Talents DISCOVER YOUR - SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, & MATHEMATICS - Duncanville Independent School District
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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
ENGINEERING, & MATHEMATICS
A College and Career Planning Guide
DISCOVER YOUR
Talents
YOUR GUIDE to CAREERS
in SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
ENGINEERING, AND
MATHEMATICS
• Showcasing 25 Careers
• High School Personal
Graduation Plans
• Inside College Admissions
WELCOME TO TEX AS C TE IN AC TION
Dear Texas Student,
Y
ou are probably tired of people asking, “What do you want to
be when you grow up?” Some students know exactly what they
want to do, but most haven’t got a clue. The idea of choosing a
career is intimidating, and it feels like it’s far in the future. There’s little
time in the commotion of classes, activities, sports, work, and fun to
think about what career you want to pursue after graduation from high
school or college.
It pays, though, to take the time to think about your future career. The
truth is that you’ll save a lot of time and money if you have a direction in
life, as opposed to just finishing high school and worrying about it later.
It’s really a matter of dollars and sense. If you choose a career direction
now, you can select classes and activities that will make you highly
marketable—and highly paid—when you look for work. And it only
makes sense to have an idea of what you want to do rather than just
wandering aimlessly through school.
Nobody wants that. Not your parents. Not your teachers. Not your
friends. They want you to be somebody.
They want you to use your talents, follow
your interests, and pursue your ambitions YOU’VE HEARD
to become great at what you love to do in THAT ‘INFORMATION
life. That’s what you should want, too. IS POWER.’ WELL,
So the time is right to take charge of your
life and think about the future. You need a
THIS GUIDE IS
plan of action for how to get from where POWER. IT PUTS YOU
you are today to where you want to be in a IN CHARGE OF YOUR
few years: starting out on a personally and FUTURE.
professionally rewarding career.
That’s what Texas CTE is all about. The guide you are holding is one of 16
guides to different career clusters. It is designed to help you make smarter
decisions about your education and career options.
You’ve heard the phrase, “Information is power.” Well, this guide is
power. It puts you squarely in charge of your future, from creating High
School Personal Graduation Plans (see page 5) to choosing college or
some other form of education or training after high school. Work with
your parents, teachers, and counselors to make decisions, but remind
everyone that it is your future at stake and that you are taking charge of
it.
Get information. Get a plan. Get a clue about your career direction. It’s
alright if that direction changes; choosing a direction now is better than
having no direction at all. Just promise yourself that you’ll make smart
choices about where to focus your time, energy, and passion.
We’re proud that you are taking steps to plan your career direction,
and we pledge that your school, teachers, and counselors will do all they
can to help you make wise choices on your plans for success. We wish
you the best of luck on your journey.
New
Worlds
NEW DISCOVERIES ARE MADE EVERY DAY.
Scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians
are pushing the boundaries of human knowledge by
seeking to better understand and improve the world
around us. They spend their time exploring everything
from vast galaxies of stars to the tiniest subatomic particles.
They invent the technologies that make our lives easier and
more rewarding and develop solutions to problems that
threaten our future. Thanks to the men and women on the
cutting edge, we know more than ever before. If you are
curious about the universe, dream of exploring new worlds
of knowledge, or want to solve the planet’s problems, then
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics could be
the right career cluster for you.
HOT Career Areas
Texas has launched a strategic plan that targets state efforts on six industry clusters
that economists say will be the engines of economic growth in Texas. As you plan
your future, think about a career in one of these new and emerging occupations.
• Advanced Technologies & Manufacturing • Information & Computer Technology
- Molecular technologist - System integrator
- Sensor/robotics engineer - Computer game developer
• Aerospace & Defense • Petroleum Refining & Chemical Products
- Aerospace engineer - Petrochemical engineer
- Unmanned autonomous vehicle - Refinery process design engineer
engineer
• Energy
• Biotechnology & Life Sciences - Wind/solar energy engineer
- Bioinformatics specialist - Geophysical (oil and gas) prospector
- Biocontainment technician
Page
Page 1
1
PL ANNING YOUR CAREER
Plan for
Success
THE FIRST STEP
toward success
is making smart
decisions about
your education and
career options.
W
hen I was in high school,”
says Sheryl Kovach, a senior
human resources generalist
with IKON Office Solutions in Houston,
“the only job that I even knew about
was receptionist work. I didn’t aspire
Technology, Engineering, and Genuine (www.texasgenuine.org)
to be a manager or entrepreneur
Mathematics. and CareerTech (www.careertech.
because I really didn’t know about
Let’s start with some basic steps you org).
those disciplines. I was just looking
should take to get organized, plan for Ask your principal or counselor
forward to graduating. That was it. I
the future, and start on the road to about career assessments available at
really didn’t know what it was I wanted
success. your school.
to do.”
Sound familiar? You, too,
Assess Your Talents and Abilities Research Your Career Options
may not have a clue about
First, you need to figure out some Once you’ve learned about yourself,
what to do with your life.
things about yourself. This step can learn more about your career options.
Don’t worry, though.
be as simple as writing down a list of There are thousands of occupations
Help is right here in your
your interests (like video games or out there of which you may never have
hands. This issue of This
rock climbing), your hopes and dreams heard. Fortunately, there are plenty
magazine is your guide
(like helping others), your talents of resources (see inside back cover)
to education and career
(like writing or math ability), and your for you, and they are as close as the
choices that can shape
weaknesses (if you’re squeamish at the nearest computer.
your future. It’s one of
sight of blood, for example, you might One of the most helpful is the
16 career cluster guides
not want to be a doctor). Texas Career Check from the Texas
published by Texas CTE
Follow up on this informal exercise Workforce Commission. It is a vast
(www.txcte.org). This
by taking some formal assessments to database of information about
edition is all
determine your interests and abilities. hundreds of professions. You can
about Science,
Common assessments include Texas find Texas Career Check at www.
