WANT A PEEK AT THE DIGITAL INTRO // WHAT’S INSIDE? VERSION OF THIS ISSUE? TABLE OF CONTENTS GO TO STEMJOBS.COM/late-spring-16! WHAT’S INSIDE? 06

05 12 14

16 18 20

22 24 26

28 30 32 34

05 LETTER FROM THE VEEP School’s out! // 06 STEM JOBS SM APPROVED EMPLOYERS The best places to work in STEM. 12 EXTREME STEM IN BASE JUMPING BASICS All about the BASE. // 14 HOT EXTREME SPORTS JOBS Work hard, play hard. 16 STEM AT 200 MPH Hot asphalt, roaring engines. // 18 THROUGH THE EYE OF THE STORM The strength of a . 20 POWERED BY FISSION Go nuclear. // 22 HOT EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS JOBS In the eye of the storm. 24 CAREERS THAT HELP US TAKE FLIGHT The aeronautics field is soaring. // 26 HOT EXTREME TECH JOBS Work smarter, not harder. 28 CYBER SECURITY AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL Defend against hackers. // 30 HOT EXTREME ARTS JOBS Eat your heart out, Jackson Pollock. 32 STEM BEHIND THE SCENES Making The Finest Hours. // 34 SCHOOL PROFILE Academy of Art University.

2 LATE SPRING 2016 // STEMJOBS.COM STEMJOBS.COM // LATE SPRING 2016 3 INTRO // THE CREW INTRO // LETTER FROM THE VEEP WHO MAKES IT HAPPEN? WHAT’S THE MOST SCHOOL’S OUT! EXTREME THING YOU’VE DONE? SCHOOL’S OUT, SM BUT STEM IS STILL IN LATE SPRING 2016 THEY PUT THIS TOGETHER OUR LEADER Daniel Nichols “PHYSICALLY REMOVED A THE TEACHER Glen Zollman SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL It’s hard to believe that we’re coming to the end of another “TEACHING MIDDLE SCHOOL FROM A LIVE SENATE HEARING …” SUPERINTENDENT Rich McCormack MATH—IT DOESN’T GET ANY school year. With this issue of the magazine, I will conclude DEAN OF BUSINESS Chris Hale MORE EXTREME THAN THAT.” my first full year at SM and I wanted to take a ADOBE WAN KENOBI Mike Asper STEM Jobs “DRANK AN ENTIRE CASE OF MOUNTAIN DEW AND CAPTAIN CONTENT Ellen Egley moment to thank everyone who puts this publication JUMPED MY FORD FOCUS OVER THE GRAND CANYON. “ZIP-LINING IN THE RAINFOREST OF BELIZE together. I work with some amazing people, and can’t thank NOT REALLY, BUT WOULDN’T THAT BE EXTREME?” GRAMMER GURU Dan Fazio (THE TREES LOOKED WAY TOO CLOSE AND them enough for all they do. I also want to thank everyone THE GROUND LOOKED WAY TOO FAR AWAY).” HIT ’EM UP FOR ACCESS who takes the time to read and appreciate their hard work. “26 MILES OF WHITE WATER ON THE GAULEY RIVER, W.V., OUR SALES MOGUL Scott Shaw We are committed to giving you a unique insight into STEM IN ONE DAY. WOO HOO!!” TOP DOG Jeff Bucklew jobs and hope that you’ve enjoyed the results as much as SALES COWBOY Steve McIntosh we’ve enjoyed putting it together. THE FLORIDIAN Tristian Germann These last few months of the school year are always WEST POINTER John Amabile “CLIMBED THE POLES AND CABLES TO THE TOP OF THE BEAR MOUNTAIN, N.Y., BRIDGE some of the longest and toughest of the year—for both GOLDEN STATER Ian Faison (APPROX. 380 FEET ABOVE THE WATER) TO students and teachers. Everyone is turning their attention JERSEY BOY Gary Fitzgerald SPLICE FIBER OPTIC CABLE FOR A JOB.” to the (hopefully) improving weather outside and thinking about what’s next—from family vacations to summer jobs/ CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT ’EM internships to getting ready for the move to college. The THE VOICE OF VICTORY Susan Matis last month can be a bit of a grind—so I can’t think of a better MAN WITH THE PLAN Sean McAlister way to finish up the year other than to liven things up by DIGITAL DYNAMO Patrick Sylves E.P. PHONE HOME Ellen Pomerantz exploring STEM in the extreme. In this issue, we’re going to PIXEL ENFORCER Joe Maiocco give you a different perspective on STEM as we look at how “BACKSIDE LIPSLIDE A 15-STAIR DOUBLE KINK Anthony Vingas STEM is used in extreme ways—from building airplanes, to HANDRAIL (SNOWBOARDING). FILMED A VIDEO DUDE VIDEO PART FOR A SPONSOR AND NEEDED A PRINCIPAL Jolene Jefferies racing cars, to protecting national security to (safely) BASE- CLOSING TRICK. IT WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MONEY BAGS JoAnn Conner jumping from buildings and bridges. While many of these MENTAL CHALLENGES I’VE EVER FACED.” HR OVERLORD Annette Palmiero “I WAS TALKED INTO RIDING THE jobs are in growing fields, others are not as easy to come WITH MY DAUGHTER AT HR MINION DIRECTOR Melanie Tolchin ! 180 FEET ABOVE GROUND by or are in fields that are difficult to get into. However, HELP DESK Courtney Miller RIPCORD FREE-FALL AT 75 MPH!” following your passion is never a bad thing, and when you MEDIA WHIZ Barbara Pflughaupt have STEM skills—you can find a job just about anywhere. “A COLLEAGUE AND I JUMPED INTO MEDIA WHIZ SIDEKICK Gabrielle Torello THE BUSINESS WORLD WITH JUST We’ll also reveal our list of STEM JobsSM Approved ONE ACCOUNT TO TAKE CARE OF 3 Employers. These are the companies that are leading the FAMILIES AND THRIVED FOR 19 YEARS.” THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! GUEST STARS Dorothy Crouch way in supporting the growth of a strong STEM workforce, Sue Hamilton while also establishing a workplace where students will want to build a career. We know that educators sometimes STEM JOBS ADVISORY COUNCIL struggle to answer the question of “When will I ever use SENIOR CONSULTANT, MAHER & MAHER Terri Lonowski this?” So one of our lesson plans at edu.STEMjobs.com/ WANT TO SEE A DIGITAL VERSION DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, lesson-plans encourages teachers to use this list as a NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR PARTNERSHIPS IN EQUITY Meagan Pollock, Ph.D. OF A RECENT ISSUE OF STEM JOBS? launching pad to explore the different industries—the type FOUNDER, STEM VISIONS Gretchen Ramey GO TO STEMJOBS.COM/the-mag! of work they do and the jobs they offer—and the companies ASSOCIATE PROVOST AND DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES, that are doing the most to help students find a career Jaleh Rezaie NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY where they can #DoWhatYouLove! COLORADO STEM POLICY AND SUSTAINABILITY John Sepich

