Research shows that eight of the ten most lucrative careers all require a solid education. Many of these are engineering degrees, such as petroleum, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering. However, pharmacy science and computer science also rank high. Industries need more students with a strong STEM background. Luckily, this problem is being solved with the great strides being made for females entering more science disciplines.
Successful STEM Fields
According to PBS, certain STEM degree fields have equal numbers of both male and female graduates. For example, the fields of math, biosciences, and social sciences now have no gender graduate rate differences. It shows more female college students aren’t afraid of getting a bachelor’s degree in biology or related field where there might have been a stigma before.
However, the number of engineering and computer science degrees are disproportionality awarded to males. For example, males earn approximately 70 percent of computer science degrees, and 80 percent of engineering related degrees.
Productive Programs
Since 2001, the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) ADVANCE program has received over $130 million in project funding support that has been distributed to over one hundred higher education organizations. The goal of the ADVANCE program is to increase the number of women in STEM fields through making positive changes to academic subcultures and institutional structures.
Inspirational Programs
Non-profit programs are making a difference with encouraging females to enter STEM fields. For example, Techbridge was created in 2000 through a grant from the National Science Foundation. They offer after-school and summer programs for girls that aim to provide training and raise awareness. They also collaborate with community partners to provide outreach programs and volunteer training.
Fab Labs
Fab Labs were originally created through MIT to serve as a local fabrication facility for molecular assemblers. However, Fab Labs have spread across the world and provide digital access to impoverished and disadvantaged students. Fab Lab is noted as providing exclusive access to females in remote areas. These female students can participate in peer-to-peer online projects and receive training.
Political Support
The White House proudly supports the development of better educational opportunities to female STEM students. Both the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the White House Council on Women and Girls collaborate to provide political advocacy and support to women.
In the end, there are great strides being made with providing better opportunities for females to study STEM related degrees. There are private, non-profit, and government organizations helping women enter STEM fields today and making a real difference in today’s workforce.