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The Power of Diversity in STEM

In my most humble scientific opinion, Science and engineering rank up there with air. Sound farfetched? I challenge you to think of something that you use that did not require science, technology, engineering, or math. Food, building, streets, railways, transportation, meds, and other things we use in our daily lives, all required the ingenuity of an engineer or scientist of some kind. Thanks to the fine American institutions of higher learning, the U.S .produce the best scientists and engineers in the world. However, I wonder what that world would look like if the playing field was level and there were just as many women scientists and engineers as men? The world might have flying cars by now. I’m just saying.

Diversity is the key to advancing the world and our well-being. When the education system began to engage the brightest minds, regardless of sex or race, the world will see an increase in innovative and creative ideas. Like flying cars.

However, what may not be common knowledge, is the power of diversity and how it affects the global economy. If society fully understood how everybody wins, the playing field would be leveled. Goldman Sachs’s research has shown that one of the fastest ways to accelerate change and effectively begin to address the racial wealth gap is to listen to and invest in Black women. Who happens to represent less than 1% of scientists? The number is so low, researchers round off the numbers to less than 1%. To open opportunities for black women alone has the potential to create 1.2 to 1.7 million us jobs and increase the USDP by $300 to 450 billion in current dollars.

Imagine black woman’s wages on par with those white women currently 15% higher or white men 35% higher.

Notwithstanding, diversity’s a major issue in STEM, but some companies are changing the narrative. How are they doing it?

  1. Companies use technology to attract and hire a more diverse workforce.
  2. Education and training are always key. Companies make it a priority
  3. Companies examine and acknowledge their preconceived notions, assumptions, and biases, and then work to address those if they’re negatively impacting diversity in the workplace.
  4. Diversity is a job and they work hard at
  5. The bottom line, they get it. Companies clearly understand the real meaning of diversity and know that it is not just race, sex or education, but work experience and background, passion, discipline, innovative thinking, problem-solving skills, and teamwork.
  6. Lastly, it’s nothing like listening and getting buy-in and commitment from the entire organization. It defines inclusion.

 

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