A Woman in STEM: A University Undergraduate Perspective
I recently had the honor of being nominated as one of the Top 18 Girls in Tech in Singapore’s 100 Women In Tech List 2021.
The Gender Gap in terms of representation in the STEM industry
There exists a gender gap in the tech industry in terms of representation and pay, and statistics across the globe support this statement. Multiple organizations and communities have acknowledged this gap and are working hard to bridge it. In the latest statistics from Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and SG Women in Tech, as of September 2021, Singapore has one of the highest proportions of women in the tech workforce in Southeast Asia. Women currently make up 41% of the tech workforce, surpassing the global average of 28%. While Singapore is on the right track, there is still a long way to go.
In conversations I had with professionals about this topic, we felt that our implicit bias could be a possible reason why this gender gap is occurring. As Ali Colwell puts it, there are microaggressions persisting in tech company offices and frustratingly, it is hard to call them out exactly. For example, an analysis found that female engineers face 35% more rejections of their code. Females may also not feel supported or encouraged by their team due to the lack of gender representation in their teams. The lack of role models and stereotypes about women’s work performance brings a damaging effect to the image of STEM that young girls see.
What can we do about this?
We need to take necessary steps to tackle the implicit bias as a diverse and inclusive workforce can bring about a strong, positive impact on society. With a better representation of marginalized (females and underrepresented) groups, we can design inclusive technological solutions that provide overall social well-being. Rather than using empathy to create accessible solutions for the people in mind, we need to include the people and use compassion to effectively design solutions that realize the needs of the target community.
One possible way I can think we can tackle the implicit bias is through education. Personally, with my computer science degree, I have started to see how I can use technology for social good. With proper education on inclusive, humane technology, we can equip the younger generation with the knowledge and skills, irrespective of gender. We need to work on improving the image young girls have of STEM and educate them about the impacts they can bring with a career in STEM to motivate them to join STEM.
Every one of us can play a part to help our own selves and our peers explore deeper into tech: learn from the professional stories, take up a new skill, share your learnings, mentor a fresh individual.
As I enter the workforce, I look forward to contributing to the tech community. In the National Engineers Day 2021 event supported by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE@SG), I share my experiences in tech and university education to motivate the new generation of girls into STEM.
Advice for female students who are keen to enter STEM
From afar, STEM can seem very daunting. However, don’t be deterred about the stereotypical view of STEM being “too difficult”. The harsh truth is that no working industry is straightforward.
Yet, tech — and I cannot stress this enough — is such a DYNAMIC field. In this age of automation, there are always new technologies and trends that surface. STEM gives a window of opportunity for you to gain new access to new skills and lifelong learning.
Don’t be afraid to dip your toes in the water and explore, ask questions, and figure out what interests you and what you are truly passionate about in the field. You just need to have the motivation to learn and a supportive community, and you can achieve anything. Everything that you will learn from the various aspects of this field, will stick with you for life — especially the analytical, critical, and soft skills which are applicable to any industry globally.
What you can do as a first step is to attend events covering topics about STEM, and perhaps even reach out to a university student like me and hear about their experiences from their major of study.
With the continuous support of an empowering mentor, along with your passion, you can find your place in STEM.
My journey with Women In Tech@NTU
Women In Tech @ NTU’s vision is to allow for a platform where our fellow female peers, who are passionate about tech and want to get into tech regardless of their major, get the opportunities and also get to connect with like-minded students, forging a collaborative environment of sharing and learning. Started in August 2019, this community has now grown to 812 followers on LinkedIn.
During the circuit breaker in 2020 (as an interest group) the team organized a virtual Product Management mentorship program in collaboration with Rakuten involving 35 mentees and 7 mentors. Additionally, the team also collaborated with AWS Education Programs to cover virtual weekly sessions on topics ranging from Cloud 101, Software Development, Data Management, Machine Learning, and Cyber Security, gaining the participation of over 1,500 individuals. Since August 2020, as an NTU-accredited club, the team held 10 virtual events covering topics such as Product Management, Machine Learning, UIUX, and more, with 15 industry partners, reaching around 500 participants. Now, WIT@NTU is reaching its third year running as a student-led women-in-tech initiative for undergraduates.
WIT@NTU has shaped me in three ways: as an individual, as a leader, and as someone who is part of a community.
In terms of personal growth, WIT@NTU has changed my view of myself. I used to perceive myself as someone who is very reserved, especially in a professional setting. In my first ever networking event, in a room full of experienced working professionals, I stood in the corner and was extremely shy to start a conversation. Today, I stand as a more confident individual who is not afraid to approach others or start a conversation. I have realized the importance of networking and I am much more self-assured about my ability to add value to a discussion or just simply ask my peers about their stories and experiences.
It is extremely important to have a vision and mission for the cause, and it is even more important to know how to lead your team towards that vision. As a co-founder, I also understood what type of leader I wanted to be, specifically what kind of coaching style works for me and my team. I had an opportunity to be a part of the NTU Student Leadership Development Program, which truly left me more empowered as a leader. By adopting a coaching leadership approach, I was able to encourage my team to not only approach challenges in a collaborative manner but also take ownership of their contributions and take on small initiatives and projects on their own. I think this mentorship-style leadership has worked out beautifully for WIT@NTU, so much so that the current team is also using this approach to drive the initiative forward.
WIT@NTU has also changed my sense of community. By creating this initiative, I was able to bring together a supportive and empowered community that truly inspires others through a collaborative, supportive, and nurturing environment. I have met amazing mentors who have supported me in this journey and given me advice that has guided me in my journey thus far. I’m extremely proud of my entire team and what we’ve accomplished at WIT@NTU.
Breaking down stereotypes about females in STEM
STEM fields are often perceived as male-dominated industry. There has been data that shows teachers and parents often underestimate the potential girls may have in this field, as early as their preschool days. Girls are pushed towards English and the arts, while boys are pushed towards maths and science. I think the community has become too comfortable in a backwards way of thinking, where everybody, even females themselves, are deterring themselves from joining the industry as they assume it to be “too difficult” or “nerdy” or “boring”. But I think it is high time we open our eyes and take a look around.
It’s true, girls don’t actually have a realistic image of STEM and what the field might entail due to a lack of female role models in the industry. But a lack does not equate to none. Females need to be proactive and confident in their ability to provide value. By networking and reaching out to professional women leaders, girls can learn about their experiences, stories and even identify their career aspirations.
As the industry changes and modernizes to become more inclusive and diverse, females also need to step up and create an opportunity for themselves. With the continuous support of an empowering mentor, along with your passion, you can find your place in STEM.