STEM Degrees Open A New World of Education and Opportunity

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:16:16 EST

The world is facing more scientific and technological challenges than ever before, and American students are lagging behind other developed nations in the sciences and math achievement. To combat this, the President announced a ten-year program that aims to improve science and math education at every level. The science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) initiative hopes to bring American students to the top of the pack over the next ten years.

This means that there may be more money available to students who are seeking STEM college degrees. There is a need for more teachers in STEM subjects, so there are also initiatives in place to give some students forgiveness on their student loans if they agree to teach in STEM subjects in certain under served schools for a certain period of time. There are many STEM degrees available from online schools, and with a teaching certificate, graduates can either begin teaching, or they can move into the private sector with one of these highly sought after college degrees.

Online degree programs now offer science degrees in a number of fields, including chemistry, biology, and environmental studies. Science degrees are needed in corporations, government, and educational venues for a number of different kinds of jobs including research and development and policy function. Students who graduate with a science degree may find that the choice of job types is much wider than they thought.

Technology careers are also growing at a fast pace, with the computer application software engineer field projected to increase by 21% in eight years. These technology jobs are plentiful and offer very competitive salaries; the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average median salary is $85,430. Most employers want to hire graduates that have bachelor degrees in computer science technology, although some places of employment may accept an associate degree.

Many online schools that offer technology degrees offer computer science degrees. Computer analysts use Information Technology (IT) to develop and maintain computer systems for a particular company or government agency. Computer analysts are usually required to hold a bachelor degree or higher, and they earn a generous median annual salary of $75,500.

Many online colleges offer degree programs in various types of engineering. All types of engineering are crucial to the economic recovery of our nation, because the bedrock of developing jobs and scientific progress is based on new developments in engineering. Online degree programs that focus on engineering offer degrees in many types of engineering, from software to mechanical and electrical.

There are also online degree programs that focus on mathematics. People with math degrees are in demand in private business, government, education and any type of endeavor that needs mathematical analysis of a problem or situation. This type of analysis helps companies and entities figure out probability of risk, policy effectiveness, and many other kinds of issues.

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STEM Degrees Open A New World of Education and Opportunity