Findings from the third edition of MasterCard’s STEM research found that enthusiasm for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields starts early among girls.
In the research which surveyed 2,426 girls aged 12-25 across six markets in Asia-Pacific, 68 percent of 12- to 14-year-old girls consider the fields interesting overall. In fact, STEM-related jobs are a popular choice among this demographic; three out of the 15 top-ranked careers are Doctor (22 percent), Teacher (20 percent) and Engineer (18 percent).
According to the study, passion and an abundance of opportunities for learning were key factors that spoke to the staying power of STEM careers and fields of study.
Yet while many teen girls are interested in pursuing a path in STEM, catalyzing and cultivating their passion requires an early start. The study identified 15 as the critical age when girls decide to pursue STEM or not, and that older girls on a STEM track are more likely to commit to the path.
Although 50 percent of 15- to 19-year-old girls surveyed considered STEM-related subjects when they were younger, 51 percent of girls aged 15-16 changed their mind, while only 12 percent of those aged 17-19 did so.
Despite an overall interest in the subject, perceptions of difficulty are common among respondents (12-19 years old), coloring their views on STEM-related careers.
While 66 percent of respondents found such subjects challenging, nearly two in five girls found science lessons dull and irrelevant towards their future pursuits (35 percent). Moreover, perceptions of gender bias continue to discourage young women from embarking on a STEM path. 50 percent of teenaged girls expressed that girls are less likely to pursue STEM-related jobs because of its strong male presence. This sentiment was echoed by their older peers, who felt that women are generally less interested in STEM than men (42 percent).
Seeking to change these perceptions, MasterCard has rolled out a series of comprehensive suite of research assets and education outreach initiatives aimed at sparking and sustaining an interest in STEM among young girls. One such program is Girls4Tech, where employees are engaged as role models and mentors, to showcase MasterCard’s innovative payment technology and demonstrate the value of STEM-related subjects and careers through various fun, discovery-based exercises.
Since its launch in 2014, Girls4Tech has impacted more than 30,000 girls across 17 countries, as part of MasterCard’s global commitment to reach 200,000 girls by 2020.
MasterCard has also partnered with various organizations and universities across Asia-Pacific to offer scholarships and internships for young women, including the MasterCard Scholarship for Women at Singapore University of Technology and Design, and MasterCard MBA Scholarships for Women at Singapore Management University.