GLEN ZOLLMAN SM STEM Jobs Magazine is published four times a year by Victory Media, a veteran-owned business, 420 Rouser Road, Building 3, Suite 101, Moon Township, PA 15108, tel: (412) 269-1663, fax: (412) 269-1646. SM The inclusion of advertising is considered a service and is not an endorsement of products nor concurrence with advertising claims. STEM JobsSM is a servicemark of Victory Media, copyright ©2014-2016. Vice President // STEM Jobs No part of the contents of this magazine may be reproduced by any means without the permission of Victory Media.

4 LATE SPRING 2016 // STEMJOBS.COM STEMJOBS.COM // LATE SPRING 2016 5 THE LIST // STEM JOBS SM APPROVED EMPLOYERS THE BEST PLACES TO WORK IN STEM TOP 50 SM

* STEM JOBS * * APPROVED EMPLOYERS *

STEM OpportunitySTEM DiversitySTEM PartnershipSTEM Career * IT’S NEVER TOO SOON TO START PLANNING YOUR 1. BP America, Inc. • • • • Schools with a ( STEM CAREER­—AND THAT MEANS CHOOSING 2. Exelon Corporation • • • • 3. Amazon • • • •

THE BEST COMPANIES THAT ARE FOCUSED ON • 4. Xcel Energy • • • • ) have placed in the top quartile of companies that demonstrate best practices within category. PREPARING YOU FOR STEM JOBS. WE’VE DONE THE 5. Energy Northwest • • • • RESEARCH AND THESE ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST. 6. Amtrak • • • • 7. SBA Communications Corporation • • Throughout the year, we invite new employers to participate in our benchmark 8. Intelligrated • • • • study of effective practices in STEM employment. Each issue of STEM JobsSM 9. Oshkosh Corporation • • • Magazine highlights the best employers in our 10 Hot STEM Jobs feature 10. Discover Financial Services • spreads. The STEM JobsSM Approved Employers recognizes the best of the 11. Monsanto • best across all industries for each school year. For the 2015-2016 school year, 12. ESRI • • • these employers demonstrated their leadership, excellence and company-wide 13. Verizon • • • commitment to bridging the gap between classrooms and careers. 14. Southern Company • • • • 15. Norfolk Southern Corporation • • • • WHAT ARE THEY DOING BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE? 16. Johnson Controls Inc. • • 17. Performance Contractors, Inc. • • 18. CRST • • • 19. AECOM • 1. DIVERSITY: THEY ARE 3. PARTNERSHIP: THEY 20. PlaneTechs, LLC. CONTRIBUTING TO GREATER ARE STRENGTHENING • DIVERSITY IN STEM FIELDS PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN 21. Cummins Inc. • • 22. BAE Systems, Inc. • • • Every employer has work to do CLASSROOMS AND CAREERS 23. CSC (Computer Sciences Corporation) • in diversity, either in sustaining All employers measure the 24. Archer Daniels Midland Company their best practices or in assuring effectiveness of their recruiting • the skill potential of women and efforts, but very few invest in 25. Qualcomm Incorporated • • • minorities in STEM professions. developing talent pipelines that 26. Union Pacific Railroad • These employers are open about reach into high schools or even 27. Brunswick Corporation • • APPROVED EMPLOYERS 2016 EMPLOYERS APPROVED

