Washington Monthly - September/October 2024 - 43

SP E C I A L A D V E R T I SI N G S E C T I O N
HIGHER ED Q&A
Women in STEM
A conversation with
Dr. Jeannie Pridmore, Chair,
Department of Information
Systems & Computer Science,
Georgia College & State University.
Why is it important for institutions of
higher education to help more women
graduate with STEM degrees?
Women make up only 30 percent of the
workforce in STEM fi elds. Closing the gender
gap is not just a moral priority but a
strategic necessity. First, diversity drives
innovation. Diverse teams consistently
produce more creative and eff ective solutions.
By increasing women's participation in STEM,
we are tapping into a wealth of talent and
perspectives that can propel scientifi c and
technological advancements. Second, there
is a signifi cant skills gap in STEM fi elds. By
encouraging more women to pursue these
degrees, we are addressing a critical workforce
need. In my career, I have seen how
this shortage aff ects companies' ability to
innovate and grow. Lastly, STEM careers
off er excellent opportunities for economic
empowerment. Helping more women enter
and stay in these high-paying, in-demand
careers can contribute to closing the gender
pay gap and promoting economic equality.
What are the main obstacles faced
by women who are considering or
pursuing STEM majors?
As a woman with 25 years of experience in
male-dominated STEM fi elds, I have personally
encountered and observed many obstacles:
* Unconscious bias: In both educational
settings and the workplace, unconscious
biases often lead to women being graded
more harshly for the same work. This
disparity can force women to work harder
to achieve the same level of success as men
and can also result in discrimination in hiring
and promotion processes.
* Lack of role models: A lack of women in
leadership positions in STEM makes it hard
for young women to envision themselves in
these roles.
* Education system: Girls are often steered
away from science and math throughout
their education, which limits their
preparation and opportunities to enter
STEM fi elds as adults.
* Impostor syndrome: Women in STEM
can struggle with feelings of inadequacy,
despite their competence.
* Hostile work environments: Unfortunately,
STEM workplaces still contain sexist
attitudes and behaviors.
What types of programs or activities
does your university or academic
department off er to encourage women
to select and succeed in STEM majors?
At GCSU, we focus on empowering all
students to achieve their career goals,
and this work is impactful. The Information
Systems & Computer Science Department
sponsors programs and activities that
support women interested in and ultimately
succeeding in STEM fi elds.
The Georgia College Women in Tech
Organization hosts workshops and
guest speakers addressing topics such
as unconscious bias, brand building,
interviewing, and building confi dence;
hosts networking events and raises funds to
sponsor GC WIT women to attend industry
conferences; has scholarships that help
support women in STEM programs; and
hosts outreach programs with local middle
schools and high schools to encourage
young girls' interest in STEM.
What can government do to help
encourage young women to pursue
degrees and careers in STEM fi elds?
Governments can play a crucial role by
funding STEM education grants and
initiatives targeting girls and women;
implementing policies to address workplace
discrimination and harassment;
and supporting paid parental leave.
What role do mentorship and networking
play in supporting women's careers in
STEM, and how can these avenues be
expanded or strengthened?
Mentorship and networking are absolutely
vital. Finding " my people " -my network-
has played a signifi cant role in my career
progression, off ering guidance and support and
opening doors to opportunities. Mentors and
networks can also help build confi dence and
self-esteem, expand one's professional network,
and encourage long-term career success.
These avenues can be strengthened by
encouraging and creating women-focused
mentorship networks; sponsoring memberships
in women-focused organizations; attending
women-focused networking events and
conferences; and recognizing and rewarding
mentorship eff orts in performance evaluations.
How can educational institutions and
employers work together to ensure
access to STEM education and
opportunities for women?
Collaboration between educational institutions
and employers is key. Eff ective strategies include
internship programs specifi cally for women in
STEM; industry-sponsored scholarships for
women pursuing STEM degrees; guest lecture
series featuring women in STEM careers;
collaborative projects between universities and
companies; industry advisory boards to ensure
curriculum relevance; and job shadowing and
company visit programs for female students.
Over the past 25 years, I have seen considerable
progress in women's participation in STEM-
but there is still much work to be done. By
addressing these challenges and implementing
supportive programs, we can create a more diverse,
innovative, and equitable STEM workforce.
www.gcsu.edu
http://www.gcsu.edu
Washington Monthly - September/October 2024

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