Women in STEM

Throughout the last decade, we’ve heard that an abundance of jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) continue to go unfulfilled. Across the board, for STEM-aligned talent, the current global workforce falls short as business and industry needs continue to grow. By 2025 the U.S., alone, will need to fill 3.5 million STEM jobs, with computing, engineering, and advanced manufacturing leading the way. So, what’s happening and what’s the remedy??

When we think of the future of labor and workforce development, conversation regarding the STEM “pipeline”, a concept which refers to having a sufficient number of STEM workers in the global workforce, is often referenced. I wonder, at what stage are we losing those qualified to fill these positions??

A critical piece of this phenomenon can be traced back to what is widely known as the “leaky pipeline,” a phenomenon where minorities and other underrepresented groups, seemingly slip through the cracks of their career pipeline along the arduous journey. Among those who matriculate and attempt to land a career in STEM often face inequalities that lead to low retention. Women, in particular, have become synonymous with this phenomenon. Why? Because despite our interest and skill set, women are an undoubtedly underrepresented minority in STEM. And experiences shared by many women during their journey’s glean this reality.?

Unfortunately, despite the wealth of opportunities in STEM fields, many women fall short of completing their degree programs in STEM, accounting for just 45% of all STEM bachelor’s degrees. Research shows us that in the last ten years, overall growth in STEM degrees has outpaced all other degrees. Yet, women are particularly underrepresented in engineering and computer sciences. And this is not a recent trend: data on the subject from 2018, notes that women earned less than one-quarter of bachelor’s degrees in engineering (22%), computer science (19%), and no more than about 30% of master’s or research doctoral degrees. And, why? Many have tried to conclude that women are instead diverting attention to other undergraduate degrees or making the decision to start a family. However, more recent data shows that since 2007 more women are prolonging starting a family - and becoming increasingly more educated and successful by comparison.?

Look at the numbers more closely and the breakdown of female presence also shows a gross imbalance in particular career fields. Health-related careers (nurses, hygienists, physician assistants, etc.) make up 74% of the number of women in STEM, while computer and engineering jobs note the lowest percentages at 40% combined.?

In my opinion, we can do much better, and we should! More must be done, it is imperative that we bridge this gap and help fill the “leaky pipeline” and get more women successfully placed in computer and engineering fields. As a female CEO in technology, I aim to do my part in filling this gap by introducing more women to STEM fields, and I’m particularly proud of the work being currently done through LogicMonitor's ‘Women in STEM scholarship.??

?And while these types of scholarships are a step in the right direction, more must be done to take actionable steps toward fixing the leaky pipeline for the betterment of women’s careers and of our business futures. As leaders in the industry, it is our moral imperative to reinforce the notion that all are welcome in STEM, regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic background. Beyond scholarships, we should seek to nurture curiosity at a young age to ensure accessibility. And when those girls grow up, we must ensure they have a safe and reaffirming workplace culture that prompts them to long-lasting careers across the world of STEM.?

What are you and your company doing? I’d love to hear about it and keep the dialog going!?