The Importance Of Women's Degree In STEM Field
Throughout history women have been seen as inferior to men. Women have had to fight for the right to vote, to own property, and to have a job, and it is time that women should no longer have to fight to be seen as equal to men. According to Landivar, from the US Census Burro, women make up about 50% of the workforce in the United States, but as of 2011, only 26% of the careers in Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM) were held by women. While men do make up the majority of those who graduate with a degree in a STEM field, 31% are employed in STEM fields, while only 15% of women with a STEM related degree are employed in STEM fields (Landivar, 2013.) In the 21st Century, it is no longer acceptable for women to be underrepresented
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Women who do get jobs in STEM fields often have a different mindset than their male collogues. Because gender stereotypes may led females to believe are less likely to succeed in STEM related careers, the women may feel they have to approach their jobs differently than their male peers. Females will often approach careers with a prevention mindset, which prevents them from taking the risks required to advance and succeed in their careers (Saucerman & Vasquez, 2014.) According to Saucerman and Vasquez (2014) promotions to leadership positions are also influenced by social norms and gender based stereotypes. When female candidates have qualities that would be beneficial for leadership positions they are seen as negative qualities (Saucerman & Vasquez, 2014.) Girls are generally perceived as bossy, whereas boys are perceived as leaders and just “getting things done.” Gender inequality in STEM fields is not about placing blame on anyone, it is about both men and women working together to best advance society overall and ensure both men and women have an equal shot at higher level positions in STEM fields. Females are not asking for anything to be handed to them, a level playing field is all they are asking for. The issues of gender inequality in STEM fields will not be fixed overnight, but to begin to level the playing field, education of the issues is
Women who do get jobs in STEM fields often have a different mindset than their male collogues. Because gender stereotypes may led females to believe are less likely to succeed in STEM related careers, the women may feel they have to approach their jobs differently than their male peers. Females will often approach careers with a prevention mindset, which prevents them from taking the risks required to advance and succeed in their careers (Saucerman & Vasquez, 2014.) According to Saucerman and Vasquez (2014) promotions to leadership positions are also influenced by social norms and gender based stereotypes. When female candidates have qualities that would be beneficial for leadership positions they are seen as negative qualities (Saucerman & Vasquez, 2014.) Girls are generally perceived as bossy, whereas boys are perceived as leaders and just “getting things done.” Gender inequality in STEM fields is not about placing blame on anyone, it is about both men and women working together to best advance society overall and ensure both men and women have an equal shot at higher level positions in STEM fields. Females are not asking for anything to be handed to them, a level playing field is all they are asking for. The issues of gender inequality in STEM fields will not be fixed overnight, but to begin to level the playing field, education of the issues is