In recent years, the number of women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has grown considerably. Data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) show that women now earn nearly 50% of STEM-related bachelor's degrees (up from 34% in 1994) and over 60% of life sciences bachelor's degrees in the U.S. However, despite these advances, gender equity in STEM still lags. Women make up only 35% of the STEM workforce and occupy far fewer leadership roles, highlighting the "leaky pipeline" where challenges form blockages along the path to promotion that force women to decide to leave the STEM workforce. The common issues women in STEM face include:
Gender bias: Women often face conscious or unconscious bias that affects hiring, promotions and recognition.
Imposter syndrome: Many women in STEM struggle with feeling as if they don't belong, despite their qualifications.
Lack of representation: With fewer women in senior positions, early-career women in STEM have fewer role models to emulate or seek guidance from.
Work-life balance pressures: Women often face difficulties managing the demands of their careers alongside personal and family responsibilities.
Although women can face diverse challenges, mentorship and community have emerged as key tools for navigating and overcoming these issues.
The Importance of Mentoring for Women in STEM
Mentoring has been shown to play a key role in skills development, career advancement, success and socioemotional support. Studies show a direct correlation between effective mentorship programs and improvements in participation and representation of women in STEM fields. Additionally, women who receive mentorship and actively engage with supportive communities are significantly more likely to thrive in their careers. Data collected from Cigna indicate that 70% of women attribute their career success to having a mentor or network of support, and 81% agree that to succeed as a woman one must receive support from and give support to other women in the workplace. The latter statistic highlights the fact that mentorship does not only benefit the mentee, but also the mentor. Analysis by Moving Ahead and Deloitte indicates that 87% of mentors and mentees feel empowered by their mentoring relationship and develop greater confidence. Overall, women gain a lot from mentorship, including the following benefits:
Career guidance: Mentors provide insights into navigating workplace challenges and achieving long-term goals.
Confidence-building: Mentors can increase self-efficacy and help women believe in their abilities.
Networking opportunities: Mentors often open doors to new connections and networks.
Skill development: Mentors offer practical advice on developing both technical and soft skills.
Socioemotional support: Mentors provide a trusted outlet to discuss career frustrations and find encouragement.
What Is a Mentoring Network?
Mentoring is often viewed from a hierarchical perspective, where a senior individual provides needed information to a mentee. More recently, however, the wide range of areas that mentors can provide value has promoted an increased appreciation for mentoring networks, which consist of multiple mentors who provide different types of support. Unlike a single mentor relationship, which may offer focused advice in 1 area, a mentoring network includes various mentors who contribute different perspectives, expertise and resources, and can encompass the following types of expertise:
Career mentors: Individuals who offer advice on career progression, workplace policies, industry insights and professional development.
Technical mentors: Experts who provide specialized knowledge and skills relevant to a specific field or projects.
Leadership mentors: Professionals who guide one in developing leadership and management skills.
Peer mentors: Colleagues at a similar career stage who offer support, share experiences and collaborate on challenges.
Building a mentoring network is essential for gaining diverse perspectives, receiving specialized advice from multiple sources and has been associated with positive long-term career outcomes.
How to Build a Mentoring Network
To build a mentoring network, one must first start with self-reflection to identify their individual mentoring needs. What are their career aspirations? What skills do they want or need to develop? Where do they need the most support or lack experience? Understanding one's personal goals and where they want guidance will help an individual identify mentors with expertise in those areas. Leverage existing connections, such as colleagues, advisors, peers and professional associations. Attend conferences and industry events to network and consider joining formal mentoring programs through professional organizations, such as ASM's Future Leaders Mentorship Fellowship, one's place of employment, or online platforms, such as Million Women Mentors and Women in STEM Mentorship Program.
When approaching potential mentors, begin with informal conversations to establish rapport and compatibility. Clearly communicate one's goals and expectations and be respectful of their time. Nurture these relationships by staying engaged, being receptive to feedback and regularly updating mentors on one's progress. As an individual's needs evolve, they must continue to expand their network by seeking out new mentors and, when appropriate, becoming a mentor themselves to contribute to the growth of others.
Community Versus Mentorship
Community and mentorship are both important for professional growth and career satisfaction of women in STEM. While mentorship is focused on one-on-one relationships that provide personal guidance to help achieve specific goals, community offers a broader, collective support system. A community is a network of individuals with shared interests, values or goals who provide camaraderie, resources and a sense of belonging. Communities offer a space to connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, celebrate successes and navigate challenges together. They also create opportunities for women to collaborate on projects, build friendships and find new career opportunities. In STEM, where women can often feel isolated, having a supportive community can be a game-changer.
How to Find and Build Community
Finding and building a supportive community is crucial for long-term success in STEM, but it takes effort and strategy. A few ways to build and engage with one's community include:
Joining professional organizations: Many professional organizations in STEM fields have units dedicated to supporting women and underrepresented individuals, such as the American Society for Microbiology Subcommittee on the Status of Women in Microbiology. Other professional organizations, such as the Association for Women in Science, have specific missions to advocate for women in STEM. These professional organizations often offer networking events, mentorship programs and resources for career development.
Attending discipline-specific conferences: Conferences provide excellent opportunities to meet like-minded professionals, build professional friendships and connect with potential mentors and peers.
Attending networking or community events (or organizing such events, if they are not offered at your place of work/education): Many places of employment offer events, including networking lunches, learning circles and wellness activities, that can be excellent opportunities to meet new colleagues and build new friendships. Unfortunately, with busy schedules these events are often passed over, creating missed opportunities.
Engage in online networks: Social media networks like LinkedIn, STEM Women on X and Mothers in Science offer virtual spaces to globally connect with other women in STEM. These platforms are valuable for finding support, networking and sharing resources.
Create peer groups: Informal groups can be as beneficial as formal organizations. Women can form their own peer groups with colleagues or friends in similar fields through social activities, such as meeting up for coffee, lunch, volunteering or joining a walking group. These groups can serve as informal networks for advice, collaboration and support.
Mentorship, networking and community are critical to ensuring the long-term success and empowerment of women in STEM. Through mentoring relationships, women gain the confidence, skills and guidance needed to overcome workplace challenges. Building a mentoring network broadens their support system, offering diverse perspectives and opportunities for mutual growth. By engaging with supportive communities, women in STEM can find the camaraderie and collective strength needed to thrive and be fulfilled in their careers. These combined elements provide a stronger pathway to success and build an experience in STEM that will inspire future generations of women to enter and lead in the field.
The American Society for Microbiology celebrates the achievements and contributions of women scientists to the field of microbiology. We believe that the various perspectives, experiences and backgrounds of our diverse membership enhance innovation, broaden the research agenda and further scientific advancement.
