Making Career Discoveries in Tech, Science & Engineering
- Career blog
- Jul 30
- 6 min read
With so many career options available, how do you decide where to begin? Whether you're choosing what to study, planning your future career, or simply curious about different real-life jobs, our blog series categorises careers into types (or clusters) to help you easily discover various roles within a broad field.
Here, we explore Tech, Science & Engineering, covering:
Introduction to Tech, Science & Engineering
Five fast facts
The key industries
Salaries and skillsets
A work experience case study
Our top tips for making it
Tech, Science & Engineering intro
The Tech, Science, and Engineering sector offers a wide range of exciting career paths, ideal for those who are driven by curiosity, innovation, and the desire to solve real-world challenges. Careers in this sector span everything from developing new medical technologies and advancing renewable energy to designing cutting-edge software and exploring space.
Science, Tech, Science, and Engineering play a vital role in driving progress across industries and improving everyday life. Professionals in these areas use a combination of technical expertise, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills to develop solutions that can transform the way we live and work. As global challenges like climate change, health care, and digital security grow, so too does the demand for people with the knowledge and skills to tackle them. For those who enjoy working at the intersection of ideas and innovation, this sector offers opportunities to contribute to meaningful advancements and be part of shaping the future.
Five fast facts about this career type
A Major Sector: The UK workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) occupations accounted for 28.7% of the total workforce and is expected to continue to grow.
High Demand: Careers in this cluster are consistently among the most in-demand.
Range of Workplaces: From working from home, to research laboratories, to hospitals and manufacturing plants, this sector offers a wide range of workplace environments.
Diversity: Women remain underrepresented in Tech, Science and Engineering, particularly in leadership positions, but efforts are being made to increase the number of women and girls working in this career cluster;
Driving Global Innovation: Professionals in this sector play a critical role in address major global issues, from climate change to health advancements.
Industries you can expect to find
Let’s break this career type down a little further to discover different jobs:
Animal Care: Working with animals to ensure their health, welfare, and well-being. For example, roles include zookeeper, veterinary nurse, or dog groomer.
Digital, IT & Computing: Working with technology, computers, and digital systems to solve problems, improve communication, and support businesses. For example, roles include software developer, web designer, or cybersecurity analyst.
Engineering: Designing, building, and maintaining structures, machines, and technology. For example, roles include mechanical, civil, electrical, aerospace, or robotics engineer.
Healthcare & Medicine: Caring for people’s health through treatment, prevention, and medical support in hospitals, clinics, and communities. For example, roles include doctor, nurse, paramedic, pharmacist, or physiotherapist.
Science: Researching, conducting experiments, and analysing data to understand the world and solve problems in health, the environment, and technology. For example, roles include chemist, biologist, environmental scientist, or laboratory technician.
Aviation: Working in air travel, aircraft operation, and maintaining safety in the skies and at airports. For example, roles include pilot, cabin crew member, air traffic controller, or airport operations staff.
Transport & Logistics: Moving people and goods efficiently by road, rail, sea, or air, and managing supply chains. For example, roles include transportation driver, logistics manager, or warehouse operative.
You can learn more by watching videos from professionals here:
Science: https://icould.com/explore/categories/job-types/science/ and https://icould.com/explore/categories/job-types/healthcare/
How much could I get paid?
Salaries in the Tech, Science and Engineering sector vary depending on the role, experience, and location. Here are some examples to show the variety and levels of roles within Tech, Science & Engineering.
Data Scientist: Average salary of £32,000 to £82,500 a year
Hospital Doctor: Average salary of £37,000 to £140,000 a year
Vet: £30,000 to £50,000
Air Traffic Controller: Average salary of £46,000 to £100,000 a year
Electrician: Average salary of £26,000 to £45,000 a year
Depending on age and experience, these figures may change, but should give you some indication of the range of salaries available.
Would a career in Tech, Science & Engineering be a good fit for me?
To thrive in the Tech, Science & Engineering sector, you will need a mix of technical and subject-specific skills as well as essential skills. Here are some key skills that can help you succeed:
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving:
Critical thinking and problem-solving help you figure out how to fix problems, improve ideas, and make smart decisions when things don’t go as planned. Whether you’re designing a new app, building a robot, or running experiments, these skills help you think clearly, ask the right questions, and turn challenges into creative solutions.
Attention to Detail
Many roles in this career cluster require you to have great attention to detail. This skill helps you spot errors, work accurately, and make sure your projects are safe, reliable, and work the way they’re supposed to.
Collaboration and Teamwork
Collaboration and teamwork are essential in Tech, Science and Engineering because big ideas and complex projects usually require people with different skills to work together. From creating new software to conducting experiments, you need to share ideas, listen to others, solve problems as a group, and communicate clearly to achieve the best results.
Adaptability & Lifelong Learning
Great innovators in Tech, Science and Engineering stay curious and keep up with emerging technologies, new research and information. New tools, new discoveries, and new ways of working appear all the time, so you need to be open to learning and ready to update your skills.
Explore careers based on subjects you enjoy: https://careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/subjects and https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/groups/cpw27rkvq6pt
Discover professional qualifications related to some popular careers: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate-study/professional-qualifications
Tech, Science & Engineering work experience case study
In-person and remote placements with Kainos
Digital technology company, Kainos, worked in close partnership with Futures For All to deliver a total of 36 different work experience opportunities over a 10-month period. Through these programmes, we introduced almost 1,000 young people from 289 state schools and colleges across the UK to careers in coding, software engineering, cyber security, and other technology-related specialisms.
97% of attendees rated their placement either 4 or 5 out of 5 stars.
Lara completed work experience with Kainos and technology solutions company, FinTru – which developed her knowledge of carers in tech, and directly led to an apprenticeship programme and future career.
“In June 2021, I started the first day of my remote work experience with FinTrU… Fast forward to June 2023, and I took part in the same work experience programme, however, this time as an employee at FinTrU.”
Lara, 19, Belfast
Our top tips on turning your passion into a career
Think broadly. Focus on career types rather than specific jobs; there might be a role within a sector that you weren’t aware of and could find appealing.
Consider which topics interest you – what do you enjoy discussing with your friends?
Make a list of subjects you like and those you excel at, even if you don’t currently enjoy them.
Try out different careers by gaining work experience in jobs you are passionate about and those you aren’t; the results may surprise you. Either way, you’ll add valuable experience to your CV.
Build a Strong Portfolio or CV – Whether you're into art, coding, writing, or any other field, having a portfolio or a strong resume to showcase your work is key. A great portfolio or resume will set you apart from others and help you land your first job or internship.
Network and Connect with People – Building relationships is huge in any field. Don’t just wait for opportunities to find you; actively seek them out! Attend school or community events, participate in work experience, and follow people in the industry you’re interested in.
Keep Learning and Stay Curious – The world is always changing, and new things are happening all the time. So, make sure you’re always learning and improving your skills. Whether it’s through online libraries, books and articles, watching tutorials or mentoring with professionals, you keep your knowledge and skills sharp. Being ahead of the curve will make you stand out.
What to do next
Check out our IntoTech Programme and our Work Experience Finder to see the latest opportunities.
Interested in mentoring? https://brightside.org.uk/
Need access to a library of resources about different sectors? https://www.futuresforall.org/talks-library
Find out more about apprenticeships: https://www.gov.uk/become-apprentice
University pathways: https://www.ucas.com/discover
Find out more about pathways into Tech, Science and Engineering: https://www.destinationstem.org.uk/
This blog is a guide, and careers are constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed, and the GOV.UK website for more on T-levels. For careers advice in all parts of the UK, visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
