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Science is by far the broadest area within STEAM. From physics to biotechnology and astronomy to ocean chemistry, science offers a lot to explore. There is an area of science to match just about every interest. Want to study how pollution affects the environment? You might consider ecotoxicology. Or maybe you are interested in the effects of space on human health--if so, you might like space medicine! You could even be a food scientist. Science is largely interdisciplinary, meaning that nearly all fields of science overlap and are interconnected. All this means that if you study science, you are in for some fascinating career options!
Most resources divide the natural sciences into three main fields: physical, earth, and life science. Following is a brief description of different opportunities within each field. When looking at careers and areas of study within science, it’s amazing how many different possibilities exist.
Physical science includes astronomy, physics, and chemistry. Some physical scientists perform research in laboratories, but science is not limited to the laboratory. Studying physics can give you a leg up in just about any STEAM field--many people who major in physics become engineers, work in computer science, or solve problems for private companies. Some physicists work in the medical field, and still others work in the earth science fields to study natural disasters such as earthquakes. Astronomers work for universities as well as in industry and government agencies such as NASA to study the stars and planets. There are also a wide variety of jobs for chemists. In fact, according to the American Chemical Society, chemistry applies to over 40 fields, including food chemistry, environmental chemistry, and textile chemistry-- using chemistry to form new materials, such as plastics and cloth!1
Earth science encompasses fields such as geology, meteorology, and climatology. Earth scientists study earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters. Some earth scientists study the history of the Earth, and others use past events to try to predict what might happen to landforms in the future. Climatology is especially relevant today, with pollution and global warming at the forefront of worldwide concerns. Climatologists are needed in the car, energy, fashion, and a wide variety of other industries!
Life science refers to fields having to do with biology, such as botany, zoology, neuroscience, microbiology, virology, and much, much more. Life science also includes medicine. Life scientists work in a wide variety of settings: in actual labs, outside studying agriculture and nature, or within a company creating cutting-edge medical supplies or medicine. Have several conflicting interests? The life sciences include many interdisciplinary fields. For example, biotechnology is the use of biology to produce new innovations and medicines. Biotechnologists can work in labs or for companies to test out new drugs in clinical trials. Some biotechnologists use their biological know-how to create new technologies, such as specialized wheelchairs or veterinary equipment. Biotechnology is known as an “applied science,” meaning that it centers around solving real-world problems with science. Whatever life science career you might choose, working in life science is extremely gratifying. Arleen Paulino, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing at AMGEN, a biopharmaceutical company, shared that she is encouraged every day that her work helps to improve people’s lives. She also shared that it is okay if you're not sure yet which scientific field might be for you. Being open to explore new opportunities is key, and having a support network of other women (like those featured on this website!) is a great way to explore your options.
Want to hear from some amazing women in science? Check out the profile pages linked below! Whether or not you think a scientific career might be for you, these women have some top-notch advice and fascinating stories to share. Click on the pictures below to find out more about each woman and read her interview responses.
Of course, not every area of science by far could be recognized here. Don’t hesitate to look into the different fields that might interest you--it’s amazing how many different possibilities exist! To start, check out some of these awesome resources:
Why a Life Sciences Career Can Be Life-Changing
9 In-Demand Biotechnology Careers Shaping Our Future
Love science, but also art? Don't be dismayed! Check out the Art page to see how women are combining both in some amazing STEAM careers.
1Careers & The Chemical Sciences. American Chemical Society. (n.d.). Retrieved 2021, from https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/chemical-sciences.html.
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