In 2021, STEM jobs made up almost a quarter of the U.S. workforce. A decade later, that number is expected to grow by more than 10%—more than twice the anticipated growth rate of total employment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
But it’s not just those jobs. Many jobs are increasingly using technology. Case in point: We used ChatGPT to find the above data (after double-checking the sources, of course).
For National STEM Day on Nov. 8, hear from four students in each of the four areas—science, technology, math and engineering—about what drew them to their majors and what they hope to do once they enter the workforce.
Elizabeth Shute
Major: Mathematics education
Class year: 2025
Why did you decide to come to NAU?
I chose to attend NAU because of its NAUTeach program, as well as the excellent weather and cozy atmosphere. Coming from Phoenix, I found the weather in Flagstaff to be very nice and relaxing, even during the snowy seasons. Among all the universities in Arizona, NAU offered the best program for me to study secondary education in mathematics.
How did you decide on your major?
In high school, I volunteered in a fifth-grade math class, and everything changed after that! When I saw the joy on a student’s face as they started to understand the math, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. Since I loved high school math, I also wanted to bring that same joy to high school students who struggled and help them see their potential.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
Student teaching and the NAUTeach program have really inspired me and made me even more excited to start my journey as an official math teacher here in Arizona. I’m looking forward to being an official teacher and having my own classroom, where I empower students to grow in confidence and mathematical ability.
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Kana’i Hakes
Major: Physics
Class year: 2026
Why did you decide to come to NAU?
Transferring here from community college in Hawai’i, I was initially drawn by the many scholarships and research opportunities available. I’ve been paying my own way through college, and NAU has a good balance of high research activity and affordability. It’s been amazing to see the university reach R1 status during my few years here, and I’ll be proud to call NAU one of my alma maters.
How did you decide on your major?
I’ve been interested in physics since I visited a nuclear research reactor when I was twelve, and although my specific interests have changed drastically, I always planned on pursuing an undergraduate degree in physics. However, my time at NAU has certainly helped me narrow down the specific field I wish to go into. My academic and laboratory experience at NAU has been very interdisciplinary, with chemistry and mathematics minors and research in biomedical engineering and materials science helping to diversify my STEM education and guide me toward my goals for a future research career.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I’m currently applying to Ph.D. programs in materials science and engineering, and I hope to focus my research on applying biomaterials and nanotechnology to medicine. My research experience at NAU’s Bioengineering Devices Lab has been centered on creating devices to treat cerebrovascular disorders, and I want to continue that emphasis on developing novel technologies to save lives in graduate school and beyond.
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Kate Farrish
Major: Mechatronics engineering
Class year: 2029
Why did you decide to come to NAU?
I decided to come to NAU because of my major. Mechatronics is a newer degree type (made within the past 15 years) and is still offered by a limited number of universities. What made NAU different was the friendliness of others in the engineering program and how welcoming the campus was.
How did you decide on your major?
I decided on mechatronics after being in both my high school’s robotics and STEM programs. I really enjoyed the work in these environments and wanted to pursue more similar opportunities; however, neither electrical engineering nor mechanical engineering aligned with my interests as an engineer. This led me to choose mechatronics, as it was the best fit for my career aspirations in robotics.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
When I entered college, I had the goal of one day working on animatronics/entertainment robots. After working with Zach Lerner and the team in the Biomechatronics Lab, however, I’ve been inspired to work in the medical/bioengineering fields.
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Jagadeesh Dhulipudi
Master’s program: Computer science
Why did you decide to come to NAU?
I chose NAU because it offers a wide variety of research opportunities in computer science and provides strong support for international students through scholarships and academic resources. The collaborative environment and focus on innovation really aligned with my professional and research goals.
How did you decide on your course of study?
I completed my undergraduate degree in computer science in India in 2020 and have since worked for 4+ years in the IT industry. During that time, I developed a deep interest in exploring advanced computing concepts and solving real-world technical challenges, which motivated me to pursue a master’s in the same field to strengthen my technical and research skills.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to continue contributing to the technology field, ideally in a role that combines research and practical application—such as a software engineer or research analyst. I’m also interested in exploring opportunities that allow me to mentor or teach, as I enjoy sharing knowledge and helping others grow in the field.