STEM is a potential field to make a good career for many bright enthusiasts. One of the things that attracts people to this field is the high salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of people in STEM occupations was $101,650 in 2023.
On the contrary, the median salary of those who are not in this field was $48,060.
However, the challenge is that there are only 10,365 STEM occupations compared to 164,482 non-stem jobs. This means that those pursuing STEM careers must work harder than the rest right from high school. One way to showcase your talent is by taking entrance exams like the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
This article explores how the GMAT can enhance your path in STEM fields, providing a gateway to leadership roles.
Bridging the Gap Between Technical Skills and Business Acumen
STEM professionals possess robust technical skills crucial for innovation and problem-solving. However, translating these technical solutions into viable business strategies requires a solid understanding of management principles.
The GMAT evaluates analytical, writing, mathematical, verbal, and reading skills that are essential for business management.
Quantitative Skills Enhancement
The GMAT’s quantitative section focuses on problem-solving, data sufficiency, and applying mathematical concepts. For STEM professionals, this reinforces existing mathematical prowess and enhances the ability to analyze data within a business context.
This skill is indispensable in roles that require strategic decision-making based on quantitative analysis, such as product management and operations.
Analytical Writing Assessment
The GMAT’s Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) measures critical thinking and effective communication of ideas. STEM fields often involve complex problem-solving and innovative thinking.
By honing writing skills through the GMAT, STEM professionals can better articulate their ideas, proposals, and research findings to stakeholders. This can improve their ability to lead projects and secure funding.
Integrated Reasoning
This part assesses the ability to analyze information offered in various formats from diverse sources. As stated by MBA.com, the GMAT is primarily a test of your executive reasoning skills rather than math or grammar.
Business schools don’t want to know if you understand how to calculate the area of a triangle. They want to know how well you can use your data and analyze it to come up with a solution.
STEM professionals frequently deal with large data sets and multifaceted problems. The integrated reasoning skills developed through GMAT preparation can enhance one’s ability to synthesize information. This is a required skill for positions in data science, analytics, and project management.
Unlocking Advanced Education and Career Opportunities
Many STEM professionals pursue advanced degrees to deepen their technical knowledge.
However, combining a STEM background with an MBA or other business-related graduate degree can significantly broaden career horizons. This can be especially true for women, who face more obstacles than males in pursuing a career in STEM.
Women are less likely to choose STEM fields because of several reasons, such as:
- Stereotypes and gender bias
- Lack of confidence and self-efficacy
- Cultural factors
- Lack of role models
- Discrimination and harassment
This is why only 34% of women were in the STEM workforce in the US in 2022. According to AAUW, the number is even lower, at only 16.5% in the engineering and technology field. The story is similar in the UK, too. STEM Women states that women in STEM occupations accounted for only 26%.
However, the proportion of women in STEM in both countries steadily increases. This is crucial for ensuring diversity and inclusivity in these occupations to ensure the field keeps innovating and growing.
Women can take the GMAT exam and get an advanced business to pursue a leadership role. This will enable them to become a role model for others and encourage more women to consider STEM as a career opportunity.
Top business schools often require GMAT scores for admission. An MBA can complement a STEM background, offering coursework in leadership, strategy, finance, and marketing. This combination can prepare professionals for roles such as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), where they must manage technical teams.
There are also specialist master’s degrees, such as the Master of Engineering Management, which combine technical and management curricula. These programs typically require GMAT scores for admission and are tailored to STEM professionals seeking to enhance their leadership and business skills.
Enhancing Career Progression and Leadership Potential
The ability to navigate both the technical and business realms is increasingly important in leadership roles within STEM fields. Organizations look for leaders who can bridge the gap between sophisticated technical details and strategic business choices.
Career Advancement
Achieving a high GMAT score and earning an advanced degree can lead to accelerated career progression. Professionals can go from technical to management positions, handling larger projects and teams.
For instance, an engineer might transition to a project manager role, leveraging their technical expertise and newly acquired business skills.
Leadership Roles
Understanding corporate operations is critical for people seeking leadership roles. The GMAT prepares candidates for MBA programs that emphasize leadership, ethics, and strategic thinking. Such training is invaluable for STEM professionals aspiring to become leaders in tech companies, research institutions, or startups.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
Many STEM professionals are innovators, often developing new technologies or products. The business knowledge from an MBA program, facilitated by the GMAT, can equip them with the skills needed to start their businesses.
Understanding market dynamics, financial planning, and organizational behavior is critical to entrepreneurial success.
With all these career advancement opportunities, you can easily become a C-level executive and earn an even higher salary. For instance, an MBA is a go-to degree for many C-suite professionals, such as chief executive officers (CEOs).
Around 40% of the C-suite professionals appearing in the 2022 Fortune 1000 list were MBA graduates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GMAT necessary for a STEM MBA?
The GMAT requirement for a STEM MBA (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) varies according to the program and school. Many top MBA programs with a STEM classification demand the GMAT as part of the admissions process.
However, other institutions provide waivers or accept alternative examinations such as the GRE.
What is the STEM pathway to earning an MBA?
To pursue an MBA through the STEM track, you must first receive an undergraduate degree in a STEM subject. Then you can obtain work experience in this sector before enrolling in MBA programs. This will offer you specialized tracks or courses in technology and analytics to supplement your STEM background.
Is the GMAT required to pursue a STEM career?
The GMAT is not required to seek a profession in the STEM disciplines. STEM occupations usually demand a solid foundation of technical skills and knowledge, which may be obtained through science, technology, engineering, or mathematics degrees.
To summarize, the GMAT is more than just a test for admission to a business school. It is a gateway to enhancing a STEM professional’s career. The GMAT prepares individuals for the multifaceted challenges of leadership roles by developing quantitative, analytical, and verbal skills.
It opens doors to advanced education opportunities, facilitates career progression, and fosters a global network of professional connections. In the ever-evolving STEM fields, where technical expertise must be complemented by business acumen, the GMAT is a valuable tool for growth.
As STEM professionals look to advance their careers, the GMAT can serve as a crucial stepping stone on their path to success.