7 behaviours you need to kickstart your STEM career – Diana Bird

Diana Bird, Executive Principal at Leeds City College, delves into the STEM7 skills in more detail.

More students are leaving school with solid technical knowledge in 2026: think coding, digital content and data literacy. But do you have the behaviours and mindset needed to thrive at work and develop successful Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers?

The world of work demands a much broader set of skills and experiences that go beyond the curriculum. Leeds City College is embracing ‘STEM7’- our framework that bridges the gap between technical knowledge and the characteristics that help you succeed in industry. 

Nail these behaviours and you’ll be off to a flying start in your chosen career pathway.  

Flexibility

With near-constant developments in technology, from artificial intelligence to virtual reality, nothing stands still for long. Being flexible means you’re open to learning and willing to adapt to changes. It’s about keeping on your toes and not panicking when something unexpected comes your way.

Communication

Being able to communicate well and build positive relationships is really important in career-building. Moreover, not everyone is an expert in STEM, so being able to translate technical language into something your audience can understand, whether that’s a colleague from another department, a client, or the general public is key.

Collaboration

In industry, you’ll be working with people in and outside of your company who have different strengths and skills. Understanding how best to work with others and sharing project work and ideas where appropriate is a valuable skill. If you master this, you’ll go far. 

Intellectual curiosity

Intellectual curiosity is the drive to keep learning and evolving in and beyond your field: think webinars, training courses and keeping up to date with news and advancements in industry. This can make you stand out from the crowd and lead to innovative work. 

Creative thinking 

Creative thinking involves building your own ideas, approaching problems from different angles, challenging assumptions and experimenting with new methods. In STEM careers, creative thinking drives innovation and leads to effective solutions. You’ll impress with a creative and open mind. 

Problem solving

Problems and challenges are a given in the technical world. Being able to identify these and use your knowledge and experience to tackle any issues you might encounter and test possible solutions rather than being put off by setbacks is crucial.

Data-driven decisions

Data-driven decisions involve using numbers, data, evidence and analysis to make decisions. This could mean analysing trends, measuring performance or evaluating results. Being confident with data helps you make more accurate and informed decisions in any STEM role.

Taking opportunities to develop these skills will give you a competitive edge and rounded skills profile in the thriving STEM job market.

To find out more about STEM 7, visit the Leeds City College website: Leeds City College