More girls are interested in STEM careers, yet barriers persist

Even though women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, their involvement in critical occupations going forward does not reflect that. For instance, in 2021, they only constituted 35% of environmental engineers, 17% of civil engineers, and 9% of mechanical engineers, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau analyzed by the Society of Women Engineers. Additionally, the Pew Research Center reported in 2021 that “Women account for 25% of those working in computer occupations. The share of women in this fast-growing occupation cluster declined from 2000 to 2016 and has remained stable” through at least through 2021, the end date of their study.  Furthermore, according to Women in STEM, 2023, “At the current pace, we will not see equal representation in STEM until the year 2070.”

The Girls' Index™: Girls & STEM Impact Report, conducted by Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) and supported by Battelle, aims to provide insight into the root causes of women’s lagging numbers in pursuing STEM occupations. The study, which surveyed 17,502 girls in 5th through 12th grade, is the largest national survey to do so.

The Index suggests that girls' lag in pursuing STEM careers does not indicate a lack of interest. Data reviews more girls today (55%) are considering a STEM career path compared to 45% in ROX's 2017 survey. However, various other barriers could explain the chasm between interest and occupation.

Paramount among tbarriers is a lack of confidence. Many respondents (58%) did not believe they were smart enough for a STEM career. This number has increased since the 2017 survey, when 46% didn't think they were up to a STEM career. This lack of confidence is growing even faster among 5th and 6th-grade girls, who had lower confidence levels to begin with than other age groups: the percentage thinking they are not smart enough was 52% in the most recent study, up from 23% in 2017. These low confidence levels were apparent across racial and income categories: there was only a 3% variance in STEM interest across income levels and 8% between racial categories.

Another significant barrier preventing girls from pursuing STEM careers, the study suggests, is that many girls (89%) perceive that they are under pressure to fit into specific roles or stereotypes. In addition, the report noted that 67% of girls avoid expressing their thoughts in order to be liked, and 55% refrain from taking charge for fear of being labeled bossy.

“This data reveals the challenges girls face in navigating social expectations while developing their sense of self, illustrating the complex pressures they encounter during their formative years,” according to the study authors.

What 86% of girls want is a career that helps others, the survey found. However, only 49% are considering a STEM career, many of which would enable them to help others. The report's authors note, "STEM fields offer numerous ways to make a positive impact—from developing new medicines to solving environmental issues. By showing girls how STEM careers align with their desire to help, more diverse talent could be attracted to these fields.”

The report's authors make several recommendations based on their findings. These include:

• Reframe STEM as a path to making a difference,
• Nurture confidence alongside competence,
• Dismantle stereotypes and build belonging, and
• Ensure equitable access and support.

This article was prepared by SSTI using Federal funds under award ED22HDQ3070129 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.