Despite progress in achieving gender equality, the representation of Latina women in STEM fields remains inadequate, with only 2% of STEM positions in the United States being held by Latinas. Stereotypes and biases within our society pose a major barrier for women pursuing careers in STEM. Even if a Latina woman manages to overcome discrimination and isolation, she will still face significant challenges due to limited resources.
According to the National Center for Women and Information Technology in 2017, Latinas are significantly underrepresented in the tech industry. The report highlighted that a mere 1% of the computing workforce comprises Latinas. This statistic is frustrating as it continues to perpetuate unfair underrepresentation. It is disheartening to realize that there is a scarcity of competent individuals capable of imparting essential skills for young girls’ success in STEM fields. On a personal note, my interest in computers was ignited by my informatics professor.
Despite being a common behavior among immature high school kids, it is important to recognize that my classmates often mocked her. It is difficult to truly understand the discrimination faced by women in the tech industry unless you have personally encountered it. In particular, my classmates belittled her limited understanding of computers and showed contempt for her classes.
This paragraph describes a situation where the author’s confusion and anger increased after witnessing sexist comments about a woman with an informatics and software engineering degree who taught a thorough class. Despite initially laughing off the comments, the author gradually realized the injustice in allowing such disrespectful remarks. Eager to understand the woman’s reaction, the author asked her and was taken aback by her response of being accustomed to such behavior.
At that moment, I made the decision to begin learning how to code, embarking on my first CS101 course. It was a revolutionary act, as it provided me with the opportunity to prove all of the individuals who mocked my teacher wrong. I refused to become accustomed to the discrimination in the same way she did. I vowed to serve as an inspiration for other women, particularly Latinas interested in STEM.
I am constantly working towards showcasing my potential for success in the tech industry, with the goal of surpassing the current 2% representation. Through this transformation, I aim to challenge stereotypes and create an inclusive computer science field. It is crucial for me to demonstrate to my professor that enduring discrimination faced by Latina women in Computer Science is not acceptable. Pursuing Computer Science enables me to prove that women can excel in STEM fields and, most importantly, represent and empower my fellow Latina sisters. My ultimate aspiration is to serve as a role model for young girls who possess a passion for learning.
