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minorities in STEM

The STEM field is one that is predominantly white. In the United States, Blacks make up 11% of the U.S. workforce overall but represent 9% of STEM workers, while Hispanics comprise 16% of the U.S. workforce but only 7% of all STEM workers. Factors that play into this statisitic include external factors that prevent minorites from even attending college, systematic inequities within the STEM field, and more. The STEM field has been experiencing an increase in the amount of minorities that have entered the field, but the STEM filed has always been a white-dominated working field. With this project, I have taken the time to interview minorites like myself and hear their thoughts about the STEM field and it's low number of minorites.

Funk, C. (2019, December 31). 1. diversity in the stem workforce varies widely across jobs. Pew Research Center's Social & Demographic Trends Project. Retrieved December 1, 2022, from https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2018/01/09/diversity-in-the-stem-workforce-varies-widely-across-jobs/#:~:text=Blacks%20make%20up%2011%25%20of,6%25%20of%20the%20STEM%20workforce

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about

Hi! My name is Ibukun Alausa and I am currently a sophomore from Plano, TX. I have grown up in Plano, TX my whole life and I love it! Plano is an hour away from Fort Worth and this allows me to go back on weekends when I want to visit my family and friends. I am a Sociology major on the pre-med track and I hope to one day go to medical school and become an OB/GYN. I also hope to one day start charities for underprivileged women to make it easier for them to access proper feminine care. My main goal in life is to make access to proper healthcare a little bit easier for women, regardless of income. Thank you so much for choosing to read my ‘About Me’

-Ibukun

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I want to bring awareness to the fact that there are not many minorities in stem. The stem field doesn't have a large amount of minorities in it and although the number has increased over the past few years, it isn’t increasing at a fast enough rate. My purpose is to provide people with the research and insight of minorities in stem at tcu to show what they think of this perspective and to ask them what they think may be the cause of this. My audience is any minority wishing to go into stem field or anyone who wants to hear more about this topic.

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Interviews

Madison

What brought you to TCU?
- I was twelve years old when I initially visited TCU, and I absolutely loved the campus. When it was time for me to choose a college I remembered the feelings I had and how much I loved being able to reconnect with the city I was born in, and I knew this was the university for me.
Do you like it?
- Overall, I like TCU. I have found some amazing ways to get involved on campus and in the Fort Worth community.
What is your major and track?
- I am a psychology major and deaf studies minor on the pre-PA track.
Did you know that the STEM field doesn’t have a lot of minorities in it?
- Yes, I am actually in the STEM Scholar Program which supports minority students pursuing STEM degrees at TCU. I think I was initially drawn to the STEM field because I saw that there was a significant lack of representation. I want to be the representation for the generations to come. I also want to help reduce the stigmas surrounding minorities in terms of healthcare.
What is it like being a minority at a predominantly white institution in a predominantly white major?
- Being a minority at a predominantly white institution in a predominantly white major can feel isolating at times. I have walked into classes where I was the only black person, and I instantly felt alone, like no one could understand my lived experience. Sometimes I feel pressure from those around me to be successful and involved because there are so few people who look like me. However, I use these feelings to motivate me to work harder while also making sure that I am taking care of myself mentally and physically, so future generations feel empowered to do the same.
What change would you like to see in your major or school regarding minorities?
- Ideally, I would like to see more representation and DEI education events, so students and faculty can learn more about different identities beyond just race and ethnicity.

Josulyn

What brought you to TCU?
- TCU's mission statement was what first attracted me to the university. After reading the mission statement I felt like this was the school for me and it made me feel like I could do anything I aspired to do.
Do you like it?
- I somewhat enjoy being at TCU. I enjoy the classes I take and my professors. I just wish I could find a solid and stable community where I fit in.
What is your major and track?
- I am a business major on the pre-med track.
Did you know that the STEM field doesn’t have a lot of minorities in it?
- I did know that STEM fields don't have a lot of minorities in them. My experience growing up was that whenever I went to the doctor, I would see only white men and women in the clinic or hospital. Furthermore, whenever people ask me what I want to be and I tell them I want to become a doctor, they always say that's great because we need more people of color in STEM fields.
What is it like being a minority at a predominantly white institution in a predominantly white major?
- Being a minority sometimes can be hard when going to a predominantly white institution in a predominantly white major because when you enter these classrooms you notice that you may be one of the few many students of color in these classes. Most of the students have their clique so sometimes it can be challenging to find friends in classes.
What change would you like to see in your major or school regarding minorities?
- I would like to see more diversity and help minority students feel more welcome.

Ray

What brought you to TCU? I got a good scholarship and this was the best of my options
Do you like it? I wouldn't want to be at any other school
What is your major and track? I'm a biology major on the pre-med track
Did you know that the STEM field doesn’t have a lot of minorities in it? I didn't know that.
What is it like being a minority at a predominantly white institution in a predominantly white major? I have always grown up around white people but tcu white people are a different breed of white.
What change would you like to see in your major or school regarding minorities? I think providing some minorities the opportunity to come to tcu through scholarship and need based financial aid is a great way to diversify campus.

Curtis

What brought you to TCU?
I received a full ride scholarship with room and board to attend TCU.
Do you like it?
I have had doubts about the campus and whether I selected the right university for me. As a sophomore here at TCU, I am still trying to find my footing and my community. At this moment, I can’t say I dislike being here at TCU, but I can not say that I wholeheartedly like it here.
What is your major and track?
I am a B.S Biology major with a minor in Cultural Awareness in Health and Health. I am on the pre-med track here.
Did you know that the STEM field doesn’t have a lot of minorities in it?
Yes, I did know that the STEM field does not have a lot of minority students in it.
What is it like being a minority at a predominantly white institution in a predominantly white major?
My first semester here was a culture shock for me; where I am from, I have always been surrounded by people who look like me, act like me, and who would engage with me. I found it hard to connect with students with my major because for one, this major is very cutthroat. Secondly, I would say because some of us come from different backgrounds, culturally it is challenging to connect with one another.
What change would you like to see in your major or school regarding minorities?
Statistically, most students of color and minority students lack the financial means to afford private institutions such as TCU. Other than community scholars, I would love for more resources being allocated towards and specifically for student color.

Alicia

What brought you to TCU?
- I didn’t know where to go to college and I liked this school better than Baylor.
Do you like it?
- Yes. It was definitely a culture shock, but I slowly got used to it and made many friends.
What is your major and track?
- I am neuroscience major on pre-med track with business minor
Did you know that the STEM field doesn’t have a lot of minorities in it?
- No, but that makes sense.
What is it like being a minority at a predominantly white institution in a predominantly white major?
- It's hard to find people that have similar interests as me and understand my struggles/situation.
What change would you like to see in your major or school regarding minorities?
- I would like to see more opportunities for minorities, like internships or clinical opportunities.

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