The Significance of STEM and simpleQuE

There are many benefits to attending conferences within our evolving industry. From networking with professionals to gaining knowledge on trending topics, it is pertinent we remain the leaders in providing effective management solutions that make certification obtainable and sustainable.

SimpleQuE’s  Marketing Manager, Shirley Kennedy, attended the Women in Science and Engineering Symposium in August 2015, presented by The Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida. With engineers comprising the second-largest STEM occupational group – but only one out of every seven engineers being female – the conference emphasized the need for increased diversity. Focusing on ways to motivate, mentor and inspire diversity in the workforce and military, the event taught attendees how to establish a culture of openness, trust and inclusion to overcome barriers.

Women in STEM – By The Numbers

• Women make up 48 percent of the U.S. workforce but only 24 percent are in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) professions.
• Half as many women are working in STEM jobs as one might expect if gender representation in STEM professions mirrored the overall workforce. This has been the case throughout the past decade, even as college educated women have increased their share of the overall workforce.
• Women with STEM jobs earned 33 percent more than comparable women in non-STEM jobs – considerably higher than the STEM premium for men.
• The gender wage gap is smaller in STEM jobs than in non-STEM jobs.
• Women hold a disproportionately low share of STEM undergraduate degrees, particularly in engineering.
• Women with a STEM degree are still less likely than their male counterparts to work in a STEM occupation; they are more likely to work in education or healthcare.

Do Your Part for STEM

“There are commercial and competitive advantages for organizations that have a diverse workforce – new perspectives, diversity of thought, skills and experience. We need to encourage women to enter the STEM professions,” Kennedy said. Close to half of simpleQuE’s consultants and our Executive Vice President\COO are women with engineering and/or manufacturing backgrounds.  Read more about Women in Engineering and our team of engineers.

The key takeaway from this Women in Science and Engineering Symposium, according to Kennedy, is simple: Encourage and mentor young people, especially girls, to study one or more of the STEM fields at an early age, while they’re in school. Not only will it be beneficial to their future, it will be beneficial to the future of our industries.

SimpleQuE is a leader in AS, IATF and ISO consulting, auditing and training.  Contact us to schedule a consult with one of our subject matter experts and see the difference that our experts can bring to your quality management process.