STE(A)M IT STEM Careers: Recent Episodes
STE(A)M IT
Have you noticed how some of your students are very engaged during maths classes? Are they finding themselves comfortable when solving puzzles and logic problems? Are they eager in learning more about programming? Add to that their interest in weather phenomena, and you might have a future data scientist in the field of meteorology in your classroom! Meteorology-oriented data scientists are in charge of analysing data to understand the weather phenomena and be able to predict variables such as visibility or the weather forecast. Discover more about the necessary skills by meeting Irina Malkin, a Meteorology-oriented Data Scientist at MicroStep-MIS!
CC BY 4.0: all the materials and content presented on this STEM Job profile have been provided by STE(A)M IT, a project funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ programme project STE(A)M IT (Grant agreement 612845-EPP-1-2019-1- BE-EPPKA3-PI-FORWARD), coordinated by European Schoolnet (EUN).
Do your students have an interest in materials engineering or electronics? Do they want to learn how technology companies meet their customers and market needs on a daily basis? Do they know what it is like to work in a fast-paced industry, always trying to come up with innovative solutions to solve complex technical challenges? If so, do not miss the opportunity to learn more about what a sales manager in a technology company does. This job consists of working with customers and product development teams to identify the best electronic components to meet the requirements of new products, for example, next-generation electric vehicles. This career profile requires people with great analytical, problem-solving and social skills. Are you curious to know more about this fascinating career path? Meet Elizabeth Jansen-Hubis, Sales Manager Automotive at Texas Instruments.
CC BY 4.0: all the materials and content presented on this STEM Job profile have been provided by STE(A)M IT, a project funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ programme project STE(A)M IT (Grant agreement 612845-EPP-1-2019-1- BE-EPPKA3-PI-FORWARD), coordinated by European Schoolnet (EUN).
Are your students interested in information technology, but also want to develop their people skills? Are they flexible and thrive in changing environments? Do they like to be in charge during group work in class? Are they good negotiators with promising analytical skills? If they also like to explore solutions to real-life problems, they might want to pursue a career as Systems Engineering Managers. People with this job title usually are the link between a technology company’s development and sales teams. They often think about long-term strategies for product development, based on customer input. Curious to hear from someone in the field? Meet Britta Weiss, a Systems Engineering Manager at Texas Instruments.
CC BY 4.0: all the materials and content presented on this STEM Job profile have been provided by STE(A)M IT, a project funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ programme project STE(A)M IT (Grant agreement 612845-EPP-1-2019-1- BE-EPPKA3-PI-FORWARD), coordinated by European Schoolnet (EUN).
Do your students show interest during biology classes? Are they eager to know more about scientists’ work? Do they advocate for a future with science without animal experiments? If some students in your class fit this description, you should let them know about the job position of programme leader for an Animal Advocacy NGO. Mainly, they are responsible for the organisation’s policies in the area of animal use in science. Introduce them to Luísa Bastos, a programme leader at Eurogroup for Animals!
*CC BY 4.0: all the materials and content presented on this STEM Job profile have been co-created by STE(A)M IT, a project funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ programme project STE(A)M IT (Grant agreement 612845-EPP-1-2019-1- BE-EPPKA3-PI-FORWARD), in collaboration with theThree Rs project, a project initiated and funded by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and supported by the European Parliament under a Preparatory Action entitled “Promoting alternatives to animal testing”. The project is coordinated by European Schoolnet (EUN) on behalf of the JRC. The Three Rs project is also supported by Scientix, funded from the European Union’s H2020 research and innovation programme – project Scientix 4 (Grant Agreement N. 101000063).***
Are your students interested in subjects such as biology and chemistry? Do they feel an urge to make the world a better place? Are they passionate about animals and their welfare? Help them combine the academic field and their personal goals by letting them know they can become Researchers for a European Union Institution. They will be able to work in the field of organ-on-chip (OoC) technology, which are devices designed to reproduce specific features of organs in the lab, providing human-relevant information to avoid animal testing alternatives. Scroll down to meet Monica Piergiovanni, a researcher for an EU institution!