THE GRADUATE ENGINEERING
PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
AND TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-COLLEGE STATION
RANKED IN THE TOP 15 OF THE U.S. NEWS & WORLD
REPORT 2015 LIST OF TOP ENGINEERING SCHOOLS.
Page 2
FIND OUT WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A
NASA TECHNICIAN, ENGINEER, SCIENTIST, OR
ASTRONAUT AT NASA’S EDUCATION PROGRAM
WEBSITE:
HTTP://WWW.NASA.GOV/OFFICES/EDUCATION/
ABOUT/INDEX.HTML.
texascareercheck.com. Another good place to Once you’ve decided on a career direction, ask
start is O*NET (www.onetcenter.org). your counselor about special programs in your
Gather information about what you can earn
in the careers in which you are interested. Find
area that may provide related experiences in your
chosen career.
Science,
out whether the careers you are considering have Samuel Odamah, an undergraduate student in Technology,
a promising future—are they adding or losing
jobs? Check out the education you’ll need to enter
architecture enrolled at the University of Texas
at Arlington, found his career calling at Dallas’s
Engineering, &
those careers. Skyline Career Development Center, a high school Mathematics
The chart on pages 10–11 presents data on 25
possible professions. Remember, though, that
with career programs in a number of different
fields.
CTSOs
these are just a sampling of careers available in “Skyline is one of the few schools in the country One of the best ways to
the cluster. Go to Texas Career Check, O*NET, or that offer programs in architecture,” Odamah
acquire experience in your
another resource to investigate other careers. says. “In some careers, Skyline students could
even get professional certifications or licenses chosen career is by joining
Create Your High School Graduation Plan right in high school. It was a great place because a career and technical
Once you have a better idea of your interests you could find out whether you really wanted to student organization
and abilities, you are ready to plan for high enter a career.” (CTSO). In Science,
school and beyond. The High School Personal Odamah says that the career cluster system at Technology, Engineering,
Graduation Plan, is your plan for preparing for the Skyline taught him the value of planning for his & Mathematics, the most
career of your choice. career and his life. “We learned about planning helpful CTSOs are:
First, you should choose a career cluster and an ahead,” he says. “Those who plan things ahead
endorsement, not a particular occupational goal. of time don’t have to catch up. It’s just a matter • SkillsUSA
In the eighth grade you might choose Science, of what a person wants out of life. Planning gives www.skillsusatx.org
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics you a better platform for success.”
leading to a STEM Endorsement and then later • Texas Technology
become interested in a narrower field such as Student Association (TSA)
science or engineering. www.texastsa.org
The program of study you choose—your plan—
does not stop with graduation from high school.
You could then pursue a two-year degree as a
engineering technician or a four-year degree in
engineer.
You should set up a High School Personal
Graduation Plan that takes you through career
preparation after high school, revising your
blueprint as needed as you go along. If your
career plans include college study, ask your
counselor about tests required for admission to
college, such as the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.
Seek Out Special Programs
Many Texas schools offer innovative programs
to prepare students for specific career areas.
These include career and technical education
(CTE) programs, academies, and magnet schools.
Page 3
PL ANNING YOUR CAREER
WHAT ARE
Career Clusters
& Programs of Study ?
In Texas, High School Personal Graduation Plans will guide students’ high school and college
experiences (see next page). As part of this process, students focus their studies within a
chosen career cluster and program of study that lead to an endorsement.
A
career cluster is a group Related Occupations Review Your High School Personal
of occupations and broad Each career pathway in a Graduation Plan Each Year
industries that share certain particular cluster includes a Don’t get locked into a cluster and
features. The Science, Technology, range of related occupations; program of study you don’t like. You
Engineering, and Mathematics cluster, mechanical engineer is an example should reexamine your 4-year plan at
for example, includes chemists and of an occupation that falls within least once a year and change programs
civil engineers. Texas has adopted 16 Engineering and Technology. or clusters if your interests have changed.
Career Clusters (see back cover), the Choosing a career cluster and career Choosing a cluster and program of study,
same ones designated and developed pathway will help you acquire the even if it changes later, means that you’ll
by the U.S. Department of Education. knowledge and skills you’ll need have a direction in life. The idea is to be
As the graphic below shows, within to enter your chosen career. It will aware of what’s going on in your life and
each cluster are programs of study, allow you to follow a seamless take control of your future. When you
which are more specific groupings course of study from high school know where your education is going
of similar occupations. Think of a into college or other postsecondary and why, your classes will become more
program of study as being like a education or training. The electives meaningful. You’ll make contact with
college major. In Science, Technology, you choose can complement your students, teachers, and employers who
Engineering, and Mathematics, you core academic classes to prepare share your interest in a particular career
might choose to focus on Engineering you for the challenges of the real area. You’ll have experiences that are
and Technology in high school and world of work fun and exciting. You’ll be on your way to
college. success in school, in a career, and in life.
Page 4
WHAT IS A
High School Personal ?
Graduation Plan
I
t’s a smart idea to create a High School Personal postsecondary education goals. Don’t worry. You aren’t
Graduation Plan, or 4-year plan, to guide your locked into your choices. You should revisit your 4-year plan
studies through high school and into college or other at least once a year to update it. You can change clusters,
postsecondary education or training. Your 4-year plan programs of study, and career and postsecondary goals as
represents your chance to take control of your education your interests and ambitions change. Having a plan—even
and career choices. Working with your parents/guardians if it changes—is smarter than having no idea of what you
and guidance counselor, you can pick the cluster on which want to do and why you are attending school. Here’s how
you want to focus your studies as well as your career and to fill out your 4-year plan.
