Here's How You Can Master a Career in STEM Even If You Weren't a Fan of Math or Science in High School

Full STEM ahead!

This post is presented in partnership with North Metropolitan TAFE.

High school math or ATAR level science classes can be a real snooze-fest. They can also be downright hard.

But you may have heard the term ‘STEM’ being tossed around, standing for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics—and experts predict that 75% of new jobs will require workers to have skills in these industries. So, how can you get up to speed?

At North Metropolitan TAFE, you don’t have to be an Einstein-level math whiz to get started. Here’s why STEM pathways at TAFE are a great option for everyone, even if you hated times tables at school.

You can choose from a wide range of industries without jumping through hoops.

Interested in website or game design? Wanting to draft up residential buildings? How about pursuing your passion for land conservation?

There is such a wide variety of STEM courses on offer at North Metro TAFE, almost all of which you can enrol in with minimum entry requirements. If you’ve completed WACE General or ATAR with a minimum of C Grades, you’re set. TAFE also takes other equivalent studies into consideration. You can see more on this here.

Cheyne is a graduate from North Metro TAFE and spoke of how he “took a leap of faith” to pursue a training pathway in horticulture and conservation, coming from a background in retail and hospitality.

North Metropolitan TAFE graduate Cheyne Pearce. Image Credit: North Metropolitan TAFE

"I don’t have decades of experience in the horticulture industry but the skills, knowledge and qualifications I picked up over two and a half years gave me the edge to build a successful career," Cheyne says.

There’s nothing stopping you, either!

You can learn at your own pace, or get accreditation quicker!

If you’re busy working, or just wanna be super chill with your studies, North Metro TAFE offers part-time study.

On the other hand, if you’re wanting to get your Diploma in Engineering ASAP, you can get it faster than your uni mates.

Check out the types of accreditations and study modes here.

Get practical, hands-on experience and a foot in the door to your industry.

North Metro TAFE offers work experience to students, with some courses requiring a placement unit for graduation.

Cheyne’s training pathway provided him with his “dream traineeship” at Kings Park Botanical Garden, and “a fantastic role in local government”. 

TAFE sets itself apart from other tertiary education institutions by being focused on vocational education training. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to get their head out of the books and into the world.

Enjoy subsidised fees and get bang for your buck.

Now is the time to study at North Metro TAFE with course fees reduced by up to 72 per cent!

As part of the state government “Lower fees, local skills” program, from 1 January 2021 through to 31 December 2025, you'll only pay half the tuition fees (plus resource fee) capped at $1,200; or only $400 if you're aged 15-24 or eligible for a concession on a huge range of courses.

This means you can follow your dream career without sacrificing an arm and a leg for it—and reap the benefits in your future.

Feeling a bit more confident now? Check out everything STEM at North Metropolitan TAFE here.

Header Image: Chokniti Khongchum via Pexels