My Autoethnography: Women in Stem 

While society likes to think that since it is the 21st century and we have moved on from pretty closed minded thinking, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I could drown you out with all the faults of society, but that’s not interesting. Now women in science, maybe a somewhat less talked about topic. Since middle school I have always been interested in science, and how the mind and body worked. I always figure that my next step from highschool is probably studying science, and furthering my education. 

Being a freshman in college and just starting to grasp the bearing of the higher education world, the sense of community hasn’t yet set in. People seem to entrap themselves in a vicious cycle trying to survive until the next semester. It is hard to establish relationships and find a connection to somebody who relates to you. While you can actively hate the internet, its purpose is to communicate. Many women tell the story of what it’s like working as a scientist, and the insecurities and unfairness they receive from their male colleagues.

When investigating events, it was hard to find events to connect to other women . The event I attended took a while searching for, and I wasn’t looking forward to waking up at 5am after having the closing shift, but it was worth it. 

I found myself waking up at 5am in the morning on a sunday, to attend a virtual event about women in stem, and different opportunities for women in this field. Even though I was tired, this event was exciting for me. It was about an hour long event. 

At 5am my alarm went blaring off, what an offsetting noise. While my mind woke from its slumber, I immediately remembered that I had an online event at 6 am. I got up, brushed my teeth and sat on my desk to get prepared for the morning. At 5:30 I went to my email, and looked up the link for the event, it wasn’t until like 5:45 that I joined the event. At the event there was only 30-40 participants 

There were three presenters in the whole meeting. I definitely found it ironic that the only guy in the entire meeting was the main presenter of the event. He was the one who managed and coordinated the event. He spoke a little about why he wanted to make this event and why it was important for him. After a couple minutes of words and appreciation for everyone who helped him, he left the ‘floor’ open for women to talk about their experiences and what they helped get out of the presentation. My favorite story was definitely one about a woman in Pakistan, not a country notable for its civil rights for women. She told the story of how her family really fought for her to receive an education, and how unlike the women in the family, she was able to receive higher education and was able to complete a masters degree. At that moment, I felt bad for complaining about school, what somebody might consider a waste of time, for others it might be their only chance of ever furthering their lives, and receiving better opportunities. In countries like those getting a degree is significantly harder, and women like that demonstrate that women also belong in society equally as men. 

While there is still blatant sexism in the STEM community, this event represented hope that a lot of women hold for the future. More and more opportunities are made each year for women to progress their careers, and become important leaders. “The Persistence of Gender-Blind phenomena in India Science Academia” It shows that women even in third world countries are now more than ever participating in the STEM community. “The enrolment of girls in higher education increased from 39% to 46% from 2007 to 2014, but female participation in India’s labor force declined to a low of 27% in 2014 from 34% in 1999, according to a 2015 study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Almost 12 million women are enrolled in undergraduate courses.” (Shukla tanu, et al) Even though women go through alot in their career, there have been improvements in equality, more and more women are pursuing careers in higher institutions and attending college. This has been possible through inclusivity and having programs exclusive to women. 

Unfortunately there is no doubt that there is inequality among women in the stem community, it must also be important to note that there is a difference in treatment between white women and women of color. While the event showed promise for a lot of women of color. There is an alarming difference of opportunities for women of color. Time magazine reports “A racial pay gap also persists in medicine, the report finds. Average income for a white doctor is $319,000, compared to $303,000 for Hispanic and Latino doctors, $300,000 for Asian doctors and $281,000 for black doctors.” (Ducharme). The disparity shows that not only does sex play a part, so does race. Women of color in science have even more difficulties than their white counterpoint. 

Growing up in a city where most of my peers were people of color. I never really experienced being the other, and I was lucky in that sense. But it is definitely encouraging when a lot of my peers who further along in their careers are often male, and or white. While writing about my topic it really made me think about how my situation might be different if maybe I was male, or white, or even of a higher tax bracket. While this may sound morbid it is the unfortunate truth that women face, and something that I question everyday. What would happen If I was rich? What would happen if I was male? Would my life be the same, would I still have to work as hard.

