Mentoring Women in STEM Fields: A Meta-Analysis of the Synergistic Processes and Models Used Toward Occupational Advancement

• In Event: 29.074 - Women, Girls, and STEM

Abstract

Women have been underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields for decades. Despite various interventions, there has been little improvement in their retention through numerous “leaks” along the STEM pipeline. Mentoring has been shown to have a positive effect that may offset the challenges associated with navigating a male-dominated fields (Williams & Ceci, 2015). However, academic and psychosocial support systems appear to be an essential piece for mentoring women through the pipeline in an effort to improve gender diversity in the STEM workforce (Holland, Major, & Orvis, 2012; Packard, 2012). This paper critically examines the existing structures, models, theories, strengths and challenges of mentoring for women along the continuum of the STEM pipeline.

Authors

• Maniphone S Dickerson, University of South Florida

• Makini Z. Beck, Rochester Institute of Technology

• Anne L. Kern, University of Idaho

• Melinda Howard, University of Idaho

• Ke Wu, University of Montana

• SueAnn I. Bottoms, Oregon State University