Although diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives have been branded as discriminatory by President Donald Trump’s executive orders, a number of women who work in STEM-related roles inside the federal government criticized his directives as measures that only aim to deepen already-existing racial and gender gaps.
Women scientists, engineers, and other female federal employees told NBC News that they are afraid for their future careers, citing issues ranging from feeling excluded under the new administration to having limited access to STEM fields.
Where are the women in STEM fields if we truly live in a society where everyone may participate equally? One Hispanic woman who works for a federal agency that deals with science and technology made this statement. She was afraid of reprisals, so she asked to remain anonymous.
Requests for response were not immediately answered by the Trump administration. The executive orders, however, were an example of commitments made and honored, according to an earlier statement from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
She stated in the statement that President Trump ran on a platform of eliminating the evil of DEI from our federal government and bringing America back to a merit-based economy where individuals are employed on the basis of their qualifications rather than their skin color. For Americans of all races, faiths, and creeds, this is just another victory.
The lack of diversity in STEM disciplines has long been a point of criticism. According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, women made up approximately one-third of all STEM workers in 2021, while making up more than half of the country’s population. Additionally, they were constantly paid less than men. Despite making up larger percentages of the population, Black and Hispanic workers only made up 9% and 15% of the workforce, respectively, according to the figures.
According to statistics, other underrepresented groups also encounter obstacles to job advancement in STEM, particularly in roles with the federal government. A 2023 research, for instance, revealed that even when nonwhite women joined the workforce at a higher grade, they progressed more slowly and ultimately spent fewer years at the USDA Forest Service, which offers positions in sustainability, climate, and engineering. Additionally, the same survey found that nonwhite men had the highest termination rate of any group in the Forest Service.
Diversity is essential to scientific integrity. Thus, it is important. The science cares about it.
stated a Federal employee of color who was let go from a stem field.
According to a Black government employee who has held positions at several state, local, and federal STEM-related agencies, anti-DEI initiatives may impede scientific progress and problem-solving abilities. She requested anonymity out of concern about reprisals.
The employee, who was placed on leave last week, stated that diversity is essential to scientific integrity and that we know that diverse research teams produce better results because they bring a variety of viewpoints. It simply enhances how research questions are formulated and findings are interpreted. Thus, it is important. The science cares about it.
According to the employee, greater diversity would only help the government’s STEM efforts.
According to the employee, no one race or faith has it all figured out because humans are complex. The more we collaborate, the better the results will be.
One federal government biologist, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid reprisals, said she participated in a paid federal internship for underrepresented groups early in her career. Additionally, it resulted in a STEM full-time job. She claimed that these programs, which are currently in jeopardy, only serve to level the playing field for members of underrepresented groups, who are more likely to lack the resources to participate in unpaid internships or the connections necessary to gain entry into such fields.
According to the biologist, you can now compete for jobs that you previously couldn’t. For women and those from lower- and middle-income families who might not have the time to go out and do all this volunteer work, it is extremely important.
“As some misconceptions may suggest, programs that help recruit diverse talent do not hand out jobs to unqualified individuals,” the biologist stated. “They just provide opportunities for people who would not otherwise be able to compete for STEM careers,” she said.
“It doesn’t mean that I was hired because I’m gay or a woman, that I didn’t have to compete, or that I was hired straight into this job,” the biologist stated. They believed that I was the most qualified candidate for the position.
According to the Hispanic federal worker, the sunsetting of DEI programs and the suspension of some volunteer support groups, such as employee resource groups, may discourage women and minorities from applying for or being selected for STEM jobs. “Those organizations and initiatives have historically assisted women and minorities in better navigating workplace dynamics, asking important questions in a safe environment, and feeling comfortable being themselves at work because there are so many men in their fields,” the employee added.
In what way do you support those who are being given extra attention just because they are men? The employee said. You can perform better at work when you feel like you belong to the community and have other individuals you can rely on.