PICK a program of study within the
CHOOSE a career cluster on which LIST basic cluster. There are two programs within
information such the Science, Technology, Engineering,
to focus your high school and college and Mathematics cluster (see page 12).
as your name and
or postsecondary studies. The idea is
school.
to offer you a seamless route to follow
from high school, through college or
CHOOSE one or more
other postsecondary education, and into
duation Plan
occupations for which you would
a career. Not all Texas schools offer all
Sch o ol P ers onal Gra like to prepare. Use resources
clusters, so ask your guidance counselor High r Jones, West
ylo
High School
eering, & Mat
gin
hematics such as Texas Career Check (www.
Name: Ta , En
which clusters are available at your school.
en t: Science, Technology ring & Mathematics texascareercheck.com) to research
Endors em , Enginee
ce, Technology logy
Cluster: Scien y: Engineering and Techno your options.
ud
Program of St cal Engin ee r nical Engineering
Mechani r’s Degree in
Mecha
Career Goal:
y Goal: Bachelo
Postsecondar STEM ) Credits
s (26
Requirement
PLAN for what you want to do after high gh School Endorsement
Foundation Hi nts (22 Credits)
school. Your goal may be to attend a four- Prog ram Requireme Algebra II it)
ditional Cred Credits)
year university or two-year college, join the Science (1 Ad Electives (2 Additional
edits) Career Related
military, or enter an apprenticeship program. uage Ar ts (4 Cr D ELEC TIVES
English Lang REER RELATE
• English I EX AMPLE CA
Your postsecondary goal should influence the chnolog y
• English II gineering & Tetation
classes you take in high school; for example, you • English III ur se Concepts of En De sig n & Presen
gli sh Co Enginee rin g
• Advanced En Technolog y tation
will need certain course credits to qualify for Principles of gineering Design & Presen
(3 Credits) Advanced EnMathematics
admission to a college. Mathematics
• Algebra I Engineering Design & Problem Solving
• Geometr y se Engineering Science
nc ed Ma th ematics Cour Prac ticum in Engineering & Mathemati
cs
• Adca
Technolog y,
(3 Cr ed its) AC HI EV EM ENT
Scien ce ED LE VEL OF
• Biolog y DISTINGUISH
SKETCH out your schedule of classes for nced Science
• IPC or Adva ience Course
Course
ust complete
Algebra II)
Ma thematics (M
your high school years. You will spend time • Advanced Sc 4 Credits in ience dorsement
4 Credits in Scs for at least the STEM En
completing requirement for the Foundation s (3 Credits) Requirement quirements
Social Studie
• U.S. History ment (one-half credit) Remaining re
High School Program including electives to DGEMENT
• U.S. Govern(one-half credit) E ACKNOWLE
earn your endorsement in STEM (26 credits). • Econ om ics
ra ph y or Wo rld Hi sto ry PERFORMANC
• World Geog
Planning your 4-year plan will help you get the performance
ation (1 Cred
it)
its in same Outstanding credit course
education and experience you need to start Physical Educ her Than English (2 Cred • in a dual m and bilitera
cy
Languages Ot • in bilingualis or IB exam e AC T
your postsecondary and career goals. language) • on an AP test T-Plan , the SAT, or th ized
edit) the AC gn
Fine Ar ts (1 Cr Electives (5 Credits) • on the PSAT, lly or internationally reco
ed all y) na
Career Relat Speech (Determined loc Earning a natio ustry certification
Proficienc y in business or ind
PICK extended learning activities that Bridge
International
complement your classes (see page 14). Work nt Association s Competition, rs
nces : Tech nology Stude , FIRST Hig h School Robotic etition, Na tional Enginee
on community service projects. Plan for paid Curricular Expe
rie iNation n Comp
rie nces: De stination Imag Na tiona l Engineering Desig
Expe al Society,
and unpaid career learning experiences, Extracurricular eering Technic
st, Junior Engin ip, Job Shadow
ing
such as job shadowing and internships. All Building Conte paid, Internsh
ek r Prepara tion—Paid and Un
We es: Caree
these extracurricular activities can give you ing Experienc teer
Career Learn Service Volun
es: Community
experience that will help you get into college ing Experienc
Service Learn
or land a job. A CAREER PORTFOLIO (see page 15) is a
good way to organize information about
your educational experiences, record
results of career interest and abilities
assessments, and hold examples of your
best work. Include a 4-year plan in your Page 5
portfolio.
CLUSTER PROFILE
SCIENTISTS
and engineers
imagine the
future and turn
Build a Better
World
it into reality.
M
ost people don’t
think of those
working in Science,
Technology, Engineering,
& Mathematics careers as
adventurers and explorers,
but they’re wrong. In their
heads, these high-tech
workers are boldly going
where no one has gone
before. From the iPod in your pocket to the personal particularly bright for engineers who design our roads, rail
computers in the school library, the things they discover systems, and bridges—the infrastructure we need to move
and invent transform the way we live, work, and play. people and goods.
“Engineers and technologists are those prepared to “As the world’s population continues to grow, the
imagine, design, and build a better world,” says John demand for infrastructure can only increase,” he says, “and
Hansen, Ph.D, director of the Ingenuity Center at the the need for more infrastructure will certainly mean a need
University of Texas at Tyler. The Ingenuity Center is for more and more engineers.”
dedicated to promoting the training of tomorrow’s
scientific adventurers in middle and high schools. Focus on the Future
Hansen says this field is “People who succeed in this cluster generally have a
full of exciting—sometimes strong attention to detail,” says Hansen. “After all, get one
THE TEXAS MATH earthshaking—careers.
“The Science, Technology,
letter wrong in chemistry and instead of aluminum—Al—
you could end up with arsenic—As. That could be a pretty,
WEBSITE, HTTP://WWW.
