Fashioned for STEM?

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, women hold only 24 percent of STEM positions.

Karen Purcell, President of PK Electrical, Inc. and author of Unlocking Your Brilliance: Smart Strategies for Women to Thrive in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, media and schools are largely responsible for perpetuating unfounded stereotypes.

Educators direct women into traditionally “‘womanly’ fields, such as teaching or nursing,” she says.

“We need to focus on overcoming obstacles that make women dissatisfied with their careers.”

Heather Rocker, business leader and advocate for STEM education, says, “A crucial decision-making time for girls is in middle-school, when they typically have been either encouraged or discouraged to pursue their abilities in math and science.”

Rocker says young women need more information about the variety of career options related to STEM.

Women who work in STEM earn on average 33 percent more than their counterparts in other fields.

“We need to focus on overcoming obstacles that make women dissatisfied with their careers,” says Purcell.

She encourages women looking to enter a STEM field not to get hung up on what jobs are for “boys” – find a career path that utilizes your strengths and go for it.

Comment: What do you think should be done to encourage women to enter STEM fields?

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