Technology sectors are advancing at a rapid rate. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM-related occupations are set to increase by 10.8% from 2021 to 2031. Due to this projected increase, employers are seeking personnel with practical communication skills, innovative problem-solving expertise, project management know-how, and technological savviness. While careers in STEM are promising, knowing how to transition or get into this industry can be challenging, especially for someone who doesn’t have a STEM background. Learn the advantages of switching to a STEM-related field, the available careers, what the typical technical team dynamic looks like, and how to make a career change without a STEM background.
Because of the growing use of technology in most industries, college graduates are experiencing a shift in degree satisfaction, job availability, and career gratification. According to research conducted by the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), liberal arts graduates are less satisfied with their bachelor’s degree education compared to STEM graduates. Other statistics cited by UPCEA include:
- 19% of liberal arts graduates were less likely to have a job waiting upon graduation than 32% of STEM graduates.
- 55% of liberal arts graduates were employed full-time upon graduation compared to 73% of STEM graduates.
- 31 % of STEM graduates are satisfied with their salaries, compared to 17 % of liberal arts graduates
Although studies show that liberal arts graduates are reporting feeling more prepared for their careers upon graduating, they are still less likely, compared to their STEM counterparts, to enjoy their current job, trust that it aligns with their long-term career goals, and feel that their career is on the right path. Moreover, this global shift into a technology-dependent society has left many liberal arts graduates struggling to find employment, leading to higher stress rates and an overall reimagining of their career plans.
As industries such as government, consulting, and design keep pace with technology and expand globally, a new type of management is needed to bridge the gap between traditional business units and the technical teams needed to support burgeoning technology needs. . Regardless of the sector, learning to manage these non-traditional types of teams comes with a few challenges, especially for those unfamiliar with specific terminology or team culture. Examples of effective technical team management include:
- Rewarding problem-solving by giving the appropriate credit whenever a challenge is overcome
- Sharing customer feedback with your team by using data and showing the benefits to consumers
- Asking thoughtful, specific, and improvement-focused questions
- Learning basic tech principles and terminology to be an effective manager
- Creating systems where technical staff do not need to be managers to grow their careers
STEM industries are gaining popularity as consumers and businesses focus their insights on company innovation and technology. Liberal arts graduates with soft skills such as communication, content knowledge, and strong problem-solving abilities, and those with additional technical acumen, are sought after within this industry. There are opportunities to switch to a STEM-related career or enhance a liberal arts focus, some without fully jumping into a managerial role. Below are job examples from Indeed with above-average starting salaries and room for growth.
Technical Writer: $78,060/year
Technical writers work with engineers, support specialists, software developers, and many other stakeholders to ensure that the flow of information between working groups is clear during development and testing. In addition, technical writers use their strong written and verbal communication skills to prepare instruction manuals, blog posts, journal articles, and other supporting documents for a wider audience.
Web Developer: $78,300/year
Web developers create visually appealing and interactive websites according to customer requirements and industry trends. In addition, professionals are responsible for the site’s technical aspects, such as performance and capacity, which translates to the site’s speed and traffic. Often, web developers work with different business units to create content and ensure website maintenance.
Software Applications Tester: $74,345/year
Software applications testers design test scenarios for new software or application products. This helps companies understand more about the user experience to create solutions to anticipated user needs.
UX Designer: $89,911
User experience designers conduct extensive market and competitor research to help companies gain a competitive advantage in the market and an opportunity to improve customer satisfaction. In addition, they monitor and enhance end-user experience with programs, websites, or applications while reviewing and analyzing user feedback to identify errors and create solutions.
Expanding your career into a different field can be intimidating, especially if you aren’t familiar with the industry or don’t have the appropriate background. However, a tried-and-true practice in transitioning into a new career field is earning an advanced degree that brings your know-how up to industry standards while gaining hands-on experience.
Johns Hopkins Engineering offers liberal arts and humanities graduates who want to change fields the opportunity to apply to a new master’s program. The Master of Science in Global Leadership and Innovation will assist you in minimizing any challenges met. Created with non-STEM majors in mind, students in this master’s program will:
- Gain in-depth knowledge and technical skills in several fields, including Data Analytics, Engineering Management, Systems Engineering, and Healthcare Systems Engineering
- Respond to the needs of industries in both domestic and international markets
- Develop skills needed to apply innovation and leadership skills in developing products and processes in the future
The Master of Science in Global Innovation and Leadership combines technical competencies and managerial coursework with hands-on experiences, externships, networking opportunities, and exposure to advanced technology courses preparing undergraduates without STEM backgrounds for real-world experiences in the industry. In just about two years, you’ll be able to tackle managerial problems within the tech field.
If you want to learn more about the new Master of Science in Global Innovation and Leadership program, join us monthly for a virtual information session to meet the academic directors and learn about the curriculum, application, and admissions requirements.