WOMEN IN STEM
SEPTEMBER 2019 | EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM
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Melinda Gates
The tech innovator aims to inspire the next generation of female computing experts
These women are thriving in tech and want to help you do the same
What parents can do to get their kids interested in STEM careers
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO SUCCEED IN STEM? Curiosity. Critical thinking. A can-do spirit. And an education that meets passion head-on. Explore the possibilities and meet future STEM pioneers at pct.edu/stem .
Why Tech Companies Must Develop a Workforce That Reflects the Marketplace To continue shaping our future, tech companies must take it upon themselves to eliminate opportunities for discrimination among the workforce.
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echnology is a huge lever creating the future of our global society. It has become an increasingly pervasive influence in every sphere of life, making it a necessary human right for full participation. We need a multipronged, intersectional approach to improve business practices and disrupt societal attitudes that inflict bias against women’s potential as leaders. This will help us achieve global 50/50 intersectional gender tech equity by 2025. To sustain success, and acquire and retain talent, CEOs must cultivate a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion that reflects their markets at all organizational levels. Leadership also needs to recognize that no company is an island.
Society’s challenges, including sexism and racism, will inevitably spill over into business operations, because talent is reflective of our society. Top levels of leadership need to collaborate to advance public awareness and policy reform that can remove barriers to diverse inclusion and change society. Steps to success Five global initiatives are needed to prioritize inclusion and 50/50 intersectional gender tech equity by 2025. These include hiring, retention, pay parity, venture funding, and women’s empowerment, all of which have the potential to uplift all people regardless of class, national origin, race, orientation, ability status, religion, and other social statuses.
for female employees to look up to, learn from, and gain support. Dr. Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland Chief Operating Officer, AnitaB.org Executives must regularly review workforce diversity data, actively promote equality for all people in the recruitment process, and implement an inclusive strategy as first steps toward equity. Companies need to focus on building inclusive work environments that include mentorship and sponsorship programs where employees feel safe, valued, and supported. Through programs that eliminate the possibility of bias in pay discrepancy, companies can elevate influential women and create role models
On the rise Women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs, particularly black women, and women-led businesses are outperforming their male counterparts in many VC portfolios. Yet Fortune reported female founders raised just 2.2 percent of total in venture capital money invested over 2018, and Digital Undivided reported black women-led startups raised an even more egregious .0006 percent of total tech venture funding raised between 2009 and 2017. Investors need to address the huge and missed opportunity in the current VC system. Providing a forum for women of all levels to
convene, connect, build networks, and foster a community of role models who inspire and support one another in their careers, like the AnitaB. org Grace Hopper Celebration, provides a foundation of empowerment from which women can feel confident to accept new challenges and opportunities. Now is the time for the tech industry to measure what matters most and set goals for representation, pay parity, retention, venture funding, and women’s empowerment. Leaders need to provide clear career pathways and enact policies and programs to reach equal participation in tech. We look forward to a day when technology reflects the community it serves, including women worldwide, and where equity is commonplace. n
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TOMORROW’S STEM BREAKTHROUGHS REQUIRE TOMORROW’S WOMEN IN THE STEM WORKFORCE
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t Idaho National Laboratory, scientists and engineers are working every day to discover, demonstrate and
secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure. That’s why INL’s K-12 STEM program is working to change the science, technology, engineering and math landscape. By working with students, teachers and communities, INL seeks to leverage its partnerships and resources to grow STEM opportunities for all. INL offers a variety of outreach events and other learning opportunities to plant the seeds for innovation and show young women that their future could hold a potential career in STEM.
For more information on how INL supports the present and fosters the future workforce of women in STEM, visit inl.gov/womeninstem |
How Parents Can Inspire Their Kids to Pursue Tech Careers Technology has been the hallmark of the 21st century and will continue to influence our lives into the future. From social media to biotechnology, artificial intelligence to national security, innovations in computing are changing many facets of everyday life.