WTAMU.EDU/ACADEMIC/ Engineering, & Mathematics
ANNS/MPS/MATH/ cluster offers a wide range
10
MATHLAB/, OFFERS of important career choices,”
STUDENTS FREE, ONLINE he says. “In fact, the world’s Fast-Growing Careers
MATH INSTRUCTION future will be propelled by
AND HELP. ideas that will be developed by Annual
% Growth
many of the men and women Occupation Openings
2012-2022 (2012–2022)
in these fields.”
Petroleum Engineer 45% 1365
Texas Is Terrific Information Security Analyst 45% 405
Texas is a terrific place to be if you’re interested in a Operations Research Analyst 37% 330
career in science and technology. According to the Texas
Healthcare and Bioscience Institute, the state boasts the Statitician 37% 55
third-largest number of scientists and engineers in the Biomedical Engineer 36% 75
United States. Actuaries 35% 55
There’s plenty of room for talented new minds, too. Texas
Mathematician 33% 5
had more than 675,166 jobs in the professional, scientific,
and technical services fields in 2014, and the Texas Computer Systems Analyst 32% 2,085
Workforce Commission expects jobs in the sector to leap by Civil Engineer 31% 1,285
31 percent by 2022, well above the growth rate for all jobs Computer Support Specialist 27% 2,165
in the state.
Jonathan Startin, manager of the Trans-Texas Corridor This is a projection of 10 fast-growing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, &
construction project for Halcrow, Inc., says the future is Mathematics in Texas from the year 2012-2022 and the number of annual openings
created in each occupation. Note that while the percentage of growth in jobs may be
high, the actual number of jobs created may be low. For example, there will be only 5 new
jobs for mathematicians created in Texas during the decade that the data covers.
Page 6 Sources: Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Spring 2014; Texas Workforce Commission.
10 Top-Paying Careers
Average Entry-Level Experienced
Occupation Wage Wage Wage
Architectural and Engineering Manager $77.09 $46.03 $92.61 can never be successful.
Petroleum Engineer $76.61 $42.63 $93.59 “Although diversity doesn’t guarantee invention and
innovation, the more diverse our Science, Technology,
Geoscientist $72.87 $34.60 $92.00
Engineering, & Mathematics workforce is, the more diverse
Computer and Information Systems
$64.97 $41.66 $76.62 our ‘idea pool’ becomes,” Hansen says. “I’d encourage
Manager everyone to explore how to excel in math and science. It’s
d
Chemical Engineer $61.27 $34.55 $74.62 never too late to choose your own road to success.”
Natural Sciences Manager $60.46 $36.68 $72.34
Communication and Creativity
Physicist $57.65 $23.89 $74.53
Because teamwork is critical in technical fields,
Actuary $55.16 $32.00 $66.73 communication skills can be as important as math and
Computer and Information Research science. “I always look for good team players,” says Startin.
$51.89 $30.74 $62.46
Scientist “Roads are not built quickly or by one person working
Nuclear Engineer $50.86 $32.70 $59.94 alone.”
“Learning how to read, write, and speak English well is
This is a chart of hourly wages for 10 of the top-paying careers in the Science, essential,” says Moehlenbruck. Creativity, too, is a plus. To
Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics cluster in Texas. Note how entry-level wages
are often much lower than pay for the average worker and experienced workers in each make a difference in science and technology, you have to be
profession. Source: Texas Workforce Commission. able to create or design new and
different approaches to problems.
serious mistake.” Michael Dell, chairman of Dell
“The ability to focus is absolutely crucial,” agrees Jeff Inc., based in Round Rock, became
Moehlenbruck, a director of research and development for a billionaire by understanding the
Austin-based Zimmer Orthobiologics, a worldwide leader in big picture and tackling challenges
development of hip replacements. “With so much information creatively. “It’s through curiosity
coming from so many sources,” he adds, “it’s really critical that and looking at opportunities
you be a hard worker and stay on top of the information.” in new ways that we’ve always
mapped our path at Dell,” he has
It’s Never Too Late said in media interviews. “There’s
To succeed in this cluster, you have to have a talent for math always an opportunity to make a
and science, but Hansen says some students, particularly difference.”
women and minorities, tend to give up on science careers “I look for creativity when
too early. “Many of these students,” he says, “who would I’m hiring,” says Startin. “A good
be excellent scientists or engineers, preselect scientist, mathematician, or
themselves out of these futures because they engineer is always looking for
haven’t done well in precollege science and a better solution to, well,
math classes.” So if you haven’t excelled in everything.”
math and science so far, don’t assume you
Q Is Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics the
right cluster for you? Take this quiz to find out. Answer
U “yes” or “no” to the following questions.
I 1.
Do you like to tinker
2.
Are you interested
3.
Do you like
4.
Do you like working
5.
Do you like visiting
Z
with cars or small in insects, snakes, team sports? with computers? museums?
appliances? frogs, or other
animals?
6.
Do you get good
7.
Do you read
8.
Do you enjoy
9.
Are you good at
10.
Does it bother
grades in math? scientific or technical working on building things you when people
magazines? crossword puzzles? from scratch? aren’t accurate
and precise?
If you answered “yes” to five or more of the above questions, Science, Technology, Engineering, &
Mathematics may be the right cluster for you. To get a more specific and scientific measurement of your
attitudes and abilities, ask your guidance counselor or teacher about taking a career assessment test or
interest inventory.
Page 7
ON THE JOB
What Employers Want
MATH AND SCIENCE SKILLS
Multinational engineering firm
Halcrow, Inc., is involved in building
the Trans-Texas Corridor, a road and
The
rail system that will span Texas from
Mexico to Oklahoma. Jonathan Startin,
the Halcrow senior consultant in
charge of the project in Texas, says the
Need to
project requires special skills. “First,” he
says, “we’re looking for people who are
Explore
good in math and physics.”