their own diversity and stepping up middle schools to expose students SM 28. Lockheed Martin • • as industry leaders. to new career options they would 29. CACI • • • never get a chance to experience. 30. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. • 2. CAREERS: THEY ARE 31. Adecco Group • • • FACILITATING STEM 4. OPPORTUNITY: THEY ARE 32. General Motors • CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES 33. Ameren • • FOR STEM STUDENTS The traditional concept of a 34. Carolinas HealthCare System • • • single-employer career is dead. Employers don’t have to provide 35. Volt Workforce Solutions • Keeping employees engaged over internships or partnerships with 36. Aviall Services, Inc.

TOP 50 STEM JOBS TOP • • a full career requires considerable their local communities, but smart 37. Northrop Grumman • • investment. These employers are employers do. These employers are 38. Bayer Corporation • redefining the career for their deeply concerned with creating 39. HD Supply employees through investment in opportunities for future workers • WANT TO LEARN MORE? training, development and a focus and ensuring that those future hires 40. Booz Allen Hamilton • • • GO TO STEMJOBS.COM/SJA/Employers! on creating true career pathways. have continued opportunities to 41. Wyle • learn and grow with their company. 42. Miller-Valentine Group • • 43. CBRE Group, Inc. • • 44. Engility Corporation • 45. Advanced Technology Services • SM STEM Jobs Approved Employers ratings are based on a combination of publicly available data and 46. Devon Energy Corporation survey responses. Some companies did not report or could not provide sufficient portions of the data • to be considered for rating in this publication. Ratings are provided for all participating companies 47. Cajun Industries, LLC • based on their available data online at: STEMjobs.com. 48. CDW • • 49. Tennessee Valley Authority For more information on what’s behind our STEM JobsSM Approved Employers ratings, • • tune into our podcast at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/stem-jobs/id989367249 50. IBM • •

6 LATE SPRING 2016 // STEMJOBS.COM STEMJOBS.COM // LATE SPRING 2016 7 STEM JOBSSM STUDENTS: APPROVED EMPLOYERS BE SURE TO TAKE THE STEM TYPE QUIZ AT STEMTYPE.STEMJOBS.COM BY INDUSTRY TO GET MATCHED TO THE BEST STEM SCHOOLS AND CAREERS FOR YOU!

1. Oshkosh Corporation 1. Discover Financial Services 2. PlaneTechs, LLC. 2. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 3. BAE Systems, Inc. 3. Quicken Loans 4. Lockheed Martin 4. PNC Bank 5. Northrop Grumman 5. Capital One Financial Corporation 6. Wyle 6. Bank of America 7. ManTech 7. JPMorgan Chase & Co. DEFENSE 8. DynCorp International LLC 8. CitiGroup Inc. 9. Leidos 9. Progressive Insurance 10. ADS, Inc. 10. KeyBank 1. Intelligrated 11. Prudential Financial, Inc.