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omputing is becoming increasingly important in our world, so why aren’t more students being exposed to computer science? Today’s youth interact with technology at much higher rates than previous generations. A 2018 Pew Research Center report noted 95 percent of teens (ages 13-17, regardless of race/ ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic background) have access to a smartphone, and are using their phones to frequently interact with a variety of online apps and social media platforms. Unfortunately, the majority of U.S. schools only require that students know how to use com4 • EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM
puters, rather than understanding the science behind them. Seldom do schools actively engage and prepare students to innovate and create the new technologies that drive local and national economies. The field of computer science (CS), encompasses all the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math, and also design. Computing-related jobs are among the fastest-growing and highest-paying (not to mention fun and creative!) professions. Today, 58 percent of all new jobs in STEM are in computing, and by 2026, there will be an estimated 3.5 million such jobs open in the United States.
Adult influencers The good news is that parents, educators, and other adult influencers can generate a passion for computer science in the next generation. It is possible to get young people to be just as excited about coding or a career in computing as they are about YouTube and Snapchat. How? The answer is easier than you might think. Adult influencers do not need to be technology experts to be actively engaged in kids’ learning. As cliché as it sounds, even the smallest “you can do it” goes a long way in motivating young people to learn computing, especially girls and kids of color, who are regularly underrepre-
sented in tech. The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) was established in 2004 to significantly increase girls’ and women’s meaningful participation in computing. We offer extended recommendations for encouraging youth’s meaningful participation in CS through researchbased resources, including: Guide to Inclusive Computer Science Education; Computer Science is for Everyone toolkit; NCWIT Girls in IT: The Facts report; and Top 10 Ways Families Can Encourage Girls’ Interest in Computing. n JeffriAnne Wilder, Ph.D., National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT)
PHOTO: COURTESY OF T-MOBILE
Heather Nolis, software engineer on the AI at T-Mobile team (left) with her wife Jacqueline Nolis (right) and son Amber Nolis.
How One Woman’s Engineering Journey Serves to Uplift and Support Other Women SPONSORED
Heather Nolis, who grew up on a farm in Oklahoma, never planned to have a career in technology, but now, she is an engineering leader at a major wireless provider. A founding member of T-Mobile’s artificial intelligence (AI) team, dubbed “AI at T-Mobile,” Nolis has a master’s degree in software engineering and has been with the company for two years. The team focuses on the conversion of cutting-edge analyses to real-time, scalable data-driven products, and has 25 members, 60 percent
of whom are women. As one of the first females on the team, Nolis made a purpose to partner with her boss to have a diverse set of potential candidates being interviewed for roles, leading to significant female representation. “Do this for other women” Nolis was nervous that a career in tech would be intimidating. A peptalk from her wife, who also works on the AI at T-Mobile team, changed her mind. “She is a data scientist. She’s a trans woman and she was socialized as a man. She sat me down and said, ‘You have to do this,’” says Nolis. “‘You have to do this for other women who don’t have this opportunity. You’re smart and strong and
capable and you can speak your mind.’” Nolis started out as an intern at T-Mobile. At the end of her interview for a full-time spot, she was offered the position. She had natural concerns that she’d be the only woman on the team at the time and she asked if she’d fit in. Her boss said it would be no problem, knowing that the plan was to continue increasing diversity across the organization. The proof was also in the recognition T-Mobile had received, including being voted onto several “best workplace for diversity” lists by its employees. Nolis encourages women to speak up and ask questions, especially during the hiring process. She also says that women should do their
research before accepting roles, asking questions like, “Is the company known for being diverse and inclusive? What is the evidence?” Empowering women Nolis knows how difficult it can be for women to feel that they have the exact skills to be in a technical role — often looking for a 100 percent match with what is on a job description, which can lessen options. When it comes to hiring, she and her team have found ways to quantify “soft” skills such as good communication and creativity, so that even those who don’t have a strong tech background can be considered. She’s grateful to work at T-Mobile, explaining the company is committed to empowering female
