Do improvements towards women pursuing STEM careers exist?

In 2013, Yale University performed a study on whether or not physicists, chemists, and biologists were more likely to choose a male or female scientists candidate for a job. The male and female applicants presented in the study had identical accomplishments and resumes, however; the male candidate was more likely to receive the job offer. And if the woman candidate was hired, her salary was about $4,000 less than the male's salary. It was shocking that even the female physicists, chemists, and biologists favored the male applicant with the same credentials compared to the female applicant. Why are men scientists receiving more job opportunities and better salaries than women scientists?

Studies have proven evidence that a bias exists against women in the sciences. Only 1/5 of physics Ph.D.'s in the United States are awarded to women and half of those women are American. The idea that "girls never go on in science and math" sticks into the female mind set, turning them off from pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers.

Eileen Pollack, now a novelist and short story writer, graduated from Yale in 1978. Eileen majored in Physics, but she faced many challenges pursuing a science major. When Eileen arrived at Yale, she was the only female in her physics classes. Eileen felt unprepared compared to the male students in her classes at Yale who had obviously taken harder math and science classes during high school. In 1978, Eileen graduated with honors in her Physics major, however; she did not continue to pursue a Physics career. At the end of her four years at Yale, Eileen felt discouraged by her professors, advisors, and the boys she competed with in her classes. Even Eileen’s professors and faculty advisors encouraged her to go a different route and not pursue a science career or attend graduate school.

Years later, Eileen decided to go back and visit Yale to see if there were any improvements in the treatment towards women with science majors. To her discovery, women were now encouraged to study science and math. The professors and advisers at Yale encouraged and wanted women to pursue STEM careers and go off to graduate school.

Today, women receive more encouragement to pursue STEM careers and study science and math during their high school and college careers. Although more encouragement exists, women still face hardships when showing interest in studying science and math. Proven in the study, men continue to dominate STEM careers. Bosses are more likely to hire men and give them better paying salaries. Many women studying science and math develop insecurities in classes and jobs because they feel uncomfortable or not taken seriously by their colleagues. It is important to start encouraging woman to pursue STEM careers and math and science studies by making a comfortable, accepting environment to allow more women to follow their passions and continue their study interests.

For more information about woman pursuing STEM careers, visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/06/magazine/why-are-there-still-so-few-women-in-science.html?_r=0