Listen up, liberal arts majors: If you're searching for a promising field to explore, take a good, long look at the occupations found in the disciplines of STEM — science, technology, engineering and math.

Uh-oh. I lost you when I spelled out that acronym, didn't I? If you consider yourself a liberal arts person, you're probably more inclined toward the humanities, literature, arts, languages and music — and what do they have to do with science and math?

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I guess it depends on your perspective. On the one hand, it does seem possible to separate the sciences from our everyday lives. With the availability of calculators, for example, who needs to know math? But wait: Didn't someone in the sciences have to develop the calculator? And manufacture it? And figure out the logistics to get it packaged and delivered to the store, and maybe look at the demographics and statistics to figure out who might buy it and at what price?

I am not a science or math nut. I did well in both these areas throughout high school and marched through calculus in college — but only because I needed it to get my liberal arts degree.

Even so, I live by principles of math and science that I learned early. For example, the best and most important thing I learned about science in grade school was that I could not actually fly, no matter how high a surface I jumped from.

This principle of physics was driven home with some force when I leapt off a swing at its highest point. I remember waking up in the emergency room, and I remember the horrified look on the playground attendant's face just before I hit the ground, but mostly, all these years later, I remember not to take gravity for granted.

AMY LINDGREN

WORKING STRATEGIES

But isn't this basic, common-sense stuff? Yup, that's science for you. Nothing but the obvious, proven with tedious calculations and endless experiments by people in lab coats. But what if that turned out to be a stereotype? What if the occupations held by STEM graduates turned out to be things such as video game designer, forestry technician and sound technician for a nationally touring rock band?

Or, more incredibly, what if you could change course midcareer and practice your liberal arts discipline in a STEM-mish way? Not just a writer, but a technical writer. Not just a dress designer or interior decorator, but a CAD-proficient designer/decorator.

Not just a teacher, but a science teacher.

This last option touches a sore spot in the world of math and science professionals. You probably know that we are turning out relatively few math and science teachers.

In 2006, the 19 teacher-preparation institutions of the University System of Georgia produced a total of only three high school physics teachers. That can't be enough to stay even with retirements, much less to expand programs or keep pace with the field.

To its credit, the University System is engaged in more than one initiative to improve these numbers, as are other states and university systems.

Statistics show that the United States does not have as many STEM graduates as other nations. By percentage of first university degrees awarded, we trail France, Spain and Mexico. In hard numbers, we're beat out by Japan and China.

Another statistic: From 1994 to 2003, degrees awarded for non-STEM disciplines increased by 30 percent in the United States, but STEM degrees increased by only 8 percent. The same period saw an increase of 23 percent in STEM jobs, compared with only 17 percent for non-STEM jobs.

In other words, there's less competition but more openings for STEM jobs. Hmmm. There's some kind of math principle at play here: If fewer people are available for a larger number of openings, then those who are available must surely have better odds . . . Maybe someone can run those numbers and get back to me?

In the meantime, let's just say you've been warned, all you artsy types. The future is now, and gravity doesn't care if you understand it or not. It still rules.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT STEM CAREERS

20 STEM career profiles: www.careervoyages.gov/pdf/indemandmagazine-stem.pdf

Ideas for teachers and parents: www.umassk12.net/stem

Statistics on STEM career trends: www.gao.gov/new.items/d06114.pdf, www.gao.gov/new.items/d06702t.pdf

- Amy Lindgren owns Prototype Career Service, a career consulting firm in St. Paul, Minn. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecaree rservice.com or at 1071 W. Seventh St., St. Paul, MN 55102.