employees, with several Diversity & Inclusion networks — including the Women in Leadership and Pride & Allies networks — which attract over 24,000 employees. “It’s the safest I’ve ever felt expressing ideas,” she says. While she once worried the tech industry would be tough on her, she now thinks differently. “I thought I would be constantly looked down on,” she says. “What I immediately found was that the person being most critical of me, was me.” Finding support The software engineer is thriving due to the support of other women. Here’s an example: as a new hire, Nolis planned to attend a Lesbians Who Tech conference. She tweeted that she was going to pay her own way, until a female T-Mobile director saw the tweet and connected her to company resources who paid for her to attend. Nolis advises women in tech to look for companies that support them and to ask other females for help. “Almost every woman that you find is your fiercest advocate,” she says, concluding, “Women who have gone through the hard process want to give you a hand and make it as easy for you as possible.” Looking for a role in tech, head to the T-Mobile careers page and see what it’s like to join the Un-carrier! n Kristen Castillo MEDIAPLANET • 5
Let's Show Girls That STEM Is for Them Project Lead The Way is increasing female participation in STEM by inspiring girls at an early age. Here’s a look at what the organization is doing. We know students decide at an early age whether they are good at math and science. We also know if a student does not believe they are good at something, they are highly unlikely to pursue that subject area. That’s why we see that, while women make up half of the overall workforce, they make up less than a quarter of STEM workers. It’s an issue that begins much earlier than believed. Research on students’ self-efficacy in math and science subjects shows a startling reality: girls and boys begin developing gender stereotypes and self-selecting out of these subjects as early as second grade. By the time girls reach high school, they make up only 25 percent of students pursuing science and engineering pathways. Fostering curiosity That’s why we must inspire and engage all students at a young age in these subjects. Students come to school with the natural curiosity of an engineer or computer scientist, always asking “why?” and we must encourage them to pursue that learning. Providing these learning opportunities as early as pre-K helps students build confidence and interest that can have a lasting impact, but only if the experience is responsive to students’ backgrounds, cultural perspectives, traditions, and knowledge. To show girls that STEM is for them, programs should elicit and value students’ prior experiences, and give them a sense of belonging in the classroom. Encouraging students to work in groups to learn and value diverse perspectives, allowing student choice regarding relevant projects and problems, and providing all students with opportunities to contribute to the learning experience are critical to engaging more females in these subjects. By providing students with early access to these learning experiences, we empower them to thrive no matter what career path they choose. Students, such as Project Lead the Way Launch-student Addie, can then say with confidence, “When I think about my future, I am most excited because I can be ready for anything. Even though we don’t know exactly what that future will be like, we know that we will need to be prepared for it.” Dr. Vanessa Stratton, Vice President of Programs, Project Lead The Way 6 • EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM
How We Can Help More Students See Themselves in Computing Careers Computers have impacted every field. Computer science (CS), the discipline that makes computers possible, is no longer a nicety in American schools — it’s a requirement.
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his is especially true if we are serious about making modern education relevant in tandem with developing the 21st-century workforce. The STEM Education Act of 2015 explicitly includes CS in the definition of STEM. In 2016, former president Barack Obama announced the Computer Science for All Initiative, which expanded opportunities in CS across schools in our nation. Then in 2017, the Trump administration issued a memorandum directing the Department of Education to spend $200 million a year on grants that promote STEM — especially CS. All of this has resulted in 49 states now having policies that support CS education, according to Code.org. But even with the current push for integration in schools across the country, people are still unclear about CS, coding, how these subjects are taught, and how to recruit young women and others who are furthest from the opportunities afforded by careers in computing. We must be inclusive It is common for students
who don’t see CS as a viable option to miss out. A report by Google that explored diversity gaps in CS by the underrepresentation of girls, African Americans, and Hispanics suggested many of these students are less likely to be encouraged toward CS, have limited access to CS classes, and, as a result, lack interest. The report suggests that only when schools and educators understand the real challenges and obstacles affecting underrepresented students in CS, and intentionally practice equity in recruitment practices, will they significantly improve student retention and achievement. Exploring careers in CS Having students explore career opportunities by assuming various job roles through project work is a strategy I use for empowering all of my students. Because jobs in software development are a critical part of computing jobs, I dedicate several projects a year to ensure all of my students learn to use computational thinking to solve problems and experience what it is like to work on a software development team.
