I’m pretty sure you’ve heard this popular phrase “What a man can do, a woman can do better”. It’s also amazing to see women break through the barriers of limitation that society has placed in front of them, and then go on ahead to achieve amazing things. By default, there are certain activities and abilities ascribed to women and some ascribed to men. These tags have been a limiting factor for those who desire to push further, or those who have unique preferences.
Now, women are no longer choosing to stay in the box they have been fixed in. It’s amazing to see women explore career paths that were formerly ascribed to males and thrive effortlessly in them. However, this is not to exalt any gender above the other, rather this is to appreciate the people who dare to break out of the stereotype they have been placed in, and then go ahead to show the world how amazing they can be.
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Although stereotypes are still pretty much in vogue, the world is gradually adjusting to accommodate new ideas that were not formerly there before even though the progress rate is slow. Before we go into the challenges and the opportunities available for women in the male-dominated field, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more updates here.
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Challenges Women Face in Male-dominated Fields
In the UK, less than 10% of women make up the engineering workforce. Moreover, in the US only a quarter of the professionals in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) occupation are women. Furthermore, according to Statista, women make up 5% of those working in skilled trades in Canada. Accordingly, 8% of the workforce in the male-dominated industries are women. Globally, women’s share in leadership roles has seen a gradual increase but this has been in industries that are majorly dominated by women. It is also important to note that the lowest-ranking industries with women were manufacturing at 19% percent, energy at 20%, and infrastructure at 16%.
Additionally, between February 2020 and March 2022, there was a 7% increase in the number of women in construction and 15% in transportation and warehousing jobs.
With that being said, it’s safe to say that we still have a long way to go when it comes to the inclusion of women especially in the career and leadership paths.
Read also: 20 Fellowships In The USA For Graduate International Students – Open Every Year
Gender Bias and Stereotype
Furthermore, one of the challenges women face is gender bias and stereotypes: It is not uncommon to see women being stereotyped because of the perceived role society expects women to carry out. It seems as though the “hard work” is a man’s thing while the feminine and less “hard work” is a woman’s thing. This doesn’t consider ambition as there are women who have interests in other career aspects apart from the “female-dominated career path”. So, when these women go ahead to pursue their dreams in the male-dominated fields, they are seen as less feminine which should not be.
Also, women do not get the necessary support they need to thrive in the industry simply because they are women and should not engage in such activities. However, some women have been strong enough to pursue their career path regardless of the difficulties involved. Now, there are organizations and structures available to help women who are willing to pursue a career in male-dominated fields by giving them the necessary assistance in terms of grants and scholarships to help with their studies.
Scholarships for Women in Male-Dominated Fields
We have compiled a list of the scholarships available for women in the male-dominated field below:
1. AOE National Foundation Scholarships
The AOE National Foundation Scholarship is sponsored by the Alpha Omega Epsilon National Foundation. It is open to women globally; eligible applicants must attend an ABET-accredited school and meet other scholarship requirements. The AOE Foundation seeks to promote academic excellence by sponsoring women who have high standards in character, conduct integrity, academic achievement, scholastic aptitude, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. They offer two types of scholarships namely the
- Rings of Excellence Scholarship: open to a member or alumni of the foundation
- Engineering and Technical Science Achievement Scholarship: open to intelligent undergraduate women.
To learn more about the scholarship and application process, click here.
2. BHW Women in STEM Academic Scholarship
The BHW Group is a web and mobile app development company situated in Austin, Texas. Over the past decade, they have been able to produce more than 400 web and mobile applications for businesses in 23 unique industries.
- Application deadline: January-April 15
- Benefits offered: $3,000
- Duration:
- Eligibility: It is open to students but international and indigenous studying at US universities.
- Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
3. British Council scholarships for women in STEM
The British Council scholarships for women in STEM are also another opportunity for women in male-dominated fields. They run in partnership with 26 universities to provide support for women in STEM who can prove their need for financial support and who want to inspire future generations of women.
- Application deadline: Applications open early 2024
- Benefits offered: one-year fully funded master scholarship
- Duration: 1 year
- Eligibility: It is open to international students from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
- Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
Read also: 20 Fellowships In Australia For Graduate International Students – Open Every Year
4. AIAA Scholarship
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) scholarship is funded by the AIAA Foundation and for the past 20 years, they have awarded 1,300 scholarships to students studying at more than 150 universities worldwide. It is open to women who want to study courses in the STEM field. They offer scholarships for both graduate and undergraduate studies. Additionally, the scholarship is also open to students studying in accredited/recognized universities.
5. Amazon Women in Innovation Bursary
Additionally, the Amazon Women in Innovation Bursary is open to women who come from less advantaged backgrounds and want to bag a degree and start a career in the STEM field. Some of the recognized schools are Cambridge, King’s College London, and the University of Edinburgh in the UK.
- Application deadline: Application opens November 1, 2023
- Benefits offered: $20,000 in total covers tuition fees and living costs.
- Duration: 4 years
- Eligibility: It is open to international female students who are interested in STEM.
- Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
6. Microsoft Women’s Fellowship Program
Also, the Microsoft Women’s Fellowship Program is open to women worldwide who desire to pursue a career by bagging a degree in the STEM arts field. It is sponsored by the Microsoft company.
For female employees at Microsoft to undertake further study in information technology
- Application deadline: January 23, 2024, to March 15, 2024.
- Benefits offered: $5,000l, covers tuition fees and living costs. It is renewable for up to 4 years
- Duration: 1 year (renewable)
- Eligibility: It is open to international female students who are interested in STEM and arts fields.
- Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
7. ESA Foundation Computer and Video Game Scholarship
The Entertainment Software Association Foundation sponsors this scholarship and it is open to women who want to pursue a video game-related degree, being that there is underrepresentation in this field as it is a male-dominated sector. Additionally, it was established in 2007.
8. Science Ambassador Scholarship
Additionally, the Science Ambassador Scholarship offers full tuition to women in science, and technology. Engineering or mathematics space and it is funded by Cards Against Humanity.
- Application deadline: December 13th, 2024
- Benefits offered: It is a fully funded tuition that covers the tuition cost and other education expenses
- Duration: Fully-funded (4 years)
- Eligibility: It is open to international undergraduate female students who want to pursue a degree in the STEM field at US universities
- Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
9. Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Scholarships
The WTS Foundation is dedicated to advancing women in transportation in the US and Canada by expanding the existing scholarship opportunities they are currently running, providing and promoting educational opportunities and career development, and sponsoring public research. They have different scholarships that range from $2,500 to $10,000.
10. SWE Scholarship Program
The scholarship for women is sponsored by the Society of Women Engineers and is open for international female students who want to study ABET-endorsed programs. You do not have to be a member of the SWE community before applying for a scholarship, however, there are some scholarship opportunities open only to members of the SWE community.
- Application deadline: December 1, 2023 – January 23, 2024
- Benefits offered: Scholarships range from $1,000 to $10,000
- Duration: Fully-funded
- Eligibility: It is open to international undergraduate female students who want to pursue a degree in the STEM field at US universities
- Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
Other scholarship opportunities available for women in the male-dominated field include:
- Association for Women in Mathematics Scholarships
- Laurels Fund Scholarships
- Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship in Statistics for Women
- Skills 4 UK Scholar’s Award
- Southern Automotive Women’s Forum Scholarship
- Women’s Engineering Society Awards
- Anne-Marie Imafidon Scholarships for Women in Technology
- Booking.com Women in Technology Scholarship
- Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
- Paybotic Women in Finance and Technology Scholarship
Read also: Top 10 Highest-Paid Jobs In The Arts Field
Tips on how to successfully apply for scholarships
As a woman seeking to start a career in a male-dominated field, applying for scholarships available for women will give you an advantage as scholarships can help with your CV outlook and at the same time with the cost of your study. However, it is important to note that just because there are a few women in the STEM field, the scholarships for women will be easy to get. It does not work that way. Scholarships for women and scholarships in general are all competitive and you need to put in your best in the application process so that you can benefit from the result. In this article, we have outlined workable tips that you can employ to bag the scholarship that you desire.
1. Focus on the application
Many times, students often apply for multiple scholarships at once. While it is said to not put all your eggs in one basket, it is also important that you don’t throw all your eggs around carelessly. If you will not be able to handle multiple applications at once, then focus on the ones you deem important and take note of the application process. Remember applying for a scholarship can also be likened to applying for a job, so you will need to follow the guidelines that that been given to you as mistakes can cost you that opportunity.
2. Pay attention to details
Additionally, it is of utmost importance that you pay attention to details. Before you submit your application, ensure that all the information you have provided is correct and verifiable. If you are not sure of an answer, verify again. Also, ensure that you do not make any grammatical mistakes or errors as you must proofread your application before you submit it.
3. Provide references/referees where necessary
Sometimes, you might be asked to provide references or referees in your application. Ensure that you are including the right persons. Tell them the necessary information that they need to know so then they can include it in the reference letter you will submit as these qualities can make your application stand out.
4. Take note of the deadline.
Many scholarship applications of ten come with a deadline. Submission of your application after the deadline can cost you the scholarship as it can communicate unseriousness. Also, scholarship opportunities often get many applications, so you mustn’t make any mistakes that can cause you to be disqualified.
However, before you start your scholarship application, ask yourself the following questions as it will help aid the process for you:
- Am I eligible to apply?
- Am I aware of the deadline?
- Do I have all the necessary documents and information that I need?
- Do I know anyone who can stand as a referee for this scholarship?
- Who can help me proofread the application and point out errors before submission?
Asking yourself these questions will help enhance your application process and who knows, your application might just receive the recognition it needs.
In conclusion, although it is general knowledge that women aren’t regarded in male-dominated fields like STEM, women, and young girls should embrace the opportunities available to them and gain enough strength to push beyond the stereotypes and limitations to achieve their dreams because it is possible.
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