2. ESRI FINANCE 12. Combined Insurance Company of America DEFENSE: 3. Johnson Controls Inc. 13. First Command Financial Services ENERGY: The defense industry consists of companies that specialize in 4. Performance Contractors, Inc. 14. Morgan Stanley The energy industry is a $6 trillion dollar global industry and the research, design, development, manufacture, integration 5. AECOM 15. State Farm the third largest industry in the United States. The industry and support of technology systems, products, and services that is changing rapidly as the growth in consumer demand, 6. Adecco Group 16. USAA support the military. This includes the occupations involved in combined with the need for researching, developing and 7. Volt Workforce Solutions 17. KPMG LLP research, production and support services spread across a wide implementing more sustainable and environmentally 8. Aviall Services, Inc. spectrum of companies specializing in: 18. U.S. Bancorp acceptable energy options, requires a competitive 9. Booz Allen Hamilton • Spacecraft and commercial, military and private aircraft 19. The Western & Southern Life Insurance Company workforce capable of building, installing and servicing all 10. Miller-Valentine Group • Various military equipment, such as tanks and related vehicles 1. Carolinas HealthCare System energy technologies. Energy companies provide jobs in 11. CBRE Group, Inc. • Navigational and guidance systems and technologies 2. Bayer Corporation many areas, including production and support of: 12. Engility Corporation • Cybersecurity technology and services 3. DaVita • Renewable energy and fuels 13. Cajun Industries, LLC 4. HCA, Hospital Corporation of America • Oil, natural gas, coal and nuclear power 14. Accenture 5. Merck & Co., Inc. • Electricity, smart grid and demand response technologies 15. PricewaterhouseCoopers 6. Kaiser Permanente 16. Cintas 7. Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc. 17. Strategic Staffing Solutions (S3) 8. UnitedHealth Group 18. Emory University 9. Express Scripts 19. APi Group, Inc. 10. Humana Inc. HEALTH & PHARMA HEALTH DIVERSIFIED SERVICES 20. Deloitte 11. Anthem, Inc. 21. Logistics Health Incorporated 1. Cummins Inc. 22. Apex Systems 2. Archer Daniels Midland Company 23. ADP, LLC 3. Brunswick Corporation 24. Sodexo 4. HD Supply 25. Motel 6 / Studio 6 5. Advanced Technology Services 26. American Red Cross DIVERSIFIED SERVICES: 6. PepsiCo 27. Hilton Worldwide As the name suggests, diversified services is an industry 7. The Timken Company 28. Bozzuto composed of a wide variety of companies that provide 8. Nestlé USA FINANCE: 1. BP America, Inc. many different goods and services. Companies include 9. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

MANUFACTURING The finance industry plays an important role in both the those that provide hotel accommodations and travel 2. Exelon Corporation 10. Yazaki of North and Central America, Inc. national and world economy, supporting people, businesses, services, uniforms and cleaning services, and real estate 3. Xcel Energy 1. Amazon nonprofit organizations and government agencies in all and construction services. Many companies in this category 4. Energy Northwest 2. JCPenney aspects of managing their money. The finance industry are not defined by a single focus, but offer products and/or 5. Southern Company 3. Walmart employs over 6 million people in the United States at various services that cross over multiple industries. 6. Ameren 4. Army & Air Force Exchange Service credit unions, banks, credit card companies, insurance 7. Devon Energy Corporation 5. The Home Depot companies, accountancy companies, consumer-finance ENERGY 8. Tennessee Valley Authority 6. Dollar General Corporation companies, stock brokerages, investment funds, and some

9. PG&E RETAIL 7. Holdings government-sponsored enterprises. Some of the services 10. Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) 8. United Rentals, Inc. provided include: • Investing advice and support 11. PPL Corporation Discover Financial Services 9. McDonald’s Corporaton • Lending services such as home mortgages, 10. Starbucks Coffee small business loans and personal loans • Insurance products such as homeowners’ and car insurance

8 LATE SPRING 2016 // STEMJOBS.COM STEMJOBS.COM // LATE SPRING 2016 9 SM RETAIL: STEM JOBS The retail industry is composed of individuals and businesses that sell finished products to consumers. APPROVED EMPLOYERS There are many types of retail businesses, but you can generally put them into four categories—department BY INDUSTRY stores, discount stores, speciality stores and seasonal retailers—divided into those that sell “hard items” such as appliances, sporting goods, tools, electronics and 1. The GEO Group, Inc. furniture, and those that sell “soft items” like clothes and 2. U.S. Security Associates, Inc. bedding. The increase in popularity of online shopping 3. AlliedBarton Security Services has transformed this industry over the past 10 years and 4. Corrections Corporation of America opened up entirely new avenues for retailers of all sizes

SECURITY 5. G4S Secure Solutions (USA) Inc. to sell their products across the globe. 1. SBA Communications Corporation

2. Monsanto SECURITY AND CORRECTIONS: The security and corrections industry consists of 3. Verizon companies that provide support services, technology and 4. CSC (Computer Sciences Corporation) staffing for private and corporate security systems, as 5. Qualcomm Incorporated well as for private, local and state correctional facilities. 6. CACI Services provided by industry enterprises include private 7. CDW janitorial, maintenance, trash disposal, guard and security, HEALTH CARE & PHARMACEUTICAL: 8. IBM mail routing reception, laundry and other services that People are living longer than ever before, leading to a greater support operations within correctional facilities. Many of 9. Cisco Systems, Inc. demand for more and higher quality preventive and long- these companies specialize in training security personnel 10. Intuit term heath care and associated services. The health-care while others focus on facilities management, logistics 11. Hewlett Packard Enterprise and pharmaceutical industry consists of companies providing and/or security systems technology. 12. Alorica diagnostic, healing, rehabilitation and preventive services. 13. EMC Many people are attracted to the health-care industry for its TECHNOLOGY AND 14. T-Mobile US, Inc. human touch and service-oriented aspects. Employees in this TELECOMMUNICATIONS: field are involved in all aspects of care ranging from: 15. AT&T The technology and telecommunications industry • Medical care providers 16. First Data consists of two separate but highly integrated industries. • Elderly care and assisted living services 17. Lexmark International, Inc. Telecommunications is composed of companies that • Psychology and counseling services 18. TEKsystems make communication possible on a local, national and • Pharmaceutical research and sales TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY 19. Hyland, Creator of OnBase global scale through phone, computer or television via • Physical therapy and rehabilitation support cable, fiber optic, wireless or satellite networks. These 1. Amtrak • Alternative health-care services 2. Norfolk Southern Corporation companies specialize in providing and maintaining a 3. CRST network that allows for the transmission of information, 4. Union Pacific Railroad while also researching and developing new technologies to make those networks faster and more readily available. 5. General Motors Broadly put, the technology industry is composed of 6. Roehl Transport, Inc. companies engaged in the research and development 7. J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. of innovative technology products and information 8. BNSF Railway management services. While this includes companies 9. YRC Freight that make TVs, tablets and cellphones, it also includes 10. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority companies that develop technological advancements in 11. Werner Enterprises fields such as medicine and agriculture. Overall, if you 12. Schneider watch TV, surf the Internet, text your friends, get an MRI TRANSPORTATION 13. Stevens Transport or drive a car, the products and infrastructure that enable 14. TMC Transportation those activities are a result of companies in this industry. 15. Total Quality Logistics MANUFACTURING: 16. La Quinta Inns & Suites TRANSPORTATION: The manufacturing industry consists of companies engaged The transportation industry is a giant industry employing in the mechanical, physical or chemical transformation of millions of people and encompassing any business that materials, substances or components into new products. moves people or goods by land, sea or air from one This industry has gone through tremendous change over place to another. Companies include those that run the the past 50 years and is highly technical, with the greatest municipal bus, subway and commuter-train systems to area of growth in the area of advanced manufacturing. those that transport letters, packages and containers Companies in this industry include a multitude of plants, across the country and around the globe via plane, factories and mills that make everything from concrete truck, boat or rail. In addition to the people (literally) in flooring to flat-screen televisions. This industry is highly the drivers’ seats, there are hundreds of thousands of diverse and also includes any company that transforms people working behind the scenes to package and load materials or substances into new products by hand, such containers, fuel airplanes and coordinate the process so as bakeries, candy stores or custom clothiers. that everything gets where it needs to go on time.

