Need proof that STEM skills are used everywhere? Take a look at your casual job for starters!
Chances are that, between all the customer service, waiting tables, serving food and cleaning up, there is a range of transferable science, tech, engineering and maths smarts that you are using on the reg in your after-school job.
And yep, that means you can totally pop them on your CV when you’re applying for work experience, internships and even future STEM roles! Here, we help you talk – and STEM – them up with the right language.
1. Hospitality
Your role: Waiting tables and serving customers
Talk it up: “Experience managing multiple projects, juggling clients and delivering outcomes to a deadline”
Hidden STEM skills:
• Maths – tallying up orders and managing transactions
• Ratios – for example, milk to coffee or diners to tables
• Fluency with digital payment systems
RELATED: 5 careers in mathematics that might surprise you – hospitality manager is one of them!
2. Retail
Your role: Serving customers, selling clothes and cleaning up
Talk it up: “Confidence liaising with clients, problem-solving, visual merchandising and managing e-commerce transactions”
Hidden STEM skills:
• Fluency in e-commerce – coordination of online transactions
• Maths – confidence with addition, subtraction and percentages
• Proficiency in relevant retail-based computer software program
3. Babysitting
Your role: Minding kids
Talk it up: “Management of multiple schedules and personalities, requiring time management, attention to detail, quick thinking, flexibility, problem-solving and
great people skills”
Hidden STEM skills:
• Budgeting – quoting jobs and finalising payments
• Innovative thinking – particularly when it comes to planning of activities
• Strong leadership
RELATED: Take our leadership quiz to find out whether you’re ahead of the pack, or better at working behind the scenes
4. Odd jobs like dog walking, car washing and gardening
Your role: Helping out neighbours with odd jobs
Talk it up: “CEO and founder of a small, local business. Extensive experience in company growth, budget, scheduling, quoting, time management and leadership”
Hidden STEM skills:
• Entrepreneurial smarts
• Project management and planning skills
• Initiative
• Advertising and budgeting expertise
This article was originally published in Careers with STEM: Technology. Order a print copy here or read the e-mag for free!
For more on tech study and careers, sign up to the Careers with STEM e-newsletter.
