Closing the Gender Gap in STEM Career Exposure: A Comprehensive Analysis
Women play a crucial role in filling high-paying, in-demand STEM careers, but they account for just 34 percent of the STEM workforce, according to a new report from YouScience and Ford Next Generation Learning. The 2024 Female Students and STEM Report reveals that beginning in middle school, female students experience significant STEM exposure gaps that continue through high school.
The report highlights critical insights into career exposure gaps among female students across the nation for a variety of in-demand jobs and offers actionable solutions to bridge these gaps in STEM field careers. This analysis is based on anonymized data from 233,000 female middle and high school students in the United States collected in 2023.
Key highlights from the report show females are experiencing:
– An 87 percent exposure gap in advanced manufacturing careers–a field projected to have 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030
– An 87 percent exposure gap in computer and technology professions; this includes careers like computer programmers, software developers, information cyber security analysts, and more
– A 55 percent exposure gap in architecture & construction careers; this is problematic as the housing shortage worsens and the industry’s value is expected to rise 32 percent from $580 billion to $2.4 trillion by 2030
– A 30 percent exposure gap in health science careers, which include careers in dental, which is experiencing a nationwide worker shortage
– A 22 percent exposure gap in engineering–next-generation skill sets for engineers are critically lacking, risking nearly one in three engineering roles remaining unfilled annually through at least 2030
Amy Miller-Weiland, Vice President of Professional Services and Learning and Development at YouScience, emphasized the need for enhanced guidance and support for female students in STEM-related fields. “The persistent career exposure gaps highlighted in the report underscore a critical need for enhanced guidance and support for female students in STEM-related fields. Our data-driven insights reveal significant disparities that must be addressed to cultivate a diverse and skilled workforce prepared for the demands of the future economy.”
Cheryl Carrier, Executive Director at Ford Next Generation Learning, stressed the importance of applying the solutions outlined in the report promptly. “We can no longer overlook young women who have the aptitude but have not been exposed to these opportunities. We are now equipped with the knowledge to do better, so we must.”
In order to address the career exposure gap for female students, aptitude discovery is crucial to guide each student toward personalized educational and career opportunities that best suit their abilities. The report offers nine recommendations to help increase female students’ STEM career exposure, including measures such as aptitude measures, career academies, collaborative planning between family, educators, and counselors, and interdisciplinary education.
As we strive to close the gender gap in STEM career exposure, it is essential to implement targeted efforts to increase STEM options for female students. By providing free STEAM education resources to nurture student curiosity and putting the ‘E’ in integrative STEM instruction, we can empower young women to explore and pursue diverse STEM career opportunities.
For more news on STEM learning and to access additional resources, visit eSN’s STEM & STEAM hub. Together, we can work towards closing the gender gap in STEM and creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce for the future.