The need for women in STEM is greater than ever

Photo courtesy © the mesh conference.

Despite some recent advances, women make up only 35 percent of the workforce in science, technology, engineering and maths (the so-called STEM professions). Currently, the greatest disparities occur in engineering and computer sciences.

According to innovator Christina DiMarino, who an engineering professor at Virginia Tech, now is the time to flip the script and she explains why it is so important that education for women and underrepresented groups about STEM  fields starts early in life. 

The problem: gender imbalance

DiMarino says in a statement that the absence of women in the field is something she sees regularly, adding: “STEM career environments that have been cultivated by men over generations have struggled to adapt to be more inclusive for women and other underrepresented individual.”

However, DiMarino strikes a note of optimism with: “There have been strong pushes for increasing diversity in STEM, but cultivating that representative community is going to take time.” 

As to why improved gender representation is necessary, DiMarino explains: “Engineers aim to address critical problems facing humanity and if the engineers themselves are not diverse, then it can be difficult for them to identify problems that other groups may face and come up with solutions that are suitable for these other groups.”

The benefits include having more diversity among engineers which brings broader perspectives and experiences, and this can result in more effective solutions.

Yet to achieve this, DiMarino indicates it is important that women are provided equitable opportunities and resources as their peers in an academic setting as well as the engineering workplace.

This means starting at the ground level in the classrooms of local schools by creating a pipeline and fostering educational programs early on in life for students

Role models

Role models can help to achieve this, says DiMarino: “Having people in positions of influence that will advocate for women to be considered for high-visibility opportunities, promotions, or assignments is key in career advancement.”

DiMarino also suiggests the best place to start is with the youngest generations. Here she observes: “Introducing STEM fields and topics at a young age is critical to helping students better understand the vast opportunities,” DiMarino said. “I also think that sharing the great accomplishments of diverse historical and present-day figures in STEM is important because it shows that there are people that look like them and may come from similar backgrounds.”