Report reveals persistent gaps in women's exposure to STEM careers

Key points:

Women play a crucial role in filling high-paying, in-demand STEM jobs, but they make up only 34 percent of the workforce. STEM workforceAccording to a new report from Your science and Learning from the next generation of Ford.

He Female and STEM Students Report 2024 reveals that, beginning in middle school, female students experience significant gaps in STEM exposure that continue into high school.

The report highlights critical insights into career exposure gaps among female students across the country for a variety of in-demand jobs, and offers practical solutions to close these gaps in STEM careers.

The career exposure gap identifies the mismatch between students’ abilities and interests, revealing overlooked career options. This analysis is based on anonymous data from 233,000 U.S. middle and high school students collected in 2023.

Highlights of the report show that women are experiencing:

• An 87 percent exposure gap in advanced manufacturing careers, a field projected to have 2.1 million Job vacancies in 2030
• An 87 percent exposure gap in computer and technology professions; this includes careers such as computer programmers, software developers, information cybersecurity analysts and more
• A 55 percent exposure gap in architecture and construction careers; this is problematic as the housing shortage worsens and the value of the industry is It is expected to increase by 32 percent, from $580 billion to $2.4 trillion by 2030.
• A 30 percent exposure gap in health sciences careers, including careers in dentistry, which is experiencing a nationwide shortage of workers
• A 22 percent exposure gap in engineering: Engineers lack next-generation skills, putting nearly one in three engineering jobs at risk. Vacancies will be made annually until at least 2030

“The persistent gaps in career exposure highlighted in the report underscore the critical need for better guidance and support for female students in science, technology, engineering and math-related fields. Our data-driven insights reveal significant disparities that must be addressed to cultivate a diverse and skilled workforce prepared for the demands of the future economy,” said Amy Miller-Weiland, vice president of Career Services and Learning and Development at YouScience.

The report offers nine recommendations to help increase female students' exposure to STEM careers, including (see the 9 In the report):

1. Measures of aptitude–a critical tool to help students discover their most suitable post-secondary education and career paths.
2. Professional academies–the creation of bachelor’s degree programs focused on specific professional areas such as health sciences, engineering and IT. They allow students to align their education with their professional aspirations.
3. Collaborative planning between family, educators, and counselors to help students navigate their educational and career paths.
4. Interdisciplinary education where schools and districts work together to create customized pathways and integrated programs through the lens of relevant professional groups.

“The solutions outlined in this report must be implemented quickly. We can no longer overlook young women who have the talent but haven’t had the opportunity to take advantage of it,” said Cheryl Carrier, executive director of Ford Next Generation Learning. “We now have the knowledge to do better, so we must do it.”

Addressing the career exposure gap for female students requires uncovering skills that help guide each student toward personalized educational and career opportunities that best fit their abilities.

This press release Originally appeared online.

Laura Ascione is the editorial director of eSchool Media. She holds a degree from the prestigious Philip Merrill School of Journalism at the University of Maryland.

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