Young Adults Tag

28 Aug Inspire Women to Pursue STEM Careers

As a quantitative researcher and a current joint major in economics and math, we have been encouraged to see the increased emphasis on motivating girls and women to pursue STEM activities and educational opportunities in recent years. We were inspired to spotlight STEM opportunities for women in college in light of a Forbes article we read by the CEO of Vector Laboratories Dr. Lisa Sellers that focuses on what companies can do to motivate women to pursue STEM careers.

Dr. Sellers offers insightful strategies for out-of-school organizations, companies, and secondary schools to encourage young women to pursue STEM and how to make it more inclusive of all genders. Since women who are entering college or already matriculating may not have had these opportunities, we wondered how colleges and universities might inspire women to pursue STEM majors and careers.

From Fluent’s perspective there is one obvious first step, and that is to conduct research to better understand women’s experiences, needs, opinions, and perceptions of STEM. Below we suggest ideas for research as well as steps that institutions might take to welcome more women into STEM majors and related careers:

Ask women what they need

Qualitative, quantitative, or a mix of both research methods can help uncover insights into women’s attitudes and perceptions of STEM majors. Focus groups of women in college who have chosen STEM majors would provide an understanding of why they chose that major, what has helped them succeed, and what else would support them in pursuit of their degree and opportunities after graduation. Focus groups with students who have not yet declared a major may provide insight into the barriers that exist for women pursuing a STEM major or career. Additionally, colleges and universities may want to survey current and prospective students to understand how they perceive STEM majors and the barriers in pursuing them. With this understanding, institutions of higher education can make adjustments to help encourage more women to pursue STEM.

Invite women to join

Sometimes all someone needs is an invitation to join. It’s a lot easier to join a group when you’re invited – that signals to someone that they are welcome! Colleges and universities can offer information sessions about various majors, including STEM majors, and invite women to attend or host women-only events specific to STEM.  

Encourage women to try something new

Colleges and universities should remind students that college is a great opportunity to try something new. Yes, some students in Intro to Computer Science may have already taken AP Computer Science in high school or attended coding camp. However introductory classes are designed to teach everything you need to be successful in that class. Emphasizing that no prior knowledge is needed to take an introductory class in course descriptions, syllabi, and professor communications can help encourage those students who have less experience with STEM subject matter to feel comfortable taking a chance on a class that is outside of their comfort zone.

Provide women with mentorship

Female role models are essential for other women to hear stories of personal experiences that help them envision a path forward for themselves. There are many opportunities to provide role models in a higher education setting: 1) Encourage women to be teaching assistants in STEM classes. 2) Provide opportunities for recent graduates in STEM majors to speak about their college and first job experiences. 3) Invite women in management and leadership positions to speak openly about their own paths and provide guidance for those just starting out.

At Fluent, our experience with colleges and universities, clients in the education sector, and young adult populations has shown us time and again the value of research. Clients have the opportunity to directly impact students’ educational experiences and outcomes by testing and improving materials and offerings with their target audience. Similarly, research also provides them with an understanding of their brand equity, what drives it, and benchmarks that help to improve their standing. On a more personal note, we have both benefited from some of the ideas suggested above. We are particularly grateful for the strong mentorship we’ve received from professors, managers, and co-workers. Moreover, the invitations to join a group or try something new have opened doors for us. We believe these opportunities have been instrumental in our education and growth, and look forward to hearing new ideas to encourage  women to choose STEM education and careers.

By Mary Meyn and Halley Robbins