*CC BY 4.0: all the materials and content presented on this STEM Job profile have been co-created by STE(A)M IT, a project funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ programme project STE(A)M IT (Grant agreement 612845-EPP-1-2019-1- BE-EPPKA3-PI-FORWARD), in collaboration with theThree Rs project, a project initiated and funded by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and supported by the European Parliament under a Preparatory Action entitled “Promoting alternatives to animal testing”. The project is coordinated by European Schoolnet (EUN) on behalf of the JRC. The Three Rs project is also supported by Scientix, funded from the European Union’s H2020 research and innovation programme – project Scientix 4 (Grant Agreement N. 101000063).***
Are your students interested in biology? Do they also feel fascinated by technology? Are they good at web development and database skills, and do they have some abilities for teamwork? If they want to become biologists and at the same time they have a big passion for technology, tell them they could become Marine Data and Communication Experts. In general, Marine Data Experts are in charge of bridging the gap between data and science. Meet Francis Strobbe, a Marine Data and Communications Expert.
CC BY 4.0: all the materials and content presented on this STEM Job profile have been provided by STE(A)M IT, a project funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ programme project STE(A)M IT (Grant agreement 612845-EPP-1-2019-1- BE-EPPKA3-PI-FORWARD), coordinated by European Schoolnet (EUN).
*CC BY 4.0: all the materials and content presented on this STEM Job profile have been co-created by STE(A)M IT, a project funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ programme project STE(A)M IT (Grant agreement 612845-EPP-1-2019-1- BE-EPPKA3-PI-FORWARD), in collaboration with the Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) phase 2, a pilot project initiated and funded by the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. European Schoolnet (EUN) oversees the interviewing and creating of the NBS Career Sheets, with the support of VO EUROPE.*
*In this 18th episode of our STE(A)M IT STEM Careers Podcast, María Dios from European Schoolnet spoke with Thomas Wellens, an Environmental Policy Adviser for the Cabinet of Vice-Governors of the province of Antwerp.*
Thomas Wellens has always been passionate about nature, its intrinsic value and beauty. In this podcast interview, he explains his main tasks as an Environmental Policy Adviser and sheds light on how Nature-based solutions can help us combat climate change and biodiversity loss. To conclude, he encourages students to work hard and to commit to what they are passionate about, adding “don’t be afraid of making mistakes, don’t be afraid of taking a step into the unknown.” Listen to the full interview to find out more about his passionate and interesting career!
*CC BY 4.0: all the materials and content presented on this STEM Job profile have been co-created by STE(A)M IT, a project funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ programme project STE(A)M IT (Grant agreement 612845-EPP-1-2019-1- BE-EPPKA3-PI-FORWARD), in collaboration with the Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) phase 2, a pilot project initiated and funded by the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. European Schoolnet (EUN) oversees the interviewing and creating of the NBS Career Sheets, with the support of VO EUROPE.*
Are your students interested in forestry and nature conservation? Do they love outdoor activities such as planting trees? Do they dream of working in ecological restoration? Let me tell you that their dream job exists! They could become Coordinators of a Nature-Based Landscape Organisation. This job consists of initiating and coordinating projects focussing on ecological restoration, such as greening playgrounds and public spaces, using nature-based solutions for restoring river valleys, and restoring ponds. Coordinators of Nature-Based Landscape Organisation are enthusiastic people, with a big passion for nature and strong diplomatic skills. Meet Bas Van der Veken, a Coordinator of a Nature-Based Landscape Organisation.
*CC BY 4.0: all the materials and content presented on this STEM Job profile have been co-created by STE(A)M IT, a project funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ programme project STE(A)M IT (Grant agreement 612845-EPP-1-2019-1- BE-EPPKA3-PI-FORWARD), in collaboration with the Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) phase 2, a pilot project initiated and funded by the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. European Schoolnet (EUN) oversees the interviewing and creating of the NBS Career Sheets, with the support of VO EUROPE.*
Do your students enjoy natural sciences classes? Are they fascinated by the ocean and life under the sea? Can they spend hours watching documentaries about sea life? Do they dream to work protecting sea animals and vegetation? They might be on the right path to becoming marine scientists and deputy heads in the field of marine science. Deputy heads in the marine field are people passionate about the sea and oceans, who work both with marine researchers and stakeholders who advocate for the protection of sea life. This profile requires good communication skills, great adaptability and resilience, and commitment. Are you curious to know more? Then meet Kate Larkin, deputy head in the field of marine science.
CC BY 4.0: all the materials and content presented on this STEM Job profile have been provided by STE(A)M IT, a project funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ programme project STE(A)M IT (Grant agreement 612845-EPP-1-2019-1- BE-EPPKA3-PI-FORWARD), coordinated by European Schoolnet (EUN).