ENGLISH SKILLS
Although science and math are
important, it’s just as crucial to be good
in English, says Jeff Moehlenbruck, a
director of research and development
for Zimmer Orthobiologics, a worldwide
leader in the development of hip
replacements. “Verbal skills make
a huge difference,” he says. “It’s
important to be able to read, write, and
speak English effectively. If you’re the
THE KEY TO SUCCESS in Science, Technology,
only one who understands your ideas,
they won’t go anywhere.”
Engineering, & Mathematics is insatiable curiosity.
TEAMWORK SKILLS
W
“When I participate in hiring scientists,
I look for teamwork ability and hen he was a kid, Joseph Nors the detective work pays off. “You have
organizational skills,” says Margo tore apart his big brother’s model that ‘eureka’ moment. You’ve figured
Marmelstein, oil and gas market blimp to figure out how the out what’s happening and why it’s
manager for Thermo Fisher Scientific, electronics worked. happening—the light bulb goes on.”
one of the world’s leading makers of “I was always tearing apart toys,” says Nors says, however, it can take a while
analytical instrumentation. “I want to Nors, now an electronics technician at the before you reach that moment, and
know that they will work well within Federal Bureau of Investigation office in that requires patience. “You can’t get
their team, as well as across functions.
San Antonio. “As I got older, it was more discouraged easily,” he says.
I want to know that they can lead a
project.”
expensive things, like old cell phones.”
It’s that kind of curiosity, a constant Imagination Needed
urge to get at the “why” and “how” of To be a successful scientific detective,
things, that makes for success on the job you need the ability to look at things
CREATIVE PROBLEM in Science, Technology, Engineering, & in totally new ways, says Fort Worth
SOLVING Mathematics. chemist Michael J. Brubaker, who
“When I’m hiring, I always look for works in research and development
creativity and a knack for problem Detective Work at the pharmaceutical company Alcon
solving,” says Moehlenbruck. “I also “I use math all the time to answer Laboratories.
look for diligence and decisiveness. In questions like, ‘Why am I seeing what I’m Brubaker, who directs research
the current marketplace, we are thrown
seeing in this satellite image?’” says Curt and development (R&D) activities for
so much information and so many tasks
that it’s critical to be a hard worker Reutner, an air pollution meteorologist one of Alcon’s eye-care product units,
and to be able to quickly ferret out the with the Texas Commission on enjoys pursuing answers to challenging
kernels of important information and Environmental Quality. problems. “You have the freedom to use
act on them.” “Sometimes when an your mind to discover and create new
“I like to hire people who have unexpected pollutant shows ideas and new products,” he says.
creativity,” says Startin. “People who ask up and we have no clue All that creativity has to begin with the
good questions before focusing on a where it comes from,” says ability to analyze and judge information,
final solution.” Reutner, “it takes time and a Brubaker adds. “The important thing in a
lot of detective–like activity science career is the ability to make sense
to figure it out.” out of the data and, based on what it
The most exciting gives you, decide ‘What’s next?’”
part of his job,
Reutner says, is when
Page 8Continuous Learning Working with Others The Rewards
Because new discoveries are always Researchers not only come together If you get your start in science and
being made in science and technology, to share the latest developments at technology tinkering with gadgets to
analyzing data and new developments is meetings, but also team up on the job to see how they work, as Nors did, then it’s
something you have to do continuously. generate the developments in the first no surprise that the same sense of play
“There are always inventions and place. and wonder can carry over to your adult
creations that will change our jobs. We “Many people have an image of a work.
have to keep up with what is new out scientist as a guy with a beard, lab coat, “I love to go to work,” says Nors. “I
there,” says Lisa Mahlmann, a senior and Einstein-like hair working in a dark refer to the electronics devices I work
manager of utilities and subsystems at lab all alone,” says Sharlini Sankaran, a with as toys. It’s just like being a little
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company biomedical engineer and the manager kid; we get to play with toys all day
in Fort Worth, responsible for design of education programs at Sigma Xi, a long.”
of the mechanical systems on military scientific research society. “In reality, Mahlmann says she gets “goose
aircraft built by the company. scientists rarely work alone.” bumps” when she hears an airplane she
Most people in the field stay on top That makes communication skills helped design take off. “The sound of
of the changes by reading scientific critically important, Reutner says. “You the whole system working together is
journals and attending professional could be the most brilliant person in the really fantastic.”
conferences at which researchers and world, but if you can’t write about your Reutner says when his work on
academic scientists present the latest work or present it, nobody’s going to get pollution control plays out on a big
findings, Brubaker explains. the message.” scale, everybody benefits. “Many people
say, ‘Think globally and act locally,’” he
says. “I’m living it. I’m actually making a
difference in the world.”
5 Cool Careers
CHECK OUT THESE EXCITING
CAREERS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
ENGINEERING, & MATHEMATICS.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
OCEANOGRAPHER TV METEOROLOGIST BIOTECHNOLOGIST VIDEO GAME NANOTECHNOLOGIST
Understanding the world’s On TV, meteorology Biotechnology harnesses DESIGNER In a world that has long
oceans is a big—and combines the glitz of living cells and organisms Computer games are thought that bigger is better,
important—job. Oceans show business with the to create useful products becoming more and more nanotechnologists work to
drive the earth’s weather, fun of science. Behind the and answers to problems lifelike every day. How? make things smaller. It was
generate more than 70 scenes, meteorologists get that previously had no Through the hard-earned once a writer’s fantasy that
percent of the oxygen we to analyze and interpret solution. This approach sweat of game designers. a human could swallow a pill
breathe, absorb carbon weather data to create has been around since Game designers combine and have his or her insides
dioxide, and replenish their predictions. Then they people started using yeast skills in computer animation photographed. Now, it’s
our freshwater supply. use computer graphics to make bread rise. But and interactive design with reality. Nanotechnologists
Oceanographers team programs to build the today, biotechnologists a deep passion for games work to get things down
with other scientists to dynamic maps that we are engineering living cells to create simulations that to the size of a molecule.
