Feminism in the 21st Century has taken on too many meanings. Some agree that it describes equality between men and women. But what does equality really mean? Some say it means that women need special legislation to ensure equal pay and rights. But is there really a pay gap (*cue the anger of millennial feminists*) and if there is, then is national legislation really the answer? These are not questions I intend to attempt answer. Frankly, I don’t care how you define feminism. I’ve decided, as a young female scientist, that there are more important things to discuss. Like STEMinism.
What is STEMinism? It is the movement of women in Science, tech, engineering, and math that their voices be heard. Since beginning an internship as a research student at a space research lab, I have come to appreciate the challenges and benefits of working as a female scientist. Through the highly scientific process of observation, I’ve discovered interesting connections between the two.
Challenges:
1. The workplace is extremely male-dominated.
It’s no secret that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) jobs are traditionally filled by more men than women. Looking around at meetings and after work soccer games, it is surprising if there are more than two women for every five men. It’s not that research labs do this intentionally, it’s just the way it is.
2. Many of your co-workers are literally geniuses.
Part of being a STEMinist is knowing your stuff. Competency is highly valued in a research work environment. Being presented with new problems that seem impossible to solve is a daily occurrence. It can be difficult to keep up with the (literal) geniuses at work.
3. You are constantly surrounded by liberals.
Yep. It can be tough to be told that “you need to apply to graduate school in [insert moderately socialist country here] because their education system is much better than America’s!” And with the Presidential Election coming up…well, lunch conversations can get more heated than the stars being studied in research labs. Can you feel the Bern?
4. You always feel like the extrovert of the group.
It can be difficult to always feel responsible for leading the conversation. STEMinists value science, tech, engineering, and math projects, so putting aside your more introverted side for the benefit of the group can be exhausting after a while.
Benefits:
1. The workplace is extremely male-dominated.
Luckily, working in a male dominated field has its own advantages. First, women often band together and create things such as Women’s Forums that focus on keeping the workplace happy for everyone and promoting women in STEM careers. Second, to put it bluntly, the pickings aren’t slim. Men who excel in STEM careers are intelligent and hard-working people. They make for great date buddies and even better friends.
2. Many of your co-workers are literally geniuses.
When you don’t even understand the problem you are dealing with, it’s difficult to develop a solution. That’s when it pays to be a STEMinist who is not afraid to admit that she needs help. And also when it pays to be surrounded by people who know their stuff.
3. You are constantly surrounded by liberals.
Yes, as shocking as it sounds, being friends with people who have different viewpoints than you is beneficial. Part of being a STEMinist is taking in a lot of information and learning how to process it efficiently and to your greatest benefit. It is nice to hear new perspectives, first to expand your knowledge of the world, and second to confirm that your initial moderate to conservative viewpoints make the most sense to you anyway.
4. You always feel like the extrovert of the group.
Another thing that STEMinists value is people. Not just the intelligence of people, and certainly not the appearance of people. But the essence of the person. This is the reason that being the conversation leader can be advantageous. If you’re the one deciding whether to talk about quantum statistical mechanics or the most exciting adventures of another person’s life, why not choose to get to know the person behind the brain?
You may have noticed, as I have, that the challenges and benefits of being a female are mysteriously equivalent. This beautiful paradox (that is really not contradictory at all) is the very reason that the next time someone asks “are you a feminist?” I will answer, with my head held high, “I am a STEMinist.”
