington University in St Louis
Northwestern University
University of California-San Diego
Lehigh University
Recommended STEM Majors in Media/Communication
Recommended programs:
Digital Communication and Media / Multimedia
Animation , Interactive Technology Video Graphics and Special Effects
Web Page Digital / Multimedia and Information Resources Design
Web / Multimedia Management and Webmaster
Computer software and Media Applicant
Recommended schools:
Columbia University
New York University
Boston University
5. Can I Apply Without a Related Background?
Many students who want to apply for STEM majors worry that they lack the relevant background. In fact, some school programs have less strict requirements, so here are a few programs that do not require a relevant background.
University of South Florida's Sustainable Development Program
The University of South Florida (USF), founded in 1956, adheres to the principles of "Truth" and "Wisdom." It is one of the 63 top-tier public research universities in the United States and is classified as a top national university. USF's Sustainable Development program does not require a relevant background and qualifies for the 36-month STEM OPT.
The program consists of 30 credit hours, aiming to cultivate consultant-type and resource-integration talents. It currently focuses on researching challenges in environmental protection and sustainable development, and using high-tech or creative methods to solve and improve these issues.
Northeastern University's Information Science Program
Northeastern University (NEU), ranked 40th in the 2018 U.S. News rankings, is a top private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts, and enjoys a high global reputation.
NEU's Master of Professional Studies in Informatics (MPS) has three popular tracks, co-taught with the College of Computer and Information Science, with no undergraduate background requirements. The university’s strong partnerships with local businesses provide students with rich internship experiences through its co-op program.
NEU's MPS in Informatics has three popular tracks, co-taught with the computer science college, with no undergraduate background requirements.
Analytics
Cloud Computing Application and Management
Human-centered Informatics
Colorado State University's Computer Information Systems
Colorado, where CSU is located, is a strong STEM industry state. Students can find abundant internship and employment opportunities during and after their program in Boulder, Fort Collins-Loveland, Denver, and Colorado Springs, all ranked among the top ten most suitable cities for tech start-ups in the U.S.
In addition to the three programs mentioned above, the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Computer Science and Applied Physics, Dartmouth’s Business Analytics, Hult International Business School’s Business Statistics, and others are also STEM-eligible and do not require a related background for application.
