When considering a school, look for one that offers a STEM program. It will increase your child’s chances of getting into college as well as prepare them for a life in the workforce. Here are five advantages of such a program.
Brighter future
The world is changing quickly, and the skills needed to succeed are constantly evolving. That’s why it’s so important to focus on a STEM program for your child.
A STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program will teach them what they need to know about using the tools of tomorrow in order to succeed in their future careers. While most high schools offer one or two additional classes that focus on one specific skill set (like coding or robotics), a full-on STEM program will engage students with multiple disciplines at once and give them a broader understanding of how things work together across different industries.
By teaching children how all these different fields interact with each other—and how they relate back to each other—a STEM curriculum will prepare them for higher education or even industry jobs after graduation by giving them both technical skills as well as critical thinking abilities that allow them flexibility when faced with new challenges down the road
Expanded opportunities
You’ll want to encourage your students to think outside the box and embrace new ideas. STEM programs offer opportunities for students who are passionate about their majors, but also give them the chance to apply to a wider range of colleges if they decide not to stay in that field after graduation.
If a student has already decided on their chosen major and career path, it can be discouraging for them when they learn about all the other options out there. If you give your students exposure early on, this will make them less resistant when it comes time for college applications or internships.
If you have an older student who wants to switch careers, having been exposed to different areas of study will make it easier for them to get into their new field—and remember that self-motivation is one of the most important things in college! Having experience working with teachers and learning independently gives your student an advantage over many other applicants.
High demand
STEM programs are in high demand. There are many job opportunities available for students who major in STEM and these careers pay well, as well. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), software developers earned an annual median salary of $102,280 in 2014. This is a seven percent increase since 2013 when their median salary was $97,670 per year. In addition to software developer jobs being plentiful and lucrative, there are also many other opportunities within the tech industry such as database administrators ($87,160 per year) or computer systems analysts ($83,480).
Focused learning
In today’s world, STEM programs are the way of the future. Many industries require workers to have a high level of tech skills and hands-on work experience. By taking a STEM course load, you can get a head start on your career by learning what it takes to succeed in your field.
STEM classes are also great for students who want to learn how to think critically and solve problems on their own rather than just memorizing information from books or lectures. In these types of courses, students are asked to apply concepts from class discussions into real-world scenarios that they may encounter in their careers later down the road; this serves as an excellent preparation for joining the workforce after graduation!
Flexibility in career options
Third, STEM programs offer you a variety of career options. The curriculum of this type of degree provides students with the skills needed to succeed in a number of careers, including:
- Computer programming
- Software development
- Information technology support
- Computer systems analysis and design
You can choose from these fields or others when choosing your major and will have a wealth of job opportunities upon graduation. Additionally, the flexibility provided by many STEM programs allows you to work on projects that make an impact on society while making money!