From A Girl Who Chose A STEM Major
Start writing a post
Adulting

From A Girl Who Chose A STEM Major

First of all, being a woman in a STEM field- especially engineering- is pretty bada***.

101
From A Girl Who Chose A STEM Major
Forbes.com

In my lifetime, I have seen my parents come home every day from work completely exhausted. Despite this, rarely do they utter a complaint saying they hate their job and wish they would have done something else in college. Yes, they do say their jobs are stressful and do require extra work at home, but they both love what they get to do every day at work.

I am extremely lucky and thankful that this is the environment I grew up with because it has led me to where I am in college now. I am a computer science major and I recently declared a double major in mathematics. I have not always known what I wanted to do with my life, let alone college. In all honesty, I had wanted to be a teacher for most of my childhood, but then my mind was changed. My family had begun to tell me that I was always building things or drawing as a child and these habits never left me as I grew up- I was always very invested in whatever I had decided to make as my newest project. These habits combined with my ability to excel in my science and math classes would make be a perfect engineer they said.

I had absolutely no idea what an engineer was or how many disciples there are in the field. After years of taking math, science and engineering courses in high school I came to decide on a computer science major and that I wanted my education to be based on the technical programming and mathematical side versus the business approach like my father had chosen to do when he went to college.

I have to admit, being a woman pursuing a STEM degree is pretty bad*** and being the second generation to get a computer science degree in my family is a cool tradition to keep going.

A common thing to expect as a woman in a STEM field is to be questioned as to why you didn’t choose to pursue an “easier degree.” These statements are primarily wrong since there is no degree that is deemed easy, college is hard and everyone that truly wants to be there works their butt off. But looking down on me simply because I am a female choosing to go into field overwhelmingly dominated by men is wrong. Instead, women should be praised for choosing to go out of their comfort zones and outside the social norms to go into a STEM field.

There have been instances where even my engineering technology professors have questioned as to why I am doing what I am doing. I might not be the fastest programmer or best as visualizing 3D drawing plans in engineering software- but I love every second I am doing it.

There are so many opportunities and girls deserve to have a chance to be able to study the “nerdy” subjects they love and make an interesting career out of it. After decades of women being pushed out of STEM fields, the tables have finally started to turn. There has been an increase of women joining these fields which then gives girls role models. If a young girl sees an article or picture of a woman who pursued a STEM career, it will give them hope and the mindset that these “man’s fields” will no longer be the norm.

My hope is that little girls will begin to see the women who run the Fortune 500 companies and the women that get STEM degrees and change the world. If they are exposed to this, the stereotype that “women don’t belong in engineering” or that STEM fields are “a man’s field” will disappear.

Being a woman in a STEM field, especially engineering/computer science is pretty bada***. Instead of competing for the boys, girls are now competing with the boys- are we are doing damn good at keeping up.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55071
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35477
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957580
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

184809
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments