Why "STEM is an Advantage" Gets Said
There are certainly areas of IT where a STEM background helps. AI (machine learning), cryptography, 3D graphics, embedded systems, and robotics use linear algebra, calculus, probability, and statistics—so content learned in STEM courses is directly applicable. On the other hand, web application development, business systems, IT consulting, and mobile apps do not require using advanced high school mathematics every day. In those areas, the amount of learning and hands-on experience often matters more than a STEM vs. humanities distinction.
Required Math Level by Field
The "Low" group on the left—web development, business systems, support, and directing—are fields that are easy to enter. While math-intensive fields like AI and cryptography do exist, not every IT job uses advanced mathematics. Even if you worry that "not being STEM puts me at a disadvantage," the preparation you actually need depends heavily on which field you are aiming for.
What Is Actually Being Evaluated
Job interviews do not test math scores alone. Logical thinking, the ability to research and move forward independently, and the ability to communicate clearly are all evaluated. These can be trained in either a humanities or STEM track. Even without taking advanced math courses, students who practice structuring logical answers in English, Japanese literature, or social studies are building strengths that transfer directly to IT.
A Recommended Approach for Middle and High School Students
Even if you are on a humanities track, do not cut corners on Joho I (Japanese high school information curriculum). It connects not just to university entrance exams but also to an IT career after graduation. Beyond that, getting experience running simple programs in Python or JavaScript serves you regardless of which university faculty you enter. Conversely, STEM-track students should not neglect Japanese composition and essay writing. Without the ability to write specifications and explanations, real-world work becomes a struggle.
When choosing a field, look not just at "Am I good at math?" but at "What do I want to build?" If you want to make web services people will use, UI and clarity of writing matter. If you want to work in AI or image processing, you need to build math up gradually. It is fine to think of it as adding the necessary subjects later as your interests narrow down.
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Giving up early with "I'm bad at math so IT is out." Required math level varies significantly by field.
- Assuming "I'm STEM, so I don't need to write clearly." IT involves writing specifications and explanations constantly.
- Letting "STEM vs. humanities" labels drive the decision. Interdisciplinary faculties—Data Science, Information Management—are growing rapidly.
How Will This Help You Later?
In recent years, interdisciplinary faculties combining IT and business—Data Science, Management Information, and others—have been multiplying. Entrance requirements and curricula vary by university, so check official sources for your target schools. Rather than being limited by the STEM/humanities label, thinking about what you want to build and what problems you want to solve tends to lead to a wider range of options in the long run.
Start Today
- Look up 3 university faculties with names containing "Information," "Data Science," or "Management Information" on target university websites
- Research the math level required for the IT field that interests you most (web, game, AI, etc.)
- Think about how your strongest subject—whether it is literature or mathematics—connects to IT, and write a one-line note