STEM careers: what questions do you want to ask?
Oxbridge Inspire’s ‘Exhibition of Ideas’ workshop was at Coopers’ Company and Coborn School last week for their STEM Festival, where we encouraged sixth form students to explore STEM topics, skills and career options with an open mind.
At Oxbridge Inspire we love questions, in fact we want you to be asking the questions that others might shy away from or that some may consider preposterous, such as, “will we be able to retain consciousness outside of our [human] body?”. Being curious and thinking outside of the box is a very useful quality to have, especially for someone pursuing a STEM career.
The students who took part in our ‘Exhibition of Ideas’ workshop in Upminster last Thursday, were given the space and time to collaboratively generate a variety of questions about the real-world, such as: “what will buildings look like in the future?”, “what happens after we die?” and “when will cash become obsolete?”. During the interactive workshop our STEM Ambassador* encouraged individuals to consider how a STEM career, possibly their career, could contribute towards answering one or more of the questions posed.
Students were encouraged to contemplate their passions and motivations for life beyond school: from pursuing a STEM subject at degree level, to applying for an internship, to running their own business and beyond. One approach that students took was to make a list of their A-Level subjects on the large sheets of paper provided, before identifying possible career progression routes and discussing ways they could find out more about a certain career and how it is linked to STEM. On the other hand, some students listed the profession they are working towards (be it dentistry, civil engineering or human rights law) and then explored how STEM subjects are applicable to that line of employment, what qualifications, skills and experience are needed and who it could be worthwhile meeting in that job sector.
Most of the students present expressed a desire to work alongside someone employed in a occupation they are considering as a future career. Industrial placements and work experience opportunities are vital to students, especially as many want to know, “How do you start your career?”, “How do you meet people in industry settings?” and “How do you stay relevant in your career?”. Indeed, a STEM festival is an empowering opportunity for students to meet a variety of people from a variety of sectors and be exposed to a variety of progression routes through networking. Therefore, to make the most of a STEM festival, students (like those participating at Coopers’ Company and Coborn School last week) really need to be willing to articulate their aspirations, able to recognise potential opportunities and ready to ask questions.
*“STEM Ambassadors are volunteers from a wide range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related jobs and disciplines across the UK. They offer their time and enthusiasm to help bring STEM subjects to life and demonstrate the value of them in life and careers.” — https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors
Oxbridge Inspire delivers innovative STEM education and provides guidance and inspiration to young people wishing to pursue STEM subjects at University and beyond. To find out more about Oxbridge Inspire and the courses and activities we offer, visit our website.
