Decoding Opportunity: Why Latina Women Should Study STEM
The future continues to rely on people working in STEM to build the future of innovation and life. As I learn more about this world, it fascinates me how much STEM contributes to our growing world today, and will continue to for years to come. Participating in programs like TECH360, TechFlex Leaders and Girls Who Code, gave me an insight into what the STEM world truly consists of. Through these programs, I learned the value of skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, creativity and constant curiosity. These ways of thinking are the key to solving complex issues in the world.
In the summer of 2021, after learning to adjust to the world after the pandemic,, I was able to join The Girls Who Code program where I first learned HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In the GWC program, I was able to enhance my computer science skills and learned to code through real-world hands-on projects in art, storytelling, robotics, video games, websites, and apps. I created personality quizzes and a personal website using CSS, HTML, and Javascript. Then, participated in weekly workshops hosted by Johnson & Johnson on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, VR experience, and college readiness. These experiences were the building blocks for my love of STEM. I was attracted to the critical thinking skills needed to find bugs within code and the process of creating user friendly designs for websites, which kept me thinking creatively and innovatively. As the technological world continues to develop, I am eager to see what comes next within the coding field.
This opened the door for opportunity and exposure to the STEM field as a young Latina woman. I learned what it means to be a woman in STEM, including, coming out of your comfort zone, learning how to say “no”, being a trailblazer and learning new ways to go about the workforce as well as opportunities given to you. As a result, I continued my search for improving my coding skills and finding women who were already in the workforce that I could speak to.
During my exploration of interviewing women trailbailers and building my coding skills, I was confronted with the harsh reality of how few Latina women are in these industries. Even with my increasing knowledge of the industry and ability to think critically, reality eventually caught up with me. I learned how much Latina women are often underrepresented in these important fields that directly impact our world. According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW) “women make up only 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and men vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM fields in college.” But, an even lower percentage for Latina women where “only 8% of Hispanics are in the STEM fields, and ONLY 3% of these are females in STEM” according to All Together.SWE.org. It was unfortunate to see such qualified and empowering Latina women talk about their encounters with individuals who saw them as incompatible with their skills. It was an eye opening experience and one I don't take for granted. Despite this, I didn't see this as a barrier to my success, but rather as a motivator for me to continue in the STEM field and change it for the better. Having seen this, I knew it was time to try to shift this narrative and empower more women who look like me in the field, to make a difference and impact the STEM field. Hoping to one day, add to that small percentage of Latina women in these positions and be a step closer to breaking the cycle.
With the help of Sadie Nash’s ELLA Fellowship, I was able to find a way to push this idea of supporting more Latina women in the STEM field and exposing younger generations to explore it more. My project, Decoding Opportunity: Why Latina Women Should Study STEM, introduces young women to the benefits of entering STEM to create an inclusive and diverse set of young women in the field. Exposing younger generations to STEM is vital because the younger that you are exposed to something, the more likely you are to pursue it in the future. In the article Latinas in STEM: Making Bright Futures a Reality, Mónica I. Feliú-Mójer explains the importance of exposing young children to these fields and how it allows them to have bright futures and not be limited to what they see within their family or community. Having seen this firsthand, I've realized the immense importance of exposure to STEM fields, especially when STEM careers are not commonly seen within one's own family. This can inspire interest and build confidence in pursuing STEM careers. Without role models or examples within the family, it can be challenging to envision a future in these fields. Exposure to STEM education and professionals can bridge this gap, providing the necessary encouragement and resources to explore and succeed in these areas. I wished someone had told me more about the STEM field when I was younger because of the opportunities it would have created for my own personal and professional growth. After coding my first website, it truly changed my perspective of what a career looked like to me and helped me better understand what I loved and enjoyed most.
Building a story through the screen created an outlet for me and one that I would like to share with other young Latina women aspiring to have a STEM career. Having a support system like my sisters who encouraged exploration and supported me through my journey, has helped me push past the obstacles and encouraged me to be the best version of myself. I hope to not only expose young Latina women to the STEM field, but also to their capabilities and to a community they can lean onto for advice. Additionally, expanding the presence of marginalized communities like Latina women in STEM fields can result in enhanced scientific and financial achievements. Broadening of diversity within the workforce, can lead to a wealth of perspectives and innovative ideas that can impart a competitive advantage upon organizations.
Ultimately, I hope my experience and passion for STEM has inspired at least one person who feels discouraged about pursuing a STEM career or who doesn't know where to start. Below, you'll find a list of opportunities available for those eager to explore the STEM field further and contribute to increasing the representation of women in these roles. If you have any questions about women in STEM, my experiences, or any general inquiries, feel free to contact me on my Linkedin.
Explore STEM Resources/Opportunities:
Additional articles related to Women In STEM:
VALENTINA GARCIA MARTES
(she/her)
Valentina is a recent grad from The Urban Assembly for Leadership and Empowerment. She is deeply passionate about the field of STEM, with a specific focus on computer science and web development. Over the years, she has had the privilege of participating in several coding programs, such as Girls Who Code, Kode With Klossy, TechFlex Leaders and Tech360, as well as prestigious academic initiatives like the University of Michigan’s Math & Science Scholars program and Columbia University’s Youth In STEM program. As part of the ELLA fellowship, she is developing a social justice project inviting Latina women to learn more about the STEM field as a potential career. She is eager to pursue her passion further at New York University, where she plans to major in computer science. 💜