Identify at least five different STEM careers that you could pursue in your home state, and choose the three that appeal to you the most. Out of the three, write a one-page essay describing which one would be your career choice and the educational pathway that you would have to follow in order to obtain that career. Finally, identify at least three colleges, universities, or training programs that are suited to that career choice. You can use the following resources to help you:

Five careers within the STEM cluster that would be interesting to me are zoologist, marine engineer, botanist, aerospace engineer, and archaeologist. Of those careers, being a zoologist, botanist, or archaeologist sounds the most appealing to me. Based on my love of animals, I would choose to pursue a career as a zoologist.

A zoologist studies animals, plants, and wildlife in their natural habitat. I could conduct studies to find ways to improve the conditions of the animals and present my findings through reports and oral presentations. Some of the skills that would be necessary to excel in a position as a zoologist include critical thinking, written and oral communication, presentation and public speaking, observation, and problem-solving skills, and an overall love of animals and desire to improve their lives and living conditions would be necessary.

Before I could find work as a zoologist, it would be important to get at least a master’s degree. If I want to pursue independent research, I’ll need to earn a Ph.D. as well. I would start by getting a bachelor’s degree in zoology or animal biology. I would probably choose to attend the University of Florida, University of Wisconsin- Madison, or Texas A&M University. All of these schools have a reputable Department of Zoology program, but they don’t cost as much as other schools, so I wouldn’t have as much debt to pay off after I graduate.

After completing my bachelor’s degree, I would hope to complete an internship and then continue with a master’s degree in zoology at Oregon State University (OSU), where I also could pursue a doctorate degree if I so desired. Because OSU has laboratories on campus, I could start conducting research while still pursuing my degree.

Explanation:

Plato