BORED WITH BIOLOGY? FRUSTRATED WITH PHYSICS? STOP! DON'T QUIT SCIENCE UNTIL YOU'VE READ THIS ARTICLE

1. Thinking of dropping science?
Read this first!
BORED WITH BIOLOGY? FRUSTRATED WITH PHYSICS? STOP! DON'T QUIT SCIENCE
UNTIL YOU'VE READ THIS ARTICLE
We know what it’s like. After years of studying everything you’re told to, it’s exciting
to reach an age when you can decide which subject to continue – and which to drop.
And it can be tempting to bin anything that you find just a bit, well, hard. But the
truth is that some of the UK's biggest - and best-paying! - employers (think Facebook
and Google) are desperate for you to keep going with the STEM subjects (that's
science, technology, engineering and maths).
“Often, chemistry, physics, biology, maths and engineering aren’t really sold as the
‘cool’ subjects at school – but it’s worth persevering if you can,” explains David
McQueen, education guru at Magnificent Generation. “The truth is that science is the
future. The greatest minds who will solve today's problems and make massive
differences in health, transport, housing, energy and food will have a science
background. So if you’re interested in changing the world, it’s worth plugging away
with science and maths subjects for as long as possible.” Just a few years later, you
could find yourself working as a doctor, for a technology giant like Facebook or
Google, or helping a big energy firm harness renewable energy sources, to reduced
pollution and keep the planet greener.
In this exclusive article for plotr, David explains why you should think really carefully
before quitting the ‘STEM’ subjects…

2. 1) STEM is where the jobs are
“According to Working futures 2007-17, UK Commission for Employment and Skills,
2009, 58% of all new jobs will be STEM related. There will be significant growth in
new jobs but also massive replacement demand for new workers coming into the
industries. Given the high rates of unemployment for young people this is a massive
opportunity to give yourself an advantage as a future employee.”
2) STEM is where the growth is
“Think of Facebook, Google, Tumblr, Apple, Instagram, Google, YouTube – these are
by far the coolest companies around at the moment. Geeks rule the world! These
companies are always looking for new employees and talented engineers and people
with STEM skills. There are also the engineering companies, pharmaceuticals and
energy companies like Glaxo, Jarvis, EDF and Shell who have programmes not only
here in the UK but with the prospect of being able to travel and work in their
international locations.”
3) STEM employers are crying out for candidates
“There is a massive shortage for good engineers right now. Companies are frustrated
that they have to look abroad for ‘talent’ (great applicants) when they know there is
massive potential here in the UK if young people will learn to love science and maths
subjects. In engineering alone the UK’s science employers need over two million new
entrants over the next few years in order to meet their needs. Many students turn
down the opportunity to study STEM subjects but this is an opportunity that the next
generation should be grabbing with both hands.”

3. 4) STEM skills you learn are more transferrable than you think
“Scientific Enquiry. Critical thinking. Problem solving. Analytics. Many students may
think this is just related to advanced maths or some other geeky science subject but
those skills are so much more. Take the greatest football manager of the modern age:
Alex Ferguson of Manchester United. Think of the approach he took to not only
planning his games of football but selecting the right players and ensuring they stayed
fit. All those skills mentioned would be demonstrated by him or members of his team
to ensure not only the current batch of footballers but those who were being
groomed for future success would have to go through. Whilst is easy to see this in
light of football, it is even more important that students recognise how this can works
in science. STEM subjects get you thinking, problem solving and critically thinking
about the world around us.”
5) STEM employers pay good salaries
“According the Engineering UK Report in 2011, chemistry and physics graduates earn
£250,000 more than other graduates, over the course of their lifetime. Yes, that's
right. Why? Because graduates with this expertise are in short supply and many of
the advancing science and technology industries desperately need these people. To
attract for the best applicants, they know they need to pay them top dollar.”
6) STEM employers can fund your studies
“Companies like BP have actually helped to fund students who want to go on further
and get degrees and further training as part of their programmes. So not only do they
pay you to do a job, create a great network for you to work in but also they some of

4. them will then pay for you to get further education. It does take work to find out who
these companies are but students can ask local school careers advice or ask within
their adult network, and even make requests on social media to find out which
companies do this.”
7) STEM encourages entrepreneurialism
“In America, a 17-year-old old girl invented a phone charger for a phone that works in
just 20 minutes. Young British inventor Dan Watson invented a fishing net that
allowed small fish to escape – so only big fish were caught. Malawian William
Kamkwamba designed windmills in his village to power his house with a water pump.
When faced with world life problems young people have an amazing knack for
inventing some great solutions. From healthcare to engineering to IT there are
opportunities for young people to develop ideas for themselves and set up businesses
which protects their intellectual property. If you do this, not only can you make a
significant sum of money, you can also help make the world a better place.”
AUTHOR BIO:
David McQueen is the founder of Magnificent Generation. Click here for more info!
http://magnificentgeneration.com
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