Women In STEM

According to a report published by the National Science Board, women make up just over half of the total U.S. workforce, but only about 28% of the science and engineering workforce. This underrepresentation of women in STEM fields is a problem for a number of reasons.

 

Diversity in any field is important because it leads to more innovative and effective solutions. Diverse groups of people bring different perspectives, experiences and approaches to problem-solving, which can lead to more creative and comprehensive solutions. In a study published in the journal "Nature," researchers found that diverse research teams were more productive and cited more often than teams that lacked diversity.

Increasing the representation of women in STEM fields can help to address gender disparities in wages and career advancement opportunities. According to the National Science Board's report, women working in STEM fields often face barriers to advancement and are paid less than their male counterparts with similar qualifications and experience. A report published by the American Association of University Women found that, in 2015, women working in STEM fields earned just 82% of what men in the same fields earned. This wage gap is even wider for women of color.

 

Representation and inclusion of women in STEM is important because they have historically been underrepresented in these fields. Lack of representation can lead to an absence of role models and inadequate support for women pursuing careers in STEM. According to a report published by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, women in STEM fields often face barriers such as stereotyping, discrimination, and a lack of mentorship and networking opportunities. These barriers can make it difficult for women to pursue and succeed in STEM careers.

 

Furthermore, increasing the representation of women in STEM fields can help to address the shortage of qualified candidates in these fields. According to a report published by the National Science Board, the United States is projected to face a significant shortage of qualified STEM workers in the coming years. Encouraging more women to pursue careers in STEM will help to address this shortage and ensure more skilled workers to meet the demands of the 21st century.

 

The inclusion and representation of women in STEM fields is important for a number of reasons:

  1. More innovative and effective solutions to problems
  2. Address the gender disparities in wages and career advancement opportunities
  3. Provides role models and support for women pursuing careers in STEM
  4. Helps to address the shortage of qualified candidates in these fields

 

Promoting diversity and inclusivity in STEM fields is important to Anderson Power so we can ensure that we have a skilled and diverse workforce that is well-equipped to meet the needs of the future and continue to provide Your Best Connection?.

 


References:

  • National Science Board. (2018). Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2018. Retrieved from https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/

  • Kochan, D. A., & Bell, S. T. (2017). The power of diversity in research teams. Nature, 543(7644), 329-331.

  • American Association of University Women. (2017). The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap. Retrieved from https://www.aauw.org/resource/the-simple-truth-about-the-gender-pay-gap/

  • National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.