| As computer components get smaller and climate | | | | STEM careers can help boost the American |
| change concerns get bigger, employees with | | | | economy and better enable the United States to |
| STEM degrees are reportedly in demand. STEM | | | | compete with other countries. Many organizations |
| stands for science, technology, engineering and | | | | are developing programs aimed at encouraging |
| math - areas that satisfy our most basic curiosity | | | | women and minorities particularly to take up |
| and that can lead to fascinating and lucrative | | | | STEM studies. And online degree programs, |
| careers. Many online school classes and degree | | | | offered in part as a result of STEM degree |
| programs can help students more conveniently | | | | holders, allow students to enjoy learning from the |
| prepare for these careers with a science degree. | | | | home or workplace or during travels. |
| STEM careers extend well beyond mathematicians | | | | Famous musicians and actors have reportedly |
| and scientists. Think of the advent of | | | | majored in STEM subjects. Donald Sutherland is |
| nanotechnology that allowed for creating iPods | | | | said to have earned a bachelor of arts in |
| and computer memory sticks. Or, solar and wind | | | | engineering, Art Garfunkel reportedly holds a |
| energy alternatives designed to reduce pollution | | | | bachelor of science in math and music, and |
| causing seas to rise more swiftly than anticipated. | | | | Ashton Kutcher is believed to have majored in |
| Even space exploration, an area few have had an | | | | biochemical engineering. Subjects such as calculus |
| opportunity to enjoy except for from afar. | | | | can be seen in a more practical and, perhaps, |
| Planning, developing and maintaining products in | | | | more appreciated light when used to design and |
| these areas are among the careers a STEM | | | | construct structures such as Seattle's Space |
| degree can help online school graduates to land. | | | | Needle, Australia's Sydney Opera House and |
| Online degrees in the STEM studies stretch far | | | | Valencia, Spain's City of Arts and Sciences. |
| and wide. Engineers alone develop products, | | | | STEM degrees earned from an online school might |
| cost-effective solutions to technological problems, | | | | also help provide job security. Even in a tight job |
| and handle testing, production and maintenance | | | | market, the demand for engineers is rising three |
| responsibilities, according to the U.S. Department | | | | times the rate of other professions, and women |
| of Labor. Engineers also specialize in different | | | | particularly are in high demand in STEM fields, |
| areas. Degrees available when taking classes | | | | according to a report from the National Career |
| through a college online include areas such as | | | | Development Association. |
| computers, electronics, civil, industrial, mechanical, | | | | The benefits of taking STEM classes through an |
| geological and environmental and water resources. | | | | online school extend beyond the job marketplace. |
| Likewise, online schools offer degrees in | | | | Taking STEM courses through a college online can |
| information technology, or computers, as well as | | | | reportedly help with everyday issues such as |
| in health information technology, education | | | | checkbook balancing and decision making. The |
| technology and more. | | | | knowledge that comes with STEM subjects |
| The federal government has long been a | | | | studied by those enrolled college online can be |
| proponent of STEM education. Some say that | | | | applied to other careers as well. |