What barriers do you see to closing the gender gap in STEM?
Culture is slow to change. In a field, an institution, or a company, culture is critical for retention. It is where we set the tone. Culture is reflected both in formal policies, as well as in team meetings and break room chats, and until concerted efforts are made to make organizational culture openly welcoming to women, the gender gap will persist. There have been recent strides made in recruiting girls to STEM subjects at an early age, but simply recruiting girls and women to join STEM fields is not enough. We also need a cultural shift, to commit to providing the tools and resources for girls and women to thrive in those fields.
What can be done to move women forward in STEM?
We cannot overestimate the importance of representation in leadership. At points throughout my career, I had the opportunity to see leaders who looked, in varied ways, like me. That representation and recognition is exceptionally empowering. We move women forward in STEM by ensuring that our leadership ranks reflect our workforce.
Describe your experiences as a woman in a STEM career.
My career in STEM began as a failed aerospace engineering major. I was the first in my family to pursue a bachelor’s degree and I did not have, or appreciate the importance of, mentors. I struggled with one aerospace class in particular. I happened to be the only woman in that class. Ultimately, I dropped the class and changed my major to civil engineering. I often wonder how my career might have unfolded with different resources.
After graduation, I worked as an airport engineer, designing airport improvement projects throughout the southwestern U.S. After a couple years, I went to law school, where my interests inevitably drew me to patent law. In both of those settings, I found myself one of only a handful of women—let alone women of color—in the proverbial room.
Over the years, I learned the importance of mentorship and I learned how to ask for help. I have been fortunate to find guidance, encouragement, and inspiration from many. I also learned the value of finding community with people who have had similar experiences. With those resources, I excelled. I found my home as an intellectual property litigator at Robins Kaplan.
