The biggest challenge for women in STEM is staying in STEM. As women progress in their careers, their soft-skills tend to be more valued than their technical skills
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has traditionally been a male-dominated industry that is lacking in female participation across Australia, as well as on a global scale. I am excited to say that in the past few years, Australian women have been transforming the industry at an accelerated pace.
Australia’s STEM-skilled workforce has a disproportionate underrepresentation of women, compared to other industries. According to the STEM Equity Data Report, only 15 per cent of Australia’s stem-skilled workforce are women, whereas the broader Australian workforce has close to 50 per cent female participation. I am proud to share that Montu champions women in the workforce with 57 per cent of women making up our total workforce.
Currently, women only make up 15 per cent of the STEM workforce, it is important to bring more balance in gender representation to include diversified female perspectives in decision-making and innovation. We should help all women interested in STEM by celebrating their success and achievements, as well as implementing specific changes to ensure greater equality and opportunities for all.
What I appreciate most about STEM is that: there is always something new to learn or something new being developed. I love that no matter how much I learn, I can never know everything. Even the most senior people in my field are continuing to learn every single day. Because we all know everyone is always learning, we also have great collaboration in teaching what we do know. Every person on every team brings new knowledge and shares it willingly.
STEM is a driver of innovation and progression. It’s a key player in making the world a better place for all members of society. Below I have included my top four ways to encourage more women in STEM—focusing on building curiosity and prospects at all ages.
- Encourage education in the industry from an early age: Confidence and interest in STEM develops at a young age and can be influenced by many factors. Understanding girls’ perceptions and attitudes to STEM can help families, educators and policymakers support girls to engage in and consider careers in STEM. Data from the STEM Equity Data Report highlights that school girls were half as likely as boys to aspire to a career in STEM – this is similar to previous surveys, with 22 per cent of girls wanting a career in STEM in comparison to 43 per cent of boys.
As many people get introduced to career prospects when they are still in school, I believe it is critical to commence STEM education early while we are still developing interests and aspirations. It is, of course, to be expected that not all young women will be keen on this career path, but this step is more about creating an equal opportunity for all.
- Networking opportunities: Recent research from Melbourne University on women in STEM, has found that female STEM networks are instrumental in overcoming barriers, and advancing opportunities for women by creating and sustaining a space for sharing, support, and mentorship.
Montu is an organisation that fosters and values gender equity in STEM. The organisation creates spaces where women can connect and get mentored by other women in the industry, for example facilitating tickets for our women in tech to attend leading industry events and seminars, and opportunities like these to champion our views and successes in the public eye.
- Opportunities for Learning and Development: Technology is changing at a rapid pace, therefore ongoing training is crucial. Additionally, on-the-job training for women interested in technical roles can help close the digital skills gap. In general, training programs can help female talent who hadn’t previously seen a technical role as an option to pivot their careers.
Data from The Department of Industry Science and Resources shows that Australia offers significant opportunities in STEM fields, with a projected need for 1.2 million additional tech workers by 2030. Therefore, there is an urgent call to action for women to be involved in the field.
- Find a Company with Shared-Values: There is nothing wrong with wanting to work somewhere you can thrive professionally and do good at the same time. Montu has a patient-first value that motivates me every day to build with purpose and passion. I am part of a team that is dedicated to building new and better ways for our Alternaleaf patients to experience telehealth services for alternative healthcare, regardless of their postcode. I encourage people to find a company that inspires them every day, it truly makes a difference.
Having women in STEM isn’t just important for the industry, it’s important for the women themselves – expanding their horizons in ways they would never expect. I believe that Australia fosters a culture of innovation and a strong community of women in STEM. This has provided me with confidence that we are moving towards a positive future that involves more opportunities for women in STEM.
The path to shattering the glass ceiling is paved with each conversation, and every action towards equality propels us closer to that goal. Is our journey far from over? Absolutely. But united, we can accelerate the process.
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