In which majors are women least likely to enroll?

Hey, I read somewhere that women are underrepresented in certain college majors, especially in STEM. I'm female and am considering going into a STEM field, so this feels relevant. Can anybody give me more insight on this?

Sure, happy to help! While gender representation has been improving in many fields, there still exist several college majors where women continue to be underrepresented. Most of these fall under the broad STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) umbrella; however, there's a bit more nuance when we break down the specifics.

Engineering and Computer Science are two of the most notorious fields for underrepresentation of women. According to the National Girls Collaborative Project, women make up only about 24% of bachelor's degrees in engineering and about 21% in computer and information science. This isn't because women aren't capable in these fields, but is often due to the perceived culture, which has been historically male-dominated.

Physics is another domain where women are relatively underrepresented, with only around 24% of bachelor's degrees awarded to women, according to the National Girls Collaborative Project.

Lastly, mathematics, while not as starkly contrasted as the previously mentioned fields, also exhibits an underrepresentation. While the gender gap is less pronounced in mathematics (around 42% female bachelors degree holders), there is still a disparity.

It's important to remember that these statistics don't reflect women's abilities to succeed in these areas – in fact, I've read many success stories of women excelling in these fields. Underrepresentation is often due to societal and cultural factors, and many institutions are making efforts to create more inclusive environments, provide mentorship, and encourage more women to enter these fields. Your interest in STEM is commendable, and I encourage you to pursue your passion – your perspective is valuable and needed in these fields!