Here are 11 reasons why more women should consider a career in STEM.
Only 35% of females study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields at
1. Transferable Skills
Choosing to study the STEM subjects will prepare you with a wide range of transferable skills. You can apply these skills to a range of specialisms and professions. By studying science or technology you’ll be developing skills in math, research methods and problem-solving, to name a few
2. High Salaries
This is often a big motivator for many people looking for a career, but it can’t be denied that STEM is a great choice in terms of financial reward. The STEM industry offers excellent rates of pay. In fact, studies have shown that 63% of people with a STEM-related degree are paid more than someone with a bachelor’s degree. Over 47%
3. Opportunities for Progression
There are so many different STEM fields. Each with a huge number of roles within them, that there are lots of opportunities for employment if you have the right qualifications from assistants to managerial roles. If you choose to study an engineering degree initially you could then develop your skills through a management qualification while continuing to work. Kettering University Online offers
4. Less Competition
Despite the many attractions of a STEM career, each year millions of STEM jobs are left unfilled. It’s not that people aren’t applying for the roles, the main reason for this is that there are not enough people with the necessary qualifications to fill the roles. Getting the best education and qualifications you can will give you a distinct advantage over the competition.
5. Less of a Gender Pay Gap
If you’re looking for diversity and equality in your career, STEM is a great choice. There is a lot of coverage in the media about the gender pay gap all over the world, but STEM is an industry which is not so affected. Studies have shown that there is far less of a gender pay gap between men and women in STEM fields. It’s also one of the more diverse industries in terms of race.
6. Long-term Job Security
While technology is constantly evolving, the fundamentals will remain the same. If you have knowledge of scientific theory, math, computers, skills in analysis, reports and research and practical experience, you will be able to adapt as the industry progresses and will still be valued no matter which direction you end up in.
7. Job Satisfaction
In addition to the good rates of pay and job security, a career in STEM can be one of the most rewarding ways to spend your time. You could be working on cutting edge projects which could make a real difference in the world. Medicine, robotics, and computers are changing the way we live, and you could be a part of that.
8. High Quality Classes
Because the STEM industries are understaffed, the government is investing a lot of money and strategic planning into getting more people to study STEM-related classes. Funding is therefore often better for STEM classes and, because so few people choose them as a major, class numbers are small which means that you have more access to resources and professors.
9. Challenging and Engaging Projects
The STEM industry is about solving problems through creativity and innovation. If you’re a problem solver in life and can think of no better way of passing the time than coming up with a better way of getting something done, you could be the perfect STEM professional. Whether your skills are in IT, mechanical engineering or chemistry, you will be challenged on a daily basis to make a difference to the world.
10. Passion
The best reason to go into any career is because you genuinely love the subject and find the every day both challenging and rewarding. Our jobs take up a huge amount of our lives and if we can find something we are motivated by, our quality of life is hugely improved. Having a job that we feel is worthwhile is worth more than a high salary.
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11. We Need to Break the Cycle
For a long time, we’ve been living under the misconception that certain careers are better suited to either men or women. From an early age, we are programmed to believe that we are better suited to pastoral, creative and assistance roles and men are the more practical and technically minded gender. The resulting lack of gender diversity in certain industries means that girls and young women don’t have role models in STEM. Women are becoming increasingly prominent in law, medicine, and business, why are there still so few women scientists and engineers?
To break this cycle of gender bias and stereotyping and enable young women of the future to view careers in STEM as viable opportunities, women need to take the leap today. If you’re passionate about science, engineering, and technology and think that a career in STEM could be for you, ignore societal expectations and go for it.
