Are you a student interested in STEM, but the available careers don’t interest you? You may not realize that there are limitless opportunities beyond what you have been introduced to already. Here are our top five unique careers in STEM we bet you’ve never considered.
#1 LEGO Model Designer
Building Your Future
Everywhere you look nowadays, you see LEGO. Theme parks, grocery stores, museums, airports, and beyond. LEGO model design is the perfect career for someone creative with endless imagination. A LEGO model designer creates official sets and models by building with physical bricks and digital tools. The LEGO design team describes themselves as “The creative visionaries, builders and storytellers behind all the cool stuff you see on the shelves.” For LEGO enthusiasts, this is a dream job.
The average yearly income of a LEGO model designer is roughly $65,444.
Skills needed:
- Geometry/ spatial awareness
- Creative design/prototyping
- Collaboration
- Wild imagination
#2 Disney Imagineer
A Whole New World of STEM
Speaking of dreams, when you wish upon a star, you get to work at Disney! If you have ever visited a Disney park, you know it’s a place where imagination comes to life. But who creates that magic? The Disney Imagineer team! A Disney Imagineer designs and builds Disney theme parks, attractions, resorts, and cruise ships by combining imagination and engineering.
Be the person who brings magic to life for approximately $110,000 to $130,000 a year.
Skills needed:
- Creative/artistic
- Technical/engineering
- Construction/project management
#3 Space Architect
Houston, We Have a House
Humans can't stop creating movies and TV franchises that involve humans living on other planets. How would you like to help humanity’s dream come true? A Space architect designs habitable environments for humans to survive in extreme off-world environments. Supporting life on another planet requires tons of planning. In this field, you must design habitats and vehicles fit for maintaining life on another planet, accounting for extreme temperatures, psychological well-being, zero-g ergonomics, and spatial efficiency.
The average yearly income for a space architect is around $128,000 to $148,000 in the United States.
Skills needed:
- Background in architecture and engineering
- Knowledge of space science
- Degree in the field
- Familiarity with CAD software, BIM, and aerospace-specific analysis tools
This 2020 concept of a moon village created by XTENDdesign is located on the rim of Shackleton crater on the lunar south pole. The Moon Village Association (MVA) is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) whose goal is to create a permanent global forum for stakeholders interested in the development of the Moon Village. NASA
#4 F1 Race Engineer
The Race for Success
Imagine yourself in the pit at the grand prix, the only person responsible for communicating information directly to the driver while he is on the track. An F1 race engineer is the primary link between the team and driver on the track, but this job isn't only what you see on Sunday; an F1 race engineer must be a jack of all trades. This job requires handling the car, speaking to the driver, and managing a whole team of mechanics. This is the perfect career for someone who is an expert on cars, a born leader, and can communicate clearly under high pressure.
A senior/race engineer's yearly salary can range from about $130,000 to $200,000 a year in the United States.
Skills needed:
- Degree in STEM
- Vehicle dynamics
- Race strategy and rule knowledge
- Stress tolerance
- Leadership
#5 Pyrotechnic Engineer
I Made a Boom Boom
This career is perfect for a chemist or engineer who craves an outlet for their booming creativity. A fireworks engineer designs, tests, and manufactures fireworks by combining chemistry and engineering. Create dazzling visuals for all to see on the biggest canvas in the universe! But this job isn't all fun and flames: The priority when creating these hypnotizing light effects is safety.
Pyrotechnicians must know what combination of substances creates each reaction, and how much of each substance will create the desired reaction size. They must also be adept at handling tools of the trade. Remember, the goal is to captivate, not decapitate.
Be the genius behind the highlight of any celebration for approximately $57,000 a year.
Skills needed:
- Pyrotechnic Chemistry & Physics
- Software Proficiency
- Electronics & Mechanics
- Music Synchronization
- Risk Management
This content is appropriate for Kindergarten - 5th Grade
This content is appropriate for Middle and High School
STEM is the Future, and so are You!
Progress can only happen if we are willing to continue making new discoveries, asking questions, and taking charge. So, don’t be afraid to choose a career that feels true to you. And remember, no matter what field you are interested in, whatever future awaits, you can always visit the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee, FL to discover more.