The preceding articles in this issue of the "Peabody Journal of Education" have focused on preparation for and entry into professional positions in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). This article shifts the focus from professional positions to STEMM support occupations, focusing on the preparation necessary for entrance into this alternate STEMM field. As a group, STEMM support occupations feature shorter periods of formal training for entry, lower requirements for advanced study, and more flexibility in regard to the timing and entry into the workforce. Many of the young adults who eventually entered a STEMM support occupation did not make that decision until later along the educational pathway than did students who became STEMM professionals. Beyond the general features of the support occupations, an initial analysis also points to important differences between support occupations related to medicine and support occupations related to other areas of science and technology. (Contains 3 tables, 1 figure and 1 footnote.)