Women In STEM : Challenges and Advantages

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Women make up only 27% of the STEM workforce.


Introduction


Being a female in Technology, I can also identify as being a "Woman in STEM" and I can say being part of this group is much different from our male counterparts.

When you think of an engineer, the immediate image that comes to mind is often that of a man earning a six-figure salary.

Before directing any resentment towards men, it is crucial to pose this question: 

"What caused this gender gap in the first place?" 


Common Challenges


Two terms frequently used to answer this question are stereotypes and gender roles.

The stereotypical woman is caring, nurturing, and supportive. She is also expected to stay at home, to cook, clean, and raise children.

However, in 2024, being a stay at home mom is rare, with more women actively participating in the workforce, some even serving as the primary breadwinners of their households.

But, they are still expected to take on the responsibilities of a stay at home mom, which means, less time devoted to advancements in their careers. 

While inequality still exists in terms of salaries, it's also important to acknowledge that men often work longer hours and are more likely to seek pay raises, stemming from their gender role of being "The Provider".


My Thoughts: Lack of Initial Support


I believe in the context of Trinidad and Tobago the lack of support in the school system itself also has a major part to play, especially when it comes to Technology.

During my time in secondary school, the only options available at the Form 6 Level were Natural Sciences and Business, limiting us to more traditional roles such as Doctors and Accountants.

Pursuing these career paths is not inherently problematic—I, in fact, aspired to be a Dermatologist earlier on. 

But I had a hard time envisioning where I would work if I pursued a degree in Medicine as it is really competitive due to the limited number of opportunities and it requires you to specialize after completing your degree.  

Since I started working straight out of school, I was lucky enough to figure out that I wanted to switch careers prior to UWI and be able to secure a job in my field of study a couple months after graduation. 

Computer Science as a subject should be offered in more secondary schools so that more women can be exposed to programming prior to university.


Advantages 


If all I had to say about being a woman in STEM was how hard it is, why would you want to pursue it in the first place?

Here are some advantages of being a woman in STEM, particularly in Technology:

High Demand for Talent

The technology industry is continually expanding, creating a high demand for skilled professionals. 

Solve Global Problems

Women in technology can contribute to solving issues such as climate change, healthcare disparities, and cybersecurity threats, making a positive impact on the world.

Flexibility to Work

Thanks to the pandemic, work-from-home and hybrid arrangements are available on a larger scale and you can work in different industries. 

Become a Role Model

Once you have made it into the field, you act as a beacon on light to others and show them the way.

Financial Rewards

STEM careers often come with competitive salaries and benefits. 


Resources

 




















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