Research says: Feminine STEM role models do not motivate girls

[Jon Stratis]

Working with an all girls team, I know the team feels like they should be role models to younger girls and girls on other teams. We do that a few ways. The students strive to be the best engineers they can be, the entire team strives to maintain a positive outlook and high, productive energy levels. Lastly, the students are honest with other girls about what its like being on the team.

As a role model, all you can do is be yourself. If you try to impress too hard, you'll end up turning people off. We all know sports figures who tried really hard to get their names in the press and stay "popular". The other side of that are the sports figures who try their best in the game and have natural talent that everyone looks up to. They give credit to their team, and don't try overly hard to impress in front of the press. Which do you look up to more?

Regardless of your own personal style, students will be inspired just by working with you and being supported by you and other mentors in the program. Remember, it's not our job to tell them the "one and only" way to be an engineer. It's our job to get them interested and excited about engineering. They'll figure out their own style as they go.