Communications of the ACM
Why Getting Women Into Stem Matters
A Predator ground control room.
Credit: U.S. Air Force
Women are still under-represented in science, technology, engineering, and math careers, despite ample data to show women are just as good — if not better — than men in these STEM career tracks. At a time when women comprise just 25% of the STEM workforce, experts argue there should be even more of an emphasis on getting women into math and science-related fields. Getting women into these fields is good not just for gender diversity, but also for the future competitiveness of the U.S. economy and the financial fortunes of women.
For starters, it's important to get women into STEM fields because it is a growth industry that requires new infusions of talent. A recent White House Council report shows that STEM professions are set to grow by about 20% in the next 10 years. To have women in these skilled jobs in the future, they should be encouraged to pursue these fields. Ample evidence shows that healthcare, research, and technology are outpacing other career fields, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A decade from now, an academic and professional background in the sciences could translate to vastly greater job security within the STEM fields. It turns out, despite their under-representation, women in science, tech, engineering, and math face less of a wage gap than their less technologically inclined peers. The report shows that women in STEM fields earn roughly 14% less than men, while women in non-STEM careers face a 21% gap. High pay and high availability are just the two main reasons that STEM careers are advantageous for both men and women. In a transitioning economy, STEM careers offer a mix of flexibility, creativity, and opportunity not found elsewhere.
From MentorNet
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