Thinking about your next steps in life can be nerve-wracking especially with the huge range of careers available. So, if you’re still unsure what you want to do, choosing subjects and courses may seem even more stressful.
Enjoying science is one thing, but for some people, studying science full-time is a stretch. Maybe you like practicals but not theory, or you’re stronger at writing than calculations. Whatever your hesitation, don’t rule out the industry entirely.
Today, a gazillion jobs exist that amplify, boost, and keep the science sector ticking over – it’s not just lab coats! As with most professions, the science industry couldn’t exist if it weren’t for all the vital supporting roles.
From running awesome projects to sourcing multi-million-pound funding, here’s our top 10 guide to non-science careers that are essential to the science sector:
Public Relations & Marketing
Public relations involves maintaining an organisation's positive image. This creative and varied work covers many specialities, such as marketing and advertising, events management, media relations, communications, and managing digital channels like websites and social media accounts. From announcing a new scientific breakthrough to hosting a STEM careers fair, this is an exciting and fast-paced line of work where no two days are the same!
Finance & Accounting
If numbers are more your thing, then a job working in finance might just add up. Scientific innovation takes lots of money, from paying expert staff to funding life-changing studies at multinational corporations. In this line of well-paid work, you might write research grant bids, audit organisations, become a forensic or corporate accountant, or even a financial consultant advising on cutting-edge industry trends.
Technology
When it comes to technology, you may think of IT support, networking, and software engineering. Yet there is a stack of other opportunities, many of which sound like they’re from the future! Think robotics, nanotechnology, The Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR), green technology, cybersecurity, space exploration, and much, much more!
Human Resources (HR)
Personnel/HR may be a good fit if you enjoy working with people and processes. This work involves developing and managing employees. You might specialise in recruitment and job advertisements, employment law, working with trade unions, payroll, staff training, employee benefits, or even events. This job can be satisfying for people who work well with colleagues and care about staff happiness and productivity.
Data Science
With an explosion of information comes a wave of jobs that involve analysing enormous “datasets” to pick out helpful information. You might use tools such as AI or machine learning to make data understandable. This information can be used to test ideas and create automated systems that help society or make businesses more efficient. Examples include climate modelling, waste reduction, and even improving disease detection.
Law
The crossover between science, ethics, and the law is vast. Science can produce evidence used in a courtroom, develop a break-through drug, or even lead to new laws or government policy changes. Today, scientific research and development have a global impact, so employing legal whizzes is essential. International patents and intellectual property, environmental law, and corporate contracts are just some examples of in-demand legal expertise.
Estates & Facilities
Whether you work at a laboratory facility or in the NHS, professionals are always needed to manage buildings and equipment. Jobs range from entry-level personnel like porters, skilled tradespeople like electricians, up to management roles overseeing a company’s buildings, construction projects, health and safety, and facilities maintenance. These careers need people with all sorts of experience and qualifications and often have great progression routes.
Security
There are heaps of jobs where science meets security, including the police service, civil service, higher education, and research and innovation. Crime science, employee safety, cybersecurity, and business continuity (keeping an organisation running smoothly in a crisis) are all security fields. From checking staff records and protecting personal data to keeping systems and research secure, you can make a big impact behind the scenes.
Project Management
This is a great career for people who like variety, have top organisational and time-management skills, and communicate well with others. Project managers oversee all sorts of schemes from start to finish, meeting deadlines and achieving important goals. What’s more, projects can vary and be extremely rewarding, from decommissioning a nuclear facility to launching a piece of medical equipment that might be sold worldwide.
Administration
Lastly, and by no means least, is administration. This is vital in any business and offers lots of opportunities. A new starter might be given hands-on tasks like filing and taking calls. A supervisory position such as an office manager might look after contracts, supplies, events, or even an office relocation. Roles even exist at a senior level, like working as a CEO’s Executive Assistant to becoming Chief Administration Officer. The sky’s the limit with the right skills and attitude.
If you’re thinking about a career in science, you might assume that the only way to secure a well-paid job is by getting A Levels under your belt followed by a degree at uni. But, apprenticeships also offer a fantastic opportunity.
A Levels are one of the best-known ways to study STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathemetics). According to UCAS, over 30,000 undergraduate degree courses exist on their website.
There’s no doubt that A Levels and degrees are well-respected qualifications. They can lead to highly paid jobs, earn you academic kudos, and offer flexibility. For example, a degree in maths might lead to professions from accountancy to teaching.
