What can be done to increase diversity in STEAM fields?
Awareness and exposure to the career options available earlier in education. Specialized skills, like those you’ll find in finance, technology, AI, and other STEAM careers, often have wonderful high school- and college-level programs that are pipelines to success in these careers, but women need to be exposed to these options early, to develop the interest and skills necessary for success.
How is the world changing with respect to STEAM?
I think AI presents an interesting moment for all the STEAM industries. In order to build AI solutions that are responsible and make a positive impact, we need a wide range of perspectives, people, and communities around the table. You don’t need to be a data scientist to work in AI, and I anticipate this area will need a wider range of skill sets and empathetic leaders in the years to come.
What can be done to move women forward in STEAM?
When hiring within STEAM industries, I think we can do a better job identifying skill sets that can be applied laterally to STEAM careers, rather than seeking resumes that check every technical box. Curiosity and potential to learn are more important over time than knowing one specific coding language or subject area, and we can more effectively encourage creative approaches to technical problem-solving when we have diverse perspectives around the table.
