Latinas' Selection of STEM Careers: Individual, Social, or Instructional?

• In Event: Roundtable Session 24
  In Roundtable Session: Hispanic Issues: Language and Other Cultural Topics

Abstract

Women and girls comprise just over half of the US population. Latinos, the fastest-growing minority population, are overrepresented among the poor. STEM jobs, the highest-paying and fastest-growing fields, continue to lead the workforce growth. Importantly, Workers in STEM earn 33% more than those in non-STEM occupations and experience a smaller wage gap relative to men1. Increasing the opportunities for women in these fields, and for Latinas in particular, is an important step toward realizing greater economic success and equality for women, and a way to alleviate poverty for Latinos in general. This study sheds light into the factors that motivate or hinder low-income, high-achieving first and second generation Latina female students’ interests in STEM careers.

Authors

• Minosca Victoria Alcantara, MTA Capital Construction

• Maria E. Torres-Guzman, Teachers College, Columbia University