The opportunities are endless.
In the ever-changing world of employment and careers, Queensland University of Technology is arming the next generation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), with the skills to adapt and excel in jobs that the world hasn’t yet created.
A recent report by the World Economic Forum has predicted that 65% of primary school children would end up in careers that didn’t yet exist and that in the near future 97 million new roles will be created to accommodate the new division of labor between humans and machines.
Despite a distinct lack of female representation and acknowledgement in the world of STEM, QUT believes the unique qualities women bring to the table are vital to the world’s progress.
It’s a belief that has spawned the STEM the Tide initiative dedicated to bridging the gender gap in STEM careers. To that end, QUT has implemented the ‘STEM + X’ formula to support young women on their path to future careers.
By integrating STEM into another field of study to create a unique combination — be it tech + fashion or math + business — students are afforded a greater degree of future job security while providing existing sectors with invaluable scientific analysis.
QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil, AO knows about the forever-changing landscape of science, technology, engineering and math and the importance of combining science with real-life passion. “QUT STEM + X is a new way of thinking to prepare students for the future and to help them take their first steps into the fascinating evolving world of employment. In recent years, we have seen first hand the increased need to break out of traditional job roles and venture into STEM and other career perspectives. The opportunities are endless, and we are more than proud to be a part of Australia’s changing job landscape, ” Professor Sheil said.
The opportunities for disciplinary interface STEM skills are demonstrated in the range of emerging careers below, showcasing their versatility and adaptability in the face of an unpredictable landscape.
1. AI Ethicist
As AI continues to play a more significant role in our day-to-day lives, issues relating to the legality and ethics surrounding it grow too, indicating a need for advocacy in this field. Prospective students should possess an equal passion for philosophy and robotics alongside an analytic mind.
2. Self-driving car mechanic
While the role of the ordinary mechanic might become obsolete in future years, even self-driving cars require maintenance and repair jobs only humans can perform. Picking up advanced software programming and data management skills secures this hands-on job against future redundancy.
3. Fashion engineer
With climate change now at the forefront of everyone’s mind, the environmental impact of industries is under increasing scrutiny. By combining scientific skills with textiles or fashion, students could map the ecological impact and efficacy of the industry’s practices.
4. Tele-surgeon
As the COVID-19 pandemic becomes less reality and more memory, one practice born out of it — remote healthcare — has stayed put. Naturally, tele-surgeons would combine IT, robotics, and medical skills to operate on patients remotely via a surgical robotic system.
5. 3D printed chef
Remember when the world thought smell-o-vision would be the next frontrunner in food technology? While that never happened, 3D printing has advanced significantly over the past few years, making the prospect of whipping up meals via 3D printer very possible. By combining programming and software development skills, math competency, and a love of food, students could become the next big thing in this developing discipline.
6. Coding ethicist
Human rights activists can future proof their passion by applying their ethical stance to the world of coding. Coding ethicists hold a magnifying glass over companies coding practices, ensuring they adhere to global computing standards of ethics when creating algorithms and tech. It’s clear that with new career options hatching alongside every technological development, female students at QUT are getting ahead of the game by arming themselves with a skillset to stand the test of time.
