Written by: Annie Stammreich
Image from freepik.com
Welcome to the world of STEM as a part of Girls, Let's Chat. You're here for a reason -
no one forced you to look into STEM or pursue STEM. You can stop yourself at any
given moment, so here's the question I've been asked hundreds of times and still think
about every day:
Why STEM?
I have been interested in civil engineering since I was in 6th grade when we created
paper buildings that needed to withstand the weight of washers and a seismic
earthquake test (shaking it on a skateboard). My friend and I created the strongest
building in the class, and I became fascinated with the idea of creating buildings. From
these humble beginnings grew a future career that I am still pursuing today.
Other than middle school science classes, I've had plenty of influences that have pushed
me to consider engineering, science, math, or just a STEM career in general. The funny
thing is, I barely listened to them.
It wasn't my grandparents who told me to take extra chemistry and physics courses in
high school. It wasn't my parents who got me a mentor at the city level who has taught
me everything I know about the subject. It was ME who saw a future in civil engineering
and decided to go on the path.
I'm sure if you have a specific passion, whether it be biology, chemistry, environmental
science, medicine, math, computer science, or engineering like me, you're going for it.
You've joined a community of like-minded people who will support you in all your
endeavors because they are doing the same. Each of us, though on our path, is striving
towards very similar goals.
But why?
When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up throughout middle school and high
school, I always said "engineer." People I knew didn't fully understand, as they wanted
to be teachers, nurses, dietitians, interior designers, and other careers that didn't exactly
match mine. Not many people understood what a civil engineer was, and they figured I
looked up "The Highest Paid Jobs In America" and picked the first one.
While I fully respect any career choice that my friends or peers decide to undertake, I
always thought that I should be given that same respect. I've started taking courses
specifically for engineering and got a job as a math instructor to get better at what I love,
and others continue to ask me:
Why? What's it all for? Isn't this boring to you?
And the occasional:
"Isn't that a job for guys?"
No, not at all. It's not boring to me, because I've found a passion for something and plan
on doing it all my life. If you've found what you want to do because 1) you are happy
with it now and 2) if you woke up every day for 20 years satisfied with your decision, it
will all be worth it. You don't need to know everything and have everything planned out,
and you shouldn't be expected to. Life is about learning and growing as you go.
If you are taking initiative for your future, I applaud you. I am so happy we have joined a
club full of amazing people who have come together to learn about STEM and become
the future STEM leaders of our generation.
I still haven't found the answer for "why" I'm doing this all. Maybe it's because I wake up
every day knowing that I'm making a difference. I was blessed with determination and a
love for science and math, and I'm using my skills for a greater purpose. There should
always be a greater purpose, and not every day is going to be a piece of cake. It shouldn't
be.
Sometimes I'm scared thinking about how almost all of our future fields, in some sense,
are male-dominated. Only 14% of civil engineers are women. Many other fields have an
even smaller percentage, which will create some speed bumps or potholes on our path to
success. I challenge all of you to stay true to yourself, no matter how hard the journey
maybe because we are all in this together. The journey will not get easier; it will
probably get harder once we go out into the "real" world.
The question, in my opinion, doesn't need an answer. "Why join a male-dominated
field? Why take hard classes? Why take AP or IB courses when you should have a free
period?" Why not? We are risk-takers, challenged every day with problems that we have
undertaken ourselves. We are stronger because we have dealt with more than most can
imagine. We have been in classes where we're the only girl, the only one to ask questions, or the only person paying attention. We are setting ourselves up for a brighter future, one that we have decided on our own.
If you are just starting on this STEM field, be prepared, find what you love, and go for it.
It won't be an easy journey, but you will never regret it.
I’m constantly growing on my STEM journey, and I’m sure you are too. I’d love to hear
the story of how you chose your future career, and I can’t wait to update all of you on
what happens next in mine.
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