“ People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be”.
Harvey Mackay
There’s nothing like a motivational quote to remind us that it takes more than words to motivate a person. So how do we motivate people to take up careers in science and maths? Well, one of the most effective motivational tools is to explain how qualifications in maths and science can benefit them. And perhaps the biggest benefit is the range of careers on offer to science and maths graduates.
Now, when you say “maths careers” or “science jobs” most people think of accountants or scientists in white lab coats. That’s all well and good if you like traditional number crunching or pure science, but what if you want something different? Join us as we delve into some less-well-known careers in science and maths.
Patent Attorney or Patent Examiner
So you’re interested in law but don’t have a law degree? – fear not, because science graduates can carve out lucrative science careers working as a patent attorney or patent examiner.
Patent examiners usually work for the Intellectual Property Office. They use their scientific, technical, and legal skills to assess applications for patents, which give successful applicants the right to stop other people using, selling, or making their inventions. Training takes place on the job, so you don’t need a law qualification to enter the field, but you will need 2:2 degree or above in a relevant science, engineering, mathematics, or computer science subject.
Meanwhile, Patent attorneys assess whether inventions are sufficiently new and innovative to be eligible for a patent. Applicants usually require a degree in a science, engineering, technical or mathematics-based subject. Once employed, you will undertake further studies and exams to earn entry to the UK register of Patent Attorneys.
Digital Marketing Manager
It’s one of the less obvious maths careers, yet Digital Marketing is one of the fastest growing employment sectors around. Digital marketing managers help businesses and organisations build and deliver digital campaigns to fit their marketing goals. Those goals could be anything from the launch of a new product, to raising brand awareness across platforms like Google, Facebook and Tik Tok. Now, you don’t necessarily need a maths or science qualification to work in digital marketing, but it definitely helps! That’s because Digital Marketing Managers have to analyse a significant amount of data to evaluate the performance of their campaigns, and refine them as necessary.
Scientific Editor
Thousands of books and articles are published each year on topics related to science. These range from textbooks and journal articles to online articles aimed at the general public. The role of a science editor is to ensure that any written content is well-structured, grammatical, and accurate.
It goes without saying that you’ll need a qualification in publishing to become an editor, but it’s hard to evaluate the quality and accuracy of, say, an article about nuclear physics if you have no understanding of the subject. That’s where a good qualification in a STEM subject can set you in front of the pack.
Now, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention how competitive the publishing industry is. If you really want to stand out from the crowd, you’ll need to demonstrate your experience and commitment to the industry. So try writing for university newspapers, starting your own science blog, or even interning at a scientific publisher.
Meteorologist
Have you ever watched a weather report on the TV? That’s meteorology – but the role involves far more than just presenting the weather. Meteorologists study weather conditions using data collected from weather stations, radar, remote sensors, and satellite images across the globe. They use that data to produce forecasts. In other words, you’ll need excellent IT skills, as well as strong skills in analysing and interpreting complex mathematical data to do this job.
Teacher
Last (but definitely not least) there’s teaching. One of the most rewarding roles possible – and we’re not just saying that because we’re teachers.
Science and maths graduates are in huge demand at every level of education, from primary schools to higher education. If you’d like to help inspire the next generation of scientists, it could be the career for you.
You’ll need a teaching qualification to enter the profession, and there are several training routes, so it should be easy to find one that works for you. Some courses and programmes will even offer bursaries for graduates who train to teach a STEM subject.
George Alexander Tuition is a specialist maths and science tuition agency based in Central London. Our tutors motivate students through engaging, strengths-focussed, 1-1 lessons with tangible results to help them discover the joy in learning. We support children aged 11-18 with a variety of termly tuition packages and exam coaching from 11+ to A-Level. In addition, we provide coaching for the UCAT assessment. To find out more, contact us on info@gatuition.com. You can also follow our social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook, or check out our YouTube channel.
