I have always been interested in pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math–otherwise known as STEM. As a three-year-old, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I replied “a doctor” without hesitation. My response would surprise those around me, and I couldn’t understand why my answer was unexpected. Young boys often aspired to be CEOs and presidents, so why was it surprising that I aspired to be a doctor?
As I grew older, this memory faded, but the shocked faces and the awkward silence stayed within me. In middle school, I moved a year ahead in science because I found the material too easy. Despite my passion for STEM, I often felt like a minority as a young girl of color in this field. At a Python camp at Texas A&M, I observed a disproportionate number of boys compared to girls and felt out of place. When I introduced myself to one of the organizers, they were thrilled to see another girl interested in the camp. The familiar feeling of confusion came back to me as I thought to myself, “why wouldn’t I want to attend such a great program with top-notch facilities and the opportunity to learn so much? Why is it so amazing that I, a person who happens to be a girl, chose a career path in STEM?”
So I sat down to research. According to The American Association of University Women (AAUW)–the nation’s leading voice promoting equity and education for women and girls–only 28% of the workforce in STEM comprises women, leading to significant gender imbalances. This imbalance is particularly noticeable in colleges where men vastly outnumber women in most STEM majors, including some of the fastest-growing and highest-paying careers like computer science and engineering.
The imbalance in our workforce is due to many factors, including societal views of STEM career paths as masculine and underestimating girls’ analytical abilities. I am grateful for the support from my parents and teachers. They motivated me to work hard. and persevere through grueling extra-practice worksheets and encouraged me through my lows that has helped me to excel in math and science. Without their support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
The advancement of women into higher positions in STEM fields has been slow owing to the scarcity of female role models–and even fewer role models for women of color–in these areas. Despite progress in promoting gender equality in society, representation of women scientists and engineers in popular culture and media is still limited. A Google search for female STEM role models primarily yields names from the late 20th and early 21st centuries, demonstrating a lack of recent progress.
Given that women have achieved the right to vote and are commonly seen working in diverse careers, why hasn’t representation for women in STEM improved?
