Survey: Women, minorities need STEM encouragement

In the survey, U.S. colleges were cited as the leading place in the American education system where discouragement happens, with 44 percent saying college professors were the individuals most likely to discourage. The survey found that the K-12 education system fell short as well, with respondents giving it a “D” for the job it does to encourage minorities to study STEM subjects and a “D+” for girls.

“If we want to achieve true diversity in America’s STEM workforce, we must first understand the root causes of underrepresentation and the going challenges these groups face,” Babe said. “We want to knock down barriers. If we can do that, we’ll be able to develop the attitudes, behaviors, opportunities, and resources that lead to success.”

Across the board, respondents gave their company, organization, or institution a “C” for placing women and underrepresented minorities in senior positions to serve as role models and mentors for the younger employees—something Babe said is extremely important in encouraging young scientists and engineers.

“We’re trying to identify mentors early in their careers for females or underrepresented minorities to help guide them through their career path,” he said.

Other key findings include:

Respondents said science teachers play a larger role than parents in stimulating and sustaining interest in science. During the elementary school years, 70 percent of the respondents said teachers have the most influence. During high school, 88 percent said teachers do.
Nearly two-thirds (62 percent) of those polled said underrepresentation exists in their company’s or organization’s workforce.
Leading workplace barriers for the female and minority chemists and chemical engineers include managerial bias (40 percent), company/organizational/institutional bias (38 percent), lack of professional development (36 percent), little or no access to networking opportunities (35 percent), and a lack of advancement opportunities (35 percent).
Nearly three-quarters (70 percent) of the chemists/chemical engineers said it’s harder for women to succeed in their field than it is for men, while two-thirds (67 percent) think it is more difficult for minorities to succeed than it is for non-minorities.

Link:

Bayer Corporation

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