I have always been interested in science. Whether it had to do with dinosaurs, microscopes, outer space, or animals. I loved it all and was eager to learn about it from a young age. I received my first microscope for my fifth birthday and the rest is history. A countless number of home science experiment kits, books, building sets, and pretend dinosaur digs later, I’m now a college biology major and am proud to be a woman in STEM.
Unfortunately, my story is far from common. I am proud to be a woman in STEM for a reason, and it’s not because we’re easy to come by; it’s because we are few and far between. According to the White House and the U.S. Department of Commerce, women only hold about 24% of jobs related to science, technology, engineering, and math, with the fewest women in engineering. However, these sources also say that women who hold STEM positions, which are some of the fastest growing jobs out there, are paid an average of 33% more than women in other fields.
So with the great job outlooks and better salaries, why are there still so few women involved? I think it comes down to what happens in the childhood of a little girl. We need to remember to encourage girls to at least look into the world of STEM, because there are so many doors that could be opened to them. Give them some experiments and books and let them delve into this complex and incredible world. They might just find that this is where they’re meant to be.