10 LATE SPRING 2016 // STEMJOBS.COM STEMJOBS.COM // LATE SPRING 2016 11 EXTREME SPORTS // BASE JUMPING

EXTREME STEM IN BASE JUMPING BASICS

BASEExtreme Jumping STEM Basics in BY DOROTHY CROUCH

When making a list of extreme sports as the extreme sport’s popularity the probability of success—which means basic principles of physics. a STEM enthusiast can incorporate Whether a deep drop from a that induce adrenaline-pumping results, soars and legal roadblocks disappear. survival in this sport—BASE jumpers “A jumper is susceptible to the academic strengths into an interest in bridge toward river waters below or STEM subjects are often overlooked on BASE jumpers can apply for a BASE must consider weather conditions, laws of physics as any falling object. this extreme sport. leaping toward rust-colored desert the list of thrilling careers. While they registration number upon completion of descent and the proper gear— There is a calculable amount of time “You’re not going to get to design from the top of a steep cliff, most don’t always receive the recognition of jumps from all four points: building, all of which have roots in STEM. between when they jump and hit BASE jumping gear without a degree in BASE-jump sites take place outdoors, they deserve, plenty of heart-pounding antenna, span and Earth, but this isn’t “...There is a huge benefit to the ground, when they should pull a STEM field. You can’t be a successful within nature. It is from nature that activities—including BASE jumping—are required to gain or maintain credibility having a well-rounded knowledge of the parachute. [When considering] mechanical engineer without an Dickerson encourages STEM students built upon STEM foundations. in the sport. mathematics to assist in the ease of the parachute they have and how it understanding of mathematics.” to find inspiration to design BASE- the learning process,” explains Marie. deploys, they need to understand how The importance of STEM jumping gear. ALL ABOUT THE BASE GIRL GOT BASE GAME “Having the ability to make accurate fast they will be going to make the professionals in the BASE-jumping “There are people in STEM careers The letters B, A, S and E in BASE At the age of 16, Clair Marie became one calculations quickly would help you in deployment happen.” field isn’t lost on those who engage who look at a natural phenomenon jumping form an acronym for Building, of the world’s youngest female BASE many different ways.” in the sport. Using quality gear that and model it mathematically. We Antenna, Span and Earth—the four jumpers. As an all-around extreme- GEARING UP FOR EXTREME STEM is manufactured by STEM experts think we’re big, bad and created this types of locations from which jumpers sport enthusiast, Marie respects the THE S-T-E-M OF B-A-S-E One of the most fulfilling STEM- is paramount at any level of BASE new sport that is thrilling, but there can soar. The history of modern BASE activities in which she engages, whether STEM experts agree that promoting the based careers in BASE jumping is jumping, from novice to expert. As are different mammals, such as flying jumping began during the 1970s when snowboarding, biking or BASE jumping, role of these subjects in BASE jumping designing products that will ensure this extreme sport gains a greater squirrels and insects, that do these Carl Boenish practiced jumping from and recognizes the importance of being will create a safer environment for the protection of jumpers while following, more designers with a things naturally…many mammals that stationary locations until his death in a responsible participant. athletes. Recognizing the importance of maximizing performance. Blending a STEM background will be in demand are small and light, don’t have enough 1984 during an accident that occurred “The biggest preparation for learning STEM in this activity also affords non- strong STEM sense with knowledge to create gear that safely satisfies the mass to hurt themselves when falling.” while he engaged in the extreme sport to BASE jump was really more mental jumping opportunities for science and of the sport’s gear—such as the needs of BASE-jumping enthusiasts. Through studying creatures that that he loved. than anything else in the beginning... math professionals to become involved differences between BASE-jump “STEM students would seamlessly have developed the ability to glide or As this extreme sport becomes more as I progressed in the sport and took in the promotion of extreme sports. parachutes, which are manufactured, transition into the design and float to safety from dangerous heights, widely accepted, greater opportunities on all the responsibility for my safety As a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering chosen and packed to accommodate testing of parachutes and wing suits developers of BASE-jumping gear for STEM innovators will arise. While there was a lot more that I had to do to and now a senior graduate engineer with shorter descents, and those used using wind tunnels and computer provide solutions that expand our laws restricting BASE jumping still exist, prepare for each individual jump.” aerospace company Meggitt, Andrew by skydivers—is the formula for an calculations to formulate and design human limitations, a point that excites sites such as Twin Falls, Idaho’s Perrine Safety is first and foremost when Dickerson has encountered many of the exciting extreme career. By pursuing the best gear that is the most reliable jumpers, such as Clair Marie. Bridge and events including the 37th- deciding to undertake BASE jumping. As STEM concepts that support safe BASE an education in mechanical or and fastest technology around,” says “The human body can only do annual Bridge Day—which takes place with any extreme sport, BASE jumping jumping. Discussing how these extreme- aerospace engineering, supported Marie. “There is tons of room for so much falling from a cliff, but with on West Virginia’s New River Gorge can have tragic consequences, even for sport enthusiasts use STEM, Dickerson by study in general physics and growth in this area, which is one of the the right equipment the possibilities Bridge—have welcomed enthusiasts the most seasoned athletes. To maximize reveals that BASE jumping includes mathematics, Dickerson identifies how most exciting aspects of the sport!” are endless.”

