Science, technology, engineering and maths offer some of the coolest jobs on – and off – the planet.

 

We’re sharing the inspiring stories of successful experts who use STEM in their daily jobs.

 

Find out how they got their dream jobs and what you need to get yours! Come behind the scenes in this series of short films and hear from all our experts about how to follow your passions an build an exciting future for yourself – and the planet!

March 15, 2023 • 5 mins

Cool Jobs: Astrophysics

Participant: Dr Michael Cowley

Many people dream about our universe, but QUT’s Dr Michael Cowley gets to study its secrets! For Michael, studying science has allowed him to travel the world, using telescopes from all corners of the globe.  Michael started out working in banking, but a career change (and study in astrophysics) lead him to research galaxies and supermassive black holes.

There’s no typical day for Michael, from writing lines of computer code to observing the galaxy through the world’s most powerful telescope to teaching hungry young minds about the mysteries of our universe. Researching how supermassive black holes impact the evolution of galaxies through cosmic time? Now that’s a (supermassive) cool job.

March 15, 2023 • 5 mins

Cool Jobs: Data Management

Participant: Becki Cook

Think data science is just for those who are good at maths and statistics? Think again.  A degree in biology led QUT’s Becki Cook to a career in data science that also allows her to focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander empowerment and engagement in higher education. As Centre Manager at QUT’s Centre for Data Science, Becki supports researchers, academics, students and community to undertake research in data science.

Becki is passionate about her work in Indigenous data literacy, governance and sovereignty – the right of Indigenous peoples to govern the collection, ownership and application about Indigenous communities, peoples, lands and resources. Working with communities through data science to get the outcomes they need? That’s a cool job!

March 15, 2023 • 5 mins

Cool Jobs: Environmental Social Science

Participant: Claudia Benham

A degree in arts and science led The University of Queensland’s Claudia Benham to the Great Barrier Reef. As an Environmental Social Scientist, Claudia gets to see the world through new perspectives – above the water and below.

Claudia’s research studies how environmental problems like climate change impact people and communities, taking her all over Queensland and beyond. By understanding how people use and value the environment, Claudia’s work is helping to develop more effective ways to conserve it.

March 15, 2023 • 5 mins

 Cool Jobs: Quantum Materials

Participant: Professor Ben Powell

Studying physics led The University of Queensland’s Professor Ben Powell to a career in design, inventing new materials at the atomic level. Ben’s work in condensed matter physics investigates what happens when astronomically large numbers of particles interact with one another, helping to design new materials with properties enabling dramatic new technology.

From a love of maths and science to working with switches, superconductors and supercomputers Ben’s work leads him to ask, and answer, some of the biggest questions facing humankind today.

March 12, 2023 • 5 mins

Cool Jobs: Marine Parasitology

Participant: Dr Marissa McNamara

Studying marine parasites led Dr Marissa McNamara to a career as a Collection Manager at Queensland Museum, looking after the museum’s thousands of crustacean specimens and documenting new species of crustaceans in Queensland. It all started for Marissa at age 13 when she was certified as a scuba diver. Captivated by the beauty of coral reefs, Marissa studied a degree in marine biology, specialising in marine parasitology (that’s right, fish parasites!). This opened up a whole new universe of bizarre and wonderful creatures living hidden lives in – and on – fish. Identifying and describing new species gives Marissa a unique window into the evolution of life on earth. Working as a custodian of the state’s natural heritage? That’s a cool job!

March 12, 2023 • 5 mins

Cool Jobs: Creative Technology

Participant: Georgie Pinn

As a digital creative, Georgie experiments with interactive audio-visual experiences in public and cultural spaces. Georgie’s work combines visual arts, interactive technology and science to stimulate social and environmental change. By connecting people through empathy and storytelling, Georgie’s works help people to see through the eyes of another and dissolve bias and prejudice. Georgie achieves this by designing instinctive user interfaces that allow the audience to create and connect as animators and sound designers, no matter their skills. By making science, technology and engineering accessible to everyone, Georgie’s creative work helps people to think about other perspectives on a deeper level, connecting to themselves and others. With the ability to personalise and personify technology, there has never been a better time to be an artist using tech to connect.

March 12, 2023 • 5 mins

Cool Jobs: Aquatic Ecology

Participant: Michelle Hobbs

A marine biologist working in the semi-arid interior of Australia? A career across environmental consulting, water quality policy and agriculture has meant just that for Griffith University’s Michelle Hobbs, who has a cool job in freshwater research. A lecturer in rivers, catchments and conservation biology, Michelle’s research is focused on the ecology of freshwater mussels in Australia. Michelle’s research also looks at how Indigenous knowledges and values are critical to conservation and water management. Michelle’s field work sees her contending with sandflies, venomous snakes, wild pigs, crocodiles and sharks, but becoming immersed in new places to learn what lives there and from people who belong to those places helps to gain knowledge in how to best manage these precious ecosystems into the future.

March 12, 2023 • 5 mins

Cool Jobs: Information Communication Technology (ICT) Entrepreneur

Participant: James Greig

A degree in information technology and a career in entrepreneurship led James Greig to produce hand sanitizer during a global emergency. As a leader in the ICT industry and part of Griffith University’s ICT Industry Board, James’ work helps people to turn their dreams and ideas into reality. For James, the thrill is in building something that helps to solve real-world problems. Founding two tech businesses and a distillery, James was thrown a curve ball with the announcement of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Rather than putting his distillery business on hold, James saw an opportunity to help produce something that was in critically short supply – hand sanitizer. Using new technologies to help improve the lives of others? It’s all in a day’s work.

April 27, 2022 • 7:09mins

Cool Jobs: Biomedical Electronic Engineering

Participant: Celeste de Mézières

Most people think that Biomedical Engineers are only found in hospitals and research labs, but Celeste de Mézières gets to work with fighter jets that fly faster than the speed of sound! As a Biomedical and Electronic Engineer at Boeing Defence Australia, Celeste is part of a multidisciplinary team of specialists that maintain and optimise the physiological performance of aircrew. During her studies in Biomedical Science at Griffith University, Celeste discovered that electronic and biomedical engineering could be combined to apply engineering principals to solve unique problems in healthcare in one of the world’s largest aerospace companies. Now there’s a career that really takes off!

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