I do this by grouping my students on diverse teams of girls and boys, and ensure everyone has an opportunity to lead and to follow. On these teams, students learn the difference between the various roles that fall under software development (e.g., software engineer, software developer, and programmer/coder) by assuming each of the roles at least once per semester. These projects also call for in-depth exploration of both the salaries and schooling needed to obtain the jobs. I also frequently invite industry partners (both women and men) from diverse cultures and backgrounds to meet and mentor my students. I have found that connecting them to potential employers of diverse representation inspires, motivates, and fosters creativity for my students. This means better work in the classroom and many more of them seeing themselves fully capable of pursuing a computing career. n Jorge Valenzuela, Lead Educational Coach at Lifelong Learning Defined, Teacher at Old Dominion University, Active Member of the International Society for Technology in Education
Why a Curious Mind Can Be the Key to Working in Tech What area of STEM are you most passionate about?
Many exciting opportunities exist for women to work in the STEM fields; the key is igniting passions. We spoke to Clara Carleton, a computer science student at Simmons University in Boston, about what inspired her to pursue a career in tech.
I'm most passionate about computer science because there are so many ways to apply it. I have found that I can apply my artistic background into UI/UX development. I hope to explore more applications in my time left as an undergrad. Why is it important for more women to pursue careers in STEM? We need more women to pursue careers in STEM so women in
the future don't feel discouraged. At Simmons, I help organize our annual hackathon, SharkHack. We specifically focus on encouraging young women without a coding background to join. How do you hope to use your degree after graduation? This summer I worked at Affectiva, an emotion measurement software company. They are doing great work on in-cabin drowsiness detection; I was inspired by the passion people had for increasing driver safety. After I gradu-
ate, I want to be a part of the movement in technology for improving the world. What is the most rewarding aspect of being a part of this field? I really enjoy the problem-solving aspect of this field. Being able to see an issue, implement a solution, and see my work be successful is very rewarding. During my internship, my work was actually deployed to production. Knowing that people would use the work I had developed felt amazing. n
MEDIAPLANET • 7
How Three Women Found Success in the STEM Fields
First, acknowledge yourself when you run into an unfair situation. — Susan Landau
From grade school to grad school and beyond, one critical goal in STEM is to get more women involved. But, once a woman has landed that highly coveted job, how does she navigate a realm dominated primarily by men? How does she handle conflict and feelings of doubt? What are the keys to success?
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hree women who have had an extraordinary impact in the field of computing offered their advice on the age-old issue of gender relations. Here’s what they had to say: Rosalind Wright Picard Founder and Director, Affective Computing Research Group, MIT Media Lab First, assume the best in people. In particular, be patient with men who may need help feeling comfortable around you. Most of them want to see you succeed and want to do the right thing, but they often feel uncomfortable and don't know what they can do to help. For example, the next time one of them complains they are too busy or stressed, offer, "Hey, you're probably getting more 8 • EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM
invitations or responsibilities than you have time for. If you want to bounce some of those invitations my way, I can take them on." Christine Myachi Principal Systems Engineer and Architect, Xerox Corporation Believe in your abilities and hold your head high. Don't let anyone tell you you do not have ability. If you are still a student, find an open-source project you can contribute to — real-world projects are often more nuanced and complex than classwork. Companies will be impressed with your contribution. This is hard to do when you also have classwork, so find a project you are passionate about. One last tip: Try not to take things personally as the difficulty is often not about you.
Susan Landau Bridge Professor of Cybersecurity and Policy, Tufts University First, acknowledge yourself when you run into an unfair situation. Sometimes you need friends and colleagues to help you understand what happened (these can be friends of both genders). Sometimes you can confront the unfair situation, sometimes not. In the latter case, the cost may be too high to be worth it. But once you've done the acknowledgment — and the response if you have one — move on. Remember why you do what you do and focus on that. It's not always easy to get past an unfair situation, but, if you get stuck in anger and pain, they've won. If you move on and succeed, you've won. n Lori Cameron, Senior Writer, IEEE Computer Society, www.computer.org MEDIAPLANET
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Which educator had the greatest influence on your career aspirations and trajectory? Her name is Susan Bauer. Just before my senior year of high school, Mrs. Bauer, who was my math teacher, saw a demonstration of an Apple II+ computer at a conference and convinced our principal to buy some for our school. This was a big deal, because most families didn’t have computers at home yet. Mrs. Bauer had a feeling that technology was going to play an outsized role in shaping the future and she wanted to equip her students to be a part of that. Early exposure to computers changed everything for me. I ended up studying computer science in college and spent nine years working at Microsoft. And I don’t know if any of that would have happened if it weren’t for Mrs. Bauer. She was the first advocate for women in tech I ever knew. What would you tell today’s educators to help them ignite a passion for STEM subjects in the next generation of female innovators? The best educators understand that many, many girls are interested in STEM subjects — and many, many girls are really good at STEM subjects — but they get interested in them at different times and for different reasons. For example, because girls don’t always get the same early exposure to STEM that boys do, their interest tends to develop later. And while boys often get 10 • EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM
Microsoft’s Melinda Gates Wants to Inspire the Next Generation of Women in Tech
of society’s assumptions about what a successful technologist looks like. For women who find themselves as the only woman at the table (as many women in tech do) how would you recommend they go about garnering respect without compromising who they are?
