A Step Outside Science Into the Creative Industry
As someone who is studying a STEM degree I dread the question, “what are you going to do after you graduate?” and the very common follow-up, “something in medicine?” Sometimes it can feel like the only career opportunities for people in STEM are medicine or lab work and while they are great careers, science has so much more to offer. So here I’ve created a list of careers that combine many creative sectors and science.
Writing
If you’re like me and enjoy the creativity of writing but also are interested in current scientific breakthroughs, science writing might be the perfect career for you. There are many different routes you can take in writing, from journalism, to public information, to technical writing. There are many ways to get into this field with a degree in any science being the perfect way to start. Writing experience is also important and fairly easy to get — there are many publications in St Andrews you can get involved with. This is the perfect career to marry scientific innovation and creative journalism.
Arts
If you’re an artist and want to combine your knowledge of science with your love for creation, maybe being a biomedical illustrator is for you! You would use your illustrating abilities to represent many biological phenomena. This career could be applied to any field of science! After completing your university degree, you can apply for a trainee position as an illustrator in a healthcare setting. You could also have a similar career with photography or film production.
Fashion
If you love fashion but don’t necessarily want a typical job in the industry, consider being a fabric technologist. You would work in the fashion industry and maybe even work your way up to luxury brands. In this role you would design, source and analyze fabrics. This would be great if you enjoy chemistry or product engineering.
Cosmetics
Are all your flat surfaces filled with makeup and skincare? If they are, maybe a career formulating your favourite products would be a good fit. You would use your skills of chemistry to work on creating the newest and nicest skincare and makeup products. Many people in the field have degrees in chemistry, biology, or cosmetic science. If you’re thinking of a panic masters, you might as well make it in cosmetic science! Although you would probably take home a lot of free samples, you would earn enough to buy plenty on your own with salaries around £45,000 going upwards of £60,000.
If your dream job is smelling perfumes, this career may be the one for you. As a perfumer you would use your knowledge of chemistry to create wonderful perfumes. Of course, you would learn how to do this by attending a top perfumer academy. After training your mind — and your nose — you’ll be ready to work for the big perfume houses.
Law
Are you looking to combine science and law? A career as a patent attorney would be a great way to become an expert in science and law without going to law school. To become a patent attorney, you would first have an advanced degree in science and then apply to be a trainee in a patent office. You would have to take professional exams, but you can study for them while working in a patent office. You would become an expert in patent law and advise clients, research patents, and apply for patents. This is also one of highest paying jobs in science with starting salary at £35,000 going upwards of £95,000.
Sports
If you’re an athlete or just love to watch sports, then this could be the career for you! As a sports performance analyst you would analyse training and competition data to help athletes improve. You could also advise and design sports equipment! You could work in a variety of places including hospitals, fitness centres, or with high-level sports teams. A background in biology and psychology is helpful with a further degree in sport and exercise science to make you a pro.
Food and Beverage
There are many careers in the food and beverage industry but the only one that will let you drink on the job is a technical brewer. In this job you would manage the brewing process, ensure quality brewing, and even develop fun new brewing recipes. All you need is an interest in microbiology and chemistry and a further degree in brewing. You could also try for work experience to get exposure into the field but beware, I’m not sure going-out counts.
Creative Industries Needs Science!
If you’re finishing your degree in the sciences and panicking about what to do with your career, consider something creative! Remember the best way to find a fulfilling career is by knowing yourself. Keep in mind there are so many careers out there (far more than on this list), so stay curious until you find something that really excites you!