Gender balance and science

Career paths

Sir, – I understand from Prof Pat O’Connor’s opinion article (May 27th) that we have an advisory group on gender balance in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem).

Do we have similar advisory groups for such career areas as teaching, nursing and others dominated by women? – Yours, etc,

PAUL WILLIAMS,

Kilkee,

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Co Clare.

Sir, – Prof Pat O’Connor’s article considers only academic Stem career paths. An academic career would be a minority in any focus area.

As a female engineer, I think it is important to point out there are many options for Stem students, of any gender, outside of academia.

At a recent engineering expo in Limerick, there were more than 50 engineering companies present who would hire engineering, science, computing and mathematics graduates.

Just because there are issues that need to be addressed in the progress of women through academia, an issue which is not restricted to Stem, is not sufficient reason to question whether girls should be encouraged into an exciting, challenging and fulfilling Stem career. Instead we should continue to make them aware of the many, many career paths available to them.

As well as continuing to address the broader difficulties facing women throughout their careers, such as unconscious bias, unequal division of labour in the home and unaffordable childcare. These are issues facing all women working outside the home, not just those in Stem. – Is mise,

KATE O’RIORDAN,

Clarina,

Limerick.

As a female engineer, I think it is important to point out there are many options for Stem students, of any gender, outside of academia.

At a recent engineering expo in Limerick, there were more than 50 engineering companies present who would hire engineering, science, computing and mathematics graduates.

Just because there are issues that need to be addressed in the progress of women through academia, an issue which is not restricted to Stem, is not <NO1>a<NO>sufficient reason to question whether girls should be encouraged into an exciting, challenging and fulfilling Stem career. Instead we should continue to make them aware of the many many career paths available to them.

As well as continuing to address the broader difficulties facing women throughout their careers, such as unconscious bias, unequal division of labour in the home <NO1>&<NO>and unaffordable childcare. These are issues facing all women working outside the home, not just those in Stem. – Is mise,

KATE O’RIORDAN,

Clarina,

Limerick.