by Ariana Strzalka
When I was in sixth grade, my parents dragged me to a GEMS, Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science, conference. Although I excelled in math as a student, I absolutely hated the prospect of having to do math for the rest of my life - at least that's what I thought.
During the conference, my 12-year-old self explored what a career in the STEM field actually meant. I could be an inventor and build effective machines for just about anything, or I could be an archeologist digging up and dating really old rocks to see what the world was like a long time ago. The conference was lead by women who were stand-outs in their field. I left feeling inspired and like I could make a difference.
Although I ended up realizing in college that a career in engineering or math was not for me, it is conferences like this that make a difference in the minds of young girls, and why it's so important to represent women in careers like manufacturing. After all, when you can see it, you can be it.
According to the US Census Bureau, today in the United States, women only represent about 30 percent of manufacturing workers - of these women, 52 percent work in sales or office support. On top of this, very few women of color are represented in manufacturing careers. Here at Dominion, women make up just over nine percent of our employees with the majority representing our office staff.
There is much progress to be made for equality in the manufacturing world, but there is also a ton of hope. Fifty-eight percent of women in the manufacturing industry say they have noticed a positive change in attitudes toward women in manufacturing careers, according to a Deloitte study.
At Fraser High School, girls represent most of the leadership in their Career and Technical Education programs. According to Brent Brasure, CTE Director, Fraser's fashion program and General Motors have formed a partnership. Girls now have the opportunity to learn from GM leaders to design and craft car interiors. More girls don't have to sacrifice their interests to explore a career in manufacturing. They can live in Metro-Detroit, a manufacturing concentrated area, and still have a career with a fashion background.
We must continue efforts to uplift and support women in the industry. Research from Deloitte says there is a direct correlation between inclusion, innovation and profitability. The more we include diverse voices, the better a company we will be in both culture and business.