‘Women in STEM’--or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math--has always been a subject of debate. Of all the women who graduate in STEM courses, hardly 20% make it to long-termThe subject careers. Does that mean STEM is not a career path for women? It sure is. In fact, many organizations prefer hiring women in these fields. So why are women keeping away from STEM as education and a career choice? Read on:
Lack of encouragement and mentorship: Boys as engineers and women as teachers--an old stereotype of our society. From the beginning, girls are not encouraged much to take up degrees in STEM; and as grown ups, women face the issue of lack of female mentors in STEM occupations.
Gender bias: Careers in STEM are mostly dominated by men. For women, it’s often tough to be accepted as part of the group. At times, they face humiliation, discrimination or harassment at work, and inequality in pay.
Stereotypes: We live in a modern world still ruled by old beliefs--women are seen as secretaries, teachers, librarians, nurses (not doctors). Women are considered weaker than men. Higher earning women make men insecure. The list is endless, but these stereotypes tend to de-motivate women subconsciously.
Childcare: A child is a mother’s first responsibility and career can wait--that’s how the world looks at working women. Many women leave their careers and higher studies because of marriage and motherhood. Honestly, not every country is run on processes and policies supportive of a new mother, helping them return to work.
Despite these limitations, many women grow and prosper in STEM careers through their constant efforts to sustain. In India, women working in STEM jobs constitute 30% of all STEM jobs, as compared to 21% in the US. That means, women in India are more proactive towards their career and work. If you are struggling too, try these tips:
Join a professional association: Join an association in your field. You can get all the guidance, mentorship and support that you need to stay abreast in your career.
Work for a company with female-friendly policies and programs: Organizations everywhere are realizing the importance of women at work, and most of them are going the extra mile to make it convenient for women who want to return to work after a break. Work from home, part time employment and freelancing are many initiatives employers are taking to make work environment accommodating for female staff.
Skill enhancement: Keep upgrading yourself in terms of knowledge and experience. With initiatives like MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses), you can work on improving your skills at your convenience.
Some STEM career choices for women: In practice, STEM jobs require a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics. It’s not just doctors, computer programmers, scientists and engineers--there are many exciting job opportunities in STEM:
The list is endless, and STEM jobs are more lucrative, as people with a degree in STEM are seen as innovators, creators and decision-makers. Here's something to consider too: STEM workers make higher wages: People with a STEM degree enjoy higher earnings, whether they work in STEM or non-STEM jobs. People with STEM education make a huge contribution in the fields of agriculture, environment and economical development in society. In the words of Sarah Wood, “Women shouldn’t be afraid to put themselves forward.”
(Image source: nvworkforceconnections.org; workwonders.ie)