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Careers in STEM Education and Communication 

communication careers

 

Do you enjoy communicating about science or math? 

All STEM careers involve explaining your work to others, and many have a substantial communication and education focus, such as teaching in K-12, community college and higher education, informal education (e.g. at museums), science writing, and science and technology policymaking.  To support informed career choices, we have created this page of resources, which includes a series of panels featuring diverse individuals (among them several UC San Diego alumni) who provide a wealth of insights into both the pragmatic aspects of pursuing these career paths and the first person perspectives of the joys and struggles. 

 

Panels and Links

K-12

Interested in a career sparking young people's passion for science and math?  Enjoy an inspiring event moderated by a current student in the UC San Diego credential program, Carli Underhill.  Panelists, who have considerable experience with teaching and professional development in schools that serve diverse students, are Alec Barron, Chris Halter, Hannah Moanike’ala Nakamoto, and Enrique J. Romero.  K-12 Teaching Careers

 

Community College

Curious about the possibility of pursuing a teaching career at the community college level? Join a distinguished panel of faculty, Professor of Chemistry at Southwestern College David Hecht, Professor of Mathematics at Santa Ana College George Sweeney, and Professor of Astronomy & Physics at MiraCosta College Rica French, and moderator UC San Diego transfer student Austin John Felices.  Community College Teaching

Higher Education

Want to know more about teaching, research and service in higher education? Join UC San Diego professors, Javier Duarte (Physics), Ioana Dumitriu (Mathematics), Neal Devaraj (Chemistry and Biochemistry) and Kimberly Schurmeier (Chemistry and Biochemistry), for an informative panel moderated by physics major and researcher Willow Strey.  Higher Education Teaching and Research

Education Research

If you find yourself curious about how people make sense of STEM topics, such as forces, energy, rates of change and natural selection, and if you are interested in professional development, equity and diversity in classrooms or technology in education, consider a doctoral program focused on discipline-based education research, such as the joint MSED program at UC San Diego and SDSU. Research in STEM Education

Informal Education and Writing

Interested in a career like science writing, developing public programs for a science museum or handling marketing communications for healthcare companies? Learn about these options from Science Writer at the American Institute of Physics Anashe Bandari, Science Engagement Manager at Fleet Science Center Andrea Decker, and Director of Product Marketing at Apixio James Lu. Informal Education and Writing

Science Policy

Are you interested in how science and technology policy gets made at the federal, state and local levels?  Thinking you might want to lend your STEM expertise to the process?  There are many ways to get involved.  Join our distinguished panel of experts, Corinne Allen, Seth Cohen, Alexandra Colón-Rodríguez, Jennifer Homrich and Susan Hou to learn about career paths, fellowships, and how to successfully negotiate the dual cultures of science and policymaking. Science Policy

Careers

 Thinking you might want a career that involves science or mathematics education and communication but still exploring the different possibilities?  This panel highlights careers in formal and informal education environments.  Panelists are Michael Dunn, education curator at Seaworld, Genevieve Esmende, middle school mathematics teacher at Wangenheim Middle School, Eric Meyer, assistant director of education at the Fleet Science Center and Laura Stevens, mathematics professor at UC San Diego. STEM Education

 

Other UC San Diego resources available to improve your science communication skills include the Research Communications Program, the grAdvantage Program, UC San Diego Extension Science Communication Certificate, and Scientific Writing for Non-native Speakers. Early courses in the undergraduate Cal Teach Program focus on how people learn science and mathematics, and can be taken as electives or as preparation for the graduate Credential Program.  Other writing and teaching resources for faculty, staff and students are offered through the Teaching and Learning Commons.