Importance of STEM Mentors for Girls

The number of women STEM professionals in the United States is very low with these professions being predominantly controlled and dominated by men. The article by Sally Nadler highlights the importance of STEM mentors in changing the mindset and encouraging more girls to pursue these courses. The writer emphasizes the importance of STEM through highlighting some high profile professionals who have been helped by other STEM professionals who served as their mentors. The importance of mentors in the lives of successful people cannot be underrated, therefore, if the girls are to start pursuing these careers they need a source of inspiration. Statistics on the same subject also offer a sad reading for the women who occupy more than half of the total jobs but less than 25 percent of STEM jobs (Nadler). In a country that plays homage to some of the best companies in life sciences in the world, the statistics on the women do not offer an excellent reading, and action needs to be taken urgently. The article highlights that one of the main methods to change the mindset of the girls is through mentorship that should be inspired by other women who hold good positions in STEM occupations all over the country (Nadler). The article calls for women to come out and give mentorship to the girls starting at a tender age to ensure that they achieve the targeted goals and objectives of having girls engage in STEM-related careers (Nadler). The article calls out for a million women mentors who are looking to give the initiative to support their efforts in the whole country. Although the initiative started in New Jersey, it should be spread to other regions around the country to ensure the development of the best career models for the women.

If this sample essay on"Importance of STEM Mentors for Girls" doesn’t help,
our writers will!

Trust an expert

The number of women who are in the STEM-related careers is very low in comparison to the men. In a country where the number of women in jobs is more than half, it is important to ensure that the statistic is similar to all careers. Women are stereotypical in school and on the job market on how difficult the STEM careers in the job market are making it critical to change the mindset and instill a proper approach to issues in the society. The level of the wage gap between women and men in STEM occupations are very low in comparison to others fields. While in the other fields the difference is 0.77 dollars for the STEM occupations the difference is $0.92 for every $1 that the men are paid (Marcus). This makes STEM one of the best occupations that a woman can realize equality in wages, and, therefore, they should look to integrate an approach that is meant to encourage the girls. According to Schrauth (2012), if one starts to be mentored at a young age, they develop an interest in these fields in future. Mentors for STEM occupations are therefore critical in ensuring that more women are involved in these careers in future.

According to Marcus (2014), 74 percent of STEM workers are men in comparison to 26 percent for the women. However, she further observes that women comprise more than 20% of the engineering school graduates although only 10% of the total numbers of practicing engineers are women. These statistics are stacked against the models that are identified by the mentorship programs that are used in the country. Women mentors program is, therefore, important to ensure that there is parity between the women and men who are involved in STEM programs in the job market. Schrauth (2012), reckons that teenagers are often insecure about their math and science skills especially women and minorities in the society. It is, therefore, critical for the women to ensure that they inculcate mentorship programs that are meant to encourage the girls to pursue these careers in future (Nadler). Many female students, however, have differing beliefs thereby they do not develop a single model that is aimed at pursuing these course in future. There are different models that are used to ensure that the level of awareness and preparation for girls are controlled and achieved. Kleinbach-Sauter (2013) reflects on the program and notes that although it is helpful, it denotes a society that has lost plot since the aspect should not exist. Mentorship programs are critical, however, developing better models and programs to alleviate completely these problems in the society.

The writer is troubled by the levels of women who are pursuing STEM-related careers in their future. After research and looking at different models that need to be instituted, she asserts that the best approach is for women to volunteer and act as role models for girls who are still in school. Through the idea of million women mentors, the writer expects the women to volunteer and give the girls a chance for a better future in these careers (Nadler). She is adamant that they are good careers with the women involved being highly successful therefore girls should be encouraged by the women who have already made it in these careers in their lives.

The article highlights a problem in the system that needs to be tackled if the women are to have equal chances and levels of success as the men. The stereotyped view of different occurrences and models need to change to ensure that the girls are given a chance to have equal opportunities in future (Marcus). It is implicit for the women to come together and impart their knowledge and inspiration to the girls in schools. This will have a major effect on future since a culture of fear of STEM subjects will effectively be eradicated in the society. The article is intended to sensitize the audience to take action and inspire the young girls to implement working structures and models that they can reap their effects in future (Nadler, 2016). Although the author wishes to start with a million mentors the numbers will only increase in future with more people being impacted by the revolutionary idea.

In conclusion, STEM subjects have been a reserve for male students in the schools with the girls and minority students fearing to take these matters. However, there is a chance to change and shift from these previous systems and models if people were to accept to volunteer and inspire girls in schools. It is imperative that the approaches that are used to motivate students are drawn from individual experiences to ensure that the girls can relate to these experiences. STEM subjects are only difficult depending on the students mindset. However, the approaches recommended in the article are stacked to change the tide.

Works cited

Kleinbach-Sauter, H. (2013, May 14). Path to Innovation: Women, Mentors and STEM Success. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/heidi-kleinbachsauter/stem-girls-mentors_b_2881058.html

Marcus, B. (2014, March 28). Forbes Welcome. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/bonniemarcus/2014/03/28/mentors-help-create-a-sustainable-pipeline-for-women-in-stem/#53d08b6a44c3

Nadler, S. (2016, March 14). COMMENTARY: Girls need STEM mentors. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/03/14/commentary-girls-need-stem-mentors/81771624/

Schrauth, K. (2012, August 12). Mentoring the Next Generation Towards STEM Careers. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-schrauth/students-stem-careers_b_1590927.html