However, if studying in a classroom 24/7 doesn’t float your boat, or you just want to crack on with earning a wage, an apprenticeship could be just the hands-on training you need. Here’s a few things about apprenticeships you might not know:
Apprentices are employed as members of staff.
This might sound obvious, but choosing an apprenticeship doesn’t just mean enrolling on a course. It’s a job. A proper job with the same rights and benefits as any other employee. You get a salary, holiday, sick leave, and the opportunity to work on important real-world projects.
You will need to find an apprenticeship vacancy and apply just like any job, but stacks of help is available. The average UK apprenticeship salary is over £19k per year, but remember your employer is paying for your training while you work too.
Many young people see this as an epic advantage, as you can qualify without racking up whopping tuition-fee debt. Alongside work, you will be mentored and spend 20% of your time doing off-the-job training (usually a day a week or in chunks of time called ‘block release’).
Apprenticeships cover loads of industries and specialisms.
Quality apprenticeships are available across almost every profession, not just ‘manual’ jobs. Science and tech industries need lots of new talent – from those with STEM know-how to those with skills that support the industry. Apprenticeships might include:
- Business Administrator
- CAD Programmer/Design Engineer
- Communications Engineer
- Dental Nurse
- Electrical/Electronic Technical Support Engineer
- Fire Emergency and Security Systems
- Health & Safety
- IT Support/Digital Technology
- Lab Technician
- Mechanical Manufacture
- Pharmacy Assistant
- Radiotherapy Engineer
- Sales & Marketing Executive
Students with top grades choose apprenticeships too!
Gone are the days of apprenticeships being thought of as training for those who struggle in school. Today, a record number of apprenticeship programmes are on offer with global brands from Google and Coca Cola to Rolls-Royce and Unilever.
Science, technology, and engineering firms are experienced in employing and developing apprentices at intermediate, advanced, higher, and even degree level. You’re supported by a supervisor every step of the way as you learn the ropes.
These qualifications aren’t a fall-back option either. For example, a Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship might require the equivalent grades of a BBC at A Level, so competition and academic expectations can be high, depending on your training.
You can sometimes gain extra qualifications as you work too, such as a diploma, GCSE English and maths (if you still need these), and even professional qualifications and titles.
You can study an apprenticeship at degree level.
There is still a misconception that apprenticeships are only for entry-level trade skills. Although apprenticeship can be an excellent way to enter a profession at GCSE level, it doesn’t stop there.
You choose an apprenticeship at the starting level that suits you, depending on your experience and existing qualifications. Apprenticeships can be taught from level 2 all the way up to level 7, which is the same as a master’s degree!
Higher-level apprenticeships can give you the same degree you would be awarded if you attended university full-time, but it is completed while getting paid and gaining industry experience. This means you can hit the ground running on finishing your training.
Apprenticeships are for people of all ages.
There is no upper age limit for an apprenticeship, and anyone over 16 can apply (although occasionally you need to be over 18 for some jobs due to health and safety reasons).
An apprentice might be a school-leaver starting out in employment. Or, they might be older and have years of experience in the bag. Apprenticeships can be a great way to switch careers in later life while still getting paid.
Some firms even sponsor existing staff to take a higher-level apprenticeship to train the next generation of experienced managers. Apprentices are fantastic assets to any company as they have lots of industry experience by the time they are qualified.
With over 90% of apprentices staying in full-time employment after completing (compared to fewer than 60% of graduates) and 75% of apprentices being kept on by their employer… what’s not to like?!
Are you interested in a career in the nuclear industry but not sure how to get in?
Great news: promising students now have the opportunity to kickstart their careers thanks to a fantastic new industry-backed initiative.
The Nuclear Sponsorship Scheme is offering 50 students a series of summer placements after each year of their degree – and funding worth £42,000 (£27,000 in university fees and a £15,000 subsistence bursary: £5,000 per year for three years).
So not only could you gain crucial experience of working in the industry – the cost of your degree will be covered as well!
The scheme is means-tested and aimed at increasing social mobility among young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
To be eligible, students must:
- be from a lower socio-economic background (criteria such as accessing free school meals or household income will be considered)
- be a UK, Commonwealth or EEA National with the right to live and work in the UK
- be able to begin university study in a STEM subject in September 2024
- be able to commit to completing a three-year undergraduate degree and subsequent employment;
- and be able to commute to Yeovil, Bristol or West Cumbria for 45 days to attend a placement during the summer break.
The scheme is administered by Cogent Skills and applications for the 2025 academic year open soon for more information, email [email protected].