understand and protect see on TV. With weather to create new strains of are almost as good as—and Researchers in Michigan
this valuable resource. As patterns shifting and drought-resistant plants, sometimes better than— have even designed smart
an oceanographer, you changing every second, to create drugs to treat reality. Perseverance is key. “nanobombs” meant to
might work on anything this can be a fast-paced, previously incurable diseases, Game designers spend target diseased cells and kill
from pursuing ways to exciting—even glamorous— and to make plastic or months, even years, making or deliver drugs to them.
safely harvest food from career choice. fuel from corn instead of their visions reality. These For patients who could
the oceans to studying the petroleum. You could be days, there’s a whole lot of be helped by the therapy,
effect of sonar on ocean a part of this exciting new science behind the fun. smaller is better.
life. Oceanographers are research.
definitely riding the wave of
our future.
Page 925 Science, Technology, Engineering
Listed below are 25 careers you might consider in the Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathem
of occupations available to you at different education levels. Turn to the “Online Info” on the inside
talents and ambitions. Here’s an explanation of the kind of information presented in each column.
C SOC: Stands for Standard
Occupational Code, which
organizations like the U.S.
GROWTH: This is
the projected annual
growth in Texas for
OPENINGS: This is the projected
number of job openings for the
career in Texas each year. Even
WAGES: This is the amount
the average person in the
career earns in Texas per
A
though a career may be fast
Department of Labor use to the career between growing, there may not be a lot year. Naturally, entry-level
categorize career information. 2012 and 2022. Fast- of positions available. Careers wages are lower than
Sometimes you can find data growing occupations with more openings will give an the average, and those
on a career faster by searching may offer greater entry-level worker a better chance for workers with years of
for its SOC. career opportunities experience are generally
R
of getting a job and greater job
for young adults. security. higher.
E SOC Occupation Growth Openings Wages Education
E
19-1042 Medical Scientist, except Epidemiologist 17.0% 225 $67,554 Doctoral degree
19-1022 Microbiologist 15.0% 30 $53,797 Doctoral degree
R 19-1021 Biochemist and Biophysicist
19-2012 Physicist
21.0%
24.0%
20
70
$70,308
$119,995
Doctoral degree
Doctoral degree
Environmental Scientist and Specialist, including
19-2041 24.0% 315 $75,445 Master’s degree
Health
C 19-2043 Hydrologist 17.0% 15 $75,685 Master’s degree
H 19-3092 Geographer 46% 5 $62,091 Master’s degree
O 19-3091 Anthropologist and Archeologist
11-9121 Natural Sciences Manager
21.0%
18.0%
15
65
$59,966
$125,747
Master’s degree
Bachelor’s plus experience
I 11-9041 Architectural and Engineering Manager
19-2031 Chemist
24.0%
18.0%
750
200
$160,339
$66,401
Bachelor’s plus experience
Bachelor’s degree
C 19-2021 Atmospheric and Space Scientist 22.0% 35 $66,085 Bachelor’s degree
E 17-2051 Civil Engineer
17-2171 Petroleum Engineer
31.0%
45.0%
1,285
1,365
$98,563
$159,339
Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor’s degree
S 17-2011 Aerospace Engineer 14.0% 290 $105,761 Bachelor’s degree
17-2031 Biomedical Engineer 36.0% 75 $103,903 Bachelor’s degree
Source: 17-2021 Agricultural Engineer 14.0% 0 $81,929 Bachelor’s degree
Texas Workforce
Commission (TWC)
Note: This chart is a
sampling of careers 17-1021 Cartographer and Photogrammetrist 37.0% 45 $50,115 Bachelor’s degree
in the cluster, not
recommendations from
TWC or any other agency
or organization. Always Health and Safety Engineer, except Mining Safety
17-2111 21.0% 100 $96,283 Bachelor’s degree
do thorough research Engineer
and consult with your
parents/guardians
before making a career 19-4021 Biological Technician 18.0% 190 $41,054 Associate’s degree
choice.
19-4092 Forensic Science Technician 17.0% 55 $46,827 Associate’s degree
19-4091 Environmental Science and Protection Technician 24.0% 185 $44,941 Associate’s degree
Page 10g, & Mathematics
matics cluster. These are not all the career options in the cluster—they are just a sampling showing the variety
e back cover to research all career options in the cluster of your choice and decide on the ones that best fit your
.
EDUCATION: This is the minimum preferred level of educational attainment for people working in the career in the United States. JOB
This can range from short-term on-the-job training to a doctoral degree taking several years of college. DESCRIPTION:
These are brief
EDUCATION LEVELS: The color bars show the mix of education levels attained by people descriptions of
High School Some College College or Better each career from
actually working in the profession in Texas (see bars at right). If a bar features mostly one
color, that means that level of education is likely the one you’ll need to reach to work in the O*NET Online
Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of (online.onetcenter.
profession. Look at microbiologist, for example, and you’ll see that virtually everyone in people in the people in the people in the
the field has a college degree or better. If the three colors in the bar are roughly equal in org).
occupation occupation profession
size, that means that there are opportunities in the profession for people of all education who have who have who have a
levels. For example, about 32 percent of the people working as chemical technicians have
a high school diploma, while 39 percent have some college, and 29 percent have four-year at most some four-year college
degrees or better. high school college degree or better
diplomas
Education Levels Job Description
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation
or other research, production, technical writing, or related activities.
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Category
includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Study the chemical composition and physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related
phenomena. May conduct research to advance understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism,
reproduction, growth, and heredity.
