Building Resilience in Students for STEM Careers

Today’s society is dominated by technology, which is present in people’s lives across all fields. Jobs, especially those in the technical domain, rely on the use of new technologies and innovation. To prepare young people for success in a technical career, their training needs to start as early as possible. Additionally, for them to adapt to changes in the field, they must be resilient that will help them achieve success. Current specialized literature does not provide a clear picture of the early preparation process for students aiming to excel in a technical career. Furthermore, despite teachers having access to information and technological tools, they are not adequately trained to apply clear methodologies that guide young people in identifying and developing specific skills to achieve successful careers in the technical field. The research methodology is mixed, employing a survey using a questionnaire as the research instrument, targeting students from a technical university in Bucharest, Romania. The primary objective of this study is to analyze and interpret the data collected from students regarding their acquisition of resilience during their studies to ensure future career success. The main findings on building resilience among students reveal that most students demonstrate a high level of resilience, perseverance, and emotional balance. They manage to face challenges through planning, collaboration, and the support of family, peers, and teachers. However, there are opportunities for improvement in preparing students for achieving success in STEM careers. The study’s results are valuable for educators, education policymakers, students, and future employers. These results are also particularly valuable for business management professionals aiming to optimize talent development processes in STEM-focused industries.