Only 13% of UK females fulfil plans for a STEM career

A report published today (Thursday 9^th March) by graduate careers app Debut reveals that despite almost half (46%) of all females considering a STEM career while at school, only 13% go through to fulfilling their plans.

The research, involving 500 females aged 16–24, revealed that their interest in STEM careers ended before leaving secondary school.

When asked how secondary schools could better fuel their interest in STEM careers, the top five responses were:

1. Provide ‘real life’ STEM careers education, such as ‘a day in the life of’ videos (31%)
2. Make STEM subjects more interesting to learn (23%)
3. Make STEM industry work experience mandatory (13%)
4. Promote the fact that STEM careers pay better salaries (10%)
5. Promote the fact that career progression is better in STEM industries (9%)

Since its launch 12 months ago, Debut has showcased 432 STEM roles on the app, however only 34% of all applications received were from females.

Charlie Taylor, CEO and Founder of Debut, commented on the findings: “This research has revealed that the UK education system still has a long way to go when it comes to educating females on the positives of entering a STEM industry. That said, schools and teachers are not the only ones accountable for inspiring the next generation – parents and employers have an important role to play. 

“It would be great to see more STEM employers going into primary and secondary schools, or better still, live streaming direct from their organisations into the classroom, to give young people an insight into what STEM careers involve. Companies would benefit from this time investment in the long run.”