I know firsthand the challenges that women face when studying STEM in college and pursuing STEM-related careers. My journey in the tech industry began when a colleague told me that our firm was willing to sponsor employees who pursued a master's degree in computer science. I was accepted into the program (after a mentor advocated on my behalf) and came to the United States from Quebec in the early 1990s - without any previous experience in coding in high school or college and without speaking any English - determined to study information systems and succeed in a career in this male-dominated field. While data from the Pew Research Center indicates that STEM employment has grown 79% since the 1990s, our nation is facing an alarming shortage in the number of graduates who are prepared to fill STEM positions.
Two out of five Americans say that the STEM worker shortage is at a crisis level in the U.S., according to a study by Emerson. An estimated 2.4 million STEM jobs were left unfilled in the United States because there were not enough workers to meet employment demands. Our nation has to ensure that we are preparing a talent pipeline to meet the growing demand for the rapidly growing STEM industry.
Predictions by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that 15 out of the 20 fastest-growing career fields will require substantial math and science preparation. However, only 25% of American college graduates obtain degrees in STEM fields. Why is this the case? Training the next generation of STEM workers will require that we prepare high school students (and even students as young as middle school for that matter) to enhance their math and science skills in order for them to obtain STEM-related college degrees.
Closing the skills gap is vital to the future of our nation and our economy. Based on figures from S&P Global, increasing the number of women in the workforce in traditionally male-dominated fields - like STEM - could increase our GDP by 5-10% and add nearly $6 trillion to the global economy in 10 years.
Women in STEM
Research shows that providing women with opportunities to pursue STEM careers represents a promising way to narrow the gender pay gap and unlock women’s earning power. Women in STEM out-earn their female peers in comparable positions in other industries. Data from Catalyst suggests that for every $1 earned by men in STEM careers, women earn 92 cents, earning an average of 33% more than women with non-STEM jobs.
There are systemic challenges that we must overcome to get girls and women to enter and remain part of the STEM workforce, however. Nonprofit organization Girls Who Code states that although 74% of middle school girls express an interest in engineering, science, and math, less than 1% choose computer science as a major when they get to college. Similarly, a 2019 survey by Emerson found that 2 out of 3 women said that they were not encouraged to pursue a STEM career.
Providing female role models is critical to dispelling limiting gender-based stereotypes and increasing the number of girls and women in STEM. Data from Microsoft suggests that the number of girls interested in STEM nearly doubles when they have role models, compared to girls who do not.
Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green, a cancer researcher and one of the first Black women to obtain a Ph.D. in physics in the United States suggests that girls, “Find a woman who’s doing what you want to do and then learn from her as an example of what you can do.” Exposing girls and women to careers in STEM is critical to creating a diverse talent pipeline to fill the STEM worker shortage and growing our economy.
Below are a few examples of ways that you can engage girls in STEM:
Show them the possibilities: Research shows that one of the primary reasons that girls lose interest in STEM as they get older is because they have a difficult time picturing themselves in STEM roles. Expose girls to women working in STEM career fields that they never previously considered. Doing so will help build their confidence and open up doors of possibilities for their future, including mentorship and networking opportunities.
Connect them with like-minded girls: Organizations like Girls Who Code, Girl Develop It, Rock The Street Wall Street, Poker Powher, Digital Adventures, and Black Girls Code offer girls the opportunity to be surrounded by other girls who share similar interests, stay engaged in STEM, and encourage one another to pursue STEM careers.
Be supportive: Have conversations with girls about STEM career pathways that align with their interests. Girls with family members who encourage them are twice as likely to stay in STEM. Microsoft offers toolkits, action guides, and additional resources to empower parents to do their part to help close the gender gap.
Take action to demystify STEM: Participate in Hour of Code, a global movement hosted by Code.org that teaches coding to anyone, anywhere. Although the worldwide celebration takes place during computer science week December 7-13, you can make an impact year-round by starting your own virtual STEM club using the activity kits and how-to guides on the Hour of Code website.
As we celebrate the women and girls around the world who are pursuing their passion in STEM, I encourage you to think about how you will continue to empower your communities to be advocates for women and girls in STEM.