12 LATE SPRING 2016 // STEMJOBS.COM STEMJOBS.COM // LATE SPRING 2016 13 HOT JOBS // EXTREME SPORTS

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD

WANT TO KNOW YOUR STEM TYPE? LOG ON TO STEMTYPE.STEMJOBS.COM EXTREME SPORTS TO FIND OUT! HOT STEM JOBS BY SALARY

WATER AND THEME SNOW SPORTS SKYDIVING EXTREME SPORTS BICYCLE SCUBA DIVING SKI LIFT POWERSPORTS NASCAR PIT CREW PARK ARCHITECT/ EQUIPMENT BICYCLE DESIGN INSTRUCTOR FILM CREW TECHNICIAN INSTRUCTOR TECHNICIAN TECHNICIAN TECHNICIAN DESIGNER DESIGNER ENGINEER WHAT You help beginning Not only are you an Today’s bicycles are a You not only show students Modern ski lifts are You specialize in On race day, your goal is Theme parks and water Every year snow Your job is to push the jumpers learn the basics expert diver, skier, surfer, far cry from the banana- the basics of diving, you intricate pieces of building and/or to change four tires, fill parks comprise a multi- sports equipment limits of what a bicycle WILL I DO? - including safety and skydiver or driver, you seat 3-speed you had also use math to calculate machinery combining maintaining a wide the gas tank and get your billion dollar industry. manufacturers debut new can do by developing proper technique. You also have to have the in elementary school. ascension rates, along the latest in automation variety of power driver back on the track Architects, engineers and equipment that make materials that are also might have the ability artistic ability to capture Technicians in this field with critical thinking and and safety technologies, vehicles. From in 12 seconds. The rest of designers work together skiing and snowboarding stronger and lighter to to use your skills to film the excitement of those work in a multi-million problem-solving skills to requiring skilled motorcycles to your week is spent using to create and design how faster, easier and more build component parts extreme sports videos, events to share as part of dollar sporting industry, plan dives that keep all the technicians to keep power boats, jet skis your mechanical know-how dozens of rides, restaurants, appealing. As a snow that enable the rider to star in feature movies, or commercial, documentary keeping high-tech bikes divers safe. You also may be them running in order to to ATVs, you make fine-tuning cars that can restrooms, gift shops and sports equipment go faster or to cover a certify other jumpers. You or feature film. What worth tens of thousands called upon for search-and- safely transport skiers sure the machines reach speeds over 200 miles of pathways will come designer, you’ll use wider range of terrain. have to understand how good is having a dramatic of dollars on the road rescue missions or other to the top of the hill. are functioning at top mph—looking to gain every together in an experience cutting edge (ski pun While you’re at it, figure wind, mass, velocity and skydiving scene in the or trail and operating at events requiring those with performance levels. possible advantage in a that will thrill and entertain intended) technology to out how to keep my tires altitude relate in order to movie if there isn’t peak performance. diving expertise. sport where victory is often millions of people each year. design and test new ski from going flat, OK? keep everyone safe. anyone there to film it? decided by milliseconds. and snowboard models.

MEDIAN $20-$30 per student, It varies—and work is $23,000 Mostly part-time work, Seasonal work, but $33,000 $45,000 to start, but $50,000 + $56,000 $70,000 per class. But the thrill seasonal—but a typical but you can still make many make $30,000 experienced crew SALARY of the jump is priceless! film crew member makes about $25,000 per year. or more each winter. chiefs can make about $4,000 per week more ... a lot more! when they are working. STEM TYPE

Explorer Integrator Solver Producer Solver Solver Solver Maker Designer Designer CATEGORY

Passion-fueled job Passion-fueled job Passion-fueled job Passion-fueled job Passion-fueled job Growing field Tough to get into Tough to get into Tough to get into Tough to get into WILL I Terminal velocity is You permanently attached You really know the Your favorite You think of ski lifts If it goes fast—whether Your idea of a good time You don’t like to wait in line Your first three You think that any your normal pace. a GoPro to your skull. meaning of “you shoes are flippers. as being in a special on water, asphalt, dirt is changing the tires on to ride the roller coasters, snowboards were made vehicle with more than LIKE IT? break it, you buy it.” class of . or mud—you can fix it ... your parents’ car. so you just build them. from a piece of plywood two wheels is wasteful. and make it go faster! you found in your garage.

SCHOOLS Need to acquire a class C • CUNY - Borough of There are many PADI training—there are Internships provide a lot • Motorcycle Mechanics • NASCAR Technical Institute SPONSORED BY: • CUNY City College • Gonzaga University license from United States Manhattan Community opportunities for multiple training facilities of the training needed. You Institute • LaRoche College • Marquette University THAT TRAIN Parachute Association. College internships. You can also across the country. can also get certifications • Ohio Technical College • Rutgers University- • Youngstown State University • University of get training at schools through Montana State • SUNY Canton New Brunswick Southern California like Lincoln Tech or The University or Colorado • Wesleyan University United Bicycle Institute. Mountain College. —see ad on back cover!

WHO’S Skydiving is very popular • Discovery Channel • Dick’s Sporting Goods Most diving instructors • Snowshoe Mountain Resort • Arctic Cat • Chip Ganassi Racing • AECOM • Burton Snowboards • Giant in tourist areas, but you • Red Bull Media House • REI work for themselves. • Sun Valley Ski Resort • Cabela’s with Felix Sabates • Universal Studios • Fischer • Marin HIRING can find local companies • Super Rad • Specialized Retail Stores State and local police • Vail Resorts • Harley Davidson • Hendrick Motorsports • WhiteWater West Industries • K2 • Specialized just about anywhere that departments also hire • Michael Waltrip Racing • Trek are looking for instructors. as needed.

