On Feb. 21, the Texas Tech Women’s Studies Program welcomed guest scholar Jennifer Glass, Ph.D., to talk about women in science, technology, engineering and mathematic, or STEM fields.
Glass, professor in the Department of Sociology and research associate in the Population Research Center at the University of Texas, Austin, spoke to a predominantly female group in scientific fields about research she has overseen regarding why women do not typically succeed in STEM environments.
The presentation focused on research conducted to find out what makes women stay or leave STEM fields. Glass began the presentation by discussing stereotypes women face in STEM fields. She referenced a video produced by the European Commission that intended to encourage women to choose a STEM career, but instead she said it looked like a Gap Inc. advertisement.
Glass then turned the conversation around to what she refers to as “the elephant in the room.” Are women being discriminated against in the workplace? Research presented by Glass says yes.
“Most departments don’t like to talk about it,” Glass said in her presentation. “They call it an audit study of resumes, where they go out to labs around the country, and they send two identical profiles, one with a female name, and one with a male. The study found that women were seen as less competent, less hirable, that woman would profit less from mentoring, that one was my favorite.”
If a woman is able to get a job in a STEM field, studies show she is not likely to be there long. Glass said factors such as having children, spousal support, and the family structure a woman grew up in all affect women’s success. Research shows that women who have a spouse in a STEM field do tend to be more successful.
The study frequently compared men and women’s opinions in STEM fields. Results found men tend to be gender conservative, and women very liberal. Men surveyed in STEM fields also liked to be married, but childless. Women expect to marry later in life, and remain childless.
Jennifer Glass, Ph.D., presenting her research at Texas Tech on Feb. 21.
The findings in Glass’s study are results that have remained the same as in previous generations. Glass said women in STEM fields are not moving up or transitioning into other positions. But the good news is, neither are men. More than ever, Glass said STEM college majors are not entering into the STEM workforce.
“We think this is a remarkable waste of talent,” Glass said. “So, we talk about skill shortages in STEM professions, when we would have an extra 55 per cent if we had jobs for people as they were coming out of school.”
The other part of the study presented by Glass analyzed women with higher degrees. The study found having a higher degree did not encourage women in STEM fields to stay in their respective career. This is starkly different from female professionals in other professions. Monique LeMieux, a graduate teaching assistant in the nutrition department, thought this was a surprising statistic.
“That’s not one of those things that you would expect to be pushing them out,” LeMieux said. “As she said, you would think that would be one of the things keeping them in.”
LeMieux and Glass both agreed having strong mentors is very important to keep women in STEM fields. LeMieux said although a female mentor would be preferred, having any guidance is better than pursuing a career on your own.
About Sarah Self-Walbrick
