Why is Retaining Women in STEM Careers so Challenging? A Closer Look at Women's Insights and Experiences in STEM Fields

Megan O. Conrad; Alexa Rihana Abdallah; Lauren Ross

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Conference: 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access
Location: Virtual Conference
Publication Date: July 26, 2021
Start Date: July 26, 2021
End Date: July 19, 2022
Conference Session: Women in Engineering Division Technical Session 9
Tagged Division: Women in Engineering
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Page Count: 20
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--38060
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/38060
Download Count: 1867

Paper Authors

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Megan O. Conrad University of Detroit Mercy orcid.org/0000-0002-8180-9789

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Megan Conrad is the Clare Boothe Luce Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University of Detroit Mercy. She received her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University in 2009. Her research interests include applying principles of biomechanics, neuromechanics and ergonomics to assess human performance in healthy and disabled populations as it pertains to therapy, work and product design.

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Alexa Rihana Abdallah University of Detroit Mercy

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Alexa Rihana Abdallah is a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Detroit Mercy. She received her PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan. rihanaa@udmercy.edu

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Lauren Ross University of Detroit Mercy

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Lauren Ross is an undergraduate research assistant working in the Assistive Technologies Laboratory at University of Detroit Mercy majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

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Abstract

Each year, nearly twice the number of STEM degrees are conferred upon male students as their female counterparts despite females significantly outnumbering males in obtaining bachelor’s degrees in all fields combined. As a result, the relatively fewer number of women entering STEM careers often express feeling unrepresented and discouraged at work.

Thus, this study aimed to provide researchers insight into the experiences of women in STEM careers. Participant recruitment for the IRB approved 25-question survey was conducted via e-mail and social media postings to STEM support groups for women. In addition to demographic data, the survey assessed respondents’ career satisfaction/challenges, opinion of necessary support systems, feelings of representation within their field, and perceived incidence of institutional/cultural barriers for various subcategories of women.

In total, 112 women currently working in STEM (Academia 24%, Consulting 8%, Healthcare 17%, Industry 41%) completed the survey. Results indicate women choose to pursue STEM careers due to, (1) an interest in the field and, (2) a natural talent/aptitude (72.7% and 57.6% of respondents, respectively). Respondents overwhelmingly (91.1%) agree that women experience more institutional/cultural barriers than men within their profession. The top 3 challenges reported include difficulty finding work/life balance (69.6%), gender-bias or other discrimination (56.3%) and high stress levels (50.9%). Desired support systems include flexible work schedules (77.7%), childcare assistance (59.8%), and workplace accommodations (nursing rooms, etc.; 57.1%). While most women (>60%) report primarily seeking support from family, friends and coworkers as they navigate their careers, several also look to managers (42.0%) or mentors (37.5%). Furthermore, respondents agree women of color, with disabilities, and who identify as LGBTQ experience additional cultural barriers/stigma.

Results of this study provide insight into best practices and resources employers and academia can adopt to support women in STEM. Ultimately, insight can lead to improved retention rates for women in related STEM careers.

Citation
Format

Conrad, M. O., & Rihana Abdallah, A., & Ross, L. (2021, July), Why is Retaining Women in STEM Careers so Challenging? A Closer Look at Women's Insights and Experiences in STEM Fields Paper presented at 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access, Virtual Conference. 10.18260/1-2--38060

TY - CPAPER
AB - Each year, nearly twice the number of STEM degrees are conferred upon male students as their female counterparts despite females significantly outnumbering males in obtaining bachelor’s degrees in all fields combined. As a result, the relatively fewer number of women entering STEM careers often express feeling unrepresented and discouraged at work.

Thus, this study aimed to provide researchers insight into the experiences of women in STEM careers. Participant recruitment for the IRB approved 25-question survey was conducted via e-mail and social media postings to STEM support groups for women. In addition to demographic data, the survey assessed respondents’ career satisfaction/challenges, opinion of necessary support systems, feelings of representation within their field, and perceived incidence of institutional/cultural barriers for various subcategories of women.

In total, 112 women currently working in STEM (Academia 24%, Consulting 8%, Healthcare 17%, Industry 41%) completed the survey. Results indicate women choose to pursue STEM careers due to, (1) an interest in the field and, (2) a natural talent/aptitude (72.7% and 57.6% of respondents, respectively). Respondents overwhelmingly (91.1%) agree that women experience more institutional/cultural barriers than men within their profession. The top 3 challenges reported include difficulty finding work/life balance (69.6%), gender-bias or other discrimination (56.3%) and high stress levels (50.9%). Desired support systems include flexible work schedules (77.7%), childcare assistance (59.8%), and workplace accommodations (nursing rooms, etc.; 57.1%). While most women (&amp;gt;60%) report primarily seeking support from family, friends and coworkers as they navigate their careers, several also look to managers (42.0%) or mentors (37.5%). Furthermore, respondents agree women of color, with disabilities, and who identify as LGBTQ experience additional cultural barriers/stigma.

Results of this study provide insight into best practices and resources employers and academia can adopt to support women in STEM. Ultimately, insight can lead to improved retention rates for women in related STEM careers.
AU - Megan O. Conrad
AU - Alexa Rihana Abdallah
AU - Lauren Ross
CY - Virtual Conference
DA - 2021/07/26
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Why is Retaining Women in STEM Careers so Challenging? A Closer Look at Women's Insights and Experiences in STEM Fields
UR - https://peer.asee.org/38060
DO - 10.18260/1-2--38060
ER -