Conduct research into the phases of physical phenomena, develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise
methods to apply laws and theories to industry and other fields.
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect
either the environment or the health of the population. Utilizing knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study,
report, and take action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface water; study the form and intensity of precipitation,
its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere.
Study nature, and use of areas of earth’s surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research
on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals; conduct research on the spatial implications
of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization; and research
interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.
Study the origin, development, and behavior of humans. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of existing people in
various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from
past human cultures, in order to determine the history of earlier civilizations.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in
these fields.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or chemical experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop
new products or knowledge.
Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare
reports and forecasts for public and other uses.
Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads,
railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, water and sewage systems, and waste disposal
units. Includes architectural, structural, traffic, ocean, and geotechnical engineers.
Devise methods to improve oil well production and determine the need for modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer advice to achieve
economical and satisfactory progress.
Perform a variety of engineering work in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied
research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture.
Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health
systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care
delivery systems.
Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification,
structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.
Collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data. Research, study,
and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with
geographic information systems (GIS).
Promote worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health
and safety laws.
Assist biological and medical scientists in laboratories. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor
experiments, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as
fiber, hair, and tissue, to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witness in court. May serve as specialists in area of
expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health.
Under direction of an environmental scientist or specialist, may collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing and take
corrective actions as assigned.HIGH SCHOOL PROGR AMS
High School
DESIGN your high
school courses to
get your Science,
Liftoff
Technology,
Engineering, &
Mathematics career
off the ground.
HERE ARE the programs
Keys to Success
of study available within
Right now in Texas, students just like
the Science, Technology,
Salinas are focusing their high school
Engineering, & Mathematics
P cluster in Texas high schools.*
The State has created
studies on Science, Technology,
Engineering, & Mathematics.
R models for each of these Preparation for a career in
the cluster should start with rigorous
O
B
areas. These documents
detail high school classes enjamin Salinas loved math academic courses.
from an early age. “In seventh Math and science are the most
G
you might take, extended
learning opportunities, and grade I took Algebra and, at important classes for this cluster.
that time, a lot of my friends were very Students in Science, Technology,
R
postsecondary programs.
much into math,” he recalls. “To this Engineering & Mathematics programs
day, I still like math a great deal.” of study should take four years
A SCIENCE AND MATH
Those who choose careers
Then came an experience that of advanced math and four years of
M
changed his direction in life. During his advanced science.
in this field plan, manage, freshman year at the Science Academy In math, the recommended courses
and provide research and of South Texas (SciTech), a magnet are Algebra I and II and Geometry,
professional services. Their goal
P
school in Mercedes, Salinas took as well as Calculus or Statistics,
is to improve our understanding Introduction to Engineering Design, depending on which career program
R
of the natural world. the first class in a series of courses of study you choose to pursue. In
designed by Project Lead The Way (see science, the recommended courses
O ENGINEERING AND “Spotlight” on next page). are Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
TECHNOLOGY “My dad studied engineering at For the advanced science, a number of
F Careers in this field involve
problem solving in design
college,” Salinas says, “but I had no idea
what an engineer did. It was in that
options are available, including Earth
and Space Science, Environmental
I and development of products
class that I first said, ‘Oh, okay, this is
what engineering is all about.’”
Systems, and Engineering.
L
and systems. Individuals Salinas discovered he loved Career Electives
pursuing these careers evaluate engineering, completed the Project In addition to academic studies,
E problems to develop and test
solutions and provide advice
Lead The Way program at SciTech, and
is now studying at the Franklin W. Olin
it is recommended that you
take Career and Technical
S and consultation. College of Engineering in Needham,
Massachusetts.
Education (CTE) electives.
These classes give you
“Looking back,” he says, “I think it was specialized knowledge and
* Not all schools offer all programs of vitally important that I got engineering hands-on experience in your
study or clusters. Ask your counselor
which programs are available at your experience at SciTech before I went to chosen program of study.
school. college. In fact, I’m certain I wouldn’t be Students in the Science,
where I am today if I hadn’t gone there.” Technology, Engineering,
& Mathematics cluster
Page 12THE
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT
COMPUTER CHIP WAS
follow one of two programs of study:
INVENTED IN JULY 1958 IN coordinator at McKinney Independent
Science and Math or Engineering and DALLAS. School District in McKinney. Courses
Technology (see “Program Profiles,” in subjects such as Biology, Chemistry,
page 12). A lot of the same courses can Some require students to complete an Physics, Computer Science, and Statistics
be taken for either program, including internship or a senior project. prepare you for tests which, if you do
Technology Systems, Electricity, Technical One of the academies at A. J. Moore is well, earn you college credit while you’re
Writing, and Electronics. the Academy of Emerging Technologies. still in high school.
Electives specific to the Science and There, students in the environmental “Taking rigorous math and science AP
Math program of study include Aquatic sciences program work with the U.S. courses put me at a level where I could
Science, Scientific Research and Design, Army Corps of Engineers to create a compete in college with students who
and Meteorology. Electives specific to wetland to clean up a lake that is a main attended prestigious private schools
Engineering and Technology include source of water for the community. or math and science academies,” says
Construction Systems, Manufacturing David Leal, an applications engineer with
Systems, and Architecture Construction. A Head Start on College Freescale Semiconductor in Austin. Leal
If you’re planning on going to college graduated from Rice University with a
Certified Skills in this cluster, it’s a good idea to take degree in electrical engineering.
What if you love technology, but don’t Advanced Placement (AP) courses
have the funds or desire to go to a four- in math and science, says Cheryl
year college? There are plenty of careers Yowell, career and technical education
in the cluster that require less than a
SPOTLIGHT
bachelor’s degree, particularly technician
positions. Some jobs require a two-
year associate’s degree in engineering,
engineering technology, or computer
science.
