The number of women in STEM careers is increasing—and you could be the next person to add to that number. The U.S. Census Bureau states that the female population in the STEM workforce increased from 8% in 1970 to 27% in 2019. While women are still underrepresented in STEM occupations, the bureau notes that professionals are starting to achieve greater equality in rising STEM careers for females, like social science, mathematics, and life and physical science occupations.
Through your persistence, you can help in closing the gender gap in STEM jobs. So if you want an extra push to secure your dream STEM career, here are some strategies that can help you achieve your goal:
Build your skills and experience for your preferred STEM jobs
Your college degree may be enough for entry-level STEM jobs, but you’ll have to build up your knowledge if you want to pursue more advanced roles. After all, a study made by researchers from the University of California-San Diego revealed that more than half of STEM graduates who work within the industry continue to invest in their skills-related training. About 40% of these professionals are still training after 40 years, making it critical for you to take up educational opportunities that are related to your dream career.
Aside from investing in your knowledge, you must also build up your work experience in the industry you prefer. You can start by taking internship programs or part-time jobs that can help you qualify for entry-level or advanced positions over time.
Create a resume that highlights your STEM competencies
The efforts you poured into your education and work experience will be worth it once you’re able to build an impressive resume. This document summarizes your credentials, which is why you have to update it regularly as you look for opportunities in STEM careers for females.
It’s also crucial that you know how to present yourself in your resume. The Balance shares that writing resume objectives that are aligned with your skills and experience can convince your employers that you know what you want and that you’re very interested in this STEM career path. You’ll have to ensure that the resume objectives match the position that you’re applying for by being specific about them, using keywords from the job listing, and focusing on how you can add value to the organization.
Learn how to craft an email cover letter for your dream role
Once you find an organization that you like, you will attach your resume to an email cover letter that will be sent to your prospective employer. Your email cover letter will be your first touchpoint with the organization, making it critical for you to write an impressive letter.
You can make a good first impression by following the email cover letter samples by LHH, which shows how you can explain your intention to apply, summarize your skills and experience, and include a call to action. You can even list down your qualifications to emphasize that you’re the right fit for this STEM career opportunity. By including these details, you can capture the attention of your prospective employer and move forward to the next step in the application process.
Find mentors who can guide you through the process
It’s very difficult to get into STEM careers for females. So if you’re pursuing a specific career path or simply finding it difficult to get a headstart, you will benefit from finding a reliable mentor.
Our article entitled ‘Gender Gap in Academia: The Challenges It Presents’ highlights that becoming the mentee of senior female professionals in the industry will help you get the guidance and support that you need for your career. Your mentor can also be a source of networking opportunities because they can connect you with key contacts and resources. Through the mentorship and networking opportunity, it will be easier to make the right choices for your dream STEM career.
Yes, girls can definitely get into their dream STEM jobs. To secure your dream STEM career, invest in your professional development and present your credentials in an impressive manner.
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