International Women in Engineering Day
June 23rd marks International Women in Engineering Day, celebrating the accomplishments and strides women have made in engineering fields, while also recognizing the work that still needs to be done to ensure young women pursue their interests and dreams.
For over 150 years, engineers have played a vital role in Nevada mining, the state’s original STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) industry. From the Comstock Lode to the Carlin Trend, engineers in mining have been responsible for a number of technological advancements. Unfortunately, throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, employing women was frowned upon in the industry, some states even making it illegal for them to work on a mine site.
These old and tired stereotypes have largely been eliminated, but there is still more to be done. Across the globe, fewer than 30% of all college students and researchers in STEM subjects are women. In the United States, only 11% of engineers are female. Considering that the majority of career paths available to today’s children will require a background in STEM, it is more important than ever to make sure young women aren’t discouraged from gaining the skills they’ll need on the job market.
Programs across Nevada are helping address the issue. The University of Nevada, Reno hosts an annual Young Women in Engineering Camp, that introduces middle school-aged girls to engineering subjects and allows participants to speak directly with women professionals working in those fields, including mining. Soroptimist International of Elko holds the Dream It, Be It Career Support Day for Girls every spring, where Elko Country high school girls meet with successful women on how to pursue their goals with confidence.
While there is still progress to be made, programs like these will help encourage the next generation of STEM professionals. For more information on International Women in Engineering Day, visit www.inwed.org/uk. To learn about the different careers available in Nevada mining, visit our Careers in Mining page.