Celebrating Women, Girls in science
By LIZBETH ZAMBRANO, Opinions Co-Editor
In an effort to address gender inequalities women face going into STEM fields, global organizations recognize today as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Studies similar to a report on statista.com show that the percentage of women pursuing STEM degrees continues to be lower than the percentage of men, however there are many women on campus who are pursuing their interests in scientific fields with hopes to advance into careers in STEM fields.
Those interests often began early. “My interest in science started in 7th grade biology,” said Junior Emily Cruz. “I was pulled to learn more about how the human body works and possible careers I could have that include science. I hope to go pre-med after high school.”
Another student who has always known she wants to go into a medical field is Sophomore Anna Li. “My interest in science began when I was around 11 years old,” said Li. “I have pursued my interest in science [by]… actively learning in science classes, to decide to take more science related classes in high school, and to go outdoors and enjoy the environment.”
Other students have found themselves looking at STEM fields and working to gain as much hands-on experience as possible. “I have pursued my interest in science in the medical field by taking classes,” said Senior Joanna Ibarra, “and before the COVID crisis I was volunteering at a small clinic to help organize their paperwork. I hope to pursue the science in the medical field by studying to become a pediatric nurse and earning a bachelor of science in nursing to work at a children’s hospital, helping children in need.”
But with those hopes to enter the medical field often come fears, sometimes based on the statistics about people like them, but also from some of the challenges they know they will face. “I feel like it’d be difficult to be pre-med as a girl and a daughter of immigrants,” said Cruz, “because I’d have to try twice as hard to get to where I want to be. I just hope that I can get myself together to get where I want to be.”