I don’t think many people will read this, but I have to get this off my chest, since it’s really been bothering me lately.
I’m studying computer science, working in research as a programmer/researcher and I really love what I’m doing. I love math, I love thinking logically, solving complex problems and writing scientific papers.
At the moment I’m thinking of continuing my work in research, get my doctorate and stay at my university (since I really enjoy teaching students as well and I got a job offering at a great institute where I can work on my PHD).
But what really drives me mad is that I hear from all sides “we need more woman in STEM fields”. I hear this every day at my workplace (we have a “Gender Task Force” now, which should encourage woman to work in research) and I technically wouldn’t have a problem with this, but it’s all coming from women who have no idea what this entails.
They studied things like sociology, social studies, journalism, communicology etc.
Don’t get me wrong: You can study whatever you want, but don’t tell me that this decision is wrong if other people come to it and not enough woman are in this field.
I feel like they’re saying: Oh, it’s okay that I studied sociology, but every other woman should study something in the STEM fields.
Oh why didn’t I study this? I hate math, and I’m so bad at it (laugh). This is not funny! You shouldn’t be proud that you’re bad at math!!
You want more woman to be in STEM? Go and study it yourself.
Want to get more woman in STEM research? Then go and get a degree that allows you to achieve this goal.
Don’t go and study whatever you want and then blame other woman for doing the same.
Getting rid of the stigma that if you’re a woman saying “oh math is so hard, I’m so bad at it” is okay, would be a beginning! It is not okay!
It shouldn’t be socially acceptable to say that math and science is horrible. This will discourage even more women of going into this field!
Maybe the 5th mail today at work and the second at my university-adress containing these subjects just drove me over the edge. Sometimes I hate people...
If you read this till the end: thank you. And I’m sorry for being negative, but I had to get this off my chest..