Next Generation Futures in STEM (and Other Careers)
- Andy Kowalski
- 9 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Written by: Andy Kowalski
I've had a 40+ year career which has taught me so much that I want to impart onto you, the next generation (Gen Z and Gen Alpha):
A career is like a marathon! It is not a sprint so pace yourself and build a winning strategy for you career
You will face numerous failures and make lots of mistakes. Ultimately, you will learn your biggest lessons from your biggest failures!
A degree does not open all doors of opportunity, there are too many people chasing the same types of jobs as you are!
The job market has changed massively even after COVID-19! You need to adapt to the changing job market as emerging roles will come out of nowhere and previous roles may disappear due to the rise of AI
As they usually say, "No pain, no gain" and that is so true of your career. You have to face obstacles to reach the point you want to get to!
That is some of the biggest lessons I've learnt. What actionable steps can you take to kickstart your STEM career or any other career you're interested in?
Build Your Foundations First!
A well curated CV that sends out a positive message to employers about how you can meet their objectives of the roles you are applying for and stand out as the best candidate in that field!
Your LinkedIn profile needs to align with your CV in terms of what you offer especially in the About section but also in the rest of your profile!
You must have a professional photograph of yourself, and people need to see your authenticity. Show the person behind the profile!
Your banner needs to relate to who you are and what you offer by way of service to others or which areas your interests lie in.
To guide you in taking the first steps in building a strong CV and LinkedIn profile, read through Next Gen Hub's resources below:
Selecting the Right Career Route for You
You also need to consider whether a degree is the ultimate answer to addressing your chosen career pathway as there may be others:
Vocational pathways exist if you are looking to go down particular pathways, i.e. Careers in the NHS and Social Care
There are various other pathways to break into Engineering and the Sciences such as, T Levels or apprenticeships.
Also, don’t overlook your hobbies as those can be turned into a career such as, arts & craft, photography and journalism.
If you are still unsure of what you want to do, keep on exploring! Take time out to do a career analysis and focus on where your interests lie.
Also, seek advice from someone else (family member, teacher, friend etc) can guide you in clarifying what career pathway you want to take!
This happened to me when I had a teacher at junior school who saw that I had an aptitude for science and he got his oldest son Damian to act as my Mentor. He was a very good role model as he passed his science O Levels (now the GCSEs) & A levels and went onto Bristol University (achieving a first in Chemistry!). That was one of the key reasons that I pursued a career in Chemistry!
Organisations such as, Destination STEM are a great place to start exploring the different career pathways in STEM.
Accreditations and Continuous Learning
If you aspire to be in STEM, gaining a first-class degree may be a good start but there is a lot more continuous learning to really reach where you want to be. Employers and industry as a whole respect you going beyond your education and continually learning to the extent you become recognised for your expertise in your subject!
This is where accreditations and chartership comes in which you can get from professional bodies such as the ones below:
Bodies to get Accreditation or Chartership From? | Their Subject Area |
Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) | Civil Engineering |
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) | Multiple engineering and technology disciplines including electrical, manufacturing and information engineering |
Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) | Mechanical Engineering |
Institution of Chemical Engineers | Chemical Engineering |
Institute of Physics (IOP) | Physics |
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) | Chemistry |
Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) | Structural Engineering |
Royal Society of Biology (RSB) | Biology |
Note: To achieve Chartered Status (which is widely respected), you must have a Master's or PhD although you can still achieve it without a Master’s/PhD but this is a more difficult route in some subjects but not those where it is a demand (such as, Chemistry!)
Even if you're a student or young professional, these professional bodies offer student or young professional membership which is either free or at a discounted rate!
Don't Forget Your Soft Skills
"Your human skills are just as important as your technical skills".
Have a think about that. You might be thinking well in STEM all I need is my technical skills and qualifications. I'm sorry to say that but that is not the case!
Both sets of skills go hand in hand. Whether you're a scientist or engineer, how do you communicate across your results or findings? Most of the time by a written report but what about those circumstances where urgency is key?
That is where soft skills come in allowing you to work effectively with others, achieve a shared goal and cope with urgent situations together instead of being all alone. Some of these soft skills you can start developing today as shown below:
Ok but how do I start developing these skills? Let's take teamwork as an example. You can get started straight away with this as we work in teams every day whether it is your project team at university, your colleagues in the office or even your friends when playing sports together.
If you want further guidance on soft skills, read Next Gen Hub's blog with insights and tips to start building soft skills today!
Reframe Your Setbacks: It's Good not Bad!
My journey in Chemistry did not follow the orthodox route and that is OK! Most people’s career journeys change all the time. With my own journey, I was part-time studying alongside my full-time job at the local University. Many others have done the same as me or started a side-business whilst working full-time. This experience taught me a lot and, in the end, and I achieved what I set out to obtain albeit over longer period.
To name a few, here are some challenges I faced in my career so far:
Aged about 50, my role changed due to financial demands the University were facing
So, I did a complete mid-career change into a non-STEM role in Purchasing & Procurement for the university department I was working at
Had to cover for junior staff in their roles when they were off sick
I had to undergo a career change (which was out of my control), help guide junior staff in their careers, cover colleagues when they were off sick and more. Yet, I used this as an opportunity to upskill myself eventually obtaining formal ILM qualifications in Management and then at the same level Coaching and Mentoring (which I eventually went into!)
It is with these setbacks and challenges where we learn the most! Also, career changes or career pivots are a part of your career journey and not just a one-time occurrence. Instead of shying away from challenges, take them head on and build that trusted reputation that you are a competent professional and the go-to person!
My Advice to You: Your Career is a Marathon not a Sprint
Think of your career as a marathon, not a sprint. Sure, technology, AI, and the job market can be unpredictable, but you adapt, pivot, and build your own path. Make your CV shine, blend soft and technical skills, and own your unique story.
Yes, in STEM having accreditations, having the degree and more can be useful in forging your STEM career. If you do not have the fundamentals of a good CV, good LinkedIn profile, being able to communicate as well as work with others. Answer me this: How can you get your start in STEM without these key foundations?
It is not a sprint rather it is a marathon. You've got this!
Bonus Tip: If you want to truly stand out and build your brand on LinkedIn, you must interact with other people’s articles and posts. Also, start small with posting on your own profile in your areas of knowledge and application. Look at my featured section on my LinkedIn profile for ideas!
If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn below
Alternatively, you can contact me via email or text message below:
Email: Andykowalskiconsulting @gmail.com
Mobile: 07773 502648
©Andy Kowalski MRSC MIScT MinstCPD FCMI