Your Pathway to a STEM career in the US

Did you know that the US will create 3.5 million STEM jobs by 2025? The “new normal” will be far more tech-driven thus making STEM a clear-cut choice to accelerate your career. Undoubtedly so, the interdisciplinary approach and cutting-edge pedagogy make the US a highly-coveted pick to pursue STEM education. 

Jumpstart your STEM degree with us. Attend our webinar on Feb 2, 2022, to know more about-

• STEM Courses in the US 
• How can STEM courses change the trajectory of your career?
• STEM OPT (post-study work visa) in the US
• STEM Careers in the US 
• How can upGrad Abroad help you?

Summary:

- Importance of STEM Education in the US: STEM fields in the US are in high demand due to the nation's focus on technological advancements, job opportunities, and innovation, especially in sectors like information technology, engineering, and health sciences.

- Benefits of Studying STEM in the US: The US offers lucrative opportunities with starting salaries around $75,000 and above, wider job prospects, and a growing economy leading the way in technological innovations.

- Opportunities for International Students: International students pursuing STEM degrees in the US, especially through STEM-designated programs, have extended post-study work options up to three years, making them more attractive to employers.

- Collaboration between Northern Arizona University and upGrad Abroad: The collaboration allows students to complete part of their STEM degree in India, significantly reducing costs by almost half and providing scholarships based on academic performance.

- Cost of Education: Typical tuition fees at US universities range from $20,000 to $35,000 per year. However, the collaboration offers a more affordable option, potentially reducing the annual cost to around $13,000.

- Campus Life at Northern Arizona University: Northern Arizona University is a prestigious research university established in 1899, located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The university showcases a vibrant campus life with state-of-the-art facilities.

- Preparing for the US Education System: The program allows students to bridge academic readiness and intellectual maturity before transitioning to the campus setting, enabling a smoother transition for Indian students.

- Objective of Making US Education More Accessible: The aim is to change the perception of US education being expensive and offer quality education at a more affordable cost, ensuring access to top-notch universities for deserving students.

- Visualizing Campus Life: The presentation aimed to offer attendees a glimpse of life at Northern Arizona University through slides showcasing the campus and facilities available to students.

- Overall, the webinar focused on the benefits and accessibility of pursuing STEM education in the United States through a collaborative effort between upGrad Abroad and Northern Arizona University while highlighting the opportunities and advantages for international students from India.

📍 Northern Arizona University Location:

- Located in the southwest United States, close to California's tech hub.

- Surrounded by major metropolitan cities like Phoenix, LA, and Vegas, offering job opportunities and proximity to tourist attractions.

🎓 Campus and Programs:

- Public research university with 22,000 students, including 1,300+ international students from 80+ countries.

- Offers 150+ academic programs, bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. options.

💡 University Rankings and Collaborations:

- Ranked among top innovative schools and heavily involved in research.

- Collaborations with companies like Amazon, Intel, and Taiwan's semiconductor for internships and job opportunities.

🏫 Campus Life and Organizations:

- Offers diverse student organizations (Indian Student Association, IEEE) and career development programs.

- Emphasizes experiential learning through projects with real-world companies.

🌐 International Education and Collaboration:

- Offers a partnership program (with upGrad Abroad) allowing students to complete coursework in India, transferring credits to NAU.

- Focuses on STEM degrees, particularly Computer Science and Applied Computer Science, offering articulation between the programs.

🎓 Admissions and Opportunities:

- Admits international students in fall and spring semesters, accepts English proficiency tests (TOEFL, IELTS).

- Provides scholarships and focuses on career opportunities with impressive median salaries in STEM fields post-graduation.

💻 Computer Science Program Choices:

- Applied Computer Science recommended for those without a strong math background; Computer Science for stronger math students.

- Emphasizes foundational learning in the first two years, allowing savings on tuition and living costs when studying online before transitioning to campus studies.

These details encompass the university's location advantages, academic offerings, collaborations, career opportunities, and program choices, catering to diverse student needs and interests.

- 💡 If you're from a mathematics or science background, the traditional computer science program is recommended. If confident in math skills from a commerce background, the same suggestion applies.

- 🎓 Both programs (Mathematics/Science and Commerce-based) are STEM designated, offering the 3-year OPT, but differ slightly in academic core courses.

- 🌍 International master's degree seekers have a 1+1 setup, 8 months in India, followed by 15-16 months in the US at Clark or Yeshiva University.

- 💰 The program with upGrad Abroad covers 6 out of 30 master's degree credits, saving on costs and easing eligibility criteria.

- 📚 The value of the undergraduate or postgraduate program lies in familiarizing students with academic rigors, aiding financial planning, and intellectual preparedness.

- 🎯 Extracurriculars are appreciated but not mandatory; upGrad Abroad programs waive profile building requisites, focusing more on English proficiency.

- 🎓 Masters options include data science, cybersecurity, AI, data analytics, IT, and project management in the US.

- ⏭️ Concerns about the relevance of the program after completion addressed; articulation agreements ensure equivalent course recognition and degree value.

- 📝 The program offers a cost-effective option, articulating upGrad Abroad courses with NAU credits, essentially saving two years' worth of expenses while providing STEM opportunities.

- 🎒 Transfer students from upGrad Abroad are not typical transfers; they have their courses recognized due to articulation agreements, ensuring equal opportunities and scholarships.

- 🌐 Transitioning from a commerce background to a STEM field in the US is facilitated by upGrad Abroad's structured pathway from BCA to a Bachelor of Science degree.

- 💡 STEM degrees from the US hold a strong future outlook, impacting various industries globally.

- 💵 Salary packages post-graduation vary but depend largely on students' practical experience, projects, and connections made during their education.

- 🏅 NAU's accreditation (ABET) ensures program quality, though job prospects also rely heavily on practical skills and demonstrated abilities.

- 📚 Chandigarh University acts as a partner, facilitating an articulated curriculum for easy transition to NAU after completing years in an Indian college.

- 💬 H-1B visa program and its benefits for Indian citizens, especially in tech industries, citing major IT companies' executives who were once international students.

- 💼 Highlighting opportunities post-graduation if H-1B sponsorship doesn't occur, emphasizing return on investment and potential employment in multinational companies, both in the US and in India.

- 🌐 Discussing career support services at Northern Arizona University (NAU), including job fairs, networking events, internships, and industry connections for international students.

- 🔍 Exploring the value proposition of studying in the US for tech careers, emphasizing the diverse employer base and opportunities for growth in tech giants like Tesla, Intel, Facebook, etc.

- 🎓 Weighing the decision between pursuing undergraduate education in the US versus India, focusing on job market competitiveness, the importance of experiential learning, and potential salary considerations.

- 📈 Explaining the possibility of accelerating career growth by starting with a US bachelor's degree rather than spending initial years in India and then pursuing a master's, emphasizing the advantages of understanding the US education system and economy early on.

- 🏫 Promoting NAU's programs, providing links to apply, and offering support for prospective students in undergraduate and graduate programs, concluding with a positive outlook on future collaborations.