Women Wanted: STEM Jobs Add 1/3 More to Income

If “impenetrable mess” is what you think of when you hear the word “technology”, listen up!

tangle of electronics cordsAt a time when women are struggling to make 77 cents to every dollar men make, there are jobs where women are paid more fairly. They are called STEM and they encompass a wide variety of fields that apply Science, Technology, Engineering or Math to do the work. Many certifications that require less than two years provide the necessary education to give women, especially women with children, the income they need to provide economic stability for their families.
Of course those who pursue a 4-year bachelor’s degree or higher earn a higher income in STEM fields. But many certifications and associate’s degrees from community colleges provide the training needed to work as engineers’ assistants, technical assistants to computer users and much more. And more than half of the students who attend community colleges go on to complete higher degrees at 4-year colleges.

Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) Report

According to a new report from the IWPR, if women would seek an education in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM), they could increase their earnings significantly beyond what they might earn in a traditional woman’s job. For example, a computer support specialist could expect to make $46,859, yet only 29% of these jobs are filled by women. Contrast that to a teaching assistant, which only pays about $18,759. Yet 89.9% of all teaching assistants are women. Of course not all areas are so extreme, but on average, women can make 1/3 more by choosing a STEM occupation rather than spending their education time and money on what has been a traditional woman’s occupation in consumer services, health sciences or education.

Facts about Working Women and STEM Jobs

  •  51% of the workforce are women.
  • Women hold only 1 out of 4 STEM jobs.
  • Traditional jobs for women: child care workers, health aids or administrative assistants have low starting pay, flat wage increases and poor benefits.
  • US Department of Commerce found that overall women with STEM jobs earned 1/3 more than comparable women in non-STEM jobs. They also found the gap between men’s and women’s wages was less.
  • Growth in STEM jobs has been more than 3 times that of non-STEM jobs over the last decade. And growth is predicted to remain strong.

Why We Care

Helping women achieve STEM degrees and develop careers in these areas, not only helps each woman receive a family-sustainable wage, it also puts the economy of the United States in a competitive position in the global market.
The report’s author, Cynthia Costello says, “Investing in STEM education for low-income women and student parents is a win-win strategy. It strengthens the economic security of American families and expands the number of highly-skilled STEM workers to make the nation more competitive in the 21st Century.”
The opportunities are there. President Barack Obama emphasizes that the key to preparing Americans for the jobs in today’s economy is higher education. The president’s budget for 2013 includes $3 billion for STEM education.

 STEM Degrees Not Keeping Pace with Demand

These careers are crying out for women. Only one in seven engineers is a woman. Yet engineering is the second largest STEM occupation. Ironically, the number of women graduating with bachelors and masters degrees in STEM fields has increased, while those receiving 2-year associates degrees and certifications have decreased. In fact, short-term and medium certifications, which require less than two years to complete,  have been cut in half. Even more astonishing is that less than 4% of STEM degrees are awarded to women of color.
Some of the theories about why more women aren’t seeking STEM areas include the lack of women role models and mentors. There are too few women at this time to show others how desirable fields in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math can be, both economically and for job satisfaction. Another issue is that women may not see these jobs as flexible enough to support their care-taking needs. The community colleges may not be able to address these needs adequately either. Many student parents find that financial aid falls short and list lack of income is a primary cause for interruption of their post-secondary education.
Barbara Gault, Ph.D.,The Vice President an d Executive Director of IPWR says, “As the nation works to improve access to community college credentials, it is critical that women and people of color have equal access to high quality degrees, such as those in STEM fields, that lead to family-sustaining wages.”

Special Needs of Women and Student Parents

Promising programs use active recruitment strategies to reach out to people who might not think of STEM careers. Low-income women and student parents may require more intensive resources and academic supports to succeed in STEM fields at community colleges.
They need special resources:

  • Affordable child care
  • Financial aid that takes into consideration housing and food for their families
  • Academic advising to help them navigate the demands of college
  • Counselors to guide students toward careers they may be unfamiliar with
  • Developmental education in the form of remedial one-on-one coursework and free on-line tutoring
  • Curriculum and instruction aimed at women’s collaborative style of learning and skill acquisition
  • Educational pathways the help student parents balance degree requirements with work and family obligations to avoid interruption to their timely degree completion.

Recruitment for Jobs of the Future

The report shows snapshots of programs at community colleges around the country that target women. It also makes a variety of recommendations suggesting a multifaceted strategy that includes:

  • Personalized recruitment efforts to both high school and existing community college students
  • Active participation through peer mentoring programs
  • Workshops led by women faculty and scientists and visit STEM classrooms
  • Accessible information for prospective students about financial aid, child care and other supports, including internships and work opportunities Emphasize the economic benefits of high-wage, high-skill STEM fields
  • Reinforcing strategies, such as advertising and personalized outreach.

For more information, visit the IWPR website and listen to Dr. Cynthia Costello’s podcast about how STEM fields would bring greater economic security to women and their families and improve the economic health of the nation as well.

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