STEM Career Prospects

These days companies are looking to hire people with multiple skills instead of just one. Hence, STEM graduates are in huge demand. Once a student finishes their course, they can look for STEM jobs in Chicago or even outside. The opportunity will depend on the course opted by the student. If Chicago, you already know the top corporates having their presence in the city - Amazon, Deloitte, Boeing, Target, and more! And if not Chicago, the US is the home to all things tech around the world - with Silicon Valley at its heart.

So which are the top and most lucrative job prospects that you have after you graduate from the top universities in Chicago?

1. Software Developer

From writing codes to fixing bugs, a software developer needs to be creative and technically skilled. A student can make an average of USD $120,000 (INR ₹99,00,000) annually as a software developer, which is the top STEM job in the present day.

2. Information Security Analyst

With a bachelor’s STEM degree in information technology, a student can make, on average, USD $102,000 (INR ₹84,00,000) per annum. With the growing need for cybersecurity, this position will always be in big demand.

3. IT Manager

With an increase in the digital workspace, there is an ever-evolving need for skilled IT managers to coordinate and handle computer-related job responsibilities. These can include hardware and software-related computer responsibilities. A graduate has the offer to make a median salary of USD $159,000 (INR ₹1,30,75,000) with just a bachelor’s degree.

4. Data Scientist

Data scientists, as it says, are professionals working, analysing, and deriving results from large amounts of data. Needless to say, companies require data for making smart and intelligent business-related decisions. Coming to what you are here for, a data scientist’s job pays an average salary of nearly USD $100,000 (INR ₹82,25,000).

You know what you want to pursue. But stuck at which universities can offer the best education to you? Check out Yocket’s College Finder where your profile is matched from our vast database of universities from across the globe - yes, even Chicago!

But if you are still looking for the top universities for STEM in Chicago, you will get that too! ✅

Top Chicago Universities for STEM Courses

There are many schools, some of them being top global universities, that a student can consider in Chicago for their STEM degree or course. Here’s a quick list of the top picks from Chicago for pursuing STEM courses:

These top universities in Chicago are the best for top-notch education and research in STEM. But how to get there? Let’s take you through the eligibility criteria and the admission process for pursuing STEM courses in the top universities in Chicago.

Eligibility Criteria for STEM Courses in Chicago

Educational Qualifications

Entry to bachelor’s level STEM programs requires completion of high school education in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. For admission to master’s level STEM courses, a standard 3 or 4-year bachelor’s degree is required. The minimum requirement for admission to STEM-approved universities in the USA is a GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 i.e. above 90% in Indian standards.

Entrance Tests to Study STEM Degrees in USA

Entrance tests for admission to STEM bachelor’s degrees in the USA include SAT or ACT which are generally not required by US universities anymore. If you are planning to apply for a master’s degree, you will have to submit GRE or GMAT scores.

Proof of English Language Proficiency

Submitting scores of English language proficiency tests is a must for seeking admission to US universities as international students. You can submit IELTS, TOEFL or any other accepted test scores to fulfil this requirement. A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or 90 on TOEFL is recommended. However, requirements may vary depending on the competitiveness of the program.

Work Experience

Although not a mandatory requirement at most universities, some prior professional experience is highly recommended for pursuing STEM courses in the USA in certain fields and getting an edge over the other applicants.

Student Visa to Study in USA

Finally, an F-1 student visa is the most important document you must have to study in the US. Therefore, complete your application process as early as possible to have enough time for visa processing.

Suggested: What is STEM?

Admission Process for STEM Programs in Chicago

Here is how you can apply for admission to STEM courses in Chicago:

• Prepare a list of universities that you wish to seek admission to and go ahead to check its eligibility criteria, deadlines, admission requirements, etc.
  
• Complete the online application for international students available on the university website and submit the necessary application fee within the specified deadlines.
  
• Gather and submit all relevant documents to support your application.
  
• After receiving a confirmation of your application, you can track the status of your application through the university website.
  
• If accepted, you will receive official correspondence from the university with your acceptance letter. Make sure you reply to the email to confirm your acceptance and complete the enrollment process on time.
  
• You can apply for an F-1 student visa to study at STEM-accredited universities in the USA after receiving your letter of acceptance.

Now you know about the courses, the top colleges, and the career options after pursuing STEM at the top universities in Chicago. But for some, the university tuition fee might be too much to afford. And even with that, you should not be putting your dream of pursuing STEM courses in Chicago to a halt. Here are a few scholarships you can apply for to pursue STEM courses at the top universities in Chicago -

Scholarships for STEM courses in Chicago

Below is a list of some scholarships that you can apply for to pursue STEM courses in Chicago:

• Chicago Engineers’ Foundation: The amount of scholarship depends on the engineering stream chosen by the applicant.
  
• Graduate Student Scholarships @ Illinois Tech: The scholarship and the amount are merit-based and awarded to those with competitive academic credentials.
  
• American Nuclear Society Scholarship Program (Also Open to Undergraduate Students)
  
• DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship
  
• Masergy STEM Scholarship Program (Also Open to Undergrad Students)

There are many more scholarships available for STEM aspirants looking to go to Chicago. But it becomes difficult to find the ones you are eligible for. With Yocket Premium, our veteran counsellors and experts not only provide you with end-to-end unbiased guidance but also find scholarships that your profile is eligible for. So get your best shot at studying STEM courses in Chicago with financial aid - Explore Yocket Premium.

From the Desk of Yocket

STEM students today are solving some of the world’s greatest problems, such as climate change, curing diseases, sustainable energy, and many others. Students completing a STEM course will improve their cognitive skills and enhance their learning, thinking, and reading abilities. This shapes them to become industry-ready with great job opportunities in their hands.

STEM courses will offer a plethora of opportunities to its students in every field and industry. Investing in your dream of pursuing a STEM degree from Chicago should also offer you a high ROI. And these occupations offer you that. Agreed, since STEM is one of the most sought-after fields in both education and jobs, getting into the top colleges becomes difficult. 

But Yocket Premium makes that path easier for you. How? Accurate university shortlisting. Unbiased counselling. Guidance at all steps of your application. And focusing on your profile to make your application stand out from the rest.

So if you are looking for taking your best shot at the top STEM universities in Chicago, you are halfway there - coming on to this blog. The rest of the magic happens with a single tap - Explore Yocket Premium!