We’ve all heard the common myths why women aren’t in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers: young girls aren’t interested in such rigorous topics or women just don’t perform as well in them as men. Let’s be clear: None of those excuses are based in fact. The point still remains that women are largely underrepresented in these professions. Since 1990, STEM employment has increased by almost 80%, from 9.7 million to 17.3 million STEM jobs. While women comprise 47% of all workers in the U.S., they represent only 24% of the STEM workforce. The percentage of women in STEM is not equally spread out among the disciplines; while women make up three-quarters of the healthcare practitioners and technicians, there is still a shortage of women in other STEM careers, including engineering, computer, and physics.

This isn’t just a conversation for the women. It’s crucial that all people are included in the discussion of how to make STEM an achievable path for young girls and women. This guide discusses the gender divide, its contributing factors, and contains some available resources and college programs. Read the entire study here: