Career Study Results

Women in STEM face unique challenges and experiences that often go unrecognized. Over the course of 8 weeks, Engineering Empowered conducted a study to highlight the experiences of women in this field through a short survey.

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My goal was to shed light on the realities of being a woman in the field—both the successes and the obstacles. After hearing the experiences of various women, I was able to gain insight into workplace culture, career progression, and opportunities for change.

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My first question - "Was there a moment you felt your gender impacted your experience in your field?"

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A staggering 67% answered yes. Some participants cited that being one of the only women in the room in their courses and workspaces heavily impacted their answer. Others cited how their male coworkers often dominated the conversation and spoke down on others, creating a hostile work environment.

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These, however, are only the first of many challenges women appear to be facing in the workplace. Other obstacles survey participants mentioned included (but were not limited to):

              1. Motherhood: balancing work and family in the midst of countless deadlines and career opportunities proved to be difficult. Women were left drained from shouldering countless familial and career responsibilities

              2. Pay and Visibility: a few participants mentioned how women are often expected to work harder for less pay. This pay is not always monetary, however. Male colleagues would sometimes take credit for or overshadow the achievements of their female colleagues. This would prevent them from attaining promotions or greater career advancements.

              3. Character Perception: One participant mentioned how, "often, women’s stronger voices get deemed as rude and aggressive while their softer and quieter voices are seen as weak."

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And yet, many women found ways to overcome these challenges. Some bolstered their own morale, trying to stay confident in their work and abilities. Others found means to negotiate with their company for greater salaries and down-time to spend with their families. 

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Regardless, it is critical for companies to consider how women can feel supported and valued in the workplace. Participants overwhelmingly answered that the best way companies can accomplish this is by hiring more women. A greater representation of women among various departments would bring more perspectives to the table while fostering an inclusive environment.

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A few words of wisdom and advice participants had for future women in STEM included:

              1. Not to let fear overtake your dream - go for it!

              2. Be the change you want to see - even if you're fearful, join STEM. Else, we'll never observe a real shift in the number of women in the field.

              3. Look for mentors and sponsors to support your career journey

              4. As long as you are skilled, competent, and communicative, you will find success!

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