PROJECT NEED
The occupational fields of STEM are dominated by males because there aren’t enough female students interested in studying STEM subjects.
- Research presented at the American Psychological Association's 122nd Annual Convention asserted that nearly 40 percent of women who enter the engineering field left due to the lack of advancement opportunities or low salary.
- One respondent said “There isn’t a strong network of females in engineering. You either need to learn to be ‘one of the guys’ or blaze the trail yourself, which is very difficult.”
- The number of women in engineering is still quite low at just 13 percent. Reshma Saujani said, “Having role models is really important. You cannot be what you cannot see.”
- According to research by Penn Schoen and Berland (PSB), nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of teens have never considered a career in engineering. In another research study by Girl Scouts of America, only 13% of female teens say a STEM related career would be their first choice. (From Forbes Magazine, “Here's the Real Reason There Are Not More Women in Technology”)