Welcome to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Careers

“Studying science and maths does not mean narrowing your options or restricting yourself to a ‘pipeline’ for a particular job. Choosing to study science and maths creates the talent pool that UK employers need and leads to a wide range of career opportunities. It’s important that all young people, and their influencers, are made aware of this.”
Kate Bellingham National STEM Co-ordinator 2009 - 2011

In recent years concerns about the decline in numbers of young people choosing to study and work in science, maths and engineering careers has translated into a wave of action in terms, not only of research, but of high quality resources to orchestrate change on the ground. The Task Force for the Careers Profession, which met in late 2010 strongly recommended through its report "Towards a Strong Careers Profession" that "initial training and CPD should include a focus on labour market information (LMI), information and communications technology (ICT), and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), all of which are crucial to all members of the careers profession in delivering high-quality career guidance"

STEM Careers brings together a wide range of resources as an online learning tool to help us move towards the aspiration of, not only the Task Force, but of all professionals working in career guidance and in STEM teaching and learning, which is that high quality careers guidance can be delivered in respect of science, technology, engineering and maths to all young people. This module, therefore, is aimed at teachers, guidance professionals, careers co-ordinators, tutors and mentors involved in careers education, information, advice and guidance.

This module is divided into 3 sections:

The sections are intended to be sequential, increasing in complexity and depth. How you use them is up to you, but it is suggested that you work through the activities in the order in which they are presented. Suggested time scales are included, but clearly these are guidelines only. Each section has learning objectives, materials to watch, read and consider. All sections include activities that ask you to share your opinions or your work. This includes a 'careers delivery' section where, it is hoped that your online learning will impact on colleagues and all young people to enhance the important messages about STEM subject choice and careers.

We hope that you are inspired by this elearning to develop your knowledge and work beyond the suggested tasks, so more references are supplied in the Taking it further lists that you see throughout the module. Your feedback about the materials is encouraged through online evaluation and is much appreciated.

Click here to find out more about the development of the STEM Careers learning module.