PHOTO: COURTESY OF BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION ARCHIVE
Melinda Gates was one of the first women to make a splash in the tech world, leading development on some of Microsoft’s early flagship programs. Now she aims to inspire other young women to follow in her footsteps.
into tech through video games, girls are more likely to develop an interest in the subject when they see it as a way to solve realworld problems. So educators can help by introducing STEM to girls early, bringing these subjects to life, and by telling the girls in their classes, “Hey, I think you’d be good at this.” In the late 1980s, the tech industry was actually seeing increased gender diversity, with women comprising about 37 percent of computer science degrees. Now that number has dropped to around 19 percent. What happened?
A lot of things. For decades, companies used aptitude tests in their hiring that selected for a certain kind of mathematically minded male. They also marketed their computers to those same boys and men. Meanwhile, the media hammered home these male-centric stereotypes in movies, television, and video games, amplifying the myth of the male tech whiz. And that stereotype guided who companies recruited, hired, and built cultures around. But here’s the thing: I don’t think the next Bill Gates is going to look anything like the last one, and if we want to make sure we recognize her when we see her, it will require challenging some
The worst thing you can do is put a lot of pressure on yourself to fit in. I know because I’ve been there. During my first few years at Microsoft, I tried very hard to make myself less myself and more like the people around me. It’s no coincidence that that’s also when I considered quitting. What I learned is that I was much happier — and much more effective as a manager — when I found my own leadership style. My advice to anyone in that position today is this: You will succeed because of who you are, not in spite of it. And in the meantime, surround yourself with people who believe in you and will bring out the best in you. What is the benefit of gender parity in male-dominated industries, like tech, for that male-dominated majority? Why should they care? I think most people — men and women — want to be a part of making the world a better, more equal place. Just understanding that gender equality is a prerequisite for a better future makes them want to be a part of the solution. But the reality is that even a company that doesn’t necessarily consider equality a priority does care about results, and there’s a growing body of data demonstrating that diversity is strongly and positively associated with better corporate financial performance. So no matter what angle you’re coming from, there’s a strong case to be made for closing these gender gaps. n MEDIAPLANET
BARBARA MCCLINTOCK - BORN 1902 American scientist and cytogeneticist Barbara McClintock dedicated her life to the study of maize cytogenetics in a career that spanned over 60 years. Her breakthrough discovery of mobile genetic elements fundamentally changed our understanding of how genes work. She is just one of the many female scientists who have transformed the world we live in. They are trailblazers. Rule breakers. Pioneers. Adventurers. Icons. Today, Kelly supports amazing women around the globe as they discover WHAT’S NEXT for their work in Science. Championing a new generation of pioneering women as they get on with changing the world. ARE YOU READY TO MAKE YOUR MARK?
kellyservices.us/womeninscience
We Ask the Experts How Women Can Break Into STEM One of the biggest challenges in getting women to pursue STEM careers is a lack of role models telling them to pursue jobs in the field. We talked to four successful women in the industry who are ready to inspire the next generation.
Alicia McNett Assistant Professor of Computer Information Technology, Pennsylvania College of Technology
Sam Smith Vice President and Global Practice Lead, Life Science & Healthcare, Kelly Outsourcing and Consulting Group
Frances Ligler Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
How did you become involved in the sector and how do you recommend women break into the industry?
nical industries are looking for women who can get the job done — get that reputation and you will always have a job.
delivers beyond the abilities of a single person.
