Dr. Billie Blair, organizational psychologist and President/CEO of the international management-consulting firm, Change Strategists, Inc recently spoke with a client, a successful farmer from Virginia. He spoke about having recently entertained guests - a high-profile woman and her family- at his farm. He liked her; she had good family associations and she was pleasant. After spending the day with this smart, successful, prominent woman and her family, the farmer decided he thought her and her family were much like a Friday night football game. As we know, a football game involves coaches, players, quarterbacks, various supporters . . . and cheerleaders.
Why is it that women - regardless of their level of education or successes in medicine, politics, and law – are still being compared to cheerleaders and are still making 78 cents to a man’s dollar? If we look specifically at science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, is gender diversity progressing or regressing? More importantly, does anyone care?
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) sought to answer those very questions in their study entitled, “Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics”. In their report, AAUW researchers Andresse St. Rose, Catherine Hill, and Christianne Corbett looked to examine the challenges that women face while studying and working in STEM fields. They found that gendered beliefs about intelligence, struggles with stereotypes, spatial skills, workplace bias are all among many mental hurdles that often prevent women from getting involved in STEM. Perhaps those factors explain why colleges and universities awarded 138,874 STEM bachelor’s degrees to men and just 88,371 to women in 2007 even though women made up the majority of U.S. undergraduates. The AAUW cited other National Science Foundation (NSF) statistics in their report including their finding that more than half of STEM degrees awarded to women were in the biological sciences while numbers were exponentially smaller for women than men in fields like physics, engineering, and computer science.
Since women in STEM is such a valued asset (both academically and corporately), universities are starting to create programs to entice women into science careers. For example, the John P. McNulty Scholars Program for Excellence in Math and Science at Saint Joseph’s not only provides full-tuition scholarships, but seeks to create a challenging environment to help young women reach the top ranks of science and math professions. “We're really looking to create women who will not only be successful leaders in their fields, but will have the skill set and the inclination to mentor others (both men and women) coming behind them into these positions,” explains Dr. McCann.
Through mentorship, summer programs, professional internships, senior capstone experiences, and networking and professional development, the scholars are able to excel academically and professionally. Named after ’74 Saint Joseph’s alumnus John McNulty, who served first as Student Council President and later as a Board Trustee of the University, the scholarship program hopes to honor his work of mentoring and challenging women to achieve their fullest potential.
Fortunately, programs like the McNulty Scholars and ADVANCE seem to be working. According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), women’s presence in the federal science and engineering workforce increased from 21% in 2000 to 27% in 2009. “Whenever I speak up in class, I feel like the teachers are very receptive and willing to help and listen to my input,” says Kim Nguyen, junior biology major and McNulty Scholar.
Diversity in any setting is important. Problems are tackled and solutions are made by listening to various ideas and suggestions. If everyone was the same – same ethnicity, gender, culture, lifestyle – things would be monotonous and problems would be repeated. “Being open to another person’s input and talent is more beneficial than being close-minded and thinking only your way is the right way,” Nguyen says.
Although various programs like the McNulty Scholars and ADVANCE are finding success, and women, like Dr. Blair, are making their presence known in corporate America, there is still room to improve for women in STEM. Women in STEM are smart, and they prove it on their test scores and in their labs. However, they need to do more than that to compete with the men in their fields.
Network– Meet others, both male and female, who have the same or similar career path. They can be great mentors and provide expert advice on how to navigate through the field. MentorNet is an online mentoring network created to enhance diversity in science and engineering. Also, attend conferences like the Grace Hopper Conference that are designed specifically to teach and recruit STEM women.
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Kelsey Cruz is a Magazine Journalism major at Temple University in Philadelphia. Although she always struggled with anything science-related in school, she is fascinated by the intelligence and determination of scientists. She strongly believes in WISE Words Magazine and its vision and hopes its message can influence scientists and women everywhere.