Gender Imbalance Seen In Science And Tech Fields

Published November 13, 2014 at 12:13 PM PST

Houston, we have a problem.

Science, engineering and technology (SET) fields offer some of the most ground-breaking -- albeit challenging -- jobs in the world. Although the work itself is constantly evolving, SET fields are stuck in the mud when it comes to the number of women it sees employed.

While many forward-thinking companies across the nation and the world do recognize the pool of talent women represent, they are still nonetheless underrepresented. A 2011 report by the U.S. Department of Commerce found only one in seven engineers is female. Likewise, women hold only 27 percent of all computer science jobs.

Nevada’s tech industry is growing faster than the national average, with major gets such as the Tesla Motors battery factory and Apex, a sprawling industrial park, which promise to generate close to 60,000 new jobs. Many have wondered whether the state has enough qualified candidates to fit the job descriptions, and whether Nevada can produce a diversified industry.

So the question is not only whether the state produces enough candidates to work in the fields but is our industry diversified enough to succeed?

The Center for Talent and Innovation released a new report this year, which examines acceleration of female talent in Science, Engineering and Technology.

GUESTS

Maria Ramos, UNLV’s PhD Student, Mechanical Engineering

Carmen Vallin , UNLV’s PhD Student, Microbiology

Laura Sherbin , Executive Vice President and a Director of research at the Center for Talent and Innovation