Getting Started in STEM
Pursuing STEM can be daunting. It’s commonly believed that it’s much easier if you started as a child. Luckily, it’s actually super easy to get started in STEM at any age! Below, the generic road map gives a simple outline of how to get started in STEM and reach your STEM goals. This road map can be for pursuing anything from a career in STEM to finding a new hobby.
The first step to starting a life in STEM is to build a foundation. This first step is crucial to achieving success in STEM, regardless of which specific area you decide on. It is important to learn the basic math and science concepts that everything in STEM builds on. The good news is, most people already have this step completed. The basic math and science courses you took in high school are plenty to get you started. If you’re worried you don’t remember enough, or maybe you didn’t go to high school, don’t worry. There are countless free resources online, get some used textbooks at a great price, or at your local library. From YouTube videos to old textbooks, you can quickly and easily learn it all.
The next step is to explore the various areas of STEM. While you may think that you know exactly what you want to do, it’s always a good idea to try out a few other options. Believe it or not, spending some time learning any area in STEM can help you out. Everything in STEM is incredibly related. Physics is closely involved with biology, for example, the way that muscles operate and the ways that they are attached to the bone are all under the influence of the laws of physics. Technology and engineering rely heavily on physics, but can also be used to create innovative solutions or tools for chemistry, anatomy, or any other subject. Most importantly, exploring other areas can help you decide on what exactly it is you like about STEM.
Once you have given several areas of STEM a fair go, it’s crucial that you select a specification. It’s impossible to learn everything about every subcategory of STEM and to truly master any area you have to fully commit. This isn’t to say that you can never change your mind, but you should try to pick one main focus. Yet again, learning about your topic is not only simple but free. Back to YouTube, online resources, or the library.
From here, follow your heart and pursue the topic you chose. Give it your best effort, but don’t pressure yourself. Find enjoyment in the learning, the trial and error, meeting peers, and most importantly, sharing what you discover with the people around you.
I hope that this shows you just how easy it is to pick up STEM. It’s just a few simple steps. Once you start, you won’t want to stop.
Hello Haley,
ReplyDeleteI one hundred percent agree that getting into STEM from an earlier age helps transitioning into a STEM field later in life. Many people do not get that early introduction into STEM which makes STEM seem much harder than it truly is. As you mentioned, STEM encompasses so many different categories and subcategories for many it seems hard to pick an actual field. There are more science based STEM field and more math based field and a mix of both. Personally, when deciding to major in Biology, I had always enjoyed learning about and coupled with the fact that I hate math for me it was an easy choice.