As the world we live in today changes, this line between being art and science has blurred with a new class of jobs that require both traits- imagination along with technical skill. These are careers that don't typically involve following the same footsteps as everyone else. Whether it be programming video games or building musical instruments, these hybrid positions open fantastic possibilities for our technically and creatively inclined students.
As high schoolers look beyond the traditional paths to forge their own way after graduation, these 10 unexpected careers combine imagination and innovation like never before.
1. Medical Illustrator
Medical illustrators leverage their understanding of biology and anatomy and their artistic ability to create images used in textbooks or journals or to represent a surgical procedure. They use medical and biological subject matter to assist doctors, researchers, and patients in understanding the nuanced complexities of a procedure. Medical illustration is a field that requires not only a drawing ability, but also a capacity to render with computer graphics and scientific understanding of the subject matter through a perspective of biomedical or medical sciences. This career is ideal for any student with a passion for health sciences and the field of visual narrative building, and it is typically associated with a hospital or teaching universities.
2. Video Game Designer
Video game designers utilize the storytelling, art, and computer science disciplines to create engaging and immersive virtual game worlds. Game designers develop the characters, environments, and mechanics that will dictate how players interact with the game. The knowledge required in the field of game design includes a sense of imagination, computer programming, and a general knowledge of user experience. Game designers usually team with other designers, computer programmers, animators/visual effects artists, or other developers who bring games to life. When you consider that there are high school students who enjoy gaming and creating art, game design provides an opportunity to combine imagination with logic, and would provide a potential career in a growing entertainment industry.
3. Architectural Designer
Architecture designers create beautiful, functional buildings, homes and other facilities using geometry, physics, and computer-aided design. They work in the areas of material connections, environmental considerations, and engineering constraints, considering aesthetics and culture. If you are a high school student and enjoy math and art, you may want to consider Architecture as a career path through a post-secondary program in design and engineering.
4. Industrial Designer
Industrial designers establish the aesthetics and functionality of everyday products, from smartphones to furniture. They merge functionality and human-centered design through 3D modeling and prototyping. This profession requires an understanding of materials, manufacturing, and ergonomics all linked with creativity. With the creative designs in hand, an industrial designer works with engineers and marketers to develop and improve products before launching them to market. High school students who enjoy building and sketching new concepts will find a career is the perfect intersection of design with many STEM disciplines.
5. UX/UI Designer
User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Designers enhance how people experience digital products like apps and websites. They draw upon psychology, coding, and visual design to create simple and attractive interfaces. This combination of skills requires empathy, design sensing, and technical skill. A UX/UI designer is involved with testing the layout, creating prototypes, and figuring out a user journey to make products more usable. Students who like solving problems and making digital interactions seamless and smooth should take a serious look at this exciting and growing interdisciplinary role that is somewhere between graphic design and software engineering.
6. Sound Engineer
Sound engineers are professionals that use technology and physics to manage the way we record, edit and playback audio. Sound engineers get involved in a variety of experiences: live music concerts, films, video games, podcasts, etc., and their primary goal is to ensure every sound is reproduced clearly and appropriately. Sound engineering is ultimately a combination of music theory, electronics and software and generally requires a combination of all three to fully benefit. For those students who love music and have an interest in science, entering sound engineering can be as easy as entering an audio production course or a STEM pathway where acoustics is considered.
7. Scientific Animator
Scientific animators produce 2D and 3D animations that demonstrate scientific processes - that can be anything from molecular biology to astrophysics. The outcomes are used in educational materials, public outreach, and research presentations, as well as documentaries. They must focus on learning abstract scientific concepts and then represent them in visually engaging animations that are also correct and accurate. Scientific animators can take their software skills to create visual programs or stories that make learning easier and more accessible for other students. The good news is - highschool science and animation lovers can pursue this career path they enjoy through the opportunity with a bachelor's degree or programs in biology, animation or scientific visualization.
8. Fashion Technologist
Fashion technologists create wearable technology and smart fabrics that incorporate electronics into textiles. This could be a garment that can monitor health or garments that can change color according to a temperature, as innovations in the field are endless. The intersection of fashion, materials science, engineering, and design makes this a truly interdisciplinary field. Fashion technologists will collaborate with engineers and designers to prototype and test wearable products. Students pursuing careers in fashion and technology can engage in design technology or STEM programs focusing on material innovation and human-centered design.
9. Robotics Designer
Robotics designers design robots, including their functionality, movement, appearance and relationship with humans. Robotics incorporates mechanical engineering, artificial intelligence, and industrial design and robotics designers must think about not only the motion of the robot and the form, but also the user experience. The “personality” of the robot may be equally as important as the programming, especially in areas like education and healthcare. Students in high school who enjoy mechanics, coding, design, and animation can pursue robotics through clubs, camps, coding boot camps, and design-oriented engineering programs.
10. Data Visualization Specialist
Data visualization experts take simple numbers and weave them into visual stories with charts, animations, and interactive dashboards. These visualizers employ statistical analysis and graphic design to assist businesses, scientists, and others in composing a visual story from their data. If you are good at math, you like to create art, and you want to visually represent a story, consider being a data visualization expert by taking courses in computer science, statistics, and visual communication while you are in school.
Combining art and STEM creates unique and purposeful careers that influence how we see, what we hear, how we interact, and what we learn. These professional pathways defy traditional notions of “left brain vs. right brain” careers, and shed light on how imagination and logical reasoning go hand-in-hand. For high school students with varied interests, these career paths offer the chance to utilize all of their talents in one role. The future belongs to those who learn to invent, inspire, and innovate across disciplines.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
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