Welcome to your STEM career advice & resource hub
Graduating from university with a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Maths sets you up with loads of opportunities, but it can be tricky to know where to start.
That's why we've put together all the free and impartial STEM career information, support and advice you need to get the graduate job you want. Explore sector-specific content, including articles, videos, advice and real-life success stories from Bright Network members who've been in your shoes.
Not a Bright Network member yet?
Sign up to join our community of over 340,000+ members with STEM degrees.
It's free and easy, and you'll get access to the UK's best student and graduate career opportunities, events and advice.
Wondering where to start in STEM? Download your free digital guide
The yourSTEM Journey guide was specially designed to help you get the building blocks in place for a successful early career in STEM.
Download your copy to explore career pathways, hear from top STEM employers and start developing the skills you need to thrive in STEM.
How Bright Network can kickstart your STEM career
🧭 Figure out the role for you. Discover careers that suit your skills with Bright Network’s Career Path Test and Career Path Guides
💼 Find your next opportunity. Browse thousands of graduate jobs, industrial placements and internships from top STEM employers
📅 Network with employers. Attend STEM career events to build your community and connect with our 300+ employer partners, including major players in STEM
Explore advice & resources by subject
Engineering
Engineering is the umbrella term for the science of materials, construction and technology. Engineer roles span the full process of designing, building and manufacturing finished products, from drawing up blueprints to automating production.
Plus, there are multiple industries you can work in, from Energy to Construction, Automotive, Manufacturing, Aerospace and many more.
Technology
Technology and problem-solving go hand in hand, so if you're motivated by efficiency and results, tech might be a natural fit for you.
While a STEM degree is useful for a tech career, it’s not essential for working in the space. The technology sector has opportunities for everyone, with roles in IT, product, consulting, software development and more.
Maths
Maths is a brilliant foundation for logic, problem-solving and analytical thinking. It plays a crucial role in countless fields, from Finance to Insurance, Data Science, Economics and beyond.
A maths-related career can involve anything from developing algorithms to interpreting data, advising on financial decisions or managing risk.
Science
Science is the driving force behind discovery and innovation, helping us understand the world and solve complex problems. Whether you're researching new medicines, exploring space, or tackling climate change, science offers endless opportunities to make an impact.
A career in science can take many paths, from research to healthcare, pharmaceuticals and more.
Hear from Bright Network members who've succeeded in STEM
Eliada's success story: Landing an Industrial Placement at Pfizer
Dan's success story: Securing a Mechanical Engineering Placement at Crux
Dina's success story: Securing a Graduate Engineering role at Capgemini
Ayo secured a Technology Industrial Placement at UBS
Emma secured a Cloud Consultant graduate role at Go Reply
Beatriz secured a Graduate Automation Engineer role at HSBC
Are you a woman in STEM?
Check out our dedicated space for empowering women and non-binary identities in STEM: herSTEM hub.
Being a women in STEM can come with challenges including a lack of representative role models or mentors, and often being the only woman in the room.
Bright Network offers advice, resources and exclusive events to empower and inspire the next generation of female STEM talent.
Connect with top STEM employers through Bright Network
At Bright Network, we've partnered with over 300+ of the UK's top employers, including leading companies in STEM.
Whether you're looking to go into Technology, Engineering, Science or hoping to make the most of your Maths degree, we have the best selection of student and graduate opportunities around.
Explore graduate jobs, internships, industrial placements and work experience with hundreds of employers, from Apple to British Airways to Siemens to GSK.
Frequently asked questions
➡️ What is STEM?
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and maths. When we talk about STEM degrees or careers, we're referring to degrees or careers that use technology or scientific methods to get results.
➡️ Why should I use Bright Network as a STEM student?
Bright Network is the number one early careers platform in the UK. That means we offer you the best career support out there, whether you're a current STEM student or a recent graduate.
When you join Bright Network, you become part of our community of over 340,000+ other STEM members and unlock access to:
- Impartial and reliable career insights, advice and support
- Exclusive in-person and virtual events where you can grow your network, connect with like-minded students and meet top employers in your chosen field
- Our exceptional list of employer partners – we work with over 300+ of the best companies for student and graduate opportunities in the UK, and our goal is to give you access to them
- Thousands of jobs, internships, industrial placements and work experience opportunities in STEM fields
- Specially developed tools to help you choose and follow your dream career path
The best part? It's all free.
➡️ What are career prospects like for STEM students?
Having a STEM degree sets you up well for the world of work. There are plenty of opportunities for graduates in the Science, Engineering and Tech fields, and many non-STEM employers are open to applications from STEM graduates, too.
There is also a general shortage of STEM talent in the UK, which is good news for you as an individual entering the workforce. Demand for your subject and skills in an increasingly technological world means you'll have lots of choices and potential pathways open to you when you graduate.
Meet your community
As a Bright Network member, you're part of a community of over 340,000 STEM students and graduates.
➡️ I don't have a STEM degree, but I want to work in STEM. What should I do?
If you want a career in a STEM field but don't have a STEM degree, don’t panic. For some roles, you don’t need one, while others might require some formal training. If Engineering is your dream sector, you’ll likely need to consider returning to uni to get the right degree. Other areas of STEM can be more flexible, however. Developing your skills is always a smart place to start. Learning to code, for example, might help you get into Tech.
The key to getting a career in STEM without a STEM-specific degree? Preparation. Work out the path you want to go down and research the qualifications or skills you need to get there. Prepare to adapt, be open to learning and do your research.
➡️ What are the benefits of working in STEM?
STEM careers are full of upsides, including job security, fair pay and plenty of intellectual stimulation. If you're wondering whether or not a future in STEM is for you, check out our article on the positive impact of STEM careers to get inspired.
It's not all laptops and labcoats – you could make a difference to the environment by promoting sustainability, improve public health with medical research or even work on the forefront of the newest technologies like AI to make sure they're used responsibly.
➡️ What if I have a STEM degree but want to explore careers outside of STEM?
If you're not 100% sure you want to pursue an Engineering career after graduating from your Engineering degree, you're not alone. The good news? Your degree gives you loads of transferable skills that you can take into other career paths.
To find out more about pivoting away from STEM, read our piece on what else your STEM degree could be useful for and hear from people who've successfully made the transition!