14 LATE SPRING 2016 // STEMJOBS.COM STEMJOBS.COM // LATE SPRING 2016 15 EXTREME SPORTS // NASCAR

STEM AT 200 MILES PER HOUR racecar greatly affect the aerodynamics of the machine? How can I distribute the weight ratio around the car for maximum performance? There is a lot of STEM involved in a high-performance career.” Think a career combining your love for STEM with exhaust fumes might be for you? Good news! Trades like motorsports are growing industries where skilled workers are always in high demand. As John explained, “We have a serious problem in America and it’s called a BENSON BUNK DEGREE: BACHELOR’S IN ‘skills gap.’ Millions of baby boomers are MECHANICAL ENGINEERING nearing retirement and few are taking YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY: 23 their place in skilled trades. Young people STEM TYPE: EXPLORER need to know how things work and how to build and work with their hands.” So how do you get started? Mark advises, “Start by being all-in, by putting your heart into it. Open your mind and be willing to take yourself out of your comfort zone. Take a test! Don’t be afraid of failure and learn from it. I would advise high school students who want to pursue a career in racing to consider some secondary education that will give you an edge on the competition. Racecars as well as passenger cars are JOHN DODSON EXPERIENCE: becoming more sophisticated daily. NASCAR RACING CAREER NASCAR specifically is now using fuel YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY: 34 STEM at 200 injection, computer-controlled ignition, STEM TYPE: MAKER and digital programmable dashes. It takes a very savvy technician to install and maintain those systems. The other key Miles Per Hour element that will lead to success is to get BY ELLEN EGLEY some hands-on experience. There will always be the Saturday night ‘grassroots’ racer who needs help. Get out there and volunteer to help a local race team to Hot asphalt, roaring engines, screaming Hall of Fame Driver Rusty Wallace. brings them all together not only helped just see how things work,” adds Benson. fans, earth-shaking speed—this is the Reaching a milestone like that takes a me build better racecars, but also helps “Learn all the skills that you can and you world of the National Association for lot of commitment and dedication. We me teach how to build better racecars,” will never be without a job opportunity. Stock Car Auto Racing, better known as built the racecars and I served on the he said. Fellow instructor Mark Goin When I started out as a metal fabricator, NASCAR. Teams of mechanics, welders, pit crew as a tire changer, so not only agreed, saying, “I am so grateful for my older brother told me to learn to run MARK GOIN EXPERIENCE: fabricators, designers, engineers and did we get to use our STEM strengths, the time spent in school learning extra every piece of equipment in the shop NASCAR RACING CAREER drivers work together to make theirs the we competed in a sport as well. Now, math and science. A racecar is nothing and to learn everything I could about YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY: 20 fastest, baddest machine on the track. I am extremely proud of the NASCAR but a big science experiment that is aerodynamics, which helped me greatly STEM TYPE: PRODUCER When people think about NASCAR, Elective program that we created here almost out of control on the track. in my racecar-building career. But the they picture the flashy cars, heart- at the NASCAR Technical Institute. We Everything from the build to what you reason to learn it all was that there would pounding victories and famous drivers. have trained and placed top graduates see on TV is calculated for perfection. always be a need for me and my skills. But with cars capable of speeds exceeding with virtually every top NASCAR race It’s like a well-oiled machine with people When times turned hard, I was never 200 miles per hour, every single member team. It’s very gratifying to see our performing specific duties. The ability considered to be laid off or replaced of each team needs to be an expert at graduates not only winning at every to use critical thinking skills to attain because I could do almost everything in their position to keep drivers safe and level in NASCAR, but winning the same a competitive advantage is simply an the shop. It was some of the best advice cars running at peak performance. championships in the sport my brothers amazing feeling! We are always looking that I have ever been given. I suggest the No one understands the importance and I did,” said John. for the next new idea to be state of same for today’s students. No matter of the pit crew better than John Dodson, Building, improving and maintaining the industry. So mathematics, science, what you plan to do in life, learn a trade who enjoyed a successful 23-year racecars takes some high-octane STEM physics and managing time are the keys or two along the way,” suggests John. NASCAR career before joining the skills, according to Benson Bunk, an to success, especially when every detail So to rev up your career in Universal Technical Institute as vice instructor at NTI. “In order to be an matters so much!” As John put it, “What motorsports, start taking things apart and president of the NASCAR Technical effective instructor I must possess all the makes a car run 220 miles an hour and figuring out how they work. Pay attention WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? Institute (NTI) in North Carolina. STEM skills. Having a firm understanding not fly? How does an engine turn 9000 in your STEM classes, volunteer at a local VISIT STEMJOBS.COM/racecar! “My brothers and I won the NASCAR of scientific principles, gas laws, physics, RPMs for five hours and survive? How racetrack, and try something new. You Championship in 1989 with NASCAR material science and the math that can a small dent in the front fender of a might just find yourself in victory lane!

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