Alicia McNett: My first experience with a topic I love, programming, did not occur until college. Now there are many opportunities, from courses in school to online tutorials and summer camps. Everyone needs to start somewhere. Jump in. If you have the passion and skills, opportunities will find you.
Michelle G. Lee: I attended a professional development entitled “Teach Computer Science” thinking I was going to teach CS to my first-graders. It turned out to be a recruitment event! I loved it. I applied. Fellow women, your current skills transfer to teaching CS. Great orgs offer training — look for them and apply!
Sam Smith: Delivering talent in the scientific sector led me to my role supporting global FTSE 100 Life Science & Healthcare companies. I encourage women to follow their passion, embrace mentorship, and to map out their personal, educational, and/or skills route to achieve their goals. Frances Ligler: Biochemisty was fun; labwork was like cooking a new dish. I kept learning new fields to solve new problems and added management skills so I could decide priorities. Tech12 • EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM
What is the most formative piece of career advice you've received? AM: Keep going. Don't be afraid to push boundaries and to get out of your comfort zone. That's how we grow. And if we fail, we are wiser for the experience. SS: Focus on what you and others can do, along with the impact you have on others. The ultimate success of a business comes down to establishing the unique skills and strengths of individuals to drive collaboration that
FL: Find a job that includes work you enjoy — that is what you will be good at. And do not be afraid to tackle "hard problems." Even if it takes a long time to solve the problem, making a difference in other people's lives is very rewarding. ML: My colleague Lilliana Manzone said, “Put your oxygen mask on first!” We take care of ourselves so we can do the challenging, stimulating work we are capable of. For me, I dedicate screen-free time to take care of my body and mind, and nurture my personal relationships. Bonus points if we’re outdoors! How do you think an organization can benefit from more diversity of thought and talent? AM: We are creating technology for other people to improve lives. We need to better understand each other to do so. We cannot do this alone; we need
Michelle G. Lee Computer Science Content Specialist at San Francisco Unified School District, Awardee of the 2019 CSTA/ Infosys Foundation USA Awards for Teaching Excellence in Computer Science the insight, abilities, and experiences of others to help us grow and meet the needs of a constantly changing world. SS: Diversity of thought allows businesses to innovate, to develop new ideas, and to create room for what’s next. Science is a leading sector for diversity of thought, which can only be sustained through a highly inclusive and diverse approach to talent. FL: Diversity of gender and culture helps teams create policies, products, and processes that are relevant for a much broader spectrum of the population. I see the impact of diversity in the design of biomedical devices for sure. ML: My belief is organizations are healthiest when they are not only diverse in race, gender, and ability, but when they also reflect the lived experiences of the populations they wish to serve. There’s an empathy, camaraderie, and urgency to one’s work when it affects your friends, family, and neighbors. n
Women Are Becoming Less Interested in STEM — Let’s Change That According to multiple studies, female interest and participation in the fields of science, tech, engineering, and math are declining. Here’s how we can change that.
Complex problems demand creative solutions While STEM fields continue to produce life-changing innovations in response to these challenges, a lack of diversity may hold us back from even greater solutions that benefit everyone. The research paints a startling picture: though just as capable as their male counter-
parts in both math and science subjects, as they age, girls on average lose interest in pursuing a career in STEM. In fact, a 2019 study conducted by the research group Engine found that only 9 percent of girls between ages 13 and 17 were interested in a STEM career — down 11 percent from a similar survey conducted a year before. A recent
study by Microsoft found similar results and blamed the decline on a combination of negative stereotyping, peer pressure, and a lack of relatable role models. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects record STEM job creation into 2024, if current trends persist, women will continue to represent a mere fraction of this innovative
workforce. We can no longer accept the status quo. A better future Fortunately, recent research from Opportunity Insights provides an exciting solution to combating the lack of diversity in STEM. The nonprofit’s researchers found that while wide disparities in innovation exist by socioeconomic class, race, and gender, exposure to innovation at a young age can level the playing field. Promoting diverse STEM role models will help children not only discover their own potential, but also to see and respect their peers’ potential as well, creating an atmosphere of inclusivity and collaboration. While the effectiveness of relatable role models has long been promoted by educators, applying this same principle to STEM subjects is a novel approach to encouraging underrepresented groups to never give up on their dreams. n National Inventors Hall of Fame
o i n t v a o ibnen gins w i t h in clus ion
Inspire curiosity and confidence by connecting children with world-changing women. Partner with us to close the gender gap in STEM fields.
