Ms. Dorward is one of the technology teachers here at my high school. Ms. Dorward inspired me to become more interested in STEM ( Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Careers, particularly computer science. I got in contact with her for an informational session on her journey to her career and her thoughts on the future concerning women in STEM careers.

1. 1.What inspired you to join the computer science field?  

"My parents bought a computer when I was about 13 years old. The machine itself was physically huge.  Now that I look back, it didn’t do too much (compared to the machines we carry in our pockets today), but at the same time was incredible.  We had a couple games like Jeopardy and Carmen Sandiego.  I could even type up a report using a program called Multimate.  Whip whoo!"

1. 2.When did you decide that?  

"By high school, I started to take some courses in programming (old languages called Basic, Pascal and Cobol).  I didn’t super love programming, but was fascinated with the capability, the potential, the future for technology.  Quite simply, I just wanted to be in the middle of all that potential.  Originally, I applied to a trade school for computer repair.....A little life shift nudged me to Bloomsburg University.  Through a Computer Science minor I joined a club where we were teaching people at a mall how to use Internet.  In fact...I had a silly t-shirt that read: “I Speak Internet!”  This is where I really made Business Education my focus. " 

1. 3.Who were the people who encouraged and supported you to achieve your career?  

Some high school teachers gave me direction (and, perhaps, an ego boost).  My parents always provided a lot of guidance, direction and support.  And, oddly, I was encouraged through a job as a summer camp counselor that helped me really see my interests clearly.

1. 4. How necessary is it for young girls to be encouraged to join STEM careers?

"Very.  Many female students don’t want to go into a career that is Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics related because that has been stereotyped as a male oriented career.  Yet, there are currently more STEM related jobs out there than any other industry and most of these high-tech jobs are high-paying, too.  In fact, there is expected to be about  1 ½  million computer specialist job openings by 2020. Women have the capability to hold 50 percent of those jobs....We are molded by what we see, experience, or have been inadvertently passed along through family members and their own stereotypes.  Unfortunately, we just continue to visualize men in STEM oriented careers.  If there would be a growing trend for women to enter the STEM career now, younger women (younger girls), would be encouraged to pursue a path toward STEM, too."

1. 5.Do you think primary or secondary school teachers play a role is the decision of a student to join a STEM career?

As with just about anything, the sooner the better!  Get those students learning math, engineering, science and technology before they even discover or encounter stereotypes.  If a student has a passion or interest in any area (STEM...but also reading, writing, art, music, etc.)  I would hope that any pre-school teacher would encourage that specialty area.  Perhaps even even highlight that potential for parents/guardians.

Of course, on the secondary level, students have opportunities to really focus in more on speciality content and explore more ideas. I love science, but maybe I really enjoy the arena of Physics just a bit more than Chemistry and can begin to really seek out that arena.

1. 6.Why do you think there are not enough women in any kind of science programs?

"There were at one time. In fact, there are women who are considered pioneers in the computer science realm.  But somewhere in the 1980s there were some movies created and video games advertized as boys toys.  Computer science was just geared toward men.  And, unfortunately there is a stereotypical image in our head of men associated with computer science and engineering. "

1. 7.How could we improve on inspiring women  to join the C.S field? Flip the image that we have in our brain (as described above).

"I think that girls, who are interested in a STEM type career often drop out if a class is predominantly male.  Maybe they feel too uncomfortable, or isolated, to move along.  This phenomenon funnels STEM interested girls into other fields where women are more widely represented...There needs to be some sort of academic and emotional support for young women with interest in the STEM arena.  It might happen by learning and exploring women who have met with success in their field."

1. 8. Do you think it will ever be a leveled playing field in the science fields in 10 years?  

"Hillary Clinton just recently said about young women: “never doubt that you are valuable, and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.”  Do not let stereotypes prevent you from achieving your dreams."

1. 9.What are the steps that society needs to take to make this happen? Do you think we have made any improvements?

2. "Just to be clear, I’m not an expert on this topic, as I wish for all students to meet with success.  Although my classes continue to be composed of a male majority, we have begun to make steps to reduce this gender gap.  In fact, one step originates from our president.  Yes, uniquely, we need to be encouraged by men.  During his administration, President Obama launched an Educate to Innovate initiative.  He recognized that: “We’ve got half the population that is way underrepresented in [STEM related] fields and that means that we’ve got a whole bunch of talent … that is not being encouraged...”  This male figure who held the highest position of our country for 8 years was a big first step to encouraging more women to jump into STEM related fields.  I’d say that was a giant leap.  Other steps will follow...slowly.  As previously discussed, we need to really drop stereotypes, especially with young children.  Encourage young children to pursue their interests and passions.  And, as young women and men enter the high school and college realm, encourage them to broaden their interests and passions.  Don’t strive just to learn a skill or concept, but take it to a new level; explore, manipulate, create, and invent. "