According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) are expanding faster and pay better than other careers. STEM opportunities abound in Utah, one of the top 10 states for tech job growth, net tech employment concentration, and net tech employment job gains in 2020. Yet, despite the abundance of STEM opportunities, Salt Lake City was ranked 43rd among other metro areas for “STEM-Friendliness,” a metric that, in part, considers the gender disparity in STEM field occupations and degrees. 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. Hence, the US and Utah STEM workforce remains predominately male.

Recently, the Utah Women & Leadership Project published a research snapshot on Utah women and STEM. The report explored first, current STEM employment data; second, possible reasons for the STEM gender gap; and third, ongoing efforts to increase diverse participation and success in STEM fields. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project, is joined by Rebecca Winkel, lead author on the report and Senior Economic Advisor at American Petroleum Institute (API).

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