© 2019 National Inventors Hall of Fame®, Inc.
NIHF Inductee Frances Ligler, inventor of Portable Optical Biosensors, working with Camp Invention participants.
Empower future innovators at invent.org © 2019 National Inventors Hall of Fame , Inc. ®
MEDIAPLANET • 13
It’s Time for Businesses to Harness the Power of Diversity Success in science and engineering comes from fostering and exploring new ideas. Shouldn’t that make them the biggest advocates of diversity?
ot that long ago, the idea of workplace diversity was considered revolutionary, if not radical. Thankfully, years of progress have brought the concept into the mainstream. Yet old habits die hard. It's still far too easy to stave off diversity with the time-tested refrain, "But that's the way we've always done it." 14 • EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM
This tired mindset is especially perilous in the exacting realms of science, technology, engineering, and math. By definition, these fields are tasked with discovery and exploration. What better way to think outside the box than to involve the people who’ve been left out? Of course it can invite discomfort, but stress is often a catalyst for creativity in problem-solving and decision-making. Lessons learned Our ultimate goal must be “cognitive diversity,” the grand assembly of different perspectives and skills. We can only
reach this through a diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, experience, and geography. Examples abound show how a diverse team can identify and address issues that a look-alike, think-alike team might miss. For instance, countless lives of women and children have been saved after airbag engineers realized the mistake of basing the force of deployment on the size of the average adult male. Lives are also being improved and saved as medical and pharmaceutical researchers take into full account the differences in racial, gender, and ethnic physiology when designing clinical studies. Creating an inclusive environment in laboratories and classrooms is essential to activating cognitive diversity. It isn’t enough to just allow new voices into the conversation. To realize their value, these voices also need to be heard. Listening isn’t simply waiting for the last person to finish talking. The case for diversity Substantial research shows the economic benefit of an inclusive environment. Companies with ethnic and culturally diverse executives, boards, and rankand-file workers are 35 percent more likely to show profitability above their industry medians, according to a recent study. The data, compiled by the McKinsey Global Institute, was gathered from more than 350 companies across a range of industries in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the United Kingdom. A Credit Suisse study found that large businesses with women on the board outperformed those with men-only boards. Boards that included women had higher returns on net assets, lower debt-to-equity ratios, higher book value, and higher average net income growth.
The evidence is undeniable. Diversity works. Generational differences Studies also show the clock is ticking for those who resist diversity trends. There is now a large and expanding gap between how older generations and younger millennials define diversity and inclusion. Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers tend to consider workplace diversity in legal and moral terms, regardless of whether it benefits the bottom line. For them, it’s just a matter of fairness. Millennials, however, take a much broader view, according to another recent study by Deloitte and the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative. They consider diversity to be a necessary building block for innovation. To millennials, an inclusive culture — built on teamwork — is essential to staying competitive and growing financially. Surely the generations that follow will only amplify these views, and that means diversity is no longer simply an imperative for today. It is a requirement for the future. Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, is proud to honor aquatic scientist Ashanti Johnson of Fort Valley State University with Sigma Xi’s 2019 award for service to society. Johnson is a leader in facilitating science-related professional development experiences for students representing diverse backgrounds. She will be a plenary speaker at the 2019 Sigma Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference in Madison, Wisconsin this November to share effective strategies, what she has learned, and the work still left to be done for advancing diversity and inclusion in STEM. Visit www. sigmaxi.org for more. n Geraldine Richmond, President of Sigma Xi, Presidential Chair of Science, Professor of Chemistry, University of Oregon MEDIAPLANET
Women at Corning The Future is Here. The Future is Her.
Welcome to Corning. Where women are as strong as the glass they work with. Where safety glasses and lab coats will never go out of style. And where our recipe for redefining possibilities calls for a pinch of pushing the limits of glass. Strengthening glass and shattering barriers – she’s a science rule breaker. We’re proud of our female scientists, engineers, and working professionals and know they are shaping a brighter, clearer future. Hear some of their stories: www.corning.com/sheiscorning #SheIsCorning