Do women face any challenges in STEM fields?

Hi Hanan, there's no easy answer to this one. There is still a lot of workplaces where there's a gap and we have to admit it. Organizations are taking a great deal in overcome this not just because of their perception (which counts a lot) but because is proven that a diverse group performs way much better. So, yes. There's a gender gap, we are not 50/50 completely. See the board of directors of any IT company. The great part is that, we're together in this and everything that other women have done, we're living it. I'm sure you will make a difference in the industry.

I see that you are thinking about being a doctor for your career! Really cool! I'm proud of you for thinking ahead to the obstacles you might face.

Currently, general practitioners in the US are about 50/50* with respect to men and women. That gender ratio is less equal when you examine doctors with specialities. When gender ratios are not equal, that does mean that there are biases that folks will need to face to navigate their profession.

I think, at first, it's going to be difficult in the ways that is difficult for everyone. You'll have to take some tough math classes. You'll have to take some tough science classes, like Physiology and Anatomy. But every once in a while, something dark will happen that will take you by surprise. A older professor might say something like, "Why are you working so hard? Why not just get married?" Another student will say to you, "You just got in this school because you are a girl." I give these particular examples because they are things that actually happened to me while getting my PhD in STEM.

As you make advances in your career, there will be more little things like this that take you by surprise. I can't guess what they will be, because I'm not a medical doctor, but looking at the gender ratios in some specialties, I can't say there will be none.

But you will learn to navigate these obstacles. You will find a group of friends and colleagues that take you to ice cream when something terrible happens. You will finish the class from that awful professor and try never to take another class from them. You will learn amazing things and have a great impact on your patients.

But I can't lie. There are gonna be moments of yucky bias.

I wish you all the luck in the world.

https://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2678630/achieving-gender-equity-physician-compensation-career-advancement-position-paper-american

Great Question!

I totally understand the thought process behind asking this question and hence I am answering accordingly. Yes, STEM has lesser number of women compared to other fields . That's the more the reason to encourage women to join STEM fields.

Having said that , every job has its fair share of prejudices and cons. Be rational and practical.

If you are passionate about learning and working in STEM field , don't let your gender be a roadblock. Decide exactly which vertical you want to join and how you want to progress in your career then focus on that and go about it.

As long as you keep learning and excel at your job , anyone else's prejudice shouldn't be a cause of concern.

Women certainly face challenges in STEM fields. In most tech/science fields women are in the minority and you may experience self-imposed imposter syndrome as a psychological effect of simply being in the minority. Secondly, you may encounter unfair projections and gender biases. I don't think you should let these challenges deter you from a career in STEM, however. You are equally as entitled to a lucrative, rewarding career in STEM as men and deserve a fabulous career! It may take a little extra work to plant some seeds, network, and bolster yourself psychologically and emotionally to steady yourself against the challenges but the rewards are worth it!

The fact of the matter is that gender discrimination is everywhere. You can't escape it by taking a more "typically female" role. I wouldn't suggest limiting yourself in your career options in an effort to protect yourself from inevitable gender bias and challenges. I would suggest developing a strong network of female friends on a similar career path who can hold you up and support you, listen to you, encourage you, and even hold you when things get rough and unfair and challenging. Also, seek out workplaces where diversity and inclusion are priorities. Interview women and other minorities in potential places of work to get a feel for whether they feel respected there and have a sense of belonging. Some places are better than others — spend the effort to seek out people that will value you — they're out there. Most of all, know your own worth. Develop personal practices that ground you. Surround yourself with people who can remind you when you forget.

I've worked in the tech world for 20+ years now.  I don't think I ever felt less than or discriminated against.  I am part of a team.  Every member of that team has something to contribute.  As long as you do your work, do it well, speak up when necessary and stay quiet when you don't have anything real to contribute, you should be fine.  Don't be afraid to stand your ground when you know you're right.  My experience has been that if I do my job well, am willing to help a teammate, work out differences of opinion quietly and treat everyone evenly, that's how I'm treated.  Just do your best and you should have no problems.

From my own experience, I can tell you: there are fewer and fewer challenges that you could have in these careers as a woman, and although they were classified as "men areas", this statement is no longer valid, now we can have positions of leadership and management in these fields given the skills and competencies that each one has demonstrated to have, I've been in my company for only 3 years and I'm already a leader in the development team for cellular networks. I think that if you do what you are passionate about and you are good at it, there is no challenge that will be different from the regular challenges of any new job: the learning curve, the growth within a company, the certifications if necessary for a position higher, etc.

Great question!

From my personal experience of 12+ years in Finance, following a PhD in Economics, I can honestly say that I never felt discriminated against through the years. I do have to say though that I was lucky to work for companies that emphasized gender equality in their management policies. So, my bottom line answer is that it depends on the company you choose to work for.

One common difference between young men and young women in STEM fields is that young men are more likely to apply for grants, request a raise, put themselves forward for a promotion, or enter a competition for a scholarship then young women are. Young men are also more likely to put themselves forward just based on their confidence in their own abilities, whereas young women are often looking for mentors or others to encourage them before they're willing to take steps to put themselves forward. 

My advice is to have confidence in your own abilities and ideas and promote yourself even if other people don't seem to be encouraging you. If you're the sort of person who really needs encouragement, make sure you seek it out. Don't just wait for someone to notice and pat you on the back. Say, "I need help finding a place where my talents can be recognized or where I can implement my ideas. Can you help point me in the right direction?" It's important both to be your own support and get yourself the support that you need.

 My source, in addition to my own experience, is my mother, who became a world-famous scientist in her field and recently won the National Medal of Science from President Obama for lifetime achievement in astronomy and astrophysics. She was the first woman hired by her department, and when she was pregnant with me, they didn't even have a pregnancy policy because no one had ever requested pregnancy leave before. But she made her way by having faith that her ideas were just as good as everybody else's and standing up for them in a constructive way that brought her team together and wasn't divisive or seeking glory for herself. You can do it!