I am very excited to have been invited and accepted into a train-the-trainer program designed to teach administrators, teachers, and counselors strategies to increase the number of females in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. If you haven't heard this acronym yet, you surely will soon. Many initiatives have been developed over the last few years to increase the number of females (and males) in STEM. Why? These fields are expected to grow at a very fast rate over the next several years, and in order for the U.S. to remain competitive in the global marketplace, we need more people entering STEM.
When considering career options for yourself, your child, or exploring with your client, don't forget about STEM. Not all STEM jobs require sitting behind a desk or being locked in a laboratory all day. Many offer opportunities to make a difference and help others.
Many reasons contribute to why females often don't consider STEM fields- from socialization to gender stereotypes. Gender stereotypes are portrayed rampantly in the media. Just turn on the TV or open a magazine and you will see females depicted in traditional gender roles, e.g., the ones who most often cook the meals and clean the house. Toys advertised to girls include dolls while toys promoted to boys include building blocks and tools. This week a video has been popping up all over the place that that depicts three bored young girls watching a TV commercial. The commercial starts out promoting what advertisers "think" is most appealing to all females and then switches to what some young females would prefer. It's an eye-opener! Check it out here.
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