Out of curiosity, what are some of the predominantly male college majors? I'm a guy wondering if there's any field where we tend to gravitate towards more than others. Also, do the genders balance out eventually in the workplace?
Sure thing! It's true that some college majors have been historically dominated by one gender or the other, though these trends are changing over time. Predominantly male-dominated fields often involve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), such as Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering. For example, the National Center for Education Statistics reports that in 2020, about 80% of the degrees awarded in Mechanical Engineering went to men.
In the workplace, the gender balance really depends on the field. In some fields, we see a balance over time, especially as society puts a spotlight on gender inequities. Tech companies, for example, are actively working to balance their teams with women and other underrepresented groups. However, in other fields, it remains less balanced.
For instance, in 2024, about 16% of all mechanical engineers were women (according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), despite women comprising nearly half of the total U.S. workforce. The reasons for this are complex and rooted in societal norms, resources, opportunities, and unconscious bias.
This trend isn't specific to the U.S. Pulled from data in many other countries, one can observe similar patterns.
However, it's important to remember that these are just trends and they don't define what people should study. Always focus on your individual interests and strengths when choosing a major, not necessarily what's typical or traditional.
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