How women navigate a career in STEM and respond to the challenges created by the lack of gender diversity in the industry.

This study is a qualitative research study that investigates how women in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) industry navigate a male-dominated workplace. The purpose of this research is to determine how women who are employed in the STEM industry are affected by an environment fueled by an extreme lack of gender diversity. The research, which will be completed by March 23rd, intends to reveal how women adapt their mindset and behaviors as a result. The three research questions for the study are as follows: 1. How do women in STEM careers report coping with the overwhelming lack of gender diversity? 2. Do women report interacting differently with other women in STEM than they do with men in STEM? If yes, how so? 3. What perceptions do women in STEM report having about career advancement in their field? The researcher is in the process of conducting interviews with 15 women of various specialties and career statuses currently working in a STEM position within the aerospace and defense industry. Their answers to a predetermined set of questions will be analyzed for themes and sentiments in order to draw out commonalities