Most young women of the Millennial generation, at some point during their secondary education, were encouraged to embrace and enter the science, technology, engineering and mathematics educational field.
Whether it be through summer camps, after-school programs or talks by female professionals, there has been an increased interest in the STEM professions and by STEM educators for middle and high school girls and minorities to become involved in the sciences.
Not all of these programs are directed at girls, but many of them are specifically targeting girls to get involved.
With the recent data that has come out about women in STEM programs at Virginia Tech — with the graduation rate of women in engineering below the national average and less than 30 percent of female graduates in the College of Science going on to earn a master’s degree — this push for women to enter STEM professions should only continue an proliferate.
It should be recognized that the direction of someone’s education starts long before college.
It is important for schools to push girls as early as possible to enter STEM professions and encourage a diversity of perspectives in the STEM job landscape.
The efforts currently being made by Tech departments and organizations in the STEM field to foster the growth of women and minorities are certainly making strides to reduce the gender gap currently present at this school.
And these efforts should continue with as much energy as possible, with the ultimate goal of a more
balanced STEM community at Tech and other institutions.
-the editorial board is composed of peter velz, scott masselli and gabi seltzer
A version of this article appeared in the Jan 21 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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If it remotely interests you, get into healthcare. Nursing school, med school, whatever. I've been riding the tech/engineering wave for close to 10 years now. While it's interesting, it's really up and down. I'm thankful to be employed right now. I've seen countless well-qualified friends lose their jobs and not be able to find new ones. As a country, we've over-developed and, and the market is saturated with good, smart people. Healthcare, on the other hand, is hurting for employees.
Yes, engineering is low on women, but it's scary out there in general and will be for several years to come.
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