STEM CareersApril 30, 2020

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) offers many options for exciting careers.  Dr. Sonia Ford-Petch, department chair of Mathematics, answers some frequently-asked questions.

1.  What is driving the growth in STEM Careers?

There are so many jobs related to STEM that there is definitely an opportunity to fit any student’s career goals. There is a great need for scientists, engineers, and those who can think critically and apply what they have learned to solve many of the world’s challenges.

2.  What skills are required for pursuing a career in a STEM-related field?

A curiosity in how the world works will help any student who wants to pursue a career in a STEM-related field. Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are definitely a must! Students also need to possess a desire to persevere. STEM-related fields are rewarding and pay off in salary benefits if students are willing to dedicate themselves to the rigorous coursework that will prepare for those top-paying jobs.

3. How do I know if I am prepared for college-level coursework in math, science and engineering?  What college classes should I take? 

At the minimum, students interested in STEM fields should be TSI complete in Math. Being college-ready in mathematics will meet your pre-requisite requirements for beginning your college-level coursework. Students who are pursuing a degree in engineering or mathematics will begin their program pathway in Calculus I and will have the opportunity to complete the Calculus sequence and much more. Midland College provides the coursework to meet students where they are and faculty who want to help all students to gain the mathematical knowledge to be successful in any STEM field they choose.

4.  Why should I start my engineering degree at Midland College?  Wouldn't it be better to just go ahead and start at a 4-year university.

Two big reasons – cost and a quality education. Midland College offers many of the same freshmen and sophomore engineering courses that you will find at a 4-year university at a fraction of the cost. Our class sizes are small with one-on-one attention from the instructors. Plus, with seamless transfer of courses to UTPB and Texas Tech University; along with the Texas A&M-Concho Engineering Academy, students have an advantage of being accepted to their fields of engineering when they transfer.

5.  Does Midland College have any opportunities for joining STEM-related clubs, contests, or doing research?

Wow, I am not sure where to begin! There are so many opportunities to become involved in STEM-related clubs, contests, and undergraduate research. We have the math honor society, Mu Alpha Theta, Chemistry Club, and the Engineering Club that students are welcome to join. In math, students have the opportunity to participate in a national student math league contest and student research contest that is held each year. Adding to those opportunities, all of our STEM fields provide opportunities for students to engage in undergraduate research with their instructors. Our students have presented their research at major conferences and have even won awards. One of our biggest undergraduate research projects involves faculty and students across many of the STEM disciplines to study the coral reef in Honduras. Faculty and students have traveled to Honduras the last few years to collect data. How awesome is that opportunity at a community college!  

6.  What are the best STEM careers?

All of them! Can I say that? There are so many opportunities in the STEM field that students should decide what they are passionate about and which field they enjoying learning the most.

7.  I really like Math, but I'm not sure what jobs are out there for someone majoring in Math.

One of the more popular jobs for a math major is teaching, but there are so many other choices if a student enjoys math, but isn’t sure that they want to teach. Math majors find success in business, medicine, national security, animated films, robotics, and much more. The American Mathematical Society has more information on jobs for math majors and a link to their website can be found on the Midland College Mathematics department page.

8.  What was your major in college, and why did you choose it?

My major in college was mathematics with a minor in biology and secondary teaching certification. I had always wanted to be a teacher, but wasn’t sure what subject I wanted to teach when I first started college. I chose math because it was a challenge, I had a geometry teacher in high school that I really enjoyed, and I knew that I would always be able to find a job teaching math or science! My first plan was to teach at the secondary level, but as I completed my student teaching in a seventh grade classroom, I realized that it may not be the best fit for me. My advisor suggested that I continue my education and earn a master’s degree in mathematics so that I would be qualified to teach at a community college. It was the best advice! I have LOVED teaching at the community college level and working with students. It is the best thing to see a student start a class unsure about learning math and then by the end of the semester realizing that they can do it!