Other careers require only a
certification you can earn during or after
HIGH-TECH HIGH
high school. Chris Newton, a junior at the Project Lead The Way at the Science Academy of South Texas
Academy of Irving in Irving, says career
and technical education (CTE) courses are
preparing him to get his certification as a
T he Science Academy of South Texas
(SciTech) in Mercedes is ranked as
one of “America’s Best High Schools” by
way they’ll get excited about engineering
and they’ll be more likely to study it in
college.”
Cisco Network Associate Technician. Newsweek magazine. It focuses on Science, SciTech’s engineering, math, and science
“These classes have helped me figure Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics classes are an effective college initiation. “I
out what I want to do. Actually getting a and offers students a head start on college. was very well prepared even though I came
job has become a reality,” says Newton. SciTech features the national Project from an economically disadvantaged area,”
Once certified, he will be eligible for jobs Lead The Way curriculum—a series of says Salinas, who goes to the Franklin W.
courses that prepares students for rigorous Olin College of Engineering in Needham,
paying $18 an hour.
college engineering programs and gives Massachusetts, “and I attend a top-ranked,
them practical experience working on real- very selective engineering school.”
Special Academies world projects. When students come to SciTech they
Some school districts take education Mark Schroll, a SciTech technology expect it to be challenging. “They may not
in Science, Technology, Engineering, & teacher, says the curriculum is unique— always like that part when they are knee-
Mathematics a step further (see “High- students graduate with a minimum of five deep in their work, but they see the payoff
Tech High” at right). They establish pre-engineering courses and twice the at the end,” Schroll says. “They watch as
separate high schools or academies within math and science courses required by the upperclassmen receive scholarships and go
State. on to world-class colleges.”
high schools that focus entirely on STEM
“Though SciTech is a public magnet high
careers. school, we have no entrance requirements
These schools offer hands- for the students,” Schroll said. “We get
on, project-based courses and interested students from all walks of life
usually have more advanced and all skill levels. We draw students from
laboratories and equipment, many different school districts that stretch
says Angela Rheiner, director from one end of the Rio Grande Valley to
of career academies for A. J. the other.”
Moore Academy in Waco. “The idea is to introduce engineering to
high school students from an early age,”
said Ben Salinas, a SciTech alumnus. “That
Page 13EX TENDED LEARNING OPTIONS
Experiment
Careers
with
TRY OUT your career options with
out-of-class learning experiences.
W
hile still a student at James assistant director of the Upper Rio the government a whole lot. I was like,
Bowie High School in Austin, Grande Texas Tech Prep Youth ‘Okay, this is not for me.’”
Will Ward gained more than Consortium, which coordinates career Another summer internship helped
passing knowledge of the best depth and tech-prep education in West Texas. her find aerospace and mechanical
at which to place sonars—underwater “Some information can only be gained engineering. It was with NASA’s High
devices that use sound to track through real-life experience,” he says. School Aerospace Scholars Program at
submarines and other objects—to the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
protect U.S. naval bases. He was not Job Shadowing She worked with an aerospace engineer
working as a spy for a foreign country. One of the best ways to check out at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab. The world’s
In fact, he was part of the High School a career before making too much of largest indoor pool is used to simulate
Apprenticeship Program at the a commitment to it, Rodriguez
University of Texas at Austin. says, is spending a day following
The program allows someone who works in a profession THE UT MARINE SCIENCE
students to work at UT’s in which you are interested. When INSTITUTE, ON THE GULF OF
Applied Research Laboratories you job shadow, chances are just
on U.S. Department of Defense as good that you’ll discover a career MEXICO IN PORT ARANSAS,
projects under the guidance of you don’t like as that you’ll find BEGAN CONDUCTING
professional lab researchers. something you love. RESEARCH IN 1946 AND IS THE
As part of his experience, “There are jobs that look OLDEST MARINE LAB IN TEXAS.
Ward explains, “I helped glamorous,” says Rodriguez. “One
write the computer code example is forensic science because
that would determine of the way it’s portrayed on television. the weightless conditions of space. “It
the right depth at which But on TV, you don’t see the long hours was an amazing experience,” Crawford
to place sonar.” and the dirt and the grime. We’ve had says.
students dead set on that career. Then Crawford adds that her internships
Hands-On Learning we send them on job shadows. They helped her get into college. “I got a
The experience taught walk out saying, ‘I hated it. I don’t want reply in three days from the college I
Ward not only about anything to do with forensics.’” wanted to attend,” she says. “Then, in
national defense, but just a matter of days, they offered me
also about the value of Interning a scholarship for $5,000 a year for four
hands-on learning. “I In an internship, a student gets a more years.”
learned that there is only in-depth look at a particular career by
so much you can do with working for an employer in that field, Competitions
pen and paper,” he says. sometimes for pay. Science and engineering competitions
“Sometimes you just Sharla Crawford, a senior at are another great way to gain real-life
have to build it and see Conroe High School in Conroe, liked experience, especially in teamwork and
what works best.” environmental engineering when she leadership skills, says Debbie Jasek, who
There are several similar ways— job shadowed in the ninth grade. When works with colleges on K–12 outreach as
including job shadowing, internships, she interned with an environmental an associate research specialist for the
apprenticeships, part-time jobs, and engineer for an entire summer, though, state government’s Texas Transportation
competitions—to gain real-world she changed her mind. Institute. Such competitions are usually
experience in Science, Technology, “I really got to see what environmental held for teams. “In the real world,
Engineering, & Mathematics outside engineering is about,” she says. “There’s engineers and scientists don’t work in
the classroom, says Michael Rodriguez, a lot of paperwork and you deal with isolation,” she says. “They almost always
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