Stereotypes In STEM Careers

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STEM careers include occupations in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. There are demands for certain STEM careers at this time which are jobs like Chemist, Dietetic Technicians, Medical Scientist, and Electrical Engineers. The big question that's being contemplated in this decade is whether women should be able to work in STEM careers? Are they at a disadvantage if they do choose to pursue a STEM career? A woman should be able to obtain a degree and work in a STEM career, however, women are at a disadvantage if they do choose to do so. The only reason women in STEM careers is questionable is because of the stereotypes that are associated with men and women. This is the stereotype that men are better at math and science. But in fact, “Higher Education Research Data from 2014 shows more females than males were being awarded undergraduate degrees in STEM fields...Research shows that “males comprise 80% of the most senior positions” (theconversation.com). In a study done on high school students enrolled in advanced science and math courses, girls our number the boys in Chemistry and Algebra II, however they are underrepresented in Physics and Calculus (ww2.ed.gov). So, why are there women who study and get degrees in STEM careers, but do …show more content…
“Stereotypes that girls and women lack mathematical ability persist and are widely held by parents and teachers” (dericbownds.net), this persistently holds girls back from pursuing their dreams. Before they have even started to work towards their goals, they have people looking down upon them and lacking faith in their abilities to perform as good as a male can. Many women worry that they’ll not enjoy their job choice in the STEM field, but Katherine Johnson who worked with NASA, stats that “I loved going to work every single day,” she continued to love her job after working there for thirty three years

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