STEM Fields                                                                                                       

Nationally and locally, fewer women obtain STEM-related college degrees and work in STEM-related occupations, and they leave STEM careers once employed at disproportionate rates compared to men. Because of this, the US and Utah STEM workforce remains predominantly male. The STEM Fields spoke focuses on strengthening the interest in and economic impact of women in science, technology, engineering, and math by focusing on sustainable strategies, initiatives, and programs at every stage of the talent pipeline from K-12 schools to the boardroom. The entities and individuals aligned with this spoke are interested in creating classrooms (K-12 to higher education) and workplace environments focused on inclusivity and high performance. Currently women make up approximately 27% of national STEM workers but only 21% in Utah. To learn more, listen to the spoke leaders discuss the work on this 15-minute podcast.

Spoke Leaders

Bold Vision & Goals

To make Utah a place where more girls and women can thrive, the STEM Fields spoke leaders and partners have crafted the vision and goals below. Spoke leadership and UWLP team members are currently working to collect baseline data that will assist in adding numbers to the changes we want to see by 2026 and 2030.

Vision: Ensure that all Utah girls and women have a choice to pursue career opportunities in STEM or other nontraditional female fields.

Goals: 

1. Increase the percentage of women earning advanced STEM degrees or certificates by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030. [Metric]
2. Increase the percentage of women faculty in STEM programs at Utah public universities and technology colleges by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030. [Metric Forthcoming]
3. Increase the percentage of women taking entry level positions in STEM occupations by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030. [Metric Forthcoming]
4. Increase the number of women being promoted in STEM occupations by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030. [Metric Forthcoming]
5. Increase the number of women in management roles in STEM occupations by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030. [Metric Forthcoming]
6. Increase the number of women in executive positions in STEM occupations or companies in the STEM industry by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030. [Metric Forthcoming]
7. Change Utahns’ agreement (understanding and perceptions) in the following areas: [Metric Dashboard]
   1. Women can be successful in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) jobs in Utah. [Increase agreement by 5% by 2026 and 10% by 2030]
   2. We don’t need more women in STEM fields in Utah. [Decrease agreement by 10% by 2026 and 20% by 2030]
   3. STEM jobs are not more difficult than jobs in other industries in Utah. [Increase women’s agreement by 10% by 2026 and 20% by 2030]
   4. Women can successfully advance their careers in STEM industries in Utah. [Increase agreement by 10% by 2026 and 20% by 2030]

Thriving Statement: Women and girls thrive when they believe in their inherent ability, have the choice to pursue career opportunities in STEM or other nontraditional female fields, and can do so successfully. 

Partners

Working Groups

• Manufacturing: Tulinda Larsen (President, Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Initiative),  Megan Ware (Senior Director of Workforce Development, Utah Manufacturers Association)

• STEM Education: Daniel Horns, Ph.D. (Dean, College of Science, Utah Valley University)