Being a woman in a stem is not easy, history will continue to prove that time and time again. What we are responsible as human is to talk about the discrimination and hardships that women face in these careers, this is needed  order to make change feasible. More women deserve credibility, and recognition for what they did.

Works Cited 

Ducharme, Jamie. “The Gender Pay Gap for Doctors Is Getting Worse. Here’s What Women Make Compared to Men.” Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2019, time.com/5566602/doctor-pay-gap/.

Shukla, Tanu, et al. “The Persistence of Gender-Blind Phenomena in Indian Science Academia.” Journal of International Women’s Studies, vol. 24, no. 1, July 2022, p. 1AE. Gale Academic OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A712572284/AONE?u=cuny_ccny&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=c868611e. Accessed 9 Nov. 2022.

My interview was an old high school teacher of mine who has worked in research.

Interview Transcript

1.What is your specialty in your field?

In my field now, I am a science teacher who specializes in the living sciences. Previously, I was a wildlife technician.

2. How did you get involved in your career, and how did you know you wanted to do more in that field?

I realized when I was traveling interstate, and to other countries, one of my favorite aspects of working with animals was teaching others about the things I was so passionate about. 

3.What kind of research have you conducted?

In no particular order: 

-Spotted salamander research in NH

-Goshawk population survey in AK

-Small mammal population density in relation to climate change – Alaskan Arctic 

-Tuatara translocation success- New Zealand 

-Nutrition in dairy cows – NH

4.What was your undergrad like, did you like your classes, what obstacles did you face. ?

My undergrad program was in the natural resources field, which landed me my wildlife and conservation biology degree. While I loved all of the classes that revolved around being outside, hiking, and doing population surveys, the school itself left much to be wanted. The university of New Hampshire is many things, and unsafe is one of them. The obstacles I faced from culture shock, socioeconomic disparities, and the campus culture were all presented as obstacles on top of the rigors of higher education. 

5.What experiences or opportunities did you receive as an undergrad? Do you think you were fortunate in finding opportunities?

I found more opportunities than many of my fellow undergrads due to getting the proverbial foot in the door. After my first stint in Alaska, I not only had less trouble looking for jobs, more call backs, and job offers looking for me. This benefit came after I applied to well over 50 jobs in the span of 3 months looking for just one person to give me a shot. Due to someone quitting at the last minute in Ketchikan, I received a call back and was told I had 2 weeks to get to Alaska. 

6.What kind of opportunities did you receive after leaving school?

After leaving school, I was not offered many opportunities due to a global pandemic shutting down most of the wildlife industries. I worked doing shorebird research for a time, before finding my way into teaching.

7.How hard was it finding research opportunities?

Finding research opportunities is difficult if you have no experience. All labs want someone with a lot of experience, and few projects are willing to teach someone to fulfil the position that is vacant. 

8.Have you found it hard to put your name in the stem field?

The STEM field is inherently difficult, and while my name is not out there in terms of infamous research, I have never wanted that. I, personally, am more fulfilled working on projects and contributing to the greater good/what I find important than making a name for myself. 

9.Do you think that it’s been harder to find people to take you seriously, and your work?

As someone who is younger and plus-size, many people do not take my experience at face value. People simply don’t believe that I have done data collection internationally before I turned 22, and my physical appearance leads people to have some predisposed prejudice thinking I am not physically fit, and not able to do intense backcountry research. As a teacher, older teachers often refuse newer methods, or creative ideas, dismissing my joy to work as something fleeting. 

10.As a teacher, how do you try to find your students opportunities,

Finding student opportunities can be difficult, but networking with other teachers has proven to be the best option to find students whatever they need. 

11.How has it been working with peers during your time doing research?

Differing personalities often make for difficult work, and the ability to compromise has been the key to working well with my peers. 

12Did you ever find yourself doubting your work, or research?

I doubt myself constantly, but fleetingly. Long enough to be determined to create change, and make sure I can improve my methods, but not long enough to get down and discouraged.