There’s nothing wrong with working in a lab, wearing a lab coat (or PPE na may kasamang face shield), and going through the eight steps (or was it ten steps?) of the scientific method. In fact, it’s honorable to take on STEM careers that literally keep the world running.

For many students, however, it’s also the importance of STEM that makes it such a daunting path to follow. Finding cures for diseases and engineering computers that help everybody work? That’s some serious stuff.

But there’s no need to chicken out. Even with all the formulas you have to memorize and skills you need to acquire, your future could be fun if you make it! Here are eight alternative careers you can take with your STEM course.

 1. Chemical engineering: cosmetics entrepreneur

The beauty industry has seen a lot of innovation in the past few years, thanks to social media. As beauty influencers try and test all these different products, companies have become competitive and creative with the stuff they put out. Now, we have putty primers, jelly highlighters, and even a foundation that adjusts to your skin tone — things that would have been unimaginable ten years ago!

If you’re a chem student, you might just become the mad scientist and entrepreneur behind the coolest eco-friendly makeup or skincare product out there! Maybe organic eyeshadow in compostable packaging? Or vegan lip balm in a reusable bamboo tube! The possibilities are endless!

2. Zoology: wildlife photographer

You don’t need a bachelor of science to become a photographer, but it does take some extra knowledge of animals, their habits, and behavior to be able to take great photos of them. Aside from studying animals in their natural habitat, why not document them as well? Then you could keep the photos for memory’s sake or share them with a magazine or on social media for the world to appreciate!

You don’t even need a lot of equipment to start. Just take your phone and snap some pics of that bird sitting outside your window or maybe even the house lizard at the corner of your room!

3. Mechanical engineering: Foley artist

Did you know that much of the sounds you hear in movies and TV shows are engineered? Filmmakers don’t just record sounds as they’re made on film and then call it a day. Foley artists have to get creative with the sound effects they’re making, even having to build some simple machines at times to do the job. From using a taser to make alien sounds, to recording footsteps in a sound studio just to match the steps a character takes on screen, capturing sound for film is an art, as well as a science — and a fun one at that!

 4. Geology: ceramicist

According to our grade school science classes, there are three types of soil: sand, silt, and clay! Geology isn’t just for rock collectors. In this branch of Earth science, you get to study the way solids change with water, air, heat. And with your knowledge of how earth works you can make all sorts of ceramic goods like vases, bowls, jewelry coasters, and more. Experiment with different shapes that will have ceramic collectors raving over your work, maybe sell some tea light holders you made, and don’t be afraid to get messy at the potter’s wheel!

5. Mathematics: painter

Leonardo da Vinci wasn’t just a painter; he was a scientist and an engineer. A man of many disciplines, he was able to apply his understanding of various scientific and mathematical concepts into his work, from the Vitruvian man to the Mona Lisa.

Unfortunately, not everyone can be a polymath. But mathematicians can be artists. With your tendency for precision, an eye for patterns, and perhaps a knowledge of the golden ratio, you can create images from simple lines and shapes!

6. Organic chemistry: plant entrepreneur

If the world did right by Poison Ivy, she would have been a plantita. Indoor plants are all the rave now, with such a wide variety to choose from, and that’s why the plant business on Instagram is booming! We all know of the humble succulents and the more space-filling Monsteras, but what if you can genetically modify plants so they never die? Or create a living, photosynthesizing Plants vs. Zombies pea shooter? 

7. Chemistry: sommelier

If you’re interested in taking on a career that’s a little more fancy, look no further than the sommelier! Being a sommelier isn’t just about knowing what kind of wine goes together. There’s a science in the way alcoholic beverages are distilled, how long wine is stored (some of the most expensive wines are more than 300 years old!), and even how the drinks are poured. Now if wine isn’t really your thing, maybe try learning how to make craft beer and open up your own brewery! Cheers!

8. Meteorology: weather reporter

Kuya Kim Atienza saying “Ang buhay ay weather-weather lang” on TV for the last time pulled on our heartstrings and made us cry a little. But just like Kuya Kim suggested, there will be sunnier days! Perhaps the closest we ever got to weather forecasting as students was watching rain fall harder outside the classroom windows as we chanted “Suspended! Suspended!” But maybe you could be the next iconic weather reporter. Aside from studying the weather on a screen, you could practice your public speaking skills, put on your safari hat, and get in front of a camera to tell us what kind of skies we’ll be seeing in the following days. If you’re feeling it, you can even throw in a little fun fact!

Alam mo ba? Your future in STEM doesn’t have to be scary. With the knowledge you get from courses in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the limit simply does not exist! (Astrophysicists may disagree.)